he saie haue annointed this my King to reigne vpon my holie mount Sion 7 And the King shal saie againe I wil declare what the Lord hath decreed of me when he thus spake Thou art my sonne indeede this daie haue I begotten thee 8 Aske of me and I wil giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the ends of the earth for thy possession 9 Thou shalt breake them with an iron scepter and crush them into peeces like potsheards 10 Now therefore be wise ô ye Kings be learned ô ye Iudges of the earth 11 Worship the Lord and do him reuerence and reioice in him with feare and trembling 12 Worship this his sonne least he be angrie and ye suddenlie perish euen when his wrath shal flame foorth ô then shal they be blessed that trust in him PSALME III. The Argument This third Psalme was made by Dauid when by the sudden conspiracie of his sonne Absalom being driuen foorth of his citie and kingdome he seemeth vtterlie vndone and he teacheth by his example that euen then when God doth punish our sinnes yet we must cal vpon him with earnestnes and faithful confidence euen in our most extreame daungers resting partlie vpon his power partlie vpō his loue declared vnto vs in the Gospel THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOW manie do vexe and trouble mee ô Lord how manie do rise vp against me 2 How manie do saie of me His God can not helpe him 3 But thou Lord art my shield on euerie side my glorie and the lifter vp of my head 4 I called vpon the Lord and he heard me out of his holie hil 5 I lie downe therefore and take my rest and awake againe for the Lord defendeth me 6 Though manie thousands be assembled and compasse me round about I wil not be afraid 7 Come foorth ô Lord saue me ô God doubtles thou hast smitten al mine enimies vpō their iawes and hast broken their teeth 8 It is the Lord that deliuereth his people and this is now thy people that feeleth thy blessing and mercie PSALME IIII. The Argument This Psalme doth teach the whole Church euerie member of the same that when the wicked do rage we ought not onlie not to despaire or be discouraged but rather boldlie to reproue our aduersaries resting vpon the power of God whereof we haue had so oft experience and trusting to the goodnes of our cause and chieflie to the most assured promises of the life to come vpon the which we must alwaies haue our eies bent and neuer depend vpon the transitorie commodities of this world THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ANswere me when I crie and cal ô Lord the iudge of mine innocencie O thou that hast brought mee so oft out of distresse haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers 2 O ye sonnes of men how long wil you labour to distaine mine honour reioicing in vanitie and take counsel of things that shal neuer come to effect 3 For be ye sure that it hath pleased God to exalt me aboue others and to embrace me with his special grace and fauour The Lord wil heare me when that I cal vpon him 4 Tremble ye therefore and sinne no more ponder these things in your minds and meditate the same with your selues in your beds 5 And worship the Lord with due worship and trust in the Lord. 6 Manie do saie How shal we growe vnto wealth and riches But we desire ô Lord that the light of thy countenance may shine vnto vs. 7 For far greater is this inward ioie which thou giuest vnto me than is theirs when their vintage and haruest are most plentious 8 I wil therefore quietlie lie downe and take my rest for thou onlie ô Lord doest keepe me in saftie PSALME V. The Argument This Psalme is also a praier and teacheth these rules of praier when anie is vniustlie afflicted That is to saie that we must praie earnestlie and set this against al doubt of Gods good wil towards vs or of his power that he is our God and our King and our impatience is to be bridled with this consideration that the nature of God can not suffer the wicked vnpunished wherefore the more cruel that the enimies appeare the more neare and more certaine is their destruction Finallie that we ought not herein to consider the punishment of our enimies neither our owne commodities but onelie the glorie of God in our praiers as he for this cause wil not faile to blesse vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare what I saie ô Lord vnderstand mine inward meditation 2 Giue care vnto my crie my King and my God for thou art he to whome I doe present my praiers 3 Heare my voice earelie in the morning for dailie in the morning wil I prepare my selfe to praie vnto thee and as out of a watch tower wait for thee 4 For thou art not he ô GOD which delightest in wickednes neither wilt thou alow anie wicked person 5 The proud shal not stand in thy presence thou hatest al them that are giuen to wickednes 6 Thou destroiest al liers and abhorrest ô Lord al the cruel and deceitful persons 7 Wherefore I trusting in the greatnes of thy goodnes wil enter into thy palace and I wil worship thee in thy holie place with feare 8 Therefore thou ô merciful deliuerer of al thine rid me that am oppressed from mine enimies and make streight the waie wherein I may walke safelie before thee 9 For none of them doth speake anie thing sincerelie and vprightlie they haue a thousand fetches in their hearts to doe hurt their throte is like an open sepulchre their tongue with faire words doth onlie flatter 10 Condemne them ô Lord and cause them to faile of their purposes cast them downe for the multitude of their wickednes and their rebellion against thee 11 Then shal they al reioice that flie vnto thee for succour and in that thou doest defend them they shal triumph for euer and al that feare thy name shal praise thee with ioie 12 Because thou hast shewed thy fauour to the innocent ô Lord and hast defended him with the shield of thy mercie PSALME VI. The Argument This Psalme conteineth a praier of a diuers argument from the former For before was described the conflict of the godlie vexed vniustlie by men onlie but here is an example set foorth of a man so sore oppressed of his enimies that he wresteleth principallie with sinne and death and with the verie sense and feeling of Gods wrath the which battel is far the greatest and most dangerous And these things are chieflie to be noted in this Psalme that the fruit of sinne is most bitter wounding most greeuouslie both soule and bodie and that the remnants of sinne doe stil remaine in the verie saints for the which God doth chastise them sometimes most seuerelie and that there is no remedie left but this onlie against this incurable wound that is the free mercie of God in Christ and that the saints are brought
his couenant that he hath made with vs as the singular testimonie of his mercie 11 I beseech thee ô Lord therefore for thy great mercie and for the honour of thy holie name forgiue me my sinnes the which I acknowledge to be great and manifold 12 O how happie is he that feareth the Lord for he wil teach him the waie that he ought to walke 13 His mind enioieth a continual rest a blessing shal alwaie followe him wherof his posteritie shal be partakers 14 These are they to whome the Lord doth reueale his counsels which are otherwaies hid from vs euen that his couenant I saie to them that feare him 15 Wherefore I haue mine eies alwaies bent vpon the Lord alone for he in the end wil rid my feete foorth of these nets 16 O looke vpon me and haue mercie vpon me for I am verie miserable and forsaken of al. 17 Sorowes oppresse my heart on euerie side deliuer me from these miseries 18 Behold how miserablie I am vexed and tormented and put awaie my sinnes which are the verie cause of al these miseries 19 Behold how manie do hate me and how bitter hatred they beare against me 20 Defend me and keepe me from shame for in thee onlie do I trust 21 Graunt that I may be preserued safe in simplicitie and integritie the which I do waite for of thee 22 Finalie ô God deliuer thou Israël out of al troubles PSALME XXVI The Argument It is a verie hard thing in the Court to retaine true religion and vprightnes of life and conuersation chiefelie when wicked men do reigne there flatterers do rage partlie by open violence partlie by false accusations and an other sort doth sing in their eares that they must frame their wits to serue al turnes and purposes euen as the fish called Polypus doth change himselfe into the colour of the stone whereunto he cleaueth so that some do altogither leaue their vocations prouiding for their owne commodities to the great damage of the common wealth others do by little and little fal to the Courtlie maners like the rest And some there be who for the wicked life of certaine others do either absteine from the holie assemblies or gather vnto them-selues apart priuate conuenticles as did the Catharians and the Nouatians and manie Monkes that went into solitarie places and the Anabaptistes of our time But Dauid contrariwise though his state was no better in the Court of Saul yet doth he perseuere in his place and vocation and doth the more diligentlie frequent the holie assemblies that were polluted with no idolatrie whiles he is driuen from them by violence neither when he is driuen thence doth he repent of his constancie but being alwaies one man he doth commit his cause vnto God and stil continueth to abhorre the counsels and the examples of the wicked and plainelie testifieth that he wil make a true profession of his faith and that he wil liue an vpright life resting vpon the promises of the most merciful and most mightie God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O LORD iudge thou my cause for surelie according to my power I haue endeuored my selfe to walke vprightlie and I setling al my confidence in thee ô Lord am minded to continue without wauering 2 Thou ô Lord prooue me and trie me and search the secret of my heart 3 Surelie mine eâ—es are alwaie bent vpon thy goodnes and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life 4 I haue carefullie auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitful dealers 5 I hate the assemblie of euil men neither do I accompanie the wicked 6 I do present my selfe before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from al wickednes 7 That I may openlie set foorth thy praise and celebrate thy wonderful workes 8 For there is nothing that I loue more dearelie than that temple wherein thou hast set thy seate euen the house of thy Maiestie 9 Wrap me not in I beseech thee with these wicked persons neither account me with these cruel men 10 Who do speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are ful of bribes 11 But I haue walked vprightlie to my power therefore haue mercie vpon me and deliuer me 12 That I do stand vpright in the waie I do attribute it to thee ô Lord and wil magnifie thy name in the publike congregations PSALME XXVII The Argument Whether we saie that Dauid did write this Psalme when he was now deliuered or when he was in the middest of his daungers it is no great matter But here are opened vnto vs euen when al things seeme most desperate three liuelie and neuer failing fountaines whence we may drawe assured comfort One is to take hold of the power of God by true faith and oppose it against al the bragges of the enimies The second a continual desire alwaie of the glorie of God keeping euermore a safe conscience and vsing diligentlie the meanes whereby our faâ—th may be confirmed that is to saie the hearing of the word preached and the vse of the sacraments if so be that we may haue thâ—m if not yet must we haue a continual meditation of them The third is earnest praier wâ—th faith and patience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord seeing thy wil doth manifestlie appeare like a most bright light vnto me in this so great darkenes to deliuer me whome shal I feare seeing my life standeth vpon the strength of the Lord of whom shal I be afraid 2 I speake of experience for so oft as those wicked tyrants mine enimies did runne vpon me as though they would deuour me with their teeth they fel downe voide of their purpose 3 Hereafter therefore though the enimies come foorth with their armies set in araie against me yet wil I stand without al feare yea though they enter into battel against me I wil hereof take the occasion of more confidence 4 Neither do I yet herein prouide for mine owne priuate commoditie but I beg and craue this one thing of the Lord that I may dwel in the house of the Lord and leade my life with him euen to spend my whole life in beholding the beautie of the Lord and to meditate in his holie temple 5 For there trulie vnder the roose of his house wil I lie hid when anie storme commeth in the secret place of his pauilion shal I be hid whilest that I be set vpon an high and safe rocke 6 Yea euen now alreadie like a conquerour I mount vp listing mine head aboue mine enimies that compas me about wherefore I wil offer sacrifice ioifullie in his tabernacle and I wil sing and praise the Lord. 7 Receiue therefore ô Lord the voice of my crie haue mercie vpon me and heare me 8 My heart doth continualie meditate that same thy commandement Seeke ye my face that is euen as I now open my selfe wherfore I do obeie thee
slumber much lesse wil he be so deepe in sleepe that he wil suffer you to be oppressed 5 Therefore let this be as a thing certainelie determined vnto thee and be thou confirmed with this onelie hope in al distresse that the Lord is thy keeper that the Lord is a shadowe for thee against al stormes and that he is present by thee and wil neuer faile thee 6 And as he was present of old when thou returnedst out of Aegypt so now also that he wil be present with thee against the heate of the sunne in the daie time and against the noisome humours which the moone vseth to raise in the night time 7 Finallie the Lord wil preserue thee safe against al discommodities he I saie wil defend thy life 8 And to conclude which waie so euer thou shalt go he wil be with thee when thou goest forth into one place and wil be with thee when thou goest into another place neither in this iournie onlie but for euer he wil guide and gouerne thee PSALME CXXII The Argument The people of God are brought in in this Psalme reioising one with another for the reedifieng of the citie which either was streightwaies to be begunne or else alreadie begun and therevnto drawing this Psalme written by Dauid aforetimes when as that citie which should be both the sanctuarie of God and also the head of the kingdome was first builded And verelie this was the double dignitie of that citie so yet that the sanctuarie was manifestlie preferred before the ciuil policie seeing this was a benefite generallie common vnto the Church of God euen with manie prophane people but the other was a proper and peculiar blessing vnto the Church Onelie would to God that the cities and states to whome that is giuen from God aboue in our memorie would acknowledge and carefullie keepe both these giftes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Happie and ioiful tidings the house of the Lord shal be sanctified into the which we shal go 2 We wil go to visit thee and wil stand in thy porches ô Ierusalem 3 Neither shalt thou now seeme like a village dispearsed thy houses being scattered here and there but built vp with houses ioined one to another like a citie 4 But especiallie that that people which is holie vnto God might assemble together by tribes after the manner appointed of God to celebrate the name of the God of Israël 5 Furthermore because that the tribunal seates I meane the tribunal seates are there placed of God for Dauid and his posteritie to minister iustice to euerie one 6 Wherefore seeing the safetie of the whole people seemeth to consist in the preseruation of this citie go to let vs praie for Ierusalem and for the safetie and welfare of al them that loue and fauour it 7 Be thou at peace within and without and filled with al maner of good things on euerie side round about thy towers 8 Neither do I powre foorth these praiers for thy safetie without cause seeing the preseruation of al the families of our nation is set in thee 9 Finallie seeing the Lord our God hath set his house in thee that his pure worship might be exercised there I wil labour to preserue and to amplifie thee with as great care as is possible PSALME CXXIII The Argument The weake people of God is brought in in this Psalme praieng most earnestlie vnto the most mightie and merciful God against the infinite iniuries of the mightie gouernours of the countries about them the which historie is abundantlie written in Ezra Nehemiah and would God that the Church would vse the same counsel and remedie in these our times most like vnto theirs THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough al things are contrarie vnto me in the earth yet wil I not despaire but I do lift vp the eies both of my minde and bodie vnto thee that sittest in the heauens 2 For vnto whome should the seruants rather flee than vnto the helpe of their maisters and to whome should the handmaidens rather turne to desire aide than at the hand of their mistresse euen so do we cast our eies and looke vnto the Lord our God and wil not cease before he haue compassion vpon vs. 3 Go to yet ô Lord haue mercie I saie haue mercie vpon vs for trulie nothing can be imagined more contemptible than we 4 And wee are filled inough and more than inough with the scoffes and reproches of these mightie men that are most proud PSALME CXXIIII The Argument Like as in the former Psalme the people as it were fainting vnder the burthen did lament sigh euen so now they are brought in reioising giuing God thankes being erected in faith both for that they had receiued a more comfortable message from the kings of the Persians and also that they had escaped the conspiracies of their enimies by the praiâ—rs wisedome and fortitude of Ezra Nehemiah we haue sâ—ne manie such like examples of the goodnes of God in this our age how miserable soeuer our posteritie doubtles in their time shal see the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LEt Israël now confesse and franklie publish that without the Lord who was present with vs that were destitute of al mans aide 2 Without the Lord who was present with vs that else were vtterlie lost when men rose vp so speedilie against vs 3 Doubtles they had swalowed vs vp quicke their rage was so furiouslie kindled against vs 4 I saie they had alreadie ouerthrowne vs like most violent waters and would as it were haue caried vs quite awaie beeing ouerwhelmed with the vehement force of a swift streame 5 The most tempestuous stormes would euen then haue couered vs that were cast downe 6 Praised be the Lord that hath forbidden letted that these sauage and cruel beastes taking vs in their pawes and tearing vs with their most fierce teeth do not deuoure vs. 7 Verelie our life is saued like a bird that is deliuered from the net of these foulers trulie their snares are broken and we are deliuered 8 And we must attribute this whole benefit to the bountie of the Lord alone who is the maker both of heauen and earth PSALME CXXV The Argument The citie being now at the length repaired and the policie againe established the people againe is taught vpon what foundation they ought to rest hereafter by an argument drawne of the situation of the citie which was a figure both of the power of God and of his fauour alreadie declared which would moue him that he should mitigate euen his seueritie with most moderate correction But this is added that this thing belongeth to them onlie which testifie their religion in deede whereas al other shal suffer iust punishment none other waies than the heathen Gentiles although they did dwel in the middest of the citie of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AS vnmoueable as we behold the verie hil of Sion to stand through his great and heauie masse so certaine do assure
make stir against him PSALME CXXVIII The Argument This Psalme pertaining to the same purpose with the former euen that the people of God being againe restored should vnderstand and haue set foorth as in certaine tables what was their dutie is wholie oeconomical that is for priuate families and it doth teach two chiefe and principal precepts of the right gouernement of the familie to wit the feare of God openlie testified and diligent labour of the bodie of the which twaine the one part doth bind al the godlie without exception but this later part is so to be taken not as though bodilie labour were commanded to euerie one but that we may knowe that idlenes and slouthfulnes is forbidden vnto al not that euerie one hath strength of bodie or wit particularlie attributed vnto him whereby he may get his liuing or may vse the thing rightlie that is alreadie gotten But this also is to be obserued that al men are here spoken vnto as though they were maried because this is the ordinarie vocation from the which how vnlawful it is for a man vnaduisedlie to depart much lesse to saie that the deuelish vowes are anie where approued of sole life either in the scriptures or in the example of anie the miserable condition of them doth declare which haue transformed the world into a Sodome and Gomorrha or euen into some worse thing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis is the right waie to leade a blessed life that a man knowe the true worship of God liue accordinglie 2 For whosoeuer thou art that dost thus although thou be in so poore estate that thou must liue vpon thy handie labour euerie daie yet God wil bring to passe that thou shalt haue a competent liuing therby and he wil grant vnto thee that thou shalt so liue wel and happilie 3 Yea he wil cause thy generation to spread also for thy wife shal be like a fruitful vine in thy house euen bringing foorth most pleasant fruit vnto thee whome thou shalt see placed in order at thy table like oliue branches 4 Behold therefore thus wil the Lord blesse al them that feare him 5 The Lord I saie wil blesse thee from the tower of Sion whosoeuer doest thus behaue thy selfe and he wil bring to passe that thou shalt see Ierusalem flourishing so long as thou doest liue 6 And thou shalt then behold both thine ofspring to be spread abroad at home and also publikelie Israël to enioie great peace and tranquillitie PSALME CXXIX The Argument The people of God being restored after so manie calamities giueth thanks vnto God for so great benefits as the onlie authour of them and promising themselues the same in time to come doth contrariwise foreshew that a certaine destruction doth hang ouer their enimies THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let Israël now say by iust cause These haue vexed me oftentimes from my verie youth 2 They haue vexed me oftentimes from my youth yet could they not ouercome me as it is plaine by experience 3 For they verelie I grant haue wounded me as it were plowing ouer me and drawing long furrowes on euerie side 4 But that most true and iust aduenger of his euen the Lord hath cut in sunder at the length al the bands of the wicked 5 Thus certainlie al the enimies of Sion being filled with shame shal turne their backs their enterprises being frustrate 6 And they shal be proud in shew and flourishing for a little time but they shal be like the herbe that groweth on the top of the houses which withereth before it come to the highest 7 The which neither anie man doth sheare by handful neither doth he laie it in order by handfuls which heapeth vp the haruest 8 Neither for the cause thereof shal the passengers at anie time crie vnto the reapers The Lord blesse you from heauen with most plentiful haruest and by the power of the Lord let your labours haue good successe PSALME CXXX The Argument The people of God being careful to retaine the possession of their countrie and citie restored yet trusting to the promises of God and his mercie whereof they had experience doe comfort themselues in this Psalme which was counted aforetime amongest the penitentials that is amongest those Psalmes which they vsed to sing when the penitent persons were publikelie reconciled vnto the assemblie of the Church the which afterward the Romanists applied foolishlie to the praiers for the dead by no more probable pretence as I thinke than because it is said in the beginning De profundis clamaui that is Out of the depth haue I called so great was the power of the spirit of errour manie yeeres THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I crie vnto thee from the deepe bottome of my heart and from the deepe gulfe wherein I am plunged 2 Heare me ô Lord that cal vpon thee and giue eare to my lowd sounding praiers 3 I grant ô God that I haue deserued al extreme punishment for what can I else saie but if thou ô Lord do marke our sinnes who is able at anie time to abide thy most iust wrath 4 But the matter standeth far otherwise for else could there be no worship of thee anie-where amongst men therefore doth thy mercie ouercome the sinnes of men For thou hast found out and deliuered vnto vs the meanes of attaining thy fauor that thou maist be acknowledged and reuerenced amongst men 5 Wherefore though I be most wicked yet wait I for the helpe of the Lord I wait assuredlie for the helpe of the Lord I saie for he hath testified by his word that he wil helpe me wherevnto I trust vndoubtedlie 6 Therefore there is no night watcher no man I saie that watcheth in the night that loketh for the dawning of the daie more desirouslie or more assuredlie than I doe looke for the comming of the Lord to helpe me 7 Go to then ô Israël wait vpon the Lord with assured hope vpon the Lord I saie most merciful and whom thou hast experienced so oft to be thy deliuerer and aduenger 8 This is he doubtles who wil deliuer Israël now also and forgiue him al his sinnes at once PSALME CXXXI The Argument This Psalme compared with the historie of Dauid wherevnto it is applied in the Hebrue title doth set foorthe plaine example of true modestie which they commonlie cal humilitie euen of that man which fearing God and despising no man doth remaine within the bounds of his calling and afterward this same Psalme is appointed to the people being returned that like as in the formeâ— Psalme they were admonished that they should not be discouraged in aduersitie so contrarâ—wise they shoâ—â—d take heed vnto themselues least they should waxe prâ—â—d in prosperitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Take thee to witnes ô Lord against the flanders of al men that I neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor thâ—â— I am now proud being promoted by thee therevnto nor that I haue bent mine eies to high
seeme desperate this Psalme doth teach vs notwithstanding to cal vpon God with assured confidence For seeing that both his wil and his promises are most certaine we must needes conclude that he doth heare the sighings of them that are his whome he wil comfort in due time and likewise that he wel knoweth the wickednes of the wicked which he wil auenge at his good time THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HElpe ô Lord our sauiour for there is not a godlie man left and the faithful are failed from among the children of men 2 They speake deceitfullie euerie one to another euen though he be his friend flattering with their wordes with double and deceitful hearts 3 Cut off ô Lord these flattering tongues boasting themselues so proudlie 4 They saie We can bring to passe what we wil with our tongues we may speake what we list who is Lord ouer vs 5 But the Lord now at the length saith I wil rise vp for these so pitifullie oppressed and for the mourning of the miserable and I wil set in safetie those that they haue snared 6 The words of the Lord are pure words euen as the siluer tried and fined seuen fold 7 Therefore ô Lord keepe them euerie one and preserue them for euer from this wicked kind of men 8 For the wicked do wander on euerie side when the worst men are exalted into the highest place of honour PSALME XIII The Argument The Prophet doth teach vs the more desperate that the state of the Church is in this world the more earnestlie must we praie vnto God and beleeue in him more stedfastlie for that the praiers of the Saints shal neuer be made in vaine THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOw long ô Lord wilt thou forget me how long wilt thou turne thy face from me 2 How long shal I carefullie consult with my selfe and torment my soule how long shal mine enimie gape ouer my head 3 Behold me and heare me ô my God restore lightes vnto mine eies that I sleepe not in death 4 Least mine enimie saie that he hath ouercome me and they that oppresse me reioice that I am fallen 5 But I trust in thy mercie assured that this my heart at the length being deliuered by thee shal be replenished with ioie and I wil praise thee ô Lord of whose louing kindnes I haue had so good experience PSALME XIIII The Argument This Psalme setteth forth a most sorowful description of the natural man or of the man not regenerate as Paule himselfe doth interprete it Rom. 3.10 The which corruption both of the vnderstanding and of the wil doth chiefelie vtter it selfe in that deadlie hatered which hath bin from the beginning whereby the world doth persecute the Church Howbeit the Prophet biddeth the true Jsraël to be of good courage resting vpon the hope of the comming of the Messiah Wherefore we ought much more to be of good comfort seeing that Christ is come alreadie and hath fulfilled the whole mysterie of our saluation whose latter comming yet we do looke for with the old fathers when at the length we shal be brought home into our owne true vndoubted countrie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THAT men are so doting mad to persuade themselues that there is no God it is manifest heereby that they are al so wicked al doe make themselues abhominable and not one of them doth leade his life aright 2 The Lord himselfe from whome nothing is hid beholding men from heauen to see if anie would knowe him or seeke after him 3 Doth find that al are turned away from him that they are altogither filthie and that there is not one at al which ordereth his life aright 4 Are not these mischieuous men altogither mad which deuoure the holie people of God as it were bread and neuer cal vpon God 5 But the time wil come when they shal be as feareful as they are now careles For God doth defend the generation of the iust 6 You make a mocke at the counsel of the poore whome you oppresse but the Lord is their refuge 7 Oh that now at the length that sauiour of Israël would come foorth out of Zion for then in deed Iacob should reioice then shal Israël be ful of ioie when the Lord shal bring againe his captiues PSALME XV. The Argument The Prophet hauing declared in the former Psalme the manifest and apparant enimies of the Church now he sheweth who those be that are iudged of God the true Citizens or inhabitants of the Church or of the eternal kingdome of heauen and such as shal neuer be cast out opposing them against hypocrites who though they be conuersant in the verie bosome of the Church and that sometime also they haue authoritie and gouernement in the same yet are they not of the Church howsoeuer they both deceiue themselues with a false opinion of godlinesse and other with a lieng shew of religion He teacheth therefore that the true worshippers of God are not discerned by those things that are common to good and euil men that is to saie by the obseruation of the outward worship but by those things that are onlie proper to good men that is to saie by an vpright mind to God and an vpright dealing towards men without al dissimulation both the which they must testifie with an holie and iust life Finalie he teacheth certaine precepts of an holie and iust life after this sort that a man must be farre from al theft and deceit that he may slander no man to abhorre from hurting anie man to hate false accusations to detest the wicked to ioine himselfe with those that feare GOD to set more by his oth than by al the world neuer to seeke gaine by the damage of an other to exercise iudgement incorruptlie finalie he addeth a sure and euident promise that they shal neuer be forsaken of God but shal haue euerlasting felicitie with him who so euer doe keepe this course of life THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Pray thee ô Lord which of so manie as beare a roome in thy tabernacle shal remaine for euer in thy holie hil 2 He that walketh with an vpright heart and worketh righteousnes without al deceit 3 Which slandereth not with his tongue which neither hurteth his neighbour by open violence nor by craft 4 Who abhorreth the wicked and maketh much of them that feare GOD who wil rather willinglie suffer damage than to breake his promise 5 Which doth not lend his monie to the hinderance of an other neither condemneth the innocent being corrupt by reward 6 Who so euer thus doth behaue himselfe he shal enioie most certaine and vnchangeable blisse and felicitie PSALME XVI The Argument Dauid in this Psalme being as it were rauished in spirit acknowledgeth the kingdome which he enioied to be giuen him of God without his deseruing by whose 〈◊〉 helpe he was able to rule and gouerne it orderlie and rightlie Furthermore whereas men for the most part are wont to abuse such dominion vnto riot he setteth
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
that moued him to that crueltie by whose rage to auoide their craftie snares he came into so great danger Howsoeuer it be this Psalme doth shew vnto vs the example of a singular faith and constancie especiallie if we consider the person of Dauid and from how great dignitie without anie fault committed of him he was throwne downe into so miserable condition THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH my God! haue mercie vpon a man most miserable how neare was it that he should swalowe me neither doth he yet cease to beset me round about and to bring me to extremitie as if he would deuoure me 2 These men I saie whither soeuer I remooue or go lieng in wait most diligentlie haue a mind to deuoure me and a great multitude do fight against me ô God most high 3 Notwithstanding when feare commeth vpon me I flie vnto thee 4 And why should I not glorie of that thou hast spoken vnto me most boldlie Wherefore I trust in thee ô God and wil not be afraid For what can these mortal men do against me that rest vpon the power of God who hath testified his good wil vnto me 5 They are wholie bent vpon this that whatsoeuer I intend I speake or doe they may peruert it and therevpon take occasion falselie to accuse me 6 They go together closelie following me at the verie heeles seeking this one thing how they may take my life from me 7 Notwithstanding yet they hope by their crafts to escape thy hands but thou ô Lord how manie soeuer they be and how great soeuer their conspiracies be cast them downe I beseech thee 8 I knowe that thou hast al my wanderings to and fro in a reckoning I beseech thee gather my teares into thy bottels they are I trust registred in thy counting bookes 9 Wherefore so oft as I shal cal vpon thee mine enimies shal be put to flight For I knowe this assuredlie that thou art of my side 10 For I haue the word of God whereof I glorie the word of God I saie whereof I wil glorie 11 Wherefore resting vpon God what should I feare and what can anie mortal man doe against mee 12 O how greatlie do these so manie and so great benefits bind mee vnto thee but I wil paie that which onlie I am able namelie the continual magnifieng of thy mercie 13 For thou hast deliuered my life foorth of the most present doores of death and thou hast raised me when I was cast downe and that I liue now I may onlie thanke thee PSALME LVII The Argument Another most great daunger much like to the former which is sâ—t foorth 1. Sam. 24. gaue the occasion of writing this Psalme whereof we may gather that it lieth in the hand of God not onlie with how great but with how long miseries yea euen by wicked men he wil exercise his seruants and therfore that we must praie continuallie as wel for the gifts of constancie and perseuerance as for the gift of faith Jn other things this Psalme is to the same purpose as certeine other that went before and written of like occasion THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw at the length ô Lord it is high time that thou either looke vpon me or else I am vndone Wherefore haue mercie haue mercie vpon mee I saie ô God for this my soule doth onlie trust in thee and I flie onlie vnto thee vnder the shadow of whose wings I may lie hid so long whilest these great calamities do passe ouer 2 I crie vnto thee ô God most high that thou wouldest finish that which thou hast begun in me 3 And so doubtles wil it come to passe For the Lord wil send helpe from heauen because I find none in the earth and he wil not suffer mee so shamefullie to be deuoured For there wil come downe from the heauen to deliuer me two inuincible helpes for defence euen his mercie and that most high and sure faith which he declareth in the perfourming of his promises 4 In the meane season I graunt my selfe exposed of the one side to the pawes of the lions and the crueltie of most outragious men and of the other side to the false slanders of most shameles accusers whose teeth are like vnto speares and arrowes and their tong more hurtful than most sharpe swords 5 But thou ô God declare that thou dwellest euen aboue the heauens and cause that thy glorie may be published throughout the whole world 6 Whither soeuer I mooue my foote their net is spread to take me I doe lie as it were throwne downe vpon the earth I see before mine eies the pit into the which they hope to cast me downe headlong but the matter wil go otherwaies For they contrariwise shal fal into the selfe-same pit 7 Therefore ô God I being now prepared with my whole heart with my whole heart I saie haue great desire to praise thee both with my voice and harpe 8 Go to my tongue go to both lute and harpe awake with me in the morning 9 Euen the gentils most farre distant shal heare me declaring thy praises the people shal heare me sing vnto thee 10 For surelie thy goodnes extendeth it selfe vnto the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds 11 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the verie heauens and shew forth thy glorie to the whole world PSALME LVIII The Argument Jt may be collected of this Psalme that Saul that he might haue some excuse to couer his hatred against Dauid did gather a councel of the states whereby he procured him being absent to be condemned as a publike enimie now there is no greater iniurie than that which doth oppresse vnder the cloake of lawe wherefore Dauid comforting himselfe and appealing to God doth paint forth those most corrupt iudges in their owne colours as one that knew them verie wel and also doth pronounce the sentence against them in the name of God himselfe not as a priuate man but as a Prophet and as a king alreadie allowed of God and he vseth similitudes most agreeable to the couetousnesse and ambition of such maner of men For where they haue this purpose chieflie that they may set themselues aloft and their children by these practises yet God doth oftentimes cut them off in the mid course of their couetous desires furthermore their posteritie cleane contrarie to the opinion of their fathers doth either consume awaie by little and little in the sight of al men or is destroied by some sudden rage THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Yee states and senatours tel me I praie you if there remaine anie sparkle of conscience in you Is this to decree iust iudgement O ye mortal men of how great dignitie soeuer ye be doe ye iudge aright 2 Naie surely seeing the matter it selfe declareth that inwardlie ye deuise al manner of wickednes outwardlie and openlie in al mens sight yee doe weigh nothing but iniurie in your ballance 3 Neither is this now the first time that ye do so for I
to bring forth their wepons and armies no more than they which lie sleeping in a most deepe traunce 6 But both the chariots and the horses being striken with slumber at the rebuke of God could not remooue from their place 7 Therefore thou art verie terrible and who is able to abide thy sight so soone as thy wrath is inflamed 8 For thou hast declared thy selfe plainlie bringing things to passe by thy diuine power aboue al order of nature that thou doest reigne in heauen and causest the very earth to tremble and to quake 9 When thou didst arise to destroie the wicked and to preserue thine who were of euerie side oppressed 10 Thus the more that men do rage so much the more doth it appeare who and how great thou art and if any doe yet remaine and begin againe to rage thou wilt euen bind them as it were in one bundle and destroie them at once 11 Go to then al ve that are preserued by the maruellous power of the Lord our God standing round about this your Emperour paie vnto him the things that you vowed most worthilie bring your offerings vnto him that is so terrible with al diligence 12 For this is he that cutteth off all the courage and strength of the verie kings as a gardener doeth twist his vines and doth declare himselfe terrible to the most mightie princes of the earth for his Church sake PSALME LXXVII The Argument It may be perceiued by manie most dolorous examples and euen by the greeuous agonie of Christ himselfe how horrible the battel is of the conscience touched with the sense of Gods wrath wherevnto yet we said that euen the most holie men haue bene subiect Psalme 6. and by this Psalme as by certeine other we vnderstand the same Therefore it is worthie the marking yea and verie necessarie to knowe by what weapons those valiant champions haue also shaken off these fierie darts of Satan This Psalme therefore doth teach vs in this most dangerous temptation to applie these remedies euen continual praiers although the verie mind be vnwilling to praie and though the verie thinking of God doe terrifie vs and a meditation of the former testimonies of Gods good wil towards vs which is ioined with his vnchangeable purpose how that he neuer putteth awaie for euer him whome he hath testified to haue chosen seeing that these his gifts are without repentance and that his mercie is infinite and that he hath the most high power in ruling the course of al things and times finallie the remembrance of the maruellous works of God both in trieng and in preseruing of his Church And it is very meete for euerie man to haue such examples in good remembrance and to applie them vnto him selfe particularlie in such manner of temptations THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Haue cried vnto God I haue cried I saie and haue lift vp my voice vnto God whilest hee heard my crie 2 The more greeuouslie that I was oppressed the more earnestlie I sought the Lord so that I praied in the verie dark of the night holding vp my hands without ceasing although my verie heart refused al comfort 3 For the remembrance of God was so far awaie from pacifieng mine vnquiet mind that contrariwise nothing did trouble me so much so that I did lie wholie oppressed with sorrowe 4 Neither could mine eies take anie sleepe nor my heauie heart breath nor finallie my mouth could speake one word 5 But at the length I began to cal to memorie those excellent things which thou hast done in the former ages whereby thou hast declared that infinite mercie towards thine from the beginning 6 Then came those comfortable songs into my memorie which I heretofore haue sung of thee al the which things I reuoluing with my selfe in the night and considering continuallie in my mind 7 Verelie thinke I although it seeme that thou art vtterlie vndone yet how can it be that that God whose wil is vnchangeable should now cast thee away for euer and that he should be now vnto thee an enimie neuer to be reconciled whose fatherlie loue thou hast so often tried 8 Shal I iudge that his mercie can be cleane spent or doe his decrees and promises at the length vanish awaie by continuance of time as mortal and humane things are wont to doe 9 Shal I saie that he hath cast off that nature most readie to haue mercie and in displeasure hath shut vp his compassion which before was spread ouer al 10 Furthermore I said thus also within my selfe Verelie this thy wound is now of it owne nature deadlie but the change of things dependeth in thy hand that is in the hand of the high God 11 And here I began againe to consider how oft thou hast shewed foorth that thy wonderful power in times past by deliuering thine through extraordinarie meanes 12 I began I saie to meditate those thy mightie works and to ponder them in my mind by the examples whereof I might lift vp my mind that did lie downe prostrate 13 For it appeareth no where more euidentlie what thou art able to doe than in thy sanctuarie where in deede thou declarest thy selfe what one thou art and can anie other god make himselfe equal with thee although those false gods were such as other nations imagined them to be 14 Thy works ô God are in deede maruellous and thou hast abundantlie shewed to al people how mightie thy strength is 15 For I praie thee with what incredible power hast thou deliuered thy people out of Aegypt I meane the posteritie of Iacob and Ioseph 16 Then the verie waters ô God sawe thee present I saie they sawe thee and were astonished and euen the depths of the sea were moued when they felt thy presence 17 The cloudes powred out flouds of waters the heauens thundered horriblie thy fierie darts went euerie-where abroad 18 A terrible noise of thunder was heard throughout the circuit of heauen the world shined with glittering lightenings the earth shaked and trembled 19 Finallie the seas made passage vnto thee and thou hast opened a waie to thy people going thorough the middest of the waters leauing no steps of this passage 20 Lastlie thou hast thus lead into these pastures thy people being brought foorth as a flocke committing them to faithful pastours Moses and Aaron Wherefore then should I despaire as though thou either wouldst not or couldst not behold me PSALME LXXVIII The Argument It may be collected by this Psalme what maner of sermons the Prophets made in the Church of Jsraël when the histories were declared in their synagogues And surelie this ancient monument of the holie antiquitie is to be had in great reuerence as certaine other Psalmes also and the sermon of Stephen in the Actes of the Apostles and that sermon of Paule made at Antioch Acts. 13. And hereby we learne also with what profite we may reade the holie histories which are set forth vnto vs in this Psalme after two
worke yet is it of far lesse importance than the saluation of thy people in the frame of the heauen I meane that there is as it were ingrauen a sure stabilitie of that thing which thou hast once spoken Wherefore though the companie of the godlie be tossed with infinit tempests vpon the earth yet shal it be firme and stable the which thing thou hast opened by thy word to be determined by thee of the euerlasting rest thereof in the heauens 90 Surelie thy truth shal faile in no age for euen that bodie of the earth doth so remaine as it was established by thee vpon her foundations 91 And al these things doe so continue as they were ordeined and appointed by thee from the beginning obeieng thee doubtles as their Lord. 92 But if I had not learned these things of the doctrine that thou hast deliuered vnto vs whereof doubtles I did take a maruellous pleasure verelie I had perished alreadie being ouerwhelmed with calamities 93 Therefore be it far away from me that I should forget thy commandements at anie time vnto whome I confesse that I doe owe my life 94 Saue me therefore seeing I am thine and a diligent obseruer of thy statutes 95 For the wicked do labour for this with al their power that they may destroie me but I giue my selfe wholie to consider those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 96 For I see al the most absolute perfect works to come to an end onelie thy precepts are prolonged without measure and without anie end THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIII 97 O How do I loue thy doctrine surelie I consume whole daies in meditating of the same 98 And I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine for I haue prooued to be much wiser by thy precepts than al mine aduersaries of how great dignitie or authoritie soeuer for I haue obteined a wisedome that wil neuer forsake me 99 Yea thou hast made me better learned than my verie teachers and maisters euen because I haue giuen my selfe wholie not to mans inuentions but to meditate those things onlie which thou hast giuen vnto vs for sound learning 100 Finalie I was more skilful than anie of the ancient euen because I was bent not onlie to knowe thy cōmandements but also to keepe them indeed 101 For I held backe my feete that I should not go the way that leadeth vnto euil but that I should alwaies rather hold the waie which thou hast taught vs by thy mouth 102 Neither did I turne from thy lawes but rested vpon thee my teacher and admonisher 103 And surelie I felt thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth than if I had tasted honie 104 Finallie thy precepts haue taught me true wisedome and therefore I abhor the other rules of the order of life as wicked and false THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIIII 105 WHerefore that thy word hath bene and shal be like a torch shining before me as I go and as a light shewing my path vnto me 106 For so haue I sworne euen by an oth that I would doe and that I would keepe thy most iust lawes the which thing I wil perfourme in deede 107 And thou againe ô Lord keepe me safe which am maruellouslie vexed as thy word promiseth 108 O Lord let the vowes and free promises of my mouth be accepted of thee and teach me thy lawes more and more 109 Behold my life is exposed to al casualties as though I did carrie it in my hand yet haue not I forgotten thy lawe 110 The wicked haue laid snares for me yet haue not I wandered from thy precepts 111 Those things that thou hast testified vnto vs are in the stead of an euerlasting inheritance that can neuer be alienate neither doe I take anie pleasure anie-where but of them onelie 112 Finalie I haue bound my whole hart for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XV. 113 I Abhorre the wauering and wanderers to and fro in religion and I account thy doctrine most deere 114 Thou art my refuge where I may hide my selfe thou art my shield whilest I rest vpon those things that thou hast said vnto me 115 Hence from me ye wicked that I may keepe the precepts of my God so much more purelie 116 Vphold thou me ô Lord as thou hast promised to doe otherwise I perish and doe not shame me by making my hope frustrate 117 But rather strengthen thou me that I safelie escaping may applie my selfe continuallie to thy statutes with great ioie 118 For verelie thou doest tread vnder foote prostrate vpon the earth al them that go astraie from thy statutes and their craft doth vanish 119 Thou doest cast awaie I saie al the wicked whereof this world is ful like drosse therefore is nothing more pleasant vnto me than the testimonie of thy wil. 120 Yet doe I wholie tremble for feare of thee and for that thy seueritie against the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVI 121 LEt them shameleslie imagine what they lust I haue so behaued my selfe that no man can worthilie complaine of me that I haue committed anie thing against him contrarie to right and equitie doe not deliuer me therefore I beseech thee to the lust of the slanderers 122 But rather laieng a pawne for my sake regard that I be not oppressed by these proud men 123 For my verie eies do faile me waiting for the deliuerance alreadie promised vnto me and for the perfourmance of thy most iust word 124 Neither when I desire this doe I desire anie thing that I haue deserued but this one thing rather that thou wouldest haue mercie vpon me thy poore seruant and teach me thy statutes 125 Go to I beseech thee seeing I am thy bond-seruant grant this vnto me that I may vnderstand and embrace those things that thou hast testified vnto vs so as it is conuenient 126 For the time it selfe requireth ô Lord that thou laie thy hand to the worke seeing that these men haue vtterlie ouerthrowne thy doctrine 127 But contrariwise thy precepts are more pretious vnto me than anie gold how much soeuer 128 For I doe affirme that al thy commandements are a most certaine rule of equitie and I abhor as a thing appointed to deceiue vs whatsoeuer leadeth vs from them THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVII 129 OH the maruellous things that are comprehended in those words that thou testifiest vnto vs so that I haue most iustlie giuen my selfe wholie to consider them most attentiuelie 130 For vnto them that enter within the threshold onelie to heare thee a certaine vnspeakeable light doth offer it selfe to be seene not so much dazeling the minds with glittering as lightening them with a ioiful brightnes and instructing them that knowledge their owne ignorance with true wisedome 131 Wherefore I haue greedilie swallowed thy precepts as thirstie men vse desiring them most earnestlie 132 Looke vpon me therefore and haue compassion on me that pant for breath
CXX The Argument The Hebrue title doth cal this Psalmâ— and the other 14. that followe next in order the Psalmes of Mahaloth that is of degrees as almost al men doe interpret it meaning by that name the slaiers wherevpon the Leuites stood from whence they were sung And that there were such degrees it is euiâ—ent by Nehemiah 9.4 J be it spoken without the preiudice or hinderance to anie man can not allow this opinion but J expound them to be Psalmes of ascensions which were peculiarlie consecrated to celebrate the returne of the Jsraëlâ—tes out of Babylon and that they are called Psalmes of ascensions in the plural number not ascension in the singular because the people returned not al together but some vnder Zorobabel and other some after vnder Ezra and lastlie other returned with Nehemiah at the which time at the length when the worship of God was newlie to be ordeined againe and ciuil gouernement to bâ— restored then is it supposed that both these Psalmes and the residue were gathered by Ezra into one volume and that these were appointed as most apt to declare this benefit the which also it is probable that they were afterward wonted to be sung chieflie of them that went vp to the temple at solemne feasts For it is manifest throughout the holie scriptures that they which went vp to Ierusalem were said to ascend both for the situation of the citie and also for the woorthines of the temple so that sometimes euen the name of Ierusalem is omitted as Acts 18 22. And why J should thus thinke J am principallie persuaded by this reason because as I shal shew in euerie argument these Psalmes are so dâ—uided that they seeme to bring in the people first preparing themselues to go then to be entred their iournie after that to be come to the citie and busie to repaire euerie thing lastlie after that the citie and temple were restored that they exhort and stir vp one another both to the holie and ciuil offices Neither is this anie hinderance to my words that the 3 5 12 13 14. of these Psalmes are attributed to Dauid and the 8. to Salomon For this is no let why these Psalmes being written long before by some other occasion or general argument by them or by others were afterward applied peculiarlie to celebrate this benefite as may plainelie be proued by the 7. Psalme of this order Wherefore the 1. of these Psalmes seemeth to me to represent the person of the people preparing themselues to go foorth of the countrie and partlie lamenting the miserie of their long captiuitie amongst the heathen nations partlie beseeching God that their returne being granted should not be letted by anie slanderous accusations of their enimies like as we reade that when the people returned into Iudëa the building of the citie was long letted by these craftes and he calleth these Gentiles to wit the Babylonians and the Persians not by their owne names but by the names of the most cruel people of Arabia that dwelt by them like as if we should cal at this daie verie manie people whose crueltie is wel knowne Turkes and Scythians And it is plaine that this must be taken so because the people of God was neuer caried captiue into Arabia neither can these things aptlâ—e be applied vnto Dauid And now also there is great vse of this Psalme seeing that the godlâ—e are compelled oftentimes to flee into far countries by the crueltie of the wicked And if it chance at anie time thus to bee or if that in the middest of our owne countrie yea and amongst our kindred and friends there be found Mezechites and Kedarens as the state of the Church is whilest it is in the world yet must we stil retaine godlines we must make continual praiers we must search where there is anie assemblie of the godlie finallie we must alwaies take heede least wee howling with the wolues at the length we our selues become of sheepe wolues THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Haue therefore lifted vp my voice vnto thee ô Lord in these miseries and thou hast heard me at last 2 But now furthermore least this benefit be frustrate this thing remaineth that thou wouldest deliuer mee from the deceiptful accusations of lieng men who do hinder by such craftes that thing which they can not obtaine by force 3 I praie thee whosoeuer thou art that doest so what commoditie or profit canst thou atteine of this deceipt 4 Yet I graunt that the dartes of the deceiptful tongues are verie sharpe and that the wounds that are made through the burning thereof are as hardlie extinguished as the coles of iuniper 5 Wo is me that I should continue so long banished foorth of my countrie amongst so prophane and cruel men of Meseck and Kedar 6 Oh most long and most greeuous continuance vnto my soule with these men so far from al peace and tranquillitie 7 For I though I seeke nought but peace yet the more I go about to pacifie them so much the more do I kindle their hatred and enimitie PSALME CXXI The Argument The people of God are brought in in this Psalme being entred into their iornie turning their eies to the moumtaines of Iudëa in the which the citie did lie ouerthrowne after the example of Daniel which is described Daniel 6. and furthermore comforting themselues against the difficulties of so long and troublesome a iournie by repeating a like example of the mercie of God when he did defend his people brought forth of Aegypt with a cloude in the daie time against the burning of the sunne and a piller of fire against the discommodities of the night Now seeing that al these things are the figures of that spiritual helpe wherwith the sonne of God doth maruellouslie preserue his Church traueling in this world and also are so manie pawnes and pledges that nothing shal want vnto vs in this life whatsoeuer is required to the necessitie thereof though in the most barren wildernes it may easilie be perceiued thereby how necessarie the doctrine conteined in this Psalme is to al the godlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Ye mountaines I turne mine eies to you in these difficulties otherwise intollerable I labour to come vnto you I saie from whence I onlie trust that helpe wil come to me 2 Euen vnto the Lord who seeing he is the maker of the heauen and the earth he hath not inclosed his kingdome within those mountaines as it were certaine boundes but yet he hath chosen those mountaines vnto himselfe from whence he might shewe forth vnto vs a signe of his presence and mercie 3 Wherfore he wil neuer suffer that in this iournie thou shouldest so stumble that thou shouldest fal or be compelled to go backe and though manie do lie in wait for thy destruction yet he preuenting al dangers wil be our watchful keeper 4 For seeing that he hath taken in hand freelie and of his owne care to defend his Israël he wil not once