thou hast shewed in former time vnto our Fathers which vz. also thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy truth i. which faythfully and truely thou promisedst and that by an oth adioyned to thy promise to performe to him and his séede see verse 35 of this Psalme In the other two verses vz. verse 47.48 he tooke argumentes from the vanitie of men and their life to moue the Lorde to pittie them In this verse he taketh an argument from the faythfulnesse which GOD vseth towards his seruaunts to induce him therto and in the two nexte verses vz. 50 51. he taketh an argument from the person of their enemies Verse 50. Remember O Lord i. earnestly thinke vpon that thou mayst also redresse it the rebuke of thy seruaunts i. the tauntes and rebukes wherewith thy seruaunts are laded by their enimies sée Psalm 123.4 which I beare in my bosome i. which I suffer most quietly patiently louing them as it were and making so much of them as though I fostred them in my bosome because I know they come from thée of al the mightie people i. which al the mighty people cast vpon me so the Prophet sheweth who were his enemies vz. not only the meaner sort but the most mighty of all Ver. 51. Thyne enemies vz. and ours for thy sake haue reproched thée O Lord vz. because thou hast not holpen vs saying where is now their god Psal 79.10 because they haue reproched i. blasphemed and spoken euil of with taunts rebukes the footesteps of thine annointed i. the good conuersation and behauiour of him whom thou hast appointed to be King if you referre it to Dauid If to Christe then it hath this sence that they speake euill of the doctrine and profession of Christ vpbraiding them also that wayted for his comming Vnderstanding by footesteps the féete themselues because with our féete we make our steps and by féete comming as Isaiah 52.7 Ver. 52. Praysed be the Lord for euermore this is a conclusion with thanksgiuing which in all places and in prosperitye and aduersitie the faythfull vse to giue to the Lord as Iob 1 21. So be it euen so bee it this is a consent yeelded to the same thankes giuing and the doubling maketh both for the earnestnesse and certaintie of it Sée Psalme 72.19 Ver. 1 teacheth that it behoueth Gods saints continually to praise god for his Do. mercy also that their thanksgiuing must not be inward in the hart onlye but outward also in the mouth Verse 2. teacheth that the true taste and féeling of Gods mercy and truth are two principall proppes to our consciences Verse 3 teacheth Gods goodnesse and mercy who for the further strengthening of our fayth and not for any inconstancy in him maketh an oth for the performaunce of his promises Verse 4. teacheth that Kinges and their posterity can not indure without the Lord vphold them and blesse them Verse 5. teacheth men euen by the example of heauenly creatures to prayse the Lord. Verse 6 teacheth that none neither in heauen nor earth is any way matchable with God Ver. 7 is a notable place against inuocation or prayer to Saynts Verse 8 sheweth that it is no small comfort to the consciences of Gods children rightly to consider his great power Verse 9. teacheth that Gods power and prouidence beareth a sway in the stilling of the sea and waues thereof which otherwise séeme to goe by naturall course Verse 10 teacheth vs that the ouerthrow of Gods enemies is not from man but from the Lorde himselfe and his mightye power Verse 11 sheweth that God is Lord ouer all things and that the firmity or stayednesse which the world hath it hath it not of it selfe but from the Lorde who in his power and prouidence vpholdeth the same Verse 12 proueth that God created the earth and that therefore it is not eternall as Philosophie affirmeth also although all the earth belong to the Lord as ouer which he hath a generall care yet specially that part which the faythfull inhabite Verse 13 setteth out Gods mightie strength and power which is so great as none is able to resist Verse 14 setteth out Gods iustice mercy and truth as matters not only of great comfort to his seruaunts but of great instruction also to teache them to striue to the lyke in their behauiour and dealings Verse 15 teacheth first that only Gods people are indéede blessed secondly that there is no matter of mirth or ioy but in the Lord only thirdly that Gods frée fauour and mercy is the onely vpholder of our bodily and spirituall life Verse 16 teacheth that the faythfull neuer reioyce in themselues but in the Lord and in his strength and in the faythfull accomplishment of his promises Ver. 17. teacheth that all the glory strength and power that the godly haue is from the Lord only Ver. 18. teacheth that neyther King nor people nor weapons c. are any thing without the Lord. Verse 19 teacheth that Gods word in the mouth of his ministers is a good both warrante and comforte to those that are his also that it is the Lorde that rayseth vp one and pulleth downe an other Verse 20 teacheth vs that he is in déede approued whom the Lord approueth howe much soeuer otherwise he be reiected of men Verse 21 teacheth that all the strength and power that Princes haue they haue it from the Lorde alone Verse 22 sheweth Gods care ouer his children and how mightily he will defend them it teacheth also that the wicked cannot doe what they list Ver. 23 teacheth that the ouerthrow of the vngodly is from the Lord whatsoeuer instruments he vseth to the performance thereof Verse 24. teacheth that Gods truth mercy and power are the proppes of all common wealths and kingdomes Ver. 25. teacheth that it is the Lord alone who inlargeth kingdoms Ver. 26 teacheth not only how earnest Gods children should be in their prayers but also with what a particular apprehension féeling of his mercy and power they ought to repaire vnto him Ver. 27. teacheth that meane men and high men are so much as God accounteth of them indéede and no more Ver. 28 teacheth that Gods mercy the stedfastnesse of his couenaunt be singular comforts to the consciences of his seruaunts Ver. 29. teacheth that God will be the God of the faythfull and of their séede after them Ver. 30.31 doe euidently declare what sinne is vz. the breache of the law and not obseruing Gods commaundements Ver. 32. teacheth that God wil chastice his for their sins to the end that therby they may come to amendment Verse 33 teacheth that God in the middest of his punishmentes remembreth his mercy toward his secondly that God will neuer vtterly forsake those that are his howsoeuer it pleaseth him to afflict them for a time Verse 34. sheweth that God is frée from all chaunge or shadow of turning Iames 1.17 which is a singular comfort to the afflicted foule Verse 35 expresseth Gods loue towardes vs
trueth Verse 8. Among the Gods vz. of the Gentiles and which they worship as Gods but yet are not so there is none like thée O Lorde vz. in any respect hee sheweth that the Gentiles gods are false and counterfeit because they haue no testimony of their might and power Sée Psalm 115.2.3.4 c. Sée also against the vanity of them Isaiah 44. almost throughout and there is none vz. amongest either them or amongst all the creatures in the worlde no all the creatures set together that can doe like thy workes i. can do such workes as thou hast done and dayly doest for all that they doe they do by thee as in whom they liue moue and haue their being whereas thou doest that of thy selfe only whatsoeuer pleaseth thée both in heauen in earth Ver. 9. All nations vz. of the earth whom thou hast made vz. by thy mighty power for without thée they were not neither can be shal come vz. either willingly or by constraint and worship i. either truely or hipocritically serue thée before thée i. in thy presence at thy presence and in the assembly of thy Saints and shal glorifie thy name i. shall either soundly or else for fashion sake acknowledge thy might maiesty and power for so is name taken here as Psal 20.1 Some vnderstande this of the calling of the Gentiles I wil not greatly contend but methinketh it were better to bée vnderstood of a constremed and counterfeit confession such as you shal sée in Abimilech Gene. 20. throughout and in Pharaohs Exod. 9.27 and in some other chapiters of that booke Ver. 10. For thou art great vz. aboue all and declarest that greatnes and excellency of thine by many thinges but specially by thy works and doest vz. dayly and continually wonderous things i. matter farre beyond the reach and compasse of mans wit and reason and therefore very wonderful thou art God alone q.d. though many haue the name of God yet in déede both the thing and the name doth only belong to thée Verse 11. Teach me q.d. I am blind and ignoraunt and therefore humbly craue thy instruction thy way O Lord i. the way that thou thy selfe hast prescribed and is the onely way and manner to liue well and vprightly and I will vz. through thy goodnes assistaunce and strength for otherwise I can doe nothing of my selfe walke i. frame and fashion my conuersation in thy trueth i. according to that rule of trueth and righteousnes which thou thy selfe hast prescribed in thy worde knit vz. fast and sure mine heart i. the affection and perswasion of my heart vnto thée vz. and the trueth of thy promises q.d. bring to passe that my heart being fréed from all feare and care of my enemies it may rest wholly in thy feare This manner of speach declareth that mans heart is distracted and as it were diuided into sundry partes till God haue driuen it to himselfe and helde it fast in his obedience wherefore by this worde hee meaneth that euen they that are wel affected are yet notwithstanding subiect to so many stūblings that they should quickly vanish and bee spilt as water were it not that god strēgtened them with constancy that I may fear thy name i. beare a louing reuerence to thy maiesty and trueth Ver. 12. I wil praise thée O Lord my god vz. when thou shalt haue taught me thy trueth and deliuered mee from mine enemies with al my heart i. vnfeignedly and not outwardly in wordes onely but also inwardly in deed and trueth yea I wil glorifie thy name i. set foorth the praise of thy maiesty might and power for euer i. both in this life and in the world to come or else it may be taken for continually Verse 13. For great is thy mercy towardes me i. thou hast and doest by effect declare the riches of thy goodnes towardes mee and thou hast deliuered my soule i. thou hast set my life or whole man frée for otherwise nothing can touch the soule from the lowest graue i. from most great deepe and extreme dangers it is a metaphor as they that are buried séeme in mans iudgement past hope of life and yet God notwithstanding will rayse them vp againe so when Dauid seemed to be past all recouery by reason of his distresses then did the Lorde most mightily deliuer him Ver. 14. O God the proude vz. persons of the worlde who are not prouoked by any wrong I haue done them but only by their owne pride for so much I suppose the Hebrewe word importeth are risen against mee vz. with great force multitude and counsel thinking to destroy me and the assemblies i. great troupes and multitudes of violent men the Hebrewe worde in déede importeth them that trust in their owne strength who are sayd to bée mighty or violent because with a certaine violent outrage they trouble all and labour to destroy euery thing experience teacheth the trueth of this for we sée that there is no measure kept where pride and violence or outrage preuaileth haue sought vz. very diligently my soule i. my life to wit that they might take it from me sée Matth. 2.20 and haue not set thée vz. who séest and knowest all wickednes and wilt in good time punish the same before them hee meaneth that they had no feare or regarde of God at all but supposed that God did not behold them which is a manifest token of extreme licenciousnes and impiety Ver. 15. But thou O Lorde art a pitiful God and merciful vz. to them that turne to thée and cal vpon thee in truth slowe to anger vz. against any though neuer so wicked looking by long suffering for their amendment and great in kindnes i. of wonderfull great kindnes and loue specially to thy seruants and trueth he meaneth by trueth the faithful accomplishment of all Gods promises and this verse is a certaine description of the nature of God and séemeth to be taken out of Exod. 34.6 Ver. 16. Turne vz. thy fauourable and louing countenance vnto me vz. which am distressed on euery side hee prayeth that hee may in this his misery féele Gods goodnes and mercy and haue mercy vpon me i. make thy mercy appeare towardes me in deliuering mee from the power of these violent men giue thy strength by this spéech he meaneth not to craue all the strength and power of God but to intreate the Lord to giue him strength and ability to passe through al the brunts hee should indure vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto him whome thou hast chosen to be thy seruant true it is the worde importeth slaue or bond seruant which word the Prophet also vseth to moue the Lorde to mercy and saue i. deliuer from daunger and distresse the sonne of thy handmayd i. such a one as hath béene begotten of faithful parents and brought vp in the couenaunt and is as it were a houshold seruant of the Church Sée Psalm 116.16 Verse 17. Shew a token of thy goodnes towards mee
soeuer either in heauen or in earth And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD vz. for his gracious and large gouernement Verse 20. Prayse the Lorde yée his Angels Angels are sayde to bée Gods not onelye because hée created them but also because hee vseth them at his pleasure in the execution of his will that excell in strength vz. all other creatures vnderstanding also by strengthe whatsoeuer is excellent in them so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23 that doe his commaundemente i. the thinges hée commaundeth you in obeying the voyce of his woorde q.d. you are so readye in obeying that so soone as the Lorde speaketh you are readye to doe it Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures because the Lorde hath them at commaundement as a Captayne hath his armed men and Souldiers to vse them as pleaseth him some onelye to Angels but I allowe rather the former reason by that which is written Genesis 2.1 Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure i. what pleaseth him before hee called his creatures hostes for the multitude of them Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts because hée hath them at commaundemente Verse 22. Prayse the Lorde vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse all yée his woorkes i. all his creatures of what order or condition so euer yée bée in all places of his dominion i. euerye where because hee ruleth euerye where and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen and in earth my soule prayse thou the Lorde hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it and therefore Sée verse 1. of this Psalme And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last also Psalme 147. verse 1. and last Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last Verse 1. Teacheth vs first to inforce our selues Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man Verse 2. Teacheth also two thinges the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings of almightie GOD Secondly that they rightly thought vppon are strong arguments to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4 He teacheth vs for what causes and graces wée shoulde bee thankefull vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings they teach also that all the graces which wee haue wee receiue onely from the Lorde but yet let vs somewhat more particularly consider them Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely which ouerthroweth mans merites thirdly that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them originall actual c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ and as for actuall sinnes committed after baptisme men must satisfie for them Lastly it teacheth that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured no though wée vse all meanes vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke Verse 4. Teacheth first that the issues of life and death are in Gods owne hande Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely and not by his owne strength or any thing in him Thirdly that the Lorde is not skant or pinching in his goodnesse but plentifullye powreth it foorth vppon those that are his Verse 5. Teacheth vs that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is Secondly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age and maketh them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye as in the dayes of their youth Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye yet the Lorde will deale vprightly which is a great comfort vnto his children Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye Verse 9. Teacheth vs that this is no small comfort that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come Verse 11. Teacheth vs that Gods mercye is infinyte and incomprehensible Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD towardes his sonnes and seruauntes Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16 Vnder the similitude of the grasse flowre wind c. doe set foorth not onely the shortnes but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life Verse 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde practise and obedience also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde and his commaundementes to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome which is comfortable to the godly because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience to the voyce and worde of the Lorde Verse 21.22 Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde much more man that excellent creature not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created but also because hée hath receiued infinite numbers of benefites aboue the rest Ver. 22. And these woordes in all places of his dominion teach Gods children neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme with the same sentence that hee did beginne it hee doeth not onely shewe howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is but also howe dull men are thereto and that maketh him in this Psalme to double and treble that sentence that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety Psalme 104 THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry matters and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided Di. Notwithstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and others to praise God for his power from ver 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of God towardes his
all that faile thē of any thing that is méet for thē it teacheth also that nothing is done without gods prouidēce ver 18 setteth out the hard hartednes of the wicked the miserable estate that the Godly many times are brought vnto Ver. 19 sheweth that there is a time set with God wherein he wil deliuer his out of danger cleare thē from al false slanderous accusations wch time it behoueth thē with patience to wayte for Ver. 20 sheweth that God wil make euen Princes to pity his poore seruants Verse 21 sheweth that after long humbling God wil exalt his seruants very highly the same lesson doth ver 22 deliuer Ver. 23 sheweth that God hath many wayes to bring his purposes to passe as for the deliuery of his people out of Egipt which he had promised to bring them into Egipt by the means of the famin Iosephs being there Verse 24 teacheth iij. things first that al increase is of the Lord secondly that do men what they can to hinder Gods purposes they cannot preuaile thirdly that euen thē whē men striue most against God his people then doth he make them principally to flourish Ver. 25 teacheth that gods prouidence and counsel entreth euen vnto wicked mēs harts that they cānot hate or loue the good without Gods sufferance the power that he giueth thē therto yet hée remaineth pure frō al euil holy and as it were an excellent workeman who in performing his work bringeth good out of euil light out of darknes Ver. 26 teacheth that God doth by means worke the deliuerance of his people wch should teach vs to vse means secondly it sheweth that none should take vpō them any office but they that are sent of God as was Moses Aaron Ver. 27 Teacheth men faithfully to do those things that God hath giuen them in charge to perform Ver. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 teach especially two things First that nothing is don either in heauen or earth but by the very finger power of almighty god secondly that God hath al his creatures at cōmaundement to vse thē at his pleasure for the plaguing punishing of the vngodly Besides this Ver. 30. teacheth that God in pouring forth his iudgemēts is not partial to any person sparing kings or Princes Ver. 31.34 declare that euen Gods word is his déed for when he speaketh any thing it is done as appeareth in the creation Gen. 1. Ver. 37.38 39 40 41 42 43 44 teach first that God maketh al his creatures to serue for the good of his children secondly that euery good thing they haue they haue from the Lord only But more particularly Verse 37 teacheth vs that siluer gold strength c. are the Lords gifts Ver. 38 sheweth that God can make the very name and countenances of his seruaunts feareful to them which had oppressed them Ver. 39 teacheth what a cōtinual care watchfulnes the Lord hath ouer his seruants to kéep thē frō dangers things that might annoy them Ver. 42 teacheth vs that Gods frée promises are the cause of all our goodnes blessednes both in this life the life to come Ver. 45 teacheth vs that the end wherefore God bestoweth al blessings vpon vs is that we should imploy our selues more diligently and faithfully in his seruice which if we do we shal bee sure of his graces in great abundaunce and continuance which if we do not we may for a time haue and inioy many outward things as the vngodly haue but the very hauing of them will be in the end to our great iudgement Psalme 106 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée especiall partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise God and yet considering his own weaknes the excellency of gods works he thinketh himself and others far vnméete for it and yet notwithstanding goeth forward to pray both for himself and his people from verse 1 to the ende of the 6. In the second part he doth largely resite as the singular graces and goodnes of God towardes their forefathers so their particular rebellions and iniquities multiplyed against God who had bene so good vnto thē with the iudgements also that for those sins he layd vpon them from verse 7. to the end of the 46. Now gods mercies are resited ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 22 30 31 43 44 45 46. Their sinnes ver 7 13 14 16 19 20 21 24 25 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39. Their punishments verse 15 17 18 23 26 27 29 32 40 41 42. In the third part hée prayeth the Lord to gather together the dispersion of his people by which it should séeme that this Psalm was made when they were in some captiuity eyther in Babilon or vnder Antiochus promising therefore to prayse his holye name and inuiting others to doe the like and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme The title is praise ye the Lord by this we may sée that it was a Psal appointed Se. to stir vp men to the praysing of god Sée the last verse of Psal 104. also in some measure to cōfort thēselues with the consideratiō of gods former graces Ver. 1. Praise ye vz. O ye faithful and good people the Lord vz. only and none but him because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy endureth for euer this is another cause why they shoulde prayse the Lord because his mercy towards his is perpetual neuer shal haue end Ver. 2. Who vz. amongst al his creatures can expresse i. is able eyther by thought to conceaue or by words to declare the noble actes of the Lorde i. the greate and singular workes of creation preseruation c. of all his creatures more particularly of men but most specially of his children or shewe all his prayse i. the prayse that he doth deserue for the same The Prophet vttereth not this as though he would haue vs vtterly leaue off to prayse God because we cānot thorowly sufficiently perform it but that considering on the one side our own weakenes we should earnestly pray the Lord to strengthen vs thereto and on the other side the excellency of his works shoulde indeuour what wee maye to praise him therfore knowing that he accepteth vs according to that we haue not according to that we haue not Ver. 3. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement Imman readeth it in my mind better thus that kéepe this order vz. of praising magnifying God for his graces though they cannot do that which either they would or should do righteousnes at al times i. that do continually frame their life as an euident patern and a constant and perpetuall example of the prayse of God for so I suppose righteousnesse in this place to be vsed Verse 4. Remember me vz. thy poore and vnworthy Seruaunt hee meaneth not that God doth at any time forget
charged with iniustice or vnfaithfulnes Ver. 9. He i. the Lord alone sent vz. by the hands of Moses Aaron meaning by the word sending bestowing or giuing redēption i. deliuerance vz. out of Egipt to his people vz. Israel when they were bōdslaues captiues he hath cōmanded his couenant vz. to remain sure certain for euer i. continually holy and fearefull is his name i. his maiesty goodnes power c. is ful of holinesse feare reuerence c. The Prophet meaneth that God in deliuering his people was not a father vnto them for one day only but established his grace and confirmed his couenant made with Abraham to the end that the hope of eternall life and the reuerent feare of his Maiesty might remaine continually in his church and he addeth these words holy and feareful is his name not only to discern betwéene him and al counterfeit Gods whatsoeuer but also to teach his children thereby to walk in the obedience of his maiesty Ver. 10. The beginning of wisdome i. of true holy wisdom such as is acceptable before god is the feare of the lord i. a right a reuerēt fear of gods maiesty imprinted in mēs harts he meaneth not by beginning the A B C as it were but the top height as it were of all holy heauenly wisdom sée Deut. 4.6 vnder the word feare he containeth al piety the seruice of God q.d. They that haue not gods feare and order themselues according to his law are altogether brutish Now we may try whether the feare of God be in vs by this touchstone to wit whether wee willingly receiue his yoke and suffer our selues to be gouerned by his word al they that obserue thē i. his commaundements or statutes as before ver 7 of this Psal haue good vnderstanding i. are truely wise indéed wheras without these there is nothing else but foolishnes his praise indureth for euer i. the praise that is due vnto God for his goodnes and mercy indureth yea and ought to indure amongste his to al posterities Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs first to thank God for his benefits secondly to do it vnfeinedly with al our affection thirdly to do it both priuatly and openly Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children ought to exercise thēselues in déepe meditation of Gods works Ver. 3 teacheth vs that al gods works do wōderfully set forth his glory maiesty Ver. 4 teacheth vs first that we cannot deface the excellēcy of gods works though we would secondly it describeth the excellency of loue and mercy that is in the Lord specially towards those that are his Ver. 5 teacheth vs that God giueth his children whatsoeuer he féeth good meet for them also that God promiseth nothing to his but he performeth it Verse 6 sheweth that though gods power be known to al yet chéefly to those that are his people Ver. 7 teacheth vs that al that God doth he doth in mercy to his seruaunts and in iudgemente to his enemies Verse 8 noteth the certaintie assurednesse and cōtinuance of gods word Ver. 9 teacheth that God in the middest of their greatest miseries remembreth and deliuereth his own people Ver. 10 teacheth vs that this is true wisedome to yéeld God that seruice only that he requireth at our hands also that it is not ynough to know but that we are bound to do Gods commaundemēts Psalme 112. Di. THis Psalm may be diuided specially into two parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great blessings of God vpō those that feare him frō ver 1 to the end of the 4. In the secōd he sheweth certain qualities or notes wherby to discern good men describeth all the cursed estate of the wicked Frō ver 5 to the end of the Psalm For the title of this Psal Se. also sée before Psal 106. in the title Ver. 1 Blessed is the man i. fulnes of blessings is to him of what sexe or state soeuer he be sée Psal 1.1 that feareth the Lord vz. vnfeignedly with his whole hart Vnder this word feareth the Lord he comprehēdeth al the whole worship seruice of God and delighteth greatly i. taketh much and continual pleasure as Psal 1.2 in his cōmandements i. in the cōmandemēts which God hath prescribed Ver. 2. His séed i. the houshold race and posterity of such a good man shall bée mighty i. shal grow not only to a great increase but also to strength continuance that shal not rot away vpon earth i. in this earth that the Lord hath giuen to the sonnes of men the generation of the righteous i. the godly race and posterity of good men continuing in their fathers goodnesse shal be blessed vz. with plentiful blessings that from the Lord. Ver 3. Riches treasures i. al maner of wealth wch is noted both because the prophet vseth 2 words signifying almost one thing and also because hee speaketh of them in the plural nūber shal be in his house i. in his possession and vse to serue his own turne and the turne of all those that any manner of way depend vpon him and his righteousnes i. his vprightnes and goodnes both towards God and men indureth for euer i. shall neuer decay q.d. though many rich men through deceitefulnes of riches fall away from their former goodnes yet this good man neuer shall doe so because he is vpholden in the same by the strength of God and his spirite yea and withall he sheweth what difference there is betwéene the good and the bad wicked mens riches goe away by and by but good mens righteousnes continueth for euer True it is that the good are oftentimes poore but the Prophet herein specially magnifieth the grace of god that the godly content themselues with mediocritie and that on the other side the prophane men are neuer satisfied what abundaunce so euer they haue Ver. 4. Vnto the righteous i. vnto thē that striue to a righteous life and holy conuersation ariseth vz. through Gods speciall appoyntment gift and grace light i. all maner of prosperity and blessednes both inward and outward in darkenes i. in the greatest distresse misery and aduersitie that can come vppon him the Prophet meaneth that God maketh them to féele his grace and goodnes which are vpright in heart in the middest of their greatest afflictions they knowing this that all that is layd vpon them shall turne to their good hee i. the godly and faithfull man is mercifull and full of compassion vz. towardes such as are in neede and distresse righteous i. vpright and faithful in al his dealings with other Some referre this to God but methinke the other is the more apt sense Ver. 5. A good man i. one whome God hath framed to goodnes for otherwise none is good saue God onely Mark 10.18 is mercifull vz. to the poore and néedy vnderstanding by mercifull curteous in speach and ready in déede to performe what in him lyeth and lendeth vz.
matter of no smal comfort Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that it is a good thing to be borne of good parentes but that it is much better to haue our names written in the booke of life also that though mischief be deuised against Gods seruauntes or they themselues somewhat fal into it yet that God will either preuent the mischiefe or else dispatch them out of distresse Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that thankesgiuing and prayer should alwaies be ioyned together Verse 18. Is the same with ver 14. and deliuereth the same doctrines also it teacheth vs not to be ashamed openly to praise God for his mercies Ver. 19. teacheth vs also to yéeld him that sacrifice publikely in his Church and in the assemblies of his saints It teacheth vs also to prouoke others to praise the Lord. Psalme 117. Di. AS this Psalme is the shortest Psalme in al the booke and hath but only two verses so it specially propoundeth two things The first is a generall exhortation to al people to praise the Lorde this is in ver 1. The second comprehendeth a double reason why they should praise him vz. for his mercy in making promises and for his faithfulnes in performance of them ver 2. Se. It hath no title or inscription Ver. 1. Al nations vz. of the world whether ye be gentiles or Iewes prayse ye the Lord vz. both with heart and voyce al ye people vz. of the whole earth some vnderstand by nations all the Gentiles onely and by people the people of Israel only but I sée no reason of it for the Prophet speaketh generally to al praise him vz. incessantly and in all places This doubling of the word noteth not only how necessary the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing is but how backwarde also wee are in it that must so often be called vpon ver 2. For his louing kindnes i. his mercy is great towards vs i. is multiplied very much and sufficiently confirmed vnto vs. The Hebrew word may be turned is strengthened vz. so that it hath preuailed against vs q.d. though we would pue it backe yet it wil ouercome vs meaning that it hath bene excéeding great and mighty one example of the continuance and increase of Gods fauour and graces read 1. King 17.14 and the trueth of the Lord indureth for euer i. Gods faithfulnes in performing his promises continueth stedfast and sure and therefore hee is worthy to be praysed of al. This is to bee referred to the continuall testimonies of Gods fatherly fauour and grace which is as it were decked with stedfastnes and firmity Verse 1. teacheth vs that it behoueth all men of the world Do. and euery particular person in the same to praise God Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods mercye and faithfulnes be the principall causes which should moue vs to thankfulnes and praysing of his name Psalme 118 THis Psalme séemeth to bee made eyther after that Dauid was deliuered from some great trouble in the dayes of Saule Di. or after Saules death when he was aduanced to the kingdom or after victory obtained amongst and against sundry nations with whom he fought Whatsoeuer it is it doth specialy propound thrée thinges the one is an exhortation to men to praise God and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde hée sheweth the causes why men should doe so which though they bee many particularly expressed in the Psalme yet generally they are but these two his mercy towards his children and his iustice towards his enemies from verse 5. to the end of the 20. In the third is contayned a harty reioycing both of the people and Priests for the establishment of Dauids Kingdom and this reacheth from verse 21 to the end of the Psalm This Psalme hath no title as many other before haue not Verse 1. Se. Praise ye the Lord vz. O ye seruaunts of the Lord as Psalm 113.1 because hee is good vz. towards all but specially towards you for his mercy vz. towardes you indureth for euer i. lasteth for euer and euer he noteth the cōstancy of gods mercy towards his children and withall sheweth that the righte occasion of praysing God is rather set forth vnto vs in his mercye then in his iustice and power because we shall neuer be well disposed to prayse God vnlesse wee bée drawne vnto it by the swéetenesse of his mercy Verse 2. Let Israel i. not only them that came of Israel or Iaakob according to the flesh but the true faithful Israelites now say i. presently and without any delay confesse from their hart that his mercy indureth for euer vz. euen as they themselues by their owne practise and experience are very well able to report These wordes are expounded before verse 1. Verse 3. Let the house of Aaron i. those that are of Aarons stock and come from him meaning especially the Priests and Leuits sée Psalme 115 10. now say c. this is expounded before verse 1.2 Verse 4. Let them that feare the Lord i. that serue and worship him in al holy reuerēce sée Psalme 115 11 13 All the rest is expounded before in this Psalme marke that he tieth his spéeche to the true seruaunts of God because that although many Israelites according to the flesh occupied a place in the church yet they were notwithstanding straungers from it Ver. 5. I called vpon the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer in trouble i. when I was in trouble sée Psalme 1.20 ◠and the Lord heard me i. graunted me the requests and prayers which I made vnto him and set me at large i. at liberty taking me out of the distresse wherein I was sée for this purpose Psal 4.1 In this verse also marke that the Prophet commeth from the generall to his owne particular person declaring that as he himself had marks and tokens of Gods goodnesse towards him so hee had also thereby occasion giuen him as well as the rest to prayse the Lord. Verse 6. The Lord is with me vz. in all distresse hee meaneth by this spéech that God tooke his part against al his enemies therefore I will not feare what man can do against me i. I wil not care for al that man can doe or deuise whatsoeuer it be by man he meaneth multitudes of men and great personages q.d. be they neuer so many or neuer so great yet I wil not feare Thus wee sée how the Prophet hauing felt Gods assistaunce in former time and obtayned sundry victories assureth himself of Gods perpetual aide in time to come such confidence and assured perswasion sée before Psal 3.6 also Psal 27 3. Ver 7. The Lord is with me i. not only present but also on my side and taketh my part among them that helpe me vz. being thus cast down and afflicted the prophet meaneth that seing God taketh his part he shal preuaile otherwise if he had al the helpe in the world it could not stand therfore shal I sée my desire vpon my enemies i. I shall
open vnto him euen as though the Sacrifices were already present and ready that I may go into them vz. willingly chearefully and gladly and praise the Lord vz. with all my hart for his graces bestowed vpon me Ver. 20. This is the gate of the Lord q.d. seing that these gates belong vnto the Lord it is very méete they should be opened to his seruaunts the righteous shal enter into it vz. there to prayse the Lord and to pray vnto him Ver. 21. I vz. the people of Israell and Iudah the holy Ghost speaketh of them all as though they were but one because they all make but one body and here beginneth the third part of the Psalme will praise vz. with my whole hart and continuallye thée vz. O Lord for thou hast heard me i. granted my praiers and requests made vnto thée and hast ben my deliueraunce i. him that hath deliuered me out of al trouble Verse 22. The stone vz. which God himselfe had appointed as méete for the building to stay vphold and bind together the whole kingdome whiche vz. stone also the builders refused i. the principal gouernors both in the church and in the Kingdome in Saules time and in the dayes of Ishboseth if wee respect Dauid but if we respect Christ then the Priests Pharises and all the rest who by duty should haue built vp the Church and not destroyd it is vz. now thorow Gods appointment the head of the corner i. the chéefe stone in the building not only because it is sette in the most excellentest place of the whole building but also because it doth sustayne the whole waight of the house In this verse referred to Dauid the people shew how that though the greate men stood agaynst him yet God exalted him to the kingdome maugre all their deuises which as it followeth in the next verse was a wonderfull thing But it is truly accomplished in our Sauiour Christ as appeareth Matt. 21.41 Act. 4.11 who is indéede the true corner stone Ephe. 2 20. in whome all the building coupled together groweth vnto a holy Temple in the Lord Ver. 23. This vz. exaltation of the chéefe corner stone so contemptuouslye reiected of the greate men of the world was the Lords doing vz. only and that in mercy towardes vs miserable men whether wee respect Dauid as the figure and so apply it to the people of the Iewes or else referre it to Christ as the truth and substaunce and it is meruaylous in our eyes i. we déeme it and take it to be a wōderfull thing far beyond the reach of our wit and reason and yet we know and beléeue the same to be faithfully performed Ver. 24. This is the day vz. in which the Lord sheweth by effect that he is gracious towards vs in giuing vs so good a King which the Lord hath made vz. for our comforte and good let vs reioyce vz. before the Lord and be glad in it vz. for the graces which hée hath bestowed vpon vs. Verse 25. O Lord I pray thée vz. euen for thy owne names sake and for thy mercy sake and the word I is to be taken here as verse 21 of this Psalme saue now vz. our King thy seruaunt vnderstanding by the word sauing not only deliueraunce from daunger but aid and succoure to ouercome al our enemies and that word now importeth a present supplye without delay not that they prescribe God a time but to the ende the enemies might be quickly ouerthrowne O Lord I pray thée now vz. at this present wherein good occasion is offred giue prosperity vz. to our King and to vs in his ministery These be the prayers of the people wishing good vnto their King and themselues sée for this purpose Psalme 20. thorowout Verse 26. Blessed be he vz. with all kind of graces both outward and inward that commeth vz. to rule and gouerne amongst vs in the name of the Lorde i. by power and authoritie giuen him from the Lord q.d. That thrusteth not in himselfe but taketh the kingdome vpon him by the commandement and appointment of God Sée this applyed to our Sauiour Christ Mat. 21 9 We vz. which are the Lords Priests and wayt vpon the Altar haue blessed you vz. both King and people vnderstanding by blessing praying for them and wishing them all good which was a part of the Priests office as appeareth Deutron 10.8 Num. 6 23 c. out of the house of the Lord he noteth the place frō whence this blessing was pronounced vz. euen in that place where God was serued and in which place both Priests and people were assembled to worship him and these are the Priests words and prayers Verse 27. The Lord vz. which hath done these things for Dauid and vs is mighty vz. aboue all both in heauen and in earth and hath giuen vs vz. thorow his great mercy goodnesse light i. prosperity and al kinde of gladnes for so much do the Hebrewes comprehend vnder the word light sée Esth 8 16. binde the sacrifice vz. of praise and thanksgiuing which you offer to the Lord putting one number for an other and vnderstanding by one many as may appeare because he addeth with cords for many cords néed not for the tying of one sacrifice but hee meaneth that they should bind and bring al their sacrifices together and haue them in a readinesse as it were presentlye to offer them vp to the Lord vnto the hornes of the Altar he meaneth by this spéech that they shoulde bring them together and fill as it were the whole court of the Lord for further then that place it was not lawfull for the people to goe so that he meaneth by bringing them to the hornes of the Altar nothing else but presenting them before the Lord that as nigh as they might by warrāt of the law go so that Dauid minding to ioin the outward ceremonies of the law with the inwarde affection and seruice of the hart exhorteth euery one to prepare to present that which is necessarye to offer vp to God for the sacrifice of thanksgiuing The hebrew word whiche is here turnd sacrifice doth properly signify a sacrifice offred on some feast day the word that is translated cords signifieth a cord made of many thréeds or ropes put together and hath his name as it should séeme of the thicknes of it Ver. 28 Thou art my God i. he that alone hath mightily deliuered me from mine enemies These be Dauids words vttered either in his own name or in the Priests name concluding the Psalm with thanksgiuing as he had before taken vpon him that person both of the people Priests ver 21. ver 26. of this Psalme I wil praise thée vz. for thy goodnes mercy power manifested vnto me euen my God q.d. Though thou art a God vnto al yet by particular experience I haue found thée so chéefely vnto me therfore I wil exalt thée vz. amongst men with praise thanksgiuing Ver. 29.
and he testifyeth by this worde so often vsed in this Psalme that euen in the middest of life we are dead vnlesse we be quickened and vpholden by the power of God according to thy iudgement vz. pronounced in thy word or we may take iudgement to be put for the word it selfe which declareth vnto vs Gods goodnesse he alludeth no doubt to the office of an earthly iudge whose duty cōsisteth in these ij points to absolue and lose some and to pronounce the sentēce of condēnation vpon other some in which sence also we say in the cōmon cōfession of our fayth that Christ our sauiour shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead Ver. 150. They draw neare vz. to me euen to persecute hurte and destroy me that follow after malice i. that pursue the mischieuous and wicked attempts which they themselues in their own malice had maliciouslye and wickedly deuised against me and are far from thy law i. they care not either for the sight hearing or knowledge of it thus he giueth two properties to know the wicked by the first is that they are malicious the second which indéed is the welspring of al mischiefe they despise Gods law Ver. 151. Thou arte neare O Lord vz. to al thine euen to aid succour them in their distresses for al thy commaundements are true that word for would better be turned and and he meaneth that not only the words wherwith gods commandements are expressed but euen the very things commanded therein are iust true holy Verse 152. I vz. my selfe haue knowne vz. euen by mine own practise and experience long time i. not only of late but sundry times heretofore whiche I will neuer forget by thy testimonies i. by thy word that thou hast established them for euer i. that thou hast ordained that it should abide firm and stable for euer and euer sée ver 89 of this Psalm and verse 144. Verse 145 teacheth vs that in all our supplications praiers to the Lord Do. our hart and our words should concur consent together Verse 146 teacheth vs that the former experience of Gods goodnesse in hearing our praiers shoulde imbolden vs both to pray and to hope to receaue the like Verse 147 teacheth vs euen to breake our sléepes to giue our selues to prayer and calling vppon the name of GOD. Verse 148 teacheth vs to be continually diligente and carefull in the meditation and studye of Gods worde Verse 149 teacheth vs that Gods frée mercy is the first cause of the graunting of al our requests Ver. 150 doth liuely paynt out the nature and disposition of the wicked and vngodly Verse 151 teacheth vs that the Lord is neuer absent from those that loue and feare him Verse 152 teacheth vs that to know the assurednesse of Gods worde and to haue felt by proofe the certainty thereof are two notable proppes of our fayth and hope Resch Di. IN this part as in the former the Prophet continueth his prayers to almighty God vsing certaine arguments to induce the Lord to graunt him his requests as first his own misery affliction and gréefe verse 153 154 158. secondlye the desperate estate of the wicked and the greate heape of his enemies 155 157. Thirdlye the great loue mercy and truth of the Lord verse 156 159 160. Se. Verse 153. Behold mine affliction i. how great the affliction is which I presently indure not that the Prophet thought the Lord did not beholde it but because he would haue him by effect to declare that he did regard and consider it and deliuer me vz. out of the same for I haue not forgotten vz. as the wicked men doe verse 139 but I haue thought vpon it to doe it thy lawe i. thy worde as sundrye times before Ver. 154. Pleade my cause vz. against mine aduersaries that would oppresse me sée Psalme 35. verse 1. and verse 122 of this Psalme It is as much as if he should desire the Lord to defende him and his case and deliuer mée vz. from them that would oppresse me as ver 134 sée also for this phrase ver 153. quickē me according vnto thy word sée verse 25 of this Psal Verse 155. Saluation i. helpe and deliueraunce out of daunger as Psalm 3 8 is farre from the wicked i. they shall haue no parte or portion of it and this he speaketh specially of his aduersaries who defended an vniust cause against him because they séeke not vz. vnfeignedlye and from a good harte thy statutes i. thy worde and that to know and to do them Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercyes O Lord vz. towards thy sonnes and seruaunts Sée Psalme 86 5 13 15. quicken me according to thy iudgements sée verse 149 of this Psalme Verse 157. My persecutors and mine oppressors i. those that persecute and oppresse me are manye vz. in number and great in power yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies q.d. for all that I leaue not the loue and obedience of thy truth sée verse 110. of this Psalm Ver. 158. I saw vz. euen with mine eyes meaning that he did certainly know the naughtinesse of the wicked men the transgressors vz. of thy law for sinne is the transgression and breache of Gods lawe 1. Iohn 3 4 and was gréeued vz. with them and at them for their sinnes sake sée before verse 53 136 139. because they kepte not thy worde i. because they had no care eyther to know it or doe it Sée verse 136. Verse 159. Consider O Lorde the Prophet speaketh this not as though he doubted whether god knew it yea or no but to intreat the Lord by effects to declare the care that he had of him how I loue thy precepts i. how much I loue them sée ver 97 113 127 and sundry other places of this Psalm quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse this may stand vs in stéed of an exposition of that which was sayd before 149 156 if that bée not plaine ynough as that he should vnderstand by iudgements Gods promises and mercies in which sence also the word is vsed in sundry places of scripture Ver. 160. The beginning of thy word is truth i. thy worde hath bin true euen since the beginning and al the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. all thy iust and righteous iudgements indure for euer the Prophets purpose is in this verse to note that Gods word is most certain faithful stedfast and durable Ver. 153 teacheth vs Do. that euen our very affections are good matters to moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon vs. Verse 154 teacheth vs whether we haue mās ayd or no yet we should continually hang vpon the Lord and pray vnto him for our iust defence euery maner of way Ver. 155 teacheth vs that a very cōtempt of Gods word which the wicked vse is a seale vnto Gods children that no parte or péece of Gods fauour belongeth vnto them Ver. 156 doth notably set out the aboūdant riches infinit treasure
obey the wicked no though they haue the mastery of vs in euery thing that they demaunde specially when God and his glory shal be prophaned thereby Ver. 5. Teacheth vs continually to thinke vppon Gods Church and the misteries thereof that thereby we may be prouoked to powre forth earnest prayers to God for it Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that we should rather forget our selues then Gods Church it teacheth vs also that nothing in this life shoulde bee so ioyfull vnto vs as the restitution and florishing therof Verse 7. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray against the wicked and vngodly Verse 8.9 Teach vs that God many times punisheth one sinne with an other as cruelty with crueltie not that he delighteth in sinne but to shewe that sinne shall not escape vnpunished and that to this ende and purpose hee rayseth vp one wicked man and people against an other Psalme 138 THe Psalme may bée deuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing to the Lorde for his mercies towardes him verse 1.2.3 In the seconde hee doeth by the spirite of prophecie as it were foretell that other kings and people shall doe it as well as hée shewing the cause wherefore they shoulde so doe ver 4.5.6 In the thirde hee setteth out the assured perswasion that hee had of God and his goodnes towardes him praying for the continuaunce therof ver 7.8 The title A Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. to set foorth his thankefulnesse to God-warde Sée Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. I will prayse thée vz. O Lorde and that for thy mercies and benefites and this Psalme shoulde séeme to bee a publike confession that Dauid made vnto GOD for the blessinges which hee had receiued at his handes with my whole heart i. in sinceritie of heart with a sounde and not an hypocriticall heart and this is opposed against a double heart q.d. no parte of my heart nor of the affections thereof but they shall bée all wholly occupied in praysing of thee euen before the Gods i. openlye and before the Kinges and Magistrates of the worlde for so haue you the woorde Gods vsed Psalme 82.1 which thing also Dauid him-selfe promiseth Psalme 119.46 and in other places will I prayse thee vz. continually and vnfeignedly Verse 2. I will worshippe towardes thy temple i. I will call vppon thee bending my presence towardes the place where thou art serued Sée Psalme 5.7 and prayse thy name i. thy maiestye power goodnesse c. as sundry tymes before because of thy louing kindnes vz. towardes mee and for thy trueth vz. in accomplishing thy promises so here hee putteth downe the causes of his thankesgiuing Sée Psalme 115.1 for thou hast magnified thy name aboue all thinges i. thou hast made thy maiesty and power appeare more excellent and great then all thinges whatsoeuer by thy word i. by faithful accomplishment of those thinges which thou hast promised in thy word It may also receiue this sense q.d. the things which thou speakest and performest in thy woorde are more great and large then that men can either name them or thou bee sufficiently praysed for them Sée Psalme 71.15 Ver. 3. When I called vz. vpon thée by prayer then thou heardest mee i. grauntest mée my requestes and petitions Sée Psalm 120.1 and thou vz. alone for none could do it but thou hast increased strength in my soule i. hast made my soule and inward man very mightie and strong with patience to suffer all calamities whatsoeuer it may be also vnderstoode thus that God had more and more strengthened himselfe putting a part for the whole Ver. 4. All the kinges of the earth This séemeth to bee a prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles he meaneth that many kings their people shal bee conuerted to the Lorde shall prayse thee O Lorde vz. by myne example for they haue hearde the woordes of thy mouth i. they haue not onely with their eares heard but with their eyes séene and with their heartes consented vnto the trueth of thy word generally and particularly this that thou hast by wonderfull meanes brought mée to the kingdome and this hee speaketh specially of Hiram king of Tyrus and others néere vnto him Verse 5. And they shall sing vz. openly and in the hearing of others of the wayes of the Lorde i. of the thinges which the Lorde doeth and of the order and course which he obserueth therein he meaneth that they shal both acknowledge gods workes and prayse him for the same specially for the course which hee hath kept in preseruing Dauid from his enemies and exalting him to the kingdome because the glory of the Lorde is great i. because the thinges that he hath done gloriously and openly as it were a conquerour are very high and excellent Verse 6. For the Lorde is high i. mightie and passing the very heauens them-selues and so it may bée a reason of the great glorye of the Lorde whereof hée spake before yet q.d. notwithstanding the great distaunce betwéene him and vs hee beholdeth vz. with a fauourable and louing countenaunce and that not idlely but effectually and as one that hath altogether care ouer such the lowly i. such as are humbled despised and contemned amongest men but the proude vz. men of the earth hee knoweth vz. thorowly both within and without a farre off vz. howe farre off so euer they bée from him and it may bée that hee meaneth that as the proude doeth scornefully and as it were a farre off beholde others so dealeth the Lorde with them Immanuel readeth the whole verse thus though the Lorde bee lifted vppe vz. in great and exceeding glorie yet hee beholdeth the lowly i. such as are depressed and beaten downe of men and though hee him-selfe bee high i. lifted vppe euen aboue the heauens hee knoweth a farre off q.d. GOD hath both sight and certaine knowledge both of the good and of the bad the senses in my iudgements differ not much Verse 7. Though I walke i. though I bee much conuersaunt in the middest of trouble i. in very great daunger so that I am compassed about with both before and behind on the right hande and on the left Sée Psalme 23.3.4 yet wilt thou reuiue mee q.d. though my dangers were so great that I shoulde séeme to be dead yet thou wilt quicken me and preserue me from death Thou wilt stretch forth thine hande vpon the wrath of mine enemies i. thou wilt not onely set thy power betwéene mee and their rage to the end that they doe me not any hurt but thou wilt also oppose and set thy selfe against them Immanuel readeth it thus thou stretchedst out thy hande agaynst the face of mine enemies i. thou wilt strike them and that openly as it were with thy left hande and wilt defende mée with thy right as followeth in this verse and thy right hande i. thy gracious and mighty power shall saue me i. deliuer me out of
al my dangers Verse 8. The Lorde vz. whose purpose and power none is able to withstand will performe vz. graciously and in good time his worke i. the worke that hee hath begunne in me towardes me i. vpon me and for my cause q.d. hee will procéede 〈◊〉 declare that hee hath care ouer my saluatioon and will bring to perfection that which hee hath begunne Sée Philip. 1.6 O Lorde thy mercy vz. towardes all but chiefely towardes thy children indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue ende for though that in the life to come wee shall not sinne no more then the Angels in heauen doe nowe yet as they stand now so must wee then by his only mercy in Christ forsake not the woorkes of thine handes i. leaue not mee in myne affliction and the good thinges that thou hast begunne in mee Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to prayse the Lorde for his mercies Do. yea that wée shoulde not bée ashamed to doe it before men of might and countenaunce Verse 2. Teacheth vs that Gods continuall grace towardes vs and the faythfull accomplishment of his promises shoulde alwaies prouoke vs to bee thankefull vnto him Verse 3. Teacheth vs that GOD is nigh to the earnest supplications and prayers of his seruauntes Verse 4. Teacheth vs that it is the duety euen of Kinges to serue the Lorde euen as well as the meanest of the people and that the hearing of Gods woorde is a good meane for mens conuersion Verse 5. Teacheth vs to take singular delight in the meditation and speach of Gods workes and worde Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God considereth the conuersation both of the good and the bad but to diuers endes and effectes Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when Gods children are in the greatest distresse that euen then they should assuredly beleeue that God will worke most comfortably for their deliueraunce Verse 8. Teacheth vs that GOD beginneth nothing in his children but hee doeth accomplishe and make the same perfect and yet that it is our duety notwithstanding to vse continuall and hearty prayers vnto him for the performance thereof Psalme 139 Di. I Doe suppose that this Psalme may rightly bee diuided into foure partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde did thorowly know him and al his waies both inward and outward and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seconde hée declareth that nothing neither in heauen nor in earth nor in places vnder the earth is able to hyde him from this great presence and exact knowledge of God from verse 7. to the ende of the 12. In the thirde parte hee setteth out certaine reasons thereof taken from mans creation concluding with the excellency of Gods workes and wayes from ver 13. to the ende of the 18. and in the fourth part hee prayeth earnestly agaynst the wicked desiring the Lorde more and more to try him that in the ende hee may bee founde fit for him from ver 19. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to him that excelleth a Psalm of Dauid sée this expounded before Psalme 4. in the title Sée also the title of Psalme 14. Ver. 1. O Lorde vz. who alone art the searcher of the heartes and reynes thou hast tried vz. by sundry and many meanes mée vz. whome men speake so much euill of and knowne mee vz. thorowly both inwardly and outwardly so that my thoughtes wordes and déedes are open in thy sight and that which hee speaketh here generally hee vttereth in the next verses more particularly And this Dauid doth appealing to the iudgement of God and making him witnesse of his heart because hee sawe that hee was vniustly accused of his enemies Verse 2. Thou knowest vz. thorowly as before verse 1. my sitting and my rising i. whether I sit downe or ryse vp or doe any thing else it is naked before thée vnderstanding also by these two al the actions of the whole life of a man thou vnderstandest i. knowest and perceiuest my thought i. both it and the thinges that in it I thinke vppon a farre off i. long before it bee brought to effect yea long before it come into my minde or I haue conceiued any thing in my selfe Verse 3. Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe i. thou art alwayes with mée whether I iourney trauayle or lye still and are accustomed i. well acquainted and as it were familiar with all my wayes i. with the conuersation and actions of my whole lyfe Verse 4. For there is not a woorde in my tongue i. I am not about to speake any thing at all hée putteth the instrument of speach and woordes conceiued and ready to bée vttered for woordes vttered already as it were but loe thou knowest it wholly O Lorde vz. euen before I speake it so that neither it nor any part of it can bee hidden from thée Verse 5. Thou holdest mée straite vz. by thy almighty power behinde and before i. on euery side as aboue and belowe on the right hande and on the left q.d. thy power and presence enuironeth mée on all sides so that I can neither thinke doe nor speake any thing but thou séest it and knowest it and layest thyne hande vppon mee i. thy power q.d. euen as though thou haddest arrested mee and made mee thy prisoner thou kéepest mée in such sort that I can not goe out of thy sight nor doe any thing but thou knowest it yea and guidest and gouernest mee also Verse 6. Thy knowledge i. the knowledge of thy maiesty and of thy wonderfull and excellent woorkes is to wonderfull i. ouer high and marueilous for mee vz. to reach vnto it it is so high i. excellent and exquisite that I can not atteine vnto it vz. by any wit or industrie that I haue q.d. I am not able to comprehende of my selfe or by any thing that is within mée or without mee to knowe thée and thy great woorkes because they are farre beyonde the reach of my reason capacitie and vnderstanding Verse 7. Whither i. into what place of heauen and earth shall I goe from thy spirite vz. to hyde mee from thy knowledge and vnderstanding because men conceiue and vnderstande thinges by the spirite which is a facultie and power of the inwarde man hee speaketh thus of God not meaning it of the holy Ghost which is the thirde person of the godheade q.d. I knowe not whither to goe but thou wilt alwayes perceiue and vnderstande where I am whither shall I flie from thy presence q.d. I knowe not whither to get mee from thy sight as may appeare by the particular enumeration following Verse 8. If I ascende i. goe vp into heauen vz. which is thy seate and dwelling house as it were thou art there i. I shall certainelye finde thee there if I lye downe in hell i. in the graue as wee haue had it sundrye tymes in this booke of Psalmes q.d. if I should rest in the graue and lower partes of the earth as men
side from the hand of strangers sée for the vnderstanding of this and all that followeth in this verse the 7. and 8. verse of this Psalme where you shall sée the very same wordes Ver. 12. That our sonnes i. the posteritie that we shal leaue behind vs through thy fauour towardes vs and thy iudgements vpon thine and our enemies may be as the plants i. tender faire gréene and florishing growing vp in their youth this may be referred either to the childrē or to the plants but I rather refer it to the plantes q.d. euen as plantes set in good grounde grow vp a pace so by this thy blessing the séede that we shall leaue behinde vs shall increase in all comelines beautie and good thinges and our daughters i. our seede and posteritie for vnder these two sonnes and daughters hee meaneth all posteritie either male or female which they coulde leaue behinde them as the corner stones vz. of the house builded or in the foundation of the house which were not onely profitable to vpholde the whole building as Psalme 118.22 but also was finely hewen cunningly wrought grauen i. curiously wrought and cut after the similitude of a pallace i. after the forme of most costly stones wherewith most costly buildinges as palaces are built But I like better Immnuel who readeth it thus that our sonnes being as the plantes growing vp in their youth our daughters being as the corner stones al this agréeth with the sense before giuen may bee the building of the temple i. may be such stones as may be vsed to the building and polishing of Gods church that we may altogether grow vp to an holy temple in the Lord Ephe 2.21 also Ephe. 4.12.13 Ver. 13. That our corners i. not onely the barnes and store houses which we haue but euery corner of our dwelling house maye bee full vz. through thy blessing and abounding vz. in great measure and plenty with diuers sortes vz. not onely of graine and corne but of all maner of prouision and that our shéepe may bring forth vz. through thy especial blessing thousandes and ten thousandes i. may increase infinitely and as it were without number for he putteth a number certaine for an vncertaine in our stréetes i. openly so that not only we our selues to our great ioy but our aduersaries to their great griefe may beholde the same Verse 14. That our oxen vz. also through this thy blessing may be strong to labour i. méete and fit for all that labour whereunto thou hast appointed them and we shal according to thy will vse them he meaneth by this that the people may bee rich and abounde with al maner of worldly blessings that there bee none inuasion vz. of the enemie against vs that is that the enemy runne not in vppon our lande and vs neither make breaches in our wals nor enter into our cities nor going out vz. to battle and warre which can not be if none come to assault them nor no crying in our stréetes i. neither noyse or sodaine tumult as commeth to passe in the taking of townes nor no mourning by any occasion either when the enemies slay vs or otherwise q.d. that no euill thing at all may come vpon vs that no good thing may passe from vs and that we haue no heauines nor cause therof within vs our Cities but al things ioyful and pleasant Ver. 15. Blessed are the people that be so i. in so good a cause d.q. most happy surely are they yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lorde i. they in déede are blessed who howsoeuer they haue or inioy the outward blessings before rehearsed or haue them not yet so do tast and féele the grace of God that they are still perswaded of his fatherly loue towards them and in the apprehension thereof goe on forward towards the obtaining of the heauenly inheritance Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that we can do nothing no not outwarde things well Do. vnlesse the Lorde teach and instruct vs. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs first that God alone is the whole aide and defence of his children secondly that it is not kings powers and pollicies that kéepe the people in good order and subiection but hee alone who boweth their heartes thereto Verse 3. Teacheth vs that there is nothing in man as of man that can commend him to God Ver. 4. Setteth out the vanity brittlenes and shortnes of mans life Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God néedeth not to vse any great power for the ouerthrowe of his enemies Verse 6. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of his trueth Verse 7. Teacheth vs that vnlesse GOD deliuer vs out of our great daungers there is no way or meanes for vs to escape out of them Verse 8. Teacheth vs that there is nothing but vanitie lying and falshoode to bée looked for at the handes of the wicked Verse 9. teacheth vs to bee alwayes thankefull to the Lorde for his mercies and because wee are very dull thereto to stirre vp our selues by all the meanes wee can Verse 10 teacheth vs that Kinges victories and their deliuerances from daungers procéed from God as well as the poore mans doeth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that because we can not helpe our selues wee shoulde pray the Lorde to deliuer vs from distresses Verse 12. teacheth vs that it is a singular blessing to haue a posteritie grafted into Gods Church Verse 13 teacheth vs that abundance of al things come from the Lorde onely Verse 14. Teacheth vs that neither our cattell nor any thing else can stand vs in steede without Gods especial blessing and al these three verses layde together doe teach vs further what great commodities insue to Gods people by the ouerthrow of their enemies also that euen these outward blessinges are to Gods seruants sure seales and testimonies of a better hope Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that they in déed are in some measure blessed that haue these outwarde benefites bestowed vpon them but yet they are in better case which though they wante them féele with assuraunce of perswasion the eternal fauour of God towards them in the hope and certaintie of a better life Psalme 145 Di. THis Psalm propounding specially the matter of thanksgiuing and praise vnto the Lord may bée diuided into foure partes In the first hee himselfe promiseth to praise the Lorde shewing a cause wherefore Ver. 1.2.3 In the second he doeth as it were prophecie that all Gods creatures and workes shal serue to set forth his praise from ver 4. vnto to the end of the 12. In the third he sheweth reasons and causes why men should praise the Lorde to wit for his gouernement his mercy his prouidence c. from verse 13. to the 20. And lastly hee shutteth vp the Psalme with promise of thankesgiuing as he began it ver 21. Se. The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which hee made of prayse vz. vnto the Lord i. of such prayse and thankesgiuing as
he meaneth by Gods holy Mountayne Heauen wherevpon the Lord sitteth as vpon an excéeding high Mountayne Ver. 5. I layde me downe vz. vpon my bed or Couch and that word I is full of force q. d. I whose life so many enemies séeke and slept vz. soundly and swéetely careles as it were of mine enemies The Prophet meaning by sléepe wonderful quietnesse for they that are doubtfull of their successes oppressed with gréefes haue many times sléepe taken from their eyes And rose vp agayne excellētly added for many take their rest yet rise not the Prophet noting that as he slept soundly so he safely awaked and imployed himselfe vpon his affayres for the Lord sustayned me this is the reason of all for without God we can do nothing Iohn 15.5 Ver. 6. For ten thousand a certain number put for an vncertayn meaning innumerable people mend the latter end of the ver thus which standing about me haue pitched their tents agaynst me i. which cōpassing me about are ready euen as it were with their weapons drawne to destroy me q.d. though I were neuer in so great daunger distresse feare yet I will not feare for thou Lord wilt graciously deliuer me now as thou hast done heretofore Ver. 7. O Lord arise vz. Like a couragious and ready souldier that heareth the sound of the Trumpet stande vp vppon thy feete take thy weapons and armes to defend me and wound mine enemies Helpe or after some saue me my God vz. from the subtiltie and power of my foes for thou hast some read which hast smitten both the readinges come to one sence vz. hee prayeth God to deliuer him out of this present daunger as he before had done out of sundrie the like al mine enemies i. the greatest number of them For he meaneth not that God had so destroyed his foes as none of them were left Vppon the chéeke bone as beasts that hurt by byting cannot hurt when their téeth be broken or their iaw bones burst in sunder so the Prophet sheweth that his enemies in former time had bene so cast downe that neyther by word nor déede they were able to hurt him Ver. 8. Saluation belongeth to the Lord true it is that saluation and eternall life belong to God alone but yet saluation in this place is vsed for helpe and deliuerance from daungers which alone indéede belongeth to God how great or small soeuer the meane be that he worketh the same by Mend the latter part thus And let thy blessing be c. For it is as it were a wish and prayer that Dauid maketh for the people as well as for himselfe here is chaunge of the person for in the first part of the verse he spake in the third and now in the second vnderstanding by blessings gods fauour and goodnes and naming the people gods people notwithstanding their sinnes of rebellion and falling away with Absalon against Dauid his Father Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the multitude of our enemies should not so dismay vs as that we should not pray to God Ver. 2. Neither yet their vile wordes should worke that effect in vs. Ver. 3. Ministreth comforte because God is as a shield in all distresses and teacheth that true faith vanquisheth all distresses and impossibilities whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Teacheth first that in dangers we should pray vnto God secondlye that God graciouslye heareth them that call vpon him in truth thirdly that the consideration of former deliuerance should strengthen our fayth touching deliueraunce of the like either present or to come Ver. 5. declareth that if God be on our side we néed not care who be against vs Romans 8.31 c. to the end of the chapter Ver. 6. True fayth surmounteth all difficulties and distresses of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 7. God alone is to be called vpon in néed because he alone can helpe and saue Ver. 8. Teacheth not only to pray for others as for our selues but also euen for our enemies as Dauid doth for the rebellious people Psalme 4. THis Psalme hath a Title or inscription but thereof wee will speake when we come to the sence and as it may be deuided thus First Dauid maketh his prayer to the Lord in mercye to behold him and graciously to graunt his request and this is contriued in the first verse Secondly he speaketh vnto his enemies not only declaring that God had exalted him but also wishing thē in time to repent from ver 2. to the end of the 5. In the 3. he declareth wherupon he staid himselfe what were the grounds of his assurance vz. Gods fauour and wonderful blessings from ver 6. vnto the end of the Psalme Se. The title is this to him that excelleth viz. in musicke and songs skill vpon instruments for which knowledge sake hee was preferred before the rest or Neginoth here the Geneua note is good ver 1. When I cal i. whē I pray vnto thee righteousnes i. thou that art the witnes iudge and defender of mine innocencie and vprightnes towards Saul or any other thou hast set me at libertie he comforteth himselfe by former experience trusting to féele the like fauour now when I was in distresse all this speech is metaphorical borowed of them which by enemies are driuen into a narow place out of which they can very hardly escape q.d. when I was brought into wonderful dangers thou hast deliuered mee and made mee glad ver 2. O ye sonnes of men hee speaketh here vnto the nobles and mightie men of Israel that had conspired with Absalon q.d. O yee Princes and great men for so the Hebrewes sundry times vse these woordes Sonnes of men Sée Psalme 58.1 My glory into shame glory here is put for the kingdome which God had giuen him q.d. how long wil ye indeuour to kill me that ye might shamefully spoile me of my kingdome louing vanities and seeking lies by vanities and lies hee meaneth euery deceitful thing which falleth not out as he would wish and their vaine councels and indeuours which drawe their hope q.d. how long will yee in vaine indeuour to turne me out of my kingdome by vaine deuises and lying imaginations which ye shal neuer obtaine for the Lord prouideth for me ver 3. the Lord hath chosen q.d. I take it not vpon mee my selfe but the Lord hath laide it vpon me he speaketh here of himselfe in the third person sodainly chaunging it into the first person when I cal i. When I pray to him as ver 1. of this Psalm ver 4. tremble q.d. though yee feare not mee yet feare God at the least who hath appointed me king And sinne not vz. against God and me going forward in your conspiracies and practises examine your owne hearts vpon your beds q.d. thinke well vpon the matter and determine rightly vpon the matter in the night season what time men are wont not only to giue them selues to sleepe but to be free from weightie causes and bee still i. leaue not off
onely to speake euil of me but cease from your wicked purposes ver 5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes he meaneth such lawful and holy sacrifices as the lawe commanded to bee offered for sinne and hee calleth them the sacrifices of righteousnes because he would haue them rightly and vnfeignedly to testifie their repentance and chaunge of mind q.d. O ye traytors confesse your sinnes offer sacrifice to God for the purging thereof put your trust in God alone and not in your selues that ye shal obtaine pardon ver 6. Many vz. of the Israelites that haue conspired against me and other mine enemies who will shew vs any good i. Who wil bring to passe that we may obteine our desires and amongst the rest see Dauid cast out of his kingdome and slaine q.d. Wée woulde wée might see that but Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs these are Dauids words q.d. I haue many enemies and some trust in one thing and some in an other I wish onely thy fauour and cleaue vnto that alone Wherfore shew vs that vsing light of countenance of fauour and good wil speaking of God according to men who by their countenances declare loue and hatred swéetly louing and chearfully looking vpon them whom they affect and shewing the contrary countenances to others ver 7. He meaneth that being assured of Gods goodnes and fauour he shal haue more comfort of conscience and a better prop to stay vpon then the vngodly shal haue in all their abundance and wealth whatsoeuer which he vnderstandeth by two kinds vz. wheat wine by them meaning all the rest ver 8 He noteth the assured safety that he shal be in being vnder almightie Gods protection sée Psal 8.5.6 Mend the latter part of this 8. verse thus when thou Lord alone shalt place me in safetie noting by these words both the time when he will lie downe c. And the author from whom alone that assurednes commeth Ver. 1. We learne that when men vniustly condemne vs Do. we must flée vnto God a righteous iudge by earnest praier Secondly that wee must haue recourse to his mercy and not to our merits ver 2. Is described mans nature who commonly oppose themselues against God in his members wée learne further that euery one of vs may ought to defend the callings that God hath set vs in ver 3. We learne that whatsoeuer choise man maketh the Lord maketh none but good we learne also to be wel assured that our holy praiers shal be heard ver 4. We are taught to labor by al the meanes we can to bring men to repentance ver 6. Wée learne to prefer Gods fauour before al worldly goods whatsoeuer ver 7. We behold what effectes an assured perswasion of Gods loue and goodnes worketh the same we may learn ver 8. And that God is the only staffe of our strength and standing Psalme 5. THis Psalme hath two parts Di. In the first the Prophet praieth the Lord to heare his praier which thing the wicked can not or may not hope for From ver 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he beséecheth the Lord to direct him that the enemies might take no aduantage of him whose nature he describeth praying God to ouerthrow them comforting on the other side the godly with excellent promises From ver 1. to the end of the Psal This Psalm hath a title which hath béen expounded in the title of the 4. psal sauing that here is an other instrument named then there Ver. 1. My words vz. which I powre forth before thée Se. in praier my meditatiō i. the secret praier of my hart made without words vttered ver 2. The voice of my cry i. My crying voice by wch he noteth his earnestnes vehemēcy in praier ver 3. Amend thus O Lord thou shalt here my voice in the morning q.d. I will cause thée to heare me early in the morning for at that time will I call vpon thée earnestly for in the morning will I directe vz. eyther my selfe or my prayers or both And I will wayte vz. vpon thée and thy prouidence till I haue obtayned my request Verse 4. Euill put for sinne Ver. 5. Foolishe put for wicked and vngodly ones This is vsuall in the Scriptures specially in the Prouerbes Shall not stand vz. with good consciences for otherwise they cannot flée from his presence Psa 139. For thou hatest this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie and not that God hateth any Ver. 6. Abhor i. loth to looke vppon him Bloodie man i. hee that by any meanes sheddeth mans bloud Vers 7. I wil come vz. to serue thee into thy house i. into the court of thy tabernacle for otherwise it was not lawfull for any except the Priestes to approche neare to the Lord In the multitude of thy mercye i. Trusting vpon the riches of thy goodnesse and mercie and not vppon any thinge in my selfe the latter part of this 7. verse amend thus I will bow my selfe i. I will worship the outwarde signe put for worship toward the Temple viz. hauing my eies fixed vppon the Tabernacle where thou doest shewe thy selfe for as yet the Temple was not builded therefore it must needes be put for the Tabernacle Of thy holynesse i eyther where thine holinesse sheweth it selfe or els he vnderstandeth thereby holy viz Temple as you heard it vsed before Psalme 2.6 Psalme 3.4 Ver. 8. In thy righteousnesse or after some by thy righteousnesse i. by the waye of suche righteousnesse as thou teachest and allowest Because of myne enemies or thus whiche I better allowe of because of those which watch me viz. least they might haue an occasion by my sliding to blaspheme thy holinesse and that goodnesse of Religion whiche I professe Make thy waye viz. which thou hast appointed for mee to walke in playne before my face i. make mee so to walke in thy waye that I neuer turne mine eyes from it or thus graunt that that way maye seeme right vnto mee which thou allowest q.d. take from me al lets and hinderances least I stumble and fal vers 9. For no constancye i. There is nothing that a man maye safelye trust to in their mouth viz. whome hee had spoken of before vers 5.6 putting the worde Mouth for wordes vttered with the mouth and the instruments partes thereof it maye also receyue this same no constancie is in their mouth i. they saye and vnsaye a man cannot tell where to haue them so variable are they within they are verye corruption i. Their hearte and whatsoeuer is within them is full of nothing els but deceite and crafte Their throate is an open Sepulcre hee saith that their throat is like vnto an open Sepulchre for as an open sepulchre looketh for the carkase as a man woulde saye that it mighte eate it vp so mine enemies by their faire speech shoote at nothing els but that alluring mee vnto them they maye at length destroy me and
ouerthrowe me vers 10. Lette them fall from their councels i. lette them dislike that which they had counselled and purposed before cast them out vz. eyther from thy selfe or from the inheritance of thy children vers 11. Couer thou them i. defend them and keepe them safe from the face of their enemies that loue thy name i. that feare thy maiestie and vnfeignedly professe thy religion vers 12. Blesse put for doing al maner of good to one righteous see Psalme 1.5.6 put for such as striue to righteousnes and are so accounted though not so in deed of themselues but by means of another vz. Iesus Christ Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth that Gods children many times vse words in their praiers many times not So did Moses and Anna the mother of Samuel vers 2. Gods children should striue to earnestnes in prayer should pray vnto none but to him alone vers 3. Teacheth that we should breake our sleeps in the morning to the end we might pray to the Lord. vers 4. Teacheth that seeing God cannot away with wickednes his children should abhor it likewise the same doth vers 5. In vers 6. are comprehended iudgements against the vngodly namely against lyers cruel persons and deceitful men vers 7. Teacheth that we may not appeare before God in the trust of our own merits but of his mercies onely also that with reuerence we should repayre to the places of Gods seruice and reuerently also there behaue our selues vers 8. Teacheth that vnlesse God guide vs we shal go out of the way also that we should pray for an holy life and that to this ende that the mouthes of the enemies may be stopped from euill speach vers 9. Is a liuely description of the vngodlies qualities as that they are inconstant that they imagine mischiefe that they are giuen to crueltie to flatterie vers 10. We learn that it is lawfull to pray against the enemies of the Church as that their counsels deuises may be scattered c. verse 11. We learne that the faithfull may reioyce at the ouerthrow of Gods enemies verse 12. We learn in what assurednes they are whome the Lord defendeth Psalme 6. 1 THis Psalme consisteth of three principall partes Di. In the first is comprehended the Prophets praiers with reasons that hee alledgeth to induce the Lorde to take pitie vpon him frō vers 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he setteth out the greatnes of his griefe shewing that if God should take him away by death he should lacke occasion to praise him among men as he was wont to doe from vers 5. to the end of the 7. In the third he doth not onely sharpely rebuke his enemies but also foretelleth their destruction frō vers 8 to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath a title as sundry others haue Se. but it is the same with the 4. and therefore looke backe to that sauing that he addeth here vpon the eight tune which was a tune well knowne among the Iewes and was sung with a very cleare and high voyce see 1. Chron. 15.21 vers 1. Anger and wrath attributed to God not that they bee in him but that it so seemeth to men when hee correcteth them and this vers is shortly vttered something seeming as it were to want which is an ordinarie matter to those that are diseased Adde therfore this neither chastise me in thy wrath vz. least I should be consumed and brought to nothing Sée Iere. 10.24 ver 2. I am weake vz. with my sicknes q.d. I am wonderfully weakned through my sicknes but restore me my former forces my bones are vexed i. full of griefe and ache by the abating of my flesh through sicknes and by continuall lying vers 3. Wilt thou delay vz. to send helpe and reliefe vers 4. returne q.d. as it seemed to me thou hast departed away from mee but nowe returne at the length deliuer my soule vz. from present death as may appeare in the next vers following vsing also the word soule which is a part of man for the whole vers 5. in death i. among dead bodies there is no remembrance of thee because the body hath nothing without the soule in the graue who shall praise thee i. what dead bodie put into the graue shall praise thee q.d. none shall or can Verse 6. I faint rather then I fainted because al the rest is read in the present tense meaning by fainting not onely a long vse of his mourning but a wearisomnes yea a consuming and wearing away with the vse thereof I cause my bed euery night to swimme and water my couch vpon which I lie in the day time for ease refreshing for that difference I make betweene bed and couch with my teares these exceeding speaches doe nothing else but note the greatnes of Dauids mourning and the bitternes and sharpnes of his disease vers 7. mine eie is dimmed i. the clearnes and good sight it had is taken from it partly through continual mourning and partly through despite or freting and wrath rather which he caried towardes his enemies that reioyced at his sicknes and sank in or after some waxed olde I take it to be but a repetition of that which went before vers 8. Depart from me c. q.d. You may now go your way for that which you looked for vz. my death you shal not haue at this present for the Lord hath hearde the voyce of my weeping i. Graciously granted me that which with teares I asked of him vers 9. Wil receiue my prayer The Prophet assureth himselfe euen for the time to come as well as for the time past or present vers 10. Is here red as a prophecie or fortelling of the ruine of his enemies others read it as a wish and a praier against his enemies thus let al mine enemies c. There is no hardnes in it in respect of the sense they shal be turned backe as those that haue suffered a repulse Do. not able to looke their foes in their face Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to run vnto the Lord by praier to preuent his iudgements ver 2. Teacheth vs to do that but yet always hauing recourse to his mercy onely it teacheth such that the more we are afflicted the more need wee haue to come to God specially if we be touched in soule or conscience as verse 3. vers 8.9 expresseth Gods readines in yeelding to the supplications of his seruants vers 10. conteineth iudgements against the wicked and vngodly Psalme 7. THis Psalme consisteth principally of three partes Di. In the first part he praieth for deliuerance from his enemies setting out his innocencie and vpright dealing towards them from vers 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he praieth against his enemies declaring what good shall come to his children by the ouerthrow of the wicked From vers 6. vnto the ende of the 10. In the 3. hee pronounceth Gods iudgements against the vngodly which
prepare arrowes for the persecutors i. those that with him doe persecute me ver 14. Behold q.d. notwithstanding all this he shall trauaile with wickednesse but yet he shal not be able to bring forth i. to worke that which he hath deuised for he hath conceaued vz. in his vnderstanding mischiefe vz. agaynst me but he shall bring forth a lie i. such a thing as shal deceaue him of his expectation and hope which he doth more particulerly and plainly declare in the next verse Ver. 15. by which and the 16. he noteth that all the mischiefes that the vngodly deuised agaynst the good and all the daungers that they thought to take the godly in shal light vpon themselues and they themselues be taken therewith ver 17. hath this meaning q.d. Propheta When I shall sée Gods iudgements vpon the wicked and his mercy in deliuering me I wil prayse him according to his righteousnesse he meaneth not so much as Gods righteousnesse i. his faythfull kéeping and performing of promises deserueth but rather noteth the cause that God hath giuen to prayse him for and by name in this verse he meaneth the excellent power maiestie of God which then appeareth when he ouerthroweth his enemies and deliuereth his owne ver 1. Trust and confidence in God Do. is alwaies necessary in them that pray to him also we learne to pray for deliuerance from our persecutours ver 2. describeth the cruel and subtill nature of the wicked ver 3. Sheweth that many of Gods children may stand vpō their innocencie to menward though not before God ver 4. Teacheth that we should ouercome euil with wel doing ver 6. Sheweth that we may sometimes pray against some enemies of the Church it teacheth this also to make Gods promises general or particular the ground of our prayers ver 8 Teacheth that when men wil not iudge rightly we may by prayer defer our causes to him that hath no respect of persons ver 9. that we shoulde pray for the direction and prosperitie of Gods people also that nothing no not the secret thoughts of our hearts can be hid from God ver 10. Teacheth two things 1. that we ought to hang vppon God 2. the fauour and loue hée beareth towards thē that sincerely feare him ver 11. Sheweth that God wil not the death of sinners in that he vseth so many meanes to bring them to amendmend ver 12. 13. Declare what mischieuous mindes the wicked carry towarde the godly and what meanes they wil worke to accomplish their naughtines ver 14.15.16 Shew the god shal ouerthrow al their purposes and practises so that good cause we haue to hang vpon him and litle cause to feare the other seeing that their deuises passe into smoke ver 17. Teacheth vs to thanke God either for the destruction of the wicked or the deliuerance of the good Psalme 8 Di. THis Psalme hath principally two partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the excellent power and prouidence of almightie God may appeare in many his creatures as namely in the heauens and the things therin contained and this is comprehended in the three first verses But specially it is to be seene in man whose excellency in respect of his first creation the Prophet doth wonderfully extol From ver 4. to the end of the Psalme And this is the second part thereof The title of this Psalm hath bene expounded before al sauing this word Gittith which I take to be instruments the custody whereof was committed to Obed Edom the Gittith and to his familie or kinred that came of him of whom you may read 2. Samuel 6.10.11 ver 1. name put for power maiestie as Psal 7.17 q.d. O Lorde howe great doth the whole earth shew thy power to be which hast set thy glory aboue the heauens q.d. not onely the earth but the heauens also declare thy glory as Psal 19.1 Yea he meaneth further by these spéeches that though gods glory appeare in heauen and earth yet notwithstanding hee is infinite in maiestie and glory because his glory is farre aboue the highest heauens vers 2. Hast thou ordained strength i. thou hast strongly established vz. thy prouidence and power q.d. besides the earth and the heauens wee haue very infants preachers of thy power and goodnes and so doth our sauiour vnderstand it Mat. 12.16 Because of thine enemies i. thou hast done this that they thereby might bee confounded that thou mightest stil the enemie i. stoppe his mouth in such sort that he should haue nothing to say and the auenger he that reuengeth his own cause and leaueth not vengeance to the Lord to whom alone it belongeth Rom. 12.19 Who by their facts sheweth that they are perswaded that God careth not for mens matters or else would they neuer so violently breake into his office ver 3. The heauens are called gods both because he made them and also because he gouerneth there and they are as it were his dwelling place the worke of thy fingers i. which thou thy self hast most exactly and perfectly made the moone and the starres Hee particularly reciteth some of the heauenly creatures which thou hast ordeined vz. to bee there to giue light and to keepe their ordinary courses ver 4. That thou art mindfull of him vz. to shewe fauour and loue towardes him or the sonne of man i. his posterity here hee speaketh generally of all comparing man with the rest of the creatures sée Eccle. 1.3.4.5.6.7 that thou shouldest visit him i. haue regarde and consideration of him ver 5. For thou hast made him a litle lower then God Here hee speaketh of GOD in the first place in the second person in the second place in the third person the Apostle Heb. 2.6 expoundeth or translateth in thus Thou hast made him a litle inferiour to the Angels both in this place and in that of the Hebrewes the meaning is that the Lord gaue vnto men in this life a certaine angelicall and heauenly excellencie and crowned him i. Thou hast decked him as it were with a crowne with glory and worshippe some referre this to the mynde and reasonable soule of a man by whiche hee doeth not onely differ from beastes but draweth nigh to the heauenly nature I doe not onely stretch it so farre but vnderstand thereby also the dominion and Lordshippe that the Lorde hath giuen to him ouer all his creatures which followeth ver 6. In the woorkes i. ouer the works of thine hands i. which thou thy selfe hast made all thinges vnder his féete i. made thē subiect vnto him this was true in Adam by creatiō it is verified also in our sauiour as may appeare Heb. 2. We lost it by Adams fall but we haue it in part restored againe vnto vs by Christ in our regeneration ver 7. He doth particularise the general time all in the 6. verse Ver. 8. and that which passeth through the paths of the sea Hee meaneth the whale and other great fishes which make a smooth
path after them in the sea if the sea be calme as a ship or boate doeth sée Iob. 41.23 The 9. ver is expounded ver 1. of this Psalme Ver. 1. The glory of God in his creatures rightly considered Do. should strike an astonishment into vs on the one side and inforce vs on the other side to be thankefull vnto him that maketh his power and prouidence appeare so clearely in them ver 2. Gods power and prouidence seene in his creatures serueth for a double end vz. For the comfort of his children and the terror and confusion of the wicked vers 4. Serueth to humble man and to beat him downe For if he bée compared with other creatures there is no such excellency and durablenes in him as in them neither yet such as hee himselfe imagineth to bee in himselfe vers 5.6.7.8 Setteth foorth the graces and blessings that God hath bestowed vpon man not to the ende that man thereby should waxe proude and swell aboue measure but inforce him 1. to thankfulnes to the giuer 2. to a right vse of them in himselfe and for others 3. the more and more to humble him sée 1. Corin. 4.7 A worde or two touching this matter let man consider what excellencie he hath lost through Adams fall and bewaile his misery and let him on the other side well weigh the grace bestowed vppon him in Christ and bee ioyfull and thankefull for mercy knowing this that if the creatures bee not nowe subiected vnto vs it is by reason of the body and relickes of sinne which yet remaine in vs and that therefore if we would haue a conquest ouer the creatures we must beginne first to get a victory vpon sinne or else wee shall neuer profit that way if any man will obiect and say that many creatures are subdued to many people that are without a god in the world and which notwithstanding remaine in their sinne I answere that Gods dispensing in mercy with our iniquitie or other mens is no impeachment to the truth of this doctrine nay rather it shoulde the more further vs not only in thankfulnes to him for his goodnes but in valiancy and courage to combate against iniquity and that vnto blood because we haue in mercy without any striuing or blow stricken on our side halfe a victory as it were gotten vnto vs the rest no doubt he wil graciously supply that hath begunne this specially if there be a willing mind but al this belongeth to the faithful who are in deede heires of the world and to none other Psalme 9. Di. THis Psalme hath foure parts In the first he prayseth the Lorde and sheweth the causes of that his thankes giuing From ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second hee scorneth his enemies declaring God to bee iust in punishing the wicked and deliuering his owne children From ver 6. to the end of the 10. In the third he exhorteth others to praise the Lord for his iustice toward the good and bad making a particular praier that he might be deliuered from the hands of his enemies From ver 11. to the end of the 14. In the 4. and last part hee sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the wicked and his fauour to the faithful praying the Lord to rise vp against the vngodly From ver 15. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath these words Muth labben which I take to be the beginning of a tune according to which this Psalme was to be sung ver 1. I will speake of i. declare abroad and publish al i. a very great number as Psal 3.7 ver 2. In thee or for thée q.d. for the victory and other goodnesses that thou hast giuen mee I will sing foorth thy praise I wil sing praise to thy name i. I wil praise thy power and maiesty Name is vsed here as Psal 8.1.9 O most high God is so called because he is higher then al thinges or creatures whatsoeuer ver 3. Are turned back i. are discomfited they shal fal and perish at thy presence q.d. They shal not be able to stand before thée much lesse to withstand thée ver 4. For thou hast c. In the third verse he shewed one reason why he would praise the Lord vz. because his enemies were confounded nowe in this verse hee sheweth an other vz. because God maintained his right and iust cause thou art set on the throne vz. to doe the office of an vpright iudge ver 5. Heathen put for the Philistines or some other enemies of Gods people he said that God did rebuke them i. with his terrible countenance or word so cast thē down that they were easily destroied thou hast destroyed the wicked i. some one notorious wicked man among them or other that was their captaine and ring leader as Goliah was amongst the Philistines for the woord wicked is of the singular number though we can not so easilie discerne it in our tongue Thou hast put out i. destroied and cast down to the ground their name i. Their power authoritie glory and what so euer was excellent in them and he meaneth this of those people that come out to warre against gods people who notwithstanding their force were ouerthrowne and destroyed ver 6. Must bée amended thus O enemie he speaketh to one principall meaning all the rest are destructions come to an ende for euer Hast thou rooted out the cities by these speches he derideth the enemies who thought to haue made such a destruction in the land that they shoulde not haue néeded to haue destroyed it againe and therefore they purposed vtterly to haue defaced and destroyed al the cities which the Prophet vnderstandeth by this terme rooting out q.d. is it come to passe as you supposed nay the contrary is fallen out which hee noteth in the next wordes of this verse their memoriall is perished with them i. both them selues are destroyed and all remembrance of them is vanished away from amongst men Ver. 7. But the Lord. q.d. though men fayle yet hee remaineth sure shall sit or after some which I rather allowe indureth Meaning that hee is eternall and shall neuer decay as the enemies doe hee hath prepared his throne for iudgement q.d. hee is alwaies ready to execute iustice putting the throne whereupon hee sitteth for iustice and vpright iudgement pronounced therefrom verse 8. Mend thus that hee may iudge i. That he may performe whatsoeuer hee hath iudged the worlde i. All the people of the world in righteousnesse i. Vprightly and the people with equitie This is a repetition expounding as it were that which went before ver 10. and they that knowe thy name i. Such as haue had experience of thy mercy and power hast not failed them vz. of that thou promisedst and they hoped for that seeke thee vz. vnfeignedly and from a good heart verse 11. Which dwelleth in Sion These wordes make me thinke that this Psalme was not made presently vppon the slaughter of Goliah because the arke was
diuision The thing propounded generally is godly life Ver. 2. but particularlye to auoyde slaundering lying inconstancye vsurye briberye c. verse 3.4.5 which done he sheweth what blessings belong to those that walke after that sort Se. This Psalmes Title is easie Ver. 1. In thy Tabernacle i. in the visible Church q.d. who shall be accounted a visible member thereof In thyne holy mountayne i. in Heauen Psalme 3.4 Ver. 2. He that walketh vprightly it is vsuall in scripture to haue walking put for conuersation it is as much then q.d. he that leadeth an vpright life worketh righteousnes i. doth the thing that is right in his hart as he hath it in his hart so hee maketh his mouth and tongue the instruments to expres it Ver. 3. He that slaundereth not this is one particular of truth from the harte with his tongue that is he that maketh not his tongue the instrumente to vtter the slaunder hee hath within him whereby wée sée that there is a double slaunder one inwarde in the mynde and not expressed the other inwarde and besydes that vttered with the mouth nor doth euill this expoundeth righteousnesse verse 2. meaning that a man must doe no manner of iniurye whatsoeuer to his neighbour I take this worde Neighbour to bée vsed here generallye for any as Exod. 20. in the tenth commaundement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. as also our Sauiour séemeth to meane Luke 10.29 30. c. nor receaueth a false report c. we must not only not slaunder our selues but wee must not admit a slaunder broughte vnto vs by other Ver. 4. In whose eyes i. before whome and in whose iudgement a vile person i. a wicked man is contemned i. a little or nothing set by and regarded he that sweareth i. he that hath with an oth promised a thing lawfull to his own hinderance i. and yet it falleth out in the end to be hurtfull to him in respect of his wealth and substaunce and chaÌ„geth not vz. that which he hath promised though he lose neuer so muche by it ver 5. he that giueth not his monye to vsury i. he that without anye profite at all to himselfe helpeth an other man by the vse of his monye nor taketh reward vz. of them which haue an vniust cause hée séemeth to speak specially of Iudges against the innocent i. that thereby the innocentes cause may be ouerthrowne and iudgement though wrongfullye pronounced against him shall neuer be moued i. he shall be stedfastly rooted in the church in this life and after the course of this life ended be made a citizen for euer of the Heauenly Ierusalem Ver. 2. Teacheth that godly life and vpright dealing be very excellente fruites it teacheth also vnfaynedly to speake the truth touching all men and matters as time and occasion shall serue ver 3. Teacheth vs to auoyd slaundering iniury or wrong doing and acceptation of false tales and reports ver 4. Teacheth that we should not much regarde vngodlye men though they be neuer so highly aduaunced in this world and on the other side that we should loue reuerence the godly though they be neuer so pore and contemptible at teacheth further that honest promises lawfull othes touching things of this life should be performed though the performance therof should much impaire our wealth ver 5. Teacheth that vsury and bribery must be shunned of all the godly and the better to incourage vs to the performance of these holy duties the Lord in mercy setteth before vs a promise of this life present and of the life to come which godlines hath alwais annexed vnto it as a coÌ„panion that cannot be sundered froÌ„ it sée 1. Tim. 4.8 Psalme 16. THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts In the fâ—â—ste is contayned a prayer that the Prophet maketh to â—â—â—d Di. in which prayer he layeth not forth his workes but cleaueth only to God and his goodnesse from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the seconde he yéeldeth thankes to the Lorde for the aboundaunce of goodnesse and mercy which hee continuallye receyued from him from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is Michtan of Dauid and differeth from any Title wee haue had yet I take it to be q.d. a Psalme that Dauid made to bee sung after a certayne tune named Michtan commonlye knowne amongst the Iewishe songes for the excellency of it wherevpon also it should séeme to bee named as though it were as excellent as gold Ver. 2. thou art my Lord i. I acknowledge none for Lord vnto me but thée alone my weldoing extendeth not to thée i. thou art nothing profited thereby in respect of thy selfe sée Iob 35.6.7.8 Ver. 3. That are in the earth i. that are liuing amongst men whereby we may learne also that it cannot profit them that are departed and to the excellent vz. in vertue and goodnesse all my delight is in them expound this by Psalme 15.4 Ver. 4. Offerings of blood the Prophet alludeth as I take it to the idolatrous manner of the Gentiles who made their children passe through the fyre to their idols which he calleth offrings of blood or bloody offrings because mans blood was shed therein make meÌ„tion of their names with my lips sée Exo. 23.13 Eph. 5.3 noting by this maner of spéech his detestation of idols and Idolatrie vnderstanding by lips his spéeche and talke ver 5. The Lorde is the portion of my inheritaunce he had sayd before he would haue no fellowship with the Idolaters neyther idols now he sheweth to whom he will cleaue vz. to the Lorde who is a portion euen as it were of inheritaunce alotted vnto him and one that filleth him with goodnesse for so I take the word Cup to be vsed here sée Psal 23.5 thou shalt mayntaine my lot q.d. thou alone for in thée doe I truste and not in my selfe or any other for if it were in vs to be vpholden it could not be mayntayned shalt mayntaine i. vphold and kéepe sure my lot i. the portion which is come to mee by lot as it were he putteth lot for the thing that fell to him by lot as in the next verse he putteth the word lines for that that fell to him by the measuring of the lines or cordes Touching lots and lines or cordes sée Deut. 32.9 Prouerb 16.33 ver 6. in pleasaunte places both for pleasure and profite a fayre heritage i. fine and excellent vnderstanding by these spéeches portion inheritaunce cuppe lines heritage c. all one thing as it were vz. assuraunce of Gods goodnesse towards him for things appertayning to this life and the life to come ver 7. Hath giuen me councell i. instructed and taught me what was right vz. by his holye spirit my reines i. my inward affections as Psalme 7.9 reformed by the mighty working of Gods spirit teach me vz. to thinke vpon nothing as it were but goodnesse in the night when commonly we are prone to euill and
God had ouer him and he ioyned the rod and staffe together because some shepheards vsed a rod and some a staffe but God vsed both q.d. the care that thou hast ouer mee which farre exceedeth the care of a most watchful and diligent shepheard causeth me that in the greatest dangers I neither doubt nor dispaire but am wōderfully comforted I make this difference betwéene rod and staffe that rod is put for some smal wandes wherwith shepheards vse to driue their shéepe and now then strike them and yet hurt them not and staffe is put for shepheards staffe that hath his hooke vpon it by which he catcheth and ruleth thē that sometimes would go astray ver 5. By table vnderstand al necessary things for norishment to be set vpon the table which is a vsual Metonymia by annointing his head with oile and the running ouer of his cup vnderstand abundance of al things not only seruing for necessity but pleasure he alludeth to the custome of those countries and times wherein he liued which was not only to vse oile for finenes cōlines sake as Mat. 6.17 2. Sam. 12.20 but also at feasts banquets as Luk. 7.36.37.38 For which cause also they that mourned absteined from annointing with oile as 2. Sam. 14.2 Ver. 6. Doubtles this noteth the prophets great assurance of Gods goodnes kindenes and mercy vz. from God shall follow me i. be present with me and vpon mee a long season i. all the daies of my life as in this very verse before in the house of the Lorde i. in the place where the tabernacle is and God himselfe worshipped from which to be banished what a great griefe it was sée Psal 84.1.2 c. and yet this hindereth not but that it may be vnderstood also of eternal life Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth this that if we be rightly perswaded of gods goodnes prouidence we shal want nothing that is good méete for vs. ver 2. Sheweth that God is he alone that giueth vs rest plenty deliueraunce from daungers ver 3. Declareth first that God hath the issues of life and death in his owne hands secōdly that he is the author of al wel doing in vs and thirdly that he bestoweth these graces vpon vs for his owne mercies sake only ver 4. Assured faith and confidence in gods goodnes almightie prouidence surmounteth al the difficulties of this life whatsoeuer ver 5. God giueth vnto his cildren many times plenty of all thinges not only for necessity but also for pleasure Ver. 6. declareth that it is no presumption to be fully assured of the continuaunce of Gods grace and fauour towards vs it teacheth vs also what delight we should haue in the seruice of God Psalme 24. THis Psalme hath two principall partes Di. In the first the Prophet declareth that though all the people of the worlde bee vnder Gods gouernment yet those only whome hee frameth to goodnesse are his speciall and peculiar ones from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second parte he prepareth this people to submit themselues willingly to God and his holy ordinances from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. he declareth that God is Lord of al thinges whatsoeuer and yet notwithstanding God only hath chosen some certayn people to be particular vnto himself which noteth not only his vnspeakeable good will towards them but setteth out their obedience towardes him Ver. 2. Founded it vz. the earth or the world vpon the seas i. he hath placed it aboue them as may appeare Gen. 1.9 Exod. 20.4 and so must the latter part of this verse also be vnderstood by which meanes also the earth or world is become habitable Ver. 3. mountayne of the Lord i. Sion where the ark was and is called the the Lords mountayne because it pleased him there to dwel some vnderstand it of the mountayne Moriah in which the Temple was builded by Solomon and this is not amisse also in his holye place i. eyther the Court of the Tabernacle or the Temple when it was built but I rather encline to the first sence Ver. 4. innocent hands i. hands that haue not ben giuen to bloodshead or any hurt sée Isaiah 1.15 and a pure hart i. a hart purged from manifold corruptions by these markes he discerneth the true Israelites from false and counterfait sée Psal 12.2 hath not lift vp his minde i. hath not gaped after or attentiuely set his affection vpon it séemeth to bee a borrowed spéeche taken from such as lift vp their eyes that they may diligently beholde a thing sée Psal 123.1.2 vanitie i. vayne and vnprofitable thinges or else as it is also many times vsed in Scripture for wickednes and wicked thinges nor sworne deceitfully he meaneth eyther in respect of himself vz. not taking an oth without an vpright reuerent and sincere mind or else which I rather allow of in respect of others vz. to deceaue them as it were vnder pretēce and religion of an oth Ver. 5. Blessings put for a great and wonderful blessing for such a force the word séemeth to carry with it and righteousnesse some take it for mercy and so doth the Gréeke text reade it in this place I suppose that by righteousnes the holy Ghost meaneth in this place the fruit or reward of righteousnesse or else gods benefits and goodnesses by which the Lord proueth himselfe faythfull and righteous saluation this worde is taken here not only for deliueraunce from daungers as often times before but for eternal life also which God graciously bestoweth vpon those that are his ver 6. this is the generation i. those are the men and persons for generation is here taken for men that seeke him vz. with their harts and vnfaignedly that they may worship him séeke thy face i. haue an earnest desire to behold thy louing countenance this is Iaakob such kind of pepole are true Iaakob and true Israelits for Iaakob is not here put for the name of the Patriarch or for those only that discended of him according to the flesh but for those that followed his faith obedience ver 7. Lift vp your heads ye gates in this sence the Prophet speaketh to the gates of the place into which the ark should enter whether it were the temple or some other place it is not certayne but he biddeth the gates lift vp their heads meaning by heads the vppermost posts of the gates that went ouer from one side to the other he calleth these gates euerlasting dores not that they should or could continue for euer but for a long season meaning by the spéech the stabilitie of the place or temple wherinto the arke should be brought In doctrine the faythful are hereby admonished to prepare thēselues to receaue Christ that he may dwel in their harts by faith their bodies being the tēple of the holy spirit king of glory i. a most glorious and renowned king speaking it of
the Lord who shewed his glory and presence from betwéen the Cherubins in the arke ver 8. who is this c. the demaund or question of the faithful people the Lord strong and mightye this is an aunswere to the former question whereby for the strengthening of their faith they are admonished that God armed with inuincible power commeth to defend his people and to beat downe his enemies ver 10. The Lord of hostes i. he whom al hosts both heauenly and earthly do obay and therfore most strong mighty euen in battaile i. not only in warlike strength but in the very pinch and brunt of battaile Do. Ver. 1. describeth the largenesse of Gods gouernment so that nothing is exempted therfrom for though he speake only of the earth and thinges contayned therein yet he mindeth not to exclude the heauenly creatures Ver. 2. Setteth out Gods power and prouidence Ver. 3. Teacheth men to haue regarde to ioine themselues to his church in this life and to haue a speciall care of etexnal life Ver. 4 Teacheth the brideling of our hands the reformation of our harts the subduing of the vaine and wicked affections of our minds and to take héed that we abuse not an othe so that to sweare is not forbidden as the Anabaptists imagine but to sweare deceitfully and wrongfully ver 5. setteth out gods goodnes plentifully rewarding the holy indeuours of his children ver 6. Teacheth that care and zeale to worship God must be in his children ver 7.9 Teacheth men to be prepared to receaue the Lord when he commeth to them ver 8. and 10. is a particular description of Gods power and glory which serueth for comfort to his children because he will deliuer them and for terror to his enemies because he will punish them Psalme 25. IN this Psalme Di. the Prophets prayers are wonderfullye intermedled and therefore it canne be hardlye well diuided Sometimes he prayeth deliuerance frō his enimies shewing what fruit shall come thereby to him and others ver 1.2.3.15.16.17.18.19.20.21 sometimes he prayeth the Lorde to instruct and teach him and others also in the right way shewing how God dealeth with his children ver 4.5.6.8.9.10.12.13.14 and sometimes he confesseth his sinnes praying pardon for them and shutteth vp this Psalme with a prayer for the Church ver 7.11 18.22 The title is expounded before Ver. 1. My soule i. Se. hart and all that is within me his words shewing that in the outward he gaue himselfe to the Lordes seruice and this spéech proueth that his inward man was ioined therewith ver 2. Let me not be confounded vz. by receiuing a repulse at thy hands ver 3. mend thus yea let none that trust in thée be confounded and ioyne it to the former thus q.d. I pray not only for my self but for the rest of the faithfull that transgresse vz. against me in resisting my kingdom that without any cause on my behalf giuen them and so doth the Chaldee paraphrase expoūd it ver 4 shew me thy ways vz. by or in which thou wouldst haue me to walk meaning by waies the order of life which God himself prescribeth the same he meaneth by his paths as we haue had it before ver 5. Lead me forth vz. without daunger of mine enimies in thy truth i. as thou hast promised to shielde mee from them and teach me vz. the same thy truth teaching me to finde it and féele it by experience the God of my saluation i. such a one as I fynd a present helpe to saue me frō and in al dangers all the day i. continually with an vnwearied constancy Ver. 6. Remember thy tender mercies that I maye féele them now as thou hast shewed them always hertofore ver 7. The sins of my youth i. those that I did commit in my youth nor my rebellions vz agaynste thy maiestie euen for thy goodnesse sake q.d. though my sinnes deserue the withdrawing of thy fauor yet think vpon thy mercy and not vppon my iniquities ver 8. Gracious righteous i. merciful to penitent persons and vprighte in the execution of his iudgements Dauid vseth these termes to strike vp himself therby to praier sinners i. all one and other for none are without sin in the way or rather the way for so it is in the Hebrue text meaning a conuersation the God himselfe alloweth of for so it is ver 9. though al do not imbrace it ver 9. in iudgement i. with a thorow iudgement meaning therby aduisedly rightly it séemeth to be a metaphor taken from them that guide others shew thē the way ver 10. paths of the Lord sée ver 4. of this Psalm are mercy and truth i. are most mercifull faithful because that in thē God giueth testimony vnto thē of his mercy truth meaning by truth gods faithfulnesse in performing that which he promiseth his couenant his testimonies i. his Law which is called his couenaunt because that thereby God maketh a couenaunt or bargayne as it were with vs that we should kéepe his law for testimonies sée Psalme 19.7 Verse 11. For thy names sake i. for thy glory and mercies sake least otherwise by my iniquity thy glory might be called into question Verse 12. The way sée verse 4. of this Psalme Verse 13. His soule i. his whole man a part put for the whole Ver. 14. Secrete of the Lorde i. the law of the Lord which is called secret because we cannot vnderstande it of oure selues without light from him Ver. 15. Mine eyes vz. not of my body only but of my fayth and soule are euer toward the Lord i. are earnestly lifted vp and stedfastly fixed vpon him as Psalme 123. ver 1.2 my féete i. me my selfe a part for the whole out of the net i. out of the snares and daungers that myne enemies haue layde to catche me in Ver. 16. Turne thy face i. thy fauourable and louing countenaunce for I am desolate i. vtterlye destitute of helpe vnlesse thou helpe as Psal 22.11.20 and poore i. maruailously afflicted and so haue you this worde sundry times vsed in the Booke of Psalmes Ver. 17. The sorrowes of my harte i. The gréefes and sorrowes that touche and possesse of my harte are inlarged i. multiplied to a wonderfull numbers so that I am hardly able to thinke vpon them with my hart ver 19. with cruell hatred i. with hatred that will neuer be appeased but by committing some crueltye agaynst me ver 20. Soule put for whole man as ver 13. before in this Psalm ver 22. Israell put for the faithfull Israelites and Gods church as Psalme 14 7. Psal 125.5 Psal 131.3 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that prayer must ve made to GOD onlye Verse 2. that seruice cannot bee performed but by trust in God ver 4. We are ignoraunt euen the best of vs in Gods worde till the Lorde lighten and teache vs. ver 5. We must continuallye hang vppon GOD by an assured fayth ver 6. Gods mercye is the onely
cruelly to deuoure consume me after the maner of wild beasts They stumbled euen for weakenes and faynthartednesse fell vz. so that they could not rise vp again to molest me mening that they were destroid ver 3. though an host sée Psa 3.6 it argueth a notable stedfast perswasion in the Prophet he meaneth by these words hoste and warre euery thing that may be terrible and fearefull in this worlde in this i. that the Lord is my light and my saluation as verse 1. of this Psalme ver 4. Haue I desired vz. by earnest prayer that I will require vz. agayne and agayne q.d. I will neuer leaue off till I haue obtayned it dwel in the house of the Lord he vseth the word dwelling for continuall presence and the house of the Lord for the sanctuary or tabernacle sée psal 23.6 the beautye of the Lord i. the wonderful works he doth and the famous gifts he giueth by which he is made beautifull and excellent or his beautie is declared to the sonnes of men and to visit i. to be often present in his teÌ„ple i. the place where the ark was as Psal 5.7 Ver. 5. He shall hide me i. kéepe me safe and sound in his Tabernacle it is not here to be taken for the sanctuarie or arke but for the place of Gods abode and visible presence whereby the Prophet meaneth safetye for where the Lorde is with his there is safety and assurance from dangers which the Prophet meaneth also by the wordes following in the secret place of his pauilion containing vnder these spéeches the assurance he had being shrouded vnder Gods protection set me vp vpon a rock i. such a place as my enimies can not come too to hurt me meaning still his safety ver 6. Lifte vp mine heade i. exalt me sée Psalme 3.9 sacrifices of ioy i. sacrifices to testifie my ioifulnesse for my deliueraunce ver 7. crie i. pray earnestly heare me i. graunt my requests for otherwise it cannot be but that God heareth Ver. 8. Séeke yée my face i. in distresse come to me for fauour and grace so that he maketh Gods commaundement in the which also is closely comprehended a promise as Deut 4.26 the ground of his praier mine hart aunswered i. yéelded to that truth and alwayes thought vpon it vnto thée i. thy sayinges and wordes verse 9. Therefore q.d. séeing I come and that according to thy worde and promise hyde not thy face â— withdraw not thy fauour but make me sensibly to féele thy vertue and goodnesse in my deliueraunce nor cast thy seruaunt away vz. without helpe and succour in displeasure vz. agaynst him God of my saluation sée Psal 18.46 Ver. 10. My father and my mother i. not only my parentes but all other whatsoeuer yea all mans ayde and comfort forsake me i. destitute and fayle me gather me vp i. graciously receiue me into his protection and defence see Math. 23.37 Ver. 11. Teach me sée Psal 25 4.5 right path i. righteous conuersation and vpright dealing because of mine enimies sée Psal 5.8 He meaneth such enemies as did looke into his life to sée whether they could finde any thing blame worthy therein Ver. 12. Mende thus for false witnesses would stande vp against me vz. if thou shouldest so deale with me and so I might easily be cast away speake cruellye i. cruell and vniust things that so by their spéeches I might perish ver 13. to sée i. to féele and tast as it were to haue experience of the goodnes of the Lord i. such good things as he hath promised me in the land of the liuing i. here in the world where men liue and I my selfe haue a portion of that life with them sée Psal 1â—6 9 Isaiah 38.11 Ver. 14. He exhorteth himselfe specially but yet also others wholy to depend vpon the Lord. Do. Ver. 1. Assured fayth in the Lord expelleth all feare of men ver 2. God confoundeth the cruell purposes of the vngodle ver 4. It is a notable thing to bée present at the publike assemblies and exercises of Gods Church Earnestnes also and continuance in prayer for good things is commended vnto vs. ver 5. God is an assured place of refuge for all his Ver. 6. God graciously rayseth his after they haue bene cast downe for the which it is their duty to yéeld him hartye prayse Ver. 8. Gods commaundement and promise are two principall spurres to prayer yea the very ground thereof Ver. 9. the godly many times haue such earnest affections in prayer that they can hardly content themselues with any wordes to expresse their mind withal Ver. 10. God is more sure and fast to his children then all naturall parents and friends whatsoeuer Verse 11. Prayer for vpright conuersation according to Gods word should bee muche vsed ver 12. We may pray to be deliuered from the rage and lust of our aduersaries ver 13. If Gods promises were not we should many times sink downe vnder the burthen of our calamities ver 14. It is good for vs to stirre vp our selues and others to a liuely trust and an assured hope in the almighty for we are all dull and weake Psalme 28. Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall parts In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to heare his prayer for himselfe and agaynst the vngodly whose naughtinesse also he doth in part set out from verse 1. to the end of the fift In the seconde hée prayseth the Lorde for his mercies and declareth also the assured perswasion he had in Gods mercy concluding with a prayer for the Church from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath bin already spoken of ver 1. Doe I crie i. pray earnestly O my strength i. thou from whom all the strength that I haue commeth bée not deafe i. doe not cast away and neglect my prayers eyther as though thou heardst not at all or wouldst not heare for as the deafe cannot heare so there are some that though they can yet will not if thou answere me not i. graunt not my petition I be like theÌ„ that goe downe into the pit i. like dead meÌ„ that are buried for he putteth the word Pit here for the graue meaning that hee and his glory should vtterly perish from among men Ver. 2. When I holde vp my handes the signe of prayer vsed for prayer see Psal 141.2 Exod. 17.11 toward thine holy oracle i. towards the place where thy arke was froÌ„ whence thou hast promised helpe to them that call vpon thée it may be also taken for heauen ver 3. Draw me not away c. vz. to death in the time that thou executest vengeance against the vngodly sée Psal 26.9 Psal 27.12 speake friendlye i. words that pretend friendship goodwill when malice is in their harts i. they imagine mischiefe though they speake fayre sée Psalm 12.2 ver 4. He meaneth that seing they had multiplied iniquitie the Lord would in his iustice repay them home for
a straunger another reason brought to moue God to mercy taken from his miserable estate sée 1. Chron. 29.5 Psal 119.19 where you shall haue almost the same wordes as all my Fathers he meaneth of the faythfull and godly The sence of this verse is q.d. Hearken O Lord vnto my prayers by which I pray thée that I may be deliuered from this great gréefe wherein I am I aske this at thy hands not that I am very desirous of this life but because I féele my selfe vnable of my selfe to abide such torments for I am with thée or before thée or thou being witnesse of the matter a straunger on the earth neither doe I acknowledge my countrie to be here wherein I follow my Fathers Abraham Isaac Iaakob c. who because they tended towards thée were not taken with this Worlde wherein they were conuersant but vsed themselues as straungers in another countrie hauing alwayes a minde to their home Ver. 13. From me i. from plaguing me so gréeuously my strength vz. decayed and as it were consumed thorow gréefe and vexation before I go hence vz. out of this world meaning before I dye and be not vz. aliue here on the earth amongst men Do. Ver. 1. It is good to striue to the brideling of our spéech speciallye in the presence of the wicked who will insult ouer vs if we slippe in our wordes Ver. 2. It is a hard matter to abstaine from extremities for if we are not too muche giuen to babling we be ouerflow tongued to good thinges Ver. 3. Impaciencye must be fought vgainst ver 4. Curiositie striuing to know that which doth not appertain to vs must be brideled ver 5.6 Describe the vanity shortnes of mans life and the vncertainty of his actions ver 7. God only is to be trusted vnto Ver. 8. Prayer for deliueraunce from sinne punishments due thereto would be often made Ver. 9. We should be well content with whatsoeuer God doeth Ver. 10. We are not able to indure the least of Gods punishments ver 11. Setteth out two things Gods iustice in correcting and mans sinne that pulleth correction and punishment from God Ver. 12. God in tyme of greatest affliction must be most earnestly and hartily called vpon Ver 13. If God with-holde not his wrath we shall all be consumed for our sinnes Psalme 40. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth what great mercies the Lord had shewed to him and what he will doe for them that trust in him from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the second he sheweth the infinitenesse of Gods workes and his owne readinesse to serue the Lorde shewing howe he had published Gods goodnes and mercy from ver 5. to the end of the tenth In the third part he prayeth for his owne deliueraunce wishing also as the ouerthrow of the vngodly so the prosperity of the good and faithful ones from ver 11. to the end of the Chapter The title is expounded before ver 1. For the Lord i. for him Se. and for help frō him inclined to me i. shewed himself fauourable as they do that bow towards one Ver. 2. Horrible pit i. pit full of feare and horror meaning by that spéech most fearefull and great daungers mirie clay by these wordes he noteth both the greatnesse of his daunger and the continuance therein by the name claye which is both weighty and also wil cleaue fast to sée Psalme 69.2 Set my féete vpon the Rock i. hath placed me where I may be safe from al iniurie meaning a most safe place ordered my goings vz. in such sorte that I am sure from stumbling or falling Verse 3. Hath put into my mouth i. hath giuen mee an occasion a new song of praise i. newly to sing a song of praise vnto him or take new song for a singular and exquisite song sée Psalme 33.3 Many shall sée it i. many shall know the benefites that God hath bestowed on me and feare vz. God the giuer thereof Ver. 4. Maketh the Lord his trust i. that trusteth in him regardeth not i. maketh little or no account of sée Psalme 15.4 as thorow their force to be brought to feare them more then God the proude vz. those that boast themselues of the things they haue turne aside vz. from the truth to lies i. lying imaginations as before Psalme 4.2 Verse 5. He ascrybeth to Gods workes not only wonderfulnes but innumerablenesse in respecte of man count in order no nor yet out of order because they are incomprehensible and infinit to thée vz. or before thée that art the only dealer therein thy thoughts this the Prophet attributeth to God that thereby he might the more easily set out Gods wonderfull affection and loue towardes vs and ouer vs. Ver. 6. Sacrifice and offring betwéene these two words I make this difference that Sacrifice respecteth sinne offrings and the other voluntarye and fréewill offrings meaning by these two all other kinds whatsoeuer thou diddest not desire vz. in respect of obedience as 1. Samuel 15.22 for otherwise God regardeth them as parts and péeces of his seruice which he himselfe prescribed but when hipocrites by cold ceremonies would thinke to appease god without true godlinesse then doth the Lord reiect them as Psalme 50.8.9 c. for mine eares hast thou prepared or as Immanuel readeth hast thou boare◠through If you take the Geneua Text there the note is good if you followe Immanuel then he meaneth acceptation and taking of him to be his faithfull seruaunt this is applyed to Christ Heb. 10.5 Verse 7. Then sayde I lo I come vz. readilye and willingly when I vnderstoode thy will in the roales of thy booke i. in the law and this he speaketh according to the Iewes both in time heretofore and at this day who writ in parchment or paper and afterwardes role them vp because they will longer last roaled then folded written of mee i. concerning mée Verse 8. Thy Lawe is within my harte i. I doe earnestlye and from the bottome of my hart reuerence imbrace and loue thy lawe sée Philip. 1.8 Verse 9. Thy righteousnesse i. howe iust and good thou art in the performaunce of thy promises Refrayne my lippes vz. from declaring that O Lord thou knowest vz. that this is true that I speake and that I vtter it from my hart Verse 10. Is verye well expounded in the Geneua note Verse 11. He beséecheth the Lord to shewe his mercye and truth towards him and to make him by effects to féele the same Verse 12. Conteyneth a reason why the Lord should shew him mercy because hee is in suche great affliction haue compassed mée vz. on euery side within and without my sinnes i. both my sinnes and the punishmentes that lye vppon mée for the same sée Psalme 32.4 Psalme 38.2.3.4 and hée meaneth by that whiche followeth that they pressed him so downe that hée was not able to lift vp his heade or as a man
woulde saye to beholde the Heauens then the heares of myne heade i. they are innumerable my harte i. my courage witte counsell c. hath fayled me i. hath hene as it were consumed vz. by earnest thinking vppon them Verse 13. Let it please thée Hée flieth to Gods good will sée Psalme 38.21.22 Ver. 14. Let them bée c. Sée Psalme 35. 4. and 26. where you haue almost the same words Verse 15. For a rewarde i. as a méete and iust punishmente of their shame i. of their filthye and shamefull life sée Psalme 28.4 Aha Aha sée Psalme 35.21 Verse 16. That séeke thée vz. with a sincere and vprighte harte and that to serue thée in thee i. for thée and for the gracious deliueraunces that thou bestowest vppon them that loue thy saluation i. like and reioyce in thy sauing health and deliueraunces saye alwayes i. haue alwayes an occasion to say the Lorde be praysed vz. for the continuall mercy and goodnes which hée hath shewed vnto vs. Ver. 17. Though I be poore and néedy i. destitute of all mans ayde thinketh on me vz. to doe me good or else prouideth for me my matters thou art my helper and my deliuerer q.d. I néed not be proud when I doe any thing well for I doe it by thy helpe who art wont to deliuer me from troubles Do. Ver. 1. Patient abiding the Lords leasure is neuer vnrecompenced Ver. 2. God sheweth himself then most nigh to his children when they are in the greatest daunger Verse 3. By graces bestowed vppon his children GOD deliuereth two doctrines the one that those that haue receiued them shoulde prayse him the other that those that haue not receiued them should learne thereby to reuerence him and put their trust in the truth of his promises Verse 4. GOD onely must be trusted vnto as for proude and deceitfull persons they are to be abhorred Verse 5. Gods workes are past our reache Verse 6. God preferreth obedience speciallye in the harte before outwarde Ceremonies Verse 7. Teacheth vs chearefully when wée knowe Gods worde to obaye the same Verse 8. Teacheth vs to reuerence the law and worde of God aboue all Verse 9.10 To set forth Gods goodnesse righteousnesse truth to the vttermost of our powers Ver. 11. Continually to pray for the féeling of Gods mercy and truth Verse 12. Describeth the gréeuousnesse of sinne and the horrible effectes of the same Verse 13.14.15.16 We learne to make prayer as for our selues so for others and yet withall to pray against the malicious and obstinate enimies of Gods truth Verse 17. God reiecteth none for his pouerty or néede but the more he is in distresse the readier is the Lord to helpe him if hée be his Psalme 41. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. Firste Dauid declareth what good estate they are in that pitie the afflicted and néedye in their calamities and distresse from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde hee describeth the mischieuous mindes of his enimies agaynst him and the practises of his counterfeyted friends from verse 5. to the ende of the ninth In the third he prayeth vnto the Lord for deliueraunce and assuring as it were himselfe thereof he concludeth with thankesgiuing from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Verse 2. Se. Kéepe him vz. from the violēce and rage of his enemies preserue him aliue vz. euen here vppon the earth from many daungers hee shall bee blessed vppon the earth i. hée shall haue abundaunce of blessinges powred forth vpon him in this life and thou vz. O God a sodayne chaunge of the person vnto the will vz. that they shoulde doe with him what they list sée Psalme 27.12 Ver. 3. Vpon the bed of sorrowe i. when being sorrowful and gréeued hee doth for verye weakenesse kéepe his bedde putting the place wherevpon the heauy harted partye lyeth for the partie himselfe and his wonderfull gréefe thou hast turned a chaunge of the person as before ver 2. of the time by turning he meaneth changed all his bedde i. all the gréefe hee had vppon his bedde in his sicknesse i. in the time of his sicknesse The Prophet meaneth that God either had or would for the Prophets vse to speake sundry times of things that are to come as though they were alredy done restore him from sicknes to health from gréefe of mynde and body to soūdnes both of body soule ver 4. Therfore I sayd vz. because I saw thy goodnes towards others my soule i. me my self both in body soule a part for the whole Verse 5. Speake euill of mee i. Wish euill to me as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse They desired his death and his name i. not only his glory but his remembraunce perish vz. from amongst men Verse 6. He come a sodain chaunge of the number putting one eyther for some excellent one amongest them or for many to sée me vz. when I am sicke he speaketh lyes because he hath one thing in his mouth and another thing in his hart see Psalme 35.15 his hart heapeth iniquitie within him i. he carrieth an innumerable number of mischiefs in his hart againste mée which he declareth to his mates so soone as he is departed from me and laboreth to put the same in execution commeth forth vz. from the place where he had bin with me he telleth it vz. to his companions Verse 7. Whisper together i. hold their secret counsels and conspire against me for by whispering he meaneth their secret spéeches and practises myne hurt i. the hurt they will doe me Ver. 8. A mischiefe i. some great affliction punishment or disease sent from God which his enemies called a mischiefe prophanelye as prophane men sometimes call it vengeaunce Acts 28.4 hath light vpon him and taken such hold that he that lieth vz. gréeuously sicke vpon his bed and in it shall no more rise vz. out of his bed because they supposed hee shoulde dye of that disease Ver. 9. My familiar friend this may be vnderstood eyther of Absolon or Achitophel as 2. Sam. 15. or some other trustye one which did eate of my bread i. that came to my table and did eate of the best vittails I had there hath lifted vp the héele agaynst me by héele we vnderstande the whole man a part being put for the whole The meaning of the Prophet is that not onelye he whosoeuer he was did set himselfe against him but that also hee did it despightfully and contemptuously for to lift vp the héele or foote to the ende to trample vnder féete or to spurne argueth contempt despight and crueltye This by our Sauiour is applyed to Iudas Iohn 13.18 Verse 10. Rayse me vp vz. to my former strength and glory so shal I reward them vz. according to my kingly calling and office rendring vnto them that they haue deserued Ver. 11. He vseth the present tense for the future which is vsuall
also in scripture because of the certaine perswasion that they haue that the thing shall bee performed and therefore I know is put for I shall know and so doth not triumphe for shall not triumphe meaning it of those that be named before or some such like Verse 12. Set me before thy face i. hast me not only in continuall but in mercifull remembraunce as those that are continually in the presēce and fauour of Princes Ver. 13. Blessed i. Praised so you shal haue this word often vsed in the Psalmes of Israel i. of his faythfull people sée Psalm 14.7 world without end i. for euer and euer Do. Ver. 1.2.3 Teache vs to pitie those that are afflicted and for our better incouragement therein the Lord hath set downe certaine promises whiche hee will performe alwayes vnto vs so farre forth as he shall sée to be for his glory and our comfort Ver. 4. Sinne draweth all iudgements vpō vs both in soule and body Ver. 5. The vngodly wish the death of the faythfull Ver. 6. The vngodly are full of lying and hipocrisie Verse 7. They craftily conspire the hurte and destruction of the godly Ver. 8. They reioyce and clap their hands for ioye in his misery and affliction Ver. 9. A mans enemies are they of his owne houshold as it were and it so falleth out many times that where Gods children assure themselues of greatest friendship there they find least whiche teacheth vs not to hang vpon man Verse 10. We must flie to the Lord onlye in all our distresses Ver. 11. Gods deliueraunce of his children is a testimony of his fauour towards them Verse 12. All our sufficiency to goodnesse is from God aloue and that of his mercy only Verse 13. God must be continually praysed for his louing kindnesse and we must alwayes giue a thorow and earnest consente thereto Psalme 42. THis Psalme consisteth of two partes Di. In the firste the Prophet declareth what great desire he had to serue God among the faythfull whiche because hée coulde not performe he sheweth further into what great heauinesse he fell therefore from verse 1. to the fifte In the second he runneth to God praying comfort from him and labouring by all meanes he coulde to comfort himselfe ouer that heauinesse and sorrow from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth this is expounded before Psalme 4. Se. a Psalme to giue instruction this is expounded Psalme 32 committed to the sonnes of Korah not onely to bée kepte as a treasure but to bee sung also by that posterity amongest whome it shoulde séeme that one Heman was the chéefe 1. Chron. 6.33 1. Chron. 25.5 Verse 1. Vnder a similitude of the Hart which by reason of naturall heate much desireth waters as appeareth by them that haue written of the nature of them Dauid setteth oute his earnest desire to serue GOD before the Arke after thée O GOD i. after thy seruice and worship and after the beholdinge of thy Maiestye a visible token whereof thou shewest in thy Tabernacle and the worde of parting woulde bée marked by whiche Dauid sheweth not onlye the great paynes that hee hadde taken therefore but euen that that little breath whiche hee had yet lefte hee imployed that waye Verse 2. My soule i. I my selfe whollye thyrsteth i. earnestlye desyreth euen as those that bee almost ouercome with thyrst wishe for drinke euen for the liuing God This terme hée vseth to put a difference betwéene the God which he meant and whom he serued and the dead idols of the Gentiles before the presence of GOD hée meaneth by this the Tabernacle where God gaue visible signes of his presence and not as though hee were or coulde be at anye time out of his sight sée Psalme 139.7.8 c. Verse 3. The Prophet meaneth that by reason of abundance and continuance of teares that fell from him he might be sayd to bée fedde as it were therewith sée Psalme 80.5 while they i. the Enemyes thy GOD vz. in whome heretofore thou diddest trust this is a moste bitter vpbrayding of the godly Verse 4. These thinges i. Both the reproches of the enemie and my frequenting of the Tabernacle with the rest of Gods people I poured out my hearte i. my courage consumed as it were and my strength wasted awaye see Iob 30.16 hee meaneth in this Verse that hée was as it were halfe deade when hee remembred the enemies reproches on the one side and on the other side the wonderfull pleasure whiche hée tooke in the holy assemblies going before them as a Captaine or ringleader to the rest that kéepeth a Feast vz. vnto the Lorde wherein there was great mirth vsed as maye appeare by sundrye places Verse 5. Cast downe vz. into doubting and heauinesse vnquiet within mee i. meaning by reason of gréefe the helpe of his presence i. the ayde and deliueraunce which his presence i. his fauour and goodnesse hath giuen vs For so is Gods presence often tymes vsed and namelye in these Psalmes Verse 6. From the Lande of Iorden i. I being in the Lande of Iorden whiche is a place very muche distaunt from Ierusalem where thyne Arke is or from the place where thou arte serued so likewise is Hermonim and the mount Mizar which some take to be a place vnknowne euen to the Iewes themselues whatsoeuer it is this he meaneth that hee was much greeued being in a countrie farre from the place where GOD was serued to thinke that hee was depriued of the assemblyes of his Saynts Verse 7. One déepe i. One greate and gréeuous affliction calleth another déepe i. exhorteth as it were another to come that by accesse thereof my afflictions maye growe as it were to infynitenesse as Psalme 40.12 by the noyse i. in suche manner and with suche greate noyse as thy Water-spoutes i. thy Cloudes sende downe the rayne sée Iob 38.25 and he iustly resembleth the Cloudes to Spoutes because they both poure downe and with hold agayne as it pleaseth God to appoynte and rule all thy Waues and floudes i. great and gréeuous afflictions sent from thée are gone ouer me i. haue in a manner ouerwhelmed me Psalme 38.4 Verse 8. Will graunte i. graciouslye giue and make me to féele the nighte vz. of the day before wherein I haue felt his goodnesse of him i. both of him and his prayses meaning that he would prayse him the God of my life i. the author of my life and being for in him we liue moue and haue our being Acts 17. Verse 9. My rocke sée Psal 18.2 forgotten me sée Psalme 13.1 Verse 10. He noteth what great gréefe he indureth by the vngodlies spéeches Ver. 11. Is expounded before ver 5. of this Psalme Do. Verse 1.2 Teache what an earnest loue and desire we shoulde haue to serue God in the assemblie of his Saynts Verse 3. declareth what greate gréefe we shoulde haue to heare GOD reproched the same doth verse 4. Verse 5. that we should labour to comfort
our selues by all the lawfull meanes wée can Verse 6. and namely by hauing recourse vnto our GOD who is the God of all comfort 2. Cor. 1. Verse 7. teacheth two thinges first that the latter end of one trouble with Gods children is the beginning of an other secondly that we should not dispaire vnder the multitude of our afflictions Ver. 8. We ought to be wel and assuredly perswaded that God will haue mercye on vs. Al the rest is touched before verse 3.5 Psalme 43. THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the firste the Prophet prayeth to God to take the iudgement of his cause into his hand and to graunt him his fauour and this is in the thrée first verses In the second he promiseth thankfulnes to God for that and other benefits comforting himself what he could in his troubles and this is in the two last verses of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title no more hath Psalme 10. and also Psalme 33. Se. but it séemeth to be written vppon the same occasion that the 42. was vz. that being driuen out of his Countrie by the violence of his enimies and wanting the vse of Gods exercises hee prayeth deliueraunce from the one and restitution to the other Verse 1. Iudge me i. Pronounce sentence agaynst mine enemies and cleare me deceitfull and wicked man i. it may be that he meaneth Saule as the chéefe but I rather take it to bée the singular number put for the plurall or else one moste notorious put for all the rest of the vngodly sée for the more cleare exposition of this verse 1. Samuel 24.9.10 and so foorth to the ende Verse 2. The GOD of my strength i. thou art he from whome I haue receaued all the strength I haue and by that strength and power that thou haste giuen mée haste deliuered mee hitherto from all daungers Why haste thou put me awaye vz. from thée hee expressed this Psalme 42.9 in these wordes Why haste thou forgotten mee Thus fleshe and blood debateth the matter with GOD when they are left some small time in affliction Why goe I so c. These wordes are worde for worde Psalme 42.9 He meaneth that notwithstanding the enemie did wonderfully trouble him yet hee shoulde haue raysed vp himselfe in the hope and comfort that he had or might haue in the GOD of his strength Verse 3. Sende vz. to mée thy light i. thy gracious fauour and thy truth i. Faythfulnesse and true performing of that whiche hée had promised q.d. of thy fauour and goodnesse helpe them that are oppressed and by that succoure sente them from thée make them to féele the truth of thy promises lette them i. thy lighte and thy truth leade mée vz. to the apprehension of thy goodnesse and mercye and lette them bring mee vnto thy holye Mountayne vz. where thy Arke is whiche was then Kiriath Iearim a Towne set vppon a Mountayne as it shoulde séeme 1. Samuell 6.21 and to thy Tabernacles i. to all the places where the shall bee pitched for thy Arke for the temple was not builded till the raigne of his sonne Salomon Now the Arke was sometimes at Shiloh 1. Samuel 1.3 Sometimes at Kiriath Iearim as 1. Samuel 6.21 Sometymes at Nob 1. Samuel 21.6.7 Sometimes at Gibion 1. Kings 3.4 2. Chron. 1.3 and this is the reason why it is called here and in other places of the Psalmes as Psalme 84.1 Tabernacles in the plurall number vz. because it was sette vp at sundrye times in sundrye places Verse 4. Then i. When this shall be graunted mee from GOD I will goe vz with Sacrifices and offerings vnto the altar of God vz. that I may offer them thereon in these wordes he promiseth a willing frée and thankfull seruice vnto God the God of my ioy and gladnesse i. hee that is the Author thereof as verse 2. of this Psalme hee is called the GOD of his strength and by doubling the wordes ioye and gladnesse which meane all one thing he meaneth the wonderfull greate and excéedinge ioye that GOD eyther had or would giue him vppon the Harpe hee addeth this Instrumente to bée as it were a testimonye outwarde of his thankfulnesse sée Psalme 33.2 Verse 5. Is expounded before Psalme 42.5.12 Hee is my presente helpe i. ready at all assayes to helpe me and to giue mée wonderfull deliueraunces Do. Verse 1. We maye at Gods handes by prayer begge defence against and deliueraunce from cruell subtill and wicked persons Verse 2. It is good the more the enemy rageth to cheare our selues in God Ver. 3. The féeling of Gods fauoure and the truth of his promises two notable poyntes to comfort vs in all our distresses also wée must haue an earnest desire to the holye and publique assemblies of GOD. Verse 4. Thankfulnesse both inwardlye and outwardlye would be rendred to God for his mercies bestowed vpon vs. Verse 5. It is good for vs to comfort our selues in our afflictions and patiently to tarrye the Lordes leasure who wil neuer fayle vs if we hang wholy and stedfastly vpon him Psalme 44. Di. THis Psalme maye bée deuided into thrée partes In the firste the faythfull declare what greate workes GOD in goodnesse had done for their forefathers and them from the firste verse to the ende of the eyght In the second they shewe howe that GOD as it were hauing forgotten himself had left them in moste miserable case to their enimies from the ninth verse to the ende of the sixtéenth In the thirde they shewe that for all their miseries they forgate not God and therefore pray and that earnestly for succour and reléefe from him from verse 17. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 42. The author of this Psalme is vnknowne and the tyme to as of certaintye wherein it shoulde bée written notwithstanding there is some probable appearaunce eyther after the returne of the people oute of Babilon or else in the time of their exyle Verse 1. Hearde with our eares i. assuredly and certaynly hearde our Fathers i. our Auncestors haue told vs vz. both by wordes and writing in their dayes i. in the times wherein they liued in the old time i. euen long agoe that the people might the more moue God to comfort them in their miserie they reckon vp his greate goodnesse shewed vnto their forefathers Ver. 2. Driuen out vz. of the land which they possessed and inhabited with thine hand i. by thy power and might as sundry times in the booke of Psalmes planted them i. surely set and as it were rooted them to growe i. to multiplye and to increase wonderfully Verse 3. Inherited not i. atteyned not to the inheritaunce or possession of the land by their owne sworde i. by the weapons and armour whiche they had their own arme i. their owne power and strength saue them i. deliuer them from daunger and distresses but thy right hand thyne arme i. thy strength might and power only and the light of
vz appoynted or made readie for the slaughter Verse 23. Vp why sléepest thou in these verses following they praye God to haue pitie vpon them and to giue them succoure when God for a time giueth vs ouer to the lust of the wicked hee séemeth to sléepe as it were not that hée doth so as appeareth Psalme 121.4 but it is spoken of God after the maner of men Ver. 24. Thy face as those are wont to do that loath to behold any in great calamitie and affliction and by face he meaneth fauour and goodnesse forgettest i. makest as though thou hadst no care or regarde of our miserie and affliction and of vs that are oppressed therewith Ver. 25. For our soule i. the whole man but chéefely the life is beaten downe vnto the dust i. is in wonderfull daunger and almost past hope of recouery as they are that are returning into dust out of which they were taken our bellye cleaueth vnto the ground vz. like those that are ouerthrowne by their enimies in fight and are so cast down flat euen vppon their faces that there is no hope as it were of their rising againe because they séeme to be as a man would say glued to the earth Ver. 26. For our succour i. to helpe and succour vs and redéeme vs vz. from the bondage and captiuity wherein we are Ver. 1. It is good for Ancestors to declare to their posterity and for the posterity to marke Gods works diligently declared vnto them shewing out either his power or his mercy Ver. 2. Declareth that God is al in all either in the ouerthrow of his enemies or in the vpholding of his children Ver. 3. It is not any worldly force or meanes though they may be vsed but yet without trust in them but God alone that performeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Wée must pray for the Church Ver. 5. Gods power is the Buckler that the faythful haue to trust to for their owne defence for the discomfiture of their enimies Ver. 6. Trust must not be reposed in any outward thing Verse 7. God alone is the worker of our deliueraunces Ver. 8. And he onely must bee praysed therefore and that continually Ver. 9. God many times leaueth his children for a while to the end that he may come to them agayne in greater mercye also if God guide not the armie all is nothing Ver. 10. Fainthartednesse on the one side and courage and stomacke on the other side is from God Ver. 11.12.13.14 tende all to one end vz. to set out the poore and miserable estate wherein Gods people are many times Ver. 15.16 Teacheth vs that it is no small gréefe to Gods children to heare the wordes and to sée and féele the déedes of the vngodly Ver. 17. teacheth that though there be sinne in Gods children why they should be punished yet God doeth not alwayes punishe them for their sinne Ver. 18. and 19. Teache vs that no affliction should make vs shrinke or fall away from God but rather that our afflictions should draw vs more nigh vnto him Ver. 20.21 Teach that we should not haue recourse for succour to any but to God alone If we doe that God beholdeth that and all other our wickednes in good time to punish it Ver. 22. It is good to suffer for wel doing Ver 23.24 Teach vs not only to pray to God in our miseries but to be earnest with him not to leaue off til we haue obtained Ver. 25. Sheweth that the more our miseries are the more néede we haue to repaire to God yea euen then when they séeme to be past hope of recouery Ver. 26. In our prayers we must only looke vpon Gods mercy and nothing at all in our selues Psalme 45. Di. THis Psalme maye be deuided into two especiall partes In the first is set out the beautye strength glorye power Iustice magnificence and mariage of Salomon from Verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde is contained an admonition to Salomons wife with great promises to bée performed if she kéepe the matters propounded to her from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is to him that excelleth this is expounded before on Shoshannim whiche was an Instrument amongest the Iewes and had sixe stringes vpon it for the worde is deriued from another Hebrue worde which signifyeth sixe as Kimcho sheweth a Song of loue this is well expounded in the Geneua Bible all that followeth in the Title is expounded before Psal 32. and Psal 42 This one thing I woulde haue noted though Dauids name bee not here expressed yet it is very likely that hee was the Author thereof In déede it is not put downe before many Psalmes and namely Psal 2. and Psal 66. and yet the holy ghost Acts. 4.25 ascribeth it to Dauid Ver. 1. Wil vtter forth vz. by the instrument of my tongue and penne A good matter i. an excellent and profitable thing excellent in respect of the party whom it treateth of and profitable in regard of the people whom he shall rule ouer in my works i. in these verses following which he calleth woorkes in the plurall number not for the greatnes but for the exquisitnes of them My tongue is as the pen of a swift writer he meaneth that his tongue shal be most swift q.d. I wil most readily vtter these things that I haue in my mind and my tongue shall no lesse readily expresse the prayses of the king then hee that is most skilfull in writing writeth with a pen. Ver. 2. Thou art fairer here he beginneth to praise Salomon and in these wordes hee praiseth him for his beautie and comlinesse which he sayth was more excellent in him then in any other person whatsoeuer for so much he meaneth by children of men grace i. words that obteine grace and fauour from men is powred in thy lippes i. is plentifull and as it were ouerflowing in thy mouth and in these wordes he commendeth his eloquence blessed thée vz. with abundance of excellent giftes for euer this must be vnderstood of Salomon but it must haue his true verification in Christ and that that I put down here must be vnderstood throughout the whole Psalm Ver. 3 gird thy sword i. take vnto thée thy authority hee putteth the signe of authority as the Apostle also doth Rom. 13. for authority it selfe for kings obteine great praise if they rightly vse the sword and when hee sayth vpon thy thigh hée alludeth to the fashion that was common among the Iewes then and is at this day vsed among the Turkes who hang their swoordes so that it lyeth vpon the thigh and hangeth not on the side as ours doe which thing also we our selues performe though not in swordes yet in skeanes hangers wood-kniues c. To wit thy worship and thy glory here hee more plainely sheweth what hee ment by swoord vz. his great and excellent authority which hee should make more famous by vsing it well Ver. 4. Amende
heart prayseth the Lord doth yéeld him most excellent honour disposeth his way arighte i. rightly and holily ordreth his life will I i. God himselfe speaking of himselfe or else his seruaunt and Prophet shew the saluation of God i. If wée referre it to God he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person but if we referre it to the Prophet and take it to be his wordes hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed which he shall receaue indéede from God who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons both the sences come almost to one Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes but comfortable to his seruaunts Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation that passeth betwéene them and their God Verse 6 It is comfortable to consider that God who is iustice it selfe shall iudge Verse 7 When God speaketh all ought to heare Verse 8.9 God regardeth not outwarde seruices when inward is wanting Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods and at his commaundement Verse 11. If he know the creatures then men likewise Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man Verse 13. God being a spirit néedeth not outward nurriture Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing is acceptable to God Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer if we could rightly consider of it Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde be two grieuous sinnes Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse and of communicating with other men in their sinnes Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse ver 20. To speake euil of or to slander any much more our nighest kinred is a horrible sinne Verse 21. Gods mercy long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked not of it selfe but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it Verse 22. Gods iudgemeÌ„ts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty Psalme 51. THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges Di. the firste is an humble confession of sinnes with an earnest crauing pardon for the same desiring notwithstanding his sinne the continuaunce of Gods fauour towards him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehended an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church and â—â—is is in the two last verses of the Psalme The Title to him that excelleth Se. a Psalme of Dauid this hath bene expouÌ„ded before when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him for the better vnderstanding of this read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout after hee had gone in to Bathsheba the scripture speaketh chastly purely of a filthy facte in other places it is expressed by knowing hir in our spéech we say after he had had her company or lain with her Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes and he doubleth as it were the same matter in other wordes that hee might more effectually declare his affection he runneth only to Gods mercye and because his sinnes were many and infinite he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses away myne iniquities vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes for such a metaphor he séemeth to vse here meaning the vtter remouing of them Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing the Prophet alludeth to the outwarde purifyings and cleansings of the law yet so that he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing without the Lord performed that inwardly wch was signified by these outward signs that is frée pardon ful forgiuenes of al his transgressions Ver. 3. For I know i. féele sensibly within my self but yet so that I do withal confes it is euer before me i. is continually in my remeÌ„braunce and the very thought of it doth continually vex me and by iniquitye sinne in the singuler number he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome adulterye but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertayning therto whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Against thée against thée only c Dauid noteth by this maner of spéech that he did so cuÌ„ningly couer his sinne from mens eyes that none saw it for the time til it was reuealed but God alone so that we see Against thée doth not only note that his sinne was directly agaynste God which also he meaneth by doubling the words against thée agaynst thée but also that it was naked before him as appeareth by that which followeth when he addeth this word only he meaneth not that he had not offeÌ„ded against men also for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain but because God was he whose law both in respect of the first and second table was broken whom it did most especially touch that thou mayst be iust i. declared to be iust for otherwise god is alwayes iust though the manifestation thereof appeare not and pure i. sound and vpright when thou iudgest vz. others for God is always iust but it then specially appeareth wheÌ„ he eyther pronouÌ„ceth senteÌ„ce against some or executeth iudgements vpon them Ver. 5. Behold q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther but al other from the time of my being vntill this present houre he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne but yet so that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow and in sinne hath my mother conceyued me these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents was in that sinne conceaued i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe and brought forth in the same for so largely do I take the word of conceauing the beginning of a thing being put for the grouth procéeding and continuance of the same thing Ver. 6. Thou louest truth i. vprightnes soundnes a sincere good wil to follow thée in the inward affections meaning that God specially respecteth the hart yet so that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto haste thou taught me wisedome i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne because
that contrary to the knowledge and truth that God had manifested vnto him he had cōmitted gros iniquities Ver. 7. Purge me with Hysop no doubt hee alludeth to the ceremonies purifications of the law among which Hisope was greatly vsed as Leuit. 14.6.7 Leuit. 19.18 yet so that he would haue the truth also signifyed by these outward things and he putteth purging and Hisope and washing which were outward parts of the legal puristings for a thorow whole cleansing as ver 2. and I shall be cleane q.d. otherwise I cannot bee cleane vnlesse thou O Lord performe it indéede whiter then snow Sée Isaiah 1.16.18 for the vnderstanding of this Verse Verse 8. Make me to heare i. eyther to féele one sence being put for another a thing vsuall in Scripture or else by some one of thy Prophets or other make me to know my sinnes to bée forgiuen as Nathan pronounced the same vnto him 2. Samuel 12.13 ioye and gladnesse i. that comfortable and ioyfull message touching the frée and full pardon of my sinnes that maye make me ioyfull and glad indéede that the bones i. I my selfe both body and soule he putteth a part for the whole which thou hast broken vz. by the horror of thy gréeuous iudgementes agaynste mee for my sinne sée Psalme 38.3 may reioyce i. haue matter of reioycing ministred vnto them and performe that ioy indéede whilst that they inioye their former féelings Verse 9. Hide thy face from my sinnes i. bury them as it were in perpetuall forgetfulnesse for we doe not easily forget those things that be continually in our sight put away sée before verse 1. of this Psalme all mine iniquities one and other for so long as any sinne presseth vs the conscience can hardly be quiet Verse 10. Create in me a cleane hart he prayeth because the heart is the seat of the affections and naturallye it is inclyned to all filthinesse euery day sée Matth. 15.19 Gen. 6.5 Gen. 8.21 That God woulde reforme it taking away that filthinesse and planting goodnesse in it which he calleth creation a right spirite i. a minde frée from all hipocrisie and abhorring crooked wayes some read a stedfast spirite meaning a spirite and mynde so well stayed as might not in tyme afterward be remoued from his obedience Ver. 11. Cast me not awaye from thy presence hee vseth here a metaphor taken from Kings who will not vouchsafe such to beholde them as they hate or lyke not of thy holy spirite i. the effectes and workes of thy holy spirite for neyther doth the spirite substantiallye dwell in men as some haue dreamed neyther is the pledge of the spirite so taken awaye as some haue imagined though it be hidden sometimes vnder the ashes of corruption Verse 12. Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation i. make me to féele agayne that vnspeakeable comfort of saluation that I was wont to feere so that it séemeth that Dauid was almost at the dore of dispayre with the féeling of his sinnes the iudgements of God agaynst him for the same establish me i. make me strong and stedfast with thy frée spirite the spirite of God is called frée in diuers respects as because it is Gods effectuall instrument to set vs frée from the bondage of sinne for where the spirite of the Lord is there is fréedome 2. Corinthians 3.17 because also thereby god worketh in vs fréenesse and readinesse to the doing of those thinges which he commaundeth and lastly because it maketh vs fréelye and boldly to professe that we are Gods children as Rom. 8.15.16 some reade principall or princelike spirite meaning thereby a moste excellent spirit suche as Kings and Princes haue néede of that they may know how to guide them selues in their offices Verse 13. Thy wayes i. thy mercies louing kindnes which are called Gods wayes because he alwayes sheweth them to true penitent sinners q.d. If thou wilt pardon me my sinnes I will be thy instrumente to teach thē that shall come to the like féeling of their transgressiōs thy wonderfull mercy and goodnesse and sinners shall be vz. by that meanes conuerted vnto thée vz. from whom they haue gone astray he meaneth that hee will take paynes to winne men to god but that the profit thereof shall redounde to gods owne glory Verse 14. From blood he meaneth not only from the sinne committed in shedding Vriahs blood and others with him as 2. Sam. 11.17 but also the punishments that by that sinne he had drawne vpon himselfe whereof sée Genesis 9.5.6 God of my saluation sée Psalme 18.46 my tongue shall sing ioyfully i. chearefully and aloude prayse thy righteousnesse i. thy goodnesse faythfulnesse and truth which thou promisest and performest to thē that craue pardon and forgiuenesse Verse 15. He prayeth the Lord not onely to giue him an occasion but also to inable him to thankfulnesse and then he will performe it Verse 16. Must be vnderstoode by the way of comparison and not supplye for yet in his time sacrifices were to be vsed and that by the prescript of gods law sée Psalme 50.8.9 c. Isaiah 1.11.12 c. Verse 17. The sacrifices of God i. such as he principally alloweth and accepteth a contrite spirit i. a spirite brused and broken as it were with the feeling of the sinne committed and the acknowledgement of his owne weakenesse and vnworthinesse which as I take it the Apostle calleth godly sorrow 2. Cor. 7.10.11 Thou wilt not despise i. thou wilt graciously and mercifully accept for not refusing or despising with god is gracious accepting Verse 18. Be fauourable i. notwithstanding my sinne continue gracious and heape vp benefits vpon benefits vnto Sion i. vnto thy church and people he putteth the place where Gods people dwelt and the exercises of his religion were vsed for gods people and Churche sée Psalme 48.11 for thy good pleasure i. for thyne own goodnesse sake and not for any thing in them or me for there is nothing in vs that can procure that build the wals of Ierusalem i. not onely defend thy church by thy mighty power and prouidēce but giue it all the meanes whereby it may resist the assaults of thine enemies as walles to a citie are a good defence to saue them from the violences and outrages of their enemies Verse 19. Sacrifices of righteousnesse sée Psal 4.5 q.d. When sacrifices and burnt offrings shall be referred to a right ende God will allow and like of them then shall they i. thy people offer Calues vppon thine altar i. sacrifices of prayses and thanksgiuing vnderstanding no doubte by Calues euen the instruments of their lippes to prayse God withall sée Hosea 14.2 also Heb. 13.15 Verse 1. When we are touched with the féeling of our sinnes Do. Gods mercy is the only medicine that we must looke to for the curing of our sore Ver. 2. We must pray for pardon and full forgiuenesse of our sinnes or else it is nothing as also verse 9. of this Psalme Verse
3. Confession of our sinnes and the sight of them are good meanes to bring vs to repentaunce for them and forgiuenesse of them Verse 4. God onely is iust in all his wayes and wordes how vile soeuer men be Verse 5. Proueth originall sinne and yet not by imitation as the Pelagians imagine but by naturall corruption from our parents before we could follow them Verse 6. God specially regardeth the inward parts as the harte and minde Verse 7. Vnlesse God take away our sinnes we can neuer be purged Verse 8. When we are afflicted with heauinesse it is good to praye that we may féele spirituall comfort Verse 9. We are not able to indure Gods presence much lesse his iustice for our sinnes Verse 10. God is he alone that must alter and chaunge the corruptions of our mindes Verse 11. To be banished out of Gods fauour and to want the effects of the spirite is extreme miserye Verse 12. Vnlesse God vphold vs we shall easily fall Verse 13. Our féelings of Gods mercies should be referred to other mens profits and Gods glory Verse 14. We ought to pray for deliueraunce from sinne and the punishments due thereto Verse 15. All the members of our bodies should bée referred to Gods glorye but yet we can not performe that vnlesse hee giue vs strength and grace Ver. 16. God regardeth not outward seruices only but the inward and the outward must be both ioyned together Ver. 17. Godly gréefe of hart for sinne is an acceptable sacrifice to God Ver. 18. We must praye for the Church and the prosperity thereof Verse 19. It becommeth Gods children after he hath heard their prayers and graunted them their requests outwardly to shew themselues thankfull Psalme 52. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the prophet by péecemeale as it were describeth the corruption and malice of his aduersaries and this is comprehended in the foure first verses In the second he sheweth Gods iudgemēts agaynst the vngodlye and his fauour to his children with the fruit the godly shall reape thereby from verse 5. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth Se. A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction this hath ben expounded before Psal 4. also Psal 32. that which followeth in the title declareth the occasion wherefore Dauid made this Psalm for the more ample vnderstanding wherof sée 1. Sam. 21. from verse 1. to the 9. and Doeg is here called an Edomite not that I thinke he was so by nation or birth but because he had vpon some one occasiō or other dwelt in Edom. Ver. 1. Why boastest thou thy selfe c. q.d. there is no cause why thou shouldst so doe if eyther thou consider thy selfe or the matter that thou art about to commit or God himselfe whose goodnesse continueth towards his children for euer though he doe for a time giue them ouer to the vngodlies lust so that all thy laboure is but lost though thou bragge neuer so much therof for neyther art thou able to assault God though thou be neuer so mighty neyther to hinder the course of his goodnesse towards his children Ver. 2. Thy tongue imagineth mischiefe he attributeth imagination to the tongue which is proper to the mind meaning therby expressing q.d. thou doest by thy wordes bewray what mind thou haddest whē thou wast with Ahimelech like a sharpe rasor vz. in cutting that déepely q.d. thou woundest cuttest with thy tongue as a rasor doth hee meaneth the slaughter cōmitted 1. Sam. 22.16 that cutteth deceitfully as missing the beard and striking the throat that is not vsed where it should be and where it should not be vsed there to be of great force Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise and somewhat more plainly in my iudgement Verse 3. Euill i. not onely euill in affection but in acte meaning speciallye the murther committed at Nob and lyes vz. in falslye accusing Ahimelech sée 1. Samuell 22.7.8.9 c. Ver. 4. Thou louest i. allowest and vsest all wordes that may destroy i. suche spéeches as by the vttering of them maye bring hurte and destruction to others Verse 5. So i. as thou hast delighted to destroy others vz. the Priests of Nob so shall God take pleasure in thy ouerthrowe although for a while he deferre to punish thy trayterous and crafty dealing destroye thée O Doeg although thou thinkest thy selfe to be very high and sure yet shalte thou be cast downe for euer i. continually and that so that thou shalt haue no hope of rising agayne hee shall take thée vz. awaye from amongst men so that thou shalt not hurt any more and plucke thée vz. by strong hande whether thou wilt yea or no out of thy Tabernacle i. the place of thy dwelling and aboad and all that thou haddest to mayntayne the same whiche thou madest account of as though it had bene perpetuall meaning that he would take awaye from him Saules seruice and whatsoeuer else he had to trust in roote thée i. not only thine owne person but thy remembraunce and posteritie out of the lande of the liuing i. out of the world and from the face of the earth Verse 6. Shall sée it i. the punishment that God shall lay vpon thée and such wicked ones as thou art and shall feare vz. God and his iudgementes but yet with a reuerence and loue also of his maiestie from which shall spring sincere seruice and shall laugh i. inwardly and outwardly reioyce at him i. Doeg and such wicked men not so much for that they are ouerthrowne as because thereby it pleaseth God to manifest the care he hath for his children the iudgements he executeth vpon the wicked Verse 7. Behold the man q.d. they shall poynt at him as it were with the finger and will other men to looke vppon the heauye iudgementes that God hath executed agaynst him that tooke not God for his strength i. that did not put his trust for his strength and all other thinges in God only but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches Sée Luke 12.15.16 c. 1. Timothie 6.7 and put his strength i. trusted that his strength shoulde appeare in his malice vz. whiche hee practised agaynste Ahimelech and the rest of the Priestes at Nob. Verse 8. But I Dauid expresseth the hope that he and other faythfull haue howsoeuer the wicked be destroyed and that though the wicked trust in vncertaintie of riches yet he and they still hang vpon the Lord continuallye lyke a gréene Oliue Trée i. alwayes freshe and flourishing and yéelding fruite for the Oliue is very fruitfull and neuer wanteth gréene Leaues in the house of GOD i. in his Church and Congregation from whiche though Dauid were at this present banished yet in a sure hope he perswadeth himselfe hee shall in good time returne thither and bring forth much fruite for I trusted in the mercye of GOD this is a reason why he shoulde continue and florish for euer and euer expounde this by
verse sixe of Psalme 23. Verse 9. I will alway prayse thée Dauid promiseth thankfulnes for that thou hast done this he sheweth a cause why he will be thankefull and marke the manner of spéeche he speaketh as the Prophets also do oftentimes of a thing that should be done as though it were alreadye done because of the certaintie of it I will hope in thy name i. I will trust in and patiently wayte for thy vertue power and grace as Psalme 20.1 so that here he promiseth patience because it is good i. is found to be gracious fauourable and redy to helpe afflicted ones before thy saynts i. euen in the verye sighte iudgement and experience of thine owne people For this word Saynts sée before Psal 50.5 also Psal 16.3 The vngodly reioyce and glory in their sinne and shame Do. also Gods kindnes continueth for euer towards those that feare him Ver. 2.3.4 sheweth how that the vngodly vse all the meanes they can of words déeds c. to worke mischiefe and hurt by Verse 5. setteth out Gods iudgements against the wicked and that the hope of the vngodly shall perish Verse 6. Gods iudgements vpon the wicked strike two contrary passions as it were into the hartes of his children vz. feare and ioyfulnes Ver. 7. sheweth how vaine a thing it is to trust in any thing saue in God alone and to take pleasure and delighte in vngraciousnesse Verse 8. describeth the flourishing estate of the faythful Ver. 9. Teacheth praysing of God and patience Psalme 53. THis Psalme is the same not only in matter but in wordes almoste with Psalme 14. and therefore that that hath bene sayde there must be looked vpon agayne where it varieth something shall bée put down In the title are these words on Mahalath which I take rather to be an instrument then a tune and such an instrument as was made to go with blowing or breath by the reason of the hollownesse of it all the rest of the title hath ben expounded before Psal 42. and else where Se. Verse 1. For the word Worke in Psalme 14. here is put downe Wickednesse seuerall wordes tending all to one end vz. to set out the naughtinesse of these wicked men Verse 3. For all are gone out of the waye Psalme 14. there is read Here euery one is gone backe vz. from the obedyence of God and his commaundementes whereof they séemed to make some profession Verse 5. differeth almost altogether from Psalme 14. the Prophet declaring what great iudgement the Lorde bringeth vppon the wicked though neuer so stoute and couragious noting that though they feared GOD no whit at al yea and they themselues were greatlye feared of men yet when they thoughte least of it and no cause of feare appeared the Lorde stirred vp the terrours and prickes of their owne consciences to trouble them scattered the bones vz. being firste broken as it were in péeces By this manner of spéeche the Prophet meaneth that the Lorde by his iudgementes entereth and pierseth euen into their inward parts and breaketh and weakeneth all their force and strength whatsoeuer and you so shal haue the word bones vsed for strength before Psalme 32.3 of him that besieged thée the Prophet speaketh of Gods people as of one person because of the vnitye that is or oughte to be amongst them and of their fellowlike suffering So also hee speaketh of the wicked as of one man by reason of the consent that is in them to doe mischiefe vnderstanding also by the worde besieging all the mischieuous attemptes deuices and procéedings of the vngodly thou hast put them to confusion this may be referred eyther to the Churche as that the Churche had gotten victorye agaynst the wicked because GOD woulde haue it so or else to Christ the heade of the Church or GOD the Father speaking to him and of him in the first place in the seconde person and in the latter place speaking of him in the thirde person I woulde rather referre it to the Churche All the rest sée before Psalme 14. Psalme 54. Di. THis Psalme though it be short hath yet notwithstanding 3. parts In the first the Prophet prayeth deliuerance from his enemies shewing the cause that moueth him so to doe from verse 1. to the end of the third In the second he declareth what mercy God wil shew to him and what iustice he will execute vpon his enemies and this is in the two next verses vz. 4.5 In the thirde he promiseth hartye thanksgiuing vnto the Lord and sheweth the cause thereof and this is conteyned verse 6.7 Se The title to him that excelleth on Neginoth sée this expoūded Psal 4. in the title A Psal of Dauid to giue instruction sée this expounded Psal 32. in the title when the Ziphims i. diuers of the people that dwelt in Ziph for the expounding of this and all that followeth in this Title Sée 1. Samuel 23. verse 14 15 16 17 18 19 c. also 1. Samuel 26. verse 1.2 c. Is not Dauid amongest vs This demaunding doth more certainly affirme q. d. certaynelye and withoute all doubte hée is in our countrye and therefore we come to tell it thée Verse 1. Saue me i. deliuer me and set me frée from these daungers wherin I am so haue we had this word vsed sundry times before and so haue you it afterwardes Psalme 69.1 by thy name or else for thy names sake i. for thy strength vertue power and graces sake as sundrye times before and namelye Psalme 20.1 and by thy power q.d. myne enymyes are stronge and I am weake therefore I come vnto thée that arte stronger than all Iudge me i. defende my righte pleade my cause and sette mee frée from the force and subtelties of mine enemies Verse 2. Heare my prayer i. shewe by effect that thou hast or wilte graunte my request for otherwise Dauid doubted not but that the Lorde hearde him praying vnto the wordes of my mouth i. vnto the prayer whiche I vtter with my mouth for prayer speciallye is a lifting vp of the harte vnto GOD though wordes sundrye times bee not vsed or hearde before men as Exodus 14.15 Also 1. Samuel 1. Verse 10.11.12.13 Verse 3. For strangers i. the Ziphims and others taking part with Saule who although they were Israelites according to the flesh and outward profession yet by their déedes declared themselues to be straungers from God his religion and all humanity for very humanity it selfe would haue taught thē to haue bin so farre off from deliuering the afflicted into Tyrauntes handes that they should rather haue pittyed him are risen vp agaynst vz. both with bodily violence and with their tongues to doe me euill and tyraunts i. men not onely of great might but also of great crueltye like vnto wilde beastes séeke my soule i. diligently searche after my life to destroy it Sée Matth. 2.20 Soule is put here for life as in other places before and also verse 4. of this Psalme they
haue not set God before them q.d. all this outrage against me springeth from this fountain to wit that they neglect God as he is manifested and reuealed vnto them in his word neyther take they counsell of him but preferre their owne iudgements and deuises in all their attempts whatsoeuer Verse 4. Beholde GOD is mine helper q.d. notwithstandinge all this see howe graciouslye GOD helpeth and succoureth mee is with them i. taketh their parte and is on their side as Romanes 8.31 For otherwise GOD by his presence is with all his creatures and no doubte he meaneth not only those that fledde away with him but euen Ionathan and suche others as euen in Saules Courte fauoured him and his cause that vpholde my soule i. that beare mée good affection haue care ouer my safegarde and take my parte and ayd and helpe me so farre forth as GOD inableth them Soule is here put for lyfe as before in the thyrde Verse not that men are able to vpholde eyther their owne lyues or other mens otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same Verse 5. He shall reward euill i. God by pouring forth his iudgements vpon them shal in a iust measure recompence them the mischiefe that they haue deuised and done agaynst me for euill here is put for euil of punishment as sundry times before oh cut them off vz. eyther from amongst men rooting them out of the lande of the liuing or else from power and means to performe their mischiefs by in thy truth i. according as thou truely hast promised so make me effectually to féele the performance therof we haue had the same phrase sundry times before Verse 6. Then will I sacrifice vz. the sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing fréely i. not onelye with free and chearefull courage but with greate liberalitie also So that he promiseth to shew himselfe after his deliueraunce euery manner of way thankfull to God I will prayse thy name i. goodnesse strength power c. as before verse 1. of this Psalme because it is good i. mercifull almighty c. for so much doth the word God comprehend in this place Verse 7. For he hath deliuered me this is the reason why he will giue hartye thankes to the Lord vz. because God hath set him frée from wonderfull daungers and troubles for so much I take it he meaneth by all troubles and not that he should not indure any moe afterwards And mine eye hath séene i. I haue not only in my vnderstanding perceaued but with these bodily eyes of mine for he putteth one for both I haue beheld poured forth vpon my enimies the iustice and iudgements of God which I prayd for or desired mighte fall vpon them which also we may doe to wit holily reioyce in the execution of Gods iustice vpon the wicked so that our eyes be pure from all naughty affections and our minds clensed from desire of reuenge Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs not only in our distresses to pray vnto God alone but for the strengthening of our fayth to haue recourse to his goodnesse and power Verse 2. Teacheth vs in prayer to vse both hart and voyce Ver. 3. Doth not only set out the cruelty of the vngodly agaynste the good but also noteth the fountayne of all wickednesse that is the neglect and contempt of God and his will reuealed in his word Verse 4. instructeth the faythfull to assure themselues of Gods present ayde who is mercifull not only to them but also to all those that take their partes and therefore wee sée it is not good to destitute Gods seruaunts vnlesse we will pluck God vpon our owne backes Verse 5. setteth out Gods iustice against the wicked of which sée Psal 18.26 it teacheth also to make Gods faithful promises the grounds of al our supplications and prayers Verse 6. Teacheth vs both to giue God thankes for his mercies and also the maner how we should yield it that is willingly chearefully fréely and plentifully Verse 7. sheweth that it is God alone that must set vs frée from all daungers whatsoeuer the doctrine of the latter part of this verse is put down in the sence Psalme 55. THis Psalme I take it may well bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet maketh his prayer vnto the Lorde shewing also what great causes he had to moue him thereto and this from verse 1. to the ende of the 8. In the seconde he prayeth agaynst his enimies describing their mischieuous malice hipocrisie and other vices from verse 9. to the ende of the 15. In the third he returneth agayne to his prayers both for himselfe and agaynst his enimies concluding with a comfortable exhortation to the faythfull with a terrible denouncing of Gods iudgements against the wicked and this reacheth from verse 16. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 4. and Psalme 32. Se. in the Titles thereof Some there be that thinke Dauid made this Psalme when hee was afflicted with the Rebellion of his sonne Abshalon Othersome vnderstand it of that great and wonderfull daunger wherein hée was in the Citie Keilah whether Saule came to besiege him whereof sée more at large 1. Samuell 23.1.2 c. And to this doe I rather enclyne Verse 1. Heare my prayer sée Psalme 54.2 hyde not thy selfe i. turne not thy selfe away he séemeth to speake after the manner of men who sometimes if they be not disposed to graunt a request will not speake with the parties that sue vnto them but séeme to hyde themselues from presence spéech from my supplication true it is that in scriptures prayers and supplications are many times vsed for one and the selfe same and it may be that they are so taken here but yet you shall sée them sundry times seuered as Ephe. 6.18 Philip 4.6 1. Tim. 2.1 where by supplicatiō the Apostle meaneth requests made to God for deliuerance from those things which trouble vs and by prayers requests which are made for benefits Ver. 2. Harken vnto me i. the praiers that I make before thée as Psal 54.2 and aunswere me i. graunt me my request for those whom we louingly aunswere we séeme in some sort to graunt vnto I mourne i. I am sorrowful and heauy harted and make a noyse he meaneth that by violence and vehemency of his affliction hee was as it were inforced sometimes to heauinesse of heart mournful bewailings sometimes again into most pitiful outcries Ver. 3. For the voice i. for the hard gréeuous threats which are vttered with the voice of the enemy i. Saule vnderstāding notwithstāding vnder him as the principal all those that cleaue to him in these outragious words déeds against him for the vexation of the wicked vz. which they do against me and not wch they thēselues suffer for here the vexatiō of the wicked is vsed actiuely vz. for the oppression wherewith they did afflict the innocent because they i. the enimies and wicked
12. Myne enemy i. mine open enemy or one that I had giuen any good cause vnto to bee mine enemy for otherwise no doubt hee or they whosoeuer they were that put this in practise against Dauid were his foes and here note that though hee seeme to speake but of one yet no doubt hee meaneth more or else vnder one most singular in that craft of dissimulation hee vnderstandeth others for hee meaneth here that by secret deuises which hee coulde not preuent hee was vnder the pretence of friendshippe almost cast away did not diffame mee sée verse 3. of this Psalme for I could haue borne it vz. better then I doe nowe because I looke for nothing from mine enemie but enemy like dealing Exalt himselfe against mee i. set himselfe against mee by worde or deede All this the Prophet speaketh by the way of comparison not denying but that his foes did defame him and oppose themselues against him but if that were compared with the hypocriticall dealings of his counterfeit friends it would appeare to bee nothing as a man would say and this wee call a denyall by the way of comparison I would haue hid me from him i. I woulde haue kept my selfe close and safe from him and his cruelties Verse 13. Hee sheweth who it was that wrought him this iniurie my companion i. my equall and of the selfesame state and condition that I my selfe was of by which wee see that this Psalme was made before hée came to the kingdome for when hee was exalted thither once none was equall vnto him my guyde vz. in matters of counsell and affaires that I had to doe and my familiar i. my deare and tender friend He meaneth no doubt some whom hee had in great regarde and estimation Ver. 14. Which delighted in consulting together q.d. with whom I tooke wonderfull pleasure to conferre of many matters and namely of the exercises of Gods religion which I suppose the Prophet meaneth by going into the house of God as companions consulting as it were together howe they might prepare themselues to his seruice behaue themselues therein Ver. 15. Let death sease vpon them vz. not onely sodainely and or euer they beware for so much the Hebrewe worde in a metaphor séemeth to import but let it take such holde of them that it may neuer leaue till it haue taken them away from amongest men Let them goe downe quicke into the graue as Korah Dathan and Abiram did Numb 16.31 Hee meaneth that hee woulde haue them dye of some sodaine death no disease or sickenesse going before it for wickednes i. all manner of vngodlinesse sée before Psalm 36.1 In their dwellinges i. in their congregations assemblies and fellowshippes putting the places where such wicked persons did méete for their méetings euen in the middest of them i. they norish it within them and haue it alwayes in their company Ver. 16. I will call vnto God i. earnestly pray vnto him will saue mee i. deliuer mee from these cruelties and daungers as Psalm 54.1 Verse 17. Euening and morning and at noone will I pray i. I will bee importunate and neuer cease till I haue obteined from hence and out of Daniel 6.10 wee may gather that in those dayes the faythfull set themselues certaine houres to pray in thereby the better to awake their sluggishnes And make a noyse i. I will bee feruent and earnest in it for many haue prayed long and yet haue wanted feruency and hee will heare my voyce i. graunt the petitions and prayers that I shall powre foorth before him wherein wee see howe hee assureth him selfe of Gods goodwill and mercy Verse 18. My soule i. my life as sundry times before in peace i. safely and soundly and with great quietnes from the battaile that was against mee i. from the great conflictes and daungers wherein I shoulde haue béene snared because they were layde and prepared against mee for many were with mee q.d. though to sée too wee were but fewe yet wee had Gods Angels with vs to dismay our enemies and to comfort vs as 2. Kinges 6.16 Ver. 19. God shall heare vz. mee and my prayers and afflict them i. whereas hee shewed mercy to mee hee shall afflict them and punish them euen hee that reigneth of olde i. hee which in nature counsell and iudgement is eternall and alwayes like to himselfe which thing the Prophet expresseth to giue the wicked to vnderstande that there is no starting holes to hyde them in from GOD because they haue no chaunges vz. from wealth honour and credit to pouerty disgrace and misery but alwayes they goe forwarde in abundance of these outwarde blessinges therefore they feare not GOD i. they neither reuerence him nor his iudgements but abusing his mercye runne riot to all wickednes and so in this verse hee putteth them out for their harde hartednes in vngodlynes Ver. 20. Hee layeth his hand first marke the sodaine chaunge of the number before he spake of them in the plurall nowe of them in the singular next note that by laying of handes vppon others hee meaneth exercising of violence towardes others yea and this outragious discurtesie is aggrauated by howe much it was practised towards them that were at peace with him i. not only such as liued quietly with him but also loued him and so by that meanes hee brake his couenaunt vz. which he had made with him all this Dauid speaketh principally of Saul and himselfe and of the couenant that passed betweene them Sée 1. Samuel 24. from verse 17. to the ende of the Chapter Verse 21. The woordes of his mouth were softer then butter i. hee made shewe in his woordes of nothing but gentlenesse and mildenesse yet warre was in his heart i. inwardly hee imagineth nothing but mischiefe and destruction for so is the woorde warre vsed here vz. put for thinges that commonly followe warres his woordes were more gentle then Oyle this I take to be but the same thing repeated in an other metaphor in summe the Prophet toucheth him here for his peruerse hipocrisie and wooluish mind as it were against him Verse 22. Cast thy burden vppon the Lorde q.d. if there bee any thing that troubleth thee or that thou thy selfe standest in neede for so much I thinke hée meaneth by the worde burden commit all the care thereof into Gods hands and power staying thy self altogether vpon his prouidence and he shall nourish thée i. vndoubtedly thou shalt not want for God wil play the part of a good Father whereunto in deede the Prophet in this place resembleth him giuing vnto euery one of his in measure and as hee shall sée to bee necessary for them for so much doeth the worde import hee will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer vz. into the wicked mans power that he should vse him as hée himselfe lusteth Verse 23. Shalt bring them downe vz. from the wealth credit and authority that nowe they are in and this hee speaketh of the vngodly and
crafty crueltie of the wicked which may teach the godly two things specially first in all holy wisedome to labour the preuenting of these mischiefes that are meant against them secondly to striue to liue a holy and an vpright life because the eies of the wicked are continually vpon them Ver. 7. Sheweth vs howe the wicked flatter themselues in their sinne Ver. 8. Expresseth the great care that God hath ouer his children and how dearely he accompteth euery thing that is done to them or commeth from them Ver. 9. Setteth out the force and effect of feruent prayer Ver. 10.11 Are the same with ver 4. of this Psalme Ver. 12. Teacheth vs in care and conscience to performe the holy promises we haue made vnto God specially those that concerne praise and thanksgiuing Ver. 13. Teacheth two things first that it is God alone that vpholdeth his children and deliuereth them from all dangers and distresses secondly that he doeth this to this end that by holy life and godly conuersation we should glorifie him before men Psalme 57 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet calleth vppon the Lord assuring himselfe that God will graciously heare his prayers and deliuer him from ver 1. to the end of the third In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was and the craft and cruelty of his enemies praying deliuerance therfrom from ver 4. to the end of the 6. In the third part he sheweth his readines and inforceth himselfe to yéeld thankes to the Lord for his mercy goodnes towards him from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth sée Psal 4. Destroy not In these words is declared the summe of those petitions which are conteined in Psalmes that haue such titles as this is as Psal 58. also Psal 59. It should appeare that Dauid was in some wonderfull feare of death and destruction and therfore praieth the Lord not to destroy him i. not onely not to suffer the wicked to destroy him but also because he alone had al power in his hands not to lay hands vpon him himself A Psal of Dauid on Michtam sée Psal 56 in the title whē he fled from Saul the history hereof is put down at large 1. Sam. 22.1 1. Sam. 24.1.2.3 c. In the caue or rather into the caue He meaneth either Adullam or else an other caue in En-gedi for which sée the places before noted so that in this title wee may sée the occasion of the writing and making of this Psalme vz. Dauids great daunger and affliction Ver. 1. Haue mercy vppon mee O God haue mercy vpon mee this is a most vehement request which also may appeare by the doubling of the words by the which also he sheweth that he was in very great danger for my soule trusteth in thée this word soule importeth that he trusted in God with all his heart which is the part that God especially regardeth and in the shadowe of thy winges i. thy sauegarde prouidence and protection it is a metaphor borrowed from chickens who lye close vnder the hennes wings till the kyte be passed ouer sée Psal 17.8 Wil I trust vz. because I haue heretofore found it good the Prophet meaneth that he had trusted did and would continually trust in Gods almighty protection onely till these afflictions ouerpasse It appeareth that Dauid had more troubles then one yea that hee had as it were flouds of them which maketh him here to resēble his afflictions to a storme or tēpest not meaning by the word til that when the tempest was appeased hee woulde then cease to trust in God but that hee would both then and for euer hang vppon him so haue you the word till vsed Psal 110. ver 1. Ver. 2. I will call i. I will pray vnto the most high God the Prophet addeth this to strengthen his fayth because he whom he would inuocate had all power in his hand and hée strengtheneth himselfe also by that which followeth vz. that god doth faithfully performe his promises made him for God neuer vseth to leaue a worke vnperfite that hee hath begunne but alwaies continueth his benefits and goodnes towards those that are his Ver. 3. Hee will sende from heauen vz. either one or many Angels rather thē I shoulde want helpe and succour and saue mée i. deliuer mee from the reproofe hee meaneth by this worde all that either closely or openly coulde be done or sayd against him of him i. not onely of Saul though he be the chiefe but of those that take part with him against mee that woulde swallow mee sée Psalm 56.1 God will sende his mercy and his trueth this may serue to expound by the way of addition these wordes hee wil send from heauen in the beginning of this verse or else wee may expound them thus hee wil sende vz. vnto mee making mee féele by experience that which I haue had heretofore but in perswasion his mercy and his trueth by mercy hee meaneth the manifestation of his goodwill and grace towardes him and by trueth hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in keeping his promises Verse 4. My soule i. my whole life and body is amonge Lions i. greedy and cruell persons sée Psalm 35.17 Hée meaneth his enemies whome hee resembleth to Lions because they were full of rage and cruelty meaning also by this manner of speach and those that followe in this verse that hee was in wonderfull daunger I lye among the children of men i. such as haue nothing more then that corruption which they haue brought from their fathers which is nothing else but al maner of naughtines and cruelty that are set on fire vz. against mee and that through the malice and mischiefe of their owne heartes without any cause on my part giuen whose téeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword by téeth and tongue which are the instruments wherby men speake he vnderstandeth the false and hateful accusations that Sauls flatterers made against him and in that he resembleth them to speares arrowes and swordes hee meaneth that they were sharpe kéene and persing euen to the wounding of him sée Psal 120.4 also Psalm 55.21 also Psal 59.7 Ver. 5. Exalt thy selfe O God aboue the heauen hee prouoketh the Lorde as it were by prayer to declare his power q.d. shewe thy might and power which is farre aboue the heauens here vppon the earth in ouerthrowing and confounding mine enemies and let thy glory bee vz. made manifest and appeare vpon all the earth i. all the earth ouer to the ende that thy glory may bee extolled and magnified amongst men which can hardly be if I be oppressed for that should be with the dishonour of thy name Ver. 6. They vz. the wicked and vngodly my deadly enemies haue layd a net for my steppes i. haue either narowly watched me in my conuersation as before Psal 56.6 or else
haue laide snares in my way to trappe me as I go that I may thereby fall into their daunger and this latter I rather allowe of and my soule i. my life and body as sundry times before is pressed down vz. with their cruelty and mine owne misery the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach the great daunger that hee was in They haue digged a pit before me i. they haue craftely deuised wayes and meanes to intrappe mee and that in the way as I should walke for I thinke that by laying of nets digging of pits the Prophet meaneth to note their subtilty and are fallē into the middest of it i. the mischiefe and hurt which they had prepared against mee is light vpon their owne heads sée Psal 7.15.16 Ver. 7. My heart is prepared O God my heart is prepared by doubling the speach the Prophet noteth not onely how ready he was but also howe resolute a purpose he carried with him to praise God and when he speaketh of the heart hee setteth it against hypocrites who haue nothing in their hart but all in their mouthes sée ver 1. of this Psalme I will sing vz. thy prayses and by singing he meaneth that he would publish them aloud with his tongue as well as haue them in his heart and giue prayse vz. to thee that art worthy all praise Verse 8. Awake my tongue hee stirreth vp the partes and members of his body to a certain liuelines and praysing the Lord sée Psalm 16.9 Awake viall and harp the better to inforce himself to this great duety he addeth certaine musicall instruments sée Psal 32.2 also Psal 43.4 I will awake earely vz. in the morning q. d. I will not be sluggish to praise GOD yea I will breake my sleepe rather then fayle that duety Ver. 9. The Prophet meaneth that hee will spreade abroade the prayses of God in all places and to all persons among whomsoeuer hee shall come and no doubt but in spirite hee did foresée the vocation of the gentiles who were to bee called to the knowledge of God Ver. 10. For thy mercy is great vnto the heauens and thy trueth vnto the cloudes i. thy goodnes and faithfulnes fulfil the whole worlde so that all people in euery place vnder heauen knowe thee to be mercifull and true in thy promises Ver. 11. Is the same with ver 5. both in wordes and meaning in which the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to declare his power not onely in the country of Iudea but also to exercise his iudgement throughout the whole world in succouring the innocent and in punishing the wicked Ver. 1. Teacheth vs in all our prayers to cleaue to Gods mercy Do. and not to our merits it instructeth vs also in our distresses and at all other times to hang vpon his great power and wonderful prouidence Ver. 2. Gods power Gods promise are two very good grounds of our prayers Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to bee assured to obtaine those things that wee shall aske according to his will Ver. 4. Setteth out the cruelty outrage and wonderful bitternes both of word and heart that the wicked haue Ver. 5. Teacheth vs to pray for the manifestation of Gods iustice and glory Ver. 6. Describeth the mischieuous subtilty of the wicked against the vngodly into which notwithstanding through Gods iust iudgement they themselues do fal Ver. 7. Teacheth to bee ready and willing to praise God Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to inforce al the parts and members of our body thereto and to vse al holy meanes either inwarde or outward wherby we may be prouoked to the performance of that duty Ver. 9. Teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to do it in euery place and before all persons that other men may be drawne by our examples to do the like Ver. 10. Declareth for what causes wee shoulde praise God vz. for his mercy and for his faythfulnes Ver. 11. Is the same with verse 5. of this Psalme both in sense doctrine Psalme 58. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first hee declareth that the wicked are not onely frée from al goodnes but replenished on the other side with all maner of corruption and vngodlines and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the fift In the second he maketh an earnest praier against the wicked shewing that in their ouerthrow the godly shall haue an occasion of mirth giuen them and other men shal be instructed in the iustice and righteousnes of God and this reacheth from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 57. Ver. 1. Is it true vz. that yee pretend and speake that yee speake iustly and deale vprightly q.d. no. For by such interrogations they doe certainely deny the thing O congregation hee speaketh no doubt of Sauls counsellers and courtiers against whom he inueigheth here speake ye iustly vz. concerning me my causes or do ye not rather for Sauls pleasure flatter him and flaunder me O sonnes of men sée this expounded before Psal 4.2 Iudge ye vprightly vz. of me and my matters q.d. no. The sense of this verse together is this much Hee directeth this speach to his enemies who were of Sauls court and counsell as if he should say thus I make you iudges whether vnder the shadowe of assembling your selues to consult for the common wealth and for a good iust matter you go not about to oppresse me that am innocent guiltlesse Ver. 2. Yea rather q.d. yee are so farre from that that yee execute the contrary in your heart i. secretly and priuily your handes execute cruelty the Prophet chargeth them with two thinges here first diuising of wickednes then practising and performing of the same by hand he meaneth not only the power they had to worke wickednes but that they thēselues with their owne hands were the executioners of the cruelty they had deuised sée Micah 2.1 vppon the earth i. vpon the people inhabiting the earth meaning also by this manner of speach that their cruelty was manifest as being séene and felt of men Ver. 3. The wicked in this verse the other following he setteth out the cause why Sauls courtiers commit al these things first by reason of the natural corruptiō which is in them maketh them to goe astray from God secondly because they carry with thē a fetled purpose to al maner of euil and wil not be reclaimed from it by any meanes Are straungers vz. from God and godlines as with whom they haue no maner of acquaintance at al frō the wombe vz. of their mother euen from the belly vz. of their mother haue they erred to wit from the right way of holines goodnes q.d. it is not to bee marueiled at that they are so wicked for it is no new thing because they haue had it euē from their birth Ver. 4. Their poison i. the malice of their harts and the mischieuous wordes that they vtter like the
procéedeth from imagination in the mynd to execution in act and déede Ver. 3. Plainely prooueth original sinne and noteth the procéedings that the wicked make in vngodlines so that from their birth vnto their death there is nothing but sinne corruption Ver. 4.5 Teacheth vs first that the wicked are giuen to all manner of lying slaundering and backbiting secondly that they are so setled in their sinne that they are almost past hope of recouery Verse 6.7.8.9 Teacheth that wee may pray against the obstinate enemies of Gods Church and trueth that the Lord God woulde if hée sée it so good shortly confounde and spéedely ouerthrowe them which condition would bee vnderstood in al such prayers of Dauid though hee were excellently indued with the spirit of prophecy Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgements vppon the wicked is a matter of great comfort to the godly Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgementes vppon the wicked is likewise a matter of great instruction to other people wringing from them a sincere confession acknowledgement of Gods mercy towardes the good and of his iustice towardes the other it teacheth also that the godly shall loose nothing by this that they haue lead a religious and holy life before men in this life sée Isaiah 3.10 Psalme 59 THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet prayeth deliueraunce from his enemies shewing that their craft cruelty and proud bragges made him thus earnest with God from ver 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he declareth that God notwithstanding all their trecheries will deliuer him vpon which ground hee prayeth and prophecieth against him promising to yéeld thankefulnes to the Lord for that goodnes from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme The title for the most part is expounded before Psalm 57. Se. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him sée for this 1. Samuel 19. from verse 11. to the ende of the 17. where it appeareth howe Michal his wife saued him from those that Saul sent to slay him Ver. 1.2 Hee prayeth to bee deliuered from his enemies which were ready as it were to ouerwhelme him by their wicked attempts cruell practises and mischieuous subtilties who did nothing else as a man would say but seeke his destruction Verse 3. They haue layd wayte vz. both secretly and openly for my soule i. for my life as sundry times before that they might take it away the mighty men q.d. no smal ones and therefore the greater danger am I in but such as haue wille and power to performe what they lift vnlesse thou preuent nor for mine offence nor for my sinne vz. to themward for I haue not done them any maner of euil which also may appeare by the next verse following O Lord q.d. euen as thou that searchest al heartes knowest Ver. 4. They runne and prepare themselues by these wordes the Prophet meaneth that they vsed al their diligence and spared no cost labour or paines to destroy him yea they were so diligent that they thought vppon nothing else almost but to execute their wicked enterprise without a fault on my part vz. towards them as before ver 3. Arise therefore here hee calleth vpon God whom he imagineth to be a sléepe as it were and all this is spoken according to man q.d. shewe thy power and might as hee doeth that is waked out of his sléepe to assist mee i. to stand by me and to strengthen me against such a number of cruel enemies as I haue and behold vz. not only my wretchednes and weakenes but also the outrages and mischieuous matters that they imagine and doe against me Ver. 5. Euē thou O Lorde of hostes hee more plainely describeth the God whom he called vpon for succour and in these termes Lorde of hostes hee comprehendeth his power as who hath infinite armies of all sorts of creatures in his handes to punish the wicked by and to defend the good and by these wordes O God of Israel he setteth out his mercy ioyning both together for the further strēgthening of his fayth awake i. declare thy power as before verse 4. and shewe thy selfe no lesse diligent to succour mee then they are to hurt mee to visite i. to punish and correct as Exod. 20.5 All the heathen by heathen he meaneth the hypocriticall and counterfeit Israelites who did as grieuously persecute Dauid for Sauls pleasure as people estraunged from God woulde haue done and when hee sayth all hee meaneth the greatest number expressing also vnder that terme the great multitude of his enemies which were so many in number as though they had béen whole swarmes of the Gentiles cōming together and bee not mercifull i. shewe no manner of fauour at all that transgresse maliciously i. of set purpose and as it were for the satisfiyng of their owne mischieuous myndes hée mindeth not here to speake of any but of the reprobate whose iniquitie was altogether desperate which as it should seeme hee did knowe through the spirit of prophecy Here wee must take héede that wee bee not ouer hasty to iudge in this behalfe Verse 6. They runne to and fro i. they cease not to goe and come so that they may execute their enterprises and this manner of speach noteth their rage in the euening q.d. if they can doe no euill in the day they will not cease to imploy the night thereto as being in déede a most conuenient tyme to woorke mischiefe in and this setteth out their diligence in committing euil they barke like dogges i. they pursue mee egarly and that with open mouth it is a metaphor taken from dogges vsed in hunting who sundry times followe their game barking and opening their mouthes wide as though they were ready to deuour their pray in which respect hee also compareth them here to raging hungry dogs and goe about the city vz. lest I might escape any maner of way and this noteth their diligence sée Psalm 55.10 Ver. 7. Behold they bragge in their talke i. they boast openly of that which they haue wickedly deuised and consulted on yea they vomit out and discouer all their wicked attempts without hyding or dissembling any thing so great is their impudency and shamelesnes and swordes are in their lippes i. the woordes that they speake are cruell for they speake of nothing but murthering throatcutting and spoyling sée Psalm 55.21 for who say they doth heare vz. our woordes or else perceiue our déeds and attempts and this they say amongst themselues meaning that neither God nor men do perceiue them And here he teacheth the outragious blockishnes that raigneth in the wicked when they perswade themselues that God regardeth not their wickednesses for being in possession fréedome to execute their wicked counsels they haue no shame of men nor feare of God Ver. 8. Sée expounded before Psal 2.4 for the word heathen sée ver 5. of this
Psal Whatsoeuer it is the Prophet meaneth that God wil bring al their purposes to nothing and that without making any great adoe but euen as it were playing and sporting Verse 9. He is strong this may be eyther vnderstood of Saule who was in the kingdome and had al at his commaundement or else of all that ioyned with him speaking of them as of one man by reason of their consent to mischiefe though otherwise they were many in number but I will wayt vpon thée q.d. notwithstanding his strength I will paciently tarrie thy leasure till thou ouerthrow him or deliuer me for God is my defence marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the second to the thirde and this is a reason why he will wayte the Lords leasure because he is sure to bee defended syth God taketh his part Verse 10. My mercifull God i. my God who hath made me sundry times feele his mercy and goodnesse will preuent me vz. with his helpe and fauour yea and that many times before I aske or haue néede he meaneth that Gods ayde should alwayes be readye to succoure him and though he deferred it for a time yet he would not fayle at néede God will let me sée i. thorow his goodnesse hee will make me perceiue the force of my prayers and the execution of his iustice vpon the wicked For that whiche followeth in this verse sée before Psal 54.7 Verse 11. Slay them not vz. sodaynly or at one blow as we would say he prayeth that his enemies maye bée discomfited and ouerthrowne by little and little least the remembrance of gods iudgements shoulde perish but that this vengeaunce of God exercised vppon them might indure a long season in mans memory for their bettering if it might be least my people i. eyther these that are presently with me or shall in time hereafter come vnder my gouernment but scatter them abroad i. cause them to wander vp and downe as troubled people that know not what they do or else as people that be gréeued and can finde no place of their owne or of other mens to ease themselues in by reason of the euill that pincheth them I suppose he alludeth to the iudgement that GOD pronounced against Kaine Gen. 4.12 by thy power vz which they nor any other are able to resist put them downe vz. from their estates and honourable degrées whervnto they are exalted in Saules Court that their miseries may serue them as glasses to beholde thy iudgements in O Lord our shield i. our defender and succourer sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 12. For the sinne of their mouth and the wordes of their lippes i. for the slaunderous and false spéeches that they haue giuen oute and spoken the Prophet sheweth a cause why the Lorde shoulde or woulde plague them by casting them downe from their honour let them be taken vz. by thy iudgement in their pride i. when they are at the height therof or most proude For the more high a man falleth the greater is his fall to him and more noted of others euen for their periury and lies that they speake by these wordes hee toucheth two great faults in them the lesser of them being strong ynough to draw Gods iudgements vpon them Verse 13. Consume them vz. in the end when thou shalt 〈◊〉 scattered them and cast them down as ver 11. and when the time shal come that thou shalt haue sufficiently serued thy selfe with them as a most â—ayne example of thy vengeaunce verse 11. also of this Psalme in thy wrath which is as it were fyre whereas they are but stubble consume them this doubling of the wordes noteth the earnestnesse of the Prophet in his prayer that they bee no more vz. among men hee meaneth that they might not liue any longer see Ierem. 31.15 Math. 2.18 and let them knowe vz. at the last and that by their owne experience and féeling that God ruleth i. not only gouerneth but also careth for in Iaakob i. in and for his Churche as Psalme 14.7 euen vnto the endes of the worlde this maye be taken eyther that it shoulde note the continuall care and gouernmente of GOD in and ouer his Churche or else that it should set out the largenesse of his gouernment as that it shoulde bée stretched from the one side of the Worlde to the other and to this latter doe I rather inclyne Verse 14. And in the euening c. For the vnderstanding of these phrases and maners of spéeche sée before verse 6. where the same wordes are repeated and expounded In this place the Prophet mindeth to mocke them for their indeuours and agréements and sayth that after they shall be much wearyed and haue trauayled all daye long in remouing housholde stuffe as it were and trudging hither and thither to intangle him they shall bee frustrate notwithstanding of their deuices attemptes and purposes Verse 15. They shall runne here and there i. they shall be verye paynefull and laborious for meat i. to hurte and to doe mischiefe for as the godlye thinke it a nourishmente vnto them to doe good as our Sauiour sayth Iohn 4.32.34 also Iohn 6.27 so the wicked take as much delighte in doing ill as in their foode and surelye they shall not bee satisfyed i. they shall certainlye misse of that they desired and sought for yea though they tarry all nighte i. though they watche all nighte long and take neuer so much paines to atchieue it I know others doe otherwise expound it as though they should be pinched with famine and hunger-bitten what toyle and labour soeuer they tooke but the former sence liketh me Verse 16. But I will sing of thy power i. in my songes I will make mention of and set forth thy power made manifest in deliuering me and in punishing mine aduersaries and will prayse thy mercy i. with a loude voyce I will set it forth that others hearing it may reioyce with mee and trust in the same in the morning he meaneth euery morning and euery day putting a part for the whole and yet because the morning is the speciall time for that exercise of prayer and thanksgiuing hée maketh speciall mention thereof for thou haste bene my defence i. thou alone hast defended me and refuge i. the sure place wherevnto I fled as to a high Mountayne sée Psalme 11.1 in the daye i. in the time or times for he meaneth not that he was troubled but one day onely Verse 17. Vnto thée O my strength i. vnto thée O my GOD that arte the God of my strength and from whome alone I haue the strength that I haue will I sing vz. songes of prayse and thanksgiuing and my mercifull God i. he that vouchsafeth me worthy of his mercy and by his mercy doth protect and defend me Do. Verse 1.2 Teach vs to pray deliuerance from our enimies and that so much the more earnestly by how much they are many in number or cruell in déedes or great daungers in multitude increase vpon
vs. Verse 3. Setteth out firste the subtiltie of the wicked secondlye that not the meanest manye times but the mightiest are enimyes to Gods children and that not for anye euill the godly haue done against them but to satisfie their malicious mindes whiche may be terrible to them but comfortable to the godlye Verse 4. Setteth out the paynes and diligence that the wicked take to performe mischiefe Verse 5. teacheth that God euen the God of power must only laye too his handes when matters are as it were desperate to restrayne the rage of the malicious multitude Verse 6.7 shew the crueltye rage diligence boasting and carelesnesse of the vngodly Verse 8. Teacheth that God will make all the mischieuous attempts of the wicked frustrate Verse 9. Teache vs not so muche to regarde the force and multitude of our enemyes as to looke vp to our GOD whose power is present with vs. Verse 10. Teacheth that GOD is more ready to doe for vs then we many times thinke of Verse 11. Gods iudgementes iustly executed vpon the wicked should not be lightly let passe or slippe out of our remembraunce Verse 12. Teacheth vs to looke to our wordes to beware of pride and to take héede of periurie and lying for they are suche thinges as the Lord can not away with Verse 13. Gods iust iudgements executed vpon the wicked are euident testimonies of his iustice towards the vngodlye and of his mercy towards his own children Verse 14.15 Teacheth that all the wicked purposes and attempts of the vngodly shall be frustrate whatsoeuer pain toile and diligence they shall take in the performaunce thereof Verse 16. teacheth vs that Gods iustice vpon the wicked his goodnesse towards his own should inforce vs to yéeld continuall prayse and thanks to him both for the one and for the other Verse 17. Teacheth that all our strength and sufficiencie is from God alone Psalme 60 THis short Psalme may be diuided as I suppose Di. rightlye into thrée parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great affliction that he had a long time indured and the great blessings that God afterwards poured forth vppon him from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the seconde hee doth by the spirite of Prophecie foretell the inlargement of his kingdome not onely in the land of Iudea but among the nations about him from verse 6. vnto the end of the 8. In the third he prayeth the Lord to strengthen him agaynst his enemies and assureth himselfe of his ayde from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth this is expounded before vpon Shushan Eduth I take it to be the name either of some instrument which shoulde bée vsed in the singing of this Psalme or else the beginning of some song according to the tune whereof Dauid would haue this Psalme sung or Michtam q.d. It may be sung eyther vpon the one instrument or tune or vpon the other instrument or tune of michtam we haue spoken before and namelye Psalme 16. in the Title a Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made to teache vz. not only himselfe and those of his time but others that should come after him what great care God hath ouer his though he afflict them for a little while when he fought agaynst Aram Naharaim this expresseth the time of the making of this Psalme The history whereof you may sée at large 2. Samuel 8. thorowe out and namely verse 12.13 For Aram Naharaim what Countrie it was and why it was so called sée Gen. 24.10 and the note in that place and agaynst Aram Zobah he maketh only mention of terrible people and such as are farre of leauing to speake of the nations round about him because the discomfiture of those was as it were incredible and yet God gaue him the victory both against the Aramites of Mesopotamia and againste the other Aramites that inhabited Zobah When Ioab returned to wit from the slaughter of the Syrians as 2. Samuel 8.13 where it is sayd that Dauid slew eyghtéene thousand which wée must vnderstand thus because he was the chéefe of that armye and therefore that is ascribed to him which was performed by the people that was subiect to him and in 1. Chronicles 18.12 It is sayd that Abishai Ioabs brother flew thē which must be vnderstoode because he was the first instrument that ouerthrew the Syrians killing sixe thousand of them which victorye his brother and the armie that was with him pursued and flew twelue thousand more of them of which mention is made in this place read diligently for the better vnderstanding hereof the places before alleaged vz. 2. Samuel 8. throughout and 1. Chron. 18. thorow out Verse 1. No doubt he bewayleth the miserable dispersion and long afflictions that the people of Israel aboad in the time of the Iudges and Saule of which you may reade in the booke of Iudges and the firste of Samuel thou hast cast vs out vz. eyther of thy fauour or else of the lande and dwelling places that thou hast giuen vs of whiche the story of Ruth yieldeth an example thou hast scattered vs vz. amongest other peoples round about vs see more of this phrase Psalme 59.11 thou hast bin angry vz. agaynst vs euident signes of which thy wrath haue bin our outcastinges and dispersions turne agayne vnto vs q.d. behold our misery and affliction and once agayne looke vpon vs in mercy and louing fauour as thou hast don sundry times heretofore take not thy flight from vs neyther depart away from vs in sury but in mercy returne to vs and abide with vs for euer Verse 2. Thou hast made the lande to tremble i. thou hast striken a wonderfull feare into the hartes and heads of thy people by reason of forraine warres and heauie troubles or else thus Thou hast brought great disorders amongst the people euen as confusion commonly and ouerthrowing of houses followeth earthquakes but I allow rather of the former sence whatsoeuer it be he doth by a metonymia put the land for the people inhabiting the same and thou hast made it to gape vz. not only as it were with an earthquake but also as it were with a most dry and parching summer meaning thereby seditions and ciuil discordes when the people were diuided among themselues some following Dauid and some the house of Saule as appeareth 2. Samuel from Chap. 1. to the fourth heale the breaches therof i. remedy the disorders therin and cure the diseases like a good Phisition as in déed one to whom alone it belōgeth for it is shaken vz. greatly and gréeuously with the calamities that it hath alreadye endured and is like to indure vnlesse thou redresse it q. d. It is so laden with affliction and misery that it can not long indure euen as if a man had a burthen on his back that were too heauie for him to beare Verse 3. Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things i. thou hast made that people whom
thou diddest dearely loue to féele and sée things that might minister and haue ministred great sorrowe and heauinesse to them thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of giddinesse he speaketh of some venemous and infected drink which taketh from men their sence and vnderstanding and as a man would say bewitcheth people and maketh them drunke q.d. Thou hast made vs dull and blockish in our euils euen as drunkards are or people that are inchaunted Not that God was eyther the author of euil or did thē any iniury but that he had iust cause thus to plague thē and giue them ouer for their sinnes Verse 4. But now thou hast giuen a banner i. a playne signe of thy fauour and of good hope to vs ward giuing vs by the chaunge that is fallen out matter and occasion of courage and reioysing in hope that the dispersed shall be gathered together and thinges broughte into good order he meaneth that God by the light of his promises and by his ayde and namely by the new victory he had giuen them whereof mention is made in this Psalme would take into his guiding againe the people whome he had séemed before to forsake and go before them now as it were with a banner displayde sée Psalme 20.5 because of thy truth because of thy most true and assured promises that thou hast made to them in that behalfe Verse 5. That thy beloued i. those whome thou cariest a singuler fauour to may be deliuered i. set from daunger and distresse helpe with thy right hand i. with thy wōderfull might and power as sundry times before and heare me i. graunte my request and prayer Verse 6. God hath spoken vz. by his seruaunt and Prophet Samuel in his holinesse some reade it by his holinesse if we reade in his holinesse then he meaneth thereby Gods sanctuary and Arke whiche is called his holinesse because he that is holinesse it selfe did dwell and appeare there If we reade by his holinesse it is as much as if he should saye hee hath called his holinesse to witnesse and pawned it as a man would saye for the certainty and assuraunce of that which was promised him I will reioice i. comforte my selfe in this as good cause I haue indéede so to doe I shall deuide Shechem and measure the valley of Succoth Shechem was the name of a place on this side the Riuer Iordan as the valley of Succoth was on the other side this riuer He nameth some parts of the land putting them for the whole kingdome in the full possession thereof though he were not by reason of the diuision betwéen him and Saules house yet he assured himselfe vpon the promise of God that hee should inioy the same in good tyme and by deuiding and measuring he meaneth nothing but that they should come vnder his subiection as the other parte of that land was alluding to the manner of diuiding and measuring out lands by cordes the owners thereof being the principall dealers most commonlye in that matter and it is as much as he should say I will not looke to haue my share measured out by others but I will diuide it and measure my selfe and will be the right owner and possesser thereof Verse 7. Giliad shall be mine and Manasseth shall be mine these are other partes of the kingdome whiche Dauid assureth himselfe shall come into his possession Ephraim also i. that whole tribe and people shal be the strength of mine head i. the stay and power of my kingdome because that this tribe was very mightye and well peopled in so muche that the very name of it in the Prophets is put for the whole kingdome of Israell Iudah is my lawgiuer i. that Tribe obtayneth the righte of gouernment and kingly authority amongest the people of GOD. Sée for the better vnderstanding of these two last spéeches Deutronom 33.17 Genesis 49.10 Verse 8. Moah i. the Moabites and nowe he speaketh of forrayne people shal be my Washpot i. so base and contemptible in my sighte that I will fréelye breake them as a potshearde and if I shall reserue anye of them I will put them to filthye seruices as 2. Samuell 8.2 ouer Edom i. the Edomites will I cast out my shoe i. I will boldlye treade them downe as altogether in subiection to me for I will bring them altogether vnder mine obedience and that with as much ease in a manner as casting my Shoe ouer them Palestina i. O ye Philistines shewe thy selfe ioyfull for me q.d. at the least make outwarde shewe though thou haue nothing inwarde that yée are gladde that I shall raigne ouer you Verse 9. Who will leade mee i. me and mine that are with me q.d. none canne doe this but God alone into the strong Citie vz. of myne aduersaries and here he putteth one for many Verse 10. Whiche haddest cast vs of vz. for a tyme and diddest not goe forth vz. to Warre ayding and strengthening the hands and hartes of ours in the daye of Battaile Verse 11. Vayne is the helpe of man vz as it commeth from man Verse 12. Through GOD i. through the assuraunce we haue of his succour and ayde and by the strength that hee shall giue vs we shall doe valiauntly vz. agaynst his and our enimies for he vz. eyther by himselfe extraordinarilye or by our ministerie as by a meane but whatsoeuer it is he ascribeth all to God shall tread downe our enimies vz. vnder his féete and vnder our féete so that they shall not bee able to rise vp agayne Do. Verse 1.2.3 Teach that God doth sundry times and in sundry sorts afflicte his people and that very sore Verse 4 teacheth that yet he doth neuer vtterlye take away his louing kindnesse and mercy from them but that at the length he giueth them assured testimonies and signes of his fauour Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods power is all in all for the sauegarde and deliueraunce of his Seruaunts Verse 6.7 Teacheth Princes that it is GOD alone that tyeth the hartes of their owne people in holy affection fast vnto them Verse 8. sheweth that it is God onely that must subdue all enemyes both forrayne and at home Verse 9. Teacheth that strong cities and peoples are nothing when God will haue them subdued and sacked Verse 10. deliuereth the same doctrines that Verse 1.2.3 and 4. of this Psalme Verse 11. Teacheth two thinges firste earnestly to pray to God in all our troubles and secondly neuer to make accounte of man otherwise then of man that is as of a vayne thing without God Verse 12. Teacheth that God is our only strength and that whatsoeuer victorye wee get we must ascribe it to him alone Psalme 61. THis Psalme hath thrée partes Di. In the firste the Prophet prayeth vnto the Lord to graunt him his request and to set him frée from the force of his Aduersaries and this is comprehended in the two firste verses In the seconde the Prophet strengtheneth his owne fayth by the particular
experience he had had in times past of Gods goodnesse towardes him and this is in verse 3.4.5 In the thirde hee prophecieth of the continuance of his kingdome and promiseth thankfulnesse vnto God for the same and this is in verse 6.7.8 The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalme 4. Verse 1. Se. Heare my crie i. graunt my earnest request and the same is meant by giue eare vnto my prayer not that Dauid doubted whether God heard or no but that he would fayne with some spéede haue had his sute yéelded vnto Verse 2. From the ends of the earth it should rather be from the ends of the lande vz. of Israell for Dauid flying fore feare of his sonne Abshalon vpon which occasion I suppose this Psalme was made passed ouer Iordan to Mahanaim whether also Abshalon followed him Samuel 17.24 will I crye vnto thée i. Pray earnestlye and feruently when my hart is oppressed vz. with sorrow and gréefe to sée my sonne rise vp agaynst me and my people also to followe him bring mée vnto the Rocke i. set me vpon a verye high and safe place from whence I may behold my enimies and be safe from their force that is higher then I i. that is more sure and safe then I and all the forces I haue or am able to make Ver. 3. For thou hast bin mine hope i. he alone in whom I haue hoped and trusted and a strong towre i. a most sure defence kéeping me always safe sound from the force of mine enemies for though he speak but in the singular nūber of one yet no doubt he meaneth the rest and this verse containeth a reason of his prayer taken from former experience Verse 4. I shall dwell in thy tabernacle tabernacle is not put here for the Arke but it is put for a tent or pauilion being a metaphor taken from warfare where those that are in the kings tente dwell as it were in a very safe place because the king and those that are with him be alwayes the safeliest prouided for To dwell then in Gods Tabernacle is to haue abiding in such a place as where nothing can hurte him and this sence may appeare to be right by the other member of this verse for euer i. al the dayes of my life vpon the earth and euer after when I shal be receiued to thée and my trust shall be vnder the shadow of thy winges q.d. This shall bee my trust that lying vnder thy protection I shall be safe sée Psalme 17.8 Ver. 5. Hast heard my desires i. graunted the thinges I prayde for thou haste giuen an heritage both in this life vz. the lawfull inioying of earthly things which doe indéede appertain to the only seruaunts of God and also in the life to come prepared for those that feare his name i. that of a certayne childlike reuerence that they haue of his Maiestie in their harts yéeld vnto him that seruice in this life that he requireth of them Verse 6. Thou shalt giue the King i. me that am the King speaking of himselfe in the third person a long life his yeares shall be as many ages vz of men and their posterity layde together he meaneth nothing else but that he should liue and raigne long This was fulfilled certaynly in Dauid who raigned King forty yeares but specially it is accomplished in Christ whose Kingdome indureth for euer Verse 7. He Marke how he speaketh still of himselfe in the thirde person shall dwell before God i. shall haue God alwayes gracious and fauourable vnto him by reason of his fatherly prouidence and care that he hath ouer his For to dwell before God is not only to liue in his presēce for the wicked are neuer remoued from that but to fynde him gracious louing as those whom the Prince continually vouchsafeth his sight for euer i. a long time if you referre it to Dauid but perpetually if you referre it to Christ prepare vz. for the King mercy and faithfulnesse i. by mercy he meaneth compassions that Magistrates vse as when in pronouncing sentence agaynst any they shew that they do it with a tender hart and by faythfulnesse he meaneth truth equity and vpright dealing rendring to euery man according to his cause that they may preserue him vz. in his kingdome and make his raigne and gouernment sure Sée Prouerbs 20.28 also Prouerb 29.14 Verse 8. So will I alwayes sing prayse vnto thy name i. continually prayse thy maiestie for inabling me to execute my office in performing dayly my vowes q.d. by this meanes shall my prayse and thanksgiuing appeare in that I will performe as signes of my thankfulnesse and obedience the vowes that I haue made vnto thée Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs so to be earnest in prayer with our God not that he hath néede thereof but for our owne cause because it is a good meanes to cause vs to spéede Verse 2. Teacheth that prayer is not tied to any place as to think that for the places sake our prayers should be the better it teacheth also that in the heauinesse of our hart we should then specially praye as also Iames 5.13 Verse 3. Teacheth that nothing can more forciblye cause vs to hope in God then the vnfayned remembraunce of the ayde that we haue receiued from him Verse 4. Teacheth that God alone must be our refuge and protection Verse 5. Sheweth that God graciously graunteth the holy prayers of his Seruaunts and neuer destituteth those eyther of bodily or spirituall blessings that call vpon him Verse 6. Long life to all and namely the long raignes of Kinges and Princes is a speciall gift of God Verse 7. Teacheth that Magistrates knowe not how to rule vnlesse the Lorde apt them for it it teacheth also that tender hartednesse and vpright execution of iustice be the proppes and stayes of kingdomes and countries Verse 8. Teacheth Gods children thankfulnesse yea continuall thankfulnesse and the manifesting of that thankfulnesse by the exercises of Gods holy religion and the fruits of obedience Psalme 62. THis Psalme though somewhat shorte Di. hath yet foure speciall parts In the first is comprehended his entraunce or Exordium wherein the Prophet sheweth that he hangeth only on God and this is in the two first verses In the second he reproueth his enemies for their mischieuous imaginations lyings flatteries c. shewing what iudgement shall fall vpon them therefore Verse 3.4 In the third part he propoundeth the doctrine of confidence in God exhorting the faithfull to hang vpon him because man is but vaine and dehorting the wicked from their sinne and this reacheth from verse 5. to the end of the 10. In the fourth he confirmeth his doctrine shewing that God hath iudgement in the one hand and mercy in the other to render to euery one according to their déeds and this is in the two last verses The title of this Psalm is expounded before Psal 39.1 Ver. 1. Se. yet my soule q.d. notwithstanding al the afflictions
i. praye vnto thée he vseth the sign of prayer for prayer it selfe 141.2 Also 1. Timothie 2.8 in thy name i. as some expound it calling vpon thy name me thinketh this is better that for as much as Gods name is in scripture vsed for Gods goodnesse and mercye it should rather be expounded thus in thy name i. cleauing to thy goodnesse and mercy Verse 5. My soule shall be satisfyed q.d. though nowe I bee in greate miserye yet when thou shalt haue heard my prayers I shall bee filled both inwardly and outwardly for I take the soule to be put here for the whole man as Psalme 42.2 as with marrow and fatnesse i. as though I had a heape or abundaunce of all swéet and good things sée Psal 4.6.7 and my mouth shall prayse thée i. set out and shew forth thy prayse as Psalme 51.15 with ioyfull lippes i. with lippes that shal be glad and ready to perform that duety Ver. 6. when I remember thée in my bed i. thinke vpon thee and thy goodnesse being thereby prouoked to call vpon thée and that as I lie vpon my bed in the night watches this is spoken according to the maner of the people thē who diuided the night into certaine watches as Mat. 14.35 Mark 13.35 Verse 7. Because thou hast bin my helper vz. at al assaies and in all distresses therefore vnder the shadow of thy winges will I reioyce i. being vnder thy protection I will be glad and alwayes trust in thée sée Psal 57.1 and other places Verse 8. My soule i. I my selfe both body and soule cleaueth vnto thée vz. euen as if it were glued and by this manner of spéeche hee expresseth the assured hope and confidence that he had in god for thy right hand i. thy great might and power as we haue had it sundry times before vpholdeth me vz. in all distresse and agaynst al assaults of mine enimies both inward outward Ver. 9. Therefore i. because thou art on my side they that séeke my soule i. my life and that of a cruel hatred to destroy it vz. as much as in them lyeth to take it away from amongst men shall go into the lowest parts of the earth i. shall die and perish he speaketh this of Saule and the people that tooke part with him the verification of which prophecie sée 1. Sam. 31. throughout Ver. 10. They i. the Philistines shall cast him down i. ouerthrow Saul his company yea kill the with the edge of the sword i. with the force of warlike instruments vsing one sort of them for the rest and they i. mine enemies vz. Saule and his complices shal be a portion for foxes i. their bodies shal be deuoured and torne in péeces by wild beasts and they shal not haue the honor of buriall which was a very hateful thing to heare of specially amongst the people of the Iewes True it is that this oftentimes falleth vpon the good as is declared Psal 79.2 for afflictiōs are cōmō both to good bad but in the end is diuers Ver. 11. But the king i. I my self whom God hath annoynted by Samuel to be King speaking of himselfe in the third person shal reioyce in God vz. for the great help and deliuerance that he hath wrought for me all that sweare by him i. God meaning by this manner of spéech all that feare him and serue him with a right and reuerent affection putting a part of the seruice for the whole as Deutronom 6.13 shall reioice i. be glad because God in fauour hath bestowed so good a king vpō them for the mouth of them that speake lies he setteth these hipocrites agaynst the other sincere harted people and by speaking of lies he meaneth not only false slaundering of Dauid but also dissimulation and crafty dealing with God in his seruice shal be stopped he meaneth that the wicked shal be vtterly remoued and taken away from amongst men some by death as before ver 10. and some by confusion and shame as in this verse Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that we should many times breake our sléepes to the ende we might pray to God it teacheth vs also what an earnest hunger thirste we ought to haue to his seruice and worship with the assembly of his saynts Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods power maiesty glorye and goodnesse appeareth in no place more then in the congregations of his people Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy rightly felte farre surmounteth all treasures of this life whatsoeuer Verse 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods goodnesse shoulde wring from vs continuall prayer and praysing of his maiestie Verse 5. Our inward man and our outward man should delight in God and good things aboue al. Ver. 6. teacheth vs continually to think vpon god both vpō our beds in our beds and al the night long when we can not sléepe Ver. 7. sheweth that Gods prouidēce and protection is a sure safegard to al the faythful and the only matter in déed that canne minister true ioy Verse 8. Teacheth that the perswasion wée haue of God and in God should not be wauering but assured and constant Verse 9. teacheth that bloodthirsty men shal not escape vnpunished Verse 10. Teacheth that God sundry times stirreth vp one wicked company to plague ouerthrow another Ver. 11. comprehendeth a doctrine of singular comforte to all sincere and true worshippers of Gods maiestie Psalme 64 THis Psalme is the selfe same argument with that which goeth next before and it may be diuided into thrée parts Di In the first the Prophet prayeth God to graunt him his requestes and to kéepe him free from the rage and crueltie of his enemies and this is comprised in the two first verses In the seconde he doth by péecemeale as it were set out the vices of those his wicked and vngodly enimies from verse thrée to the end of the 6. In the third he foretelleth their ruine and ouerthrowe shewing what good shall come therby to al men in general and namely to the righteous from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded already in the fourth Psalme Ver. 1. Se. Heare my voice O God in my praier i. graunt me those requests that in my praiers by my voice I lay out before thée for hearing is put for yéelding vnto in this place as sundry times before for Dauid neuer doubted the God heard him though sometimes he deferred to graunt his petition from feare of the enemy i. from that great peril which I feare the enemie goeth about would gladly lay vpō me Ver. 2. Hide me vz. in some assured place that the flatterers of Sauls court which imagine my destructiō may not find me out from the conspiracy of the wicked i. from these outrages cruelties that the wicked in their secret méetings haue conspired and imagined agaynst me from the rage i. frō the outwarde violence oppression of the workers of iniquity he meaneth by this spéech those that
Ver. 3. Teacheth that there is no wisedom power nor policy against the Lord. Ver. 4. Setteth out the inlargment increase of Gods kingdome vpon earth Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that gods works would be diligently déeply considered otherwise they shall litle profite vs. Ver. 6. Teacheth that for the benefite of his children the Lord can and will inuert the nature of thinges Ver. 7. Teacheth first that Gods power ruleth ouer all secondly that nothing can be hid from his presēce thirdly that the wicked howe mighty so euer they be shal neuer preuaile against him Ver. 8. Deliuereth the same doctrines that ver 1.2 doe Ver. 9. Teacheth that in God we liue and moue and haue our being also that it is he alone that vpholdeth vs that we sinke not downe vnder the burthen of sinne and calamities Ver. 10.11.12 Teach that God sundry ways exerciseth the faith and proueth the patience of his children whereby also we learn that it is no new thing that the godly are afflicted Ver. 12. And these wordes but thou broughtest vs out into a wealthy place doeth teach that howe great and gréeuous soeuer the afflictions of Gods saints be yet in the end hee remembreth and deliuereth them with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 13. Teacheth vs to frequent the publike assemblies of the Church and to shewe our selues thankeful to God for his graces Ver. 14. Teacheth that affliction is the time that maketh vs to drawe nigh to God both in word and déede Ver. 15. Teacheth vs to yéeld vnto God such a seruice as he hath prescribed and not as we deuise Ver. 16. Teacheth vs reuerently and diligently to hearken vnto good thinges that others speake to vs also that we should declare to other the graces of God shewed to vs that therby their fayth might be increased Ver. 17. Teacheth that mother tongues and all the members that we haue shoulde bee earnestly occupied in hearty calling vppon God Ver. 18. Teacheth that when we come to pray to God wee must labour to cast away from vs our wickednes and corruption Ver. 19. Teacheth that god is nigh to the earnest supplications of his children Ver. 20. Teacheth vs to yéeld humble and hearty thanksgiuing to our God for al his mercies towards vs. Psalme 67. Di. THis short Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the two first verses is comprehended a prayer for that people whome God had prepared vnto himselfe and for the blessing of them with al maner of knowledge In the second part is comprehended an other prayer for the increase and inlarging of Gods kingdome throughout the earth and this reacheth from ver 3. to the end of the 5. In the third is declared what great benefites and blessings shall insue after that God shal haue thus multiplied his Church and this is in the two last verses Se. The first part of the title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalm 4. A Psalme or song sée Psalm 48. in the title Ver. 1. God be merciful to vs vz. who by the meanes of sundry our infirmities stand in néede of it and blesse vs vz. with all good things both bodily spiritual and cause his face i. his fauour to shine i. to appeare and bee felt among vs vz. though there bee no cause on our partes why he should so do The Church prayeth that God would shewe not onely lay aside that wrath which hee had exercised vppon it but also that hee would shewe himselfe gracious and fauourable putting into their hearts by the working of his holy spirite a true tast and féeling of his fatherly loue Verse 2. That they they change the person from the first to the thirde they meane that by Gods fauour practised towardes his Church the Church is more and more confirmed in the obedience of Gods trueth and not onely the Church it selfe but euen diuers that are without may knowe vz. by thy word and spirite thy way i. which thou thy selfe hast prescribed vnto them in thy lawe to walke in vppon earth i. so long as they liue here and thy sauing health i. that saluation and deliueraunce which thou bestowest and giuest to men among all nations vz. of the worlde in what quarter soeuer they dwel Verse 3. Let the people vz. of the earth meaning chiefely the Gentiles let all the people vz. if thou sée it so good or else hee putteth all for an infinit number which I take to bee the more simple sense Verse 4. Bee glad and reioyce q.d. they haue no cause of sorrowe that thou gouernest but rather of vnspeakable ioy for thou shalt iudge the people righteously i. with great equitie and vprightnes shalt thou rule and beare sway after the manner of Iudges Kinges for wee knowe that the people of the Iewes were a long time ruled by Iudges and Kinges to which here hee alludeth and gouerne the nations or else as some read which also I like better lead them out vz. as sheepeheards doeth their flockes noting thereby Gods tender care towardes his Church and all that is here spoken of Gods gouernement must be vnderstood of the spirituall iurisdiction which hee exerciseth in his Church by the scepter of his word and discipline to bring all peoples in obedience to him Ver. 5. Is the same in wordes and sense with ver 3. Ver. 6. Then shall the earth vz. which was cursed for mans sinne and striken with barrennes bring forth her increase i. all manner of fruite and that in abundance through Gods especiall blessing and God euen our God i. the onely true God shall blesse vz. with all good thinges both bodily and spirituall as ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. All the endes of the earth i. people out of al parts and quarters of the world hee putteth the places inhabited for the people inhabiting them this worde all for the great multitude that God will drawe to himselfe shal feare him i. imbrace his religion and seruice and that either soundly in déede or else in hypocrisie and flauish feare Verse 1. Gods mercy must bee fled to Do. as the onely fountaine of all goodnes to vs warde Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray for increase of knowledge in Gods worde also that wee shoulde wish the same not to our selues only but to others also Verse 3. Teacheth vs to wish and pray for the inlarging of Gods kingdome and his prayses in the same Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that it ought to bee the greatest ioy that can come to vs in this life to bee vnder the gouernement of our God by his worde and discipline Ver. 5. Repeating the same both words and matter with ver 3. Teacheth the earnestnes of the Church in prayer and continuall care for the conuersion of others Ver. 6. Teacheth that when God is fauourably reconciled to his people there can be no want of good things Ver. 7. Teacheth all to haue a care to imbrace Gods religion and to followe his worship Psalme 68 Di. THe Prophet in
this Psalme respecting rather matter then order doeth somewhat confusedly expound diuers things generally hée expoundeth in déed Gods power which hee manifested in sauing and deliuering his in ouerthrowing their enemies for which mercy towards the one and iudgement towards the other he exhorteth all the faithful and all others to yéelde both thankes and power vnto him The ouerthrowe of the wicked is foretold and confirmed by examples similitudes Ver. 1.2.6.12.21.23.30 The mercy of God towards his seruants is set out Ver. 3.5.6.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.19.20.22.27.28 Exhortation to humble confession of Gods might and hearty praysing of him for his benefites are comprehended Ver. 4.19.26.32.34 The rest of the verses of this Psalme doe for the most part most excellently séeke the maiesty and power of God as 7.8.17.18.24.25.27.28.29.31.33.35 Se. The title is expounded before sundry times and specially Psal 48. of Dauid i. which Dauid made It shoulde séeme that Dauid writ this Psalme after he had ouercome the Philistines Iebusits and went about to cary the Arke into Ierusalem as 2. Sam. 6. and 1. Chronic. 13. and it is so much the more confirmed vnto me because he beginneth this Psalme with the same words almost that Moses vseth Numer 10.31 When the Arke should remoue Ver. 1. God wil arise i. God by effects wil declare that he is not only present with but that also he taketh care for his Church by exercising his power against the enemies therof and his enemies i. those that molest and trouble his people they are called his enemies because he estéemeth any thing done against theÌ„ as done against himselfe shal bee scattered vz. like chaffe before the wind sée Psal 1.4 meaning that they shal not be able to stand before him they also that hate him vz. either himself or his people shall flée before him vz. as men discomfited in the field and turne their backes Ver. 2. As the smoke vanisheth i. sodainly for we sée the smoke soone passeth away and this is one similitude hee vseth to set forth their hasty and present destruction so shalt thou driue them vz. by violence and that whether they will or no away vz. from the place of their aboade and where they thought their nest was most sure and as waxe melteth before the fire this is an other similitude expressing their sodaine and assured destruction so shall the wicked perish i. come to naught bée ouerthrowne and destroyed as Psalme 1.6 at the presence of God i. when God beginneth once to shewe some testimonies of his presence Ver. 3. But the righteous i. good and holy men who haue the righteousnes of God imputed vnto them shal bee glad and reioyce before God i. shall shewe themselues ioyfull because God declareth himself terrible to the wicked which also is for their good and the saluation of his Church yea they shall leape for ioy i. they shall expresse the inward ioy of their heart by outward gestures and signes Ver. 4. Sing vnto God he exhorteth the faithful to praise God and sing praises vnto his name i. to his power goodnes maiesty and nature for al these are his being substance exalt him vz. with songes and prayses that rideth vpon the heauens i. that hath an infinite power and is lifted vp farre aboue all the world in his name Iah i. in his eternal nature which is of it selfe and is the cause that all other thinges are for so much the worde Iah importeth and amongest other names and titles of God hee taketh that which is in déede most significant for the which he is especially to be praised reioyce before him vz. in the place where he is worshipped which was wheresoeuer the Arke was till the temple was builded Ver. 5. He i. God is a father i. a gracious prouider for maintainer of the fatherles i. of al those that bee in affliction misery as Hosea 14.3 and a iudge i. one that taketh knowledge of reuengeth iniury offred to the widowes by these two fatherles widowes he meaneth that God caryeth a singular affection towards those that are oppressed which he wil maintaine against all those that labour to put them downe and oppresse them by violence in his holy habitation hee meaneth either heauen or the tabernacle of wicnesse The sense is that for as much as God had chose him a dwelling place amongst men the poore might haue more bold assurance when they vnderstoode that they néed not séeke God farre off Ver. 6. God maketh the solitary to dwel in families by solitary he meaneth those that were childles who are so called not onely because barennes which was reprochful among the Iewes made theÌ„ sundry times to liue as it were solitarily i. not so much to reioyce in company as others did but also because not hauing séede they were as it were alone in as much as they did not increase the house or stocke and by dwelling in families hee meaneth blessing of them with children and posterity sée Psalm 113.9 and deliuereth i. setteth frée from bandes and the daunger of their enemies power them that were prisoners in stockes i. those that were kept most straitly and locked most surely as Paul and Silas Actes 16.24 Sée Psalme 107.10.13.14.16 also Psalme 146. throughout but the rebellious vz. against GOD and his truth shall dwell in a dried lande i. a barren place as Psalme 63.1 Hee meaneth that they shalbée destitute of gods blessing and in continuall misery expressing one kinde of affliction for al. Ver. 7 O God when thou weâ—test foorth i. when thou diddest take the charge and gouernement and so wentest in and out for them and on their behalfe before the people vz. of Israel what tyme thou causedst them to come vp out of Egipt when thou wentest vz. with them and that fortie yeeres long through the wildernes sée Psalme 95.8.9.10 also Numb 33.11 Verse 8. The earth i. not onely mount Sinai but also the ground about it sée Exodus 19.18 yea hee meaneth that all thinges gaue place vnto him bringing his people out of that bondage as the historie sheweth from Exod. 7. Vnto the 20. chapter the heauens dropped vz. either manna which God gaue the people or else raine and water sée Psalm 18.7.11 at the presence of this God i. when this our god would giue vs some tast of his maiesty euen Sinai q.d. that great notable and strong mountaine was moued i. trembled and shooke as before in this verse Verse 9. Thou O God diddest send for so it must be and not sendest a gracious raigne he meaneth that of his free and onely goodwill did giue the land which of it selfe was a lande of mountaines and valleis as Deutrono 11.11 good store of raine which here also hee calleth gracious because it procéeded of Gods onely grace and good-will vpon thine inheritance i. vpon the land of Canaan which he calleth inheritance because he gaue the same for an inheritance to his people and thou diddest refresh it
those that can hardly be tamed and bee full of wantonnes and sport as it were such as calues be when they are very fat that tread vnder féete i. that do contemne despise and set little by as Matth. 7.6 pieces of siluer thinges that ought to be regarded and estéemed putting one for al of the like sort scatter sée ver 1. of this Psalme the people that delight in warre i. take pleasure thinke it to be the greatest ioy when they may contend or fight most Ver. 31. Then i. when thou shalt bestow these great graces vpon thy children and ouerthrow thine enemies shall the Princes vz. moued partly through iudgments and partly by thy mercy come out of Egipt vz. to yéelde obedience vnto thée and to submit themselues to thy Lordship and gouernment Ethiopia i. the people inhabiting that land shall hast i. make hast and speede to stretch her hands i. to pray vnto or readily to offer giftes in signe of obedience and subiection putting the signe of prayer or obedience for the things themselues vnto God i. vnto thée speaking of God to God in the third person Ver. 32. Sing vnto God vz. prayse and thankesgiuing for your conuersion calling for these verses comprehend the calling of the Gentiles to the kingdom of Christ O ye kingdomes of the earth i. O ye people which inhabite the kingdomes of the world putting the places inhabited for the persōs inhabiting as sundry times before sing prayse vnto the Lorde the saying is doubled the more earnestly to prouoke men thereto Verse 33. To him that rideth vppon the heauens i. to him that gouerneth them and their course as hee that rideth vppon the Horse doeth the Horse this is spoken of GOD according to man and is nothing else as a man woulde say but a description of Gods excellent maiesty and when hee sayth most high heauens hee speaketh it also according to men who are wont to make sundry heauens as the Philosophers yet doe not that there are so for all that they babble of that matter is vayne but that men so esteeme it and yet notwithstanding in Scripture wee see that the worde heauen is sometimes vsed in Scripture for the ayre as when wee say foules of heauen sometimes for the firmament which is also aboue the ayre and so this place may bee expounded thus let men imagine neuer so many heauens yet God ruleth them all whiche were from the beginning as appeareth Gen. 1.1 and so haue since that time continued and still shall continue al which tendeth to expresse the great power of almighty God behold he will send out by his voice a mightie sound by Gods voyce he vnderstandeth the thunder the diuers effects whereof sée at large Psalme 29. And by mighty sound he meaneth not only large sound but also great which euen shaketh the earth as it were Verse 34. Ascribe the power to God i. giue vnto him all the prayse of power both in himself and in you for his maiestie is vpon Israel i. is declared mightily toward his people and Church as Psalm 14.7 and his strength is in the cloudes i. is not onely made manifest in the same but also he vseth the cloudes and all other creatures whatsoeuer to set out his power Verse 35. O God thou art terrible vz. to thine enimies and aduersaries out of thine holy places q.d. Thou shewest euident testimonies and tokens thereof out of thy tabernacle and he vseth the plurall number holy places eyther in respect that the arke was set vp in sundry places before the temple was builded or else in respect of the distincte places of the arke as Heb. 9.2.3 all which were called holy or else in respect of the heauenly holye place and the earthly holy place which was a shadowe of that heauenly one as Heb. 10.19 the God of Israel i. the God of his Church and faythfull people is he vz. alone that giueth vz. of his own goodnesse and mercye onely without any merite or desert of theirs strength and power vz. to defend themselues and to beat back their enimies meaning by strength and power all the meanes whereby these great workes may be performed vnto the people vz. whome he hath chosen vnderstanding the people of Israell for that time and the Church for euer praysed be God vz. for that his mercy and greate goodnesse towards them Verse 1. Teacheth two things Do first that God hath all power in his hande to destroy his enemies seconde that the enemies of the Church cannot prosper Verse 2. Setteth out the sodayne destruction of the wicked Verse 3. sheweth that when the wicked shall be beaten downe Gods children shall be lifted vp in spirituall ioye and mirth Verse 4. teacheth vs continually to prayse God for his incomprehensible maiestie and power Verse 5. Teacheth vs what greate care God in mercy carrieth toward the distressed persons Verse 6. Teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of body deliueraunce of extreme daungers and plagues and punishments of what sort soeuer vpon the vngodly come all from God Verse 7. Teacheth vs to thinke vpon Gods graces performed of old that therby our fayth may be strengthened to escape daungers Verse 8. Teacheth that all creatures are not able to stande before the presence and maiestie of God Verse 9. Teacheth that plentifulnesse and the means thereof are all in Gods handes Verse 10. Teacheth that though the wicked haue a great portion of the earth in possession yet that the Lord hath properlye prepared it for them that feare him Verse 11. Teacheth vs that we can not haue our mouthes open to speake much lesse to speake well til God giue both the matter and vtterance also that the weakest meanes as women when God inableth them shal be sufficient to expresse his prayse Verse 12. teacheth that neither multitude strēgth nor authority can preuaile agaynst the Lord and his people otherwise then he himselfe séeth good Verse 13. Teacheth that the afflictions of the godly doe no whit at al hinder the beautie of the godly but rather are the instruments which God doth use to make them more glorious Verse 15. Setteth out the excellency beauty and continuance of Gods church Ver. 16. Teacheth that al congregations though outwardly neuer so glorious and glittering in respecte of it are nothing Ver. 17. Sheweth that Gods power is inuincible and his armies to performe his purpose are innumerable Verse 18. Sheweth that God will triumphe ouer al the faythfull willingly and vnfainedlie subiecting themselues and the other whether they will or no. Verse 19 teacheth vs two things first to yéeld thanks to God for his mercies secondly that his goodnes toward vs neuer ceaseth Verse 20 teacheth vs that euen in the greatest daungers God deliuereth his children to the end all glory might be giuen to him therefore Verse 21. Sheweth that the wicked enemies of his Church shal not long escape vnpunished Verse 22. teacheth vs that Gods promises of deliuerance saluation c. are the
grounds of our consciences Verse 23 Declareth what great iudgements God will bring vpon the wicked and all for his chosen peoples sake Verse 24. Teacheth that though the vngodly haue had manifest demonstrations of his power agaynst them and of his goodnesse toward his own people yet they leaue not off to worke what mischiefe they can agaynste them Verse 25. Teacheth all to be thankfull to God for victories atchieued thorowe his goodnesse Verse 26 teacheth all but chéefely the faythfull to prayse God openly for his mercies Verse 27. Teacheth that none neyther high nor low should be exempted from praysing of God Ver. 28. Teacheth vs to praye for the continuaunce and increase of Gods fauour towards vs and the good things he hath begun in vs. Verse 29. Teacheth vs that Gods fauour doth most plainly appear in his Church for which it beséemeth all yea euen the highest to shew themselues thankfull Verse 30 teacheth vs that we maye sometimes praye against the multitude the rage the crueltie the vnbridelednesse and pride of the wicked and namely of those that take pleasure in continuall contention Verse 31. comprehendeth a playne prophecie of the vocation of the Gentiles Ver. 32. teacheth vs to declare our selues ioyful and thankfull to God for his graces Verse 33. Sheweth that God is a God of gouernmente maiestye and power Ver. 34. Teacheth vs that his gouernment maiestie and power is made manifest both in heauen and in earth Verse 35. Teacheth vs that God is terrible to his enemies but comfortable and powerfull to and in his people it teacheth vs also that for these and other graces of his bestowed vpon them it behoueth them to shew themselues continually thankfull Psalme 69 DAuid being moued with great gréefe Di both inwardly and outwardly prayeth earnestly sometimes for himselfe and sometimes agaynst his enemies alleaging his own miseries and their malice as it were reasons to induce God to take pitie of him And though it can hardly be diuided yet me thinketh that the matters which it doth propoūd may wel be brought to these heads first Dauid sheweth his own misery and their malice ver 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 19 20 21 26. Secondly he prayeth for himselfe and against them ver 1 6 13 14 15 16 17 18 22.23 24 25 27 28. Thirdly he gathereth cōfort in his affliction promising thankfulnes and prayse shewing what good also shal come to others thereby and namely to the faythfull and this reacheth from verse 29. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 45. Se. Saue me i. defende and deliuer me O God q.d. There is none besides thée that can doe it for the waters are entred euen to my soule i. I am oppressed with most gréeuous afflictions and they so great that I am as it were wounded therewith to the hart and in very great daunger of my life for so I take the word soule to bee vsed here Verse 2. I stick fast in the déepe mire vz. so that I cannot get out vnderstanding by déepe mire the same which he meant before by waters that is extreme aduersitie which did driue him to dispaire almost as it were where no stay is this amplifieth his afflictions q d. I am in a bottomles pit or quare-mire wherof I shal be swallowed vp I am come into déepe waters i. into most dangerous distresses and perils for the more déepe the waters are the more daungers we think our selues commonly to be in the streames runne ouer me he meaneth that his afflictions were many and were ful of anguishes and troubles euen as a man ready to be drowned and were past hope of recouery Verse 3. I am wearye of crying vz. for helpe vnto God because I sée none come and this the Prophet vttereth vnaduisedlye in the corrupte passions and heate of his flesh my throat is drie vz. with crying and calling mine eies fayle i. the sighte of mine eyes decayeth and they are become wonderfull dimme sée Psalme 31.9 also Psalme 38.10 Whiles I waite vz. in fayth and patience notwithstanding these hastie spéeches for my God i. for helpe and succour from him that hath promised and I haue founde to bee my God Verse 4. They that hate me without cause vz. on my behalfe giuen them are moe then the heares of mine head i. infinite and innumerable but he meaneth no doubt that there are very great multitudes and numbers of them they that would destroy me i. take my life from me and cut me off from being amongst men and are mine enemies falslye i. wrongfullye meaning the same matter that he sayd before without cause are mightye vz. in subtiltye power and practise so that I restored that vz. by suffering punishmente for the fault which I committed not which after some sort may be called restitution which I tooke not vz. from them either by force fraude or any other way Verse 5. My foolishnesse i. that foolishnes which mine aduersaries burthen me withall q.d. Thou knowest whether I be such a one as mine enimies by their wicked words publish me to be so it is called his foolishnesse not because he had committed it but because they vniustly had layd it vpon him and so must you vnderstand these words my faults i. wherewith they charge me are not hid from thée vz. because nothing can be hid from his knowledge and sighte q.d. Thou knowest whether the thinges be true yea or no that they lay agaynst me Verse 6. Be ashamed vz. by doubting of thy mercy or dispayring of thy goodnesse for me vz. by reason of the misery and poore estate that I am in q.d. Let them not fall from thy maiestie into distrust because I séeme to bee forsaken whereby the Prophet testifieth his wonderfull loue towards others those that séeke thée i. those that pray vnto thée and call vpon thée and that according to thy will reuealed in thy word The word of trust in the first part of this Verse respecteth hope and this word séeking includeth prayer by which we sée that the faythfull of Gods children is not idle because it prouoketh them to pray vnto God be confounded thorow me this hath the same sence that these words be ashamed for me haue O God of Israell i. of thy Church and faythfull people as sundry times before Verse 7. For thy sake vz. in following the vocation wherevnto thou hast called me haue I suffered reproofe vz. of mine aduersaries vnderstanding by that worde all the wicked sayings and doinges which they had practised against him shame hath couered my face by this spéech he meaneth eyther the abundaunce of reproches which hee had indured q.d. I haue sustained so many that I am euen full or laden therewith or else he noteth the effecte whiche those reproches and opprobries had wrought in him vz. that they made him as it were for shame to hide his face this latter I rather encline vnto by reason of that which
followeth in the Psalme Ver. 8. I am become a straunger vnto my brethren i. euen the dearest friendes I haue haue as it were thrust me out of their familiaritie friendship acquaintance and euen an aliant i. as one that were vtterly vnknowne vnto my mothers sonnes sée Psalme 50.20 he meaneth nothing else but that they who by nature were bound to loue him did most hate and despise him and therefore no maruaile though other did so so that he was as it were forsaken of all Verse 9. For the zeale of thine house i. the great and earnest affection that I haue to maintaine thy honour and glory and to vphold thy Church hath eaten me a notable metaphor by which the Prophet sheweth that care and affection to promote Gods glory and Church had euen as it were consumed him this is applyed to Christ Iohn 2.17 and the rebukes of them i. of the wicked that rebuked thée vz. vniustly and without cause whereby the Prophet noteth the vilenesse of the vngodly who spared not to lode the Lord with reproches are fallen vpon me i. haue wounded me euen as though they had bin directed against my selfe Verse 10. I wept vz. Seing all things so disordred and the name of God so reproched and my soule fasted by soule he meaneth either the body as psalme 16.10 or else the whole man putting a part for the whole fasting being an effectuall instrument to humble the same but that was to my reproofe q.d. mine enemies did so much more mock and despise me therefore Verse 11 I put on sacke also vz. in signe of mourning which was a common thing among the Iewes sée for this verse and the other that went next before Psalme 35.13 and I became a Prouerbe vnto them i. they made mee and my doings a by-word amongst them q.d. when they woulde note a contemptible person or thing then they would name me and my matters Verse 12. They that sate in the gate i. the Iudges Counsellors or magistrates whose order it was to sit there that the people might haue frée accesse vnto them sée Gen. 34.20 Prouerb 22.22 Spake of me vz. in mockery and scornefully and the drunkards sang of me by drunkards he meaneth those that haunted the places of drunkennesse as Tauernes Alehouses c. And by singing hee meaneth that they made songes and ieasts against him q.d. all persons both high and lowe contemne me and they vtter their reproches both publikelye and priuately Verse 13. In an acceptable time i. in such a time as it shall please thée to heare me for that time specially is acceptable euen in the multitude of thy mercy i. I come to make my prayer vnto thée trusting in that and not in any thing in my selfe sée Psalme 51.1 heare me i. graunt me my request as sundry times before in the truth i. according to truth the word in being put for according of thy saluation i. of that deliueraunce and succor that thou hast promised to send me and all those that trust in thee Verse 14. Deliuer me out of the myre i. out of the afflictions wherein I am that I sinke not vz. vnder the burden or in the myre of those troubles that I indure and not of the déepe waters sée verse 2. This verse and the next following is nothing but the same in sence with verse 1 of this Psalme Verse 15. The pit shut her mouth vpon me by pit he vnderstandeth the troubles and afflictions in which he was and by not shutting the mouth vpon him he meaneth that hee woulde not haue the multitude nor the weight of his afflictions to swallow him vp q.d. bring to passe that I perish not in this trouble and great crosse Verse 16. Heare me O Lord vz. in my prayers and graunt my requests for thy louing kindnesse is good d.q. I aske it for thy goodnesse sake only and hope to obteine because in goodnes thou deniest not thy children turne vnto me i. make it appeare by effect that thou hast heard my prayer in giuing me succour according to the multitude of thy tender mercies sée Psal 51.1 Verse 17. And hide not thy face i. thy fauoure and goodnesse make hast vz. to helpe me and heare me i. graunt me my requests and prayers Verse 18. Draw neare vnto my soule i. showe that thou hast care of me and my life and this he speaketh according to the féeling of the flesh for men thinke that God is farre from them when they perceiue not his succour and ayde and redéeme it vz. from the rage and violence of the enemies deliuer me vz. from daungers and distresses because of mine enemies i. not only because mine enemies doe assault me but also least they should reioyce in my ouerthrow or else that being set frée I may reioyce ouer them Verse 19. My reproofe my shame and my dishonour i. the reproofe shame and dishonor which I beare and suffer sée ver 5. of this Psalme he vseth 3. wordes signifying one thing therby to set out the greatnesse of his reproch are before thée i. naked and open in thy sight as al other things are sée Heb. 4.13 Ver. 20. Reproofe i. the slaunders and reproches of mine enemies hath brokē my hart i. hath brought great gréefe vnto me and as it were wounded me at the hart and I am full of heauinesse vz. by reason thereof i. of their reproches backbitings but there was none vz. that woulde pittie me in my distresses and for comforters i. I looked also for some to comfort me but I found none at al Verse 21. For they i. mine enemies gaue me gall i. moste bitter thinges such as were rebukes taunts c. in my meate i. in stéede of my meate meaning by meate comfort and in my thirst i. in my great afflictions putting thirst or want of drinke which is one for many they gaue me viniger i. they added affliction to my affliction noting by this manner of spéeche their hard hartednesse and that they did vnto him the worst that possible they could and note that this which Dauid here speaketh of himselfe in fygure was playnelye and according to the letter accomplished in our Sauiour Christ as appeareth Matt. 27.48 Verse 22. Let their Table meaning them that had dealte so wickedly and ill with him By Table other Metaphors and similitudes which he vseth he meaneth al thinges that serue to this present life and the commodities thereof He meaneth that all the good and prosperity they haue shoulde bee turned to euill and to torment vnto them and this is the sence generallye but let vs looke vpon it somewhat more particularly By Table wee may vnderstande their daynties sette vppon the Table and by these wordes Bee a snare before them he meaneth not only in their sight but also to intangle and catche them q.d. Euen in the middest of their daynties let them perishe Nay let their very daynties be turned into destruction to them and their prosperity their
ruine i. let euen those things that they supposed were wealth and defence vnto them be their destruction and ouerthrowe Dauid wisheth not this but in respect that they were enemies to God and hys Church knowing also by the spirite of Prophecy that the Lord had giuen them ouer as also S. Paule himselfe alleageth this place Rom. 11.9 Ver. 23. Let their eyes be blinded that they sée not and make their loynes alwayes to tremble by eyes and loynes principall partes of a man wee maye vnderstande the whole man or else thus that the Prophet desireth the blinding of them in their sight and the weakening of them in their loynes that so they might not be able to hurt him or else by wishing their eyes to be blinded he meaneth the depriuing of them of all reason and vnderstanding so that they may remaine without iudgement as a blind man doth without light and by making their loines alway to tremble he vnderstandeth the astonishing and weakening of their power and force because that in the loines and raines mans strength doth principallye consist Verse 24. Poure out vz. in great measure and abundaunce take them or else take hold of them and that in such sort that they may not escape hee desireth the Lord to punish them most sharply euen as angry folkes are wont to punish those that are vnder their handes and that they might be destroyde in the Lords wrath Ver. 25. Let their habitation i. not only the place where they dwel but euen their very offices and functions sée Acts 1.20 be void vz. by thy iust taking of thē away from amongst mē and let none vz. of their séed posterity dwell in their tents vz. that they haue dwelt in he meaneth that he would haue them die without heire or issue Ver. 26. Whom thou hast smitten i. chastised and that with a fatherly correction whom thou hast wounded vz. with sorrow by al this he meaneth that the wicked layd gréeuous affliction punishments vpon those whom god in fatherly loue had chastised to humble them to bring thē to amendmēt Ver. 27. lay iniquitie i. punishment for iniquity whiche is called iniquity not that it is so but because the wicked so estéeme vpon their iniquity q.d. plague thē punish thē thorowly for their sinne and let thē not come into thy righteousnes i. let them neuer performe such holinesse of life as thou allowest or else let thē not be reckned amongst suche righteous persons as thou acceptest putting righteousnes for righteous men this latter séemeth to be the beter sence by reason of that which followeth Ver. 28. Let thē be put i. vtterly blotted out of the booke of life by this he vnderstandeth the eternall counsell of God by which he ordeineth predestinateth his owne to saluation according to his good pleasure he meaneth not that euer they were writtē there for good but because they were hipocrites and so séemed to be elected he prayeth the Lord to make it knowne vnto all that they are not of the number of his elect neither written in their Catalogue and all this he speaketh according to man as though God kept a booke of names sée Exod. 32.32 Phil. 4.3 neither let them be written with the righteous i. let them not be accounted numbred or estéemed as they or with them Ver. 29. When I am poore i. contemned and despised of men as commonly poore people are and in heauinesse vz. by reason of mine oppressions on euerye side shall exalte mée vz. into a high and sure place where I shall be frée from the force and rage of myne enemies Verse 30. I will prayse vz. when I shall bee deliuered the name of GOD i. his mighte maiestie power goodnesse c. as Psalm 20.1 with a song vz. apte méete and made for that purpose and magnifye him i. extoll and set him forth with thanksgiuing vz. for his louing kindnes and mercy toward me Ver. 31. This vz. prayse and thanks giuing for his benefits shall please the Lorde i. bee acceptable in his sighte better then a yong Bullocke that hath hornes and hoofes i. which is apt and méete for his age to be offered in sacrifice meaning thereby also any other beast whatsoeuer which the Lord had commanded to be offered Verse 32. The humble i. the good godly people that are afflicted in the world shall sée this vz. Iudgement of God vpon the wicked and mercy to his own children and they that seeke God i. those that professe his religion cal vpon his name as verse 6. of this Psalme shal be glad vz. for the execution and performaunce of that iudgment and mercy and your hart shall liue he sodaynly chaungeth the person directing his spéech to the afflicted ones q.d. you that for the greatnesse of my calamitie and your owne misery séemed as it were to be wounded at the hearte shall haue such great ioye that you shall séeme as it were to be restored from death to life Verse 33. For the Lord heareth the poore i. graunteth them that are afflicted their petitions and requests and despiseth not i. doth not onely not neglect but very greatly regardeth and highly estéemeth his prisoners i. those that suffer imprisonment or any manner of calamitie for the mayntainaunce of his truth and cause Verse 34. Let heauen and earth praise him vz. after their maner and kinde and in such sort as he inableth them the seas al that moueth in them he exhorteth the creatures to praise the Lord but al that is done to prouoke man to the same for the wonderfull goodnesse of God towards his people Verse 35. For God will saue i. not only deliuer from dangers but bring to eternall rest Sion i. his Church as Psalm 51.18 and build the Cities of Iudah vz. which were decayed and throwne down by the force of the aduersaries he meaneth by these spéeches that God will haue a care ouer his whole Church and the particular congregations thereof that men maye dwell there i. in the Church and haue it in possession vz. from the stirres and troubles of the vngodly Ver. 36. The séede also of his seruauntes i. the godlye and their posterity who are Gods seruaunts shall inherite it i. the Churche and the graces that God shall bestow vpon the same meaning that they shall be made partakers of all good things and they that loue his name i. feare his maiestie and serue him according to his will reuealed in his word shall dwell therein i. in the Church and congregation of God Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs in time of great gréefe to flée to God for succour Ver. 2. sheweth that the more troubles we indure the more néede haue wee to drawe nigh to God by prayer Verse 3. Teacheth vs though we haue prayed long yet neuer to leaue off til God graunt our requests Verse 4. Setteth out the multitude power and oppression of the vngodly not as to dismay vs but to teach vs to denie
our selues and to hang wholy vpon God for deliueraunce Ver. 5. Sheweth that we néede not much to regard what men saye of vs so that wee haue a cleare conscience before the Lord. Verse 6. Teacheth vs two thinges first the care that we should haue to pray for other men that they fall not from God through our afflictions secondly that other mens troubles shoulde not cause vs to reuolt from the truth Verse 7. Teacheth that it is good to suffer for a good cause Verse 8. Sheweth that in afflictions both friends and kinsfolkes doe many times forsake those to whom they are bound Verse 9. Teacheth vs to be earnestly moued for God and his glory Verse 10. Sheweth the mischieuous nature of the wicked who misconster euery good thing that the godly doe Ver. 11. Teacheth vs not to leaue off mourning when mourning is required though the wicked deride vs for it Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that al for the moste part high and low good and bad are enemies to Gods children Verse 13 Teacheth vs first to come to God by prayer in the time of our néede secondlye to doe it hauing a trust in his abundance mercy and thirdlye to cleaue for the strengthening of our prayers to the truth of Gods promises Verse 14. teacheth vs to craue deliueraunce out of troubles at Gods handes who onely can and will performe the same for vs. Verse 15. Teacheth vs the more that afflictions are multiplyed the more earnestlye to call vppon GOD. Ver. 16. Our prayers must bee grounded vppon the wonderfull and vnspeakeable mercies of our God towardes vs. Verse 17. Teacheth vs that the féeling of Gods fauour is no smal comfort in the time of our afflictions Verse 18. teacheth vs to praye for deliueraunce and that least the enemyes insulte ouer much Verse 19. Teacheth vs that it is no small comforte to vs that God knoweth vs and our afflictions and our aduersaries and their dealinges Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that it is no new thing that the godlye are many times destituted of those helpes which they made account of Verse 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked are voyde of bowels of compassion adding affliction to miserye Verse 22. Teacheth that the wicked thorowe Gods iust iudgementes maye many times bee snared in their pleasure and prosperitye Verse 23. Teacheth that GOD sundrye tymes in iustice depriueth them of all iudgement and taketh from them all strength and courage Verse 24. Sheweth that the wicked are not able to escape Gods wrath and displeasure Verse 27. That GOD also sometimes leaueth them childlesse Verse 26. Setteth out the hard hartednesse of the vngodlye who neuer pitie any though in neuer so greate miserie Verse 27. Teacheth that Gods iudgementes manye tymes doe ouertake the wicked in their transgressions Verse 28. Sheweth that Hipocrites are not within the compasse of Gods election howsoeuer they bee admitted to the societye of the Churche Verse 29. Teacheth that GOD is all in all for his to deliuer them from distresse Verse 30. Teacheth vs to prayse and thanke GOD for his benefites bestowed vppon vs. Verse 31. Teacheth vs that spirituall seruice is more acceptable to GOD then all outwarde Sacrifices whatsoeuer Verse 32. Teacheth vs that greate pleasure shall come vnto Gods Children by consideration of the blessinges that hee bestoweth vppon some of them Verse 33. Teacheth vs the wonderfull prouidence and care that God hath ouer those that suffer any thing for his cause Verse 34. Sheweth that if dumbe Creatures must prayse the Lord much more the reasonable are bounde to it and amongest them those that he accounteth as his Sonnes and Seruauntes Verse 35. Teacheth not onelye Gods care and loue for his Churche but that in the middest of all miseries hee will haue a people that shall continuallye call vpon him in spirite and truth Verse 36. Sheweth that incorporation into the Churche appertaineth vnto the faythfull and their posteritye after them Psalme 70 Di THis Psalme séemeth to be the same both in wordes and matter almost with the last part of Psalme 40. from verse 13. to the ende of the Psalme whether it shall be good to looke backe agayne for the more playne sence and vnderstanding thereof and yet notwithstanding something shall be sayd here First the Psalme it selfe may fitly be deuided into two parts vz. first that the Prophet maketh prayer for himselfe that he may spéedily be deliuered out of his daungers and this is comprehended in the first and last verses of this Psalme Secondly he prayeth for the ouerthrow of the wicked and for the prosperity of those that loue the Lorde and this is comprehended in verse 2.3.4 Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 4. and psalme 38. in the titles therof Verse 1. To deliuer me vz. from the daungers and enemies whiche doe as it were ouerwhelme mee make haste to helpe mee vz. oute of this distresse wherein I am Verse 2. Let them be confounded vz. among themselues and in their owne vnderstandinges and put to shame vz. euen in the sighte and presence of men before whome they thinke to attayne great glorye in banding themselues agaynst mee that séeke my soule i. my life vz. to destroye it and take it awaye let them be turned backwarde vz. as men discomfyted in warre that flée before their enemies and put to rebuke vz. openly and before others that desire myne hurt vz. eyther secretlye within them or openly by wordes and wishing Verse 3. For a rewarde of their shame i. as a iust recompēce of that shame and ignominie which they thought to bring vppon me whiche sayde vz. when I was in trouble Aha aha i. did outwardlye by wordes and countenaunce testifye the great ioy they had conceaued for mine affliction Verse 4. But let all those that séeke thee i. call vppon thée in their afflictions and that according to the rule of thy will sette foorth in thy worde bée ioyfull and glad in thée i. for thée thy power and great workes that thou performest on their behalfe that loue thy saluation i. like of allow and wishe for the great deliueraunces that thou bestowest vpon thy people Verse 5. Now I am poore and néed◠i. I am destitute of aide help and succour make hast to me i. to deliuer or help me as verse 1. of this psalm thou art mine helper vz. in time of daunger and distresse and that word thou importeth as much as if he shoulde saye thou alone and my deliuerer vz. oute of affliction and trouble make no tarrying i. delaye not or put not off to helpe me Do Verse 1. Teacheth vs that in extremity of daunger prayer to God is a notable refuge Ver. 2. Teacheth vs first that we may sometimes pray agaynste the vngodly secondly is pointeth out the mischieuous minds and nature of the wicked thirdly it teacheth vs not so much as to wish euill muche lesse to doe euill to Gods children Verse 3. Sheweth that God can and will sometimes in his iudgement bring
and confusion that should fal vpon them that séeke mine hurt i. that indeuour to do me mischéefe Ver. 14. But I wil wait i. looke for help succour from thée and that in hope and patience and wil praise thée more and more vz. because thou ministrest more and more arguments of prayse vnto me by the particular delyuerances that thou doest bestow vpon me Verse 15. My mouth shall daylye rehearse i. continually speake of thy righteousnes i. that righteousnesse which thou exercisest towards the vngodly in punishing them and thy saluation i. the helpe and deliuerance that thou performest to thine when they are oppressed Some stretch the word righteousnesse further as that it should comprehēd also Gods assured goodnesse in sauing his and that he ioineth thē both together because we can not else where be certainly assured but in this that in as much as God is iust and righteous he maintaineth those that are his for I knowe not the number that word for would better be rendred though for here is a modest correction of his former spéech q.d. I wil declare vnspeakeable thinges not according to their excellency but according to the slender abilitie that thou hast bestowed vpon me I will doe my indeuour to set forth thy iustice and saluation though I must néedes confesse that thy iudgements exercised vpon the wicked and thy mercies towards thy children neyther are knowne to me neither can I reckon them sée Psal 40.5 Verse 16. I wil go forward q.d. notwithstanding that great difficultie before alleaged that I know not the number yet I will procéede to speake of them and that in the strength of the Lord God i. assisted and ayded with strength and abilitie from him to the performaunce thereof which I am not able to doe of my selfe and wil make mention i. speake of with my mouth and lippes as before Ver. 15. euen of thine only vz. and of no others q.d. that is sufficient more then I can doe Ver. 17. O god thou hast taught me vz. by thy iudgements vpon others thy benefites towards me he meaneth that God had instructed him in his iustice and in his saluation by those meanes and had giuen him plaine demonstrations and euident proofes thereof and that from his youth i. from the time of his birth as ver 6. of this Psalme therfore I will tell i. speake openly and fréely of thy wondrous workes i. in respect of man as Psal 40.5 Verse 18. Yea euen vnto mine old age and gray head i. euen vntill I come to be very olde vsing graye head or heares a signe of great age for old age it selfe as Leuit. 19.32 Gen. 42.38 This verse may either be ioyned to that that goeth before as it is in the Geneua text with a comma q.d. thou hast taught me from my youth vntil now yea euen vntill that I am very aged or else read by it selfe thus taking away the colon in the middle of this verse thus yea euen vnto mine old age gray head forsake me not q.d. as thou hast continued mercifull and fauourable to me heretofore so I pray thee leaue me not till I come euen to extremity of old age as it were yea euen vntil I haue declared c. as it followeth in this verse and this reading and sence I do approue as most fit vntil I haue declared i. made manifest and set out both by déedes and wordes thine arme i. the moste great workes and mightie power and so is it expounded in the wordes following vnto this generation vz. whiche is yet present and aliue that shall come vz. after these meaning that he would labour to publish it to posterity Verse 19. I will exalt on high i. greatly prayse the same because thou hast giuen me particular triall thereof for thou hast done great thinges i. thou alone without the helpe and assistaunce of any other O God who is like vnto thée vz. either amongst the gods as Psal 86 8. or else in heauen and earth as psa 73.25 and this question sheweth that none is any manner of waye comparable with him Verse 20. Which hast shewed me i. madest me to sée and féele great troubles and aduersities vz. both inwardly and outwardly but thou wilte returne vz. from afflicting me to thy accustomed loue and fauour as Psal 6.4 and reuiue me who was it were almost dead thorow sorrow and gréef q.d. thou wilt refresh me and as it were call me back from death to life and wilte come agayne vz. after this departure and long absence of thine from me and take me vp vz. safe and sound from the depth of the earth i. from very great troubles and extreme daungers Verse 2. Thou wilt increase mine honour which by the conspiracye and rebellion of my sonne Absalon was for a time layd as it were in the dust sée Psalme 3.3 and returne vz. vnto me being pleased with me againe and comfort me vz. with that comfort that belongeth to thine which none can take from them Verse 22. Therefore will I prayse thée he concludeth with promise of thanksgiuing q.d. I will not be vnthankful to thée for thy mercies though I cannot be so thākful as I should or would for thy faithfulnesse i. iust performaunce of thy promises made to me vpon instrument and viol he alludeth to the maner of that age prescribeth not a rule for vs vnder the gospell as some imagine O holy one of Israel i. O God as Psal 8.41 Now he is called the holy one of Israel because that all the sanctification that either that people or his Church haue they haue it from that one alone who sanctifieth al those that be his Verse 23. My lippes will reioyce when I sing vnto thée the Prophet in these wordes expresseth the greate delight that not only his lippes but that al the parts and members of his outward man shall take in praysing the Lord by lips one part vnderstanding all the rest and my soule i. his inward affection al that is within him as Psal 103 ◠which thou hast deliuered vz. from most dangerous distresses yea from death it self Ver. 24. My tongue also shal talk of thy righteousnesse daylye i. I wil inforce my seife continually to speake of thy righteousnesse sée verse 15.17 of this Psalme for they are confounded and brought vnto shame that séeke my hurt sée Psalme 70.2 also verse 13. of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God only Do. how great soeuer our gréefes and daungers be Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods faithful promises made vnto vs or performed vnto vs ought to be the grounds of our supplications prayers Ver. 3. Setteth out what great care God hath ouer his people and what safetie and assuraunce they are in that be vnder his protection Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for deliueraunce from mischieuous men and cruell persons Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God must be trusted vnto and hong vpon al the dayes of our life
Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that al that we haue we haue frō God our being birth c. and that we ought therefore continually to praise him Ver. 7. Howsoeuer men wonder at vs or despise vs so that God be on our side we néed not greatly care Verse 8. Teacheth vs to pray to God for the continuaunce and increase of his goodnesse towards vs and that not for our own profite and ease but that hee may thereby be more and more glorifyed of vs. Ver. 9. Teacheth that the more weake and feeble we are the more we stand in néede of Gods help and to craue it by prayer Ver. 10. Sheweth that the wicked consult and speake agaynst the good Ver. 11 Sheweth that the wicked make sure account of that many times which they are furthest off from Ver. 12. Teacheth that Gods presence is sufficient to strengthen his people to discomfit their enimies Ver. 13. Teacheth that to wish hurt to any much more to Gods children and to seeke the accomplishment of it are gréeuous sinnes Ver. 14. Teacheth that patience in affliction and thanksgiuing are necessary and méete for Gods children Ver. 15. teacheth vs the right vse of our mouth vz. when it is occupied in rehearsing gods goodnes Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that though to Godward we can not do so much as we should or would yet we ought to indeuour the performance of that that he shall enable vs vnto Ver. 17. teacheth that the experience of Gods mercies should bring forth in vs these two effects first continually to hang vpon him secondly to praise and publish his great power and goodnesse Ver. 18. teacheth what a care we should haue to conuay as it were Gods glorye ouer to all posterities Verse 19. Teacheth vs that none is comparable with God Ver. 20. teacheth first that all afflictions come to passe by Gods prouidence and appointment secondly that he graciously deliuereth his from their greatest daungers Ver. 21. teacheth vs to be certainly assured of Gods fauoure and goodnesse towards vs. Ver. 22. teacheth vs earnestly to praise God for his benefits and to inforce our selues thereto by all the lawfull meanes wee canne Verse 23. Teacheth vs that al our parts both inward and outward should be ready to praise the Lorde Verse 24. Teacheth vs that though the enemies of Gods people prosper a while yet their end without repentaunce will be shame and confusion of face Psalme 72 Di THis Psalm may be deuided into thrée parts In the first the prophet Dauid prayeth to God for himself and his sonne Salomon that they in their kingdome maye bee directed by him which the Lord graciously perfourming hee sheweth what good shall come to the whole land thereby from verse 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he prophesieth of the inlargemente of the kingdom by subduing many people vnto it and of the great plenty that shall be therein all which is but a figure of Christs kingdome and this reacheth from verse 9. to the end of the 17. In the third part is comprised a notable praise that the Prophet yéeldeth vnto the Lord for his power goodnesse from verse 18. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a Psalm of Salomon i. concerning him or on his behalf not as though he were the author therof Ver. 1. Giue thy iudgements i. instruct the king with the spirite of wisedome vprightnes that he may rightly gouern the people committed to him according to such lawes and ordināces as thou hast prescribed thy righteousnes i. such righteousnes as thou allowest he setteth these two words iudgements righteousnes against the tirannous abusing of kingly authoritie to the kings sonne i. the kings posterity but chiefelye Salomon Verse 2. Then vz. when thou shalt giue him these graces shal he iudge i. conducte and gouerne thy people i. the people that thou haste chosen to bée a people to thy selfe in righteousnesse i. faythfully truely and vprightly and thy poore i. such as are afflicted for thy cause or else those whome thou hast humbled and he speaketh specially of these because that for their defence Kings haue the sworde put into their hands with equity i. iust and vprighte iudgement rendring to euery one according to their behauiour Verse 3. The Mountaines i. after some the most barren places others because the lande of Iudea was ful of mountains vnderstand by mountains the whole land whatsoeuer it is the Prophets meaning is this by this similitude taken from the plentifulnesse of the earth to note that no corner or quarter of the land shall be founde voyde of Gods blessing shall bring peace i. shall yéelde or bring foorth store and plentye of all manner of blessinges for so doe the Hebrewes vse this worde as is to be séene in many places of scripture by iustice vz. rightlye administred hee meaneth that the kinges good gouernment shal be a mean to bring all prosperity vpon the whole land Ver. 4. he shall iudge vz. vprightly the poore of the people who most commonly are troden vnder féete hee shall saue i. deliuer vz. from the oppressor and cruell man the children of the néedy i. moste needie persons for the Father being néedye the childe can hardly bee riche hee meaneth that those that haue no helpe or succoure but lye as a praye to the riche of the Worlde shall be reuenged of and deliuered from the handes of their enemies and shall subdue vz. vnder his féete but yet through iustice and equitie the oppressour i. all oppressours vnderstanding by one al. Ver. 5. They i. the people so gouerned shall feare thée i. shall cary a certaine louing reuerence and obedience vnto thée and this may be referred either to God or to the king if we referre it to God then it is a sodain change of the person shewing what fruits shal come by a holy gournment to wit that the people shal imbrace Gods true religion and seruice If wee referre it to the king then he sheweth what louing and obedient people he shal haue that ruleth well but I rather allow of the first sense by reason of that which followeth in this verse as long as the sunne and moone endureth from generation to generation i. for euer and euer Ver. 6. He i. the king shall come downe vz. either personally from his kingly throne amongest his people or else in his holy and iust gouernment like the raine vpon the mowen grasse These words mowen grasse may haue a double sense and both good either that we referre it to that which is cut for hay vpon which if some raine fall presently after the cutting men say it serueth much for the increase of good smell in it or else to that that standeth which is much subiect to the heat of the sunne and parching when the other is remoued and then as the raine falleth vppon it and causeth it to growe againe as it were so a righteous gouernour after the heate of tyrannie addeth as
verse 5. of this Psalme All nations either expounde it as before verse 11. or else thus all nations shall blesse him i. speake well of him praise him for his excellent and vpright gouernement and be blessed in him this must néedes bee referred to Christ as Genesis 12.3 Verse 18. Blessed be the Lorde God i. praysed be his maiesty euen the God of Israel i. euen the true GOD who is the defender of his Church and people which only doeth marueilous thinges vz. both for his owne people and also against his enemies Verse 19. Contemeth a plaine and manifest prayer for the manifestation and inlargement of Gods kingdome throughout all the worlde and that doubling of the worde so bée it euen so bee it noteth the Prophets earnest and hearty consent to the prayers hée made in this Psalme here end the prayers of Dauid vz. which hée made for his sonne Salomon for otherwise there followe other prayers of his in this booke the sonne of Ishai this conteyneth part of his Genealogie a further description wherof may be séene Ruth 4.1.19 c. Ver. 1. Teacheth that vnlesse God assist magistrates Do. they can not well and rightly performe their dueties and that therefore it behooueth all specially those that are nigh to them to pray to God for them Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that it apperteineth to magistrates to render right to euery one Ver. 3. Sheweth that where iustice beareth sway there is abundaunce of all goodnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the magistrats office consisteth of two partes vz. in defending the good and punishing the euill Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shal be continually reuerenced and feared Verse 6. Teacheth vs that good gouernours are a great blessing to the people Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that good gouernours make much of good men Ver. 8. Sheweth that God wil graciously inlarge the dominion and borders of good Princes Ver. 9. Declareth that barbarous people and al their enemies shal be subdued vnto them Ver. 10. Teacheth that other kinges shall not onely be glad of their friendship but willingly submit themselues vnder their obedience Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that the magistrates are ordeined to helpe them that can not helpe themselues Ver. 13. Teacheth that there is required of the magistrates not onely bowels of compassion to the néedy but also merciful preseruation and defence Ver. 14. Teacheth magistrates to make good account of the liues and bodies of their subiects Ver. 15. Teacheth subiects to pray continually for the prosperitie of their Prince Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that where good Princes raigne there is abundance of all blessings and namely of people Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shall sit long in the seates of their kingdome Ver. 18. Teacheth vs to prayse God continually for his mercy and power Verse 19. Teacheth vs to pray for the increase and inlargement of Gods kingdome Psalme 73 Di. THe Psalme may bee deuided into three partes In the first the Prophet describeth the pride prosperitie wealth and great abundance of outwarde blessings that the vngodly haue 3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12 In the second he declareth that by the consideration thereof hee was almost caried away into murmuring against God and falling from God had not God graciously instructed him by his worde and spirit of the miserable end of the wicked and his fauour towards the good Ver. 1.2.3.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22 In the third part he declareth that howsoeuer the worlde goe whether the good bee humbled and the bad aduanced it skilleth not he will alwaies hang vppon the Lord from ver 23. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 50. Ver. 1. Yet God is good to Israel i. gracious fauourable ful of compassion to his Church these beginnings ex abrupto such a one as we had before Psalm 62. shewe the marueilous combats the Prophet had in himselfe betwéene the flesh and the spirit out of which difficulties hee sodainely bursting vttereth as it were disorderly this sentence q.d. howsoeuer calamities presse good men and my flesh woulde haue mee to say that therefore God is farre from them yet this is the trueth of the Lorde and I will beléeue it all the dayes of my life that God in goodnes is continually most nigh to his owne people euen to the pure in heart i. to them that haue malice and iniquitie remoued from the heart and walke in roundnes and sinceritie and this the Prophet addeth more plainely to declare what he ment by Israel that is such as are not hypocrites in the Church sée for pure in heart Matth. 5.8 Ver. 2. My féete i. I my selfe putting a part for the whole or else by féete wée may vnderstand afflictions as Psalm 119.105 also Eccles 4.17 were almost gone vz. from the right way which thou prescribedst mee to walke in and the same thing hee meaneth by that which followeth in this verse Verse 3. For I freated vz. euen with griefe of mynde to my selfe and hatred to them at the foolish i. at those that had not at any feare of God which is in déede the beginning of all true wisedome when I saw i. beheld knew and considered the prosperity of the wicked vz. which they inioy Ver. 4. There are no bands in their death i. they are not brought to death tied and bound as prisoners are vnderstanding by bandes sundry sorts of siknesses or else it may be expounded thus there are no bands in their death i. the pangs and paines of death outwardly are not bitter vnto them Immanuel his text maketh the first part of this verse more plaine saying they haue no bands vntill their death q.d. they spende all the time before their death in iolitie and mirth hauing al maner of prosperitie and no maner of griefe and this I take to bee the best they are lusty and strong i. they haue great health so by that meanes growe in strength whereas the godly by sundry sicknesses growe weake and féeble Ver. 5. They are not in trouble i. misery affliction and such like hee meaneth not that they are altogether exempted from them but that they haue them not so long and so commonly as others haue neither are they plagued vz. with diseases sicknesses c. with other men i. when other men are or in such measure as others are Ver. 6. Therefore pride is as a chaine vnto them vz. in their owne imagination and account hee meaneth by this speach that they please and flatter themselues as much in their pride thinking it to 〈◊〉 ornament and beauty vnto them as other men doe their chaines and cruelty couereth them as a garment i. they are altogether giuen to cruelty and vyâ—lence as Psal 71.13 also Psal 69.7 and this voylence procéedeth from pride as the daughter from the mother Ver. 7. Their eyes stand out for faâ—nes hée meaneth by this speach that they haue such abundance of wealth that they 〈◊〉 themselues with al dainties euen vntil their eyes swell
which thou O God hast appointed me for the obteining of the ful gouernment for that time only is conuenient which God hath set Immanuel readeth this part of the text better thus when I shal receiue the couenant i. when I shal be admitted king ouer all Israel according to the couenants that the Israelites consented vnto Abners Counsell sée for this purpose 2. Sam. 3.17 2 Sam. 5.1.2.3 c. also 1. Chronic. 11.3 1. Chronic. 12.23 to the ende of the Chapter I will iudge vz. the people and their causes righteously i. with vpright iudgment this saying he wil do meaneth not that he had not done it before but that then though his charge should be the greater yet hee woulde not be discouraged but rather incouraged therby to the faithful executiō of his office and though thinges had passed vnder Sauls gouernement very corruptlye yet hee woulde deale vprightly Verse 3. The earth i. the land and kingdome and the state both of the Church and common wealth as you would say and al in the inhabitants thereof i. all the people are dissolued vz. from their strength glory and fruitfulnes and that by ciuil warres slaughters and dissentions betwéene the house of Saul and Dauid But I will establish the pillers of it I will labour through Gods assistance to repayre the ruine and decaies thereof the Prophet vseth in this verse two excellent metaphors the one to set out the ruine of the state conteyned in this worde dissolued as though it had beene like water powred vpon the ground or like a house out of frame or a body out of ioynt in euery particular member The other to expresse the restoring thereof when hee sayth hee will set vp the pillars of it meaning that hée will looke that the kingdome shall haue a good foundation and sure proppes which are specially two godlines and righteousnesse Verse 4. I sayde vnto the foolish i. vnto the wicked men the Prophet sheweth what good counsel hée gaue them bée not so foolish i. bée not so wicked as to resist God and set your selues against him lift not vppe the horne i. bée not proude and fearce it is a metaphor taken from wanton lusty and butting beastes vnderstanding by horne strength and power q.d. lift not vp your selues in your power for you can not preuaile Verse 5. Lift not vp your horne on high this is the same metaphor that wēt before ver 4. Immanuel readeth it thus lift not vp your horne against the high GOD q.d. GOD is the author of my kingdome as appeareth 2. Samuel 3.18 so that you can not set your selues against mee but you striue against him and this I take to bée the better sense neither speake vz. against mee and of your selues with a stiffe necke i. loftily and proudly as though you woulde wrastle and striue against Gods will and it is a metaphor taken from stubburne cattle that refuse to beare and drawe in the yoke Verse 6. For to come to preferment i. to bee exalted aboue other men and to obteine the gouernement of a kingdome is neither from the East to the West nor from the South i. it commeth not from this place or that quarter of the worlde out of the earth as other naturall thinges doe but onely from God who as he sheweth in the next verse onely beareth sway in it That worde that wee reade South in the Hebrew text is Wildernesse and therfore Immanuel turneth it nor from the Wildernesse that is from the North or from the South for Judea was on both these quarters compassed in with a wildernesse whatsoeuer it bee the sence is all one and this is nothing but a reason of his former spéech Verse 7. But God is the Iudge q d. it is he alone that rightly determineth these causes he maketh low and he maketh hye sée Psalme 113.7.8 also 1. Sam. 2.7.8 Verse 8. For in the hand of the Lord i. in his might and power as we haue had the word sundry times vsed is a cuppe i. iudgment and vengeance and by saying it is in his hand he noteth also the readinesse and preparation thereof and the wine vz. in the cuppe is red i. strong and pearsing and that sodainlye to the brayne The redder the Wines are in these easterne partes the more pearsing they are both in respect of their own nature and in respecte of the heate of the countrie Sée Prouerbs 23.31.32 Immanuel readeth for red troubled but me thinketh that is the better and is full mixed i. full of mixture he séemeth to allude to those that mingle spices with their wines to make them more hote and pearsing noting by this spéech the greatnesse of Gods vengeance againste the wicked and he i. God poureth out vz. in great abundaunce and plentye of the same vz. Wine that is iudgement and vengeaunce vppon the wicked surely this word serueth to note the certaintie of Gods plagues all the wicked of the earth i. all they that on the earth continue in their sinnes and sette themselues in it shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof this parte would be better translated thus shall drinke the dregges thereof i. shall haue it euen euery droppe poured vpon their heads in despite of their téeth vnderstanding thereby the great vengeaunce that God will take vpon the wicked which vz. dregges they haue wrung out vz. agaynst themselues and that by their notoriousnesse and setlednesse in sinne Sée Isaiah 51.17 and Iere. 25.15.16 c. Verse 9. But I will declare vz. Gods wonderfull workes and excellent prayses as it followeth in the end of this verse the God of Iaakob i. the God of Israel or of the Israelites putting the name of the Father from whome they came for all his posterity vsing it also as a difference betwéene him and all the false Gods because he whom that people worshipped was the onely true God sée 1. King 18.31 Verse 10. All the hornes i. all the forces might and power of the wicked yea their very pride as verse 4.5 of this Psalme will I breake vz. to péeces and poulder so that they shall haue no hope to hurte the godlye but the hornes of the righteous i. the strength and power of good men shall bée exalted i. lifted vp and as it were daylye more and more extolled by mee And all this Dauid speaketh in his owne person shewing what hée will doe when God shall haue once aduaunced him to the quiet gouernment of the kingdome Verse 1. Do. Teach the faythfull to be thankfull to God for his mercye goodnesse Ver. 2. Teacheth Gods people to purpose good thinges with themselues and to labour to performe the same Verse 3. Teacheth that no disorder or confusion should hinder vs from doing of that which God requireth of vs. Ver. 4.5 Teach vs to admonish reproue the wicked in and for their wickednesse Ver. 6. sheweth vs that Fortune as men call it is a wicked dotage of their own yea that all that man
himselfe can doe to prefer himselfe is nothing Verse 7. Setteth out Gods gouernment not in heauen only but in earth Verse 8. Teacheth the gréeuous and great portion of vengeaunce that in Gods iustice shall bée poured forth vpon the wicked Verse 9. Sheweth that euen the highest are bound to prayse the Lord yea euen they much more then other men because they haue receyued greater graces and fauour Verse 10. Doth excellentlye describe Kings dueties which consisteth in punishing the wicked and defending the good as appeareth Rom. 13.3 Psalme 76. Di. THe Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the first part the Prophet sheweth how good gracious and mighty the Lord is to his own Church and people frō verse 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth how terrible he is in executing his iudgements agaynst the wicked and vngodly their enemies from verse 5. to the end of the tenth In the third and last part he prouoketh the faythful to shew themselues thankefull for his mercy towards them and his iudgements towards the other and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme Se. The Title to him that excelleth on Neginoth sée Psalme 4. in the Title A Psalme or song sée Psalme 48. in the title committed to Asaph sée Psal 50. in the Title Ver. 1. God is known vz. both by his works word and spirit for here he speaketh of a speciall knowledge and not only of that general one that al haue Rom. 1.20.21 in Iudah that is not only to that tribe or that portion of the land of promise that Iudah and Beniamin inhabited but to the rest of all the people as may appeare by that which followeth his name i. his power maiestie might is great i. is declared and founde by experience to be great and mighty in Israel i. amongst his faithfull people as sundry times before Ver. 2. For in Shalem that is in Jerusalem which was called firste Shalem sée Gen. 14.18 is his Tabernacle vz. wherein he would be worshipped which he appointed Moses to build his dwelling in Sion he meaneth this of the temple wch was builded vpon part of Mount Sion Sée Psal 48.1.2 Ver. 3. There i. at Ierusalem and Sion brake the arrowes of the bowe i. God discomfited ouerthrew the sorce power of al Saneheribs armie sée Isaiah 37. thorowout here he reckoneth vp the weapons of war as the bowes arrowes shields swords c. vnderstāding therby not only the instrumēts thēselues but also the parties that shall vse handle thē For weapons of thēselues without mē can do little hurt if the weapons had bin broken the mē spared they might either haue had new or repaired the old that we must néeds vnderstand it both of men munition Ver. 4. Thou art more bright puissant i. more glorious and mighty by giuing the Assyrians so great an ouerthrow this he speaketh of God by turning his spéech vnto him thē the mountains of pray i. thē al the Assiryans their great Monarchie whom he resēbleth for the multitude of their men for the great wonderfull spoiles which they had gotten to mountains that were ful of wild beasts giuē to rapine spoile or else because they had pitched their tents vpon the mountains round about Ierusalem they carying with thē al the prayes spoiles that they had gotten in the warres Immanuel readeth by the mountaines of prayes then it must haue this sence by the ouerthrow of the Assyrians whome hee compareth to mountains of pray for the causes before alleaged Verse 5. The stout harted i. the men of might and courage for al their strength are spoyled vz. of thē that were weake in respect of them or else as Immanuel readeth it yéelded themselues for a pray q.d. notwithstanding their strength and courage they were stricken with the faintnesse of their hart and glad to yéeld for the sauegard of their liues and this must be vnderstoode of the men that remayned after that great iudgement mētioned 2. King 19.35 and also that of the latter part of this verse they haue slept their sléep i. they are dead being slaine by the Angell an vsual thing in scripture by sléepe to vnderstand death al the men of strēgth i. al the strong men vz. which were left aliue after the great slaughter mētioned before haue not found their hands i. had not vse of their power strength putting hands which are instruments to manifest strength for strength it self Verse 6. At thy rebuke i. whē thou didst but check them or speake the word against them He meaneth that god very easily did discomfit ouerthrow them sée 2. King 19. ver 20.21 c. O god of Iaakob sée Psal 75.9 both the chariot horse i. the men that did ride in and vpon both the one the other meaning thereby both Princes nobles and men of might because they cōmonly were caried so Sée 2. Chron. 32.21 are cast a sléepe i. slaine as before ver 7. of this Psal Ver. 7. Thou euen thou q.d. thou alone art to be feared vz. of al and aboue all and who shall stande vz. of himselfe in thy sighte i. before thée when thou art angrye vz. agaynste men and by this spéeche hée noteth the weakenesse of the creatures in respecte of their Creator Verse 8. Thou diddest cause thy iudgement to be heard frō heauen he meaneth by this spéech that Gods iudgement vpō his enemies was so cleare manifest that no man could impute it to Fortune or mens trauaile but that euery one must of necessitie confesse that it came from heauen and this he meaneth as generallye so particularly of the vengeaunce executed vppon the Assyrians armie Some vnderstand it of thunder lightning c. fearefull signs tokens of Gods iudgements indeed but methinketh that other is the more plaine sence therefore the earth feared i. the people inhabiting the worlde and hearing of that great ouerthrowe of the Assyrians and stoode still vz. as people amased and without hart and courage not being able to deuise muche lesse to perform any thing against gods seruants Ver. 9. Whē thou O god arose to iudgemēt i. to execute iudgemēt he doth in this the former ver resemble God to an earthly iudge speking of him according to mā as though god did sit a long while deliberating what he would do and when hee had once resolued should rise vp and pronounce sentence to helpe vz. from danger and distresse of the enemies all the méeke i. all those that were afflicted meaning thereby the faythfull and good people of God of the earth he meaneth specially those that inhabited Iudea but yet so that it may comprehend al the rest wheresoeuer dispersed Ver. 10. Surely q.d. it can not otherwise be but that the rage of man i. euen the very fiercenesse and cruelty that men exercise agaynst thy seruaunts vsing the word
the beginning Ver. 5. Then i. in this great affliction and heauinesse of mine I considered vz. déeply and diligently the dayes of old i. the graces and goodnesse which in former time I had receaued from thée putting the dayes wherein God had bestowed manye graces vpon him for the graces themselues and the yeares of auncient time he meaneth not only the sorrowes that God sent him but that he gaue vnto others also that were distressed many times before him this goodnes of God towards himself others he set before him as a meane to mittigate his gréefe and to assure his hope of deliueraunce out of the same Ver. 6. I called to remembraunce i. I thought vpon also my song i. the song of thanksgiuing that I was wont to sing vnto thée for these graces He meaneth not that hee had alwayes one song for all kinde of benefites receaued but this that he receaued no benefites frō the Lord but he testified his thankfulnesse by singing prayses vnto him in the night i. which I was wont to sing in the night wherby also hee sheweth the earnest care hee had to prayse God that when other slept hee would be occupyed that way I communed with mine owne harte i. secretly and within my selfe I disputed and reasoned and my spirite i. my soule from whence procéed wit and vnderstanding searched diligently vz. the cause of my affliction the end of my troubles adde here the word saying to ioyne this that which followeth together and then the sence will bee more playne Ver. 7. Will the Lord absent himself vz from me by absenting he meaneth withdrawing of his fauour the signs and testimonies thereof as though he were angry with him for euer i. continually q.d. Shall my afflictions neuer haue end And wil he shew no more fauour vz. to me amongste the rest that stand in so much néed of it Ver. 8. Is his mercy vz. towardes his sonnes seruants that cal vpon him séeke vnto him clean gone for euer q.d. wil he neuer shew it again doth his promise vz. which hee hath made in his word for in his promises made therein is our good and saluation shutte vp as it were fayle for euermore i. Shal they not be accomplished and performed for euer Verse 9. Hath God forgotten to be mercifull q.d. Is it possible that God can forget his mercy which were to forget himselfe and to chaunge his nature hath he shut vp vz. from those that are his his tender mercies i. his fatherly loue and affection who is more tender harted toward his then parents are to their children in displeasure q.d. will he be so angry that he will not thinke vpon his mercy sée Psalme 103.8.9 The Prophet vttereth al these thrée verses not as a man in despayre but as one couragiously wreastling agaynst Sathans assaults and his own corruptions which would haue caryed him to that mischiefe doubtlesse had not the Lord graciouslye stayde him and strengthened his fayth Ver. 10. And I sayd vz. in this my great conflict and combat this is my death q.d. the want of the féeling of Gods goodnesse and mine own calamity will quickly finish my course as I perswade my selfe yet I remembred q.d. notwithstanding these gréeuous assaults I thought vpon the yeres of the right hand i. the former times wherein God hath manifested his great power and goodnesse in my deliueraunce strengthening my hope in this that he that had bin my God before would so continue howsoeuer I were distressed for a while and the next verse confirmeth this sence Imman readeth this verse otherwise giueth another meaning but methinketh this is plaine ynough of the most high by this spéech he meaneth God putting also hereby a difference betwéene God and al others how great and mighty soeuer they be or are imagined to be Verse 11. I remembred vz. in my meditations the workes of the Lord i. those workes that he had done that for his owne people certainly I remembred q.d. it is very true that I thought vpon thy wonders i. the maruailous things that thou diddest for thy people as their deliueraunce out of Egypt such like which were called wonders because mās reason could not conceaue of thē of olde i. in former time or long agoe as Exod. Deut. and the Booke of Iudges doe sufficiently declare Ver. 12. I did alwayes meditate i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon in my minde al thy works vz. which thou hast made don because al Gods work creatures are to his people testimonies of his prouidence goodnesse towards them did deuise he meaneth by this spéech not only unward meditation of the harte but also large discourse of wordes that he made of thine acts i. of those which thou haddest done for thy people and he calleth thē Gods acts because he was the author of thē though he vsed mans ministery in the performance thereof Ver. 13. Thy way O God i. thy manner and order of gouernment and all thy counsels is in the sanctuarie some vnderstand it of the tabernacle some referre it to heauen as wée haue had the worde vsed before q.d. Thy wayes are high and excellente whosoeuer will knowe them must bee lifted vp to the Heauens All this I confesse is true but it agréeth not so well with the Prophets purpose who mindeth to shew that all that God doeth he doth rightly and iustlye and therefore Immanuel turneth it well thus thy waye O God is in holines i. is a holy iust and vpright way whatsoeuer commeth from thée is good though we can not so wel sée and perceiue the same who is so great a God as our god q.d. None sée 1. Cor. 8.5.6 Verse 14. Thou art the God q.d. thou alone that doest wonders i. workest wonderfull things thou hast declared vz. by effect and déede thy power i. thy maiestie and might among the people this may be vnderstood eyther of the people vpon whom and amongst whome God exercised iudgement for his owne peoples sake as the bookes of Genesis and Exodus doe plentifully declare or else for his owne people particularly For myne own part I would refer it to both because the deliueraunce of the one is the punishment of the other the ouerthrow of the one is the establishing of the other and me thinketh that which followeth vnto the end of the Psalm séemeth wel to confirme this because he rehearseth his mercies towards the one and his iudgements towards the other Ver. 15. Thou hast redéemed vz. out of the bondage of Egipt thy people vz. of Israell with thine arme i. by thine owne might and power euen the sonnes of Iaakob now he more particularly sheweth what he meant by the word people vnderstanding by sonnes the posteritie of Iaakob and not the twelue Patriarkes for they were dead long before and Ioseph hee nameth Ioseph for honours sake because that all Iaakobs stocke was preserued in Egipt by his meanes putting also the
name of the Father for his séede and posterity or else Ioseph the whole man for a parte of him vz. his bones which they brought with them at their comming out of Egipt but I like the former better Immanuel and others expounde it otherwise but in my opinion not so rightly Verse 16. The waters vz. of the redde sea and Iordan as appeareth in Exodus and Iosua saw thée O God i. did féele thy maiestie and power in turning the courses of them for otherwise man can not see or féele God much lesse the waters and he repeateth the same agayne for the more certayntie of the matter and were afrayde vz. at thy presence which he gathereth because they were diuided and fled as a man woulde saye backward yea the depths vz of the waters and he allegeth these wordes to expresse the greatnesse of Gods power for though it fall out that the vpper partes of the water is many times troubled yet the depths sieldome or neuer but this was done to the end the people might passe vppon the drie grounde Verse 17. The cloudes vz. in the firmament poured out water vz. in greate abundaunce for that doth the worde of pouring out note sée Eccle. 11.3 he meaneth that God had al creatures ready at his commaundemente to execute his will for the sauegard of his and the punishment of the vngodly the heauens i. the Firmament and the regions of the ayre aboue vs gaue a sounde vz. of thunder and lightning and winde and stormie tempest thine arrowes i. thy thunderboltes and other meanes to manifest thy wrath vppon thy enemies went abroad i. did flie abroad in euery place striking feare into them Sée Exod. 14.24.25 Verse 18. The voice i. the sound or noise of thy thunder i. of the thunder that thou sendest forth was round about vz. all thine enemies or else he meaneth euery quarter and region of the ayre the lightnings vz. which came from thee lightened the world i. they were so greate and many that they might haue bene séene all the world ouer the earth i. this frame of the world trembled and shooke for feare of thy presence Al this is nothing else but an excellent description of Gods eternall maiestie and power Ver. 19. Thy way is in the sea some expound it thus Thy way i. the way that thou preparedst for thy people of Israel is in the sea i. in the red sea ascribing that vnto God because he was the author of it which did belong to the Israelites Some thus thy way i. thy counsels is in the sea i. in darke vnsearchable places known vnto none but to thée alone making it the same with ver 13. of this Psalm but I like the former better by reason of that whiche followeth in the last verse of this Psal thy paths vz. by which thou cariedst thy people all the rest is wel expounded in the note of Geneua Bible Ver. 20. Thou didst lead vz. out of Egipt and thorow the wildernes towards the land of promise thy people as shéepe i. tenderly softly and louingly for shéepe may not be hurried by the hand i. by the labour diligence ministery of these two excellent personages Moses and Aaron And al this the Prophet alleageth that he might raise vp his hope and comfort himself in the middest of those great assaults Verse 1 teacheth that God is nigh to them that earnestly cal vpon him Do. Ver. 2 teacheth that the more afflictions and miseries increase vpon vs the more earnest we should be with the Lord by prayer Ver. 3 sheweth that we thorow our own corruption and sathans malice vse that in the time of prayer as a mean to draw vs back from earnestnesse of prayer which shoulde make vs more carefully to think vpon God I meane our gréefs and afflictions Ver. 4 teacheth that nothing commeth to Gods children but by the speciall not only sufferance but appointment and prouidence of God Ver. 5 sheweth that Gods goodnes declared before should comfort those that are in affliction now Ver. 6 teacheth good men in the time of their heauinesses to cōfort themselues in the consideratiō of these good thinges that thorowe Gods goodnesse they haue felt in themselues Ver. 7.8.9 shew the great conflict that the godly many times haue wreastling mightily betwixt fayth and dispayre Verse 10 teacheth vs that Gods power and the true tast thereof is a good proppe to our faith Verse 11.12 teache vs to record Gods workes for the strengthening of our hope and to speake of them with delight and pleasure Verse 13. teacheth that God alone is the only God Verse 14. that whatsoeuer God doth he doth it for the good of his children or the punishing of his aduersaries Verse 15 sheweth that God careth for his people euen when they be in their greatest distresse Verse 16 17 18 19 teache that God hath all his creatures at his commaundement for the manifesting of his glory and grace towards his and for the declaring of his iustice towards the vngodly which is comfortable to know that the whole course of nature shall stand on our side Ver. 20. teacheth Gods loue and care towards his people which then also most manifestly appeareth when he prouideth for them good Magistrates and Ministers Psalme 78. Di. THe Psalme it selfe is very large and as it were a summary recitall of all the fiue Bookes of Moses and therefore cannot easily be diuided Notwithstanding methinketh it speciallye propoundeth these pointes following first an Exordium or entraunce into the matter the Prophet labouring thereby to make the people attentiue taken partly from the excellencie of the matter and partly from his and their own experience and this is conteyned in the eyght first verses Secondly he rehearseth the great rebellion of this people and of their forefathers vpō whom God had bestowed such great and wonderfull graces as vpon none the like and this is comprehended in verse 8 9 10 11 17 18 19 20 22 32 34 35 36 37 40 41 42 56 57 58. Thirdelye hee setteth out Gods great mercy notwithstanding their manifolde wickednesses and rebellion against him and this is comprised in verse 12 13 14 15 16 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 38 39 52 53 54 55 68 69 70 71 72. Lastly he largely declareth the excéeding great iustice of GOD againste sinne and vngodlinesse which he sheweth by executing the same partly vpon his owne people as appeareth verse 21 30 31 33 59 60 61 62 63 64 67 and partlye vppon his and their enimies as appeareth also verse 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 6◠66. which may teach all men to driue away the vayne imagination that they haue of Gods mercy only neuer looking into the execution of his iustice and iudgements against the world for sinne Se. The title hath bin sundry times expounded before sée the same Title Psalme 73 also Psalme 50. Verse 1. Heare vz. both with your outward eares and inward vnderstanding my doctrine i.
the middest of iudgements which fall vppon others they are safely deliuered Ver. 54. Sheweth that the Lord is faithful in all his promises accomplishing the same the same is taught also in Ver. 55. Which serueth wonderfully to the strengthening of our faith Ver. 56. Setteth out the nature of desperate wicked ones who neither for gods heauy iudgements executed vpon others nor for his mercies bestowed vppon them are any whit at all bettered Ver. 57. Teacheth that euill children treade in the steppes many times of their euill fathers and therefore fathers not so much to be stickt to Verse 58. Teacheth that idolatrie and idoles do greatly prouoke Gods wrath against them that make vse allowe or maintaine the same Ver. 59. Sheweth that all sinne is naked before God also that out sinnes seperate betwéene God and vs which is confirmed also in the 60. verse following Verse 61. Teacheth that sinne bringeth in the subuersion of religion as it were Verse 62. Sheweth that sinne also destroyeth the politique state Verse 63 6â— Declare that God in the execution of his iudgements spareth no persons or condition that hath transgressed Ver. 65. Declareth that God will not alwaies afflict his children and let his enemies triumph ouer them Verse 66. Setteth out Gods iudgementes vppon the enemies of his people Verse 67. Sheweth that for the exercises of his seruice and worship is not tyed to men or places Verse 68. Teacheth that looke what place or what manner God appointeth for his worship that ought onely to bee obserued Verse 69. Setteth out the excellency and perpetuity as it were of the Church Verse 70. Teacheth that God chuseth not as man chuseth the great but the weake and feeble persons to the ende that all the glory might bée giuen vnto him Sée 1. Corinth 1.26.27 c. Verse 71. Doeth excellently describe the duety of godly and faithfull Magistrates Verse 72. Teacheth all by Dauids example painefully and wisely to trauaile in the offices castinges and places that the Lorde setteth them in Psalme 79. THis Psalme Di. being a pitifull discription of the miseries which Gods Church indured may as séemeth to mée bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the faithfull set out the great outrage and crueltie of their enemies and the distresses that they were in from verse 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second is conteyned an earnest prayer that they make as for their owne deliueraunce so for the ouerthrow of the wicked from verse 5. to the end of the 8. verse In the thirde they alleadge certaine reasons as it were to moue the Lord to take pity vpon them promising prayse and thankesgiuing to the Lorde for their deliueraunce and this reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title hath béene sundry times expounded before and namely Psal 50. Se. Verse 1. O God the heathen either the Babylonians or Assyrians Sée 2. Chronic. 36.17.18.19 or else the people that came with Antiochus who marueilously prophaned the temple as appeareth 1. Machab. 1.46.47 c. also in Ioseph Antiq. Iudais lib. 12. cap. 7. For of both these it may bée vnderstood are come vz. with outrage and cruelty into thine inheritaunce i. the lande of Canaan afterwardes called the lande of Iudah or Israel and as a principall part of that lande the Citie of Ierusalem which GOD also had chosen to be the place of his aboade Thy holye temple vz. which was at Ierusalem and was called holy because the holy GOD gaue testimonies of his presence there and because holy exercises were vsed there haue they desiled both by spoyling it sheadding blood in it and by bringing into it all prophane and wicked thinges contrary to the lawe Sée the places before noted and mâ—â—e Ierusalem heapes of stones i. haue defaced the buildinges thereof and pulled downe the walles hee meaneth by this speach a great and pitiful ruine to beholde Verse 2. The dead bodyes of thy seruantes vz. which were slayne by the rage and cruelty of their enemies yeelding a constant confession to thy trueth and withstanding their pollutions haue they giuen to bée meate vnto the foules of heauen i. they haue cast them heere and there to the ende that they might bee rauened of the fowles of the ayre for by heauen hee meaneth the ayre in this place and here hee secteth out the cruelty of the enemies who woulde not shewe them so much fauour as to let them bee buryed This in déede is reckoned among the curses of Gods lawe Deutronom 28.26 But yet for all that wée may not condemne the faythfull who in respect of the afflictions of this life doe differ little or nothing from the vnbeléeuers and the flesh of thy Saintes vz. they haue cast or giuen and hée calleth Gods people Saintes because the Lorde accounted them holy and by his spirite had prepared and apted them to the workes of sanctification vnto the beastes of the earth i. vnto the wilde beastes that liue as it were by dead carion or to the dogges to bee deuoured of them as was the flesh of that wicked Iezabel 2. Kinges 9. verse 36. This is added but to aggrauate their cruelty and inhumanitie Verse 3. Their blood vz. of the Saintes and good people haue they i. the enemies and aduersaries shed like waters i. plentifully and in great abundaunce or else thus the enemies made no more account of mens liues and bloods then they did of water both senses are good but I rather allow the former rounde about Ierusalem hée meaneth both without the City and within without the city before the enemies came thither and within after they had taken the City q.d. there was no place frée from their cruelty and violence and there was none vz. either of their owne nation that durst or of others that woulde shew them so much curtesie as to bury them Ver. 4. Wée are a reproch vnto our neighbours vz. by the meanes of the misery which they sée vs in they thereby taking an occasion to reproch vpbrayd vs and by neighbours he vnderstandeth the people that bordered vpon their country as the Ammonits Moabites c. which also may appeare by that folowing in the verse vnto them that are rounde about vs vz. dwelling which word inserted after are will make the sense plaine And note that the faithfull doe not here complaine of the mockeries that were directed against their owne persons but of those also which after a sort did redound to the dishonour of God and the disgrace of his law Ver. 5. Lord howe long wilt thou bee angry for euer q.d. wilt thou neuer put an ende to our miseries which are testimonies of thy heauy wrath and continuall anger against vs Immanuel readeth this part of the verse better thus how long vz. wilt thou withhold help and ayde from vs set the wicked insult ouer vs as they do and then hee addeth an other interrogation thus wilt thou be angry for euer q.d. shal there be
first that our sinnes are cart-ropes as it were to pul vpon vs Gods heauy iudgementes Secondly that God of his mercy and not for any desert of ours for we haue none doeth and will helpe vs thirdly that the more our miseries are the more earnest should wée bée with the Lorde in prayer Verse 9. Teacheth vs that Gods owne glory is an effectuall reason to perswade his maiesty to deliuer his people Secondly that Gods mercies onely doe couer and cure all our transgressions Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the enemies of the Church alwayes prouided that wée intermingle not our owne corrupt affections or hatred against the persons therewith Verse 11. Teacheth vs that the sighes and grones of Gods poore afflicted seruants shall not bée sent forth without fruite or profit Verse 12. Teacheth vs that wee may lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church as before ver 6.10 of this Psalme Ver. 13. Teacheth vs two things first that we shoulde giue hearty thankes to almighty God for benefits and graces bestowed vpon vs secondly that we should bee instruments to publish the prayses and to conuey them ouer so farre foorth as we can to all posterity Psalme 80 THis Psalme as it should séeme both by the wordes and matter was made either about that time that the people were caryed captiue into Babylon or at the time of their being there It may bée diuided into thrée partes Di. the first is an earnest prayer made to God that it woulde please him to help the miseries of his Church from ver 1. to the end of the 7. The seconde conteineth a discription of his former goodnes towardes them with a demaunding as it were why hee had withdrawne the same from ver 8. to the ende of the 13. In the thirde part they returne to prayer againe beséeching the Lorde graciously to finish the worke which mercifully hée had begunne which being performed they purpose and promise humble obedience all the dayes of their life from ver 14. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth on Shoshannim Eduth this is expounded before Psalme 45. also Psalme 60. in the titles as also is that that followeth in sundry Psalmes Immanuel addeth after this worde A Psalme of witnes which for any thing I sée is not in the Hebrew text hée himselfe expoundeth it thus of witnes i. by which the Church beséeching God did testifie their fayth they had in GOD touching the deliueraunce promised after seuenty yéeres as Ierem. 29.10 Verse 1. Heare vz. the supplications and prayers of vs thy poore seruantes praying for our selues and thy whole Church and by hearing they meane graunting of their requestes and not as though GOD either did not or woulde not heare O thou shéephearde i. thou that hast gouerned guided and deliuered thy people heretofore of Jsrael i. of all thy people and not of the tenne tribes alone as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth thou that leadeth Ioseph like shéepe i. tenderly and warely as Psalme 78.52 vnderstanding by Ioseph the same that hee ment by Israel before and all this is nothing else but a description as it were of Gods tender care fauour and loue towardes his people shewe thy brightnes vz. of thy power and might as Deutronom 33.2 q.d. shewe thy selfe in thy accustomed glory and maiesty to our great comfort and the terrour of our enemyes thou that sittest betwéene the Cherubins this is not spoken as though GOD were tied to a place but because it pleased him out of that place for a tyme to shewe foorth his power and might therefore doe the people after this sort describe him Sée Exodus 25. verse 22. Verse 2. Before Ephraim c. i. in the sight and presence of the men of that and other tribes who claue to the kingdome of Iudah and kept thy religion and worshippe sounde with them Sée 1. Chronic. 9. verse 1.2.3 Stirre vppe thy strength vz. which séemeth to haue béene heauy and as it were a sléepe q.d. nowe declare it and make it manifest and come to helpe vs vz. out of the daungers distresse and bondage wherein wee are Verse 3. Turne vs againe vz. out of the bondage and captiuity wherein wée nowe are as our Auncestours were in Egipt into our owne Countrey and to thy worshippe q.d. set vs in our former state and condition cause thy face to shine i. make manifest thy fauour towardes vs which hath béene kept from vs by the cloudes of affliction Sée Psalme 4.6 also Psalm 67.1 that wee may be saued i. deliuered out of these daungers and distresses wherein wée are Immanuel readeth so shall wée be saued The sense differeth not much as wee may easily perceiue Verse 4. How long wilt thou bee angry against the prayer of thy people i. howe long wilt thou reiect the prayer that thy people make vnto thée as though thou were angry with them and it this the faithfull speake and that of infirmity when they féele not the force of their prayers at the first as it were Ver. 5. Thou hast fedde them with the breade of teares i. thou hast giuen them teares in stéede of meate Sée Psalme 42.3 and giuen them teares to drinke with great measure q.d. they are so full of griefes and vexations that they are able to indure no more hee signifieth by these speaches both the abundaunce and the continuaunce of their afflictions Verse 6. Thou hast made vs a strife vnto our neighbours i. thou hast caused all those that are rounde about our lande with whome friendshippe and peace were to bée fostered to moue continuall strifes and iarres against these of our brethren that remaine behind in the lande of Iudah The trueth of this Sée 2. King 25. ver 25. Ierem. 37. chapt and so forwarde almost to the ende of his Prophecie and our enemies laugh at vs vz. being in this affliction and misery that we are among them selues i. to make themselues merry with all when they méete together Verse 7. This is the same almost both in woordes and sense with verse 3. of this Psal Verse 8. Thou broughtest a vine out of Egipt by vine hee meaneth the people of Israel by which comparison hée sheweth howe greatly God regarded them for which sée Iohn 15. verse 1.2 because a vine is a most noble both possession and fruite and is a very tender thing as experience teacheth It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to resemble Gods people to a vine sée Isaiah 5.1.2 c. and other places thou hast cast out vz. of the lande of Canaan the heathen vz. the Ammonites Hittits c. and planted it vz. in their place hée continueth in his metaphor of a vine and planting meaning that God had established his people in the roome of these nations Verse 9. Thou madest roome for it vz. by dispatching their enemies and casting them out before them Sée Exod. 23.27.28.29 Iehosh 24.12 and diddest cause it to take roote hée meaneth by
the first that is roote taking their florishing and prospering in that lande and it filled the lande i. it increased and grewe mightely in number greatnes and glory Verse 10. The mountaines were couered with the shadowe of it among many senses I take this to bée the simplest that the people of Israel was so mightily multiplied and increased throughout the lande of Canaan that not onely the valleis which are for the most part fruitfull but the mountaines which are commonly barren were well inhabited and peopled Sée Matth. 3.1 Luke 1.39 and the boughes thereof i. the yong people that came of that roote or stocke were like the goodly Cedars i. beautifull to beholde as tall straight strong c. Ver. 11. She stretched out her braunches i. she replenished the land with inhabitants vnto the Sea vz. Mediterranium and her boughes vnto the riuer vz. of Euphrates he doeth describe the bredth of the land of Canaan and howe farre Gods people had extended their gouernement sée Psal 72. verse 8. and they recken vp Gods benefites towardes them in times past that they might presently the more easily obteine his fauor and goodnes Verse 12. Why hast thou then broken downe her hedges i. why hast thou destitute her of succour and ayde and why doest thou no more take her into thy sauegarde and protection but hast withdrawne thy power and strength with which shée was compassed as hée threatned Deutronom 31.17 also Isaiah 5.5 so that all they which passe by the way haue plucked her i. spoyled and destroyed her hee meaneth by this manner of speach the gap as it were that GOD made and gaue to the enemies to afflict his people by Verse 13. The wilde Bore i. the most vncleane and rauenous Gentiles the worde wilde out of the wood noting their rauening and the worde Bore noting their vncleannes for the Iewes might not eate swines flesh because it was accounted vncleane by the lawe Leuittic 11.7 hath destroyed it i. hath vtterly rooted it vppe by the rootes as though it woulde finde some thing hidden vnder it for the worde that he vseth here is a compounde worde and signifieth to digge vp some thing that is hidden as Treasure or such like and the wilde beastes of the fieldes haue eaten it vppe i. it was giuen for a pray to all sortes of beastes both of the forrestes and of the fieldes hee meaneth that their neighbours nigh about them and others farre off them did grieuously afflict the people of Jsrael which enemies of theirs hee compareth to wilde beastes by reason of their cruelty Verse 14. Returne we beseéch thée vz. to thy former loue and grace q.d. set aside thy wrath and be mercifull vnto vs as thou hast béene heretofore O GOD of hostes this properly respecteth his power whereby wée sée that they made his might one grounde of their prayers looke downe vz. vppon this vine from heauen q.d. though thou dwell on high yet looke vppon vs belowe in fauour and mercy and beholde and visite this vine i. not onely remember it but perfourme deliueraunce vnto it as thou hast promised sée the worde visiting so vsed Gene. 21. verse 1. Verse 15. And the vineyarde i. the whole body of the people putting the thing conteyning for the thing conteined that thy right hande hath planted i. which thy mighty power hath not onely brought out of Egipt but setled fast in this lande and the young vine so hee calleth the people either because they were small and fewe at the beginning or else because that in the time of these troubles they were become as it were but a handfull which thou madest strong for thy selfe i. to which thou gauest great strength that in it thou and thy glory might appeare Verse 16. It is burnt with fire and cut downe i. it is destroyed by fire and swoorde noting by these two termes of fire and cutting downe all the wayes and meanes that the wicked vsed to destroy the children of GOD with all and they perish i. all thy people of Israel and Iudah at the rebuke of thy countenance i. when thou shewest by thy countenaunce that thou doest rebuke them and art angry with them q.d. the force of the enemy néede not confound them for the very signe and token of thy displeasure doth consume them Ver. 17. Let thy hand i. thy power might grace and goodnes he vpon i. be present with in effect and féeling the man of thy right hande he putteth the worde man for men and people one for many and by man of right hande hee meaneth those that God did so tenderly loue and for their sakes hée continually manifested his mighty power in leading and gouerning them and vppon the sonne sonne is here put for sonnes or posterity as man for men before whom thou madest strong i. whom thou gauest might and power vnto not onely to defence themselues but to wounde their enemies for thine owne selfe i. for thine honour and glory that thou in them mightest bee glorified Verse 18. So will not wee q.d. if thou shew vs the fauour prayed for we wil continue alwaies in thy obedience This must be vnderstood not as though they conditioned with God but alledge their purposed obedience as a reason to moue the Lord to pity them go backe from thée vz. to false and strange worships deuised by men but will kéepe our selues fast to that seruice that thou hast prescribed by thy word reuiue thou vs i. take from vs the great heauines that hangeth vpon vs by reason of our sorrowes and afflictions and quicken vs and so we shal cal vpon thy name i. profes thy religion sincerely and pray vnto thée only Ver. 19. is the very same in words and sence with verse 3 and verse 7 of this Psalme Verse 1 teacheth vs to haue recourse in all our afflictions to God by prayer Do. and in the same to consider as good grounds of our supplications his mercye and his power Verse 2 teacheth that not onely the féeling but the manifesting of Gods strength and power is comfortable to his saints Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods fauour is the only cause of all goodnesse towards vs. Verse 4 declareth that it is no small affliction of conscience to Gods children to féele that their prayers are not forcible Verse 5 6 teach first that all the afflictions of Gods children come by his prouidence and appointment secondly that he bringeth them very lowe euen in this life to the end that they may haue their harts and soules the more lifted vp to him Verse 7 sheweth that we cannot know till the Lord turne vs and so is stong agaynst frée will Verse 8 setteth out Gods great and vnspeakeable loue towards his Church and his plaguing and punishing of the wicked for their sakes Verse 9 sheweth that the beginning increase and continuance of the Church and of euery particular member of it is from the Lord. Verse 10 11 doe vnder excellent Metaphors set out the
glorye and inlargement of the Church Verse 12. Sheweth that the enemies of the Church can doe nothing further then the Lord appointeth them Verse 13 doth paynt out the cruelty and rage of the enemies of the church Verse 14 teacheth vs to pray the Lord in mercy to beholde the poore and afflicted state of his Churche Verse 15 teacheth vs that the taste and tryall of GOD his power before shoulde strengthen our hope for the feeling of the same in tyme to come Verse 16 describeth the wonderfull Maiestie of GOD and the greatnesse of his power which is so mightye that euen the verye manifesting thereof though it bée not executed is sufficiente to consume all Verse 17. teacheth vs to praye for the Church and the particular members of it also that we haue no strength of our selues but that then we are strong when the Lorde maketh vs strong and lastly that strength and whatsoeuer else wee haue is giuen vs that he only in the same might be glorified Verse 18 teacheth the faythfull to carry with them a full purpose to stick fast to the Lorde and to call vpon him Verse 19 deliuereth the same doctrine that verse 3 and 7. of this Psalme doe Psalme 81 THis Psalme being made as it shoulde séeme Di. after the time of the Iudges when either Samuel or Dauid restored Gods worship may be deuided into two principal parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful people to praise the Lord shewing thē that they haue good causes and reasons so to doe from verse 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hée taketh vpon him the person of God instructing the people how to walke shewing withall their disobedience by whiche not onlye Gods loue was contemned but they themselues depriued of wonderfull benefites from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded in the Title of Psalme 8. and Psal 73. Verse 1. Sing ioyfully i. chearefully and with a good courage q.d. praise him by all the meanes ye can and in al places specially in the holy and publike assemblies and that for the benefites you haue receaued from him vnto God our strength i. vnto him who alone giueth vs strength to doe the things we doe sing lowde vz. that all may sée and heare as it were vnto the God of Iaakob i. vnto him that is a good and gracious God to al his faythfull people that come of Iaakob putting the name of the father both for himselfe all his posterity Ver. 2. Take vz. vnto you or into your mouthes the song vz. of praise and thanksgiuing q.d. sing prayses to God and bring forth vz. to be playde vpon the Timbrell the pleasant harpe with the violl vnder the lawe they vsed musicall instruments to expresse their ioy withall sée Iudges 11 34. some other places vnder this scholemastership it pleased the Lord to kéepe his people till Christes comming and by these thrée he meaneth all of the like q.d. With all Instruments of Musick expresse and set out the gladnes of your hart Verse 3. Blow the Trumpet in the newe Moone q.d. bée as earnest to serue GOD now as if it were at any time of our solemne Feastes Sée Leuitticus 25 15. Num. 10 10. and by one feast he vnderstandeth all and so must bee vnderstoode all that followeth in this verse Verse 4. For this vz. to sing reioyce and to vse musicall instruments is testimony of thankfulnesse as also the obseruation of feasts is a statute vz. that God himselfe hath appointed as appeareth Exodus 23 ver 14 15 c sée also Numb 28. and 29. chap. almost thorow out for Israell vz. to obserue and kéepe and a law of the God of Iaakob i. a law which he that is the God of Iaakob hath published Verse 5. He vz. God set this i. ordeined and appointed this kind of seruice worship as verse 4. of this Psalme in Ioseph i. amongst the Israelites putting Ioseph the father of Ephraim and Manasses two excellent Tribes for all the tribes and this he doth as I suppose for two causes not only because that Iosephs stock was counted the chéefe before that Iudah was preferred because hée was the means that al their fathers were maintained in Egipt in the time of the famine but also because they had the largest possessions in the whole land of Canaan as appeareth Iehosh chap. 16. and 17 for a testimony i. in stéede of a testimony witnes vnto them how he would be serued when he this worde he may be referred eyther to God or to the people but I rather refer it to God who is sayde to come out of the land of Egipt not only in the person of his people but also because he brought them thence in a mighty hande and outstretched arme manifesting in the same his mighty power where I hearde a language that I vnderstoode not i. in which place vz. of Egipt I was a straunger for this is a spéech vsuall ynough in the scriptures to note and signifye a stranger by and this sodaynly altering the person which also would be marked from the third to the first must be vnderstood of God not that god knewe not their tongues or vnderstood not their language for he knoweth all things but he sheweth to the end he might testifye his good will that his peoples wantes were as his owne and all this he doth to the end he might amplify the benefite of their deliueraunce which was so much the greater by how much it is verye gréeuous to remaine amongst those whose lips and language we vnderstande not Ver. 6. I vz. the Lord haue withdrawne his shoulder from the burthen i. from most hard bondage of which see Exodus 1 14. and chap. 6. ver 9. and he nameth the word shoulder because men commonly carry burdens vpon it and his hands haue left the pots i. the making of pots of earthlye claye and by making of pots which was one péece of their slauerye hee vnderstandeth all the rest as setting vp of buildinges making of Tyle or Bricke gathering of Strawe sée Exodus 5. verse 4 5 6 7 c. Sée also Exodus 1. verse 11 and 12. Verse 7. Thou calledst i. prayedst vz. vnto me in affliction i. in the time of thy trouble and oppression or when thou wast afflicted of others Sée Exodus 2 23. and I deliuered thée vz. out of that hard bondage wherein thou wast and marke howe hee speaketh of the people as of one person because they were all but one bodye and aunswered thée i. shewed the testimonies and signes of my fauour in graunting thée thy requestes in the secrete of the thunder i. after a secrete and wonderfull fashion but yet in suche sorte notwithstanding that they had very manifest signes by which they knew that GOD succoured them some referre to that which is written Exodus 14 24. but I take it more generallye I prooued thée i. by experience I knew
annointed i. of him that was by thy commaundement annoynted king 1. Samuel 16.12.13 Verse 10. For a day i. one day only no more and this verse comprehendeth a reason of his prayers in thy Courts sée verse 2. of this Psalm putting Courts also for the places of publike méetings and assemblies is better i. is more swéete comfortable and profitable to me then a thousand vz. dayes otherwhere yea though the place it selfe were neuer so delightfull and pleasaunt I had rather be a dore kéeper i. I woulde preferre the basest place and calling in the Churche in the house of my God i. in the place where my God who is the only true God is serued then to dwell in the tabernacles i. in the most pleasaunt and gorgeous houses of wickednes i. wherein wickednesse is practised and professed or it may be that hee putteth wickednesse for wicked men whatsoeuer it be he meaneth that he had rather be of the meanest account in the Church of God amongst good men then to be in the highest roome out of the church where nothing raigneth but prophanenesse and corruption Verse 11. For the Lord God is the sunne and shielde he meaneth that God is the only author of all excellent good things and the deliuerer from all euill for euen as the sunne by his heat and brightnesse quickeneth maintaineth and maketh the creatures ioyfull so the gracious countenaunce of the Lord filleth mens harts with ioy and gladnesse and as a shield is an instrument to put backe darts and daungers so it is he alone that defendeth vs in all distresses sée before verse 9. of this Psalme the Lord wil vz. in his owne good time and when it pleaseth him giue grace i. shew fauour and mercy to me and others that are now cast downe and glory i. he will aduance me to that honour and estimation which he hath prepared for me hee meaneth the kingdome and no good thing will hee withhold from them i. he will giue them all good and necessary thinges for his glorye and their comforte that walke vprightly i. lead a holy and vpright life voyde of hipocrisie and being that indéede that they would séeme to be sée Genesis 17.1 Verse 12. O Lorde of hostes i. O God of al might and power who haste all creatures in thy hands as armies to commaund blessed is the man q.d. certainly howsoeuer it goeth with other men of wit wealth c. hee is in good case that trusteth vz. alwayes in thée vz. alone I take it that the Prophet comforteth himselfe by this spéeche that though it were a great gréefe vnto him in respecte of bodily presence to be absent from the exercises of holye assemblies yet this was his comforte that in soule spirite and fayth he did communicate with the Church and behelde the Lorde who was worshipped amongste them Sée Psalme 2.2.12 Ver. 1.2 Do. teach Gods children how much they ought to estéeme of the publike exercises of the Church which are Gods effectuall instruments meanes to nourish and beget vs to the hope of a better thorow his especial blessing Ver. 3 sheweth that absence from holy assemblies should pinch vs to the hart howsoeuer little account men of the world make of them Ver. 4 teacheth two things the firste is that though worldly men iudge such as serue God miserable and wretched yet they are indéede truely blessed the seconde sheweth the duetie of them that professe God that they shold be continually occupied in his seruice Ver. 5. teacheth that true blessednesse belongeth to true beléeuers only and that to such as expresse their fayth by the fruites thereof vz. by purpose of harte to wel doing and practise thereof so farforth as God shal inable them Ver. 6. teacheth vs that no want or weather should hinder vs from the exercises of God Ver. 7. teacheth that God wil furnish those that are his with all abilitie to performe his will Ver. 8. teacheth vs in the time of our sorrowes to haue our recourse to God by earnest prayer Ver. 9 teacheth vs in our prayers and supplications to looke to the mercies of God also to present our prayers vnto him in the mediation of Christ Iesus only who is that in truth to vs that Dauid was in figure Ver. 10. teacheth vs to prefer godlines and godlie mens company before all the pleasures and profits of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 11. teacheth vs Gods prouidence towards his seruaunts whiche appeareth in this that he will comfort and defend them in danger that he wil exalt them to dignitie after distresse and that he will mercifully minister vnto them all thinges necessary It teacheth vs also our dutie in care and conscience without hipocrisie to walke before him all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 12 teacheth vs that sure trust and confidence in God only maketh vs blessed Psalme 85 THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the faithful reckon vp gods mercies of old as good grounds of their praiers which they should and did make for their presence deliueraunce from verse 1. to the end of the seuenth In the second is comprehended as it were a prophesie or an assured perswasion that the faythful had of their deliueraunce from Antiochus his tyranny at which time it should séeme that this Psalme was made and this reacheth from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title hath ben sundry times expounded before and namely Psalme 4. and Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1 Lord thou hast bin vz. in times past and therefore we hope thou wilt be now fauourable i. haste shewed mercye euerye waye so that they make his frée loue and mercy towards them the cause of all their goodnesse vnto thy Land i. vnto thy people inhabiting the land of Canaan which he calleth Gods land because GOD had chosen it and appoynted it especially for them Thou vz. alone and none but thou hast broughte againe vz. out of Egipt or else out of Babilon for it may be vnderstoode of eyther of them but speciallye in my iudgement of Babilon as which was the greater matter sée Ierem. 16. verse 14.15 the captiuity of Iaakob i. suche of Iaakobs posteritye as were Captiues putting the thing wherein they were held for the persons as Psalme 84 10. Wickednesse put for wicked men Verse 2. Thou hast forgiuen vz. fréelye and of thine owne accorde without anye merite or deserte of theirs at all the iniquitie i. the sinnes and transgressions vnderstanding by one manye whiche they had committed agaynste him of thy people i. of those whome thou chosest to bee a peculiar people vnto thy selfe and couered vz. from thy iudgement all their sinnes whatsoeuer whensoeuer wheresoeuer or howsoeuer committed for concerning of sinnes sée Psalme 32.1 Verse 3. Thou hast withdrawne vz. from thy people all thine anger vz. whiche they had pulled vppon them iustly by their sinnes and thou in mercye haste eyther vtterly withholden it or else laying some
signes of thy wrath vpon them hast remoued from their shoulders the heauie weighte of thy iudgementes and hast turned backe vz. in pittie and compassion as though it were better weying thine own mercy and our miserye from the fiercenesse of thy wrath or else we had bin consumed thereby They meane that GOD kindled not his wrath to the vttermoste agaynste them eyther as in iustice hee mighte or in wickednesse they had deserued Verse 4. Turne vs vz. vnto thée by fayth and repentaince as Lamentation 5.21 or else from that miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein wee are to oure former libertye and fréedome in oure owne lande O GOD of our saluation i. thou that workest our deliueraunce from daungers and distresse so saluation is taken Psalm 3.8 release thine anger towards vs i. frée vs from that wrath of thine the testimonies thereof which we sée and féele presently vpon vs. Verse 5. Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer q.d. wee hope no for that is the force of the interrogations meaning that Gods wrath should not alwayes continue vppon them and wilte thou prolong thy wrath vz. which is now presently vpon vs from one generation to an other i. vpon vs and our posterities q.d. shall it continually abide vpon vs and our séedes Ver. 6. Wilt thou not turne again vz. in loue mercy fauor presence towards vs quicken vs who seeme as it were to be dead sée Ezechiel 37.1.2 c. that thy people i. the people whome thou haste chosen to thy selfe may be deliuered and set frée and so haue an occasion to reioyce in thée i. to prayse thée and to magnifie thée for thy goodnesse towardes them hee séemeth to note two endes of their deliuerance one the good and benefite of the people the other Gods glory Ver. 7. Shew vs O Lord thy mercy i. make vs by effect to sée and féele thy goodnes and graunt vs i. graciously and fréely bestowe vpon vs thy saluation i. the deliueraunce which fréely and only must come from thée For the acception of this worde saluation sée before ver 4. of this Psal Ver. 8. I this the faithful together speak as though they were but one person by reason of the nigh cōiunction of them wil heare i. not only diligently hearken vnto but patiently looke for what the Lorde God wil say i. what he will either speak or performe for the word of God is as it were the déed of god sée Psal 148.5 for he wil speak i. promise and performe in déed and this is a reason why hée will in patience attend the Lorde and his worke peace i. al goodnes and prosperity after that their calamities bee once ended Sée Gene. 43.23 vnto his people i. vnto his faithfull ones putting by this marke a difference betwéene Gods people in déede and those that haue but the bare title only and to his Saints i. to those whom he hath sanctified sée Psal 16.3 that they turne not againe vz. to their old filthines of idolatry distrust and such like whereunto Antiochus laboured to bring them to folly i. to all maner of wickednes and in this respect the vngodly are generally through the Prouerbes called fooles as also Psalm 14.1 Ver. 9. Surely q.d. without all doubt it can not otherwise be his saluation i. succour deliuery and aide from God sée ver 7. of this Psalme is neere i. euen as it were at the doores and wil come vpon them quickly to them that feare him vz. with holy feare and all their heartes leading also their liues according to the rule of righteousnesse which hée hath prescribed that glory i. the sincere seruice and worship of God and all goodnes as may appeare by all the verses following in this Psalme may dwel i. may haue continual aboad notwithstanding the mischieuous deuises of the vngodly in our land i. amongst the people that inhabite this land appointed for vs so had you the word lande vsed ver 1. of this Psal Ver. 10. Mercy vz. from God and truth i. simple and sincere dealing vz. from men shall méete vz. ioyfully and chearefully together q.d. God wil turne his owne iustice towardes his people into mercy and their hypocriticall heartes and handes into sounde and sincere ones righteousnes vz. from God meaning by righteousnes also the faithfull execution of his promises and peace vz. of conscience in men an effectuall worker whereof is Gods faithful performance of his promises shal kisse one an other vz. in token of true friendshippe and reconciliation for by these manner of speaches and metaphors the holy ghost mindeth to note the reconciliation and agréement which shal be made betwéen God and his people Ver. 11. Truth vz. from men as before ver 10. shall bud i. by effects shall shewe foorth it selfe and yéelde fruite as the bud in the spring time appeareth which also is an argument of hope that fruite wil followe out of the earth i. out of the mindes and soules of the godly putting earth conteining them by the figure Metonimia for they themselues therein contained and righteousnes i. the iust performance of Gods mercifull promises as before verse 10. shall looke downe i. shal manifest and declare it selfe from heauen i. from the almighty whose dwelling is in the heauen Ver. 12. Yea the Lord shal giue vz. fréely and of his owne goodnes for so much doth the word import generally throughout the Scriptures good thinges i. heapes and abundance of al goodnes whether they be spiritual graces mentioned ver 10. 11. or bodyly blessings mentioned in the last part of this verse and our land i. the land appointed to vs from God and wherin we dwel shal giue her increase i. shal plentifully yéeld it the same being made fruitful by the mighty power of God Ver. 13. Righteousnes shal go before him q.d. when God shal shew these graces vnto his people then God wil bring to passe that vpright dealing shall haue frée passage amongest men for so I take righteousnesse to bee vsed in this place and shal set her steppes in the way vz. so that a man shal walke no way but there shall appeare certaine printes as it were of his footing Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise but methinketh this sense is plaine Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour in former time should minister hope vnto his seruauntes that they should afterwards féele it in like sort when they are in any distresse Verse 2. Teacheth that it is God alone that doeth and must forgiue all the sinnes of his people Verse 3. Sheweth that vnlesse the Lorde in the middest of his wrath remember his mercy wee shoulde bee all consumed Verse 4. Teacheth that vnlesse GOD worke in vs repentaunce wee shall neuer repent Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods wrath indureth not alwayes Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 6. Teacheth two thinges the first is that vnlesse GOD quicken vs wee are but as dead people the seconde that God in deliuery of his
seruauntes doeth not onely manifest his owne glory but also prouoketh them thereby to bée thankefull vnto him Verse 7. Teacheth that Gods mercy is the cause of all goodnes to vs warde and namely of our deliueraunces from daunger Verse 8. Teacheth first in diligence and patience to wayte the Lordes good will secondly to stay our selues vppon Gods mercy and goodnes towardes vs Thirdly that the name Saint may bee giuen to them that bée liuing which the Papists deny appropriating it onely to the dead fourthly that Gods mercy and goodnesse shewed vnto his people ought to bée an effectuall meane to restrayne them from former folly and sinne Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the ready way to bée assured to haue GOD on our side is to haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty in our heartes and sincere fruites of the same feare in our conuersation Verse 10. Teacheth that the chiefe cause of the reconciliation betwéene God and man and of peace in mens consciences and of faythfull dealing towardes men is Gods great goodnes and mercy and the faithfull perfourmaunce of his promises to vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that it becommeth Gods children euen by the example of their heauenly father who sheweth himselfe most righteous in his promises towardes them to deale faithfully and vprightlye one with an other Verse 12. Teacheth that not onely all good thinges come from GOD as Iames 1.17 but that they are bestowed vppon all and namely vpon his children of his meere liberality onely Verse 13. Teacheth that where God beareth sway there all iustice shall manifestly appeare and bee openly practised Psalme 86. I Suppose that this Psalme of Dauid full of very earnest affections and prayers may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first hee desireth the Lorde to haue mercy vppon and to deliuer him from all his afflictions sometymes alleadging his owne misery and sometymes Gods mercy and might to induce him thereto and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hee prayeth for light and knowledge desiring also deliueraunce from his distresses alleadging as reasons to moue the Lorde thereto the fearcenes of his enemies Gods owne mercy and his thankefulnes to bee perfourmed to the Lorde from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. a prayer of Dauid i. a prayer that Dauid made in the time of some grieuous affliction that hée was in the holy Ghost leauing the same in recorde for vs to see it or the like Verse 1 Incline thine eare O Lorde vz. vnto my prayers and supplications which I make before thée and this is spoken of god according to men who if they bee disposed to graunt suites and requestes wil as a token thereof be ready to hearken to the suppliaunts voyce heare me i. graunt me such thinges as I praying vnto thee doe according to thy wil aske at thy hands for otherwise it is not to be denyed but that god continually heareth and séeth al thinges for I am poore i. miserable and in great distresse and néedy i. stand in néede of thy fauour and ayde hee alleadgeth his afflictions weaknes and misery to the end therby to moue god the more to fauour him for this is proper to his nature to succor the miserable Hosea 14.3 Ver. 2. Preserue thou my soule i. kéepe thou â—ay life whole man either from the rage of mine enemies or from the sharpnes of these afflictions for I am merciful vz. not only towards them that be in miserie but euen to my very enemies and he speaketh thus not as though hee would clayme somewhat for his dignity or worthines but to make his enemies more hatefull as it were to God because they persecuted him that alwaies behaued himself curteously towards them and therefore they had the lesse cause to persecute him Immanuel readeth it thus for I am hée whome thou pursuest with goodnes i. I am he whom thou tenderly louest and therefore hope that thou wilt defende and kéepe me euen as the apple of thine eye both the senses are good my God Dauid speaketh not this as though god were his god onely but to testifie the particular apprehension that hee had in his perswasion of GOD and his goodnes saue thou thy seruaunt i. deliuer him from his present dangers distresses and afflictions that trusteth in thée vz. alone and in none other but thée Ver. 3. Bée mercifull vnto me vz. that am thus distressed and compassed in on euery side out of which I can not get vnlesse thou shew great mercy for I cry vpon thée i. I do earnestly call and pray vnto thee continually i. dayly and without ceasing setting out here two thinges in his praiers the one is earnestnes and vehemency vnderstood by crying the other is perseueraunce ment by the worde continually Verse 4. Reioyce i. giue an occasion of ioy vnto mee by kéeping mée from mine enemies by deliuering mée from the heauines wherein I am and by graunting my requestes the soule i. the whole man but specially the inward and mortal part sore afflicted with continuall assaults striken into heauines and sorrow of thy seruant i. of me whom thou hast vouchsaued to call to this honour to make thy seruaunt and marke here how hee speaketh of him selfe in the third person presently chaunging in the other part of this verse to the first for vnto thée O Lord vz. alone and to no other but thée do I lift vp my soule i. I pray thy helpe and that not with mouth only but also with my heart Ver. 5. For thou Lord art good vz. to all and therefore much more to thine owne seruants and sonnes and merciful vz. to those that turne vnto thée after they haue strayed from thee meaning that God pardoneth them their sinnes and transgressions and of great kindnes i. of wonderful and vnspeakable mercy vnto al them vz. of what condition or state soeuer they be that cal vpon thée i. that pray vnto thee vz. alone and that in spirite and trueth Ver. 6. Giue eare O Lorde vz. I beséech thee and not as though Dauid commanded God vnto my prayer i. vnto my prayer which now I make vnto thée and hearken to the voice i. yéeld to the words of my supplications i. which I vse in my supplication meaning by all this the graunting of his requests it séemeth to be the same almost with ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. In the day of my trouble i. at what soeuer time I shalbée in my trouble affliction or miserie I will call vppon thée i. I will pray vnto thee onely Immanuel readeth it in the present tense I cal vpon thée q.d. nowe that I am in trouble I pray vnto thée and in déed it better agreeth with the circumstance of the place and person for thou hearest me i. I knowe that thou either doest graunt or wilt graunt me my request wherby the Prophet sheweth what a stedfast perswasion he had in God and the word of his
i. declare by some one signe or other whatsoeuer pleaseth thée that thou wilt bee good and mercifull vnto mee that they which hate mee vz. without a cause may sée it i. plainely perceiue acknowledge and confesse the same and bee ashamed vz. in themselues and of that which they haue purposed against mee séeing that I haue not without cause trusted in thee because thou O Lorde vz. onely and no other hast holpen mee vz. out of all my daungers and distresses and comforted mée vz. in the time of miserie and trouble Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that the more our néed misery wretchednes is the greater occasion we haue with earnestnes spéed to repayre vnto God by prayer Ver. 2. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs we shal vtterly perish also that we ought to haue a stedfast trust in Gods mercy and goodnes Verse 3. Teacheth vs importunity in prayer and not to leaue of though God graunt not our requests at the first also that in our prayers wee must flée to Gods mercy onely and not to any thing in our selues Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that vnlesse God make vs ioyfull wée can neuer bée rightly glad also that the hart as wel as the mouth must consent in prayer or else our prayers are nothing Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy rightly considered and felt is an excellent spurre to prouoke vs to prayer Ver. 6. Teacheth that God onely is to be prayed vnto Ver. 7. Teacheth vs in our afflictions to runne vnto God and to comfort our selues in this that if he haue once heard vs he wil heare vs againe Ver. 8. Expresseth the vanity of al idoles images whatsoeuer Ver. 9. Setteth forth Gods power in all and ouer all so that none is exempted from it Ver. 10. Is a plaine proofe of the vnitye of the godhead Ver. 11. Sheweth that vnlesse God do teach vs what is good we are vtterly blinde also that vnlesse he hold vs in obedience and feare of his maiesty we shall easily decline and runne aside Ver. 12. Teacheth vs not onely to cary with vs a purpose to prayse the Lorde but also vnfeignedly and continually to doe it Ver. 13. Teacheth that then God worketh the deliueraunce of his when there séemeth otherwise no way for them Verse 14. Doeth not onely set out the mischieuous mindes of proude and outragious persons but also declareth the fountaine of all their sinnes vz. forgetfulnesse and contempt of god Ver. 15. Is the same almost with verse 5. of this Psalm and is a verse of great comfort as in many respectes so namely in this that it setteth before vs not onely Gods goodnes but also the faithfull and assured perfourmaunce of all his promises Ver. 16 Teacheth vs that Gods fauourable and louing countenance is the onely matter of mirth strength and deliueraunce to his seruants Ver. 17. Sheweth that in the deliuery and safe kéeping of Gods Saintes not onely Gods glory and power is manifested the good are thereby conforted but also the enemies confounded and ashamed Psalme 87 THe whole Psalme it selfe consisting only of seuen verses Di. is nothing else but a commendation of gods Church which is commended sometimes of the firmity and stedfastnes therof Ver. 1. Sometimes of gods loue towards it Ver. 2. Sometimes of the glorious report that it hath abroade euen among the enemies therof Ver. 3.4 Sometimes for the fruitfulnes of it Verse 5. Sometimes of the delight and comfort that the faithful haue in it Ver. 7. And sometimes for one cause sometimes for an other which the diligent reader may obserue The title a Psalme and song sée Psalm 48. Se. in the title committed to the sonnes of Korah this is sundry tymes expounded before Ver. 1. God layde his foundations i. GOD established and set his Church Sée 1. Tim. 3.15 where the Church is called the pillar and ground of trueth among the holy mountaines hee calleth the mountaines holy not that they were so of them selues but because God that was holy had chosen them to a holy ende and it is not to be doubted but that he speaketh here of the lande of Canaan which was a hilly Countrey sée Exod. 15. ver 13.17 and amongst other parts of that land the hil of Sion where the ark was placed in the days of Dauid and the hil Moriah where the temple was builded by Salomon and so by consequent also of the whole City of Ierusalem sée Psal 125.1.2 Verse 2. The Lord loueth vz. with a singular and wonderfull loue the gates of Sion i. the meanest places of his temple or tabernacle some thinke that he putteth Sion for Ierusalem and these wordes gates for the inclosure thereof whatsoeuer it bée this we are to note that this loue of God procéeded from his frée election and not from any worthines of the place aboue al the habitants of Iaakob i. aboue al the places wherin Iaakob and his posterity dwelt the reason because in Ierusalem where his tabernacle and temple was he gaue most manifest declaration of his power presence and goodnes Sée Deut. 12. ver 5. c. Ver. 3. Glorious thinges i. thinges tending to thy great glory and prayse are spoken of thée vz. both by them that appertaine vnto thee and by others as may appeare by the verses following O city of God i. O Ierusalem which is called Gods Citie of God because the Lorde chose it as a peculiar place for him to dwell in Sée Psalm 48. almost throughout and Matth. 5.35 Verse 4. I will make mention this the Prophet speaketh in the name of the Church as it were noting the inlargement and increase thereof q.d. by occasion of them that shal be ioyned vnto me I will speake of them to those that are already knit to me of Rahab i. of Egipt putting some part of the land for the whole and the people therein conteined Sée Psalm 89.10 also Isaiah 51.9 and Babel i. the people inhabiting Babel the City of Assyria of which sée Gene. 10.10 among thē that knowe mee i amongest them that allowe of mée and are become my familiar friendes and Citizens as it were behold q.d. looke vpon a wonderfull thing Palestina i. the people inhabiting that Countrey called Philistines sée Psal 83.7 Tyrus i. the people dwelling in that citie Ethiopia i. the people possessing that land vz. shall bee ioyned vnto mee for hee meaneth that the people which were enemies and strangers to Gods people shal be ioyned vnto them and become Citizens of the same City there vz. in the bosome of the church as it were is he i. euery one of the faithful people conuerted vnderstanding by one al of the like sort borne vz. by a newe kind of birth and that according to the eternal purpose and counsel of God Ver. 5. And of Sion i. of the Church of God it shal be said vz. to her great prayse and commendation many are borne in her vz. by spirituall regeneration and newe birth and he vz. this also
oppresse mee and ouerwhelme me as waters do the drowned body and thy feare i. the feares that haue béene wrought in mee by the troubles and afflictions which thou hast layd vpon mee haue cut me of vz. from liuing in this worlde or from being amongst men he meaneth that they had euen vtterly as it were destroyed him Ver. 17. They i. the assured testimonies and tokens of thy wrath came roūd about me i. cōpassed me in on euery side so that there was no way to escape or get out yea they take hold of me both inwardly outwardly dayly i. continually and without ceasing as it were like water i. in great abundance and with great force as surges or waues that would swallowe mee vp sée ver 7. of this Psalm and compassed mee together i. euen at one time as it were and with al their violence they set vpon me Ver. 18. This is the same both in sense and almost in worlds with ver 8. of this Psalme hee meaneth that none of those which were linked to him either by nature or kinred would come out for to helpe him Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest and continual in prayer vnto our God Do. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord to make vs féele vs the effects and force of our praiers Ver. 3. Teacheth two things first that very great heapes of afflictions are the ordinary portion of Gods children in this life secondly that the more miseries we haue the more spéed we should make to God by prayer for the redresse of them Ver. 4. Sheweth in what regarde the wicked of the world haue Gods children in the time of their affliction Ver. 5.6.7 Teach that Gods hand lyeth very sore many times vpon his dearest children and yet for all that hee loueth them neuer a whit the worse Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that euen the losse of our friends falleth out according to Gods appointment which rightly considered should minister no smal comfort to Gods children Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that as our miseries increase or continue so our prayers to God should increase or continue Ver. 10.11.12 Shew how sharply the faith of gods children is in their afflictions assaulted so that many times there séemeth to be little difference betwéene hope and dispaire Ver. 13. Teacheth that howsoeuer the godlines fayth be expressed for a time yet it is not vtterly ouercome but bursteth foorth into victory at the length and to earnest praier Ver. 14. Sheweth that nothing gréeueth Gods children so much as to féele a separation betwéene God and them selues Ver. 15. Teacheth that the afflictions of Gods children are continuall euen from youth to old age and from the day of our life vnto the houre of our death Ver. 16.17 Declare that Gods children are not slenderly tryed with some meane crosse but that stil the latter end of one trouble with them is the beginning of an other and as one flood or waue commeth thicke and thréefold in an others necke so do afflictions assault them Ver. 18. Deliuereth the same doctrine that ver 8. doeth also it teacheth vs that we should not be much dismaid when wee sée our friendes and acquaintaunce forsake vs in our miseries for as much as Dauid and many other of Gods Saints haue felt the same Psalme 89 Di. THis being a very long Psalme and handling sundry matters may yet notwithstanding be diuided into three partes In the first part Ethan the Ezraite setteth out and prayseth Gods goodnes which he manifesteth by many thinges but especially by the description of his workes and power and of his mercy and loue towardes his owne people and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the seconde part hee maketh expresse mention of Gods couenaunt made in Dauid and his séed a singular testimony no doubt of his vnspeakeable mercy shewing that hee will establish it for euer and yet notwithstanding conuert them if they goe astray from verse 18. to the ende of the 37. In the thirde parte hee séemeth to bewayle the want of performance of that mercy promised praying the Lorde to looke and that in time vppon the great desolations of the Lande concluding in hope of deliuerye with a thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde and this reacheth from verse 38. to the ende of the Psalme Se. For the title of this Psalme sée the title of Psalme 88. Ver. 1. I will sing i. I will by song set foorth the mercies of the Lorde i. his manifold and sundry mercies q.d. wee haue tasted of more then of one of his mercies yea wée haue felt all his mercyes and therefore I will prayse the same for euer i. all the dayes of my life Sée Psalme 146.1 with my mouth will I declare i. I will openly speake of in my wordes and with my voyce for hee putteth the worde mouth which is an instrument to frame the voyce by for the voyce and woordes themselues thy trueth i. the faithfulnesse and constancy that thou hast in all thinges and namely in keeping thy promises from generation to generation i. to al posterities meaning that by leauing it in writing behind him hee woulde bée an instrument as it were to conuay it from hand to hand to all posterity Verse 2. For I sayde i. I beleeued it in my heart and spake it with my tongue as Psalme 116.10 by which he sheweth the assurance of faith that he had in his heart out of the abundaunce whereof the mouth did speake Matth. 12.34 mercy vz. of God shal bee set vppe i. shal bee exalted builded and continue as a very faire strong and artificiall house thy trueth i. the stedfastnesse and stay of thy promises shalt thou vz. O God establish i. ratifie and confirme in the very heauens i. euen the place appointed for the elect sée for this sense Luke 10.20 Others expound the whole verse thus the promise of God shal be as certaine as the state of heauen vnderstanding thereby not the visible firmament but the place of eternal ioy which is exempt from all chaunge Ver. 3. I haue made a couenant a sodaine change of the person from his owne to Gods for this and the next verse are spoken in the person of God with my chosen i. with Dauid whom I haue chosen preferred before al others euen his owne brethren to be king ouer the people of Israel I haue sworne not as though there were any distrust to bee had in Gods worde but for the more strengthening of the couenant in Dauids heart sée ver 49. of this Psalme also Psalm 132.11 and this is to be vnderstood that God by an oth had promised the performance of those things that follow vz. that his séede should continue to Dauid my seruant i. to him whom I haue appointed and chosen to bee my seruant and to serue me my people in the gouernment of the kingdom Ver. 4. Thy séed i. those that shall come of thée as thy posterity and successors wil I stablish vz. in
strength and power and the Rock i. the assured staye that I haue sée Psalme 18.2 of my saluation i. that I shall be deliuered from all the daungers and distresses wherein I am sée Psal 3.8 al that is here spoken of Dauid ought in truth also to be referred to Christ Verse 27. I will make him i. I will haue him in that regard and account my first borne vz. that firste borne children are wont to bee had in whome the scripture sheweth to haue had great priuiledges and honor and estimation q.d. I wil greatly aduance and honour him higher i. I wil aduāce him higher then al the Kings of the earth i. he shal be the most excellēt among them al by the fauor that I wil shew him and the graces that I will giue him And marke that this cannot appertain to Dauid but only so farre forth as he was a figure of Christ and this we must further marke that when Dauid Solomon and others are set out as figures of Christ sometimes that whiche is spoken agréeth to the figure only sometimes to Christ onlye who is figured by them and sometimes to both vz. the fygure and the thing fygured so that it behoueth the Reader to haue a diligent regard thereto of this somewhat hath ben sayd before Psalme 2 and also Psalme 45. Ver. 28. My mercy will I kéep for him for euer i. I will neuer vtterly destitute him of my louing kindnesse mercy howsoeuer I séeme for a time to withdraw it and my couenaunt i. the couenant that I haue made with him shal stand fast vz. for euer q.d. I wil faithfullye performe whatsoeuer I haue promised with him i. betwéene him and me Verse 29. His séede also i. his posterity wil I make to indure vz. in the gouernment of the kingdome for euer i. for a very long time if you referre it to Dauid But if to Christ and those children that thorow him are brought and begotten to God by the sanctification of the spirite of whiche sée Heb. 2.10 then it signifyeth euerlastingnesse of time and his throne i. his kingdome and state sée verse 4. of this Psalme here must bee repeated I will make as the dayes of Heauen i. perpetuall and continuall Heauen is here put for that state of eternall glorye preserued for the faythfull whiche shal neuer decay Verse 30. If his children i. if his séede and posteritie forsake my lawe i. departe awaye from it and that rule of righteousnesse which it prescribeth them to walke in in their conuersation and walke not i. frame not their life as Psal 1.1 Ephes 4.17 in my iudgements i. according to those rules of iustice and iudgement which I haue prescribed he meaneth nothing by all this but if they shall sinne against him and his word Verse 31. Is the same altogether in sence though it differ somewhat in wordes with verse 30. If they breake vz. eyther thorow ignoraunce or knowledge my statutes i. the thinges that I haue ordeyned them to walke in kéepe not vz. in thought word and déede my commaundementes i. the thinges that I haue commaunded them Verse 32. Then i. when they shal haue dealt thus wickedly with me will I visite i. correct and punish sée Psalme 59.5 Isaiah 26.21 their transgressyons vz. which they haue committed agaynst me with the rod and their iniquity with strokes i. I wil punish them for their sinnes committed against me meant by transgressions as before and against men vnderstood by the worde iniquity with the rod and with strokes i. with sundry kinds of punishmentes and all to bring them home to my selfe by repentance and amendment Ver. 33. Yet q.d. for all my threats and punishments my louing kindnesse i. my riche and vnspeakeable mercy will I not take from him vz. continuallye or for euer q.d. I will not vtterly or altogether reiect him neyther will I falsifie my truth vz. promised and sworne vnto him q.d. I will not faile or breake in the accomplishment of the promises which I haue made him Verse 34 My couenaunt i. the couenaunt which I of mercy haue made with him will I not breake but stand stedfastly to the performaunce of it and euery part thereof nor alter the thing i. chaunge the sentence or matter that is gone oute of my lippes i. which I haue vttered and spoken q.d. I will not be inconstant for I will neyther chaunge my purpose nor vnsay that which I haue sayde Ver. 35 I haue sworne this is spoken in the person of God and the Lordes oth is added not for any insufficiency that is in him but to ratifye the matter more sufficiently in the mind of Dauid and his posteritie Gods oth is to promise by an othe sée Heb. 6. from verse 13. to the end of the 18. once and therefore will not goe backe from it This word importeth that Gods oth was irreuocable by mine holinesse i. by my selfe because he had no greater to sweare by as Heb. 6 13. and not as some expound it by the sanctuary wherein Gods Maiestie did visibly appeare that I wil not fayle Dauid i. disappoint him vz. in any thing that I haue promised him Ver. 36. His séede shall indure for euer i. his posteritie shall haue a long and continuall roote sée verse 29. of this Psalme and his throne i. his kingdome putting the signe of a kingdome for a kingdome sée ver 4.29 of this Psalme shal be as the Sunne i. shall continue as long as the Sunne and he alleageth the Sunne and verse 37. the Moone as a witnesse of the continuaunce of Dauids kingdome not because these creatures are eternall but because they haue more stedfastnesse then the earth the ayre c. whiche are subiect to many things before me i. in my presence and sight Ver. 37 He vz. in his own person and the person of his séede shal be established vz. in the seate of the kingdome for euermore how this is to be vnderstoode of Dauid and Christ sée before verse 29. of this Psalme as the Moone sée verse 36. of this Psalme as the Moone sée verse 36. of this Psalme and as a faithfull witnesse i. as the faythful witnesses meaning the starres Planets c. putting also the singular for the plural number in the Heauen i. in the Firmament for the Lord hath there placed the Sunne Moone and Starres c. as witnesses faythfully to distinguish betwéene time and time sée Genesis 1. verse 14. c. hée meaneth nothing else but that Dauids kingdome and posteritye shall haue a long continuaunce as the Sunne Moone and Starres c. haue Verse 38. But thou hast reiected i. cast away and that from thy fauour as it should séeme q.d. thou that hast promised to be so gracious to Dauid and his séede séemest now to haue no care of eyther of them And this he speaketh not as accusing God eyther of inconstancye or lying but eyther vsing the wordes and expressing the mind of the enimies of God
by beautie he meaneth the wonderful louing kindnesse and fauour of God which while it pleaseth God to shewe to his he doth after a sort adorne them with great glory and comfort which when also he withdraweth they séeme to bee in greate reproche and dishonour This then is as muche q.d. Shew vs thy fauour that not only we our selues maye thereby be comforted in our selues but also that thereby wee maye haue the great credite glory and estimation whiche wee were wont to haue with other people direct i. order guide and prosper the worke of our handes i. whatsoeuer wée shall take in hande vppon vs i. amongst vs in vs and to vs q.d. giue a good successe and blessed issue to al our enterprises he meaneth that nothing we take in hand can come to good ende except that GOD guide vs by his holy spirite euen directe the worke of our handes hee repeateth the same request agayne not onely to set forth his owne earnestnesse in prayer but also to declare howe necessarye and néedefull the thing it selfe is for whiche hée prayeth Verse 1. teacheth that it is no small comfort of conscience Do. if wee haue once felte God gracious and fauourable vnto vs. Verse 2. teacheth that the true tast and féeling of Gods eternall election is an excellent proppe for men to staye themselues on in all assaults Verse 3 teacheth that the issues both of life and death are in Gods owne power Verse 4 teacheth that the longest dayes and yeares of mans life in respect of God who is all eternity are nothing In the 5 and 6 verses by two similitudes vz. of floods and flowers he noteth the shortnesse and vanity of the life of all men of what state or condition soeuer they be Ver. 7 teacheth that the apprehension and féeling of Gods wrath worketh gréeuous effects in the mindes and bodies of those that be indéed touched therwith Ver. 8 that the matter of all Gods wrath agaynst vs is within our selues vz. both our open and secret transgressions against God and man Ver. 9 teacheth that mans life is nothing how long soeuer it be amongst men when the wrath and iudgement of God is vpon it Ver. 10 teacheth that al the dayes of the strongest mans life is nothing else but sorrow and vexation of spirite Ver. 11. teacheth how hard a thing it is and how few there are that doe rightlye and reuerently thinke of Gods fearefull wrath Verse 12 teacheth vs to pray to God to giue vs grace to thinke vpon the shortnesse of our liues and to remember the last ende a matter which we very easilye and much forget Verse 13 teacheth that nothing is so comfortable to Gods seruaunts as his fauour and loue and as when in the same they féele him reconciled vnto them Verse 14.15 teacheth vs that if we respecte our wretchednesse miserye and affliction we haue great néede to pray for the abundaunce and riches of Gods mercy to be shewed vpon vs and when we haue felt it to shew our selues vnfeignedly thankefull to him for the same Verse 16 teacheth in our prayers alwayes to respecte Gods glorye and the saluation of his people Verse 17. teacheth that nothing that wée doe can come to a good ende vnlesse the Lorde doth beginne continue and finish the same Psalme 91. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the firste he declareth in what safety they are that in stedfast trust do wholy submit themselues vnto the Lord and hang vppon him from verse 1. to the end of the 13. In the second he bringeth in god speaking as a sufficient witnesse to confirme and performe the truth of all that he had sayde from verse 14. to the ende of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title The Iewish expositors iudge that Moses penned it but that is not much materiall this is to be marked whosoeuer he was that writ it did shewe himselfe to haue a very singular féeling of Gods power and prouidence Verse 1. Who so i. Whosoeuer hée bée of what state and condition hée bée that dwelleth i. hath his moste vsuall abode in the secrete of the most high i. vnder the prouidence and protection of the most high GOD shall abide q.d. Suche a one néede not doubte but that hée shall alwayes continue in the shadowe of the almightie i. vnder the pleasaunte and assured defence of GOD. The Prophet sheweth what care the Lorde hath ouer his faythfull people into whatsoeuer daungers they fall and therefore exhorteth them to continue sure and stedfast to him because they that bee in his kéeping shall not be in daunger of blowes but shal dwel in a sure quiet and pleasaunt place which I suppose he meaneth by secret and shadowe Verse 2. I vz. being thus assured of his fatherlye protection will saye vz. at all times in what case or distresse souer I bee vnto the Lord vz. vppon whome I doe thus depende by fayth O myne hope i. thou whome alone I hope and trust in and my Fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 hée vz. alone and none other but hee is my GOD i. my defender and safe kéeper in him will I trust vz. all the dayes of my lyfe euen for euer and euer Immanuel readeth these two verses otherwise and maketh an other sence which indéede I better allow of thus Verse 1. To him vz. whosoeuer he bée that dwelleth i. that hangeth continually by a stedfast fayth in the secrete of the most high i. vppon the prouidence of the Lorde whether it appeare towards him or no and vnto him that lodgeth all nighte vnder the shadowe of the almighty By dwelling and lodging and all the rest of the words the Prophet meaneth nothing else but this he that daye and nighte by a liuelye fayth stayeth himselfe vppon GOD and his prouidence neyther careth much for anye worldlye casualtie as men terme it shall in déede be safe for that muste we vnderstande euen as Chickens are vnder the Hennes winges Let then the first verse go thus To him that dwelleth in the secrete of the most high and vnto him that lodgeth all night vnder the shadow of the almightie Ver. 2. Do I say vz. in mine own experience example in the Lord is my hope q.d. and by my example I woulde haue him to hope in him likewise and my fortresse i. the place of my sure defence agaynste all mine aduersaries hee is my GOD in whome I truste i. I trust vnto him and to no other but him who both canne and will defende mee Verse 3. Surelye q.d. without all doubte if so bee it thou vnfeynedlye trust in him For the man of GOD in this verse applyeth his owne example to the faythfull hée vz. whiche hath all will and power in himselfe and neuer deceaueth anye will deliuer thée i. eyther kéepe thée altogether from it or else if thou fall into it sette thée frée from the snare i. from destruction priuilye and closelye prepared for thée as snares are to catche
in height greatnes strength like a Cedar of Lebanon of these Cedar trées wée haue hearde before Psalm 28.5 and in other places Verse 13. Such as bée planted i. such as haue taken déepe roote and bée well setled for hee speaketh not here of hypocrites which kéepe or occupy a place onely in the Church but of all faithful people in the house of the Lorde i. in the Church as 1. Timothie 3.15 and it is called Gods house both because that GOD taketh a delight to dwell there as it were and also because his exercises are there obserued and hee sheweth him selfe more familiarly to that company then to the rest beside shall florishe i. shall yéelde great store of fruite through Gods blessing in the Courtes of our GOD i. euen in the Church or assembly of the Sayntes hee speaketh of Courtes because both the tabernacle had sundry Courtes and also afterwardes the temple vz. one for the Priestes and Leuites and an other for the people Ver. 14. They shal bring forth vz. through Gods blessing and great goodnes fruite i. abundaunce and store of fruite in their age i. euen in their olde age q.d. although they bee neuer so olde yet they shall not bee barren but shall plentifully yéelde foorth fruites of righteousnesse being watred thereto through the working of the spirite what these fruites are hee sheweth in the next verse they shal be fat and florishing vnder these metaphores he meaneth that they shal be not onely in good liking but couragious and apt to all good thinges through Gods goodnes Ver. 15. To declare vz. abroade in euery place and to all men that the Lord my rocke i. that the Lorde who is my sure defence sée Psal 18.2 is righteous vz. in all his waies and namely when hee blesseth the good and powreth vengeaunce vpon the vngodly and that no iniquity vz. at all is in him vz. either in respect of his being or doings so that hee sheweth that this is one excellent fruit which the godly yéelde to confesse gods iustice and righteousnes Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable euen for vs to praise GOD for his mercy and might Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to yéelde thankesgiuing continually vnto God Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to inforce our selues to that whereunto wee are so dull and backwarde Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen the very beholding and consideration of Gods workes ministreth great ioy vnto many of Gods children Ver. 5. Teacheth two thinges first the excellent maiesty of God which in some measure appeareth in his workes secondly that Gods iudgements and wayes are a bottomlesse depth vnto man Ver. 6. Teacheth that the wicked haue very litle or no regarde at al of Gods iudgements workes or wordes Ver. 7. Teacheth two things first that the wicked and vngodly haue in this life great prosperity secondly that they shall come to a perpetual and sodaine destruction Ver. 8. Teacheth that though man bee weake and wauering yet the Lorde is full of power and alwayes like vnto himselfe Ver. 9. Sheweth not onely what great plagues shall fall vpon the enemies of God and his trueth but also how assuredly they shall fall vpon them Ver. 10. Teacheth that howsoeuer God punisheth the wicked yet he wil remēber his own with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 11. Sheweth that God will execute iudgements vpon the wicked to the end the godly may bee strengthened in the assured perswasions which they haue in the trueth of his promises Verse 12. Setteth out the glorious and prosperous estate of the faithfull Verse 13. Teacheth that it is a good thing to ioyne our selues to the assemblies of Gods Saints for there is the place of all godly and plentiful fruites Ver. 14. Teacheth that Gods children are not voyde of the fruites of faith Ver. 15. Teacheth that this is one excellent fruite of faith vz. to set out and prayse the strength power goodnes and iustice of almighty God Psalme 93 THe faythfull in this Psalme Di. doe magnifie and prayse GOD for many thinges they doe commende and prayse him first for his great glory and euerlasting eternity and this is in the two first verses Secondly for his most excellent and mighty gouernment of all thinges and this is in verse 3.4 thirdly of the singular regarde that hee hath of his Church and this is in the last parte of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title and of this sort are Psalme 1.2.10 Se. and sundry others Verse 1. The Lorde reigneth vz. ouer all the earth but specially amongest his owne people and that not onely in ruling and gouerning the course of nature but specially by his doctrine and worde so you shall sée the worde raigning taken Psalm 96. verse 10. Psalm 97.1 Psalme 99.1 and is clothed with maiesty i. decked with great glory which by effect is declared in euerye place maintaining mankinde with a wonderfull power iustice and wisedome yet wee must note that this worde clothed signifieth not any thing that commeth from an other to him for hee hath the fulnesse of all thinges in his owne power and possession but hee speaketh in this and the next verse following of GOD according to the manner of earthly Kinges who beare rule amongest men and for their great maiesty are clothed with the most costly apparell and rich iewels the Lorde is clothed and girded with power vz. both to withstande his enemies and defende his children hee meaneth by the worde clothing that the Lorde hath power continually with him as a garment and by the worde girding that he hath it on euery side and in a readinesse to make it manifest as pleaseth him the worlde also vz. which hee hath created and made vnderstanding thereby al things in the world whatsoeuer shal be established i. preserued and maintained in the right gouernement thereof though men labour to disturbe it that it can not be moued vz. by any thing that man can imagine or doe against it hee commendeth in this verse Gods great power which hath so established the earth and all thinges therein that men can not so much as shake the least part thereof Verse 2. Thy throne i. thy kingdome and the gouernment thereof Sée Psal 89.4 putting a part of the kingdome for the kingdome and gouernement it selfe is established of olde i. was not onely setled thē but hath from that time hitherto indured and so shall for euer and euer and that word which we terme of olde is in Hebrewe before them i. before there was any certaine or set time of which men might pronounce this worde then sée Prouerb 8.22 thou art from euerlasting vz. and so shalt continue for euer euer Ver. 3. The floods i. all floods of the seas and waters haue lifted vppe their voyce i. haue made a great noyse as men doe when they inforce themselues to speake or sing loude some vnderstande by this manner of speach the enemies who with great violence did breake in vpon gods
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
goodnesse chuseth men to be a peculiar inheritaunce to himselfe to the end he may alwayes mayntayne them vnder the shaddow of his winges Verse 4. Enter q.d. Because hée hath adopted you therefore striue to serue him into his Gates i. into the Gates of his Temple or Tabernacle he putteth a parte for the whole and the beginning of Gods seruice vz. repayring to the publique place for the execution of that seruice and Worshippe with prayse vz. vnto his name for that and many other his great goodnesses and mercye and into his Courtes hee speaketh according to the number of Courtes in the Tabernacle meaning as before the places of publike assemblies and Gods seruice sée Psalme 94.2.10 with reioycing vz. for the blessinges and benefites which he hath bestowed vpon you prayse him vz. for his great goodnesse and kindnesse towards you and blesse his name i. thanke his maiestye and power for those his mercies sée the word blessing so vsed Mat. 14.19 Verse 5. For the Lorde is good vz. towardes all but speciallye to his owne people meaning by the worde good fauourable louing and gracious his mercye vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes is euerlasting i. indureth and lasteth for euer and is neuer subiect to alteration nor chaunge sée Psalme 136. thorowe out and his truth i. the truth and stedfastnesse of his promises made vnto his seruauntes for so doeth the Hebrew worde vsed in this place alwayes signifye is from generation to generation i. is continuall and neuer decayeth euen as one generation succéedeth an other not meaning but that Gods mercy shall indure when all carnall generations of men shall fayle Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that it becommeth Gods people neuer to be ashamed to prayse the Lord. Verse 2 teacheth vs to yéelde that seruice which we performe to God chearefully and with a good hart Verse 3 teacheth vs that we haue neyther our bodily creation nor our spirituall regeneration of our selues but all from the Lord only Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods children should shew them selues in publike assemblies publikely thankfull for publike benefits receaued at his mercifull hands Verse 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer man be variable in his loue and promise yet God in goodnesse and truth abideth alwayes faithfull to his Psalme 101 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Kingly Prophet Dauid declareth what hee will performe in respecte of his owne particular person from verse 1 to the end of the 4 In the second he sheweth what hée will doe concerning other vz. punish the wicked and foster the good from verse 5 to the end of the Psalme The Title a Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. whether before he came to his kingdome or at the beginning of his raigne is vncertain but I suppose rather when he first entred into his kingdome Ver. 1. I wil sing i. I will both speake of and practise sée Isaiah 5.1 mercy i. fauor maintainance towards my good subiects and iudgement i. execution of punishmente vpon the wicked in which 2 parts consisteth the Magistrates dutie as appeareth Rom. 13. sée for the performaunce of this promise 2. Sam. 9.1 vnto thée O Lord will I sing the Prophet meaneth not only that he will prayse God for aduauncing him to the kingdome but that euen for his sake in repect of his own office he wil performe these matters Ver. 2 I will doe wisely i. I wil behaue my selfe vprightly and circumspectlye according to the rule of thy word which is only true wisedome in the perfit way i. in the gouernmente of my kingdome the execution of my office which he calleth a perfit way because there is prescribed in Gods word a perfit rule therof til thou commest to mée vz. to take me out of this life and to cal me to an account for the discharge of my dutie I wil walke in the vprightnes of my hart i. I wil behaue my self vprightly and soundly so that mine own hart conscience shal witnes vnto me my good dealing and holy cōuersation in the middest of mine house i. priuatly and within mine owne walles as it were yea in the eyes and sight of my whole family the Prophet in this verse promiseth two thinges as I take it in the first part of a faythfull executing of his publike charge in the second a godly conuersation priuatly Verse 3. I wil set no wicked thing before mine eyes vz. to performe or doe it yea he meaneth that he wil not only kéepe himselfe from doing wickednesse but that he will so turne himself away from it that his eyes shall not behold it I hate vz. earnestly and from the bottome of my hart the worke of them that fall away vz. from thy truth and from that righte waye that thou hast prescribed meaning by the word worke not only that defection of theirs wch is the principal but al other transgressions whatsoeuer putting one for the whole it i. such maner of dealing shal not cleaue vnto me i. either raign or dwel in me this the Prophet speaketh as assuring himselfe of gods strength to continue the profession of his truth Verse 4. A froward hart i. a peruerse rebellious mind noting in these words the séed or foūtain of sin shal vz. thorow Gods goodnes and strength depart from me vz. farre off he meaneth by this spéeche that he wil indeuour to put of the old man with the lusts therof Ephe. 4 22 I will know none euil q. d. as I wil be far from performing wickednes in acte so I will not allow or like of the same in my iudgement or vnderstanding for so is the word knowing vsed in this place as in sundrye other places before Ver. 5. Him that priuily slaundereth he meaneth not that he wil spare them that shal do it openly for if he punish the lesse offence thus he will not spare the greater which is open slaunder his neighbour i. any whether hée dwell nigh or farre from him for so generally and largely doe I take this worde sée Psalme 15.3 will I destroy i. most sharply punish and that euen by death if the hainousnes of the offence require it him that hath a proud looke i. he that is lofty proud for pride appeareth many times euen in the very eye brées and eyes themselues whē they be lifted vp and high harte or as it is in the Hebrew text large in harte meaning by that maner of spéech one that hath a mind to aspire to great matters therefore is puffed vp with ouerwéening of himself I cannot suffer vz. or indure at any hand he meaneth by these spéeches that he cannot abide pride nor the tokens nor signes thereof nor the persons giuen thereto Ver. 6. Mine eyes shal be i. I wil carefully looke vnto and haue special regard of vnto the faithful of the land i. vnto the good and godlye peo-people that dwell in the lande wheresouer
of the Lorde i. shal tremble at his great power and maiesty though not with the reuerent and right feare thereof which his owne children only haue and al the kings of the earth q.d. this feare shal not onely sease the heartes of their common people but euen of their greatest and mightiest princes thy glory i. they shal feare thy maiesty glory which doest such great and glorious thinges for thy people Verse 16. When the Lorde hee noteth the time of the trembling of the kings and people shall builde vp Sion i. his Church vz. decayed and cast downe hee vseth this worde Sion generally for the place of Gods seruice because that sometime the arke of couenant was placed there and shal appeare in his glory i. shall shewe himselfe glorious and triumphant which shall no doubt be comfortable to his children and feareful to his enemies Ver. 17. And shal turne vz. his gracious and louing countenance meaning by this speach yéelding or graunting vnto the prayer i. to the harty supplications and requests of the desolate i. of thē that are forsaken of all whom though they stand in néede of euery mans helpe yet no man helpeth The worde properly signifieth a kinde of shrubble which groweth in vntilled places as a brier or such like by which he noteth also the people that were in the captiuity of Babylon as in a deserte and wilde place and not despise their prayer vz. which they make vnto him in their affliction hee speaketh one thing twise as it were of which sundry times before and not as though god did euer despise the supplications of his poore seruants Ver. 18. This vz. gracious hearing of his poore seruants prayers and deliuery of them out of captiuity shal be written vz. as an excellent thing and worthy of continual remembrance for the generation to come vz. that they therby may be instructed both of the power of God and his faithfulnes and trueth in performing his promises and the people vz. of Israel and Iudah which shalbée created i. which shal returne out of the captiuity of Babylon which hée compareth to be a second birth or creation as it were because they séemed therin to bée as dead Sée Ezech 37. from ver 1. to the ende of the 14. of which also for the greatnes of it it is sundry times sayd in the Prophets It shalbée no more sayd the Lord liueth that brought the people out of Egypt but that brought the people from the lande of the North shall prayse the Lorde vz. for his great goodnes and mercy towardes them Ver. 19. For hée hath looked downe vz. vppon the great outrage of his enemies and the wonderfull affliction of his people from the height of his sanctuary i. euen from the very heauens as hée séemeth to expound it euen in this verse out of the heauē which is the throne of his maiesty did the Lorde behold the earth i. not onely the earth it self but specially and chiefly men inhabiting the earth and amongest the rest his owne people as may appeare in the verses following Verse 20. That hee might heare vz. and so take pity of the mourning i. the sighings gronings and lamentable cryes of the prisoner i. of the prisoners one number put for an other meaning those that were bound and helde as captiues in Babilon and deliuer vz. out of daunger distresse and all manner of feare the children of death i. them that were at deaths doore or appointed to death as it were Sée Psal 79.11 Ver. 21. That they vz. so deliuered noting also the end why god giueth deliueraunce vnto his seruants may declare i. set out and publish and that both by word and déede the name of the Lord i. his power maiesty goodnes c. as Psal 21.1 in Sion i. in his Church and his prayse i. the prayse which is due vnto him for the same not that any is able to prayse him sufficiently for his power and goodnes in Ierusalem i. in the Church as before Sion and Ierusalem being the principall places of his worshippe put for his whole Church and the publike assemblies and congregations thereof sée Psal 2.6 Ver. 22. When the people vz. which are nowe in captiuity and dispersed abroad shal be gathered together vz. to serue the Lorde in these places and after that sort which he himselfe hath prescribed and the kingdomes vz. of the earth meaning hereby the calling of other people besides the Iewes to serue the Lord vz. according to the prescript rule of his word The Prophet noteth two thinges specially in this verse the one is the returning of the people out of Babylon the other is the calling of the Gentiles to the religion and seruice of God Ver. 23. He i. the Lorde abated vz. by outwarde and inward afflictions my strength i. whatsoeuer séemed excellent in mee putting one excellent thing for many in the way vz. wherein I walked meaning the daies and course of his life as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse and shortened vz. in mine owne iudgment and as I supposed for otherwise in respect of God our dayes are certainely numbred my dayes i. the dayes of my life Ver. 24. And I sayd vz. in that great affliction and griefe O my God take mee not away vz. out of this life q.d. let mee not vanishe awaye but shewe mée thy fauour in continuing my life in the middest of my dayes i. before I come to the full ende of my race and all this and that in the former verse the Prophet speaketh not onely in his owne person but in the name of the rest of the faithful thy yéeres indure from generation to generation i. thou continuest and abidest for euer and art alwayes one make mee therefore q.d. like vnto thy selfe Verse 25. Thou vz. O GOD hast afore tyme vz. in the beginning layde the foundation of the earth i. created and mainteined the earth and all thinges therein hee sheweth Gods eternitie because hee was before all thinges created and was the maker of all thinges whatsoeuer and the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined are the worke of thine handes i. thou hast made them handes attributed to GOD for our vnderstanding sake Verse 26. They vz. the heauen the earth and all thinges therein shall perish vz. not in respect of their substance but in respect of their qualities sée Isaiah 65.17 Isaiah 66.22 Reuelat. 21.1 2. Peter 3.12.13 and this perishing hée calleth afterwardes in this verse a chaunging but thou shalt indure vz. frée from any alteration or chaunge as Iames 1.17 and that for euer and euer hée here commendeth Gods eternity by comparison euen they all q.d. not one of them accepted shall waxe olde as doeth a garment i. shall through continuaunce of tyme decay as doeth a garment as a vesture shalt thou chaunge them this is a metaphor taken from men who changing their garmentes from worse to better of which chaunge of the creatures the Apostle
thée i. adorneth and compasseth thée about as the crowne is a testimony of glory and honour and compasseth the whole head round about with mercyes and compassions i. with great abundaunce and varietye of mercies which appeareth both in that hée vseth two woordes signifiying almost both one thing and also because hée putteth the latter in the plurall number Verse 5. Which satisfieth the mouth i. which filleth thine affection and appetyte Sée Psalm 81.10 hee séemeth to alude to men which take great licence to themselues in eating and drinking meaning that God will abundauntly satisfie vs and giue vs all that wee can wish with good thinges i. with all manner of good thinges so that nothing should bee wanting and thy youth i. the dayes and times of thine age yea euen though thou bee olde yet shall it bée as youth is renued vz. through the speciall blessing and goodnes of GOD as the Egles which liue long and dye not but through want of abilitie to take in their meate as Aristotle and Plinie both shewe Verse 6. The Lorde vz. himselfe executeth vz. both in word and déed specially when men are negligent righteousnesse and iudgement i. suche sentence as are righteous and iuste Sée Psalm 97.2 to all vz. of his children and seruauntes that are oppressed vz. by wicked and vngodly men Verse 7. Hée vz. God the Lorde made his wayes knowne by wayes hee vnderstandeth not onely the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt and all that hée did for them till hée brought them into the lande of Canaan but euen his whole lawe vnto Moses vz. first and before others and afterwardes by him to all his people and his workes i. the excellent and noble workes which hée did and that for their sakes vnto the children of Israel vz. which hee had chosen to bee a peculiar people to himselfe Verse 8. The Lorde is full of compassion and mercye vz. to them that come vnto him slow to anger vz. though men by their wickednesses prouoke him much thereto and of great kindnes vz. towardes them that turne vnto him this sentence seemeth to bée taken out of Exodus 34.6 where the nature of GOD is so farre set foorth vnto vs as is profitable for vs to knowe and séemeth to bée the same with Nehe. 9 17. Psalm 86.15 Verse 9. Hee will not alway chyde vz. with men and specially with his children neither keepe his anger for euer vz. towardes them Sée Leuitic 19.18 Ver. 10. Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes i. hee hath not punished vs according to the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of our sinnes nor regarded vs vz. in his iustice and iudgements heare wée sée what rewardes wee may looke for from the Lorde in respect of our selues according to our iniquities vz. committed against him and our brethren Verse 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth q.d. looke what distaunce there is betwéene heauen and earth which is very great and wonderfull yea infinite as it were so great is his mercye i. the mercy which hée sheweth for if hee had it in himselfe and powred it not foorth vpon others it were to litle purpose towardes them that feare him vz. with an vnfeigned heart putting the feare of GOD for care conscience and obedience to his trueth Verse 12. As farre as the East is from the West vz. which wee knowe to be so farre asunder that they shall neuer come together so farre yea and further to if further possible can bée hee meaneth by this comparison that the Lorde hath vtterly remoued our iniquities from vs hath hee remooued our sinnes i. the sinnes that wee haue committed from vs i. who were the doers thereof Verse 13. As a Father vz. earthly or naturall hath compassion on his children notwithstanding that manye times they doe prouoke him to displeasure so yea and in farre greater measure by howe much GOD is greater then man and his afflictions more certaine and sure hath the Lorde compassion i. hée vouchsaueth them mercye notwithstanding they deserue it not on them that feare him Sée verse 11. of this Psalme Verse 14. For hee knoweth vz. by manye degrees better then wée our selues whereof wée bée made i. of howe brittle a matter wée are created for so much doeth the Hebrewe woorde import which sense also maye bee gathered by that whiche followeth in this verse hee remembreth though men many times forget it that wee are but dust and that into the same wee shall returne Sée Genesis 3.19 Verse 15. The dayes of man i. the course of his yéeres and age or the tyme of his life are as grasse vz. which is cutte downe withered and quickely consumed hee meaneth by this speach the breuitye and shortnesse of mans lyfe as a flowre of the fielde so florisheth hée i. hee is nowe florishing and by and by withered and note that hée speaketh of a flowre of the fielde rather then of a garden flowre because that fielde flowres are more subiect to stormes tempest heate c. then the garden which haue more shelture and couerture Verse 16. For the winde vz. sent from GOD meaning by wynde which is one meane to marre the beautye of blossomes and flowres all other whatsoeuer goeth ouer it vz. with violence and so â—ppeth it either with extreme colde as the Easternewynde or with partching heate as the Westerne wynde and it is gone vz. out of mens sight hée meaneth that it is decayed and the place thereof i. the grounde wherein it grewe shall knowe it no more vz. in mans iudgement meaning also by the woorde it the selfe same and not any other of the same kynde In these two last verses hée doeth nothing else but by a similitude sette out the shortnesse and vanitye of mans lyfe which is no better then an hearbe or grasse subiect to cutting downe weather wynde and such lyke Verse 17. But the louing kindnesse of the Lorde vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes indureth for euer and euer the reason is because those whome the Lorde loueth hee loueth for euer vppon them i. playnelye testified towardes them and plentifullye powred foorth vppon them that feare him Sée verse 11. and 13. of this Psalme and his righteousnesse i. his iust and faythfull kéeping of his promise and the succour and ayde by which hée maynteyneth and preserueth his vppon childrens children i. to all posteritye Verse 18. Vnto them that kéepe vz. in their behauiour and conuersation his couenaunt i. his Lawe which is called a couenaunt because it conteyneth the conditions of bargayne as it were betwéene GOD and his people and thinke vppon them vz. in their déepe thoughts and secret heart his commandementes i. the matters which hée hath commaunded to doe them vz. in their outwarde conuersation and dealing Verse 19. The Lorde hath prepared his throne in heauen i. hée hath a kingdome and exerciseth the same euen in heauen and yet that letteth not but that his iurisdiction ruleth our all vz. what
which darkenesse and night all the beastes of the forrest i. a great number of rauening and deuouring beastes whiche in the daye tyme durste not for feare of man shew their heads amongst these hee reckoneth vp the Lyon in the nexte verse créepe forth vz. out of their holes and dennes where they had lurked all the day long Verse 21. The Lions i. euen the yong lustie and strong Lyons roare vz. in that darkenesse and nighte after their praye i. after a praye that they woulde gladlye gette and obtayne to satisfye their hunger withall and séeke their meate at GOD the Prophet meaneth not that they staye themselues vppon the care which GOD hath ouer them for that they cannot doe but hée sheweth that GOD doth myraculouslye giue meate to the Lyons and other deuouring beasts yea although they liue by spoyle and rauening whiche serueth wonderfullye to sette foorth God his power and prouidence whiche is the special marke that the Prophet aymeth at in this Psalme Verse 22. When the Sunne ryseth the Prophet sheweth that GOD so distributeth the tyme that the daye belongeth vnto man and the nighte to rauenous beastes whose cruelty is in parte also restrayned by the lighte of the Sunne or day so that they are thereby as it were constrayned to kéepe themselues in their dennes to the ende that man may more safelye goe aboute his businesse they retyre i. those rauenous Beastes of the Forrestes and couche in their Dennes i. lye still and quietlye there without annoying or hurting man any waye Verse 23. Then i. at the Sunne rysing and when the wilde beastes are in their Caues and holes goeth man foorth i. mankinde or the people whiche inhabite the earth to his worke and to his labour i. to the affayres and businesses whiche thou haste appointed him to doe whiche is called his because hée is Gods Instrumente in the performaunce thereof vntill the euening whiche tyme thou of thy goodnesse O Lorde haste ordayned for his rest Verse 24. O Lorde the Prophet in this sentence vseth both an exclamation and a wondering after that hee had as before spoken of the merueylous vses of GOD his gouernmente howe manifolde i. not onely dyuers in respecte of kynde but innumerable in respect of multitude are thy workes i. the thinges that thou haste created and made in wisedome i. in suche greate and excellent wisedome haste thou made them all vz. generally and particularlye as none is able to controll eyther the whole or any parte thereof The Prophet meaneth that Gods workemanshippe is so exquisite that there is no confusion eyther in the whole or in parte some expounde it thus In wisedome hast thou made them all i. by wisedome meaning his eternall Sonne as Prouerbes 8 verse 22 c. vnto the ende of the Chapter but notwithstanding I lyke the former sence better the earth i. the whole worlde and the people that dwell therein is full of thy riches i. is plentifullye replenished with varyetie of thy greatnesse whiche are greate testimonyes of thy grace Verse 25. So is the Sea q.d. as the earth is filled with thy riches so is the Sea lykewise from the testimonyes of Gods grace and goodnesse vpon the Lande he commeth to the Sea which hée setteth out as it were a new glasse wherein men may behold Gods power and wisedome greate and wyde hée attributeth two Titles to the Sea the one noting the force thereof the other the largenesse both yet tending to manyfest Gods power which had replenished so huge a place with such wonderfull store and varietye of creatures for therein i. in the Sea are thinges vz. whiche thou haste created créeping vz. according to the order whiche thou haste sette meaning by this terme swimming and liuing in the Waters innumerable hée sheweth that the creatures of GOD in the Sea can not bée numbred muche lesse can those in Heauen and these in earth and altogether both small Beasts and great q.d. There is not onely innumerable store but varietye of kindes also all which setteth forth still Gods mightye power Verse 26. There i. in that Sea goe the Shippes i. they sayle to and fro a Metaphor taken from liuing Creatures and applyed to insensible thinges yea that Leuiathan q.d. Euen that same greate monstrous Fishe is in the Sea also sée Iob. 40. verse 20. to the end of the Chapter and Iob 41. throughout whome thou hast made to play therein i. to swimme vp and downe at his pleasure q.d. This onely Sea beast doth sufficyently sette out vnto vs the fearefull power of GOD whose styrring though it trouble the seas yet is it nothing but sporte in respecte of GOD. Verse 27. All these vz. thy creatures whether they bée in the ayre or in the earth or in the Sea wayte vppon thée vz. not only to haue foode and sustenaunce as followeth but to bée disposed of euen as shall please thée without whome they canne doe nothing that thou vz. thorowe thy prouidence and appoyntment mayest giue them vz. of thy gracious goodnesse and mercy foode vz to eate vppon and lay by in due season i. in that time wherein thou thy selfe haste appoynted with thy selfe to bestowe it vppon them Verse 28. Thou giuest it vz. graciously and plentifullye vnto them vz. when they are in néede and wante and they gather it vz. to their comforte and sustentation thou openest thine hande hée séemeth here to resemble GOD to a good Father or Mayster of a householde who many tymes with holdeth from his children and Seruauntes to the ende that they might learne to sette a better price vpon them which when he séemeth then inclined vnto then hée bestoweth these thinges vppon them and they are filled with good thinges vz. from thée by opening of the hande hée meaneth Gods greate liberalitye and by filling with good thinges hée vnderstandeth the effecte of that grace Verse 29. But if thou hyde thy face i. if thou shewe not thy selfe fauourable and mercyfull vnto them but leaue them Hée sheweth that euen GOD his verye countenaunce giueth euen béeing and moouing and lyfe vnto all thinges they are troubled vz. beyonde all measure so that they euen seeme to bee withoute all lyfe or béeing If thou take awaye their breath i. that kinde of lyfe whiche thou hast giuen them sée Genesis 1 verse 24. they die and returne to their dust vz. out of which they were taken and not that it is their owne Verse 30. Againe if thou vz. O Lorde the Prophetes minde is to shew that the death and life of all creatures is in the Lords power only send forth thy spirit i. thy quickening and liuely power some referre it to the holy Ghost I suppose both sences may very well stand prouided also that wée fall not into the error of some who supposed that the spirit did essentially dwell in men and other creatures they are created i. not only restored into their former state by thy fauourable countenaunce after they haue bene troubled by
cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour is the fountayne of all woe disquietnesse death c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy and to pray for the continuaunce thereof Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue and carefully to labour the performance thereof Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regarded in Gods sight Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde Psalme 105 Di. THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies shewing who they are that shoulde doe it from the first verse to the ende of the sixte In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them from the tyme of their firste calling till their comming oute of Egipt from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme declaring who made it yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8 c. that Dauid made it and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107 following al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God partly for his graces towards the Church Psalme 103 and generallye towardes all creatures Psalme 104 and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by trying and correcting them Psalme 105 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men Psalme 107. Verse 1. Prayse the Lord vz. all ye good and faythful people he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued and call vpon his name i. feare his Maiesty but specially pray vnto him putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole declare vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place his workes i. the maruaylous thinges that hée hath done among the people vz. not onely of Iudea but of the whole earth Verse 2. Sing vnto him sing prayse vnto him vz. alone the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp and also to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe and talke vz. amongest your selues openlye and euerye where of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you and your Fathers so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remembraunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs. Verse 3. Reioyce in his holye name i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his which besydes the excellencye thereof contayneth in it holinesse also lette the hearte i. the inwarde affection as well as the outwarde behauiour of them that séeke the Lorde vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde seruing of him according to his will reuealed in his worde reioyce vz. in the Lorde and bée glad euen for this that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him Verse 4. Séeke the Lorde vz. earnestlye and that euen now while hée maye bée founde as Isaiah 55.6 and his strength 1. the Arke of the Couenaunte from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61. séeke his face i. the arke of couenaunte whiche is also called Gods face because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse towards his people continually i. so long as you liue q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie Verse 5. Remember i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him his marueilous workes i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people he calleth thē maruailous because the Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē euen so that a man might easily iudge that they came from him that he hath done vz. in time heretofore and that for you your fathers his wonders i. the strange things which he hath done far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit and the iudgementes of his mouth i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others and also the law and word he hath giuen vnto you for I would referre it to both these Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh his seruaunt i. that serued GOD hee setteth before them their Fathers example the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye ye children of Iaakob i. O ye that come of Iaakob wch are his elect i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations and here he vseth another reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience Verse 7. Hée vz. alone and none other but he is the Lord our God i. he that gouerneth vs and vpon whome we our selues depend his iudgementes vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse meaning by iudgements punishments are thorow all the earth i. are made manifest in all the world though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same or else we may take iudgements for rule guiding and gouernment so you haue the word to iudge vsed Psalm 98 9. meaning that Gods gouernment was stretched thorow out all the world Verse 8. He hath alway remembred his couenaunt and promise vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts mening by remembred not only thinking vppon it but also the execution and performaunce of it that he made vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse to a thousand generations i. not only to infinite numbers of people putting a nūber certayne for an vncertayne but also to last and indure for euer Verse 9. Euen that vz. couenaunt which he made with Abraham vz. our Father sée Genesis 12 2 3 and his oth vnto Isaak sée Genesis 26.3.4 c. and hee vseth the word oth to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed betwéene God and the people Verse 10. And since vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak meaning after their death hath confirmed it vz. both
vz. both of man and beast sée Psal 136.6 also Psa 78.51 Exod. 12.29 euen the beginning of al their strēgth this is another Peraphrasis of their first born or eldest and they are so named because their parents are of principal force then in the beginning of them and their force doth specially then appeare sée Gen. 49.3 Psal 78.51 Sée this story Exod. 12.29.30 c. Ver. 37. He i. the Lord by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses brought them vz. the people of Israell forth vz. out of the lande of Egipt and that with a mighty hand and outstretched arm also i. euen as wel as punished the Egiptians I suppose that the word may note the time whē god performed it vz. after that he had plagued and punished the Egiptians with siluer golde vz. euen as it were faden they had such great abundance of it which they tooke from the Egiptians sée Exod. 12.35 36. and there was none féeble among their tribes q.d. they came al out of Egipt safe and found frée from al not only outward but inward hinderaunces as the Lord had promised Exod. 11.7 Ver. 38. Egypt i. the Egiptians putting the land for the inhabitants was glad at their departure vz. from amongst them for the feare of them i. of the Israelites meaning that God then had made thē terrible and fearful to their enemies who but a little before did cruelly oppres them had fallen vppon them i. had seased taken hold of and possessed the harts of the Egiptians sée Exod. 11.8 also Exod. 12.33 Verse 39. He spread a cloud vz. in the day time to bee a couering vz. vnto his people of Israel and that to kéepe them from the heate of the sunne and fire i. a piller of fire to giue light in the night vz. to lead them in the way that they went sée Exod. 13 21. Ver. 40. They i. the Israelites asked vz. of god and that temptingly as Psal 78.18 and he broughte quailes i. most dainty delicate things so gracious was God vnto them and hee filled thē with the bread of heauen i. with Māna wch is called the breade of heauen because it came from the Firmament sée for this Exodus 16. thorow out also Psal 78. verse 23.24 c. Ver. 41. He opened vz. by his almighty power the rock vz. in the Wildenesse he putteth rock for rocks for this miracle was performed more then once as may appeare Exod. 17 6 Num. 20 11 by diligent cōparing of these two places together the waters flowed out vz. in great abundance and ran in the dry places vz. where there was no water before like a riuer i. in great plenty abundance so that both men beasts were satisfied therwith as Num. 20 11. sée also Psalme 78 15 16. Verse 42. For he remembred vz. euen to performe it sée verse 8. of this Psalme his holy promise vz. which he had made the promise is called holy both because it came frō him that is holines it self and also because it conteineth holy things to Abraham his seruant sée ver 6 of this Psal Now he made him this promise when he promised to bring his séed into the land of Canaan after 400 yeres sée Gen. 15 13 c. also Iosh 24.4 5 c. Ver. 43. And he vz. God brought forth vz. after that he had plagued the Egyptians his people vz. of Israel with ioy vz. both on the behalfe of the Egiptians who were glad to be rid of them and of the Israelites who reioyced to be set free from bondage and his chosen i. that people whom he had chosen with gladnes i. with mirth and singing the truth of this appeareth Exo. 15.1 c. also Num. 33 3 Ver. 44. And gaue them vz. fréely and of his own accord and goodnes and that for an inheritaunce as ver 11. of this Psalme the lands of the heathen i. the lands that the heathen did inhabite and dwell in vnderstanding by Heathen the Amonites Hittites other people that dwelt in the lande of Canaan And they vz. the Israelites tooke vz. vnto themselues the labours of the people i. those things that the people by great labour and trauayle had got vnto themselues in possession i. to bée a possession or inheritance for thē Ver. 45. That they vz. the Israelites might kéepe vz. with al their harts his statutes i. Gods cōmandements obserue vz. in thought word déed his lawes i. those thinges which by his laws he commaunded them to do So that here he noteth the end wherfore God gaue them those graces prayse ye the Lord sée the last verse of Psalm 104. Verse 1 teacheth vs to prayse God for his mercies Do. secondly to ioine with our praises praier vnto him for the things we want thirdly to indeuor that other as well as we may come to the knowledge of his maiestie and power Verse 2 teacheth vs both with hart and mouth to glorify our god that this should be one péece of our spéech to set forth his wonderful workes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not rightly reioyce in any thing but in the power and goodnesse of God it teacheth vs also that none can in déed reioyce but those that loue fear the Lord Ver. 4 teacheth vs to ioin our selues to the publike assēblies of gods church for there the Lord is to be found also it teacheth vs the doctrine of perseuerance that we should neuer be weary of well doing Ver. 5 teacheth vs that in our meditations it is good for vs to ioyn Gods works his word together because al the life light that the works haue they haue it frō the word Ver. 6 teacheth that chéefly and only indéed it appertaineth to the faithful their séede to praise God Ver. 7 teacheth the faithful to comfort themselues in this that God is their God that they are vnder his gouernment Ver. 8 sheweth that this is very comfortable to Gods children that he thinketh alwaies vpon his mercies promised them to perform the same Ver. 9 10 setteth out Gods great goodnes who for the strengthning of our faith in the truth of his promises doth not only oftētimes repeat confirm the same but as it were tieth himself vnto vs by an oth Ver. 11 teacheth that whatsoeuer benefits either outward or inwarde God bestoweth vpō his seruants he giueth thē of his méere liberality goodnes only Ver. 12 teacheth vs that God respecteth not the person of men nor their multitude Ver. 13 sheweth that Gods children are vpō the earth strāgers pilgrims Ver. 14 teacheth that God doth neuer destitute his in any distres Ver. 15 teacheth how deare Gods children are vnto him and what care he hath ouer them so that he wil not haue them so much as once touched Ver. 16 teacheth that God many times euen by outward things exerciseth the faith of his dearest seruants Verse 17 teacheth that he doth not at any time for
themselues had deuised to themselues meaning also by whoring that they followed it earnestly and with delight Ver. 40. Therefore vz. for their great grieuous sinnes was the wrath of the Lorde kindled vz. very hote meaning by kindling the preparing of it against his people i. against that people that hée had chosen to bee his owne and hée abhorred i. lothed and hated as it were and that for their sinnes sake his owne inheritance i. both the land the people whome hee tooke for an inheritaunce vnto himselfe Ver. 41. And he gaue them vz. for their great sinnes committed against him into the lande of the Heathen i. into their power and possession and they that hated them i. the geÌ„tiles who could at no hand away with them because they came to enioye their lande were Lordes ouer them i. ruled them at their owne pleasure sée for this speach Isaiah 26.13 and for the truth of the matter the whole booke of Iudges and namely chap. 2.14 Ver. 42. Their enemies also oppressed thm vz. sore and hardly and many times and they were humbled i. subiected and that sundry tymes vnder their hand i. vnto their power and authority Ver. 43. Many a time did hée vz. God deliuer them vz. out of the hande and power of their enemies but vz. notwithstanding these great graces they prouoked him vz. to wrath against them and that sundry times also by their counsels i. by those things which they themselues had grauely and as it were in counsel concluded and resolued vppon to perfourme therefore they were brought downe vz. from that high state of liberty and fréedome wherein God had set them to miserable captiuity and bondage by their iniquity vz. committed against his maiesty Ver. 44. Yet hee sawe q.d. notwithstanding these grieuous sinnes of theirs he did not onely behold them afflicted but pitied them when they were in affliction i. in any trouble and hee hearde their cry i. granted them al things they prayed for when they prayed which was a sure token of compassion towardes them Verse 45. And hée remembred his couenant vz. which hee had made with their Fathers and them the Prophet in these two verses noteth two meanes whereby God was moued to doe good to this people the one was his frée mercy and the other was his gracious couenant towardes them i. for their good and on their behalfe and repented vz. of the punishmentes that hee had purposed to bring vppon them meaning hereby that God after a sort chaunged as it were his purpose not that God is subiect to alteration or chaunge but because pardoning both the fault and the punishment hée séemeth vnto vs to chaunge and this manner of speach is applied to the weakenes of our capacity Sée Gene. 6.6 according to the multitude of his mercies q.d. euen as hee is inclined to shewe abundance of fauour so he shewed them the riches of his grace Ver. 46. And gaue them fauour i. made them to finde fauour Sée Gene. 45.14 in the sight of all them that led them captiues the Lorde who hath the disposing of all mens heartes so inclined their heartes to his people Ver. 47. Saue vs O Lorde our God i. deliuer vs and set vs frée from the daungers and distresses wherein wée are and gather vs from among the Heathen whose captiues we are for our sinnes and amongest whome we heare and sée things tending much to thy dishonour and the griefe of our soules and marke the Prophets zeale and loue towardes the people though hée were king and the gouernement well established yet because that by the confusion that was in the dayes of the Iudges and Saul many people were out of their owne countrey hée prayeth the Lorde as for himselfe to reduce and bring them backe agayne that we may prayse thy holy name i. thy maiesty power goodnesse c. which is full also of all holinesse and glorye in thy prayse i. reioyce and boast as it were of this that wee haue him for our GOD who alone is worthy all prayse and glorye Verse 48. Blessed i. praysed bée the Lord GOD of Israell i. hée that is the defender of the people of Israel who are called Israell because they came of Iaakob otherwise called Israell for euer and euer and let all the people say so bee it i. let all young and olde one and other acknowledge that hée alone is woorthye prayse and giue their frée and willing consent vnto it for so much hee meaneth by so bée it prayse yée the Lorde Sée Psalme 104. and 105. in the ende Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the greatnesse of Gods goodnes Do. and the continuaunce of his mercies shoulde prouoke vs earnestly and continually to praise the Lorde Verse 2. Teacheth first that Gods graces and woorkes are infinite Secondly that though wée can not so sufficiently prayse him as wee shoulde yet wée shoulde not for all that leaue off to doe that which hée hath giuen vs grace to doe Verse 3. Teacheth vs to deale well and to continue in well doing and that so wee shall in the end atteine true blessednesse Ver. 4. Teacheth vs in distresse to cal vpon the Lord. Ver. 4. and 5. Teach vs to set before vs Gods mercies towardes his children that wee may assure our selues in hope to receiue the like Ver. 6. Teacheth vs humbly vnfeignedly fully confesse to our sins Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that forgetfulnes of Gods graces is the high way to all rebellion and sinne it teacheth vs also that forefathers are not always to be followed Verse 8 teacheth that though the sinnes of his children be very great yet they doe not alwayes set or hinder the riuers of his mercies towards them Ver. 9. Teacheth first that for the benefite of his children he will make things go contrary to their natural course Secondly that when his children in mens eyes séeme to bée in the greatest daungers hée will lead them as safely as though they were in none at all Ver. 10. Sheweth that al maner of deliuerances come from the Lord onely and his power Ver. 11. Teacheth that the same things that God maketh to giue place to his childreÌ„ shall serue to the vtter destruction of his and their enemies Ver. 12. Teacheth vs alwayes to beléeue the trueth of Gods worde yea though wee sée no meane how it can be performed secondly that wée should continually prayse God for his mercies Ver. 13. Teacheth that it is a very easie thing to fall into sinne it teacheth also that forgetfulnes of gods graces is as it were the nurse mother of many other transgressions also that we should tary the Lordes leasure for the accomplishing of that which hée hath appoynted vs. Ver. 14. Teacheth that lust or concupiscence is sinne also also that we should not tempt or try the Lord Ver. 15. Teacheth that God bestowing hâ—â— benefits vpon the wicked doth many times with all lay punishments vpon them Ver. 16. Teacheth vs to loue and reuerence the
godly magistrates and ministers which the Lord giueth vs. Ver. 17.18 Teach vs that God doth fearefully punish rebels and contentious persons of what state or calling soeuer they be Ver. 19.20 See out the dotage and blockishnes of idolaters who suppose the Godhead can be fashioned or resembled by any outward thing Ver. 21.22 Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of God his benefites and workes is the high way to all manner of sinne and iniquitie Ver. 23. Teacheth two things first that our sinnes do pul destruction from the Lord vppon vs Secondly how forcible the prayers of Gods children are both for themselues and others Ver. 24. Teacheth that contempt of Gods graces offred and giuen and distrust in the trueth of his promises are two horrible grieuous iniquities Ver. 25. Setteth out what great sinnes murmuring and rebellion against the Lorde are Ver. 26.27 Declare that neither these nor any other sinnes shall escape vnpunished in the parties that do them whether they be fathers or sonnes Ver. 28. Sheweth mans readines and earnest affection to commit idolatry Ver. 29. Sheweth that mans inuentions specially in the worship and seruice of God prouoke Gods angers and bring a plague vppon them Ver. 30. Teacheth vs in the example of Phinehas to lothe and abhorre sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth vs that God graciously accepteth the déedes words of his seruants though many wayes fraught with great defectes Ver. 32. Teacheth vs how peruerse and frowarde mans nature is though the Lorde deale neuer so plentifully and mercifully with him it teacheth also that God spareth no man for his person sake in that hée punished Moses Ver. 33. Teacheth thrée things first that other mens peruersnes shoulde not make vs sinne against God secondly though it doe yet wee shall not escape vnpunished thirdly that rash and vnaduised speaches are sinne against the Lord. Ver. 34. Teacheth vs to strike and not to spare where the Lord will haue vs to destroy for then we must not be lead by our owne fonde affections Verse 35. Teacheth vs that ill company is a shrewde meane to peruerte men from goodnes Ver. 36. Teacheth vs that to serue any besides the Lorde is the next way to come to destruction both in this life and in the life to come Ver. 37. Setteth out the rage of idolaters who spare nothing no not the dearest thinges they haue Verse 38. Teacheth vs that the shedding of innocent blood slayeth the whole lande and that therefore murther shoulde not onely not bée pardoned but sharpely punished Verse 39. Teacheth vs that there is nothing that hurteth man more then in ouerwening of his owne deuises Verse 40. Teacheth vs that our sinnes turne Gods loue and fauour into hatred and displeasure Ver. 41.42 Teach vs that sinne doeth drawe euen all temporall punishmentes vppon vs as forraine gouernement oppression captiuity c. Verse 43. Teacheth vs that God doeth not once onely but sundry times deliuer his people Secondlye that many the more graces they haue from God the more they are puffed vp in their owne deuises Thirdly that sinne against God is not onely a cause to humble vs but doeth in déede humble vs though perhaps wicked men will not sée it or féele it Verse 44. Teacheth vs first that GOD hath a tender eye ouer the afflicted ones Secondly that hée neuer forsaketh them if they call earnestly vppon him Verse 45. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenaunt and eternall mercy without any thing of ours at all are sufficient inough to mooue him to take pity vppon vs in our afflictions Ver. 46. Teacheth that GOD onely hath the touching of mens heartes to bowe them hither or thither according to his good pleasure Verse 47. Teacheth vs to pray for other and euen Gods dispersed members as for our selues also that our owne ease and prosperity or preferment shoulde not so farre preuayle with vs as to make vs to forget them Verse 48. Teacheth all men continually to prayse the Lorde and to prouoke others thereto what in them lyeth Psalme 107 I Woulde diuide this Psalme into two partes Di In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord for his mercy goodnes prouidence and power towardes them from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hée prouoketh them to praise the Lorde for his general power prouidence and goodnes towards others from ver 21. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title or inscription at all Ver. 1. Is the same both in worde and sense that verse 1. of this Psalme 106. is and therfore sée that Ver. 2. Let them which haue béene redéemed of the Lord vz. out of bondage captiuity and dispersion q.d. let them that haue receiued this benefite at the Lords handes to bée set at liberty when they were in bondage prayse him shew vz. openly and to others howe vz. graciously and mightily hée vz. alone and none but hée hath deliuered them i. fréed them being sore oppressed through the cruelty and tyrannie of them that held them vnder from the hand i. from the power and might of the oppressor i. of them that oppressed them hée putteth in this place the singular for the plurall Verse 3. And gathered them vz. againe and together and that by his mighty power out of the landes vz. rounde about them into which they were dispersed for their transgressions sake from the East and from the West from the North and from the South i. from all quarters whereunto they were dispersed that word that we turne South signifieth also Sea and so shall you finde it translated in sundry textes but the meaning is because the red Sea lay southwarde from the land of promise Verse 4. When they wandered vz. a long tyme vp and downe in the desert and wildernesse out of the way hée meaneth out of the right way which did leade them whither they woulde haue come for GOD for their disobedience made them to wander fourty yéeres in the wildernes that so they might die and not come into the lande of Canaan and found no Citie vz. all that while of their wandering to dwell in i. to stay and refresh them selues in Verse 5. Both hungry and thirsty hée meaneth that whylest they were in the wildernesse they suffered many times great want of bread and drinke yea so much that their soule faynted in them i. their life was ready to decay and there séemed to bée but little difference betwéene death and them Verse 6. Then they vz. being in this great distresse and affliction cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble i. prayed earnestly vnto him and hée deliuered them i. set them frée from their distresse i. from the distresse that they were in Verse 7. And ledde them foorth vz. of the wildernesse and that safe and sounde by the right way vz. into the promised lande that they might goe vz. through his good direction to a Citie of habitation i. not onely to a citie inhabited but to a Citie whose
inhabitauntes being cast out of it they themselues might possesse enioy and dwell in the Prophet meaneth not that they that were dead coulde amongest men prayse the Lorde for these thinges but in as much as the benefite thereof did reach vnto their posterity hée exhorteth their séede being aliue to acknowledge Gods mercyes in that behalfe and to prayse him for the same Verse 8. Let them i. their posterity after them therefore i. for the benefites and blessinges before rehearsed confesse i. prayse and magnifie God before the Lorde i. in his presence and from a good heart whether it bee secretly in their owne selues or openly before the Arke according to the custome of those dayes his louing kindnes vz. fréely and plentifully bestowed vppon them and his wonderfull workes i. the wonderfull workes that hee hath done for his people before the sonnes of men i. openly in mens sight and to them and their posterity Ver. 9. For hee satisfied vz. with abundaunce of all good thinges the thirsty soule i. him that stoode in néede of any good thing putting the word soule a principall part of man for the whole person and filled the hungry soule i. the hungry man with goodnesse i. with abundance of good thinges Ver. 10. They that dwell in darkenesse i. such as were kept prisoners in darke places and in the shadowe of death i. in great extremitie of death and daunger Sée Psalme 23.4 Isaiah 9.1.2 being bounde in misery and yron i. being kept in miserable and harde bondage hée beginneth here to recite how many sortes of people afflicted with diuers afflictions haue alwayes founde the Lorde mercifull and fauourable specially when they came vnto him Verse 11. Because they rebelled vz. both in thought woorde and deede agaynst the woordes of the Lorde vz. manifested and put downe in his Lawe and despised i. regarded not and set nought by the counsell of the most high i. the purpose ready inclination and power that the Lorde had to doe them good if they had yéelded obedience vnto him hée sheweth in this verse the cause of mens correction that hee might thereby deliuer Gods iustice from mens slaunders and reprehension And withall he teacheth that the onely rule of good life is to followe Gods commandement Verse 12. When hee i. God humbled vz. though not rightly and truely not that God was not able to doe it but because hée woulde not vouchsafe them that grace by humbling hée meaneth casting downe Sée 2. Kings 21.29 their heart with heauinesse i. hée made them heauy sorrowfull and sadde there they fell downe vz. before their enemies and there was no helper i. there was none that woulde helpe them This is the Prophetes meaning when they were wounded with a worldly sorrowe in their heartes and by meanes thereof their courages and stomackes were decayed then they laye as an open pray to their aduersaries and none pitied their cases or were able to helpe them Verse 13. Then vz. when they were thus destituted of mans ayde they cryed vnto the Lorde i. they called earnestly vppon him this and all that followeth in the verse is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 6. of this Psalme Verse 14. Hee i. GOD brought them vz. by his almightie power out of darkenesse and out of the shaddowe of death i. out of affliction oppression anguish c. Sée before verse 10. of this Psalme And brake their bandes i. the bandes wherewith they were bounde whether they were the bandes of affliction captiuity c. a sunder i. in pieces and so set them at libertie For the better vnderstanding of this speach Sée Sampsons story Iudges 15.13.14 also Iudges 16.11.12 Verse 15. Is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 8. before going Ver. 16. For hée vz. the Lorde hath broken vz. by his almightie power the gates of brasse and brast the barres of yron a sunder vz. for his peoples sake vnderstanding by brasen gates and barres of yron either most straite bandes and prisons Sée Acts 12.10 or else the bandes of cruell and perpetuall bondage In which respect also Egipt is called in the Scripture a house of bondage Verse 17. Fooles i. wicked and vngodly men as may appeare throughout all the booke of the Prouerbes and Psalm 53.1 by reason of their transgression vz. committed against GOD and because of their iniquities vz. against men are afflicted vz. by the Lord and that with sundry sortes of his iudgements And hée calleth them fooles because they haue no feare of God before them which is the beginning of wisedome Prouerbs 1.7 So that wée may perceiue that he meaneth not that wicked men who are here called fooles fall through ignoraunce or error onely but that their affections being blinded doe take away from them all right iudgement Ver. 18. Their soule abhorreth all meate i. they themselues putting one part of man for an other and not as though the soule were fed with bodyly foode hée meaneth that they are withoute all appetite and lothe euen the verye sighte of meate a punishment wherewithall GOD many times plagueth the gluttonous persons and they are brought to deathes dore i. they are euen ready to dye hée speaketh in this place of vncurable diseases and of which seldome fewe or none at all escape for deathes doore Sée Psalm 9.13 where he speaketh of the gates of death Verse 19. Is the same with verse 6.13 of this Psalme both in wordes and meaning and there is no difference sauing that the former speake it in the tyme past and this in the tyme present Verse 20. Hée sendeth his woorde i. hée commaundeth or speaketh but the word onely Matth. 8.8 and healeth them vz. of all their infirmities and diseases and deliuereth them vz. through his great goodnesse and almightie power from their graues i. from present death and the graue made ready as it were for them by their sicknesses and maladyes Verse 21. Is the same with verse 8. and 15. of this Psalme Verse 22. And let them offer vz. vnto GOD for these his graces the sacrifices of prayse i. not only of praysing but also of thankesgiuing Sée Hebrewes 13.15 and declare his woorkes vz. which hée hath graciously done for them with reioycing vz. both to himwarde and chearefully and gladly in respect of themselues for God requireth chearefulnes in our actions Verse 23. They that doe come into the Sea by shippes i. the mariners for I take it to be a special periphrasis of them and occupy vz. into diuers quarters and countreyes by the great waters vz. of the Sea This I doe especially referre to marchauntes q.d. whether they bée mariners or marchauntes trading by Sea or the armes thereof and that woorde of going downe into the Sea woulde bée marked because the waters séeme to bée belowe the earth Verse 24. They sée vz. sensibly and playnely and that with bodyly eyes if they haue any grace to beholde it the woorkes of the Lorde i. the great workes that
vz. layde vppon them by others and the griefe and anguish of their owne heartes Verse 40. Hée powreth contempt vppon Princes i. hée maketh them plentifully to bée contemned and despised this the Prophet addeth least men shoulde thinke it did méete with none but the poore sort and causeth them to erre vz. for shame of men and want of things necessary vnderstanding by erring wandering vp and down in desert places out of the way i. in wildernesses which haue no ordinary or common way in them and all this they doe because they woulde flie the sight of men Verse 41. Yet q.d. though hée deale thus hardly with wicked and vngodly Princes yet hée dealeth otherwise with the godly poore hée rayseth vp vz. into honour wealth estimation riches c. Sée Psalm 13.7 the poore i. him that standeth in néede of his helpe and grace and féeleth that want of his owne out of misery vz. wherein hée is or lyeth and maketh him families i. increaseth his housholdes stockes and ofspring like a flocke of sheepe i. in very great number for shéepe doe yéeld a great increase and a flocke of shéep comprehendeth many in number Verse 42. The righteous i. such good men as haue their sight lightened by fayth and whome the Lorde accounteth as righteous shall sée vz. both with their bodily and spirituall eyes it vz. the effectes and testimonies of Gods prouidence spoken of before in this Psalme and reioyce vz. greatly in the Lord who doeth the same whereas the vngodly being blinde in their vnderstanding not knowing that the worlde is gouerned by Gods prouidence but by blind fortune as they imagine shall remayne blynde confounded and dumbe in themselues not hauing any thing to say against this and al iniquitie i. euery man giuen to iniquitie naming the person by the thing by reason of the abundance which is in the man Sée Iob 5.16 shall stoppe her mouth i. hée or they shall haue nothing to say against this great worke of Gods prouidence Verse 43. Who is wise vz. according to GOD for it must bée Gods wisedome and not mans that must perfourme this great thing that hée may obserue vz. in his vnderstanding and heart and that diligently and déepely these thinges i. these great and excellent matters which the Lorde worketh the Prophet meaneth both that the number of them that beholde Gods workes with earnest consideration is very smal and also that by reason of the excellency of them a man had néed to imploye all the power of his bodye and mynde to the comprehension thereof Sée Hosea 14.9 for they shall vnderstande i. sensibly perceiue and feele the louing kindnes of the Lorde vz. towardes them that bee his the Prophet addeth this reason as an incouragement vnto men to prouoke them diligently to looke into Gods wonderfull workes shewing that then men in déede begin to bee wise when they beginne to apply themselues rightly to way Gods workes Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs both in our owne persons and to prouoke others also to praise God for his mercies towardes vs and for the continuaunce of the same Verse 2. Sheweth that they especially are bounde to publish Gods prayses which haue receiued greatest testimonies of his fauour Ver. 3. Sheweth Gods mercies towardes his people in gathering together those that were dispersed Verse 4. and 5. Shew that then are Gods mercies most swéete when men are in greatest distresse and misery Verse 6. Teacheth first that afflictions and wantes are notable spurres to earnest prayer Secondly that the Lorde onely is to be called vppon Thirdly that hée refuseth none that call vppon him specially if it be in spirit and trueth Verse 7. Teacheth that when God is our guide wée shall goe right and prosper in those thinges which wée take in hande Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that Gods mercies bestowed vppon vs require at our handes both a priuate and a publike or open confession thereof Verse 9. Teacheth that God alone is hée who relieueth the néede of his and that with all goodnes Ver. 10.11 Teach that contempt of Gods word and rebellion against his maiesty is the occasion of all misery bondage c. Ver. 12. Teacheth first that when God forsaketh a people then they must néedes come to ruine Secondly that for the sinnes of the people hée stoppeth vp the bowels and compassion of those that might helpe them Verse 13. Conteyneth the same doctrines that ver 6. doeth as it is the same in words and sense Verse 14. Teacheth that God alone is hee that deliuereth out of captiuitie or distresse whatsoeuer meanes hée vseth therein Verse 15. Deliuereth the fame doctrines that verse 8. doeth Ver. 16. Teacheth that there is no thing or creature able to withstande Gods power or to let his purpose Ver. 17. Teacheth that all wisedome and wife men without godlines is nothing but folly also that inquities are as strong as cartropes to pull vppon vs all manner of punishments Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euen appetite to our meat is a good gift of the Lorde also that when men are in greatest extremitie then is GOD most commonly nigh vnto them Verse 19. Teacheth the same doctrines that verse 6. doeth Verse 20. Teacheth that Gods only word is of power sufficient to doe whatsoeuer it shall please him Verse 21. Setteth out the same doctrines with verse 8. Verse 22. Teacheth vs not onely to publish Gods great woorkes but also to doe it chearefully gladly and willingly Verse 23. Teacheth that nauigation the calling of a mariner and the trade of marâ—haundife are not of themselues thinges vnlawefull Verse 24. Sheweth that Gods power and glory appeareth as well on the Sea as on the Lande Verse 25. Sheweth that stormes tempestes and the swelling of the Sea arise not by fortune or vppon naturall causes onely but by the speciall commaundement and appoyntment of God Verse 26. Doeth not onely set foorth gods great power that worketh such great thinges but sheweth that men are not blockes and voyde of affection as the Stoickes imagined but haue their passions which of themselues in some respect are not euill but the extremitie of them onelye Verse 27. teacheth that there is no policy wisedome witte or cunning agaynst the Lord. Verse 28 is the same in words meaning and doctrines with verse 6. Verse 29 teacheth that God only maketh the weather and seas calme sée Mat. 8 26 27. Verse 30 teacheth that men deliuered from some perill may oughte to reioyce also that God graciously graunteth men euen the things they desire and many times more then they wish also Verse 31 conteineth the same doctrines that verse 8 doth Ver. 32 teacheth vs that no place or people should hinder vs from praysing of God for his graces nay the more the greater men the rather we should do it to the end that they by our examples might be drawn on to the like Ver. 33 teacheth first that God guideth and gouerneth thinges here below whatsoeuer a company of dizy
headed men dreame to the contrary secondly that he doth vpon the earth euen whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 34 teacheth that sin and vngodlines is the mean to turn al plenty into pouerty and al blessings into cursings Verse 35 teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of ground and plenty of al things is Gods only gift Ver. 36 teacheth that God in great mercy prepareth abundance for them that want and giueth them safety shilter from al their enemies Ver. 37. Teacheth Gods children euen in the middest of Gods blessings and abundance yet notwithstanding to imploy themselues in ordinary trauayle and labour Ver. 38 teacheth vs that it is not the trauayle of man but Gods blessing that maketh men rich sée Psal 127.2 Verse 39 teacheth that afflictions are good means to bring men to the right knowledge of God and themselues Verse 40 teacheth that the estate of Princes and great men is not so sure as they commonly fantasie Ver. 41 teacheth vs that preferment commeth not from the east nor weast but from the Lord only sée Psalme 75 6. Verse 42 teacheth that godly men may reioyce as in the benefites of God bestowed vpon others so in his iudgements poured forth vpon the wicked it teacheth also that Gods mercies vpon his children and his punishments vpon the vngodly bring forth an other effect in the wicked that is taketh from them all sence so that they neyther haue harts to conceiue nor mouthes to speake either with or against god in his dealings Ver. 43 teacheth first that men ought déeply to weigh Gods wonderful workes secondly that the number of thē that do so in déede is very small in respect of the other thirdly that the consideration of his works is one good means to make vs sée and féele not his power and prouidenee only but also his eternall goodnes and incomprehensible mercy Psalme 108 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet stirreth vp himself to prayse God calling also vpon him for helpe and deliuerance from verse 1. to the ende of the 6 verse In the second the Prophet assuring himselfe by reason of Gods promises that his enemies should be ouerthrowne maketh his prayer vnto God for strength to performe it And this part reacheth from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title A song or Psalm of Dauid sée before Psal 48. in the title and in that it is sayd here a Psalm of Dauid it is euident that he was the author of it Though it be true that this Psal be made of two Psalmes before going that is of Psal 57 from ver 7 to the end of the Psal and of Psal 60 from verse 5. to the end of the Psal frō whence also the sence doctrines might very wel be fet yet notwithstanding because there is some difference somwhat shal be sayd in this place Ver. 1. O God mine hart i. my inward man is prepared vz. to prayse thée for thy mercies so is my tongue i. mine outward man also putting a part for the whole q.d. I am ready both in the inward man outward mā to magnify thée for thy graces I vz. my self none other for me wil sing gyue praise vz. vnto thée alone Ver. 2. Awake Viol and Harpe he incourageth not only himself but also his instruments to praise God that euen thereby hee himselfe might be the better prouoked thereto I will awake vz. from my sléepe and rise vp from my bed early vz. in the morning the Prophet meaneth that he will euen breake his sléepe to performe seruices to God Verse 3 I wil praise thée O Lord vz. for thy mercies great and vnspeakeable among the people vz. whom thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe and I will sing vnto thée vz. prayses and thanksgiuing amongst the nations vz. round about vs the Prophet meaneth that he would so publish Gods prayses that euen the Gentiles should heare of it Ver. 4. For thy mercy vz. towardes all men but speciallye towards thy sonnes and seruaunts is great i. is so great that it is aboue the heauens i. higher then the heauens themselues so that as the space betwéene heauen and earth is infinite so is thy mercy and thy truth vz. reacheth he vnderstandeth by truth Gods faythfulnesse in making kéeping and performing promise vnto the Cloudes by these maner of spéeches hée meaneth nothing else but that Gods mercy is vnmeasurable and incomprehensible as it were in respecte of the greatnesse of it Verse 5. Exalt thy selfe O GOD vz. by thy mighte and power aboue the heauens i. aboue the highest thinges that may be not that he meaneth that God was not then and alwayes is exalted but that he prayeth the Lorde by effect to shew it amongste men and let thy glory i. the praise that appertaineth vnto thy glory be vz. dispersed farre and wide vpon al the earth i. in euery place of the worlde The Prophet sheweth in this verse that the firste thing that moued him to make this request is Gods glorye In the nexte Verse hée sheweth that an other reason is the saluation and deliueraunce of his people Verse 6. That thy beloued vz. people that is suche people as thou fauourest and louest of thine owne mercye onely without any merites of theirs may be deliuered vz. out of the great daungers distresses and feares wherein they are helpe vz. both them and me and euerye one of vs in this case for it shoulde séeme that Dauid made this Psalme at the beginning of his Kingdome when thinking vppon his enimies and his owne weakenesse it was tyme to craue helpe at the Lords hands for himselfe and his people with thy right hand i. with thy mighty power and strength that so thereby I may ouercome these enemies and heare me vz. praying vnto thée for my selfe and my people vnderstanding by hearing graunting his requestes Verse 7. GOD vz. himselfe hath spoken vz. openlye and playnlye and that by his holye Prophet Samuell that hee will establshe and inlarge the kingdome in my hande yea he hath spoken it in his holinesse i. hée hath holilye and assuredly promised it mée so that I néede not doubte any more of it then of his holinesse therefore vz. for this his mercye I will reioyce vz. greatlye for séeing he hath promised mée I knowe that I shall diuide vz. as the right owner and possessor of it Shechem Shechem is the name of a place on this side Iordan as the valley of Succoth was beyond Iordan Hée nameth certayne places of the land whiche by reason of Saules stocke and those that tooke part with him as Abner and such like he had not at the enterance into his Kingdome in his possession and yet notwithstanding assured himselfe that he should haue them and measure vz. to euery man his portion as Ioshua did by which the prophet noteth his gouernment kingdome ouer it the valley of Succoth this is expounded alredy before euen in this verse
Verse 8. Gilead i. the whole lande countrie of Gilead with the people inhabiting the same shall be mine i. subiect to my power and authority and Manasseh i. the whole tribe of Manasseh shal be mine i. subiect to me though now for a while they follow the house of Saul Ephraim also i. the tribe of Ephraim shall be the strength of mine head i. shall be a principall proppe and staye of my kingdome and this the Prophet speaketh not only for any affiaunce he had in that tribe but also and chéefly because that tribe was mighty much people and when he sayth the strength of his head he vseth a Metaphor taken from beasts with hornes who vse also to defend thēselues therwith q.d. Ephraim shal be one of my principall meanes of defence Iudah i. the tribe of Iudah or the place where that Tribe dwelt is my lawgiuer i. is the place or people frō whence or from whom my lawes and ordinaunces procéed Verse 9. Moab i. the whole land people inhabiting it q.d. not only the Israelites but euen the Gentiles shal be added to my kingdome shal be my washpot vz. wherein I wil wash my féet meaning hereby that he would handle them more hardly make les account of them then of the Israelites because they were vncircūcised q.d. I wil make no more account of them then of an earthen pot vnder my féete and yet if I will reserue any of them I wil vse them in base seruices sée 2. Sam. 8.2 ouer Edom i. ouer the Edomites and their lande I will cast my shoe i. I will ouercom them when they are cast down tread vpon thē as it were meaning nothing else but that he would bring thē euen easily into his subiection obediēce vpō Palestina i the country it self the people inhabiting it who were called Philistines wil I triumph vz. boldly chearfully q.d. whereas they were wont ieastingly and scoffingly to triumph ouer vs as appeareth Iudges 16 25. 1. Samuel 4.7.8.9 Nowe wee will doe the like vnto them as though he should say now let them brag that they haue vanquished vs heretofore if they can or dare Verse 10. Who vz. besides God q.d. there is none able but he alone as may appeare by the next verse following wil lead me vz. the righte and ready way into the strong Citie vz. of mine enemies he putteth one citie for many and he calleth thē strong because they that possessed thē thoughte them so to be and not that they were able any maner of way to resist Gods power in him who will bring me to Edom vz. to vanquish and subdue it and the people there inhabiting Ver. 11. Wilt not thou O God q.d. I am sure thou wilt for so significant is the interrogatiō in this place which haddest vz. heretofore forsaken vs vz. vtterly leauing vs in the hands of our aduersaries and diddest not go forth vz. as thou wast wont to doe in fauour loue with our armies i. with those armies which we sent out agaynst our enemies q.d. Though heretofore we haue receaued a repulse yet now we perswade our selues that thou wilt giue vs victory ver 12 Giue vs vz. thorow thy mercy and goodnesse only for we craue it as a gift helpe i. aid strēgth grace c. against trouble i. against al trouble that we shall indure eyther outward or inwarde for vayne is the helpe of man i. the ayd that man can giue or bring is to little or no purpose Ver. 13. Thorow God i. thorow the ayd and strength we haue of him and in that assurance that we haue of his succour and assistance we shal doe valiauntly vz. against his and our enemies howsoeuer men be not able to ayd vs for he vz. alone without the helpe of any other shall tread down vz. vnder our féete meaning by that spéeche vanquishing and subduing of them our enemies i. all that shall rise vp agaynst vs either at home or abroad Do. Ver. 1. teacheth to come to Gods seruice with purpose and preparation also to serue him with our inward and outward man both Verse 2 doth teach vs two things first to vse all the meanes that may prouoke to the seruice and worship of God secondly to forgoe some parte of our pleasures and profits to performe it Verse 3 teacheth vs to prayse God so that other men may knowe it and by our example be stirred vp to do the like Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods mercy and truth and the greatnesse and assurednesse thereof are two singular comforts to the consciences of his children Verse 5 teacheth vs in all our praiers to set before vs Gods glory as the speciall marke to aime at Ver. 6 teacheth vs also in our prayers to remember the safety and deliueraunce of our brethren Verse 7 teacheth vs that Gods worde and promise is ground sufficient ynough for the stay of his childrens perswasion Verse 8 teacheth vs that if the Lord haue promised vs a thing we should make as certayne account of it as though we had it in possession Verse 9 teacheth vs that no enemies whatsoeuer shal be able to resist Gods purpose in his seruants but that he wil both with ease and in assurance cast them down Ver. 10 teacheth that the ouerthrow of cities and peoples is from God only though he vse sundrye meanes for the performance therof Verse 11 teacheth that though God séeme to destitute his children for a while yet he will not forsake them for euer Ver. 12 sheweth that all mans ayde helpe counsell and countenaunce is as much without God as nothing Ver. 13 teacheth that all the strength power and victory that God his seruaunts haue is from the Lord only Psalme 109 THis Psalme as I take it Di. doth principallye propounde two things first the Prophet prayeth for himselfe alleaging his own misery and the mischiefe of his aduersaries as a mean to moue the Lord to mercy promising also praise thanksgiuing if the Lord will performe it verse 1 2 3 4 5 21 22 and so forth to the end of the Psalme In the second he praieth agaynst his aduersaries who were voyd as of all godlinesse in respect of the Lord so of all curtesie in respect of men and this reacheth from verse 6 vnto the end of the 20 verse The title of this Psalme is all one with Psal 13. and Psal 14. in their titles Se. and many others Likely it is that Dauid made this Psalm at some one time or other while Saule was king in whose dayes all the thinges were oute of order and if we compare the second verse of this Psalme with 1. Samuel 26.19 it shall appeare it was not made long before Saules death Verse 1. Hold not thy tongue vz. at these things which the vngodly practise agaynst me leste thou shouldest be thought eyther not to sée or else not to regarde the iniuries that they lay vpon me when they falsly accuse me before Saule the
vngodlinesse and let not the sinne of his mother be done away vz. out of the Lords sight but let it stand fast there as to craue continual punishmēt vpon her children resting in the like Ver. 15. But let thē i. their sins transgressiōs alway be before the Lord i. let the Lord continually remēber thē for we do not forget these things that are alwayes in our sight that he may cut of vz. in his iustice iudgemēt their memorial i. both they thēselues al other things that might bring them to remēbrance frō the earth i. not only from the place wher they dwel wch cannot properly be said to haue any remēbrance of thē but chéefly specially frō the people inhabiting those places or that part of the world Ver. 16. Because now he beginneth to shew some causes of his praier of gods iudgemēt he i. the wicked mā remembred not i. did of purpose forget put out the remēbrance of it in himself to shew mercy i. to haue pity cōpassion vpō others distressed but persecuted vz. with great rage egernes the afflicted poore mā i. him whom the Lord had cast downe brought to the state of néed the sorrowful harted i. him that was wounded and pearced with sorow at his hart for the calamities miseries that he was in to slay him vz. in his heat rage of persecutiō Ver. 17. As he loued cursing vz. of other mē vnderstāding by cursing al maner of wickednes that the vngodly was giuen to so shal it come vnto him vz. frō the Lord the Prophet meaneth that the vngodly multiplying sins against the lord shal frō the Lord receiue abūdance of plagues wch are so many curses sent frō the Lord as he loued not blessing i. good holy dealing generally for so you haue the word blesse vsed Mat. 5.44 so shall it i. blessing from the Lord and goodnes frō the God of Iaakob be far from him vz. so farre that it shall neuer come nigh him nor he in any hope to haue any part or portion thereof Verse 18. As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a rayment i. euen as he loued cursing as many men doe their costlye apparell as he was couered both within and without as it were and wrapped vp and trussed in cursing so shall it i. cursing come vz. being sent from God in his iustice into his bowels i. into his inwarde parts vnderstanding thereby euen the soule and minde also like water i. great abundaunce and like oyle into his bones i. it shall come plentifully vpon him By water he vnderstandeth their vsuall drinke and by Oyle their oyntmentes q.d. as men when they are thirstie drinke muche and when they are full of paines and aches vse much oyntment so let fulnes and abundance of cursing fall vpon the vngodly This is well knowne that water was an vsuall drink in those dayes and amongst that people sée Gen. 21.19 Ver. 19. Let it i. the cursing whiche hée hath vttered and vsed agaynste good men be vnto him i. vnto the wicked and vngodly as a garment to couer him i. let it stick and cleaue as fast vnto him as mens garments doe to their bodies and for a girdle wherewith he shall be alwayes girded hee meaneth by this lette it neuer departe from him but lette it daylye sticke closer and closer vnto him as mens garmentes doe when their gyrdles are aboute them This Verse differeth but a little from the former sauing that it séemeth to bee a prophecie and this a prayer this also further noting the continuance of cursing vppon the wicked Ver. 20. Let this i. al the punishments before reckoned be the reward of mine aduersaries vz. for their iniquities agaynst the Lord and me from the Lorde i. layd and sent vpon them from him by his mighty power and iustice and of them i. let such punishmēts also light vpon them that speake euill hee meaneth vnder this word deuising vttering and performing of crueltye agaynst my soule i. against my life for otherwise wicked men can not touch the soule as appeareth Matth. 10.28 All these imprecations Dauid maketh in a spiritual wisedome and by the motion of the holy Ghost Vnder the name of his aduersaries a man may vnderstand Christs aduersaries for whom al cursing is prepared and against whom the Church may vse suche like prayers because they are Gods obstinate and rebellious enemies Verse 21. But thou O Lorde my God vz. in whom I put my trust only deale vz. according to thy accustomed goodnesse with me vz. so sore distressed according vnto thy name i. according to that power maiestie goodnesse c. as Psalme 20.1 which thou arte wont to shew and thy seruaunts haue felt deliuer me vz. out of all my daungers and feares for thy mercy vz. towards thy children is good i. comfortable profitable and excéeding great And this is the firste reason that Dauid would moue the Lord by to pittie him in his calamities and an other reason followeth in the next verse Verse 22. Because I am poore and néedie q.d. I am most miserable and voyd of all hope this is a second reason taken from his calamities sée Psal 86.1 and mine hart is wounded within me vz. by the reason of the gréefes that I indure He meaneth by his hart wounded that he was almost dead because they that be wounded at the hart can hardly escape so that that metaphor expresseth the great daunger he was in Ver. 23. I depart vz. from amōgst men or out of this life like the shadow that declineth vz. very swiftly and sodainly for so soone as a cloud taketh away the sunne the shadow is presently gone it may be referred also to these long shadowes that appeare cōmonly before the sun set which séemeth to be very great and huge and yet when the sunne is down they sodainly vanish away and appeare no more and I am shakē off vz. from place to place he meaneth by this spéech that he was wonderfully tossed from post to piller as the grashopper wch leapeth hither thither continueth not long in a place how true that was in Dauid sée 1. Sam. frō chap. 18. til ye come almost to the end of the booke namely chap. 23.26 Ver. 24. My knées are weake through fasting he meaneth by fasting not an abstinence willingly layd vpon himself by himselfe but a long abstinence by reason of weakenesse of stomack q.d. I haue so lōg abstained frō meat nourishment that euen my knées and legs which should bear me are not able to beare vp my body my flesh hath lost all fatnes i. I am very lean low brought he meaneth some great gréefe extremity by means wherof natural force comlines was decaied in him Ver. 25. I vz. thus in misery became also a rebuke vnto thē i. to the wicked vngodly he meaneth that the wicked did tauntingly scornfully rebuke him they that looked vpō me vz. in
because he had brought them out of the lande of Egipt The Prophet meaneth that the Israelites were gods people and that he againe was the God of the Israelites Sée Exod. 6.7 Exod. 19.5.6 Ver. 3. The Sea i. the red Sea sawe i. felt and perceiued after the manner that it could it i. the great power of God waking for his people in their deliuery and his loue towardes them and fled vz. from before the presence of the Lord and his people some this way and some that way sée Exod. 14.21 Iordan was turned backe vz. from his naturall course and running sée this history in Ioshua 3.13.14 c. Hée toucheth here some miracles that God wrought for his people q.d. Though the Sea were a dead element and the other creatures insensible yet they were as it were striken with a certaine feare of Gods power and did of their owne accorde yet at Gods appointment willingly yéeld to the passage of his people Ver. 4. The mountaines i. not only Sinai but the mountaines round about it leaped like rammes i. were moued as rammes when they leape or skippe at the presence of the Lorde when hee gaue the lawe vnto Moses Sée Exod. 19.18 and the hilles i. litle hilles vz. leaped or skipped as lambes vz. when they play together hée meaneth that the presence of the Lord made both the great mountaines and the litle hilles to tremble Ver. 5. What ailed thée q.d. what was the cause or was the matter in thy self no no there was an other thing in it and that was gods power and presence as ver 7. O sea i. O red sea as before ver 3. of this Psalm that thou fleddest vz. at the presence of the Lorde and his people Sée for the sense of this and that which followeth in this verse the third verse of this Psalme Verse 6. Yee mountaines c. sée for the meaning of this verse ver 4. of this Psal and note for both these verses together that the Prophet demandeth the question not as though he either doubted or were ignoraunt of the cause but that he might the more euidently declare that whatsoeuer was done was by the almighty power of God done besides or contrary to the course that had set them Ver. 7. The earth vz. it selfe which séemeth to bée insible yea and as it were vnmoueable trembled at the presence of the Lorde i. shooke as it were for feare when the Lord gaue forth testimonies of his presence Sée Exod. 19.18 The Prophet giueth in these woordes an answere to his questions q.d. Gods power presence was the cause of this and that he putting the worde earth for the sea and waters also which by the figure finecdoche are comprehended vnder that name Immanuel readeth it thus at the presence of the Lord I the earth tremble q.d. then I did tremble at his presence and nowe and at al other times I am so striken with his presence when he sheweth it as it were extraordinarily so that I can not but tremble at it Though the wordes vary yet the sense is all one at the presence of the God of Iaakob i. at the presence of the onely true God whom Iaakob that is such as came of Iaakob worship and serue and by this title he seuereth God from al other counterfeit and sorged gods whatsoeuer Ver. 8. Which turneth vz. by his almightie power the rocke into water pooles i. maketh fountaines to come out of the rocke and when he calleth them water pooles he noteth the abundance of water that issued out of them the flint into a fountaine of water i. brought euen abundance of water out of the most hard rocke sée Psal 78.15.16 we may also referre this to the histories written Exod. 17.6 and Num. 20.11 c. if any wil expound it of Gods power what he is able to doe I will not contend for I suppose both senses may stand very well Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that God hath a speciall care ouer his people Do. when they are most distressed Ver. 2. Sheweth that it is a singular fauor when god chooseth any to be a holy and peculiar people to himselfe Ver. 3. and 4. Teach that when the Lorde will haue any thing done hee wil make the very creatures to turne vpside downe their ordinary courses Verse 5.6 Teach vs that wee may many times aske questions and yet neither doubt of the matters nor be ignorant in them Ver. 7. Teacheth vs to stand in awe of God séeing that the very dumbe and insensible creatures feare before him Ver. 8. Teacheth that the Lord doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Psalme 115 THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts Di. In the first the faithful pray to the Lord shewing that they trust in him not in the idoles of the gentiles any maner of way from ver 1. to the end of the 8. In the seconde is conteined an exhortation to the faithful to trust in the Lorde with promises of great graces if they wil abide therein from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme It is vncertaine who penned this Psalme and at what time it was written Se. If I should goe vpon coniectures and gesses I suppose rather that the faithful people of God in some captiuity either of Babilon or vnder Antiochus made it then Dauid as Immanuel Tremelius affirmeth Ver. 1. Not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs q.d. deliuer vs from the tyranny of the Gentiles amongst whom we are not that we might haue glory therby but that it may redound to thine owne glory honour this doubling of the words sheweth that they cast from themselues al trust in themselues but vnto thy name vz. only vnderstanding by name his goodnes maiesty power c. as Psal 113.1.2 giue the glory vz. of one deliueraunce and fréedome for thy louing mercy vz. towards vs and for thy truths sake vz. which thou hast promised vs vnderstanding by trueth not only his promise but also his faithful performance thereof q.d. for the glory of thine owne name and that thy mercy and trueth may bée made manifest worke this deliueraunce for vs. Verse 2. Wherefore i. to what end otherwise then tending to thy dishonour shall the heathen amongst whom we are and vnder whose power we be subiected say vz. with open mouth that in disprayse of thy name where is nowe i. at this pinch and at this distresse their God i. the God which they worship q.d. if thou nowe helpe vs not the mouthes of the enemies will bée open to blaspheme thée as though thou caredst not for thy people and so to wound and grieue vs at the heart Verse 3. But q.d. for all their blaspheming this is our assuraunce of fayth that our God i. the God whome wee serue is in heauen i. is farre aboue all thinges in maiesty power c. hée doeth vz. without either the helpe or hinderance of any what soeuer he will vz. both in heauen
euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same the heauen and the earth vz. and al thinges therein conteined q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing séeing that he who blesseth you is the author preseruer gouernor of heauen al things therin of the earth al things therin which also he hath giuen to vs as verse following Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens i. the most high heauens are the Lords i. apperteine and belong vnto him as the special place of his delight and dwelling and yet we must not so vnderstand it as God were tyed to any one certaine place for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth but he hath giuen vz. of his large liberality and goodnes the earth vz. wherein men dwel to the sonnes of men i. to men and their séede after them that they should inhabite and vse it so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God and stirred vp thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity Verse 17. The dead prayse not the Lord the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church the whole order and course of the worlde shoulde bee turned vpside downe for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue if there were not a people to call vpon God whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world and so with al there is set out the end wherefore men are placed in the world vz. to prayse serue God q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise sée Psal 6.5 whether they that go downe into the place of silence i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them sée for this speach Psal 94.17 sée also Isaiah 38.18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one the selfesame thing Ver. 18. But we vz. which shal liue and be deliuered from our distresses wil prayse the Lord vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him from hencefoorth and for euer i. continually and alwaies prayse ye the Lord sée Psal 104. and Psal 105. in the very end Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confidence in our selues to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people when his own people are discomfited or disgraced Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles themselues and of al such as either make or worship them Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a whoring after idols to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers preachers of Gods word to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god there must be ioyned faith in God and his word or else it is nothing Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that God neuer forgetteth his children and merciful couenant made with them also that the godly shal haue from the Lord both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly and their posterity after them Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor shal not nor can not want any thing that is good Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life we shold vse them wel and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs to set forth his glory and praise Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things first that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies for euen to the ende haue we our life giuen and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like Psalme 116. THis Psalme as I take it may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side his loue fayth towards the Lord and on the other side Gods mercy and goodnes towards him from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde for that continuall heape of benefites which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes both before it Se. and after it haue not sée Psal 114.115.117.118 c. Ver. 1. I loue vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly the Lord vz. only and alone and none either with him or besides him and vnder the word of loue the Prophet sheweth that there was nothing without god that either could like him or please him because hee hath heard i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted my voyce vz. sent forth vnto him and my prayers vz. which I made vnto him vnder these words voice and prayers the Prophet meaneth such prayers as he powred forth vnto the Lord not only with his heart but also with his mouth and words Ver. 2. For he hath inclined his eare vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee this is spoken of God according to mans capacity vnto mée vz. being in distresse and when I prayed vnto him as followeth when I did call vppon him vz. for helpe and ayde by earnest and hearty prayers in my dayes i. in the tyme of my affliction as may appeare by the next verse following sée Psal 137.7 also Lament 1.21 and by the woorde dayes hée noteth that hee had continuaunce and length of trouble Ver. 3. When the snares of death compassed mee vz. on euery side and rounde about so that there was almost no hope of escaping no more then of a bird or wild beast taken in a snare or grin by this manner of speach hée meaneth that euen then when hee was ready to dye the Lord in mercy looked vppon him Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6 also Psalm 18.4.5 and the griefes of the graue i. great and extreme griefes which brought me almost to the graue made me as it were ready to bee put into it caught
for some deliuerances he addeth the cup of saluation that is deliuerances how Dauid performed this sée 1. Chro. 16.1.2.3 c. and will call vpon the name of the Lord i. pray vnto him also q.d. I wil not only thank him for his benefites but pray vnto him for the increase and continuance thereof Ver. 14. I will pay vz. with a frée and willing heart my vowes i. the thinges that I haue vowed or the sacrifices of thanksgiuing which I promised vnto him if he deliuered me out of distresse for amongst other that vsed to make vowes they did it that were in extreme danger distresse q.d. I wil not only by wordes confesse my self to be safe from danger so witnes the thankfulnes of my mind but I wil declare it also by offring the sacrifices which I vowed to the Lorde at what time Saul did pursue me very hardly The ende of vowes was to seale in the hearts of Gods children a hope to obtaine that which they did aske and moreouer to prouoke and bind them to thanksgiuing and this liberty to vow is permitted vnto Gods children to comfort them in their infirmities and not otherwise and that word pay noteth that it is due debt and that it can not be omitted without sinne if the thing vowed be lawful euen now q.d. I will not deferre it in the presence of all his people i. in the temple or place of publike exercise whether al Gods people resorted or else before all the Israelits whom he gathered together to Ierusalem to bring the arke of the Lorde thither Sée 1. Chro. 15.3 Ver. 15. Precious i. deare and of great account and regard in the sight of the Lord i. before him and his iudgement is the death of his saints i. death or mischief imagined or performed towards those whom he alloweth of q.d. God by my example hath declared how deare vnto him is the life of faithfull men séeing that hee hath so often preserued me assaulted so many wayes and with so great force or thus God doeth grieuously take good mens deathes and therefore they shall not escape vnpunished that kill them And marke this that for his comfort he setteth this against the malice of his enemies that God doth not at al aduenture deliuer his vp to death but maketh great account of them for the word saints sée Psalm 30.4 Ver. 16. Beholde Lord q.d. most true is it Lorde that thou wilt not haue the godly slayne for thou hast preserued me thy poore seruant for I am thy seruant vz. and thou hast shewed mée this grace and fauour I am thy seruaunt hee repeateth the same againe as a matter of no small comfort vnto himselfe neither must wee so vnderstand him as though hée grounded the causes of his deliuerance vpon his seruices perfourmed to God but vppon Gods frée election q.d. from my mothtrs wombe yea before I was borne this honour and goodnes was prepared for mee and the sonne of thy handmayde i. of a woman who did purely worship thée and this he speaketh because that children by reason of their first education imitated the disposition and manners of their mothers for which cause also it should séeme that the names of the kings mothers are so commonly expressed in the bookes of kings sée for this phrase Psal 86.16 thou vz. alone hast broken vz. in pieces or a sunder by thy almighty power my bands i. either the bands that I was bound in or else the bandes that were prepared to bind me in by this maner of spéech he meaneth that god had deliuered him from the danger wherin he was or else he had kept him that he came not into the troubles that his enemies had prepared for him Ver. 17. I will offer vnto thee a sacrifice of praise vz. for thy mercy goodnes shewed vnto mee he meaneth that he wil acknowledge confesse gods goodnes praise him for the same for here he protesteth again as he had done before ver 13.14 that hee would giue God thanks which is a signe that he was not vnthankful and I will cal vppon the name of the Lord marke the sodaine change of the person from the seconde to the third he meaneth by this speach that he wil neuer cease to worship God to praise God sée before ver 13. of this Psal Ver. 18. I wil pay c. This is the same with ver 14. before going both in words meaning therfore we shall not néed to stand vpon it Ver. 19. In the courtes of the Lordes house i. in the place of publik resort and assembly whether the people came together to serue God meaning no doubt the Church euen in the middest of thée O Ierusalem i. openly in that most famous City in which was at that time the only place appointed for gods sacrifices and seruice because there was but one only altar and that was placed there from which also it was not lawful for any man to withdraw himselfe Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue the Lord Do. also that he is nigh to the supplication praiers of the faithful Ver. 2. 3. Teach vs that the time of affliction is an acceptable time to pray to God in that affliction it selfe addeth also an edge vnto our praiers Ver. 3. Doth further teach into what great anguish distresse the children of god are many times brought Ver. 4. teacheth vs earnestnes continuance in praier vnto almighty God Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the consideration and féeling of Gods mercy is ought to be a notable spurre vnto prayer Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy towards other men our selues also should assure vs that our prayers shal be heard and we deliuered Verse 7. Teacheth vs to comfort our selues what wee may in our distresse and heauinesse also that God himselfe is the onely proppe and stay of those that are his Ver. 8. teacheth that god doth graciously preserue those that depend vpon him how great or how many soeuer their troubles bee Ver. 9. Teacheth that those which are vnder the sauegarde prouidence and protection of almightie God shal neuer miscary Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that faith in God and his promises maketh vs bold in prayer to him and ouercommeth all assaults of Satans malice our owne corruption Ver. 11. Teacheth into what extremities gods children oftentimes fal specially whē they do not presently see the accomplishmēt of Gods promises Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that Gods benefites are so many and excellent that wee are not able to comprehende much lesse to answere the least part of them Ver. 13. Teacheth that vnfeigned and humble thankesgiuing is the most acceptable sacrifice to almighty God Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that when we haue vowed any thing which is lawfull and holy wee ought to performe it but what serueth this for vowes of monkery single life c. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that god careth for that very tenderly those that are his which is a
which also is the last verse of the Psalm is the same with the first verse of this Psalm both in words and sence therfore haue an eye back to that Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs to prouoke others to praise the Lord also that we they should do it for the continuance of his mercy towards vs. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the sacrifice of thanksgiuing doth generally belong vnto al of the housholde of faith Ver. 3 teacheth vs that it doth specially appertain to Gods ministers as who euen in that respect also should be examples to Gods people Ver. 4 teacheth al to profes that presently without any further delay the assurednesse of Gods goodnesse mercy Ver. 5. teacheth vs to pray to the Lord in affliction also that the Lord doth graciously heare the prayers of his seruaunts Ver. 6 teacheth vs that an assured féeling of Gods fauor presence driueth away al fear of man whatsoeuer Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God men many times ioin together for the defence of his seruants Ver. 8 9 teach vs only to hang vpon the Lorde and to trust in none other how many or mighty soeuer they bee but in him alone Verse 10 teacheth that no multitude shall bée able to preuayle agaynste God and his people Verse 11 teacheth vs that no force or fraude shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them Verse 12 teacheth that no rage or cruelty shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them also that the enemies of God and his people shal be sodaynly ouerthrowne Verse 13 teacheth that there is no wisdom strength power or policie against the Lord and his annointed ones Ver. 14 teacheth that al the strength and deliuerance of the godly is from the Lord only Ver. 15 teacheth that God will graciously giue his children great occasions of reioycing in him also that the faithful wil fréely and willingly confesse that whatsoeuer they haue they haue it from the power and goodnesse of God Ver. 16 teacheth vs that Gods power is aboue all Ver. 17 teacheth vs that our life in this life ought to be referred to the setting forth of Gods glory Ver. 18 teacheth that howsoeuer God doth correct his for a time yet hee doth neuer destitute thē for euer Ver. 19 teacheth vs to haue an earnest care to praise and thanke God in the assemblye of his Saints Ver. 20 teacheth that howsoeuer hypocrites thrust themselues into the Churche yet that place doth properlye and peculiarly belong only to the faythfull Verse 21 teacheth vs to giue thankes to God for graunting our requestes and working our deliueraunce Verse 22 teacheth vs that that which is reiected of mā is highly estéemed of the Lord those that be his Ver. 23 teacheth vs that all Gods workes are far beyond the reach of our reason specially that great mistery of sending his sonne into the world Ver. 24 teacheth vs that because we are dul and heauy to consider of matters of spirituall mirth which the Lord giueth vs we should prouoke and stir vp one an other to doe the same Ver. 25 teacheth vs to pray for the safety and prosperity of our Princes Ver. 26 teacheth vs that no man either in Church or common wealth should take vpon him an office without warrant from God also that it is the duty of the ministers to blesse and pray for both their Princes and people Ver. 27. teacheth vs that whatsoeuer prosperity we haue we haue it from the Lorde onlye and of his mere mercy alone also that we should prepare and present our sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 28 teacheth vs that the more particular féelings we haue of Gods graces the more we should labour to prayse his name Ver. 29 deliuereth the same doctrines with verse 1. Psalme 119 Aleph FOr as much as the holy Ghost it selfe hath diuided this long Psalm into 22 partes Di. according to the number of the letters of the hebrew Alphabet I take it that it should be at the least superfluous if not vngodly to vse or make any other diuision of it Euery part of this Psalme containeth eyght verses euery verse also beginning with the same letter that the parte beginneth withall which was vsed as I suppose both to note out the excellency of the Psalme and also to helpe memory sée before Psal 111. in the verye beginning This Psalme as manye other Psalmes before going hath no Title Se. and therefore nothing can be sayd of certaintie notwithstanding very likely it is that Dauid was the pen man which the holy Ghost vsed in making writing this excellent Psalme Aleph this is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is here put downe to note and sette out the firste parte of this Psalme Whiche I thinke dothh specially consist of two parts or points Di. In the first the Prophet putteth down a general proposition teaching the blessednesse of those whiche yéelde obedience to God and his law and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the second is contained a particular applying of the same to his own person who earnestly wisheth grace and strength to performe the same and this is in the foure other verses Verse 1. Blessed i. abundaunce of blessednesse is vnto those that are vpright in their waye i. that haue a pure and vpright affection to follow righteousnesse and which referre their whole life to that marke the word way is put here for maner of liuing or course of life as Psalme 1 ver 1.6 and walke in the law of the Lord i. order and rule their life and conuersation according to Gods law Vnder the word walking hée comprehendeth life and conuersation and vnder the word law hee comprehendeth all the doctrine of Gods word contained in the law and Prophets he sheweth by this that true blessednesse is not in them that are wise in their own eyes and imagine in their own fantasie some holinesse in themselues but in them that giue themselues ouer to the obedience of Gods word Ver. 2. Blessed are they sée verse 1. of this Psalm that kéepe vz. not only in their hart to beléeue them as true and righteous but obserue them also in their outward acts and behauiour his testimonies i. his commaundements whiche testifye and witnesse to vs his will For these seuerall words law testimonies statutes c. whiche are so often vsed in this Psalme and for the difference of them sée before Psalm 19.7 8 9 and séeke him i. the Lorde vz. according to his will reuealed in his word with their whole hart i. not giuing part to him and part to the worlde but giuing all to him to whome it alone is due Hee declareth by this manner of spéech that God will not be serued with eye seruice only but also with a frée and sound affection of the hart Verse 3. Surely they work none iniquity vz. whiche is able to condemne them because all their sinnes are fully aunswered in Christs obedience for he meaneth not that
they are without sinne that walk in his waies i. that lead a life according to such rules as he hath prescribed vnto them Immanuel readeth this verse thus who also worke no iniquitye q.d. They also are blessed who labour indeuour to the vttermost of strength and grace receaued from God to put downe iniquitie and vniust dealing either in themselues or others or both but walke vz. as much as in them lyeth in his wayes i. in the rules of life which he hath appointed them both texts are good and also both the sences but I rather allow of the latter Verse 4. Thou vz. O Lord hast commaunded vz. men or vs thy seruants to kéepe i. to indeuor and in déede what they may to performe both in thought word and déede the obedience of thy law thy precepts i. the thinges whiche thou in thy lawe haste commaunded vs diligently i. with care and conscience and continually as it were all the dayes of our life Immanuel varieth also somewhat in this verse reading it thus which vz. wayes mentioned in the latter ende of the thirde verse thou hast commaunded by thy commaundements to be greatly or diligently kept the Prophet that he might somewhat terrifie men declareth that the obseruation of the law is euen of God himselfe required and that with some seuerity to the end also that men might know that the breach therof shal not remain vnpunished Verse 5. Oh that my wayes i. my life and conuersation as verse 1 of this Psalme were directed i. might be directed that is disposed and ordred thorow thy power prouidence and goodnesse to kéepe vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart thy statutes i. the thinges that thou hast established as statutes for me to obserue and kéepe This wish of the Prophet noteth both the want of abilitie in himselfe and also the great desire he had therto Verse 6. Then should I not be confounded vz. either before thée or men when I haue respect i. regard both outwardly and inwardly vnto all thy commaundements vz. to do and performe the same He meaneth that after he shal haue learned of God and bin taught of him he wil both acknowledge and hold the same fast and so by that meanes escape shame and confusion Ver. 7. I wil praise thée vz. alone with an vpright hart i. with a sound and sincere affection voyd of hipocrisie and counterfeiting when I shal learn vz. being taught and instructed by thée the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. thy righteous iudgements vnderstanding by iudgements Gods commaundements whiche containe nothing in them but perfect righteousnesse Verse 8. I wil kéepe vz. very much or very earnestly and diligently he speaketh this not as though he were able of himself to performe them but to shew what a minde and purpose he caried with him and what a great good will he had thereto thy statutes i. thy lawes and commaundements and note that there is neuer a verse in all this Psalme but you haue in it eyther word law statute iudgement cōmaundement or some such like equiualent therto to signifie Gods word by forsake me not vz. in the middest of mine assaults temptations and infirmities ouerlong i. a long season He prayeth the Lord not only not to leaue him in temptation but also to respect his infirmity and weakenesse least he should go aside from the right way Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. that obedience to Gods law is the high way to al blessednesse Ver. 2 teacheth vs first that with knowledge there must be ioyned obedience and practised secondly that we must séeke the Lord with all our soule and affection Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods children frame not a conuersation to thēselues according to their own fantasie but according to the rule of Gods word Verse 4 teacheth vs to haue care conscience and diligence in the obseruation of Gods lawe least otherwise wee heape iudgement against our owne soule Ver. 5 teacheth vs to carry with vs both purpose and prayer that we may walk in obedience of Gods law Ver. 6 teacheth vs that obedience to God his truth is the way to auoyde shame both before God and men Ver. 7 teacheth vs first to praise God for his mercies secondly to do it sincerlye and with a sounde affection thirdly that we can neuer rightly praise God or serue him til we haue learned his law Verse 8 teacheth vs what holy purposes we should carry with vs of obedience to Gods law and how for the better informing of vs that way wée should as it were lay vowes vpon our selues thirdly that féeling our owne misery and weakenesse we should by earnest prayer haue recourse to the Lord for his mercy Beth. Di. THis is the seconde letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and serueth to sette out the seconde part of the Psalme In which the Prophet sheweth firste that GOD his worde is the onlye rule to reforme corruption by in what state soeuer verse 9. Secondlye what care and conscience hée hymselfe had to walke in the obedyence of GOD and his Lawe verse 10 11 13 14 15 16. Thirdlye hée praysed GOD for his graces and prayeth vnto him more and more to instructe him in his truth and this is contayned in the 12. verse Se. Verse 9. Wherewith i. by what mean or with what thing shall a yong man i. hée that is the sonne and seruaunte of GOD whosoeuer hée bée but hee chéefelye speaketh of yong men because affection of sinne is most raging in them redresse i. reforme it is in Hebrewe purge or make cleane his waye i. the waye that hée is naturally inclined to walke in and this hée propoundeth in the way of a question aunswering the same himselfe which is also vsuall in the scripture and namely Psalme 15 1 2 also Psalme 24 8 10 in taking héede thereto i. in diligent caring and looking to it that he fal not or stumble not in the fame according to thy word i. according to the commaundements and counsels which in thy word thou giuest to that end The Prophet here prouoketh men in good time to dispose of their life and euen speciallye then when affections begin to boyle within them Now when men will chuse vnto themselues an order of life wherein to liue there is no better counsell more readily to direct them in the right way then this to wit to haue an eye to the Lawe and to looke what is prescribed vnto them therein Ver. 10. with my whole hart i. soundly sincerely and vnfeignedly sée verse 2 of this Psalm haue I sought thée vz. O Lord and that according vnto thy worde whiche I haue in part learned and layd vp in my hart as ver 11. and which I do further desire to bée taught and instructed in verse 12. let me not wander vz. hither and thither as one that is out of his way and knoweth not whether he goeth but followeth his owne imagination and yet strayeth from the righte waye from thy commaundementes vz. which thou hast
proposed as the rule of my life Verse 11. I haue hid vz. as it were in a case or chest thy promise i. thy worde he putteth one part of the word for the whole in mine heart i. secretlye and within me not meaning otherwist but that he had them there to remember them to his comfort and profite In the new Testament Luke 2 18 51 it is expressed by an other phrase as where Mary is sayd to haue kepte all these sayings in hir hart and to haue pondered them there Hee meaneth that hée locked vp as it were Gods lawe in his hart for feare of Sathans embushes and assaults that I might not sinne vz. any manner of way or at any time such a minde and will he had though there wanted abilitie to perform it agaynst thée vz. O Lord Verse 12. Blessed art thou O Lord i. praysed or worthye of all prayses by reason of thy goodnesse wisedome iustice and mercy teach me vz. not only to knowe but also to doe thy statutes i. the rules that thou hast appointed for me to walke in so that nothing is or ought to bée the rule of our life but Gods ordinaunce only Verse 13. With my lippes i. with my mouth and the wordes of my mouth hee putteth one instrumente whereby the voyce is framed for all instrumentes appertaining thereto and for wordes expressed by the same haue I declared vz. openly that others also might thereby learne them all the iudgementes of thy mouth i. all thy commaundements which thou hast vttered as playnely as can bée sée iudgements put for commaundements ver 7 of this Psalme and mouth is attributed to God according to mans capacity q.d. I haue not only hidden thy lawe in my hart as ver 11. but I haue often and openly spoken of the same And this is not a vaine brag that he maketh but rather serueth to shew that he did the part of a good and faithful scholler and to make himselfe an example that others might follow him Ver. 14. I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies i. to walke according to the rules orders that thy law prescribeth as in all riches vz. that euer I had or might haue had q.d. I haue taken as great pleasure in kéeping thy statutes as euer I did in gathering great riches together Ver. 15. I will meditate vz. earnestly and continually as Psal 1.2 in thy precepts i. in thy law which thou hast giuen and commaunded as a rule of life and consider vz. déepely and diligently thy wayes i. those wayes that he had prescribed men to walke in meaning his law and commaundements sée ver 3. of this Psalme and not as though God were tied to any wayes in respecte of himselfe Verse 16. I will delight vz. all the dayes of my life and this the Prophet speaketh not as though he had strength of himselfe but assuring himselfe of the continuaunce of Gods loue towardes him in whome he shoulde bée made able to doe it in thy statutes i. in thy law and word and I will not forget i. I carry with me this minde and purpose not to forget thy word i. not only the word it selfe but the thinges layde vpon men by the same worde to bée performed and done Verse 9 teacheth Do. firste that yong men had néede to striue the subduing of euill because affections boyle most in them secondly that Gods word rightlye and reuerently vsed is an effectuall meane to ouercome iniquity Ver. 10. teacheth vs vnfeignedly to cleaue to the Lord our God also to pray the Lord to kéepe vs for otherwise we can not stand in the obedience of his truth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that euen the promises of Gods word rightly considered are good means to beat down sinne Verse 12 sheweth that till God instructe vs wee are blind and ignoraunt also that we should dayly pray for increase of knowledge and vnderstanding Verse 13 teacheth vs boldly and openly to make profession of Gods word Ver. 14 teacheth vs that Gods word should be more pleasaunte vnto vs then all worldlye Treasure Verse 15 teacheth vs not onely barelye to reade but also déepelye to consider and continuallye to meditate in Gods word Verse 16 teacheth vs first that our delight in Gods law is a good step to godlinesse secondly that forgetfulnesse of Gods word is a great meane why sinne preuaileth against many Gimel Di. THis is the third letter of the hebrew Alphabet and serueth to note out the thirde part of the Psalme which containeth thrée speciall things first the prayers that the Prophet maketh for himselfe ver 17 18 19 22 secondly Gods iudgements against the wicked verse 21. Thirdly the earnest desire which the Prophet had to walke in the obedience of Gods law Se. Verse 17. Be beneficial i. be thus mercifull vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto mée thy seruaunt that I may liue vz. here vpon the earth so long time as thou shalt sée the same to be good and conuenient and kéepe vz. vnfaignedlye and with a good hart what I maye both in thoughte worde and déede thy word vz. reuealed and made manifest vnto mée q.d. shewe thy selfe fauourable vnto me and graunt me grace to imploy the whole life that thou shalt giue mee in the seruice of thée according to thy lawe and this is the ende of our life here Verse 18. Open vz. by the mightye working and brightnesse of thy holy spirit mine eyes vz. of my mind and vnderstanding that I maye sée vz. by the eyes of fayth the wonders of thy lawe i. the secretes which are contayned therein and he calleth the doctrine and precepts of the lawe wonders or wonderfull because they excéede mans vnderstanding and reason The Prophet did well know the blindnesse which was in him and in all men naturally which hindereth them from beholding the clearenesse of Gods word and therfore beséecheth the Lord to open the eyes of his vnderstanding to deliuer him out of that great darknesse wherein he was Ver. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth vz. as all men haue bin are and shall bee during this mortall life sée Psalme 39 12 vnder the word straunger he noteth not onely the shortnesse of his life in this life but his ignoraunce and lack of knowledge q.d. I am as a poore pilgrime not knowing what waye to kéepe vnlesse thou shew it mée by thy lawe hyde not thy commaundements from me i. leaue me not to my selfe in suche sorte that I shut vp mine eyes or stoppe mine eares from the knowledge of thy lawe for God hideth his commaundementes from them whose eyes he openeth not Verse 20. Mine hart breaketh vz. within me he meaneth by this spéech that he had an earnest thirsting hungring or longing as it were after Gods law in an other place he vseth panteth and thirsteth after GOD sée Psalme 42 1 2 for the desire vz. which I haue within mée to thy iudgements vz. not only to know them but also to execute and perform
this restoring of him to a better estate and refreshing him ouer all his miseries according to thy worde sée verse 25 of this Psalme Verse 29. Take vz. thorowe thy goodnesse and mercye from mée vz. which am so much inclyned thereto the way of lying i. the order trade and course of lying vnderstanding thereby all manner of corruption whatsoeuer agaynst GOD or man and graunt me graciously i. of thy great grace and goodnesse giue to mee thy Lawe i. the knowledge and practise of it that according to the same I maye leade my lyfe for it is not to bée doubted but that he had the Law q.d. Kéepe mée from all lying vanitie and sinne from the whiche that hée mighte bée the better preserued hée desireth to bee instructed in the doctrine of GOD his law Verse 30. I haue chosen vz. thorow the light that thou hast reuealed vnto me by the worke of thy spirite the waye of truth i. that path that leadeth into truth and well doing and thy iudgementes i. thy Lawe and commaundementes whiche hee calleth iudgementes because according to the same will he pronounce sentence haue I layde before mee vz. not onlye to looke vpon them but also as the rule of my life and behauioure Immanuell readeth this verse thus The way of truth which I chose and of thy iudgementes which I set before me making it as it were an exposition of the latter part of the other verse q.d. Graunt me graciously thy lawe which I acknowledge and take to be the way of truth c. Ver. 31. I haue cleaued vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart meaning by this Metaphor of cleauing continuing and perseuering in GOD his Lawe sticking so fast vnto it as nothing coulde remooue him from it sée Romanes 12 9. to thy testimonies O Lord i. to thy law confounde me not i. let me not bee confounded and ashamed q.d. suffer me not to slide or fall into suche infirmitie eyther of woorde or déede that my life shoulde be shamefull vnto mée and I skorned of the enemies of thy law Ver. 32. I will runne vz. chearefullye and swiftlye the waye of thy commaundementes i. that waye order and course of life whiche thy commaundementes shewe me he meaneth that he will bee prompte and ready to kéepe Gods lawe when thou shalt inlarge mine hart some expounde it thus when thou shalt haue set mée out of daunger and giuen me thereby an occasion of great reioycing I rather would expounde it thus when thou shalt haue made my vnderstanding and spirite which of it selfe is narrow and straight not able to contain or conceaue any good things capable by inlarging and opening of it to containe and conceaue thy gifts and graces sée 1. King 4 29 concerning the inlarging of Salomons hart which in my iudgemente serueth very wel to open this place Do. Verse 25 teacheth vs in distresse and affliction to call vppon GOD by earnest prayers also that one good grounde of our prayers is Gods promises made vnto vs in his word Verse 26 teacheth vs that God is nigh to the faythfull prayers of his poore seruaunts also that we are ignoraunt of Gods law till it please him in mercye to vouchsafe to teache vs. Verse 27 teacheth vs carefullye and continuallye to meditate in Gods worde Verse 28 sheweth that Gods children are many times broughte verye lowe but yet the hope that they haue in GOD his promises doeth raise them vp agayne Verse 29 teacheth vs to abhorre as all sinne generally so particularlye lying and falshood also that Gods worde rightly vsed is a great mean to vanquishe sinne by Verse 30 teacheth vs that GOD his word shoulde be sette before vs in all the particular actions of this life Verse 31 teacheth vs to perseuer and continue in the profession of Gods truth all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 32 teacheth vs to go on forward in the race that is set before vs and neuer to be weary of wel doing He. Di. IN this whole part which consisteth of earnest prayer vnto God the Prophet first beséecheth the Lord to giue him good things as amongst others the knowledge and obedience of his law Ver. 33 34 35 38 40 secondly he praieth him to giue strength to auoyd euil things Ver. 36 37 39. Se. Verse 33 Teach me vz. which of my selfe am so blind ignorant and vnapte to euery good thing O Lord vz. whom alone I feare and worship the way of thy statutes i. that order of life which thy law setteth out ver 32. he called it the way of his commaundements and I will kéepe it vz. thorow thine assistance and goodnesse for otherwise no man can do any thing that good is vnto the end vz. of my life meaning that he would obserue Gods law al his life long sée verse 112 of this Psalme afterwards Ver. 34. Giue me vnderstanding vz. of thy will reuealed in thy word and I will kéepe thy law vz. thorow thy goodnesse and assistaunce as before not onlye in my hart but in my conuersation outwardlye yea I will kéepe it with my whole hart i. soundly sincerelye and with an vnfeigned affection Meaning that in the obseruation and obedyence of Gods lawe he would auoyde all hipocrisie Verse 35. Directe mée vz. which thorow mine owne corruption am readye to runne out of the way in the path of thy commaundements i. in the waye and order of life which thy commaundements would haue me to tread for therein i. both in thy Lawe and in a conuersation according to the same is my delighte i. I take singular ioye and pleasure Verse 36. Inclyne vz. thorowe the exercises of thy worde and the working of thy spirite mine hearte i. the affections and desires of my harte vnto thy Testimonyes i. to imbrace the knowledge and practise of thy worde and not to couetousnesse i. gréedye affecting and desyring of that whiche appertayneth to an other man hee putteth one kinde of sinne which is in déede the roote of all euill for al other transgressions and vices whatsoeuer as he did before the word lying ver 29. of this Psalme Ver. 37. Turne away mine eyes by the eyes he meaneth all other senses because they are the messengers which conuey or bring things to our other senses and the windowes or gates as it were by which euil entereth into vs from regarding i. from beholding or looking vpon he prayeth against the beginning of euill which being once ouercome processe and procéeding in it néed not to be feared vanity i. vaine things with the loue whereof men may easily bee ouertaken q.d. remooue the affections of my mind from these things which men do greatly desire and delight in lest otherwise I being caryed away from thy word I imbrace vayne things with other men quicken mee i. make me not only liuely to do thy will but giue me grace to liue in it all the dayes of my life in thy way i. in thy lawe see ver 15. of this Psalme Verse 38. Stablish
i. performe and accomplish for though Gods worde bee alwayes sure both in respect of his maiesty from whome it cōmeth and of it selfe and the things propounded in it and of vs also in respect of assured faith yet it is then most liuely confirmed vnto vs when it is performed and it declared to bee true and certaine by effect as it were thy promise vz. made to me he putteth one promise for many vsing also promises for the word it selfe conteining promises as ver 11. of this Psalm to thy seruant i. to me for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person q.d. make the effect of thy promises to come vnto me who serue thée with a good heart for though it be true that Gods promises perfourmed to others may comfort men yet nothing so much can they comfort vs as this which we féele perfourmed to our particular persons because he feareth thée it woulde rather be turned thus who feareth thée for our feare of God is not a cause why God shoulde performe his promises to vs and the Prophet meaneth by the word feare not onely a reuerent perswasion which he had in his heart of God but the effects and fruits of that reuerence that is the worship and seruing of him according to his word Ver. 39. Take away vz. of thy mercy and goodnes my rebuke i. the euil which I might commit against thy good lawe and so it might tend to my shame as though hée prayed to be kept from notorious transgressions as ver 31. of this Psalm or else thus for as much as by some sinnes and namely the sinne of adultery with Bathsheba and murther of her husband Vriah hee had purchased rebuke and shame amongst men hée beséecheth the Lord euen to remoue that that I feare vz. will not onely fall but increase vppon mee vnlesse in mercy thou cure and couer it for thy iudgements vz. which thou hast pronounced in thy word are good vz. to them that rightly vnderstand them vnderstanding by iudgements not onely the threates of the lawe but also euen those comforts which God hath pronounced in the same Ver. 40. Beholde I desire vz. earnestly and with a very good affection thy commandements i. both the knowledge and obedience of thy commandements quicken mee Sée ver 25.37 of this Psalme in thy righteousnes i. in thy woorde and lawe which is called righteousnes because it is the onely rule of that righteousnes which we ought to performe to God or man Do. Ver. 33. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord onely for light and instruction out of his holy worde also to cary with vs a holy purpose of perseuerance and continuance in the obedience of God all the dayes of our life Verse 34. Teacheth vs that the vnderstanding kéeping of gods law is a singular gift of his own bestowed vpon his children also that our obedience to god should be vnfeigned and without hipocrisie Ver. 35 Teacheth vs that vnlesse God kéepe vs in obedience wée shall continually wander out of the way also that our continual delight and pleasure should be in Gods word Ver. 36. Teacheth vs what a foule fault the sinne of couetousnes is also that there is no better meane to subdue it in our selues then care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods worde Ver. 37. Teacheth vs first to nippe off sinne in the beginning thereof secondly to labour the mortification of our earthly members and the partes of our bodyes inclined to euill and thirdly to pray for liuelines continuance in the obedience of Gods trueth Ver. 38. Teacheth vs that if wee haue by experience either in our selues or others but specially in our selues felt the trueth of gods promises perfourmed to vs wee haue not onely a notable testimony of Gods goodnes but a seale set vpon our fayth for the greater strengthning of it in the same Ver. 39. Teacheth vs to pray the remouing of shame amongst men specially if our shame shal bring with it some dishonour to God also it teacheth vs not to be shameles as many men are who are without blushing and haue gotten to thēselues harlots faces Ver. 40. Teacheth vs to haue an earnest desire both to knowe and walke in the obedience of Gods lawe This part in summe declareth what great weaknes there is in man to vnderstande loue and followe Gods lawe vnlesse he be taught and renued by the power of his spirit Vau. Di. THis is the sixt letter and noteth out the sixt part In which the Prophet specially propoundeth two thinges first he maketh prayer vnto God for the continuaunce of his mercies specially for manifesting his word vnto him with the fruites and effectes which shall follow thereof ver 41.42.43.44 Secondly hée promiseth and voweth as it were a thankefull heart to the Lord for his benefits which he wil declare openly before all men yea euen kings magistrates Ver. 45.46 By a holy and religious life towards God himselfe ver 47.48 Se. Ver. 41. And let thy louing kindnes i. thy most tender and infinite mercy come vnto mée O Lorde vz. from thée q.d. let me haue it plentifully powred forth vpon mée and make mee to féele it effectually and thy saluation i. ayde helpe yea and eternall life it selfe hée setteth louing kindnes or mercy before saluation as the cause before the effect according to thy promise vz. graciously made vnto me q.d. make mee to féele that louing kindnesse and saluation of thine which thou hast promised and I pray for Ver. 42. So i. by that meanes onely and no other shall I make answere i. bee inabled sufficiently to answere vnto my blasphemies i. vnto them that reuile and speake euill of mee q.d. I will not then dissemble any whit at all but speake euen as the thing it selfe shall require for I trust in thy worde vz. which thou hast giuen mee q.d. I perswade my selfe in the trueth of thy woorde that when I shall once sensibly féele thy mercy and goodnes I shal be wel able to answere all my gainsayers Sée Luke 21.14.15 Verse 43. And take not vz. though for my sinnes in iustice thou mightest the worde of trueth i. thy worde which only conteyneth trueth in it vtterly i. altogether or for euer Immanuel readeth this part of the verse thus But take not out of my mouth the very true word i. the word which is most true referring the word which is here translated vtterly not to the word take away as our English text doeth but to the worde of God which in déede is most true out of my mouth in this speach hee doeth not exclude the heart by which we must beginne but it is q.d. vpholde not only my heart in faith lest I bee ouerthrowne through temptations but bring to passe also that my tongue may haue full liberty so that I may praise thee amongst men without any feare so also Saint Paul prayeth the Church to pray for him that vtterance might bée giuen vnto him that he might
open his mouth boldly Ephes 6.19 and if we read as it is in the English text vtterly it declareth that hee had not such a great boldenesse to speake as were to bee wished for I wayte vz. with diligence and patience for thy iudgments vz. to bee executed vppon the wicked in iustice and vppon thy children in mercy the worde iudgementes being vsed here for the promises which God hath made conteining either the punishments of the vngodly or his mercies to his children Sée verse 39. of this Psalme Verse 44. So vz. by this meanes when thou shalt continue with mée the woorde of trueth shall I alway keepe vz. through thy goodnes and strength thy lawe vz. which thou hast prescribed for mee to walke in for euer and euer the Prophet meaneth that through Gods strength hée shall continue in the knowledge and practise of Gods woorde all the dayes of his life Verse 45. And I vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunt will walke vz. through thy mercy and goodnesse meaning by walking that hee woulde liue and bée conuersaunt amongest men at libertye i. in playne and easie wayes or in great and broade wayes or as a man woulde say in the kinges high way which Saint Iames chapter 2.8 calleth the royall lawe meaning also that he would walke without feare of daunger as they doe most commonly which are in a kingly or broad way for I séeke vz. with an vnfeigned heart and continually thy preceptes i. the vnderstanding of them and obedience to them Ver. 46. I will speake also vz. fréely boldly and plainely of thy testimonies i. of thy lawe and the pointes and matters therein propounded before kinges i. mighty men of the earth and magistrates q.d. I will doe it in deede and that not only before inferiour persons and in their sight and hearing but euen before them who for their greatnes are wont to stoppe vp other mens mouthes and command thē silence Surely it is a good token that men haue well profited in Gods word when men are armed against all terrors of men and will not bee ashamed vz. to speake of it fréely and boldly Verse 47. And my delight shal be vz. continually and all the daies of my life in thy commandements i. in thy lawe by which thou hast commanded mee what I should do and what I should leaue vndone which I haue loued vz. not in words onely but in déede and trueth and with an vnfeigned loue Ver. 48. Mine hands also will I lift vp vnto thy commandements q.d. I will stretch out my handes that I may readily receiue turne ouer and search out thy commaundements and this similitude declareth the earnestnes of his desire because that looke whatsoeuer we desire to haue we do straine our selues to take it and lay holde of it by stretching out our hands which I haue loued sée ver 47. and I will meditate in thy statutes sée ver 23.27 of this Psalme Do. Ver. 41. Teacheth vs that Gods promise is a sure grounde vnto vs of his loue and our saluation Ver. 42. Teacheth vs that grounded perswasion out of the word maketh vs bold to speake euen in the face of our aduersaries Ver. 43. Teacheth vs that there can no greater punishment be laid vpon vs in this life then to lacke Gods word also that we should in all cases with patience tary the Lords leasure Ver. 44. Teacheth vs to indeuour what in vs lyeth continually to keepe Gods lawe Verse 45. Teacheth vs that he walketh simply and surely that walketh according to the prescript rule of Gods worde Ver. 46. Teacheth vs that no feare of men nor shame of our selues should cause vs to conceale or kéepe backe anye part of Gods trueth Ver. 47. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue and continually to delight in the lawe and word of GOD. Ver. 48. Teacheth vs with earnestnes and readines to labour to apprehende Gods trueth and to holde it fast when wée haue obteyned it also to vse not only hearing and reading of Gods word but dayly meditation therein Zain Di. THe Prophet in this vii part doth first pray vnto God that hee might in himselfe effectually féele the accomplishment of Gods promises and this conteyned ver 49. Secondly he sheweth what great comfort and consolation he had in the word of God and by the keeping thereof and this is ver 50.52.54.55.56 Lastly hee shewed that no scornes of the wicked woulde turne him away from God and his truth and that he recompensed that euil of theirs with this good fearing greatly the great iudgements which for the contempt of God and his trueth should fal vpon them ver 51.53 Se. Ver. 49. Remember i. declare by effect that thou doest remember Sée Gen. 8.1 the promise made i. the promise which thou hast made to thy seruaunt i. to me thy seruant he speaketh of himselfe in the third person wherein i. in which promise thou hast caused mee to trust vz. not onely because thou hast made and giuen me the same promise but also hast commaunded mee to take sure hold thereof The Prophet here desireth God in déede to perfourme that which he had promised him whereby hee sheweth that though God séemed to be farre off yet he would stay himselfe vpon his worde Ver. 50. It i. thy promise made vnto me is my comfort i. doth greatly comfort me in my trouble i. when I am in any trouble whatsoeuer when I thinke of it this is as it were the speach of his heart receiuing singular comfort by meditations in Gods promises for thy promise vz. made vnto me in thy word hath quickened me i. hath not onely strengthened and confirmed mee at all times but euen then when I séemed to be nigh vnto death or as it were dead already it did after a sort restore me to life Ver. 51. The proude vz. men of the worlde meaning thereby the wicked and vngodly whome hee calleth proude because they did despise God himselfe and treade vnder foote as it were all his holy doctrine haue had me excéedingly in derision i. haue scoffed and ieared at me not onely very much but also continually for that word excéedingly noteth also that day by day and one day after an other they did assault him with newe and fresh combats of scoffes and taunts yet q.d. for all that they haue done I haue not declined i. gone aside or astray from thy law vz. which thou hast prescribed for me to walke in q.d. no floutes or taunts of men could pull mee from the obedience of thy trueth Ver. 52. I remēbred i. I called to mynd in my meditations and déepely thought vpon thy iudgements i. such examples as wherby thou shewedst thy selfe to be iudge of the world of old i. which thou diddest and madest manifest in former ages hee meaneth that he thought vppon such iudgements as God in former times had declared vnto the worlde for iudgements read ver 43. of this Psalme vnderstanding thereby Gods punishments vppon the wicked and his mercy towards
me away from the obedience of thy trueth Verse 62. At midnight vz. when others are fast and sound a sleepe Sée before verse 55. This declareth his ardency and affection q.d. euen then when I shoulde take my rest as others doe will I rise vz. not onely from my sléepe but euen out of my bed to giue thanks vnto thée vz. for thy gret infinite blessings bestowed vpon me or as followeth because of thy righteous iudgementes i. because of the faithful performing of all those thinges which thou hast promised either in mercy to thy seruants or in iustice to thine enemies Verse 63. I am a companion i. I vse and frequent the company of all thē that feare thee i. serue and worshippe thee with that reuerent feare that appertayneth vnto thée and kéepe thy preceptes i. hee sheweth howe men may know whether they themselues or others feare GOD or no euen by keeping his lawe and doing the things that it requireth And the Prophet kept company with these good men both that he himselfe by them might bee confirmed and also that he might aide and confirme them Ver. 64. The earth i. the whole world it selfe and all the creatures therein conteined O Lord vz. whome I serue alone is full vz. in euery place and quarter so that a man can turne his eye or head no way but he shal sée plaine testimonies of it of thy mercy vz. towardes it and al thy creatures teach me thy statutes sée ver 26. of this Psalme he desireth that the mercy of God which is spred abroad ouer all creatures may be manifested to himward so that thereby he may profit in Gods lawe because that the spirit of vnderstanding is a principal signe of Gods fauour and grace and this petition consisteth of two partes vz. that God pitying his wretchednesse and want of knowledge woulde perfourme his promise made to him in that behalfe whereunto the better to induce God he vseth an argument taken from the abundance of Gods mercy manifested to al his creatures that is the second part or point Do. Ver. 57. Teacheth vs that séeing God hath chosen vs to bee his people wee should carry with vs a resolute perswasion to obey his lawe Ver. 58. Teacheth vs that the prayers which we make vnto God should be vnfeigned and procéed not onely from the tongue but from the heart also also that in our prayers we should make Gods mercies and promises principall proppes of our faith Ver. 59. Teacheth vs not onely to haue a carefull eye to our conuersation past and present but also it sheweth vs that the single sight therof is a good meane to bring vs to the obedience of God Ver. 60. Teacheth vs with speed to turne vnto the Lorde and not to put of from day to day as worldly men doe Verse 61. Doeth not only set out the cruel and spoyling minds that the wicked haue but sheweth also that the children of God shoulde haue such constancie in his trueth as nothing shoulde withdrawe them from it Verse 62. Teacheth vs to haue such care of Gods seruice that wee should many times break our sléepes as it were to performe that duety Ver. 63. Teacheth vs as to auoyd euil company so for the profite that maye come to our selues thereby and for the good that we may do to others to frequent good company Ver. 64. Setteth out the largenes of Gods mercy and sheweth what want of knowledge wée haue in Gods holy worde Teth Di. THis being the 9. part of the Psalme consisteth specially of these pointes first the Prophet confesseth gods great goodnes towards him and prayeth for the continuance therof Ver. 65.66.68 Secondly he declareth that euen the afflictions which they suffered in this life were through the consolation which he had in the word comfortable and profitable vnto him Ver. 67.71.72 Thirdly he setteth out the cruelty and naughtines of the wicked and his owne goodnes and yet without any boasting thereof ver 69.70 Ver. 65. O Lord vz. the only true God thou hast dealt vz. in euery thing Se. and euery way graciously i. in all fauour loue and mercy with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruant for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person according to thy worde i. according to thy promise that thou hast made and giuen mee q.d. as thou hast graciously promised mee all goodnes so hast thou graciously also and in great mercy perfourmed the same Ver. 66. Teach mée vz. who of my selfe am blinde and ignorant good iudgment and knowledge vz. out of thy holy woorde q.d. teach mee by the light of thy holy worde in sound iudgements and knowledge to discerne betwéene trueth and falshoode for I haue beléeued vz. stedfastly thy commaundementes vz. that they are good true and holy he meaneth also by this manner of speach that hee did willingly imbrace all that which was appointed in gods lawe Ver. 67. Before I was afflicted vz from thée and by thine appointment I went astray vz. from the wayes of thy commandements but nowe vz. since thy corrections were vpon mée I kéepe vz. with a sincere and good mynde vnderstanding by kéeping obseruing and obeying thy word i. the things manifested and cōmaunded in thy word Sée Hosea 5.15 Immanuel readeth it thus when I did not yet speake i. euen from my birth I am a sinner a stranger from thy lawe and the childe of wrath as Psal 51.5 I went astray i. I was a sinner against thée as before but now I kéepe vz. diligently or in my heart meaning also that he layd it vp in his mind thy word i. thy promises Thus he applieth it to original sinne whatsoeuer it is certaine it is that hee was not deliuered from that stubbornes and peruerse rebellion wherewith all mankinde is infected but by the mighty working of Gods holy worde and spirit Ver. 68. Thou vz. O Lord art good and gracious as to all so specially to thy people sée Psal 86.5 teach me thy statutes sée ver 26.64 of this Psalme and marke howe to moue the Lord to teach him in his lawe hée setteth before him Gods bounty and goodnes Ver. 69. The proude sée ver 51. of this Psalme hee meaneth by this speach the chiefe men amongest them who were puffed vp with a peruerse and vayne trust in their honours and riches haue imagined as secretly and within themselues so cunningly and finely a lye i. false and vniust accusations hee putteth one for many against mee vz. euen to take away my life if it be possible but I will kéepe vz. through thy goodnes strength and assistaunce thy precepts i. the thinges that thou hast commaunded with my whole heart i. sincerely and vnfeignedly Ver. 70. Their heart i. their minde vnderstanding is fat as grease i. is mightily fatned so that there is nothing in it as it were but fat he meaneth by fat as grease not onely that they were puffed vp with prosperitie and so made vnapt to vnderstand holy thinges
which we haue in our hands we haue them in readines for any vse as it were yet q.d. for all these dangers doe I not forget vz. continually or vtterly thy law i. thy word putting a part of it for the whole Ver. 110. The wicked vz. men of the world haue laid vz. secretly and priuily a snare for me vz. to catch me in it He meaneth that the vngodly hath secretly conspired and practised his destruction but vz. for all that I swarued not vz. to the one side or to the other meaning that neither the feare of his aduersaries nor fauour towards himselfe had drawne him away from the obedience of God from thy precepts i. from doing the things which thou commaundest and requirest at my hands Ver. 111. Thy testimonies i. thy worde haue I taken i. estéemed had in as great regard as an heritage for euer i. as a perpetuall inheritance He meaneth that he did more estéeme the doctrine of God thē al possessions though they had bin neuer so durable for they are the ioy of my hart i. my hart meaning by hart himself putting the principall parte of him for the whole man taketh ioy and delight in nothing else so much as in them Verse 112. I haue applied mine hart i. I haue not only carried a purpose with me but I haue set my whole affection vpon this and he speaketh not this as a vayne bragge of his own vertue but as a simple protestation of the vprighte affection of his own hart to fulfil thy statutes i. to obserue and do the thinges which thou hast or dained in thy law to be performed alway i. continually and for euer euen vnto the end vz. of my life meaning by that maner of spéech all his life long sée verse 33 of this Psalme Verse 105 teacheth vs that without the light of Gods word we cannot walke rightly Ver. 106 teacheth vs to vse al the means we can Do. yea euen to binde our selues with vowes and promises to obserue gods law Ver. 107 teacheth vs that Gods children in this world are many times brought to a low case that we haue no liuelinesse in vs to good things till God bestow it vpon vs. Ver. 108. teacheth vs that we can do nothing which can please God except it please him in mercy to accept of the same Ver. 109 teacheth vs that many are the afflictions of the righteous but yet that for their comforte they shoulde continuallye thinke vpon Gods word Verse 110 setteth out the malicious mindes of the vngodly agaynst the good also it teacheth vs for no persecution to go astray from God and his truth Verse 111 teacheth vs in what price and estimation we should haue Gods word it teacheth vs also that there is no true ioy to be found but in that Ver. 112 teacheth vs to carry with vs a continuall care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods law Samech IN this xv part the Prophet specially propoundeth thrée things Di. in the firste he setteth out his loue to Gods worde and his hatred of all wickednesse and wicked men Verse 113.114.115 In the second he maketh his prayers vnto god for strength and continuance in goodnes and truth Ver. 116 117. In the thirde he expresseth Gods feareful iudgements agaynst the vngodly and what profite the godly reape thereby Ver. 118.119 120. Verse 113 I hate vz. with an vnfeined hatred as Psalm 139 22. Se. meaning by this earnest spéech the great dislike he had vayne inuentions i. all the deuises of any mans hart or head whatsoeuer The hebrew worde whiche hee vseth in this place properly signifieth boughes or braunches and by a Metaphor are put here for inuentions deuises or thoughts whiche comming from the harte as it were from the trunke or body of a Trée spread themselues hither and thither and that causeth Immanuel to turne it thoughts Whatsoeuer it be he meaneth doubtles the crooked inuentions deuises of mans hart but thy law i. thy word sée ver 109 of this Psalm doe I loue vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart Ver. 114. Thou vz. alone no other but thou alone art my refuge i. the place that I flie vnto in distresse meaning that God was he alone vnder whose protection and sauegard he did withdraw himselfe sée Psalme 18.2 and shield vz. to defend me from deadly darts and daungers sée agayne Psalme 18 2 where you shall finde both these wordes expounded and Psalme 3 verse 3. and I trust vz. stedfastly and patiently in thy worde i. in the promises that thou hast made in thy word he meaneth that hee did assuredly beléeue that Gods promises made in his word should bee performed and though they were delayed for a while yet he woulde patiently tarrye the accomplishment thereof Ver. 115. Away from me ye wicked q.d. Departe from me for ye labour in vayne to draw me to commit wickednesse with you sée this spéech expounded Psalme 6.8 for I will kéepe i. I haue a purpose to kéepe and thorow the strength and assistaunce of my God will performe it the commaundements of my God i. those things which my God hath commaunded and will at no hand doe these wickednesses which ye prouoke me vnto Ver. 116. Stablish me i. confirme and strengthen me in thy truth and in al goodnesse according to thy promise vz. made vnto me in thy word that I maye liue vz. euen here in this life before men to thy glory and disappointe me not of my hope i. of the things that I hope for He maketh this prayer not as though God did at any time fayle his children but to the end he himself might more and more féele his fayth strengthened in the truth of the word Ver. 117 Stay thou me vz. from faynting sliding or falling and I shall be safe vz. from daungers and distresses meaning that vnlesse God kept him he coulde not stand one minute of an houre and I wil delight continually in thy statutes vz. not only to know them but also to doe them sée verse 112. Ver. 118. Thou hast troden down vz. vnder thy féete euen as a mighty King or conqueror sée for this phrase Psalm 110.1 al them vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that depart from thy statutes i. that swerue and go astray from the things that thou hast appointed them to walke in for their deceit i. the mischieuous practises which deceitfully they haue deuised against others is vayne i. is voyde and to no purpose vnlesse it be to their owne hurt Verse 119. Thou hast taken away vz. from amongst thy children and that in thy heauie iudgement al the wicked of the earth i. all the vngodlye inhabiting the earth of what state or condition soeuer they were sée verse 118 for this word all like drosse i. as a thing or matter of no account for indéede the wicked are not regarded before God neither are they to be estéemed of his children sée the wicked compared to drosse
Isaiah 1 25. and though I know others to interprete it otherwise yet I approue this sence therefore i. because thou defendest thine as verse 114. and art a iust iudge against the wicked as ver 118 119. I loue sée ver 113 thy testimonies i. thy word which is called a testimony or testimonies because God therein testifyeth vnto vs his will Ver. 120. My flesh i. my whole man putting one part for the whole trembleth vz. excéedingly and verye much for feare of thée vz. who art such a iust iudge against the wicked and vngodly and I know gréeuous faults and offences by my selfe He speaketh not this as though he were afrayde of Gods presence as Adam was Gen. 3 10. for hee greatlye desireth that but by reason of his owne wretchednesse and weakenesse least either he had or might prouoke him to iudgement agaynste him which also may appeare by that that followeth in this verse and I am afrayd of thy iudgemēts vz. poured forth vpon the wicked meaning by iudgements punishments Verse 113 teacheth vs to hate all maner of euill and to loue all good thinges Do. and the meanes whereby we may be drawne to them Ver. 114 teacheth vs that God is a mighty defence for those that are his also that Gods worde is the ground of our hope Verse 115 teacheth vs to shake of the society and companye of wicked men who would draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 116 teacheth vs that Gods promises is the grounde of our hope and prayers Verse 117 teacheth vs that vnlesse God vphold vs we shall slyde and fal Ver. 118 teacheth vs first that the wicked for all their might and subtiltie are not able to resist God secondly that their wicked imaginations shall tend to their owne hurt Verse 119 teacheth vs that Gods iudgementes exercised vpon the wicked and his mercy towards his children should make vs the more to loue him and his word Verse 120 teacheth vs alwayes to haue a reuerence of Gods iudgements specially when we sée them threatned or executed Ain IN this xvi part which specially standeth of prayer Di. the Prophet first desireth to bee deliuered from the wicked and their mischieuous practises Verse 121 122. Secondly he prayeth for patience féeling of Gods mercy knowledge and vnderstanding of Gods lawe and a spéedye redresse of thinges amisse Verse 123 124 125 126. Thirdlye that hée mighte the better mooue God thereto he setteth out the mischéeuous rage of the wicked Gods accustomed goodnesse and his own loue and obedience to God and his word ver 126 127 128. Verse 121. Se. I haue executed iudgement and iustice i. I haue giuen my self ouer to doe vpright and good thinges and I haue not only abstayned from all iniury and wrong doing to them that persecute me but I haue done them also good leaue me not to mine oppressors i. to them that would oppresse mee and doe with me what they pleased neyther doth he here alleage his good doing as a cause why God should graunt him his request but as a testimony to his own conscience that the Lord would not doe it answere vz. to mine enemies for thy seruaunt i. for me thy seruaunt He speaketh of himselfe in the third person in that which is good i. in his good and vpright causes I suppose the Prophet alludeth here to the custome of earthly Princes courts q.d. Appeare for the defence of my good cause and pleade it and set thy selfe against mine enemies in my iust defence and let not the proude oppresse me vz. at their pleasure for this word proude sée before verse 78 and 85. Verse 123. Mine eyes haue fayled vz. euen of their sight in so much that they haue bene dazeled and dimmed and were not able to behold any thing and this hee speaketh not of bodily eyes only but euen of the eyes of his fayth and perswasion sée before Verse 82 in wayting vz. a very long time yet in care and patience for thy saluation i. for deliueraunce from thée out of all my distresses So we haue had the word saluation vsed sundry times before and namely Psalme 3 verse 8. and for thy iust promise i. for the performaunce of thy promise whiche thou hast iustly made and wilte iustlye kéepe Verse 124. Deale with thy seruaunt vz. in this his distresse and miserye and here he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person as before 122 according to thy mercy vz. manifested to him and other thy children and teache mée vz. that am blinde and ignoraunt thy statutes sée before verse 12.26.33 Verse 125. I am thy seruaunt vz. thorow thy goodnesse I am aduaunced to this honour for hée boasteth not here of his dignitye but setteth out the grace which he had receaued from God to moue him to finish that which he had begun graunt mee therefore vnderstanding vz. to guide my selfe so as thou mayst be glorifyed I my selfe comforted and others builded vp that I may know thy testimonies vz. to do and practise the same for otherwise the knowledge of thē is to little purpose Verse 126. It is time he speaketh not this as though he prescribed God a season but the rather to set out the abundance of wickednesse which did ouerflow the world q.d. If the Lord did not in time cut off sin and wicked men all would be as it were infected therewith for the Lord to work i. to declare by his work that he wil take punishment vpon the transgressors of his law for they haue destroyed i. the wicked men by their lewdnes and euil conuersation haue done what they could to ouerthrow thy word not that they are able to do it q.d. they are become so bold and fierce that they doe not only séeke my destruction but set themselues agaynst God and his word thy law i. thy word as before verse 113 and 109. Verse 127. Therefore i. because I am sure that the wicked shall not escape vnpunished It may also be taken for a reason why Dauid desyred to be instructed in the Law because of the excellency thereof loue I vz. willingly and vnfeignedly sée verse 113 thy commaundements i. thy word a part for the whole aboue gold i. more then gold yea aboue most fyne gold i. aboue all things in the world though for their excellency and beauty they be neuer so much desired Verse 128. Therefore vz. also euen because thy iudgements are poured forth vpō the wicked which also thou hast manifested by thy word I estéeme vz. I doe not only reuerence but also iudge and take all thy precepts i. al the things which thou hast commaunded in thy law most iust i. to be or that they are most iust and righteous and hate sée before ver 113 al false ways vz. how glorious soeuer they be in mans eyes or whosoeuer forged and deuised the same Do. Verse 121 teacheth vs that it is a hard thing to fall into mens handes Verse 122 teacheth vs to beséech the Lord to pleade
our causes when the ordinarye course of a iust defence is stopped against vs. Verse 123 teacheth vs neuer to leaue off hanging vppon the Lorde though the Lorde a long while deferre his ayde Verse 124 teacheth vs in all our supplications and prayers to flie to Gods mercy Verse 125 teacheth vs that till GOD giue vs vnderstanding we are vtterly blind Verse 126 teacheth vs that the heaping vp of wickednesse will doubtlesse procure the Lorde to come with swifte and sharpe iudgement Verse 127 teacheth vs to preferre Gods worde before all pleasures and profites of this life whatsoeuer Verse 128 teacheth vs vnfaignedlye and from the bottome of our hartes to abhorre all subtill and deceitfull wayes Pe. THe Prophet in this seuentéenth part Di. painteth out both the excellency of gods law and his great desire loue to the same ver 129 130 131. Secondlye hée prayeth the Lord to be mercifull vnto him to order his conuersation to saue him from the wicked to instruct him in his law ver 132 133 134 135. Thirdlye he expresseth how much he was gréeued when he saw the law of his God traÌ„sgressed and broken ver 136. Verse 129. Thy Testimonies i. thy law and word sée verse 111 Se. 125 are wonderfull i. comprehend wonderfull things because it containeth misteries which are high and hidden from mens reason and vnderstanding and hereby he was moued to reuerence estéeme Gods word therefore i. because they are so excellent doth my soule i. I my selfe both in the outward and inwarde man kéep them i. striue and labour to kéepe theÌ„ and thorow thy goodnes many times performe them Ver. 130. The enterance into thy word i. the beginning to be acquainted and familiar with it q.d. the word of God is so cleare that euen at the first sight of it it lighteneth mens eyes The hebrew word which is here turned entraunce signifieth dore gate or opening q.d. Euen the verye first rudiments or instruments of thy word sheweth light vz. to such as resort and repayre to it he meaneth that it lighteneth their mindes and chaseth away the naturall darkenesse which is in them giueth vnderstanding i. abundance of vnderstanding and knowledge to the simple i. to theÌ„ that be rude or ignoraunt and specially to such as being voyde from presumption and pride doe willingly submit themselues to GOD that they maye bée instructed in and by his worde Verse 131. I opened my mouth i. I very earnestlye desired as they doe that eyther are hungrye or thirstye verye muche whiche they declare by opening their mouth or gaping euen as though they woulde swallowe vp the ayre and panted vz. for an earnest desire which I had sée Psalme 42 12. I take these same to bée metaphors borrowed from thirstye and wearie wayfaring men q. d. I doe so earnestlye hunger and thyrste after thy lawe as the hungrye and thirstye doe after meaâ—e and drinke yea I doe by all the meanes I can striue to attayne it because I loued vz. earnestlye and vnfeignedlye sée Verse 113.127 thy commaundementes i. thy whole word a part for the whole Verse 132. Looke vppon mée vz. continuallye and at all times speciallye in the dayes of myne affliction and bée mercifull vnto mee though there be nothing in me to mooue thée vnto it as thou vsest to doe vnto those i. euen as thou arte accustomed to shew mercy and loue to such that loue thy name i. that loue thée and that vnfeignedly and from a good hart The name of God put for God himselfe as may appeare by Rom. 8. â—8 where this phrase loue God is vsed Verse 133. Direct my steppes i. order my conuersation and course of life some turne it thus direct my feete but the sence commeth all to one in thy worde i. according to that truth which thou hast sanctifyed and set forth in thy word and in that he prayeth God to direct him he sheweth what great weakenesse is in maÌ„ by nature and let no iniquitie i. sinne either against thy maiestie or men my brethren haue dominion ouer me vz. to carry me from the wayes of thy coÌ„maundements for though we haue a will sometimes to doe good yet euill is present and sinne dwelleth though it raigneth not in this our flesh sée Rom. 7. thorowout Verse 134. Deliuer me i. set me frée and that thorow thy goodnesse and mercy from the oppression of men i. from men that would oppresse me and doe mee wrong or else from the oppression and wrong whiche they purpose against me sée verse 121 of this Psalme and I wil kéepe thy precepts sée verse 115. of this Psalme Verse 135. Shew the light of thy countenaunce i. be mercifull and fauourable you haue such a phrase before Psalme 67 1. vpon thy seruaunt i. vpon me thy seruaunt or vnto me thy seruaunt speaking of himselfe in the third person and teach me thy statutes sée verse 64 68. Verse 136. Mine eyes gush out with riuers of waters i. I wéepe and sheade abundance of teares yea I am altogether in teares q.d. I wéepe continuallye not only for mine own cause but euen for the wicked mens sakes whome I pitye and specially for the law of God which it gréeueth me to the harte to bée violated and broken because they i. the men of the worlde and wicked ones kept not thy law i. haue neither care nor conscience to kéepe it Do. Verse 129 Verse 129 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe vs to a loue liking and obedience thereof Ver. 130 is an excellent place to aunswere the Papistes who accuse Gods word of darkenesse and hardnesse Verse 131. teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thirst after the foode of our soules whiche is the word of God Verse 132 teacheth vs that God vseth continually to shew mercy and loue to those that loue and feare him Verse 134 teacheth vs that the more God doth set vs frée from daunger the greater care wee should haue to walke in obedience Verse 135 teacheth vs that Gods fauour is the Fountaine of all goodnesse to his children also that til he teach vs we are but blind and ignoraunt Verse 136 teacheth vs to be gréeued not only for our own sins but for other mens transgressions also Tsaddi Di. IN this part the Prophet speciallye propoundeth two thinges the firste is a singular commendation of God and his law Verse 137 138 140 142 and 144. The second is a description of his own misery trouble and gréefe and this is put down in verse 130 141 and 143. Verse 137. Righteous art thou O Lord vz. euen thou alone Se. and none other but thou q.d. if a man should séeke for righteousnesse without him hee shall not find a drop thereof and iust are thy iudgements vz. which thou exercisest towards men meaning also by this spéech that all of them and euery one of them are iust Ver. 138. Thou hast commanded and therefore good cause thou shouldest be obeyed iustice i.
from grace because whom the Lorde loueth he loueth for euer Verse 2. Teacheth vs that God compasseth his seruants so on euery side that no euil can come vnto them further then hee himselfe wil. Sée Iob. 1.10 Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be afflicted yet our afflictions are but momentary and indure but for a short space Sée Psalme 30.5 also 2. Corinth 4.17 Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for the continuance of gods fauour vpon our brethren euen as towardes our selues Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer hypocrites florish in the Church for a while yet the Lorde will plague them in the end also it teacheth vs that howsoeuer he punisheth the wicked yet hee will graciously blesse his owne Psalme 126. THis Psalme may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the faithful declare how strange a thing their deliueraunce out of Babilon was confessing it to be done onely by God for which they declare their ioy Ver. 1.2.3 In the seconde they pray the Lord to performe the worke which he had begun prophecying euen by the spirit of prophecy the ful accomplishment and performance thereof ver 4.5.6 The title A song of degrées this is expounded before Psalm 120. Se. in the title or Psalme of Dauid this is not in the Hebrew text and therfore would bee left out for this Psalme seemeth not to bée made by Dauid or in Dauids tyme but in the dayes of Cyrus who published a proclamation for the returne of the Iewes into their countrey at the which diuers of the godly reioycing together penned also this Psalme Verse 1. When the Lord vz. of his great goodnes and mercy brought againe vz. out of Babylon whither they were taryed captiues for their sinne and thus they ascribe all the worke of deliueraunce wholy to the Lorde the captiuity i. the captiues he putteth the thing for the persons as wée haue noted out before Psalme 125.3 out of the Hebrewe text of Sion i. of the Church of the Iewes hée meaneth all the people by the place which was of greatest excellenty amongest them to witte Sion whereuppon the temple was builded in which God was worshipped wée were vz. in our owne iudgement and estimation like them that dreame vz. that dreame of excellent things and yet haue theâ—â— not not but that they were deliuered but the wonderfulnes of the deliuerance was so great and so incomprehensible to all mens vnderstanding that it séemed almost impossible to bee performed q.d. wée coulde hardly perswade our selues of it til wée saw the Gentiles speake of our great deliueraunce and 〈◊〉 help vs forwarde with ayde towardes our owne Countrey sée Ezra 1. through out Verse 2. Then when wee knewe that God had done this great worke for vs was our mouth filled with laughter i. wee had a plentifull and large occasion giuen vs of reioycing because the countenance and face are specially occupied in laughing and the mouth is a part thereof hee putteth a part for the whole yea euen for the whole man if you will and our tongue with ioy i. wee had great occasion also to speake ioyfull words q.d. wee had occasion giuen vs not onely to bée merry in countenaunce whereas before in our captiuity wee hanged downe our heades but also we expressed the ioy of our heartes by our woordes then vz. when they also sawe it sayde they amongest the heathen i. diuers and many of the heathen amongst whome wee were captiues and prisoners the Lorde vz. their God whom they worshippe and serue hath done vz. through his great strength and power great thinges i. excellent yea and wonderfull thinges for them i. for their sake and euen for their particular persons also They meane that the miracle of their deliueraunce was so great that the Gentiles themselues did euen perceiue it and confesse it Verse 3. The Lorde vz. our GOD for these are the woordes of the faythfull answering as it were the heathen that confessed GOD to bee the worker of their deliueraunce q.d. wée confesse it also with you the Lorde hath done great thinges all this is expounded before verse 2. for vs though wee bee his poore and vnworthy seruauntes so all serueth for the magnifiyng of Gods might and mercy Verse 4. O Lorde bring agayne vz. through thy almighty power and that out of Babylon into the lande of Iudah our captiuity i. our brethren and friendes which yet remayne captiues Sée ver 1. of this Psal as vz. thou many tymes bryngest the riuers i. abundaunce of waters in the South i. into the South putting the South Countrey for dry and barren places because of the continuall and ardent heate of the sunne in that quarter which parcheth all their grasse come c. and dryeth vp as it were all their riuers and waters and nâ—ce that in this place the Prophet compareth Gods fauour in the deliueraunce of his people with the riuers of water and the people themselues in captiuity with a barren and drye lande from whome none could turne away Gods fauour if it pleased him to water them therewith So that in this verse the Church prayeth the Lorde to stretch out his hande to the faythfull which remayned yet in Babylon and to helpe them from thence for albeit it was a very harde matter that the remnaunt dispersed shoulde bee gathered together into one body yet they stayed themselues vppon the power of GOD who coulde as easily do that as cause riuers of waters to runne through the South Countryes Verse 5. They that sowe in teares this is an other allegory as it were or similitude in which the people caryed into captiuity are compared to néedy husbandmen who cast into the grounde for séede euen that which was left them for the sustentation of lyfe shall vz. in good tyme reape with ioy q.d. their sorrowe shal bee recompensed with gladnes in this other part of the similitude hee compareth the people returning out of captiuity to reapers or husbandmen which are glad for the abundaunt haruest which they finde the meaning of altogether is that the Iewes who were heauy and sad when they were caryed captiues into Babylon shal bee ioyfull when they shall haue reaped that is to say obteyned the fruite of their hope that is a glorious deliueraunce And this similitude declareth that such as were vphelde by the promise of God albeit that in extreme famine or neede they did cast séede into the grounde euen as it were at all aduenture yet that they were notwithstanding nourished and felt in their heartes the hope of that returne which GOD had promised them Verse 6. They this word may either bee referred to the néedy husbandman that hauing by some meane or other gotten séede are wont to sowe it with griefe or else to the people in captiuitie who went thither with heauinesse of heart and abundaunce of teares I referre it rather to the people went vz. out of their owne lande into Chaldea being caryed captiues weeping i. sorrowfull
groweth vppon houses incontinently withereth because it hath not earth sufficient vnder it to giue it moysture and nourishment wherefore looke by how much they shall thorow the greatnesse of their pride draw nigh to the Sunne so much the more sodainlye shall they be consumed because they haue no roote Verse 7. whereof i. wherewith the mower i. he that should mowe it filleth not his hande q.d. it is so skarse that he can not take a handful of it neither the glainer vz. which commeth after the mower and looketh more narrowly his lappe i. can get anye thing to speake of this may haue a double sence and both good though I confesse there is but one right sence of all scriptures for it may bee referred vnto the grasse spoken of before in the house toppe and then his meaning is that it commeth not to any ripenesse in so muche that it can neyther be mowed nor gathered but this I approue not because men vse not to mow grasse on the house toppe nor yet to gather it to any vse or it maye bee another Metaphor taken from Corne that commeth thinly vp here an eare and there an eare noting that the wicked thorow Gods iudgements should be brought to such a wasting that very few or none of them should be left and I take to be the more fitte sence Verse 8. Neither they which go by vz. the mowers and reapers say the blessing of the Lord be vpon you i. the Lord blesse you and your haruest because they cannot say so for they sée Gods hand vpon them in scarsitie Those that passed by were wont to wish well to the haruest workers as appeareth Ruth 2 4 so that this is as much q. d. They shall not pray no not for the worke men much lesse wish well to the haruest it selfe or this particle sheweth that it is an other kinde of spéeche that they vsed to the haruest men wée blesse you i. wée wishe you good in the name of the Lord i. thorow his maiesty power and goodnesse Do. Verse 1 setteth out the continual both malice assaults of the wicked against the godly Ver. 2 sheweth that they can neuer preuaile vtterly against them Ver. 3. declareth the hard hartednes and vnmercifulnes of the wicked Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God doth frustrate al the purposes and attempts of the vngodly whatsoeuer Ver. 5 conteineth the destruction of them that persecute the church Ver. 6 sheweth that the vngodlye are of no long continuaunce because they haue no déepe roote Ver. 7 sheweth that the vngodly wicked are vtterly vnprofitable to euery good thing Ver. 8 teacheth vs that it is a testimony of Gods greate curse vpon vs to want eyther the prayers or good wishes of the godly Psalme 130. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first he maketh his earnest prayer vnto the Lorde desiring him to remoue his sinnes that so he may féele his singular mercy ver 1 2 3 4. In the second he testifyeth his fayth and patience exhorting the faythful continually to hang vpon the Lord from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psal 120. Ver. 1. Out of the déepe places i. out of most deepe and huge dangers it is a metaphor taken from waters ready to drown a man sée Psal 69 1 2. haue I called vnto thée Lord i. earnestlye prayed vnto thée sée Psal 116.3 4. so that we sée that the Prophet when he felt himself sore oppressed with distresse yea as it were plunged in a gulfe of perplexity calleth earnestly vpon God for the greater the afflictions are whiche Gods children indure the more earnest are their supplications Ver. 2. Lord heare my voice i. graunt me the praiers which I expresse with my voice let thine eares attend i. harken diligently meaning that he would haue the Lord by effecte to shew that he had carefully heard his prayers to the voice of my prayers i. to the words whiche I vse in my praiers because the voyce is a meane to vtter wordes he putteth it for the words themselues Ver. 3. If thou O Lorde vz. which séest and knowest all thinges straitly markest i. narrowlye weighest or kéepest as a man would a register or reckoning iniquities i. the infinit numbers of sinnes committed agaynst thée and others for so I take the word in the plurall number who shall stand vz. in thy presence or before thée sée Psalme 1 5. q.d. who is hée that shall be able to beare thy iudgement or the least parte thereof Verely there is not one amongst all men that either haue bin are or shal be He meaneth then that we can not be iust but by the remission of sinnes and I take this verse to containe a reason as it were of his former prayer q.d. Spare vs not for our owne sake for there is nothing in vs that can mooue thée to pitie vs but for thine own mercy sake as in the next verse Verse 4. But mercy is with thée i. thou hast infinite and abundaunt mercy that thou mayst bée feared vz. amongest men and hée putteth feare in this place for the reuerente and sincere seruice of GOD so that he doth as it were desire GOD to haue regarde of his owne glorye whiche consysteth in the fayth and truth of his promises and in his worship and seruice both whiche shoulde vtterlye decaye if the Lorde did straightlye obserue our iniquities and destroy vs in his iudgement therefore and so he sheweth that there is no reuerence of God in mens hartes till his mercies bee sensiblye felte and knowne whiche is the foundation thereof and by feare he meaneth in this place the reuerent feare of Children and not the slauish feare of Seruaunts Verse 5. I haue vz. heretofore and yet at this present doe for vnder this hee comprehendeth also the present time wayted i. trusted and hoped and haue obtained that which I hoped for my soule hath waited vz. vpon the Lord as in the next verse Hée meaneth by this that he trusted in God not feignedly or in hipocrisie but hartily and from the déepe affection of his hart whereby he sheweth that the seate of sure hope is in the hart and I haue trusted vz. stedfastly in his worde i. in all his word generallye but specially in his promises made vnto mee Meaning that as he had before trusted and obtained fauour so he would doe still Verse 6 My soule wayteth on the Lord sée this expounded before verse 5. the repeating of it séemeth to shew the ardencie of his zeale and his continuaunce in hanging vpon God more then the morning watch i. that watch that is appointed to watch til the morning hath no body to ease him from his watche al night long watcheth for the morning i. for that time wherein in the morning he shall leaue his watch q.d. I am more desirous to inioy God and the fauours of his grace then the watchmen which are weary with
watching all night do desire to sée the breaking vp of their watch in the morning Verse 7 Let Israell i. Gods faithfull people as before Psalme 129 and afterwardes Psal 131 3 and in this verse he exhorteth all the Church by this example to hāg vpon God wayt vz. with patience on the Lorde vz. only and no other but him for with the Lord is mercy i. hee is gracious and mercifull as before verse 4 of this Psalme and this is a reason why he woulde haue the faithfull to hang vpon the Lord and with him is greate redemption vz. procéeding from that mercye of his as the streame from the Fountayne Meaning by that word great redemption that the Lord hath diuers meanes to deliuer his by and to draw them out of all daungers wherein soeuer they shal be Ver. 8. And he vz. himself and no other for him shall vz. most certainlye and assuredly redéeme i. set frée and deliuer Israell i. his faythfull people which shall haue their trust in him from all his iniquities i. not onely from all their sins but also from all daungers and distresses whereinto their sinnes mighte cast them For so largely doe I rest perswaded that the word shoulde be taken in this place Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more earnest and often should we be with the Lord by prayer Verse 2 teacheth vs that because sinne cleaueth fast vnto vs and our praiers pierce little or nothing that therefore we should continually call vpon the Lord to heare our prayers Verse 3 teacheth vs in our prayers to haue recourse vnto Gods mercy onely also that no man is able to stand as righteous in the presence and iudgement of God Verse 4 sheweth that Gods mercy should not breede carelesnesse in vs but care and conscience to walke before him in feare and trembling Verse 5 teacheth that there was neuer yet any one confounded that did vnfeignedlye put his trust in the Lord Verse 6 teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thyrste after the Lord. Verse 7 teacheth vs to prouoke others as well as our selues with patience to waite vpon the Lord. Verse 8 teacheth vs that it is God onlye that can deliuer from sinne and from all those punishments whiche sinne hath pulled vpon vs. Psalme 131. Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme propoundeth two thinges first he setteth downe the simplicitie and humblenesse of his own minde ver 1 2. Secondly he exhorteth the faithfull by his example to stryue to patience verse 3. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 also Psalme 122 in the title thereof Verse 1. Lord vz. whom I serue q.d. thou knowest whether it bee true or no that I speake though men will not beléeue me mine heart is not haughty he beginneth with the fountayne of pride which is in the heart q.d. Thou knowest that I haue not so much as in hart affected the Kingdome or Saules ruine or taken in hande any great matter but by a stedfast faith haue wholye stayed my selfe vpon thée and rested in the obedience of thy will neither are mine eyes loftie from the inward which is the hart he commeth to the outward which are the eyes q.d. that there was not in his visage or countinance any signe of pride but that outwardly he gaue an euident testimony of the humilitie of his hart inwardly neither haue I walked in great matters i. I haue not attempted high enterprises by fact without the reache of my calling and hid from me i. I haue not assayed to looke into such thinges as passe the lighte of capacity and vnderstanding which thou gauest me Verse 2. Surely q.d. this is most certain and thou knowest it though I would not report it I haue behaued my selfe vz. both outwardly and inwardly like one weaned from his mother i. euen as a little childe which is humble and lowly in whiche respecte our sauiour sayth except we receaue the kingdome of God as a little child we shall not enter therein Mar. 10 15. and Paul bee not children in vnderstanding but as concerning maliciousnesse be children 1 Cor. 14 20. and kéept silence i. speake very little or nothing I am in my selfe i. in mine owne perswasion and that in the vpright testimonie of a good conscience before God as one that is weaned i. as a yong childe in respect of affections and wicked desires for children commonly are not very old when they are weaned Ver. 3. Let Israell waye on the Lord sée this expounded Psal 130. ver 7. from henceforth and for euer i. from this time and continually Ver. 1 teacheth vs to auoyd pryde and arrogancye Do. both inwardly in the hart and outwardly in the countenance and behauiour Ver. 2 teacheth vs to striue to all humilitie and lowlinesse of affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs not only with patience for the time to wait vpon the Lord but to doe it continually for euer Psalme 132. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first is conteined a prayer for Dauid the Lords Priests and the faithfull people of God with a declaration of their zeale to Gods worship and seruice from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second there is expressed both Gods promises made particularly to Dauid and his posterity also to the whole churche generally from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before in the title of Psal 120. Ver. 1. Lord vz. Se. which art the only true God iudgest vprightly remēber i. declare by effects that thou remēbrest and beholdest him that thou doest approue the purpose of his mind in graunting him his request for otherwise God neuer forgetteth specially those that are his sée Gen. 8.1 Dauid vz. thine annointed king seruaunt and al his affliction i. al and euery one of the troubles which he hath indured specially the great care of his hart for the building of thy Temple of which sée 2. Sam. 7 1 2 3. but specially that which followeth in this Psal and all this he alleageth not as boasting of any thing he did but that séeing the Lord mercifull vnto him he might thereby take an argument of good things Ver. 2. who sware vnto the Lord i. bound himselfe vnto him by an oth and that to this end that therby he might be the more carefully bound to perform the good wch hée had promised sée Psal 119 6 vowed a vow i. promised that certainly this difference I take to be betwéen an oth a vow that the one is made with calling god to witnes the other is a solemn protestation or promise only yet so that if it be made concerning good things and by them that haue power in themselues to perform it it bindeth the cōscience sée Num. 30 thorow out to the mighty god of Iaakob i. to God who by his mightie force and power did deliuer the Patriarche Iaakob from all his daungers faying vz.
people but specially the Priests and Leuites to whome hée giueth this title by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted and that therfore they to the end also that by their example they might draw on others to do the like should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time but in the night kéeping watch and ward about the temple of the Lord sée Num. 18.1.2 c. 1. Chron. 9.33 And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the temple as it is reported of Anna Luk. 2.37 yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites and when he sayth stande hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the place where the Arke was or the temple after it was builded Verse 2. Lift vp your handes i. praye and giue thankes the signe of prayer or an outwarde gesture vsed in it put for the thing it selfe as Psalme 141 2. also 1 Timothie 2 8. to the sanctuarye i. towardes the Sanctuarye meaning the place where the Arke was and the Arke it selfe out of which God had promised to aunswere his people and to heare their prayers and prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercyes as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the principall ende of outward ceremonies is to set forth Gods praise and glory Verse 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth i. the God of all maiestie glory power c. sée Psalme 121 2 also Psalme 124 8 blesse thée vz. with all goodnesse and fauour out of Sion where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power and in the seconde his fatherlye loue which two must neuer be sundered but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes whose office it was to blesse the people as Numbers 6 23 or in his own person as praying for them and testifying his great loue vnto them it is not muche materiall Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent to the performance of their dutie Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue to pray for others as for our selues Psalme 135. IN my iudgement Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee to prayse the Lorde shewing certaine causes that may leade them thereto as his mercy his power his wonderful workes c. from ver 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference there is betwéene the true God and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles exhorting al the faithful generally and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God whose seruice they professed from ver 13. to the end of the Psalme The title is prayse yée the Lorde sée this expounded before Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argument of the Psalme as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as sundrie times before and namely Psal 20.1 and Psal 124.8 ye seruants of the Lorde this I referre generally to all as Psalm 134.1 but specially to the priests praise him this doubling of the exhortation séemeth to set out as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same so the excellency of the thing it selfe Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde i. ye priestes specially and chiefly because they ought by their duety to shewe the way vnto others and in the courtes of the house of our God i. in those courtes that did appertein to the temple of the Lord amongst which the people had some which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9 the great court and this is the reason why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise Verse 3. Prayse ye the Lorde vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue sée Psal 134.1 for the Lorde is good vz. euen of his owne nature and from that abundaunt goodnesse which is in him floweth all goodnesse which wee haue and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him sing prayses vnto his name i. extol his maiesty power c. as before ver 1. for it is a comely thing vz. to do so meaning by comely pleasant and profitable sée Psal 133.1 also Psalm 92.1 Ver. 4. For the Lorde vz. whom I exhort you to praise and magnifie hath chosen vz. of his infinite mercy goodnes Iaakob i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob to himselfe i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe and vz. he hath fréely chosen for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word Israel i. the true Israelites or the Israel of God as Psal 124.1 for his chiefe treasure i. for a people whom hee maketh more account of by many degrees then men do of their chiefest treasures Sée Exod. 19.5 The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse most exquisite thinges as pearles precious stones or such like And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his people Ver. 5. For I know vz. both by his worde workes and myne owne experience that the Lord vz. whom we serue is gret vz. in power might and that our Lorde vz. whom we worship according to his will reuealed in his word is aboue al Gods i. is higher and mightier then they whether they be Angels and magistrates to whom this name is sometimes giuen or idoles which the vaine people worship whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in this Psalme Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do that did he vz. because no power was able to resist him in heauen and in earth in the Sea and in al depthes i. euery where for no place is excepted from his power and presence as Psalm 139.7.8 c. and howe true this is the particular examples of his woorde doe declare specially these two the vniuersall flood and the confusion of Babel Gene. 7.8.11 chapt and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause wherefore men should prayse God and that is the great power of God declared not onely in
2. Teacheth vs particularly to stirre vp both priests and people to that duety when we find them slacke Verse 3. Teacheth vs that the Lords continual goodnes towards vs should draw vs on to praise his name Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen his gracious election particularly aboue the rest should be a singular argument of our prayse and thankesgiuing Ver. 5. Teacheth vs the particular experience which wee or any of vs haue had of Gods power should be a notable proppe to our fayth Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that nothing can withstand his purpose and power Ver. 7. Teacheth that euen all naturall thinges are guided and gouerned by him and his appoyntment Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that the Lorde in executing his iudgements vpon the wicked respecteth no mans person Ver. 9. Doeth the same thing teaching vs further that Gods iudgements are so plain and manifest as the wicked are not able to alledge either ignorance or excuse against them for themselues Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that though God vse meanes for the performance of his counsels yet the accomplishment and glory of them belongeth to him alone It teacheth also further which thing also Verse 11. Doeth that there is no power wisedome counsel multitudes or authoritie able to hinder though neuer so litle the Lord in his workes Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that they haue right to lande and inheritance to whom it pleaseth the Lord to giue the same because he is the Lorde of the whole earth Verse 13. Teacheth vs that God in all ages leaueth notable spectacles of his power to al people to the ende that thereby they might bee drawne vnto him Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that though the Lorde bee angry with his people for a while yet he wil turne to them in euerlasting loue Ver. 15.16.17 Set out vnto vs the horrible vanity and great abuse of idoles Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that the idole the idole maker and al such also as serue them are not onely beastly and blockish before men but shall before god in good time come to shame and confusion Ver. 19.20 Teach vs that it is méete for al the faithful but specially for the Lords ministers as guides vnto the rest to praise the Lord for his great goodnes Ver. 21 teacheth them to performe that seruice to him euen in the publike assemblies of his saints Psalme 136. IN this Psalme the Prophet doeth exhort all the faithfull people Di. to praise God first for the excellency of his nature and singular maiesty ver 1.2.3.26 secondly for his workes of creation and prouidence generally and particularly ver 4.5.6.7.8.9.25 Thirdly for his great iudgements vpon the enemies of his people ver 10.15.17.18.19.20 and fourthly for his excéeding fauour towards his owne seruants ver 11.12.13.14.16.21.22.23.24 This Psalme hath no title as many such wee haue had heretofore Se. as Psal 104.105 and sundry such like Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord vz. O yée faythfull people because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy vz. which is the first course of all his goodnes indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue end This sentence is repeated in euery verse of this Psalme not as idle superfluous or vaine but to shewe that Gods goodnes is the fountaine both of al our praises and al his works which doctrine because it ought to be perpetual therefore did the Leuites sing this Psalme or some other of the same argument or matter dayly in the olde Church of the Iewes as appeareth 1. Chron. 16.41 and it séemeth also to shewe how much we should continue in the acknowledging of gods graces Ver. 2. Praise ye the God of gods i. he that is aboue all that haue any diuine or heauenly offices whether they be men as magistrates or Angels or any other thing which hath the name of God giuen vnto it sée Deut. 10.17 for his mercy vz. towardes all but specially towards his owne people indureth for euer all this is expounded before Ver 3. Praise ye the Lord of Lords i. he that hath the fulnes and perfection of rule and authority in him for whatsoeuer other men haue they haue it from him because it pleaseth him to bestow the same vppon them sée 1. Tim. 6.15 Reuelat. 17.14 for his mercy indureth for euer this is expounded before and therfore we shal not néede to repeate it againe Ver. 4. Which vz. God our Lorde onely i. by himselfe alone and his owne power none ioyning with him as assistant doth great wonders vz. euen as we our selues know and can report Ver. 5. Which by his wisedome i. most wisely and with great vnderstanding yea wich such wisedome and prouidence as is wonderfull Sée Prouerb 3.19 wee may vnderstande also by wisdom his eternal sonne sée Pro. 8. from ver 22. to the ende of the 31. made vz. in the beginning as Gene. 1.1 the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined for so large doe I take the worde to be here as Psal 124.8 Ver. 6. Which hath stretched out the earth i. the continent and firme land vpon the waters sée Psal 24.2 hee meaneth that God hath caused the waters to withdraw themselues from of the earth to the end it might be a place for men to dwell therein sée Gene. 1.9 Ver. 7. Which made great lights vz. two as Gene. 1.16 of which he speaketh afterwards particularly and they are called great because they are in our iudgments in déed greater then the other Ver. 8. As vz. for example the sunne to rule the day i. to shine in it and to make it light whereas otherwise it woulde be all darknes Verse 9. The moone and the starres to gouerne the night i. to shyne and shewe forth themselues in that season Verse 10. Which smote vz. with his plagues Egypt i. the lande and the people inhabiting it with their first borne i. all their first borne from man to beast Sée Psalme 135.8 Verse 11. And brought out Israell vz. who was kept in captiuity and thraldome putting Israel for the Israelites from among them i. quite and cleane out of their company and land this history is written in the 13. chapt of Exod. Ver. 12. With a mighty hand i. with such great power as the Egiptians coulde no way resist and stretched out arme i. with singular fauour and proâ—ection ouer his owne and great iudgements vppon the wicked for the arme serueth both for defence and for striking Ver. 13. Which diuided the red Sea into two parts vz. that his people might passe through it Sée Exod. 14.22 Verse 14. And made Israell i. the Israelites hee speaketh thus of them all as though they were but one man because they were but one body to passe through their iddest of it i. of the waters so diuided Verse 15. And ouerthrewe vz. by his almighty power Pharaoh vz. who was king of Egypt and his hoste i. the people which hee had gathered together to pursue the Israelites in their flight yea hée so destroyed them that
there was not one of them left in the red Sea the place is named for the certainetie of the historie also Verse 16. Which vz. God led vz. carefully and tenderly as a father his children or a shepheard his flocke his people i. the Israelites whome he had chosen to bée a peculiar people to himselfe as Psalme 135.4 through the wildernesse i. through sundry wildernesses putting one for many as Sin Pharam and others as whosoeuer will reade the historie of their iourneyes in Numbers 33. shall plainely perceiue Verse 17. Which smote sée Psal 135.8.10 great kinges i. kinges of great power Verse 18. And slewe vz. by the sworde of his captaines and people sée Psalm 135.10 mightie kinges i. kinges of wonderfull might and force howe great and mightie soeuer they were Verse 19. As vz. for example Sihon king of the Ammorites i. one Sihon that gouerned that people Ver. 20. And Og the king of Bashan i. he that ruled in the lande of Bashan Verse 21. And gaue vz. freely and of his owne goodnesse their lande i. the lande which they and their people inhabited for an heritage i. by the right of inheritance as it were so that the people might lawfully possesse it Verse 22. Euen an heritage i. to be a most certaine inheritaunce for so much I take the doubling of the woorde to import vnto Israell his seruaunt i. vnto the Israelites which did serue and worshippe him and vppon whome hee had bestowed this honour to bee his seruants because to serue him is to bée a king for the storie of all these matters conteined here from verse 10. to the ende of the 22. Sée Exod. chapters 12.13.14 c. Sée Psalme 78. from ver 12 to verse 56. also Psalm 105. verse 27. to the ende thereof Sée Psalm 106. almost throughout Psalme 135. verse 8.9.10.11.12 also Numbers 21. Deutronomie 3. Iosh 12. and many other places Verse 23. Which remembred vs i. shewed by effect that hee thought vpon vs and had care ouer vs as Genesis 8.1 in our base estate i. when wee were afflicted and oppressed on euery side for to such a lowe ebbe are Gods children many tymes brought Verse 24. And hath restored vs from our oppressours i. from the power and tyrannie of such as did oppresse vs the metaphor of restoring is notable not onely declaring their miserie who were taken captiues and prisoners to bee vsed according to the pleasure of those that had taken them but also expressing Gods mercy in deliuering his people out of the same and Gods power because the enemy coulde not gainstande it Verse 25. Which giueth foode i. graciously and plentifully prouideth for to all fleshe i. not onely men but also all beastes and creatures sée Psal 104.27.28 Ver. 26. Prayse ye the God of heauen i. the true and onely GOD whose seate and dwelling place is in the heauen of heauens and by this title hée discerneth God from all counterfeite and forged Gods in the earth Verse 1. Teacheth vs both to prouoke others and also our selues Do. to prayse God for his excellent goodnes Ver. 2. teacheth vs to prayse him for his excellent nature and incomprehensible maiesty Ver. 3 teacheth vs to praise him for his large and great gouernment Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God alone is he that doeth notable things howsoeuer he vseth men as meanes in the performance thereof Ver. 5 teacheth vs that al that God doeth he doeth in most exact wisedome vnderstanding Ver. 6 teacheth vs that it is by Gods power that the waters ouerflow not the earth Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that euen the light which we enioy is a singular gift of God Verse 8. Sheweth that the sunne shineth in the day by the order which GOD hath set and not for any naturall cause Verse 9. Teacheth vs the selfe same thing touching the moone and the starres in the night season Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God spareth not the wicked in his punishments Vrr. 11. Teacheth vs that it is a singular benefite of God to deliuer his people from idolaters and out of an idolatrous land Ver. 12. Sheweth that God doeth it by his only power which none is able to resist Verse 13 Teacheth vs that God will make the whole course of nature giue place vnto his Seruauntes Verse 14.15 Teach that Gods children goe in safety where the wicked manye tymes perishe and are ouer-whelmed Verse 16. Teacheth vs not onely that GOD doeth sundry wise proue the fayth and patience of his seruantes but mercifully prouideth for them in the places of greatest daunger Ver. 17 18 19 20 21. Teacheth vs that as there is no power or strength able to withstand God in his purposes attemptes so god for his peoples sake and this assured loue towardes them wil spare to plague none though neuer so high and to doe wonderfull and great thinges Verse 22. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God giueth vs in this lyfe hee doeth it to this ende that wée shoulde imploy it and our selues wholy to his seruice Verse 23 24. Doe teach vs that GOD doeth not onely thinke vppon his people for their good but also graciously performeth their deliueraunce Verse 25. Doeth excellently set out Gods prouidence ouer all his creatures Verse 26. Teacheth that wee must not pray to or praise any or giue thanks to any but to the true God onely which dwelleth in heauen Psalme 137 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the first the faythfull doe declare the great griefe they had in their captiuitie and specially the scornes and taunts which the enemy layd vpon them Ver. 1.2.3 Secondly they set out the great strength that god gaue them in those afflictions and their earnest loue to the Church Ver. 4 5 6. In the third they pray against their enemies pronouncing a curse vpon them and a blessing vpon them that shal molest and trouble them ver 7.8.9 Se. This Psalme is without title as that Psalme which goeth next before and many others are Ver. 1. By the riuers vz. named Euphrates and Tygris of Babel i. not onely of the Cytie but also of the whole monarchie for the Iewes were not onely caried into the Citie but dispersed throughout theire whole gouernment as appeareth in the bookes of Ezechiel Daniel Ezra we vz. who were captaines of the people of the Iewes but specially the priests and Leuites who were occupied and skilled in singing sate i. we were a long while in that captiuity and there we wept vz. in greate abundaunce when wee remembred Sion i. the place wherein we were wonte to worship GOD and the great destruction and desolation of it Ver. 2. We vz. being thus sad and heauie hanged our harpes i. our musical instruments putting one sort for sundry sortes of them vpon the willowes i. openly and abroad shewing therby that we had no care or regard thereof hee meaneth that they regarded not their musical instruments nor had any pleasure or delight in singing in the middest
17. How deare i. how precious yea incomprehensible to my iudgement or to al mens iudgement whatsoeuer therefore vz. for the causes aboue rehearsed are thy thoughts vnto me i. are the meditations which I my selfe haue concerning thée and thy great workes howe great is the summe of them i. both of thy workes and of the thoughts and meditations which I haue of them q.d. they are so many as they are able to ouerwhelme al the vnderstanding of men that they are not able to count them much lesse to comprehend them sée Psa 40.5 Verse 18 If I should count them i. go about or indeuour to count them they are moe then the sand q.d. I might as well number the sand of the sea whiche is infinite and innumerable sée for this spéech 1. Samuel 13.5 2. Sam. 17.11 Psal 78.27 when I awake vz from my sléepe and naturall rest I am still with thée i. I doe continually meditate of thy wonderfull workes and wisedome q.d. Except it be when I sléepe I spend little or no time otherwise then in the meditation of thy maiesty and workes Verse 19. Oh that thou wouldest stay vz. in thy iust iudgements O God the wicked and bloody men i. mē that giue themselues ouer to wickednesse and murther q.d. Then should I muche reioyce to haue this my wish and prayer performed and I and others should be instructed to turne from their wayes and not to follow them to whome I saye vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart depart ye from me sée Psa 6.8 Immanuel readeth this verse farre otherwise giueth a contrary sence but I sée no reason or ground for it for the place of the 2. Chron. 30.18.19 hath no such thing in it Ver. 20. Which vz. wicked bloody men speake wickedly of thée i. doe openly shew both by wordes and déedes withoute any maner of hipocrisie or counterfeiting a full contempt both of thée thine and that of hatred agaynst both and being thine enemies i. opposing and setting thēselues agaynst shée and thine are lifted vp i. aduaunce themselues and are swelled in pride as though that in the loftines of their harts they would doe whatsoeuer pleased them vpon the earth but all this is in vayne i. to no purpose for downe they shall be cast and haue terrible falles Immanuel readeth this latter part thus who doe vainly extoll i. not only without a cause but also proudly presumptuously set vp fauour and allow of thine enemies of which sée Rom. 1.32 Ver. 21. Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thée q.d. thou knowest that I do it for that I take to be the force of the interrogation and doe not I earnestly cōtend with those that rise vp against thée i. doe I not striue as it were for lyfe and death agaynst those that are thine enemies for this phrase rising vp agaynst one sée Psal 3 1. Ver. 22. I hate them with an vnfeigned hatred i. not as men who séeme to hate and yet to loue but I doe vnfainedlye and with a round hart as they were mine vtter enemies vz. yea and more to if it be possible for a man to hate more He sheweth that he had gods glory in such regard that he would not haue any familiaritie with the contemners of God Ver. 23. Trie me O God vz. thorowly and know mine heart i. not that hee doubted whether God knew it yea or no but to declare that he did willingly subiect him selfe to Gods triall proue me and know my thoughts this repetition doubling séemeth not only to note his earnestnesse in prayer but also the vnfeignednesse of his hart sincerely submitting it selfe to the examination and tryall of God and all is q.d. thou art a witnesse of all my matters and I am thy seruaunt therefore if néede be behold I am ready to indure thy trials sée Psal 26 1 2. c. Neyther doth he here boast as though he were without sinne but assureth himselfe that God will accepte his godlinesse and indeuour although that thorow infirmitie he fall sundry times Ver. 24. And consider vz. thorowly and narrowly if there be any way of wickednesse in me i. whether I follow an vngodly and rebellious kind of life against thée yea or nay for it is one thing to fall of infirmitie and another thing to sinne rebelliously Paul Rom. 7 expresseth it by sinne dwelling in vs sinne reigning in vs and lead me vz. thorow thy goodnesse and mercy in the way vz. of thy commaundements i. in a godly and holy conuersation for euer i. continually He prayeth vnto God that he may be constant in his obedience and that he may finish the course of his life in his faith and feare Verse 1. teacheth vs that God is the searcher of the hart and raines Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the Lord doth not only know but also dispose of al the affairs of our life also that he looketh euen vnto our thoughts and that therefore wée should striue euen to a reformation of them likewise Verse 3 teacheth vs that God is the protector and defender of those that be his in euery thing that they take in hand Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God regardeth euen our words and that therefore we should labour to make them approued vnto him Ver. 5 teacheth vs that we can doe nothing without God Verse 6 teacheth vs that we cannot of our selues attaine to the knowledge of God and his maiestie Verse 7 8 9 10 11 12 teach vs that nothing nor no place can hide vs from the presence and power of God neither heauen nor hell nor the sea nor the darkenesse nor any thing else whatsoeuer They teach further that it is a very vaine and false perswasion for a man to thinke that by going or flying he canne escape from God They shew also that God by his power and prouidence is euery where Verse 10 doth specially teach vs this that whatsoeuer we purpose yet wee can goe no whither but thither whither the Lord will haue vs to goe Verse 13 teacheth vs that God preserueth and kéepeth vs euen before we be borne or else should we neuer behold this light Verse 14 teacheth vs but euen to looke into our selues and our creation and we shall finde great occasion offred vs thereby to be thankful to God Verse 15. setteth out Gods prouidence as to whole man generallye so euen to the particular partes and members of his body Verse 16 teacheth that God alone worketh in all in our conception creation c. Verse 17 teacheth vs reuerently to estéeme of Gods wayes and of his workes and not to let them passe with so slight a consideration as commonlye men doe Ver. 18 teacheth vs that Gods workes are infinite and we not able to comprehend them no not any one of them in such sort as we should and as the excellency of them requireth it teacheth vs also in the meditation and beholding of them that thereby wee may more and
more profite in the knowledge and apprehension of his maiestie goodnesse power c. Ver. 19 teacheth vs not only to pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche but also to haue no society nor familiarity with them Verse 20 doth liuelye set out the nature of the vngodly who in the pride of their own harts spare not to speake agaynst God himselfe it sheweth also further that this their pride and haughtinesse is but in vaine Verse 21 teacheth vs to oppose our selues against those that set themselues against God and his truth this belongeth generally to all christians but most especially to Kings and Princes suche a one as Dauid was Verse 22 teacheth vs that this setting of our selues againste suche must be done as not for any worldly or carnall respect so of a single and sound hart towards God and men Verse 23 teacheth vs that it is good to pray the Lord thorowly to trie vs because that the more we are tried the more pure and fyne we are to him Verse 24 teacheth vs to pray for constancy and continuaunce in euery good and holy way Psalme 140 Di. THis Psalme consisting wholy as it were of prayer may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet prayeth to bée deliuered from his enemies describing their mischieuous malicious minds towards him from verse 1 to the end of the seuenth In the seconde parte he prayeth agaynst the wicked and prophecieth their destruction assuring himselfe that God in mercye will saue his and that they therefore shall prayse his name continually and this reacheth from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title to him that excelleth a Psalme of Dauid this is sundrye tymes expounded before and namely Psalme 4 in the title thereof Verse 1. Deliuer me O Lord vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy almighty power from the euill man i. from him that wholy giueth himselfe euen as it were without prouocation or occasion to doe euill preserue me vz. safe and sounde and that according to thy good pleasure from the cruell man i. from him that setteth himself in cruelty to performe agaynst me whatsoeuer they can And though in this verse he speake but of one yet he meaneth many as may appeare by the sodain chaunge of the number for in the next verse he speaketh in the plurall number and these many were Saule and his counsellors and his seruauntes who both by fury force and fraude did persecute him Verse 2. Which imagine vz. euen vppon their beddes and continually sée Micah 2 1. euill thinges vz. agaynst me vnderstanding by euill thinges such thinges as tended to his hurt and destruction in their hart i. secretly and closely and make warre vz. both by themselues and others whom they prouoke and stirre vp by all meanes they can against me sée Psalme 120 7. continually i. euery day so that no daye escapeth them In this verse he chargeth his enemies that they did both openly and priuately both in purpose and counsell by themselues and by others deuise all mischiefe against him and verse 3. and others following hee sheweth that both in worde and déede they attempted to perfourme it Verse 3. They i. the wicked and vngodly men haue sharpened their tongues vz. to destract and speake euill of me and to hurt me like a serpent i. as the serpents tongue is sharpe and so striketh by reason thereof more déepely So these men both hard by and a farre off doe pierce and wound me with their poysons Adders poyson is vnder their lippes i. their mouth is full of wicked and venemous wordes agaynst me some reade Adders some reade vipers some Aspes for mine owne part I suppose that the word being somewhat of a doubtfull signification should be referred to such kind of serpents as though they lie still in a place doe yet notwithstanding spit their poyson or venim far from them Selah this hath bene expounded before as I suppose Psalme 3. verse 2. It is as much as if the Prophet should say marke this being a note or warning of attention Verse 4. Kéepe vz. vnder the shadow of thy winges and thy almighty power and protection me vz. whom am thus sought and set for by myne enemies from the handes of the wicked i. from their power and that whiche they would do vnto me for he putteth the instruments whereby they perform thinges for the thinges themselues preserue me from the cruell man sée verse 1 of this Psalme which purposeth vz. in himselfe to cause vz. eyther by his force or by his fraude or by both my steppes to slide i. to cast mée downe and to cause me to fall that so when he hath me downe he may the more easily and tyrannously exercise his will agaynst me I take it to be a metaphor taken from men who lay grinnes and cords to ouerthrow wild beasts withal Verse 5. The proud i. the wicked and vngodly which are puffed vp in the pride of their own imagination haue layde vz. closely and secretly a snare for me vz. to take or catche me withall sée Psalme 119.69.85.95 and spread a nette with cordes i. haue set a very great and strong net thinking assuredly to catch me so fast therein that I shall not escape in my pathway i. euen in the playne or beaten way that I should walke and set grinnes for me i. to catch and take me as before Vnder all these metaphors borrowed from fowlers and hunters tending all to one end he meaneth nothing else but this that they did not only vse open force and violence agaynst him but also subtelties and craftes to surprise and take him Selah this is expounded before verse 3. Verse 6. Therefore i. I séeing my selfe thus beset by men did run to the Lord by prayer I sayd vz. with a féeling hart when I was in these daungers and distresses vnto the Lord vz. whose goodnesse and power I had had great experience of as appeareth verse 7. Thou vz. alone and none but thou art my God i. he vpon whom only I will depend for helpe and succour heare O Lorde the voyce of my prayers i. graunt me those requestes whiche with my voyce and wordes I make vnto thee Verse 7. O Lord God the strength of my saluation i. thou that sauest and deliuerest me from all daungers with maruailous power and strength and in whome only my deliueraunce standeth this is a notable title attributed to God for the strengthening of his faith thou hast couered vz. by thy power and might euen as it were with a Helmet and shield my head i. me my selfe a part for the whole and yet hee nameth this part rather then others because it is the most excellent as which in some mens iudgemēts conteineth life in it and doth disperse the same into all the parts of the bodye in the day of battaile i. when I was in the field and did fight q.d. thou hast deliuered me heretofore from all the assaults of mine
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
busie with him either the Philistine as 2 Sam. 5. or els some other as 2. Sam. 8. Ver. 1. Blessed i. praised and that continually be the Lord my strength i. he who alone giueth me strength to ouercome mine enemies sée Psal 18.2 which teacheth my hands to fight vz. against his mine enemies meaning hereby also that God gaue him strength to ouercome them as wel as knowledge in warlike affaires to deale with them and my fingers to battaile i. apteth them and maketh thē able to indure fighting Ver. 2. He vz. alone is my goodnesse i. whatsoeuer good thing I haue eyther within mee or without mée hee is the Fountayne from whence it floweth meaning also that hée had euer felte GOD liberall and mercifull towards him my Fortresse my Tower and my deliuerer my Shield all these termes are expounded Psalme 18.2 and in him I trust vz. stedfastlye and continually which subdueth vz. by his almighty power my people i. the subiectes that hée hath giuen me vnder me i. vnder the obedience of me and my lawes he meaneth that GOD did put into the hartes of his people a minde willing and faythfull to commit themselues vnder him and his gouernment Ver. 3. Lord what is man i. of himselfe what account or regard is he to be had in that thou regardest him vz. so greatly and so much as thou doest or the sonne of man i. his posterity how great or famous soeuer it bée that thou thinkest vppon him vz. in such great mercy and with so fatherlye a care sée Psalme 8. verse 4.5 c. Verse 4. Man is lyke to vanitie i. to a thing of no accounte or regarde or to a vayne thing In an other place hée sayeth that they are vanitye that the chéefe men are but lyes and to laye them vppon the Ballance they are altogether lighter then vanitie Psalme 62.9 his dayes i. the dayes of this life in this worlde are like a shadowe that passeth vz. oute of mennes sightes and remembraunces quicklie and sodainlie q.d. his life is but short and of small continuaunce see Iob. 14.1.2 see also for this verse Psalme 39.5.6 and psalme 90. almoste throughout Ver. 5. Bow thine heauens O Lorde vz. to come to succour and help me this is spoken of God according to mens vnderstanding he calleth the heauens Gods owne both because he created them and hath his principal habitation and dwelling in them sée for this phrase 2. Sam. 22.10 also Psal 18.9 and come downe vz. to deliuer me from the hands of mine enemies persecutors touch vz. in thy wrath and furie q.d. thou néedest not vse al thy power or any great might against them begin but only to lay thy hand vpon them q.d. and do but touch them as a man would say softly and yet they shal be consumed the mountaines i. my most high and mightie enemies this kind of metaphor is very often vsed in the Prophets sée Isai 2.14 they shal smoke yea burne and that to their owne destruction he putteth the beginning of their miseries for the accomplishment and ful performaunce thereof And hee vseth all these maner of speaches both in this verse and in the verse following that hee might more excellently set out Gods power who deliuereth his after a wonderful sort and that he might declare that no worldly lets or hinderaunces are able to do any thing against Gods infinite power which hee apprehended by faith Ver. 6. Cast forth the lightning scatter them vz. one from an other so that they may not be able to gather their forces together againe q.d. by thy heauenly wisedome and power destroy and ouerthrow them shoot out thine arrowes vz. against them vnderstanding by arrowes either thunders or some other particular iudgments and consume thē vz. vtterly and from amongst men that they may no longer molest me and thy people Ver. 7. Send thine hand from aboue i. display and make manifest here below vpon the earth thy might and power which séemeth after a sort to be shut vp in heauen because thy seruants be not deliuered from their distresses deliuer me vz. of thy goodnes and through thy power from the rage and violence of those that persecute me and take me vz. who am ready to be drowned with troubles out of the great waters vz. which are ready to ouerflow and drowne mee by great waters he doth not only vnderstand the grieuous afflictions wherein he was but also the extreme rage of his enemies who did breake in vppon him as waters of the sea into the land sée Psal 18.4 also 69.1 also 124.4 and from the hand i. from the power and force of strangers this may be referred either to coūterfeit and bastardly Israelites who though they bragged in mouth that they were good people yet were they in déede starke naught or else to thē that were in déed idolaters and infidels such as the Philistines were and to these latter would I rather apply it Ver. 8. Whose mouth talketh vanity i. who doe nothing else but speak and vtter vaine and vncertaine thinges proudly promising vnto themselues great things and their right hand is a right hand of iniquitie i. they are vnfaithful people and ful of subtilty and haue no certainetie nor assuraunce in them This speach is borrowed from the common custome of men who when they make a promise giue one another their hands sée Gal. 2.9 Ver. 9. I wil sing vz. euen from my heart a new song i. a singular and excellent song sée Psal 98.1 vnto thée O God vz. when thou shalt haue performed these graces in deliuering me and ouerthrowing mine enemies and the Prophet maketh this promise and carieth with him a purpose to performe it because he was certainely perswaded and assured that God would in déed do both the one and the other sing vnto thée vpon a viole and an instrument of ten strings sée Psal 33.2 also Psal 92.3 he meaneth that he would vse these instruments as meanes to stirre vp his affectiōs and to prouoke him more earnestly and heartily to serue the lord Ver. 10. It is hee vz. alone that giueth vz. of his goodnes and mercy deliuerance vz. from all dangers and distresses and rescueth vz. when no other can do that for him Dauid his seruaunt i. me whom he hath aduaunced to this honour to serue him in the gouernment of the kingdome and thus hee speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person from the hurtful sword i. from the sworde of his enemies who did purpose to hurt him if they coulde haue caught him or ouerthrowne him wée may also stretch this worde further as that vnder it he should comprehende all the daungers through the which hee had passed and hee meaneth that this should be the argument or matter of the song that hee woulde sing to the Lorde Ver. 11. Rescue me vz. O Lord for vnto him onely hee directeth his prayers and deliuer me vz. who am in distresse and daunger on euery
he promised and perfourmed vnto him So that this worde séemeth to comprehende the argument or the whole matter of the Psalme this Psalme is written in the order of the Alphabet euery verse beginning with the letters as they are in order in the Hebrewe Alphabet one onely being omitted and that is the letter Nun in the 14. verse which beginneth with Samech the next letter in the Alphabet such Psalmes we haue had before Psal 25. which beginneth euery verse so two or thrée onely excepted such also are Psalm 111. and 112. which beginne euery verse of it and the seconde part of it which two letters of the Hebrewe Alphabet in order Ver. 1. O my God i. he whome onely I worship and king i. whom I serue whose subiect I am I wil extol thée vz. in my songes and thankesgiuinges and that aboue all whatsoeuer and will blesse i. prayse thy name i thy maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually Ver. 2 I wil blesse thée i. praise thée as before ver 1. dayly i. euery day q.d. no day shall passe ouer my head but I will spend it or some part of it in magnifiyng of thee and prayse thy name for euer and euer sée before ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 3. Great is the Lorde vz. in power and goodnes towardes all but chiefely towardes his owne and most worthy to be praised vz. for those excellent things that be in him and the great workes that he doth dayly and his greatnesse is incomprehensible vz. of vs men for though after regeneration wee doe looke into it by fayth yet it is but in some measure for we knowe in part and prophecie in part 1. Corinth 13.9 and though it bée sayde that in the life to come we shall see him as he is 1. Iohn 3.2 yet he meaneth not that there wee shalbée able to attaine to the full apprehension of Gods eternall maiestye because he dwelleth in light that no man can come vnto 1. Tim. 6.16 and that which is finite as we shal bee after the resurrection though wee shall haue glorified bodies can not comprehend that which is infinite as God is alwayes but that wee shall haue a farre greater measure in that life then wee haue had in this Ver. 4. Generation shall prayse thy workes vnto generation i. the prayse and excellencie of thy great workes shal be magnified in al ages both because thou doest continue thy great workes in euery age and giuest men care and conscience to publish the same to their posteritie and declare thy power i. the generations shall preach and set out the greatnes of thy power and the excellency thereof Immanuel referreth it to Gods workes both senses are true Ver. 5. I will meditate vz. déepely and diligently of the beautie i. not onely of the comelinesse but also of the excellency of thy glorious maiestye i. of thy maiesty which is full of wonderfull glory and thy wonderfull workes i. I will meditate of thy workes also which are rather to bee wondered at then comprehended Ver. 6. And they i. men and specially thy people shall speake vz. openly and plainely meaning that they shall declare and set abroade of the power vz. which is great and excéeding of thy fearefull acts i. of those iudgments which thou exercisest vppon the contemners of thy maiestie which should strike feare into al mens hearts and I wil declare vz. fréely and openly thy greatnes i. thy excellency maiesty and power Sée ver 3. of this Psal Ver. 7. They i. men shall breake out i. playnely and with open mouth into the mention i. euen to the making mention of thy gret goodnes vz. towards all but specially towardes thy people and shall sing aloude i. speake openlye and playnely of thy righteousnesse i. of thy faithfull and iust dealing towards all Ver. 8. The Lorde is gracious and merciful this séemeth to be the speciall matter of their song and praysing and it séemeth to bee taken out of Exod. 34.6 sée also Psalme 86.5.15 slowe to anger i. not easily moued to punish and of great mercy vz. towardes those that drawe me vnto him Ver. 9. The Lorde is good to all vz. his creatures and namely men but chiefely amongst them to his chosen people and his mercies i. the abundaunt plenty of his mercie for so much I suppose the word in the plurall number importeth are ouer all his woorkes i. there is none of his woorkes but it sheweth vnto others and findeth in it selfe very large testimonies of Gods mercy and goodnes They then do not rightly vnderstand the place that from hence would gather that Gods mercy excéedeth all his works though that is to be confessed to bee true But this is the true and naturall meaning thereof that though it be so that by meanes of sinne all the worlde bee wrapped vp vnder the curse yet the mercy of God passeth through al his creatures and entereth euen vnto the very bruit beastes as ver 15.16 of this Psalme Ver. 10. Al thy workes vz. which thou hast created and the noble deedes which thou hast done prayse thée O Lorde vz. in their kinde that is doe set foorth thy prayses vnto men and doe put in to their mouthes as it were an occasion to prayse thee and thy Saintes i. those whome thou hast made holy vnto thy selfe Sée Psalme 16.3 also 30.4 also 132.9 blesse thee i. prayse thée as ver 1.2 of this Psal Ver. 11. They i. both thy workes and people shewe vz. out and that sensiblie and plainely the glory of thy kingdome i. the excellency of thy rule and gouernement meaning also that Gods woorkes and the prayses of his people shoote all at this marke vz. to bring the worlde in subiection to his obedience and speake of thy power i. set it foorth very plainely howe the creatures perfourme this Sée Psalme 19.1.2 c. also Roman 1.19.20 c. Verse 12. To cause his power i. Gods power for hée sodainely chaungeth the person from the seconde to the thirde to be knowne In these wordes hee noteth the ende why God vseth his creatures and mens praises vz. that other men thereby may be drawne to see approue and confesse his goodnes and power to the sonnes of men i. to all ages and posterities and the glorious renowne of his kingdome sée ver 11. of this Psalme Ver. 13. Thy kingdome i. the gouernement which thou exercisest ouer all is an euerlasting kingdome i. shall neuer haue ende and thy dominion vz. which thou hast indureth throughout all ages i. shall neuer decay Ver. 14. The Lorde vz. himself vpholdeth vz. by his mercy all that fall vz. into any daunger or distresse Sée Prouerb 24.16.17 and yet wée must restraine that general terme to such as the Lord knoweth in his goodnes are méete to be vpholden and staied without which goodnes of his none is raised vp or maintained and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall q.d. whether they bee entering into
afflictions or aduersities or whether they bee already fallen into the same God reacheth out his hande and either keepeth them from falling or else deliuereth them being fallen Verse 15. The eyes of all vz. thinges whatsoeuer wayte vppon thée vz. with patience and that for their â—â—â—â—re and sustenaunce and thou giuest vz. euen in thy mercy them their meate i. that portion of foode that thou hast appointed for them in due season i. in that time that thou séest with thy selfe to bee good and méete for them Verse 16. Thou openest thyne hande i. thou stretchest forth thy power and giuest plentifully and largely to all thy creatures and fillest all thinges liuing i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth or hath sense féeling and groweth of thy good pleasure hee noteth here the cause why all the creatures are norished vz. Gods good pleasure and will Sée for these 2. ver Psalme 104. ver 27.28 c. Verse 17. The Lorde is righteous i. iust and equall in all his wayes i. in euery thing that hee taketh in hande hée meaneth that God obserueth a most vpright course in euery thing he doeth howe corrupt or partiall so euer men be in their dealings and holy in all his workes i. his very workes declare that there is a certaine kynde of vnspeakeable holinesse in his maiesty that woorde holy would bee better turned good or mercifull and so doeth Immanuel turne it sée to this end ver 9. of this Psalme Ver. 18. The Lorde is néere i. euen ready at hand not onely to heare them but to helpe them vnto all that call vpon him i. to those that worshippe and serue him a part of Gods seruice put for the whole as Gene. 4.26 1. Corinth 1.2 also 2. Timot. 2.19 yea to all that called vppon him in trueth i. without feigning or hypocrisie or else that call vppon him in such sort that they perfourme not the inuocation of his name by their inuentions and superstitions In summe hee setteth trueth against infidelitie doubting impacience murmuring counterfeite humilitie and vicious affecting of thinges which are the fruites of lying for true worshippers Sée Iohn 4.24 and this hée addeth in the way of correction q.d. though I sayde before that the Lorde heareth all them that call vppon him yet I meane it of al them that call vppon him in trueth Verse 19. Hée will fulfill i. accomplish and perfourme the desire of them i. the thinges which they shall desire and will according to his will Sée 1. Iohn 5.14 because God setteth vppon their affections a lawe of obedience that feare him i. that serue and worshippe him this hath béene sundry tymes expounded before hee will also heare their cry i. graunt them their requestes which they pray euerlastingly vnto him for and will saue them i. both deliuer them out of all the daungers of this lyfe and at the ende bring them to eternall life Verse 20. The Lorde preserueth vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger or if not so yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it as shal bee most for his glory and their comfort all them that loue him vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart Sée Roman 8.28 but hee wil destroy vz. in his wrath and iust iudgement all the wicked vz. of the worlde of what estate or condition so euer they bee Verse 21. My mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lorde i. I will boldly and openlye in wordes set foorth his prayses hee putteth the instrument wherewith wordes are vttered for the wordes themselues all flesh i. all men for when this word is so put alone without adding any thing to it doeth most commonly in the Scriptures respect men shall blesse his holy name i. shall prayse his maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually sée ver 1.2 of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs not onely to be thankfull to God for his mercies Do. but also to continue in the same because his mercies are continually powred forth vppon vs. Ver. 2. teacheth vs that wee shoulde let no day passe without heartie thankesgiuing to the Lord for his graces Ver. 3 teacheth vs that Gods power and incomprehensible maiesty should prouoke vs to thankfulnes Verse 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care to conuey the remembraunce of Gods benefites to our posteritie Verse 5. Teacheth vs to imploy more time in the meditation of Gods workes then heretofore we haue done Verse 6. Teacheth vs as well to publish Gods iudgements as his mercies that the wicked may bee pearsed with a feare of his maiesty Verse 7. teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to publish gods promises Ver. 8 9. Are excellent descriptions of god by his qualities and comprehende much matter of comfort for those that bee afflicted and also conteine very excellent causes why we should prayse and thanke God Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all Gods creatures but specially his faythful people to blesse and prayse the Lorde Ver. 11. and 12. Teach vs not onely for our owne good and the discharge of our owne duety but that others also therby may be drawne to do the like Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer mens kingdomes be brittle yet Gods gouernment ouer all but specially ouer his indureth for euer Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that God so prouideth for his children in their daungers and distresses that howsoeuer they bee afflicted yet they do not vtterly perish Ver. 15. Setteth out Gods gracious prouidence fatherly care ouer his children Ver. 16. Sheweth that the Lorde is liberall handed towardes his creatures and that al the good thinges which we haue procéede from his good will and pleasure Verse 17. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God doeth he doeth in all vprightnes though perhaps we through the blindnesse and corruption of our nature can not conceiue so thereof Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that God quickly heareth the earnest and vnfeigned prayers of his Seruauntes Verse 19. Sheweth that God will graciously deliuer his out of all their daungers Verse 20. Sheweth the vnlikely reward betweene the godly and the vngodly Verse 21. Teacheth vs both in our owne persons and in others to stirre vp and prouoke our selues to continual thankfulnesse Psalme 146 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes In the first hee prouoketh himselfe to prayse God promising to perfourme it as long as he liueth to which he addeth a dehortation that we should not trust in any man nor giue them the matter of praises Ver. 1.2.3.4 and 5. In the second he sheweth certaine causes why he and other should prayse the Lord from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title Prayse ye the Lorde sée Psalme 106. in the title Ver. 1. Prayse thou the Lorde O my soule vz. for his mercy and goodnes towardes thée vnderstanding by soule the seate of his affections which is the heart Sée Psalm 103.1 Ver. 2. I will prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercies during my life i. as long as I liue and all the dayes
GOD also as who requireth the same at our handes as a péece of his seruice Psalme 50.15 and prayse vz. giuen vnfeynedly vnto GOD is comelie vz. both before him and all good men though the wicked of the worlde make no account of it but as a deformed thing sée for these two wordes good and comelie Psalme 133.1 Verse 2. The Lord vz. him selfe doth buyld vp vz. thorowe his goodnesse and power Ierusalem i. his Church and vnder the terme builde the Holy Ghost doth meane that GOD is the author the founder yea all in all for his Church and gathereth to gether vz. by the voyce of his worde and the vse of his Sacramentes the dispersed of Israell i. the straying members of his Church If we referre it to Ierusalem and the Iewes he meaneth that GOD hath bene alwayes a gracious Father vnto that people and that howsoeuer they were now scattered abroad into other cuntreyes yet he would bringe them home agayne to theyr owne If wée referre it to the Church as wée may and ought to do in déede he meaneth then that it is not builded by mans power but by a heauenly and diuine power that is by GOD himselfe who gathereth into the bosome or lappe of his Church all those that are strayed from it and appertayne to his election Verse 3. Hee i. the Lorde healeth vz. by his worde and most comfortable promises conteyned therein which are the medicines of our soules and the diseases thereof and this he doth for his promise sake broken in harte i. humbled in the inward man for their sinnes committed agaynst him sée Psalme 51.17 it may also be taken for such as be grieuouslie afflicted either outwardly or inwardly yea throwen downe and ouerwhelmed as it were with their affliction and buildeth vp their sores i. remedieth and redresseth their hurtes and euills and cureth as it were theyr griefes like a good Shéepheard Ezech. 344. and as the good Samaritane Luke 10.34 and as a good Surgion is wont to doo after that he hath opened and dressed his patients woundes Verse 4. He i. the Lorde counteth the number of the starres i. knoweth the very certayne number of them and not that we should thinke that he sitteth there to reckon them after the manner of men calleth them all by their names i. knoweth howe to name euery one of them q.d. that GOD which sitteth in heauen and knoweth all thinges yea euen the least thinges that are and who also ruleth all thinges euen in the very Heauens and doth by name beare rule ouer euerie one of them according to his authoritie and might sée Isaiah 40.26 yea euen that God is worthie to be praysed declaring also that it is no more harde matter for God to gather his Church the dispersion thereof then to number the starres and to giue to euery thing his office might property guiding them all by his prouidence and wisedome in such sorte that nothing shal be disorderous in that great multitude Ver. 5. Great is our lord vz. in goodnesse great is his power vz. also d.q. both his goodnes and power is very great yea infinite Sée Psal 135.3 his wisedome is infinite vz. to men as who can neither account it nor throughly comprehende it vnderstanding by wisedome his most fatherly and wise gouernement also and the particulars thereof Ver. 6. The Lorde relieueth i. comforteth by his woorde and spirite and many times in his prouidence exalteth to great honour as Psal 113.7 the méeke i. the humble hearted and such as by their afflictions are brought to true lowlines and abaseth the wicked to the ground i. casteth them downe from the top of their honour euen as lowe as can bee Ver. 7. Sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde vz. our God with prayse i. with ioyfulnes also as well as with prayse sing vz. Psalmes of prayse vpon the harp hee addeth instruments for the better stirring of men vp Sée Psalme 144.9 and yet this was but temporal and arbitrarie vnto our God sée ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 8. Which couereth the heauens with cloudes i. casteth thick cloudes conteining raine in them ouer the firmament meaning thereby that God doeth by that meanes chaunge as it were the face of the heauen which shoulde drawe vs euen to wonder at his power and prepareth vz. by that meanes raine for the earth i. for the good and profit of the earth because without raine and moisture from heauen it woulde bee vtterly barren and maketh vz. through his speciall blessing as the first cause and the raine as the instrument the grasse to growe vz. in great plenty and abundaunce vpon the mountaines i. in most barren and drie places which are for the most part very scant of grasse because they are nigh to the parching and pearsing heate of the Sunne Verse 9. Which giueth vz. in mercy to beastes their foode i. the nourishment wherewith they are maintained and liue and to the young rauens which are not able to féede themselues which crye vz. through want of foode and sustenaunce Sée Iob. 39.3 and in this verse the Prophet setteth out Gods fatherly care and prouidence which stretcheth it selfe euen to Rauens or Crowes whiche are the most contemned foules almost that are men making no account of them as for foode but vtterly to destroy them as hurtefull and noysome Verse 10. Hée i. GOD hath not pleasure i. careth not for nor delighteth in in the strength of an horse of which you may reade a liuely description Iob. 39.22.23 c. and vnder this and that which followeth hee comprehendeth all meanes of flesh and blood whatsoeuer in which many men put their trust but that is a peruerse thing and much to bee condemned and yet without that wee may lawfully vse all holy meanes which God shall giue vs neither delighteth hee in the legges of man vz. howe strong well proportioned swift and nimble so euer they bee meaning notwithstanding that God exerciseth this goodnes towards vs of the vse of the meanes not for any worthinesse that is in any of the Creatures but for his owne glory fake and the good of his Church Verse 11. But the Lorde delighteth in them i. both careth verye much for them and taketh singular pleasure in them that feare him i. sincerelye worshippe and serue him hauing a reuerent feare of his maiesty in their heartes and attende vz. in hope and patience vppon his mercy i. the time till in mercie hee perfourme that which hee hath graciously promised them Verse 12. Praise the Lorde vz. for his mercy and goodnes O Ierusalem i. O thou his Church prayse thy God i. the GOD which thou seruest O Sion by Sion and Ierusalem he vnderstandeth both one thing vz. Gods Church and congregation Sée Psalme 51.18 meaning also by this often prouoking of men to prayse the Lorde to teach them this that they can neuer want occasion or matter in that behalfe Ver. 13. For he hath made
thing that the faythfull must cleaue vnto verse 7. Our sinnes must bée confessed and pardon thereof earnestly prayde for verse 8. God calleth all to repentaunce and amendment ver 9. In those in whome God beginneth good things he will go forward with them vnto the end ver 10. God is gracious and faythfull vnto those that walke in the obedience of his law ver 11. The greater our sinnes be the more néede we haue of mercye and to come to the Lord by prayer for the healing thereof ver 12. God will adde blessing vpon blessing and knowledge vpon knowledge to those that loue and feare him ver 13. Yea the Lord will heape all manner of temporall blessings vpon him ver 14. is the same which verse 12. ver 15. We must continuallye wayte vpon the Lord and be certainly assured that he will deliuer vs from danger ver 16. The more we are destitute of all worldly helpes the more néede haue we to come to the Lord and to learne to hang vpon him alone verse 18. Prayer for remission of all sinnes is commended vnto vs Sée Hosea 14.2 ver 22. We should faythfully remember in our Prayers the state of Gods Church Psalme 26. THis Psalme hath two principal partes In the first Di. he setteth out his innocency towards Saule declaring that he was so farre off from working wickednesse that he coulde not abyde wicked mens company from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second part he setteth out his loue to Gods workes word promising thanks for Gods goodnes towards him from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. Iudge me i. take knowledge of my cause and declare thy selfe to be my defender agaynst the slaunders of mine enimies in mine innocency i. innocently and without doing hurt vz. to Saule or these my enimies that pursue me without cause as Psal 7.5 Psal 15.3 not slide vz. from that stedfast hope that I haue that God will defend me and my iust cause Ver. 2. Proue me vz. to know my innocency and that I am vniustly accused q.d. I desired thée before to be my iudge and now I willinglye offer the same and trie me vz. whether there be any malice in me towards Saule sée Psal 7.8 Psal 17.3 examine vz. euen as goldsmiths doe their moste fine Golde for it is a metaphor taken from them my reines and my hart i. my inward affections and thoughts as Psal 7.9 Ver. 3. Mine eyes vz. of my minde and soule haue I walked in thy truth i. lead such a conuersation as thy truth requireth meaning by truth Gods word because it alone comprehēdeth all truth Ver. 4. with vayne persons i. wicked and vngodly men whiche is a good place also to proue vanity to be taken sometimes for wickednesse as before Psal 24.4 Ver. 5. of the euill vz. men meaning such as accustome themselues to worke euill and to hurt others ver 6. I will wash my handes in innocency i. I will indeuour to liue most vprightly and purelye towardes thée and before men sée Iob. 9.30 and compasse thine altar i. offer aboundāce of sacrifices vnto thée giuing here two excellent testimonies of his vprighte dealing one good behauiour towards men and the other sincere seruice of God ver 7. that I may declare vz. thy goodnesse towards me and my obedience towards thée ver 8. The habitation of thy house i. euen the very place where thy arke resteth which séemeth to be as it were thy house because of thy continuall abode and presence there meaning that if he loued the place so wel he loued the people and the exercises better and the Lord best of all and the place where thy honor dwelleth this is nothing but a repetition of that which goeth before meaning by Gods honour his arke before which he was honoured vnlesse we would expound it thus that we should by place vnderstand the Arke and by honor Gods maiestie and honour manifested there ver 9. gather not my soule with the sinners i. when thou punishest the vngodly destroy not me with them vnderstanding by sinners notorious sinners as before psa 1.5 with the bloody men i. them that giue themselues to crueltie murther bloodshed sée Psal 5.6 Ver. 10. In whose handes is wickednesse q.d. whatsoeuer they doe is wickednesse and their right hand is full of bribes i. they are most ready for the right hande is commonlye more nimble then the other for their owne gayne sake by bribery or otherwise to commit all naughtinesse ver 11. I will walke i. behaue my selfe in my innocency i. innocentlye without hurt sée ver 1. of this Psalme redéeme me vz. from those slaunderous spéeches and dangers that I séeme subiect vnto ver 12. amend thus my foote standing vpon playne ground i. when I shall be brought to a more sure safe condition for in plaine ground there is sure footing in the congregations vz. of thy people and saints assembled to praise thée Do. Ver. 1. Whosoeuer trusteth in the Lord shal not be confounded ver 3. Gods goodnesse toward vs should restrain vs from doing euil to others ver 4.5 Euil company is perilous and therefore would be auoyded as Psal 1.1 Ver. 6. Good dealing towards men and zealous seruice of God must continuallye bée professed practised by his children ver 8. The place where God is serued and the exexcises of his religion must be carefully frequēted ver 9. It is a good way to shun the punishments which light vpon the vngodly to auoyde their company and naughtinesse ver 10. is a liuely description of the peruersenesse and naughtines of vngodly people ver 12. instructeth vs to bee thankfull to God and that openly before men for his benefits bestowed vpon vs. Psalme 27. Di. THis Psalme hath two special parts In the first part the Prophet setteth out the strong fayth and confidence that hée had in God assuring himselfe that God would deliuer him out of all his dangers from ver 1. to the end of the sixt In the second part he prayeth the Lord still to shewe himselfe fauourable and gracious vnto him in deliuering him frō the force and power of all his enemies from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title is expounded already Ver. 1. my light i. he from whome alone I haue in al things good successe and felicity and my saluation i. hee that deliuereth me from al daungers vsing light and saluation the things themselues for deliuerance from afflictions which in the scriptures are many times ment by darknes and al sorts of dangers whom shal I feare q.d. none for by such interrogations the Hebrues doe wonderfully deny the strength of my life i. the vpholder maintainer therof bringing good things to it and putting euil things back frō it for that is the vse of strength in the body ver 2. Came vpon me vz. with violent cruel minds to eat vp my flesh i. most
and his people or else speaking it according to the present affection and féeling of the flesh resting notwithstanding resolued howsoeuer his fayth were shaken for a time yet that god wil graciously performe his promises These words also which is to be marked are verified in Dauid and Christ in Christ because God for a season forsooke him as may appeare when he cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 and in Dauid when it séemed vnto him that Gods promise shoulde take no place and that God had as it were vnsayd the same and when he was driuen out of his kingdome by Abshalon his sonne sée Psalme 3. thorowe out and abhorred i. loathed and despised him as it were thou hast bene angrye which thing also thou hast declared by effects as appeareth in the verses following with thine annoynted i. with the King whome thou thy selfe hast annoynted and chosen to that roome sée Psalme 18 5 Verse 39. Thou hast broken i. it séemeth vnto vs so in the eye of flesh and to our enimies the couenant of thy seruaunt i. the couenaunt which thou haste made with thy seruaunt and it is called his couenaunt not because he made it or was the chéefe in it but because he was one to whome and with whome it was made and profaned his crowne i. brought it to great dishonour and contempt specially among the prophane people as the Gentiles c. and by crowne he meaneth his kingly dignitie casting it on the ground i. ouerthrowing it taking it as it were from his head setting it vpon the ground whether he spake it of Dauids abiection by the hand of his sonne Abshalon or of the renting of the kingdome in the dayes of Rehoboan or of their captiuity vnder Salmanazder and Nebuchadnezar it is not certayne I suppose that without any iniury to Gods spirite a man may well apply it to them all Verse 40. Thou hast broken downe vz. and that vnto the ground all his walles i. al the walles of his kingdome meaning by walls not onely all the strong places thereof but all the instrumentes and meanes that he had eyther for his owne defence or for the annoyaunce of his enemies for to those two endes doe walles serue thou hast layd his fortresses in ruine i. thou hast vtterly ruinated and destroyed and as a man would saye made euen with the ground all his strong holds Verse 41. All that go by the way q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened that euen way faring men can easily spoyle them there néedes no souldiers or men ofwarre to doe it spoile him vz. and his people meaning that they take away from them euen what they list sée Psal 80.12 he i. he his people kingdome and all is a rebuke i. is such a one as his neighbours that is those that are round about him rebuke contemne and despise sée Psalme 79. verse 4. Verse 42. Thou hast set vp the right hand of his enemies i. thou hast aduanced their power and strength so that they are not onely become more mightie then he and his but in that mighte haue also preuayled agaynste them and made all his aduersaries to reioyce vz. because of the victorye they haue atchieued and the ouerthrowe that is layde vppon the others Verse 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sworde i. thou haste blunted it in such sorte that it could not wound and hurte his aduersaries meaning by this manner of spéeche that euen the verye meanes they had of weapons as swordes speares c. to defende themselues and to annoy their enemies were vtterly vnprofitable vnto them and haste not made him i. him and his people to stand vz. stedfastly and in the face of the enemies and agaynst them but to flée and fall before them in the battaile i. at what time the enemies and they came to ioyne battail together Ver. 44 Thou hast caused his dignity i. the great honour and aduauncement that thou hast layde vpon him to decay vz. in the presence of men and in the sight of his aduersaries and cast his throne i. his maiesty and Kingly gouernmente sée verse 36 of this Psalme to the ground i. rased it and layde it flatte with the earth as it were sée verse 39 of this Psalm Verse 45. The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned this the Prophet speaketh of the king and the state of the kingdome both together meaning that the Lord hath broughte both the king and the kingdome to a very poore and weake estate before eyther of them came to their perfection as it were as if a man shoulde before he came to the flowre of his age or his ripe yeares and couered him with shame i. hast altogether made him a reproche and shame for the worde couering and what it importeth sée Psalme 44.19 Verse 46. Lorde the Prophet ioyning this prayer with his complaynts sheweth that howsoeuer his fayth was shaken yet he did not despayre of the truth of Gods promises how long wilte thou hide thy selfe vz. from vs meaning by hyding of himselfe shewing them no signe of fauour and grace for euer q.d. Wilt thou doe this for euer shall thy wrath vz. agaynste vs our King Lande and people burne like fyre vz. to consume vs quite and cleane who are as it were but stubble before fire in respecte of thée and thy wrath Verse 47. Remember of what time I am i. thinke how shorte the time of my life is and this is an argumente taken from his owne estate to moue the Lord to pittie him and his Wherefore shouldest thou create in vayne i. to little or no purpose at all all the children of men i. all men and their posteritie In these wordes hee vseth an other Argumente to mooue GOD to compassion taken euen from the ende of his creation And this hee speaketh because that if in this life wée féele not some taste of Gods goodnesse it should séeme that he had in vayne created vs séeing that this is one end of our creation euen in this lyfe to féele and fynde his liberalitie towardes vs. Verse 48. What man liueth vz. at this presence or shall liue hereafter that shall not see death i. taste of Death or dye q.d. There is no man but hee must passe that waye sée Hebrues 9.27 shall he deliuer his soule i. his bodye and lyfe soule put for body as Psalme 16.10 from the hand of the graue i. from the power of Death putting the graue whiche followeth death for Death it selfe q.d. Both the one vz. to liue and not to die and the other vz. to bee fréede from the force of death is vtterlye impossible sée Psalme 49. almoste thorow ouâ—e and all this is q.d. Séeing mans lyfe is so shorte if thou doe not in good time shewe thy selfe a Father towardes them thou shalte haue no more occasion to make them féele thy fauoure in this lyfe Verse 49. Lorde where are thy former mercies vz. whiche
his sight neither wil the God of Iaakob regard it q.d. hee will make no great account of our transgressions so the wicked are caryed away into sinne perswading themselues either that God maketh no account of it or if hée doe they are able to stoppe his eyes vppe and to shut his mouth Verse 8. Vnderstand vz. howe farre yee goe astray and deceiue your selues q.d. nowe at the length bee of a better mynde yee vnwise i. yee wicked and vngodly men as Psal 92.6 among the people hee meaneth by this speach not onely that they committed sinne in the sight of the people but were as a man woulde saye the ringleaders of the rest and yée fooles i. O yée wicked people as generally you shall haue that worde so vsed throughout the Prouerbes when will yee bée wise i. when will yée returne and bée of a better mynde for that is true wisedome in déede Ver. 9. Hée that planted the eare vz. in the heade and that place of the head meaning thereby the creating and making of it shall hee not heare q.d. it can not bée but hée must needes heare or hee that formed the eye i. hée that not onely gaue shape but substaunce also and being vnto it shall hée not sée q.d. it can not bée auoyded but hée must needes sée and therefore that is a vayne perswasion which you haue to thinke that hee doeth not beholde and marke your wordes and déedes and this is a reason taken from the very order of nature q.d. if GOD giue men power to heare and sée can any thing then be hidden from him as you suppose no in déed Sée such a like argument vsed Exodus 4.11 Verse 10. Or hée that chastiseth vz. with his punishmēts and iudgments the nations i. whole peoples countries yea and the whole world as in the general flood shall hée not correct vz. you that with the same or like punishments q.d. you may assure your selues that hée will come vppon you in seuere iustice and iudgement And this is an argument taken from the more to the lesse q.d. if GOD chastise and correct all people without partialty or respect of persons will he leaue some fewe men vnpunished no in deed he that teacheth man i. all mankynde and euery man that hath any thing knowledge i. any knowledge or vnderstanding that hée hath shall not hée knowe vz. the sinnes and iniquyties which you commit against him either openlye or secretlye q.d. assure your selues hée knoweth them all Verse 11. The Lorde q.d. whatsoeuer you imagine yet this is certaine that hée knoweth i. heareth seeth correcteth yea and pronounceth iudgement of the thoughtes of man i. not only the thinges that man thinketh but also the wordes hee speaketh and the workes hee doeth putting thought which is the beginning of euery thing for the pursuite and perfourmaunce of the thinges themselues that they are vanitye i. that they are vayne and shall come to no ende as by the iudgement which hée will execute vppon them shall appeare Verse 12. Blessed is the man i. certainely hee is in good case howsoeuer the world déeme of him And marke how after hee had reproued the wicked hee commeth to comfort the good whome thou chastisest vz. for a small while and that either by the ministery of wicked and vngodly men as verse 5. and 6. of this Psal or else by thine owne hande and crosses of tryall and teachest him vz. to walke in thy law i. according to the rules prescribed in the same Verse 13. That thou mayest giue him rest vz. after some short and small affliction as Psalme 30.5 vnderstanding by rest deliueraunce from all daungers and distresses and peace after the same deliueraunce from the dayes of euill i. from the tyme wherein hée was exercised with affliction and aduersitie while the pit is digged for the wicked i. not onely while the vngodly is afflicted as though he ment that the good being deliuered the vngodly shoulde bée punished in this life but also death and destruction from the Lorde is prepared for them and commeth vppon them Sée 2. Thessalonians 1. ver 5.6.7 Vnderstanding by pit death and destruction and by digging the preparing and performing thereof Ver. 14. Surely the Lorde will not faile his people i. deceiue or disappoint them in any thing neither will hee forsake his inheritaunce vz. vtterly or for euer hee here laboureth to staye the faythfull vppon the assured loue and trueth of the Lorde Verse 15. for iudgement i. Gods iudgements which in this worlde is rather executed vppon the good then vppon the badde shall returne to iustice i. shalbée brought to full and assured iustice euerye man hauing yéelded to him his right vz. affliction to them that afflict and to the afflicted Gods kingdome for which they suffer Sée 2. Thessalonians 16.7.8 not as though Gods iudgements executed in this life were vniust for hee is iust in all his workes and holy in all his wayes but because wee haue in this life but the beginning of them and in the great daye the full measure of iustice shalbée made manifest and all the vpright in heart i. all that are soundly and sincerely without hypocrisie giuen to godlinesse shall followe after it vz. chearefully meaning by the worde following not onely the approuing of it but also a holy desire to sée and imbrace the same Verse 16. Who will rise vppe with mee i. for mee against the wicked hee meaneth that none woulde defende him and his cause against the wicked or who will take my part against the workers of iniquity q.d. none saue God only by this the Prophet sheweth in his owne example that vnlesse GOD had holpen him hée had béene vtterly cast away so much was hee despised of all and so little coulde or woulde any mans helpe preuaile Verse 17. If the Lorde had not holpen mee vz. in the tyme of my distresse and feare by the woorde holpen hee meaneth plentifull helpe and deliueraunce my soule had almost dwelt in silence i. I shoulde haue béene dead and buryed hée putteth the worde soule for life as sundry tymes before and dwelling in silence for lying in the graue which is called the place of silence not onely because the deade haue no féeling force speaking c but also because they haue no power as then to prayse GOD. Sée Psalme 6.5 also Psalme 115.17 and by the worde almost hee meaneth not that hee shoulde haue escaped death but that hee shoulde shortly haue dyed Verse 18. When I sayde vz. either in wordes or thought in my heart that which followeth my foote slydeth i. I am come nowe into some one daunger or other and I seeme thereby to bee cast awaye and euen at deathes dore as it were If any man list to to take it of small daungers because slyding or slipping of the foote is no great matter I will not gainesay it thy mercye O Lorde stayed mee vz. from falling either into daunger or perill of destruction or into
some lesse triall Verse 19. In the multitude of my thoughtes in my heart i. while I did secretly and within my selfe thinke vppon many thinges hee calleth these perillous and doubtfull cares which hee had in his thoughtes which no doubt woulde haue ouerwhelmed him if the comfortes of God of which he speaketh afterwards had not refreshed him thy comfortes i. those comfortes that by thy spirite I receiue from thy nature and worde haue reioyced i. haue caused to reioyce or haue made glade my soule i. my life and whole man distressed with sundry sortes of heauinesses Verse 20. Hath the throne of iniquitie i. hath vniust iudgement and sentence hee putteth a wicked place for wicked matter and iudgement pronounced out of that place fellowshippe with thée i. doest thou iudge vniustly as wicked iudges doe Sée Gene. 18.25 which forgeth wrong for a lawe i. which deuiseth frameth and performeth cruelty as though it were right and according to the lawe and iustice and marke that hee calleth it the throne of iniquitie both because vniust men sit there and vniust sentences are pronounced there the whole verse together is q.d. thou in thy dealings O Lorde hast nothing common with vniust iudgement seates with vniust iudges or vniust sentences all which doe nothing else but oppresse other men with iniurie and wrong and that many times vnder the pretence of lawe and right Ver. 21. They i. the wicked and vngodly gather them together vz. in troupes and great companies and all to take counsell against the soule of the righteous i. against the life of the good man howe they may take it away from him and spoyle him of al that he hath and condemne vz. vniustly without cause the innocent blood i. the man that hath done them no harme putting blood a part of man for man himselfe and his whole life Verse 22. But the Lorde q.d. notwithstanding the mischieuous malice of the vngodly mentioned verse 21. yea the rather for that is my refuge i. a sure place whereunto I will flée to bée preserued from mine enemies and my God i. hée that hath alwayes shewed himselfe careful for mee and gracious to mée is the rocke of my hope i. is the sure stay and foundation of the hope that I haue q.d. I assuredly staye my selfe in none but in him alone Ver. 23. And hée will reuenge them their wickednesse vz. which they haue committed against him and others meaning by this manner of speach that hée will giue them the wages and hire which is due to so great transgression and destroy them i. vtterly ouerthrow them and bring them to naught in their owne malice i. in the mischiefe and euill that they haue deuised against the good meaning that their euill deuises shall fall vpon their owne heades and they shal be taken in the mischiefes wherein they thought to intrappe the good yea the Lorde our God shall destroy them q.d. he wil certainely destroy them and that by his great and sodaine iudgements the repeating of the same words noteth nothing else but the assured perswasion of the faithfull and the certaine destruction of the wicked Verse 1. Teacheth that it is comfortable to Gods children Do. and terrible to the wicked to knowe and féele that GOD is the auenger of al iniuries and wronges Verse 2. Teacheth that wée may safely praye against the malicious and insolent enemyes of Gods trueth Verse 3. Teacheth vs not to bée dismayed though the wicked preuaile much and long neither to prescribe GOD a tyme of deliuerance but with patience to beare and by earnest praier to labour the remouing of those crosses and trials Verse 4. Describeth the proude and cruell both wordes and gestures of the vngodly Verse 5. Setteth out their cruell and outragious déedes against Gods seruants Verse 6. Sheweth that they growe to such a height and harde heartednes and cruelty that they pity not them whome nature and curtesie woulde shewe compassion to Verse 7. Sheweth not onely that the vngodly flatter themselues in their sinnes but also that they imagine that either God will not beholde their iniquity or if hee doe that hee will not greatly regarde to punish them for it Verse 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct euen those that are most desperately wicked Verse 9. Teacheth vs that nothing that we doe or speake can bee hid from Gods eyes or eare Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God is no respecter of persons and that therefore wee shoulde not flatter our selues as though hée woulde forbeare vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that man and all his deuises are nothing in respect of the Lorde Verse 12. Teacheth that Gods corrections are to Gods children seales of his blessing vppon them also that this is a singular benefite to haue Gods will and worde made manifest vnto vs. Verse 13. Sheweth two thinges first that GOD will deliuer his out of all their distresses Secondly that the wicked shall bee ouertaken in the mischiefes of their owne heartes Verse 14. Teacheth that howe slippery or inconstant soeuer man bée to man yet GOD is alwayes fast and sure to those that are his Verse 15. Teacheth that howsoeuer GOD séeme for a time to deferre the execution of full and perfect iudgement yet hee will in the ende perfourme it in déede and the godly shall reioyce therein Verse 16. Teacheth that the number of those which boldly defende Gods seruants is very smal Ver. 17. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs euery steppe that wée steppe is a steppe vnto death Verse 18. Is very comfortable teaching vs that GOD is alwayes present with his to preserue them from all euill Ver. 19. Teacheth that nothing can more gladde men in this life in the middest of their heauinesses then to haue an eye to the comfortes which GOD hath set downe in his worde Verse 20. Setteth out the vprightnesse of GOD and of all his iudgements so that though men bée neuer so corrupt yet he is alwayes iust and holy in all his workes Verse 21. Paynteth out the conspiracye and crueltye of the wicked against the godly Verse 22. Teacheth vs in the middest of all these mischiefes to hang vppon the Lorde onely by an assured and stedfast fayth Verse 23. Setteth out the certaintye of that destruction and iudgement of the vngodly with which they shalbée ouertaken from the Lorde Psalme 95. Di. THis Psalme may bée diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful to praise and serue God and this is conteyned in the two first verses and in the sixt verse In the seconde part hée sheweth the causes wherefore vz. for the gouernement of the worlde which is general and for the chusing of his Church which is particular Verse 3.4.5.7 In the thirde part the better to bring them vnto the perfourmance of this duety hée setteth before them a fearefull example and that in their owne fathers for the neglect of it from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Though this Psalme
his seruants and haue beene comforted vz. excéedingly specially in the inward man by the sight and beholding thereof Verse 53. Feare vz. of heart and trembling meaning thereby also great feare is come vppon me i. hath taken strong holde vppon mee for the wicked i. because of these great iudgments which shall fall vpon the wicked that forsake thy lawe i. that breake and transgresse thy lawe in their wordes thoughts and déedes others I knowe giue other senses but methinketh this is plaine and right vz. that the prophet considering Gods horrible iudgmēts against the wicked was as it were seased and striken with a very great feare Ver. 54. Thy statutes i. thy worde and lawe haue béene my songes i. as some interpret it haue giuen me occasions to write songs I woulde rather expound it thus haue giuen me pleasure ioy and contentment because men greatly reioyce and content themselues in musicke in the house of my pilgrimage some thinke that he meaneth his banishment when he was persecuted by his enemies and fled from the face of Saul Abshalon or others in which distresse he wandered vp and downe and yet because he was long in it hee did count it as it were the house of his dwelling I rather thinke that hee vnderstandeth hereby the whole course and race of his life both that time and all other times for the Prophet had not then comforte only but al the dayes of his life so that in the house or place of his pilgrimage is as much as if he should say in whatsoeuer place of the world I am haue béen or shal be yea al the days of my life and this the rather because the godly haue alwayes estéemed their liues for a pilgrimage as Gene. 47.9 Psal 39.12 also ver 19. of this Psal Sée also Heb. 11.9.10 Ver. 55. I haue remembred sée ver 52. of this Psalme thy name i. thy maiesty goodnes and power as Psal 20.1 O Lord vz. whom I serue in the night vz. when others sléepe q.d. euen then doe I watch and remember thée when others take their rest and haue kept thy lawe vz. with a good and sincere heart Ver. 56. This I had i. al these graces were giuen me from thy goodnes only because I kept i. indeuored what in mee lay to kéepe performe thy precepts i. thy law and commandements he bosteth not here of any merit of his owne but saith that God in working a special deliuerance did yéeld a notable testimony to that goodnes which was in him Immanuel redeth this verse thus This is a comfort vnto me that I kéepe thy cōmandements q.d. euen the litle or slender obedience that I yéelde to thy lawe doeth much comfort me Do. Ver. 49. Teacheth vs that Gods promises made vs in his worde ought to be special grounds of our perswasions touching his mercies towards vs. ver 50. Teacheth vs that Gods promises are speciall comforts vnto vs in the time of our distresses Ver. 51. Declareth what is the nature of the vngodly vz to scoffe continually at gods religion the professers therof also that no contēpt or ignominie in this life should draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 52. Teacheth Gods children to receiue comfort not only in his mercyes practised towards them but also in his punishments powred forth vppon the wicked Ver. 53. Teacheth vs that we should not only be grieued when we sée gods law broken but to be striken with feare of those iudgments that from God shal fal vpon the wicked ver 54. teacheth vs that nothing should minister more ioy contentment to vs in this life then gods word Ver. 55. teacheth vs continually to meditate on gods power goodnes maiesty c. also that wee shoulde many times forbeare euen our ordinary rest and sléepe to the ende wee might performe that duty Ver. 56. Teacheth vs that God giueth continual blessings to them that haue care and conscience to obserue his lawes Cheth Di. AL that the prophet speaketh in this eight part of the Psalme may be referred either vnto God before whom he powreth forth earnest supplications for the assistance of his grace in the obedience of his word ver 57.58.64 or else vnto himselfe wherin he declared what care he had of obedience to gods law and to obserue al the meanes that might cause him to grow therein neglecting also all things that might hinder him therein and this is conteined in ver 59.60.61.62.63 Ver. 57. O Lord thou art my portion vz. alone q.d. I haue none that I hang or depend vpon but thée alone Sée Psalme 73.25 I haue determined vz. with my selfe and that altogether whatsoeuer come of to kéepe vz. in my life and conuersation thy wordes i. the worde that thou hast giuen me as the rule of my life the meaning is q.d. séeing that thou O Lorde art mine inheritance and hast in mercy chosen me to thy selfe I haue fully concluded with my selfe to kéepe thy law Ver. 58. I vz. being priuy to mine owne weakenesse wretchednes made my supplication in thy presence i. prayed before thée and to thée it may be vnderstood euen of some solemne prayer that the Prophet made before the arke with my whole heart i. vnfeignedly and without wandering affections those setting my heart earnestly vpon things that I vttered with my mouth be merciful vnto me vz. thus distressed as I am according to thy promise vz. made and giuen to me and other thy seruants also that call vpon thée sée ver 49. of this Psalme q.d. performe thy promise made vnto me by thy word in Christ and not in respect of my infirmity Ver. 59. I haue considered vz. diligently and carefully my waies i. the maner and order of my life heretofore and turned vz. from those corrupt and naughty pathes of wickednes my féete i. not my féete onely but mine affections also sée Eccle. 4.17 into thy testimonies i. into the way kéeping of thy law q.d. I haue vewed my life past and I do also wel consider my conuersation present and now the thing that I wholy purpose is this to giue my selfe to the vttermost of my power to kéepe thy commandements ver 60. I made hast vz. after the beholding of the former things delaied not i. nothing hindered me q.d. I made spéed in déede for so much doth this doubled spéech meane for such a doubled speach sée Psal 118.17 to kéepe vz. sincerely soundly without hipocrisie thy commandements i. the things which thou haddest commanded Ver. 61. The hands of the wicked i. the great troupes companies of vngodly men by this phrase hée noteth the multitudes of his enemies haue robbed me i. haue taken from that by fraude violence all that euer I had but vz. for all that I haue not forgotten thy law i. the things prescribed in thy law and the comforts therin conteined q.d. neither their flattery nor their fraude nor any thing that they coulde do against me could draw