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
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
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
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
A RIGHT GODLY AND learned Exposition vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes Wherein is set forth the true Diuision Sence and Doctrine contained in euery Psalme for the great furtheraunce and necessarie instruction of euery Christian Reader Newly and faithfully set forth by a Godly Minister and Preacher of the word of God 2 Tim. 3. Ver 16.17 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to improue to correct and to instruct to righteousnesse That the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes LONDON Printed for T. Man and W. Brome 1586. ¶ The printers of this present worke to al godly and Chrystian readers do wish all increase of knowledge and strength of faith in Christ for euer THere are two thinges especially that behoueth all good men to haue regarde of in this life The one is the inlarging of the kingdome of Christ to the vttermost of their powers in a lawfull and holy vocation And the other is simplicity and plainnes in the places that God putteth men into or in the words or workes that he inableth them to performe therein At both which things we our selues haue aimed so farre forth as humāe infirmytie would suffer in the pulishing of this present work for the further declaration whereof wee haue beene contented to prefixe these fewe lines By Gods good prouidēce the booke it selfe came into our hādes from amongst the writings of that religious worshipful Gentlmā M. Herlakinden of Kent esquier late deceased and for whose cause onely as we suppose the penning of this was performed at the first Which hauing once gotten into our handes we could not let lie and perish amongst the wormes and moaths as the prouerbe is vnles we would closly vnder hand haue hindered the edification of the Church but indeuour to our vttermost the publishing of the same Wherein if any man thinke we did it for glory or gaine vnto our selues wee can not but tell them that as they doe vncharitably surmise against vs so they doe fondly and fouly deceiue themselues as for glorye how can we attayne sith the labor is wholy an others and no part ours except men would thinke vs to be so conceited that wee would count it credit to be decked with other birdes feathers and to waxe rich with the robbery and vniust spoyles of others And for gayne there is as litle if not lesse reason for besides that we know not what vent we shal haue the sale being very vncertaine what likelyhood is there that our aduantage can be much in publishing cōmentaries vpon that booke of which there are so many learned expositions extant already And yet least any should imagine that we haue without cause caused this to be printed besides the reasons before alleaged we say that both the soundnes of the matter it selfe and the manner of deliuery obserued therein which is both plaine and short the one seruing for the more simple sort of people and the other fitting such as either can not or will not allowe themselues leasure to read long commentaries hath drawen vs on hereto Wherein we do willingly giue al the world to vnderstand that we speak not so much our own minds for we confesse our selues to be men not greatly able to discerne of such high points but we vtter that that men of good countenance in the Church of sound iudgement as in respect of religion haue deliuered and that we hope all that read it shal well find and perceiue There resteth no more but this that euery good man labour to referre it to good ends and holy purposes namely to the building vp of thē selues and others in knowledge in faith in repentance and obedience of al such good things as God hath reueiled in his worde praying the Godly reader for his better more plain direction in that behalfe diligently to obserue these few points following First that all that is spoken vppon all the Psalmes or any of them respecteth either the diuisiō of the Psalme it selfe into his members and parts or the true sense and natural meaning of the very words or the doctrines touching faith and manners that are therein conteined Secondly that wheresoeuer they shall finde these letters markes or directions ensuing i. vz. q.d. they would take paines to resolue and interpret them thus namely that i. signifieth that it is to say vz. signifieth to wit and q.d. meaneth as if he should say Thirdly that the framer of this work in all his notes at the least for the most part we are sure of it had speciall respect to that english text of the Psalmes and Bible that was Imprinted at Geneua which was as it shoulde seeme the first yere of the raygne of our gracious Queene which also we thought good to aduertise the reader of that so he may haue an eye always in his reading to that text or others conformable to the same printed vpon good authoritie though it be not wholly put downe here nor the wordes of it in other letters for difference sake as had been to be wished Lastly wee are earnestly to intreat the godly reader fauourably to interpret and with loue to correct whatsoeuer hath escaped here through the negligence or ignorance of the workemen imployed about this busines some taste whereof also euen we our selues haue thought good to giue vnto them by putting downe some fewe scapes obserued in the ouer reading of it that so if there be any such like as we hope there are not many they may by these amend the rest And thus beseeching God to giue a blessing vnto this work in the heartes of all these into whose handes it shall come we end the 28. of Aprill 1586 Lord Iesus begin and make an end An Exposition vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes The penners of the Psalmes were diuers men as Dauid Moses c. but all led by one and the selfe same spirit so that the holy Ghost may rightlie be said to be the Author of this Booke SOme Psalmes haue titles and inscriptions of which we will shew somewhat when we shall come to them othersome are without Titles or inscriptions of which we shal not néede to say any thing These that haue Titles do eyther containe the name of the writer of that Psalme or the instrument wherevpon it was sung or the end wherevnto it was appoynted or the principal matter therein contayned As they were diuers Writers so they comprehended diuers matters some are full of instruction touching both fayth and maners as Psal 1.37 c. Othersome containe confession of sinnes and prayer for repentaunce as Psalme 25.51 c. Othersome are Prayers agaynst the enemies of the Church as Psal 79.83 c. Some containe the histories of the olde Testament as Psal 78.105.106 c. Some are commendations of Gods lawes as Psa 19.119 c. Some descriptions of Gods wonderfull power as psal 18.164 Some are particuler prayers of
iudgementes ouertake you as are mentioned verse 5. and 9. of this Psalme be wise and learned not that they were withoute wit and learning but because they wanted godly wisedome hee exhorteth them to looke for that Ver. 11. Serue the Lord q.d. Giue vnto him his true honor and worship which hitherto you haue kept backe from him in feare or after others with reuerence both come almost to one ende if wee reade Feare he meaneth the feare of his children which are loth to offende him not so much for feare of punishment as for lothsomnesse on their parte of loue to displease his Maiestie If we reade reuerence then hee noteth with what inward perswasions and outward behauiour we should performe his seruice to his Maiestie vz. not so lightly and vnreuerently as commonlye we doe and reioyce vz. because he hath set suche a king ouer you with trembling vz. at his iudgements which he setteth before them to kéepe them the better in awe and to with-holde them from manifolde mischiefes Ver. 12. Kisse the sonne vz. not only in signe of homage subiectiō but also as a sure pledge of that faithfulnes trust which you wil perform towards him And by Sonne he vnderstandeth either Dauid or Christ least he be angrie and then those punishments fal vppon you mentioned before ver 9. and ye perish q. d least ye also should perish The Prophet putteth downe two reasons to induce men to yéelde to Christ 1. least they prouoke him to wrath 2. least they themselues perish and that in the waye i. before they come to their iournies end meaning thereby the full accomplishment of their purposes practises which no doubt shal be a great gréefe When his wrath shall sodaynly burne others read if his wrath shall burne though neuer so little if you follow the first reading the sence is thus vz. hee noteth not only the time wherein the vngodly shall perish but the maner how and suddainly If you allow the other then this is the meaning q.d. it is good for you to take héede how you prouoke agaynste youre selues God and his iudgements for if his wrath bée neuer so little kindled bée yée sure it will be your destruction this latter I better like of as more agréeing with the circūstance of the place blessed are all that trust in him this is a graue sentence shutting vp the whole Psalme into which the Prophet sodainly entreth not only because of the déepe consideration of Gods iudgements pronounced before agaynst the wicked but also thereby to shew that the godlye are not without hope Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth that the people do many times oppose thēselues against God his ordinance Ver. 2. sheweth that the kings mighty men doe it likewise by which we may learn also that it is not good to hang vpon the multytude for their number nor vpon the mightye for their great countenaunce Ver. 4. Teacheth that God will frustrate the wicked of their hope and mischieuous purposes Ver. 5. as also 9. declareth that the vngodlye shall not escape vnpunished Ver. 7. Teacheth vs not onlye faythfully to declare but also humbly to stand vppon the giftes and calling that God hath bestowed vpon vs. Ver. 8. Declareth Gods liberalitie who giueth to his childrē rich and plentifull gifts ver 9. Noteth the vtter ruine and destruction of the vngodly ver 10. Setteth out Gods mercy in calling men yea euen the highest that others by their examples may be brought therto also to repentāce and amendment and teacheth them likewise to account of the time and not to put off from day to day ver 11. Teacheth that God alone must be worshipped and what maner of seruice it is that he requireth at our hands ver 12. Teacheth obedience to Christ euen as to God the Father by which wee sée that he is God and that there is a distinction of persons it declareth also what iudgement shall fall vpon the vngodly for their sinnes and what graces shall be giuen to the faythfull Psalme 3. THis Psalme hath a large Title Di. which doth not onlye comprehend the Authors name but the time when and the occasion wherefore he did write it is the argument as a man would say of the whole Psalme it may be diuided into thrée parts In the first Dauid declareth what great daungers hee was in by reasons of the multitude of his aduersants and this is in the two first verses in the seconde are comprehended comforts which Dauid gathered vnto him by consideration of Gods present ayde and of the wonderfull consolation which he had by experience felte before from the thyrde verse to the ende of the sixte In the thirde parte hee maketh his prayer vnto GOD for his deliueraunce foretelling as it were Gods iudgements vppon his enemies and his fauour to his children and that is in the two last verses ver 1. Se. is vttered by an interrogation by which the Prophet noteth the wonderfull number of his aduersaries as though hée had bin left almost alone and all the people had gone after Absolon Ver. 2. To my soule mend it thus of my soule i. of me my selfe and my whole lyfe a part put for the whole person There is no help for him in God i. the Lord will not deliuer him for they supposed when they saw him flée from the face of his sonne Absolon on the one side and Absolons power on the other side that God had forsaken him and that he could looke for no helpe of God such a one was Schemei 2. Samuel 16.7.8 Ver. 3. Art a Buckler i. a sure defence from the force of my enemies For me or after some about me by which he noteth in what assuraunce he was vnder the shadow and safegarde of the Almighty My glory i. who how base soeuer I am now must and wil restore me to my former glory And the lifter vp of my heade to lift vp the head is to make one that was very sad and throwne downe with gréefe ioifull and chearefull by exalting of him to giue him matter of mirth sée Genesis 40.13.20 Luke 21.28 he meaneth then by these thrée spéeches that he was to him without weapon a shield or Buckler i. a sure defence and to him contemned glory and renowne and to him cast downe an Author of ioy and raysing vp agayne Verse 4. I did call or after some crye whiche I better like i. I did earnestly pray heard or after some answered i. yéelded and graunted me my request out of his holy mountayne we heard the same before Psalme 2.6 By holy mountayne he meaneth the propitiatorie or mercy seate which was vpon the Arke placed in Mount Sion whiche was sayd to be holy because God the author of holines appeared there and by reason of the holy exercises obserued in that place for God had promised that he would heare his people out of the mercy seate from betwéene the Cherubines when faythfully they should call vpon him or else
prieth and watcheth diligently to intrap them that are already afflicted Vers 9. and 10. Hee setteth out the secret councels that the wicked vse to take the godly by Sée for the Lions disposition Iob. 36.1.2 draweth him into his net it is a metaphor taken from foulers who vse closly to lay their nets and snares to catch birds vers 10. He croucheth and boweth i. The vngodly spareth no paine to his owne body that hee may woorke mischiefe Yea hée counterfatteth and pretendeth humilitie but all is hypocrisie Heapes i. Great number and multitudes as it were ver 11. In his heart see ver 6. Of this Psam he noteth in this verse what maketh the wicked so bolde to sinne vz. A false perswasion that they haue of God ver 12. Arise vz. to helpe the oppressed as Psalm 12.5 lift vp thine hand i. declare thy power in striking thine enemies forget not the poore q.d. shewe that thou art not forgetfull of them For in déede he is not forgetfull of them though it so seeme to vs which thing the wicked perswade themselues thou doest as ver 11. ver 13. contemne God Sée ver 3. of this Psalme Thou wilt not regard vz. their sinnes committed against thée and thy seruants ver 14. Mischiefe and wrong vz. which the vngodly haue done to thy children That thou mayst take it into thy hands Not only to iudge betwéen right wrong but also to punish those wicked persons with thy power Himself i. His life al his causes he cōmendeth to thée For thou art the helper this is a reason why the afflicted fléeth to God Of the fatherles i. of those that are voyd of mans help Sée Iob. 29.12 Hosea 14.3 ver 15. breake thou his armie i. al his power and force and whatsoeuer he hath to execute it by Search his wickednes q.d. cal him to account for his sinnes and thou shalt find none vz. To answere thée He meaneth that if the vngodly be sifted the giltines of his owne vngodlines will make him to flée his presence and the iudgement of God will so ouerthrow him that he shal no where appeare neither his place any more be known ver 16. He putteth heathen for the Iewes and Israelits not that they were heathen by nature but because they were corrupted with heathenish maners ver 17. In the Lord part must be read not as a thing already performed but as a praier for the godly Thus strengthen their heart q.d. confirme them more and more in the truth of thy promises dispose their harts to the imbracing thereof bend thine eare i. diligently hearken and yéeld to the praiers of thy poore people as Psal 86.1 ver 18. To iudge i. To reuenge and set frée the fatherles and poore Sée ver 14. Of this Psal That earthly man i. man not only dwelling in the earth but also made of earth cause to feare no more i. Be no more a cause of terror and feare to thy seruants Se. Ver. 1. Teacheth that gods children are wonderfully assaulted when they féele not gods present helpe ver 1.2 c. Till you come to the ende of the 11. ver the holy ghost doeth so diligently set out the wickeds nature not that the godly shoulde feare them For all the mischiefe they can imagine or performe but to teach the Godly the more earnestly therefore to come to God by prayer that they may auoyd these daungers and the more carefully to looke to their steps that they be not ouertaken with these wickednesses Verse 12. Teacheth vs to pray vnto God in the middest of the confusions that wicked men bring into the earth and to desire him to take his owne cause and the cause of his children into his owne hands Ver. 13.14 declare that though the wicked thinke God regardeth not yet hee séeth it and in his good time wil punish them for their sinne Ver. 17. sheweth that it is comfortable for the children of god to think vpon his power because it is their defence and terrible to the wicked because it is their ouerthrow Psalme 11. THis Psalme hath two partes Di. In the first the Prophet flieth to God by prayer that vnder him he might be defended against the violence and mischieuous practises of the vngodly from ver 1. to the end of the third In the seconde part he setteth out Gods iustice in defending his owne seruaunts and in punishing the wicked and vngodlye from verse 4. to the end of this Psalme The title of this Psalme is expounded Psalme 4. Ver. 1. Se. To my soule i. to me a part put for the whole Flie not to as in the Geneua Texte but out of your mountayne Mountaynes are sure places to lodge in from the force of aduersaries but here the enemies tel Dauid and those that were with him that they shal not preuaile to keepe them safe and therefore it were better for them to get them away It may be that by Mountayn hee meaneth the lande of Iudea because it was full of Mountaynes q.d. Get you out of Iudea but the other me thinketh is more simple sée 1. Samuel from chap. 21. to the 27. as a bird vz which séeth the Fowlers snare and therefore flieth away swiftly q.d. You are forewarned of a daunger therefore get you away with all spéede Ver. 2. Bende their bow i. prepare and gather together all the force and subtilties that they haue or can deuise at them vz. at me and those that are with me which are vpright in hart i. which meane no mischiefe or hurt to them or any of them Ver. 3. For the foundations vz. of the places wherein Dauid and his might trust are cast downe he speaketh of that that shall be as though it were alredy done for the certaintie of it in mans iudgement what hath the righteous done q.d. haue I and the people with me committed that these mischiefs should be ment against vs and our liues so sought for Ver. 4. Holy palace i. Heauen as may appeare by that which followeth the Lords throne is in heauen i. he is a heauenly Iudge to reuenge these outrages done vpon the earth agaynst me and mine His eyes will consider or after some doe consider eyes attributed to God after the maner of men meaning that he beholdeth vz. all things that the wicked doe and the godly suffer His eylids i. his eyes it is eyther Metonomya the things contayning for the things contayned or Synecdoche one parte for an other or a part of the eye for the whole eye Chyldren of men i. men of what state and condition soeuer they bee q.d. this one thing comforteth me that though GOD bee in heauen yet from thence he doth withoute respecte of persons behold all things done by men vppon the earth and namely how vngodlye the wicked are agaynst those that trust in him Ver. 5. Will or doth trie vz. by afflictions and calamities that he might make him pure golde vnto him selfe the righteous i. righteous men one
which â—ason the vngodly vse as most conuenient to commit their mischiefe in Iob 24.13.15.16 c Verse 8. I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee q.d. I sieldome or neuer tooke any thing in hande but I behelde the Lorde that I might doe all things according to his good pleasure hee is at my right hande i. he is present with me and that on the better side as it were to holde me vp that I slip not I shall not slide i. perishe and fall awaye for euer because I haue so good a prop to leaue vpon Ver. 9. Doth in manye words note that he was in very good state sometimes speaking of the parts of his bodye as harte and tongue sometimes speaking of the whole vnder the worde of fleshe Ver. 10. Soule put for body as appeareth Leuit. 21.2 in the Hebrew and to sée put for to trie and féele a metaphor taken from one of the sences and applyed to the other This Dauid speaketh of himself in an assured hope that he had of the generall resurrection And Acts. 2.25.26.27 also acts 13.35 it is applyed to our Sauiour Christ to proue him to be a conqueror of death to be truly and indéede risen agayne because death could not keepe him downe and to be the author of that resurrection that al the godly shall haue in which respect also he is called the first fruits of them that slept 1. Cor. 15.20 Ver. 11. The path of life i. the way whereby in this life I may so walke that in the end I shall come to eternall life it is a metaphor taken from trauaylers who iorneying in straunge countries vnlesse they haue a guide cannot tell whether they goe in thy presence i. with thée and where thou thy selfe art in goodnesse and mercy and at thy righte hand sée Mat. 25.33 pleasures he vseth the plurall number to note the great plenty and aboundaunce of them for euermore i. that shall neuer perish Ver. 1. Do. Trust and hope in God is the ground of our prayers to his Maiestie Roman 10.14 Ver. 2. A notable place agaynst merits and confidence in mans workes Ver. 3. Teacheth that we must doe wel to the houshold of faith and that while they liue with vs for otherwise it will not profit them it teacheth also that we should delighte in the company of Gods saynts Ver. 4. teacheth that Idolatrers shall not escape vnpunished also what detestation Gods children should haue of Idols and Idolatrie Ver. 5.6 declare Gods mercy and goodnesse to his children Ver. 7. Teacheth thankfulnesse to God for his inlightning of vs by his spirit ver 8. sheweth that we shoulde doe nothing but alwayes as in Gods presence and that if the Lord be on our side we néede not care who be agaynst vs. ver 10. is a playne testimony of the resurrection ver 11. Teacheth vs vnfainedly to imbrace the Lord in whome is such fulnes and aboundaunce of all good things Psalme 17 Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall partes First the Prophet maketh his earnest prayer vnto God beséeching him graciouslye to heare him and to deliuer him from the vngodly from verse 1. to the ende of the eyght Secondly he describeth the cruelty pryde and other wickednesses of the vngodly as reasons to moue the Lord to pitie his case from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme De. The title of this Psalme is playne and easie ver 1. crie put for vehemente and earnest prayer of lippes vnfayned or as Immanuel readeth withoute deceitfull lips both commeth to one sence as I take it vz. the Prophet meaneth that his prayers were vttered with wordes for lippes are here put for wordes expressed with the lippes voyde of faigning or subtiltie q. d. My wordes truely expressed my gréefe and were indéede the liuelye image of my minde wordes and hart consenting together ver 2. My sentence i. the sentence and iudgement that thou shalt pronounce on my behalfe for thy presence i. from thée q.d. make it now manifest and let thyne eyes beholde equitie i. declare now by thy iudgements that thou regardest equity whiche I yea with many wicked men haue doubted of because thou hast ben so long before thou hast come to punish the vngodlye ver 3. Proued and visited i. examined and sifted mine hart i. my inward thoughtes whiche are in the hart in the night in which God is wont to stir vp and to put men in minde of his will after that they are called from other affayres sée Iob. 4.3.14 Iob 33.15.16 thou hast tryed me vz. by many tribulations and is a metaphor taken from tryall of metals by fire and foundest nothing vz. euill in me or spoken by me to wit agaynst Saule or some other his enemies in which respect he called his cause a righteous cause verse 1. of this Psalme The latter part of this verse correct thus that which I thinke doth not go beyonde my mouth or as it is in Hebrue I thought adde here and my thought for verbes in the Hebrue tongue doe manye times comprehende their verball nownes passed not my mouth q.d. there was no difference betwéene my mouth and my hart I did without deceit vtter with my mouth what I had in my minde Ver. 4. concerning the workes of men i. which men are wont to doe adde here for the more playne sence this is that I haue to saye by the wordes of thy lippes i by the wordes or thorowe the wordes that thou hast vttered and made manifest I kept me i. through goodnes and strength from thée I did abstayne from the paths i. from the behauiours conditions and manners of doings of the cruell man i. that he vseth ver 5. Stay som read staying but I rather like of the first the Prophet making a prayer for himselfe considering his own weakenesse rather then noting the manner howe My steppes i. my thoughts wordes and déedes in thy paths i. in those wayes and maners which thou hast prescribed by thy word that my féete he goeth out in his metaphor vnderstanding by féete his conuersation inward and outward slide not i. go not astray or slip awry from the rule of righteousnesse that thou hast prescribed ver 6. I haue called i. prayde vnto incline thine eare eare ascribed to God as other partes and members of a mans body are not that he hath such but because our weake capacitie vnder such spéeches might haue some little light of knowledge touching his incoÌ„prehensible maiesty ver 7. he procéedeth in his prayer vsing the word mercies in the plurall number not to the largenes abundaunce thereof sée Psal 16.11 and he calleth them maruailous because they so séeme as in déede they are also vnto men Sauiour i. deliuerer from daungers 1. Timoth. 4.10 he meaneth that God doth vse to saue them that put their trust in him to saue theÌ„ I say from such as resist thy right hand i. from such as sette themselues though in vayne against thy maiestie and power Immanuel readeth this
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
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
euill wordes vttered against vs and not to be redy to reproue euery thing spoken against vs. ver 15 In GOD alone must we trust in al distresses ver 16. Our praiers to GOD must be effects of our hope also the sliding of the Godly openeth the mouth of the wicked and therefore we haue néede to pray that we may stand ver 17. It is good to féele our own infirmities but withall to haue recourse to GOD for strength to stande verse 18.19 Declare that the more paine Gods children are in the more doe the wicked insult and grow vp in might and number Verse 20. It is no new thing that Gods children receiue euill for good also that the enemies hate them not for euill but for goodnesse sake Verse 21.22 Praier to God and to him alone in the time of all our distresses is highly commended vnto vs. Psalme 39. Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes In the firste the Prophet sheweth how that after a long debating in himselfe whether he shoulde bée silent or no he burst out into prayer describing the vanity and shortnesse of mans life whiche being well considered maketh him to confesse that hee trusteth only in the Lorde from verse 1. to the ende of the seuenth In the second he prayeth deliueraunce from sinne and from those punishmentes which were layde vpon him for sinne desiring the Lorde to cease from wrath and graciously to heare his prayer from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to the excellent Musitian Ieduthun This is the name of one who for his skill was preferred before the rest of his stocke and familie Sée 1. Chron. 16.41 also chap. 25.3 but yet he so nameth the chéefe man that vnder the same he meaneth also those excellent Musitions that were of his stocke and race Verse 1. I thoughte vz. in my selfe thus to my wayes i. to the whole order and course of my life and namelye that I sinne not with my tongue vz. in vttering ill spéeches vsing the tongue which is an instrumente of spéeche for wordes or spéeche vttered thereby my mouth brideled or mufled it is a metaphor taken from wilde beasts into whose mouthes or ouer whose mouthes something is put least they should hurt sée Psalme 32.9 while i. so long as the wicked is in my sight i. it pleaseth God by wicked men to exercise me least if I should speake any thing awry they being presente they should take occasion therby to speake euill ver 2. I was dum vz. for the time as Psalme 38.13 or as a dumme man q.d. I did not otherwise hold my tongue then if I had bene dumme euen from God vz. words or matter the Prophet meaneth that though he had a iust defence and an honest cause to complayne yet he put it all vp in silence and bare it patiently as you may sée one particular 2. Samuel 16.5 c. and my sorrow was more stirred vz. by my silence discoursing and dilating with my selfe whether I were best to speake meaning that by that meanes his gréefe was increased others reade it thus when my sorrowe waxed rawe i. was not onely not healed but by reason of newe calamities waxed more vehemente the sence commeth all to one though the wordes somewhat differ Verse 3. By heate of harte and fyre kindled the Prophet meaneth not onlye the greatnesse of his gréefe as they that are gréeuouslye sicke féele greate force and power of heate but he meaneth also some motions that hée had to impatiencye and fretting to whiche fault they are very muche subiecte that are hote and giuen to heate Verse 4. Myne ende i. the tyme of his ende meaning the time wherein hée shoulde dye of my dayes vz. whiche I haue to liue What it is i. Howe long for by seuerall wordes in this verse the Prophet meaneth all one thing vz to knowe howe long he should liue in this World q.d. Séeing thou handlest mée so sharpely let mée at the least knowe howe long I haue yet to liue and indure this payne But this prayer was not good because he required to know that whiche the Lorde had kepte close in his owne counsell Verse 5. My dayes i. the dayes of my lyfe as an hande breadth i. very short as a measure of foure fingers broade yea myne age i. the tyme of my life as nothing vnderstande is or else thou hast made it as nothing in respecte of thée i. if it be compared with thée that arte altogether eternall in whose sight a thousand yeares are but as one daye sée Psalme 90.4 2. Peter 3.8 in his best state i. that hée eyther canne bée in or imagine himselfe to bée in touching this life altogether vanitie i. nothing else but vayne brittle and transitorye Verse 6. Man i. hée and his whole life walketh in a shadowe i. hath his conuersation in this life quicklye to passe awaye as a shadowe doeth meaning that there is nothing founde in mans life certayne and that hée hath nothing but a vayne shewe disquieteth himselfe vz. by heaping and getting vp goods in vayne i. without cause the reason followeth in this verse because he knoweth not who shall be his heire shall gather or rather receaue them vz. from him when hée shall departe from them Verse 7. And nowe q.d. Séeing that all men are so vayne whome shoulde I trust in or whome doe I hope in but in thée alone Verse 8. A rebuke vz. by suffering myne afflictions to preuayle vppon mée vnto the Foolishe i. Wicked men as Psalme 14.1 Verse 9. I shoulde haue bene or make c. q.d. In stéede of reasoning disputing the matter with thée as ver 4. I should haue bin silent towards thée as I was towards others ver 2. of this Psal because thou diddest it This is a reason why hee shoulde haue borne his afflictions patientle ver 10. Thy plague i. the punishmente and scourge that thou hast layde vpon me consumed i. as it were brought to nothing by the stroke of thine hand i. by the punishment and affliction which by thy power thou hast striken me withall Ver. 11. With rebukes i. plagues and punishments procéeding from thy wrath which are called rebukes because that the Lord by them doth as it were rebuke them for their euill for iniquitie vz. committed eyther directly or indirectly against thy maiesty and by these termes he meaneth not only sinne but a iust and full punishment such as sinne deserueth as a Moth these wordes may haue a double sence eyther that God shoulde consume the wicked as mothes doe precious garments which best agréeth with this translation or else that the beautie of all other excellent thinges in the vngodlye should be destroyed thorow Gods iudgements as Mothes in killing of whom there néedeth no great strength as Iob 4.19 and this agréeth with Immanuel who turneth this verse far otherwise Ver. 12. At my teares q.d. Let my teares mingled with my prayers moue thée to pitie me for I am
heart prayseth the Lord doth yéeld him most excellent honour disposeth his way arighte i. rightly and holily ordreth his life will I i. God himselfe speaking of himselfe or else his seruaunt and Prophet shew the saluation of God i. If wée referre it to God he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person but if we referre it to the Prophet and take it to be his wordes hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed which he shall receaue indéede from God who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons both the sences come almost to one Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes but comfortable to his seruaunts Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation that passeth betwéene them and their God Verse 6 It is comfortable to consider that God who is iustice it selfe shall iudge Verse 7 When God speaketh all ought to heare Verse 8.9 God regardeth not outwarde seruices when inward is wanting Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods and at his commaundement Verse 11. If he know the creatures then men likewise Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man Verse 13. God being a spirit néedeth not outward nurriture Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing is acceptable to God Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer if we could rightly consider of it Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde be two grieuous sinnes Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse and of communicating with other men in their sinnes Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse ver 20. To speake euil of or to slander any much more our nighest kinred is a horrible sinne Verse 21. Gods mercy long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked not of it selfe but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it Verse 22. Gods iudgemeÌ„ts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty Psalme 51. THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges Di. the firste is an humble confession of sinnes with an earnest crauing pardon for the same desiring notwithstanding his sinne the continuaunce of Gods fauour towards him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehended an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church and â—â—is is in the two last verses of the Psalme The Title to him that excelleth Se. a Psalme of Dauid this hath bene expouÌ„ded before when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him for the better vnderstanding of this read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout after hee had gone in to Bathsheba the scripture speaketh chastly purely of a filthy facte in other places it is expressed by knowing hir in our spéech we say after he had had her company or lain with her Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes and he doubleth as it were the same matter in other wordes that hee might more effectually declare his affection he runneth only to Gods mercye and because his sinnes were many and infinite he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses away myne iniquities vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes for such a metaphor he séemeth to vse here meaning the vtter remouing of them Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing the Prophet alludeth to the outwarde purifyings and cleansings of the law yet so that he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing without the Lord performed that inwardly wch was signified by these outward signs that is frée pardon ful forgiuenes of al his transgressions Ver. 3. For I know i. féele sensibly within my self but yet so that I do withal confes it is euer before me i. is continually in my remeÌ„braunce and the very thought of it doth continually vex me and by iniquitye sinne in the singuler number he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome adulterye but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertayning therto whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Against thée against thée only c Dauid noteth by this maner of spéech that he did so cuÌ„ningly couer his sinne from mens eyes that none saw it for the time til it was reuealed but God alone so that we see Against thée doth not only note that his sinne was directly agaynste God which also he meaneth by doubling the words against thée agaynst thée but also that it was naked before him as appeareth by that which followeth when he addeth this word only he meaneth not that he had not offeÌ„ded against men also for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain but because God was he whose law both in respect of the first and second table was broken whom it did most especially touch that thou mayst be iust i. declared to be iust for otherwise god is alwayes iust though the manifestation thereof appeare not and pure i. sound and vpright when thou iudgest vz. others for God is always iust but it then specially appeareth wheÌ„ he eyther pronouÌ„ceth senteÌ„ce against some or executeth iudgements vpon them Ver. 5. Behold q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther but al other from the time of my being vntill this present houre he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne but yet so that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow and in sinne hath my mother conceyued me these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents was in that sinne conceaued i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe and brought forth in the same for so largely do I take the word of conceauing the beginning of a thing being put for the grouth procéeding and continuance of the same thing Ver. 6. Thou louest truth i. vprightnes soundnes a sincere good wil to follow thée in the inward affections meaning that God specially respecteth the hart yet so that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto haste thou taught me wisedome i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne because
haue not set God before them q.d. all this outrage against me springeth from this fountain to wit that they neglect God as he is manifested and reuealed vnto them in his word neyther take they counsell of him but preferre their owne iudgements and deuises in all their attempts whatsoeuer Verse 4. Beholde GOD is mine helper q.d. notwithstandinge all this see howe graciouslye GOD helpeth and succoureth mee is with them i. taketh their parte and is on their side as Romanes 8.31 For otherwise GOD by his presence is with all his creatures and no doubte he meaneth not only those that fledde away with him but euen Ionathan and suche others as euen in Saules Courte fauoured him and his cause that vpholde my soule i. that beare mée good affection haue care ouer my safegarde and take my parte and ayd and helpe me so farre forth as GOD inableth them Soule is here put for lyfe as before in the thyrde Verse not that men are able to vpholde eyther their owne lyues or other mens otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same Verse 5. He shall reward euill i. God by pouring forth his iudgements vpon them shal in a iust measure recompence them the mischiefe that they haue deuised and done agaynst me for euill here is put for euil of punishment as sundry times before oh cut them off vz. eyther from amongst men rooting them out of the lande of the liuing or else from power and means to performe their mischiefs by in thy truth i. according as thou truely hast promised so make me effectually to féele the performance therof we haue had the same phrase sundry times before Verse 6. Then will I sacrifice vz. the sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing fréely i. not onelye with free and chearefull courage but with greate liberalitie also So that he promiseth to shew himselfe after his deliueraunce euery manner of way thankfull to God I will prayse thy name i. goodnesse strength power c. as before verse 1. of this Psalme because it is good i. mercifull almighty c. for so much doth the word God comprehend in this place Verse 7. For he hath deliuered me this is the reason why he will giue hartye thankes to the Lord vz. because God hath set him frée from wonderfull daungers and troubles for so much I take it he meaneth by all troubles and not that he should not indure any moe afterwards And mine eye hath séene i. I haue not only in my vnderstanding perceaued but with these bodily eyes of mine for he putteth one for both I haue beheld poured forth vpon my enimies the iustice and iudgements of God which I prayd for or desired mighte fall vpon them which also we may doe to wit holily reioyce in the execution of Gods iustice vpon the wicked so that our eyes be pure from all naughty affections and our minds clensed from desire of reuenge Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs not only in our distresses to pray vnto God alone but for the strengthening of our fayth to haue recourse to his goodnesse and power Verse 2. Teacheth vs in prayer to vse both hart and voyce Ver. 3. Doth not only set out the cruelty of the vngodly agaynste the good but also noteth the fountayne of all wickednesse that is the neglect and contempt of God and his will reuealed in his word Verse 4. instructeth the faythfull to assure themselues of Gods present ayde who is mercifull not only to them but also to all those that take their partes and therefore wee sée it is not good to destitute Gods seruaunts vnlesse we will pluck God vpon our owne backes Verse 5. setteth out Gods iustice against the wicked of which sée Psal 18.26 it teacheth also to make Gods faithful promises the grounds of al our supplications and prayers Verse 6. Teacheth vs both to giue God thankes for his mercies and also the maner how we should yield it that is willingly chearefully fréely and plentifully Verse 7. sheweth that it is God alone that must set vs frée from all daungers whatsoeuer the doctrine of the latter part of this verse is put down in the sence Psalme 55. THis Psalme I take it may well bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet maketh his prayer vnto the Lorde shewing also what great causes he had to moue him thereto and this from verse 1. to the ende of the 8. In the seconde he prayeth agaynst his enimies describing their mischieuous malice hipocrisie and other vices from verse 9. to the ende of the 15. In the third he returneth agayne to his prayers both for himselfe and agaynst his enimies concluding with a comfortable exhortation to the faythfull with a terrible denouncing of Gods iudgements against the wicked and this reacheth from verse 16. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 4. and Psalme 32. Se. in the Titles thereof Some there be that thinke Dauid made this Psalme when hee was afflicted with the Rebellion of his sonne Abshalon Othersome vnderstand it of that great and wonderfull daunger wherein hée was in the Citie Keilah whether Saule came to besiege him whereof sée more at large 1. Samuell 23.1.2 c. And to this doe I rather enclyne Verse 1. Heare my prayer sée Psalme 54.2 hyde not thy selfe i. turne not thy selfe away he séemeth to speake after the manner of men who sometimes if they be not disposed to graunt a request will not speake with the parties that sue vnto them but séeme to hyde themselues from presence spéech from my supplication true it is that in scriptures prayers and supplications are many times vsed for one and the selfe same and it may be that they are so taken here but yet you shall sée them sundry times seuered as Ephe. 6.18 Philip 4.6 1. Tim. 2.1 where by supplicatiō the Apostle meaneth requests made to God for deliuerance from those things which trouble vs and by prayers requests which are made for benefits Ver. 2. Harken vnto me i. the praiers that I make before thée as Psal 54.2 and aunswere me i. graunt me my request for those whom we louingly aunswere we séeme in some sort to graunt vnto I mourne i. I am sorrowful and heauy harted and make a noyse he meaneth that by violence and vehemency of his affliction hee was as it were inforced sometimes to heauinesse of heart mournful bewailings sometimes again into most pitiful outcries Ver. 3. For the voice i. for the hard gréeuous threats which are vttered with the voice of the enemy i. Saule vnderstāding notwithstāding vnder him as the principal all those that cleaue to him in these outragious words déeds against him for the vexation of the wicked vz. which they do against me and not wch they thēselues suffer for here the vexatiō of the wicked is vsed actiuely vz. for the oppression wherewith they did afflict the innocent because they i. the enimies and wicked
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
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
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
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
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
to him Ver. 7. teacheth that no mans honor or office can preuent or put away death Verse 8 instructeth vs in the middest of all confusions disorders amongst men earnestly to pray to the Lord for the redresse of them for he alone is he that can and will in good time reforme the same Psalme 83. IT appeareth that this Psalme was made in some time that the enemies of the Churche conspired the ouerthrow of it Di. I suppose that a man may well referre it to the dayes of Hezekiah wherein Saneherib came vp agaynst Ierusalem and vttered outragious blasphemies against God and his people sée 2. Kings 18. and 19. chapiters The Psalm as I take it may be deuided into two parts In the first the faythfull pray to God for ayd and succour shewing the causes that lead them so to doe from verse 1 to the end of the eyght In the second part they pray earnestly for the ouerthrow of their enemies that so they might be brought downe in their pride and confesse God to be their only God from verse 9 to the ende of the Psalme Sée the Title of this Psalme expounded in the title of Psalme 48. Verse 1. Kéepe not thou silence O God vz. at our prayers Se. and considering the rage of thine and our enemies q.d. Make no longer shew as though thou caredst not for vs but by graunting our petitions and punishing our enemies shewe thy selfe to haue care ouer vs be not still they repeat the same matter in other words to note the earnestnesse of their prayers and cease not vz. to helpe vs in our distresses Verse 2. For loe thine enemies i. they that in vs professing thy truth set themselues agaynst thée make a tumult vz. not onely in gathering great multitudes together but also in lowde and loftie speeches as verse 4. of this Psalme making a great noyse they that hate thee i. they that testifie their hatred against thy maiestie by pursuing and persecuting vs haue lifted vp the head vz. against thy maiestie vs thy poore seruaunts and by lifting vp the head hee meaneth that they had not onely set all feare aside but that with bold and proude mindes they prepared themselues staying vppon their owne strength to accomplish their mischiefs agaynst God and his people Ver. 3. They haue taken craftie counsel i. they haue both diuised with themselues and consulted with others agaynst thy people vz. how they mighte hurte and destroy them and haue consulted vz. with themselues and others agaynst thy secret ones i. thy faythfull people and he calleth them Gods secret ones not only because they were Gods chéefe treasure Exodus 19.5 whiche hee woulde kéepe closely for himselfe but because he would and did vnder the shadowe of his wings as it were kéepe them safe and sound from all iniurie and oppression Psalme 17.8 Psalme 27.5 Verse 4. They haue sayde i. the enemies amongst themselues as it were to exhort and incourage one another haue vttered these spéeches Come and let vs cut them from being a Nation i. let vs vtterly destroy them that they may no more remaine a people vppon the earth and that word them is spoken contemptuouslye of the Iewes or Israelites as though they would not vouchsafe to name the persons they were so base and for the expounding of this spéech from being a Nation sée Esai 7 verse 8. where he vttereth a prophecy against the tenne tribes and let the name of Israel be no more in remembraunce i. let this people so vtterly perrish that neither person name or remembrance therof may be thought vpon By Israell he meaneth that part of the Israelites which remained vnder the gouernment of the kingdome of Iudah to whome hee giueth this name because they came of Iaakob or Israel as well as the others Verse 5. For they haue consulted i. they haue not onely taken counsell how to performe euil things but haue conspired and consented to the same together in hart i. not only closely secretly as before ver 3. but also couragiously boldly as it were and they séeme to bée al of one mind as it were to our destruction haue made a league vz. amōgst themselues and that by solemne oth and ceremonie as it were that they might be the more straightly bound to worke their mischiefe against thée he sayth agaynst God because that the quarrell which the enemies had agaynst this people was for religions cause which was the very cause of God himself Ver. 6 The Tabernacles of Edom that is the Edomites or Arabians whose manner was to dwell in Tents or Tabernacles or else hee meaneth their souldiers abiding in Tentes or Pauilions after the manner of warre this people came of Esau Genesis 36.9 and the Ismaelites adde and of the Ismaelites meaning that their troupes Tabernacles or Tents came who caried also a hatefull mind towards Gods people and it shoulde séeme that these came of Ismaell the sonne of Agar by Abraham sée Genesis 25.12 Moab i. the Moabites putting the name of the Father for all the people that came of him he was the eldest Sonne of Lot borne by incest sée Genesis 19.37 and the Agarims I woulde rather reade it Hagarims with an H or aspiration fyrste it shoulde be read as appeareth by the Hebrew Texte the Prophet mynding to note them that came of Hagar the mother of Ismaell of this people sée 1. Chronic. 5. verse 19.20 Verse 7. Geball from whome this people should come the scripture so farre as I remember sheweth not some suppose he meaneth the Gibbians who were borderers vpon Sidon of whiche sée 1. Kinges 5.18 and Ammon this was the other sonne of Lot conceaued and borne in Incest of whiche sée Genesis 19.38 putting in all these the name of the fyrste Father of them for all the people thee came of them and Amelech these came of Eliphaz Esaus sonne as appeareth Gene. 36.12 the Philistines these came of Ham the Sonne of Noah as appeareth Genesis 10.14 with the inhabitants of Tyrus this is the name of a Citie situate vpon the Sea as appeareth Isaiah 23. thorowout Verse 8. Ashur i. the people of Assyria who came also of Ham Noahs Sonne as it shoulde séeme Genesis 10.11 is ioyned with them vz. in this conspiracie and mischiefe that they minde to doe for in these verses hee doeth nothing but note out the multitudes of the enemies which Gods Churche hath they haue bin an arme i. they haue ministred courage ayde and strength by the league that they haue made to the children of Lot i. to the Moabites and Ammonites that came of Lot of whome before Verse 9. Doe thou to them as to the Midianites i. destroy them vtterly and ouerthrow them for all their force and multitude this story is written Iudges 7. Chapter as to Sisera i. confound and ouerthrow them Sée Iudges 4. Chapter and as to Iabin who was the King of Canaan and Sisera was his chéefe Captayne in whose discomfiture and
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
who sweareth for the further strengthening of our fayth in the truth of his promises Verse 36 Teacheth vs that posteritie and the continuaunce thereof is a speciall blessing from the Lord the same thing doth verse 37. teach Ver. 38 39 40 shew that no affliction commeth to Gods children without his special prouidence and appointment which is comfortable to consider not only because he that doth chastise vs is our father but also our enemies can go no further then he hath appoynted them Ver. 41 teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a low ebbe and yet graciouslye afterwards deliuereth them out of al their feare Ver. 42. teacheth that the wicked and vngodly can not doe what they list nor go beyond the bonds which god hath set them Ver. 43. teacheth that al munition and ayde of men is vaine vnlesse it please God to blesse them and giue them force Ver. 44 teacheth that it is God alone that pulleth downe and setteth vp Ver. 45. teacheth that the dayes of our life are in Gods hands to be disposed of as pleaseth him Ver. 46. Teacheth vs in the middest of our greatest heauinesse to haue recourse to God by prayer and to craue the remouing of his rods Ver. 47. teacheth the vanity and shortnes of mans life Ver. 48 teacheth that death spareth none but that all must tast therof Verse 49 teacheth vs to thinke vppon Gods former graces that they may assure our consciēces of mercy to be afterwards shewed Ver. 50 teacheth vs in our afflictiō to repaire vnto God also that not the meanest sort of the people only but the chéefest are enemies to Gods faynts Ver. 52 teacheth vs that the iniuries and opprobries offred to Gods people are as done against his own maiesty and person Ver. 52. teacheth vs in all estates and at al times to be continually thankfull to God and also to yéeld both to thanksgiuing and prayer an earnest consent Psalme 90 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée partes the firste is an Exordium or a beginning whiche setteth out the care and good will of God towardes his people from all eternity and this is comprised in the two first verses The second part very excellently paynteth out Gods great prouidence and gouernment and our frayle and miserable condition from ver 3. to the end of the 11. In the third is contayned a prayer for grace and comforte in all heauinesses and distresses of this life whatsoeuer from verse 12. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a prayer of Moses i. a prayer whiche Moses made vnto God for himselfe and the people at that time as it should séeme that the spies came backe againe and the people murmured agaynst God for which thinges sake the Lord threatned them that they shoulde not enter into the lande of promise sée Num. 13.14 thorowout the man of God i. not onely an excellent man but a Prophet and one called to some publike office sée Deut. 33.1 also 1. Kings 18.24 Verse 1. Lord thou vz. alone and no other hast bin at al times heretofore and specially all the while of our trauaile in the greate and huge wildernesse our habitation i. thou art he alone vnder whose defence we dwel safe and sound see Deut. 33.27 and this hee speaketh of himselfe and of the people that were with him and of all their auncestors gone before them comprehending them vnder that terme our from generation to generation i. euen from the beginning of the world vnto this present time and in this verse he setteth oute the wonderfull gouernment and grace of God towards his people as in the nexte verse the eternall purpose and counsel of God procéeding from the pleasure of his good wil and this he doth specially for two causes the one is that he might publish Gods glory in setting out his mercy the other that he might by laying forth former mercies moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon them now in that distresse Ver. 2. Before the mountaines were made vz. by thy almightye power and word and before thou haddest formed the earth and the world vz. for men to dwell in vnderstanding by forming not only the fashioning of it but euen the very creating of it sée Gen. 1 1 2 and these two sentences layde together be as much q.d. before the world or any part or péece of it were made euē from euerlasting to euerlasting i. frō al eternity and so for euer here after thou art our God i. thou arte hee that hast chosen vs to bee a people to thy selfe and that will wée take also as an argumente to instructe vs to hang vppon thée Verse 3. Thou turnest man i. thou causest man to returne and that by thy worde onlye to destruction i. to Death whiche is called destruction not because it destroyeth in déede but because it séemeth vnto vs to destroye Othersome vnderstande by destruction dust and power and the dissolution of the body both sences are good agayne thou sayest i. also thou doest but speake the word only and then it is done returne vz. in respect of your body into the earth out of which it was taken Genesis 3.19 and in respect of your soule to God who gaue it Eccle. 12.7 ye sonnes of men i. ye mortall creatures for this word expresseth the miserable and fraile condition of men and in these wordes he sheweth how brittle frayle and short mans life is he compareth the course of our life to a race in a Tilt or Turney wher we quicklye runne to the ende of the race as it were and then returne backe agayn Ver. 4. For a thousand yeres vz. of mans life q.d. though it were possible for a man to liue a thousande yeares in thy sight i. before thée and in respect of thée are as yesterdaye when it is past i. yea they are soone passed ouer in respecte of thée as one daye onelye in respecte of vs or else as Saynte Peter expoundeth it in his second Epistle Chapter 3 verse 8 that a thousand yeares are with the Lorde as one daye or as a Watche in the night i. of verye shorte continuaunce for a watche in the night was but thrée houres long the people of the Iewes in olde time diuiding the night into foure Watches and appoynting also to euerye watche thrée howers Matth. 14.35 Luke 12.38 Verse 5. Thou haste ouerflowed them vz. by thy iudgementes sodaynlye taking them awaye oute of this life as a floude ouerwhelmeth all or men beware For this Metaphor of the ouerflowing of them noteth two thinges the one is the mighty hande and power of GOD the other is the sodayne ende of mans lyfe and the vanitie thereof they are as a sléepe or as a dreame that one hath sléeping which passeth awaye and is quite and cleane forgotten in the morning i. when man is in his force and strength hée groweth like the grasse i. hee is flourishing and lustie and marke the sodayne chaunge of the number from
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
it be that they maye dwell with mée i. continue and abide with me not onely as my counsellors and houshold seruaunts but as friends and familiars being alwayes in my fauour for I take it that the Prophet meaneth two thinges here the one is that hee will haue a great care generallye ouer all the people of the lande the other is that out of that good people hée will chuse the best to bée continually about him hée that walketh in a perfecte waye i. hée that is vprighte in his dealinges and of good conscience and holy conuersation and hée calleth this waye perfecte not because men walke perfectly in it but because it is perfecte of it selfe and leadeth to perfection in the other life hée q.d. he and no other for so muche I take it the doubling of the worde meaneth shal serue mée vz. both in the publike offices of my kingdome in the particular offices of my priuate affairs houshold Ver. 7. There shall no deceitfull person dwell within my house this must be vnderstood so far forth as Dauid could know or vnderstand q.d. If I might know it there should none such remain in my seruice not but that good men many times haue wicked Seruauntes yea and that those Seruauntes which make the fayrest shewe of goodnesse are many times déepe dissemblers he that telleth lies i. giueth himself ouer either to tel them or to heare them sée Reuel 22.15 shal not remain vz. long in my sight he meaneth by this spéeche that such a one should not abide long in his house or seruice Verse 8. Betimes i. not onely in good season and quickly but also continually will I destroye sée before verse 5 of this Psal all the wicked of the land i. all the vngodlye that inhabite it Dauid meaneth that hee will not bee negligent or slouthfull to execute good quick and continuall iustice against all malefacters of whose transgressions he shall haue knowledge that I maye cutte off i. remooue and take away vz. by execution of iust iudgement all the woorkers of iniquity i. them that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne from the Citie of the Lord i. from Ierusalem but yet so that therin hée comprehendeth the whole kingdome because if the chiefe place be reformed it is very likely the other will followe Ver 1. Teacheth magistrates to haue a great care to foster the good Do. sharply to punish the badde Ver. 2. Teacheth magistrates thrée thinges first to haue an eye to the faithfull execution of publike iustice and iudgement Secondly to indeuour with care and conscience good dealing priuately and thirdly to continue and that vnto the last gaspe in all good dealing both publike and priuate that so they may haue peace in their owne conscience and the Lorde finde them well occupied Ver. 3. Teacheth all men but specially magistrates so to lothe euil that they can neuer behold it but with great griefe also to cary with them this holy purpose that howsoeuer other men fall away from God yet that in his strength they will sticke fast vnto him Ver. 4. Teacheth al but specially magistrates more and more to indeuour the crucifiyng of the old man with the workes thereof and neuer to allowe of any thing that is euill Ver. 5. Teacheth magistrates to punish malefacters according to the notoriousnes of their offence it also sheweth howe grieuous both before God and man backbitings and pride are Ver. 6. Teacheth magistrates to haue a speciall regard for the defence and preferment of the good also it teacheth all both high and lowe to make choise of the best men they can get to bee their officers and seruantes Ver. 7. Teacheth magistrates and masters that whē the sinnes of their inferiours or seruaunts are once layed open they shoulde not beare with them in the same Verse 8. Teacheth magistrates in tyme to cut off sinne and iniquitie lest the infection thereof growe so great that when they woulde they shall not bee able to doe it Psalme 102 THis Psalme being an earnest prayer of an afflicted soule Di. may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee prayeth vnto the Lorde for deliueraunce out of his great distresses the particularities whereof he doeth plainely declare from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he sheweth by what arguments as it were he was prouoked to pray vnto the Lord vz. because he was assured of his goodnes power c. and this recheth from ver 12. to the end of the 23. In the third part he returneth to his prayer againe assuring himselfe of gods goodnes towardes him because those whom God loueth he loueth for euer from ver 24. to the end of the Psalme The title a prayer vz. to bee vsed of the afflicted i. Se. of him that féeleth himselfe either inwardly or outwardly wounded with Gods iudgments wrath when hée shal be in distresse vz. any manner of way either inwarde or outward and power foorth his meditation before the Lorde i shall in prayer vnto the Lorde expresse that with his mouth which hee hath meditated on in his heart note that the holy ghost myndeth not to tye vs in our afflictions onely to this forme And though wee can not certainely determine who shoulde write this Psalme or about what time it was penned yet it is very likely that either Daniel or some other holy Prophet did write it about the tyme that the people of the Iewes were caried captiues into Babylon Verse 1. O Lorde heare my prayer i. graciously graunt the request which I make vnto thee now and let my crye i. mine earnest supplication come vnto thée i. appeare in thy sight as well accepted and allowed of q.d. let it haue frée and bolde accesse vnto thy maiesty Sée Psalm 88.1.2 Verse 2. Hyde not thy face i. withdraw not thy fauour and goodnes from me vz. as though thou wert offended with me he speaketh this of God after the maner of men who when they are not disposed to shew fauour wil turne their faces from others or kéep them out of the way signifiyng vnto them by withholding the signe of fauour that they cannot haue fauor it selfe shewed thē in the time of my trouble i. at what time I am any maner of way troubled either inwardly or outwardly incline thine eares vnto me q.d. shewe thy selfe ready to heare and graunt my petition sée Psalm 86.1 and note that eares are attributed to God not that hee hath them but that we might the better conceiue somewhat of his maiesty when I cal vz. vppon thée by prayer make haste to heare mée i. graciously and quickly grant mee my request the Prophet vttereth not this as appointing God a time but in respect of his owne great misery and want as may appeare by that which followeth Verse 3. For my dayes i. the dayes and tyme of my life are consumed i. vanish and weare away like smoke i. quickly q.d. euen as sodainely as smoke vanisheth away in
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
me i. tooke hold of me so that sore that I was almost past hope of escaping when I found trouble and sorrow i. when I perceiued my self to be much plūged in abundaunce of griefe for so much I take these two words trouble and sorrow ioyned together to import Ver. 4. Then I called vpon the name of the Lord i. I prayed vnto him himself and besought his goodnes to manifest his power in helping mee saying I beséeche thée vz. from the bottome of my heart O Lord i. thou that art both able and willing to help deliuer vz. from danger and distresse my soule i. my life which is in great hazarde by meanes of the dangers that hang ouer it and are ment against it Ver. 5. The Lord is merciful vz. towards al but specially towards thē that cal vpon him in truth and righteous vz. in performing his promises made to his people and maintaining them in their iust causes and our God i. the God which we serue is ful of compassion and therefore he wil neuer forsake his that are in misery the Prophet sheweth in this verse what was the comfort of his soule in the middest of his afflictions Ver. 6. The Lord vz. alone preserueth vz. by his mighty power and that out of all the mischieuous imaginations that the wicked can deuise the simple i. such as are destitute of mans counsel and therfore the more subiect to iniury amongst men the more easily circumuented and yet do all that notwithstanding commit themselues and their causes with a simple and quiet mind into the hands of God I was in misery q.d. I can speake this by myne own experience for when I was in wonderful and great distresse so that there was almost no hope of deliuery as ver 3. of this Psal and he saued mee i. deliuered me out of the same according to his prayer made ver 4. Ver. 7. Returne vnto thy rest O my soule i. bee no more troubled and disquieted but stay thy selfe vpon God sée Psal 42.5.12 This same returning to rest is that same stay that the faithful haue in God and his woorde in the middest of their griefes so that they vtterly fal not for the Lord hath bin beneficiall vnto thee vz. many and sundry waies al this verse together is q.d. Take courage vnto thée be quiet go vnto god in whom alone thou shalt find marueilous tranquility for he hath hertofore wil hereafter shew himself fauorable vnto thée ver 8. Because this is a proof by his own experience of that which he spake before that God had béen beneficial vnto him thou vz. alone mark the sodain change of the person from the thirde to the seconde hast deliuered vz. fréely safe and sound and through thy mighty power my soule i. me my selfe from death vz. whereunto I was almost brought or else you may vnderstande by death most extreme daunger mine eyes from teares i. thou hast taken away from me al sadnes and heauines he putteth the outward signe both for the signe and the thing it selfe and my féete from falling vz. into these deadly dangers and trappes which were layd for me and whereinto certainely I had fallen if I had not bene kept and deliuered by thée Ver. 9. I vz. being grounded and stayed vpon God shall walke vz. through his goodnes and defence meaning by walking liuing and being conuersant q.d. I shall liue before God i. safely and soundly for men thinke those things to be sure which they haue their eyes continually fixed vpon in the land of the liuing i. in this world or earth or amongst men dwelling vpon the same and so wee haue had it sundry times vsed before So that in this verse the prophet vpon the benefits which he had before receiued concludeth that he shal be alwaies vnder the care and gouernment of God Verse 10. I beléeued vz. the Lord and his word therfore I spake vz. vnto God by prayer and to my selfe in mine afflictions the wordes before expressed in this Psal for I was sore troubled i. much afflicted with assaultes both inward and outward In this verse the Prophet sheweth how weake and féeble his flesh was in the time of aduersity which almost reiected the promises of God had not Gods spirit vpholden him in faith q.d. then was faith forcible and triumphed in my mind when I called vppon God as is expressed before in this Psal ver 4. and spake vnto mine owne soule words of comfort ver 7. thē I beléeued in déed I spake nothing but that which I was fully perswaded of and my tongue and the affection of my hart agréed well together Ver. 11. I said i. I both thought it and spake it and held it as a resolute conclusion in my feare i. when I was in great feare and ready for feare to flie from the rage of Saul for the word doth not only signifie feare but hast making as appeareth Psal 31.22 q.d. with feare and flying I was caried forcibly into these perturbations of the flesh al men are lyers i. there is no certaintie and assurednes in their wordes q.d. Samuel who for his excellency might be preferred before all men promised me that I should obteine and possesse the kingdome but now I perceiue he spake not in the spirit of prophecie but of his owne brayne and lyingly Thus in the rage and heate of the flesh doth Dauid touch not God in déede openly but his prophet Samuel as though he had not sufficiently known Gods will and had gone beyond the boundes of his calling q.d. wée must no more beléeue men for there is nothing in them but vanity and lying Ver. 12. What vz. thing in al the world shal I render vnto the Lorde i. yéelde giue vnto him for al his benefits towards me i. for that innumerable number of benefites which he hath bestowed vpon me giuen me fréely This interrogation or question sheweth that hee thought himselfe so much bound vnto God for his graces as that he was not able to yéeld any thing that might counteruaile the least part therof Ver. 13. I wil take the cup of saluation or else in the plural number saluations as it is in the Hebrew text that is of very many helpes and deliuerances In this verse and the verse following the prophet promiseth publike profession of Gods name of the benefits bestowed vpō him which he will performe before the Church The meaning is that hee woulde offer to God sacrifices of praise and thanksgiuing and then that he would as the maner was in those sacrifices make a holy feast and banket also vnto the people in remembrance of that manifold deliuerance which hee had receiued from the Lord for in this place he doth no doubt allude to the custome of the law which was to make a banquet of some part of the sacrifice in token of reioysing whē they yéelded solemne thanks to God And because that those sacrifices were offred often times
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.
of shafts and arrowes still whiche he had put downe in the other verse before going for this is a reason of the thinges which go before they i. neyther the fathers nor the children for so largely would I take it shall not bee ashamed i. they shall not giue place to their enemies but shall ouercome them yea and shall possesse the gates of their enemies as is promised whē they speake with their enemies vz. face to face in the gate vz. eyther of the Citie if it be besieged or else in the place of publike iustice because the iudges were wont to fit in the gates of the Citie to determine publike causes as Genesis 34 20. Deut. 25 7. 2 Samuel 15.2 and in many other places Ver. 1 Teacheth vs that nothing eyther in house or citty Do. can be well begun go well forwarde or come to good end except the Lord be the directer and guider thereof Verse 2 teacheth vs that no meanes eyther lawfull or vnlawfull can performe any thing except the Lords blessing concurre with the same and yet we should not therefore neglect the meanes but vse them alwayes with prayer to God to blesse them to vs so farre forth as maye make for his glory and our comfort Verse 3 teacheth that children are a blessing which it pleaseth the Lord to bestow vppon the sonnes of men not that wée should conclude them to be accursed that want them For the want of blessing yea of sundrye blessing maketh not accursed for who then should be blessed Verse 4 doth teache vs both how good and profitable holy education is to children and also what fruite it yéeldeth to wit in the children readinesse and obedience to the parents Verse 5 teacheth vs that good children are a singular glorye vnto their parents yea and they adde estimation vnto themselues also Psalme 128. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet doth both generally and particularly set out the blessinges of God towards the faythfull Verse 1 2 3. In the second part hée assureth them of the continuaunce of Gods fauour and blessing vpon them and their posterity ver 4 5 6. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Blessed is euery one vz. of what estate or condition soeuer he be and that word blessed containeth in it abundance of blessednesse q.d. he shal be plentifully blessed whosoeuer he bée that feareth the Lord i. that rightly serueth and worshippeth him He putteth the beginning of Gods seruice for the whole for wee can neuer rightly serue God til we haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty printed in our hartes walketh in his wayes i. that kéepeth his commaundements and directeth his life according to such lawes as God hath prescribed For God doth not otherwise allow of our life except it be reformed according to his law walking is put here as in sundry other places of the Psalmes for order of lise and conuersation Verse 2. When thou eatest this by the consente of the best interpreters would be turned thus for thou shalt eat shewing a reason as it were of his blessednesse and not as though the godly man were not blessed till hée did eate the fruit of his labours which many times he doth in this life and so the blessing of God vpon him in this life should be called into question and doubte we will therefore turne it thus for thou vz. that hast a care and conscience to fear God and marke how he passeth from the third person to the second shalt eate vz. quietly thorow Gods blessing and fauour towardes thee meaning by eating enioying and liuing by the labours of thine hands i. that whiche thou thy selfe with thy hand hast laboured for q.d. no forrain enemy nor any extortioner shal spoile thée of that which thou hast trauailed for but thou shalt enioy with al profit vse it with al pleasure thou shalt be blessed vz. with all maner of blessings from the Lord both outward and inward both bodily spirituall and this is another grace that God wil shewe to his seruants it shal be well with thée vz. whersoeuer thou art whether at home in thy house or abroade in thy fields as is promised Deut. 28 3. meaning also by this maner of spéeche that euen all his affayres businesses should mightily prosper go well forward Ver. 3. Thy wife shal be as the fruitfull vine i. shal beare thée many childrē as the fruitful vine doth many clusters and bunches of grapes posteritye séede is reckoned amongst the outward blessings that God bestoweth vpon his on the sides of thine house some expound it thus nigh to thy house Methinketh he alludeth to the common custome of men who plant vines vnder their houses and at the sides of them specially at the sides of them where they may haue the most sun by which they may be most defēded frō the cold for heat maketh the Vine plentiful faire and flourishing and thy children vz. which god shal giue thée by hir shal be what like the Oliue plants i. as faire as pleasaunte as the plants of yong Oliue trées or as the yong trées themselues yea I stretche it somewhat further that is they shal be alwayes gréene fresh florishing and increasing sée Psal 52 8 round about thy table by this spéech he expresseth the great delight that children bring vnto their fathers while they sée them as many in number so neate and trimme standing alwayes as it were in their fight Ver. 4. Le here he stirreth vp the faithfull both to behold and also to acknowledge the blessings of God reckoned vp before and these that followe after surely vz. without all doubt thus vz. as is before expressed and as hereafter followeth shal the man be blessed i. euery man as verse 1 of this Psalme that feareth the Lord sée also ver 1 of this Psalme Now we must know that hee promiseth the faithfull earthly blessings from God not that they should stay and rest themselues there but to the end that by the same they might be lifted vp to the meditation of the heauenly life Verse 5. The Lord vz. whom we serue and worship out of Sion i. out of the place wherein he dwelleth and is worshipped and here he putteth the faythfull in minde that it is because of the couenaunte which he hath made with thē that he bestoweth these graces vpon them not for any merite or worthines in them shal blesse thée vz. with his grace and fauour and that so largely and plentifully that thou shalt sée i. both with the eyes of thy body with the eyes of thy faith yea that thou thy self shalt enioye the wealth i. the prosperitie peace and all maner of goodnesse sée Psal 122 9. of Ierusalem i. of the Citie and Church of God because God was serued therein so that he descendeth from particular blessings to the common blessing of the whole Church from whence as it
enemies and I hope that thou wilt hereafter likewise deliuer me Verse 8. Let not the wicked haue his desyre O Lord i. the thinges that he hath desired agaynst me q.d. Let him not sée mine ouerthrow which he much wisheth and desireth performe not i. giue him not leaue or strength to performe agaynst me his wicked thought i. the wicked thing which he hath wickedly thought vpon and deuised againste mée and by one no doubt he vnderstandeth many mischiefs of theirs least they bée proude vz. aboue measure for he had before charged them with pride ver 5. he meaneth least they should wax proude euen agaynst God and man Selah this is expoūded before Ver. 9. As for the chéefe of them how great or high soeuer he or they be Whether he speake it of Saul Doeg and such like particularly it is not certaine that compas me about vz. to destroy and are my deadly enemies sée Psal 3.6 also Psal 118.10.11.12 let the mischiefe of their own lips i. that mischiefe which with their own lips they haue spoken agaynst me come vpon them i. fall vpon thē thorow thy iust iudgemēt I know others both translate this verse otherwise and giue some other sence but methinketh this is playn Ver. 10. Let coles vz. of thy wrath iudgement fall vpon thē vz. frō heauen as it did in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to which he séemeth to allude let him vz. god thus he speaketh to him or of him in the third person cast thē into the fire vz. that neuer goeth out but burneth for euer Mar. 9.43 into the déepe pits vz. of danger destruction that they rise not i. that they may neuer be able to rise vp again to do any more hurt Ver. 11. For the backbiters i. slanderers such as haue their tongues ful of venime and worke mischiefe rather by fraud flattery and backbiting then by opē force shal not be established vz. any long while vpon the earth i. in this life to liue long here euill i. plagues and punishments from the Lord shall hunt vz. from place to place pursue him so that he shall not escape it the cruell man sée verse 1.4 of this psalme to destruction i. in such sort that it shall in the end vtterly destroy him Immanuel others read this whole verse as a prayer Ver. 12. I know vz. certainly and assuredly q.d. I am fully perswaded both by Gods word and the dayly executing of his iudgements vpon the wicked that the Lord vz. himself will auenge i. in good time not only deliuer his but ouertake with his iudgements the wicked vngodly for the iniuries they haue done them the afflicted i. such as are afflicted by the wicked and iudge i. not only pronounce righteous sentence but also deliuer from the cruelty of the vngodly the poore i. those his seruants which are here despised amongst the worldlings of the earth Ver. 13. Surely the righteous i. those whom thou hast made righteous by imputing righteousnes vnto them by framing them to a righteous conuersation shal prayse vz. vnfeignedly with all their hartes thy name i. thy maiesty power goodnes and the iust i. such as deale faythfully both with thée and their brethren shall dwell in thy presence i. shall not only in this life be maynteined and vpholden by thy fatherly care and prouidence but shal be made partakers of eternall glory Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs to pray to be safely deliuered from the rage of the wicked ver 2. 3. doe generally paint out the malicious nature of the wicked Ver. 2. doth particularly teach vs that wicked thoughts against gods childrē are sin before him Ver. 3 teacheth vs that the wicked spare not euen with slaunderous venemous toungs to persecute the godly Ver. 4. teacheth vs that vnles the Lord kéepe vs we can not be deliuered frō the rage power of the vngodly Ver. 5. sheweth the malicious minds of the wicked who cease not both opēly secretly to indeuour the destruction of the good Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the more men set themselues against vs the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for his gracious assistance Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God is the protector of his in all dangers distresses whatsoeuer Ver. 8 sheweth that if God let not wicked men in their attempts they will be more bold in mischiefe and swel against his maiestie and men also Ver. 9 10 teach vs that we may pray against the malicious wicked and desire their ouerthrow Ver. 11 teacheth vs what a gréeuous offēce the sinne of backbiting and slaundering is Ver. 12 teacheth vs to bee assured of Gods fauour goodnes towards vs and of his iudgmēts towards the wicked Ver. 13 teacheth vs two things first that it becommeth the godly to shew them selues continually thankful secondly what is the excellent estate and condition of Gods children Psalme 141 THis Psalme consisting wholy of supplication and prayer vnto God may be diuided into two parts Di. first he beséecheth the Lord to accept his prayer and to guid him into a godly conuersation and for this end to prouide such for him as maye brotherly admonish him from verse 1 to the end of the 5. In the second he foretelleth as it were the destructiō of the wicked desiring the Lord to deliuer him from them and to ouerthrow them in their deuises from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme The Title A Psalm of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this hath bin expoūded sundry times before It should séeme that Dauid made this Psal at some time or other whē he was gréeuously afflicted persecuted we may refer it without iniury as I suppose to the history conteined 1 Sam. 24. Ver. 1. O Lord I cal vpon thée i. pray vnto thée earnestly continually specially in the time of my gréeuous afflictions hast thée vnto me vz. to helpe me to deliuer me out of the same neither doth he here prescribe God a time but rather declareth the great danger distresse that he was in q.d. vnlesse he were spéedily holpen in the iudgement of flesh and blood he should perish heare my voyce i. graunt the prayers which I vtter with my voyce and words when I cry vnto thée i. whē hartily and earnestly I pray vnto thée Ver. 2 Let my prayer vz. which I make vnto thée be directed in thy sighte i. come before thée and bée accepted of thée as the incence vz. which was wont to bée offred vnto thée by thine own commaundement And here hée alludeth to the perfumes whiche they vsed in the time of the law of which read Exod. 30 chap. and the lifting vp of my hands i. euen my prayer supplication He putteth a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe as 1. Timoth. 2.8 as an euening sacrifice i. as that sacrifice which thou hast appointed to be offred to thée in the euening God prescribed
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
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
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
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
number for another doth his soule hate i. he can at no hand away with him and this is spoken of GOD according to man not that this affection of hate is or euer can bee in God from whiche he is farre Ver. 6. he i. God who hath all power in himselfe shall rayne snares i. shall swiftlye sende multitude of troubles where the vngodlye shall bee caught and ouerwhelmed as it were with snares Fire and Brimstone c. i. most horrible iudgements this is the portion of their Cuppe q.d. this is that that they must make sure account to haue euen as if it were a portion of meate and drinke allowed for a daye to liue withall whiche was a vsuall custome amongest the people of the East and namely the Iewes Ver. 7. For or rather But which I allow of as better correcting this verse with the former loueth righteousnesse i. righteous men the qualitie being put for the person his countenaunce i. he himself a part of God which is spoken also according to man put for the whole doth behold vz. with fauour and goodnesse for otherwise he doth beholde also the wicked as ver 4. of this Psalme and Psalme 14.2 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth to trust in God how great soeuer their daungers be also that we shall be many times assaulted to put far from vs this trust Ver. 2. noteth the cruelty and subtilty of the vngodly agaynste the good people Ver. 3. sheweth that the children of God are many times persecuted without any cause on their behalfe giuen Ver. 4. Setteth out Gods wonderfull prouidence and gouernment who beholdeth all things and before whose eyes all things are naked and playne Ver. 5. Teacheth two things first that God will sundrye tymes afflicte his owne secondlye that he cannot awaye with the vngodly Ver. 6.7 shewe the iudgementes of God agaynst the wicked and his goodnes toward the righteous with the vnlikely reward of the one and the other Psalme 12 Di. THis Psalme hath two partes In the first the Prophet prayeth the Lord to set too his helping hand to redresse the vnfaithfulnesse pride and other wickednesses of the vngodlye from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second hee assureth himselfe and the rest of the faythful that God wil punish the wicked notwithstanding their great pryde and defend his own euen for his truths sake from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme In the title vpon the eyght time sée Psalme 6. in the Title Se. where this is expounded ver 1. For there is not this is a reason of his prayer a godlye man he meaneth that the number of good people was very small from among the children of men i. from among men themselues as Psalme 11.4 meaning also by this true children of men those that presently liued not speaking of the time past or to come ver 2. They speake deceitfullye c. q.d. No man may trust one anothers words with their lips i. with their wordes and spéeche putting some of the instruments wherewith the words are vttered for the wordes themselues sée Psalme 10.7 and speake with a double hart i. they speak one thing and thinke another and this may serue to explane somewhat that hath bene sayd vpon Psalme 10. ver 7. when the tongue is put for the hart for the Prophet meaneth they had one harte in their body and an other in their mouth ver 3. Is a prayer agaynst his enemies procéeding not frō heat or affectiō of the flesh but by the guiding of gods spirit wherin he beséecheth the remouing of false flatterers and proud boasters ver 4. which haue sayd yea are accustomed to say with our tongue i. with our spéech vttered by the tongue will we preuaile vz. against Dauid and those that take his part I suppose he meaneth the cunning flatterers of Saules Court our lippes are our owne i. we are not only apt and méete to speake with finenesse and eloquence when we our selues list but wee will speake indéed who is Lord ouer vs vz. to hinder vs by his authoritie from vsing our spéech as we lust so wickedly doe these men speake against God Ver. 5. oppression of the néedy vz. wherwith they are afflicted on euery side I wil vp sayth the Lord vz. to helpe them q.d. although hitherto I haue séemed to winke at the vngodly in their sinnes yet I wil now arise and that presently being moued thereto by the calamitie that I sée the poore to be afflicted withall and will set at liberty him c. i I wil set him frée from the violence subtilty of the wicked whom the wicked hath snared vz. by his craft and deceit ver 6. The wordes i. the promises q.d. doubte not of that which hath bin sayd before ver 5. for they are Gods words therefore shall be performed are pure i. simple and playn without any guile or falshood as the siluer an excellent similitude meaning thus much in effecte as the gold siluer that hath bin most tried doth neuer deceaue men so shal Gods promises neuer deceaue because the truth goodnes of thē hath bin cōtinually tried by others graciously performed by god himself tried in a fornace of the earth he meaneth in a fornace made of the best méetest earth to try metals withal seuen fold i. sundry times a certayn number put for an vncertain as Prouer. 6.31 Psal 119.164 ver 7. is reade by some as a prayer thus O Lord kéepe thou thē kéep euery one of thē c. as in the Geneua text q.d. hauing this promis of thin I make my praier to thée for thou wch I alow better of frō this generation i. frō the mē that liue in this age sée ver 1. of this Psalme Ver. 8. The wicked walke on euery side vz. séeking occasion to destroy the good and godly people Immanuel readeth the last part of this verse thus as though drunkennesse were exalted i. They run vp downe to doe mischiefe as though they were drunke and drunkennesse had made them mad aptly comparing them whose mindes are caryed violentlye to commit wickednesse to drunken men amongst the sonnes of men i. amongst men as verse 1. of this Psalme and Psalme 11.4 or else this Texte may stand thus expounded when they i. the wicked men are exalted i. preferred and set vp aloft it is a shame for the sonnes of men i. other men are not only contemned that happily deserue greater preferment but are vilely handled by such men so exalted and set vp on high Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs in the midst of all confusions to haue recourse to God by prayer for the amendment thereof it teacheth also that gods number is the smallest and is a good place agaynst them that presse multitude ver 2. Teacheth vs to auoyde deceyte and flattery and on the other side to speake the truth from our harts Psalme 15.2 ver 3.4 Teacheth vs not onlye to auoyde proude boasting and flattering spéeches but
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
part of the law put for the whole it may also be called iudgments because that thereby hée sheweth what he iudgeth méete to be done are truth and therefore can not be accused of subtilty or falshood and it is more forcible in that hee sayth they are truth then if hee should say they are true because that speach noteth that nothing besides or without them is truth but méere lying ver 20. Sheweth the preciousnes of the lawe If we would desire store or profit we must preferre it before the finest golde that hath beene oftenest tried if present vse and pleasure before hony the hony combe ver 11. made circumspect vz. in his walking being taught what to do and what to flée from and here Dauid speaketh of himselfe in the third person yet so that it doth apperteine to all Gods children There is great reward vz. through Gods mercy for so doth the word rewarde import and not of our merit as the papists imagine ver 12. Who can vnderstand his faults i. knowe them as it were particularly either for the multitude of thē or because ignorantly we cōmit many things which we take to be no sinnes secret faults i. sinnes not only hidden from other men but from my selfe by reason of my ignorance and yet al knowne to thée ver 14. Wordes of my mouth i. the words I shal vtter with my mouth meditatiō of mine heart i. the things I shal meditate in my hart he wisheth that his thoughts words might be such as might be regarded before God and answerable to his profession and he speaketh nothing of déeds and works because this necessarily followeth that when the meditations thoughts of the heart together with the words be good then déeds also wil be good redéemer vz. through Christ none other speaking here not only of deliuerāce frō dangers but from sin that which sinne bringeth with it also vz. eternal death and destruction Do. Out of the sixe first verses we may learne to behold knowe the maiestie power goodnes of God in his creatures secondly that as they in their kind expresse preach these excellent things so yea much more should men that God hath created after so feareful wonderful a sort that not euery man in himself but also to be gods instrument to worke the same in others Out of the 7.8.9.10.11 We learne generally by the excellent cōmendation of gods law reuerently to estéeme it vnfeignedly imbrace it out of ver 7. Where it is called perfect wee haue an answere to the papists that accuse it of some want by bringing in vpon it their vnwritten verities and traditions and in these words conuerting the soule that ordinarily it is possible that any should repent and haue fayth without the hearing of gods word as Rom. 40.17 and in these words is sure there is a doctrine of comfort to the faithful because gods wil neuer faile them of terror to the wicked because gods iudgmēts shal assuredly ouertake them and in these words giueth wisedome vnto the simple we haue not only a notable effect of the law set forth but an argumēt to conuince the papists in this that they accuse the word of darknes as though none could profit by it but the learned sort ver 8. True ioy is to be fet from gods word as also true light of knowledge vnderstanding ver 9. Noteth the propertie of gods word the exact perfection that is in the whole in euery part therof ver 10. Teacheth in what great estimation we ought to haue the word and with what a holy hunger and thirst we should desire the worde ver 11. Teacheth two things first that wee can neuer bee truely wise but by learning gods word secondly that for our better incouragement to the doing thereof the Lord setteth great rewards before vs and indéed graciously in good time giueth vs the same ver 12. Teacheth that our sinnes are innumerable secondly that we must pray pardon of them generally particularly of these which we haue committed either of ignorance or of knowledge and yet remember them not ver 13. Teacheth vs to pray against the power and rule of sinne in vs. ver 14. That we should haue care and conscience ouer our wordes and thoughts that they might be approued before God Psalme 20. THis Psalme hath specially 2. partes In the first Di. there is a prayer for the king for whose welfare the people promise ioyfulnes and thankfulnes from ver 1. to the end of the fifth In the second they do assure themselues of Gods fauour and of their enemies ouerthrow and protesting for themselues that God shal be their aide and praying again for their king from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psas 4. ver 1. heare thée i. Se. the praier that thou makest granting thy requests of Iaakob may be here taken either for the person of the Patriarth who worshipped god with great religion which God also was present with him in al his afflictions or else it may be put for the whole people of Israel who came of Iaakob both the wayes are vsuall in the old new testament ver 2. Frō the sanctuary i. from a place in the arke so called in which God gaue visible tokens of his fauor defence out of Sion this was the place wherin the arke which was a visible token of gods aide defence was receiued he putteth the place the arke therin contained for the assured fauor aid of God Some vnderstand by sanctuary heauen by Sion the visible place of god in his church what soeuer it is the prophet meaneth nothing but aide assistance to be giuen from god ver 3. Let him remēber or as Immanuel readeth let him smel meaning by that metaphor a gracious acceptation of his sacrifices as Gene. 8.21 vz. With fauor graciously accepting al thine offrings he meaneth by offrings the exercises of religion ioyned with them as confession of sins praier c. and turne vz. by fire as it were sent frō heauen Thy burnt offrings into ashes declaring therby that he alloweth thy seruices as he did to Aaron Leuit. 9.24 to Eliah 1. king 18.38 Ver. 4. According to thy hart i. as thy hart wisheth desireth all thy purpose i. whatsoeuer thou purposest he meaneth describeth here a king that asketh nothing but by the direction of gods spirit what God himself hath prescribed ver 5. Immanuel readeth this verse as it were a continuance of the peoples praier this is a reason to moue god graciously to yéeld to their praiers In thy saluatiō i. in that thou sauest deliuerest from dangers vz. our king so haue we had saluation sundry times vsed before And set vp the banner like vnto those that triumph after a victory is gotten hee putteth the signe of ioy for ioyfulnes it selfe in the name this word is taken here as ver 1.
of this Psalme perfourme all thy petitions i. doe that that thou hast prayed for and this is a good place to prooue that by offerings ver 3. Must bee vnderstood praiers also ver 6. Know I a sodaine chaunge of numbers speaking in the person of one thereby to note the vnitie and consent of the people to this praier as though they had beene alone and vttered it al with one mouth His annointed that is his King whom he hath established Sée Psal 2.2 Psal 18.50 heare him sée ver 1. of this Psalme from his sanctuarie Immanuel readeth from the heauens of his holines meaning from heauen where his holines dwelleth which I well like of of his right hand i. power and strength this is spoken of God according to man because man commonly hath most strength in his right hand and it is called mightie helpe because it is such as none is able towithstand ver 7. Is a comparison betwéene the faithfull and the vnbeléeuers these trust in outward meanes of all sortes for that is vnderstoode by chariots and horses and so robbe God of his glory the other cleaue to only Gods vertue power and grace for so is the word name taken as ver 1. 5. of this Psalme and giue him the whole glory ver 8. Brought downe fallen vz. notwithstanding all the trust that they had in the outward meanes q.d. they that sayd they would do al things by mans meanes and strength therefore are lifted vp in pride and lustines are notwithstanding all these imaginations of their owne brought downe and fallen i. lie flat by the fall they haue receiued by setting themselues against God but we are risen and stand vpright q.d. notwithstanding the great miseries and afflictions wherin we were we are become strong and mightie rising vp from vnder the burthen of them ver 9. Saue Lord vz. vs and our king pursuing vs continually with thy fauor in such short kind of spéeches there is great grace in the Hebrewe tongue Let the king heare vs. This is diuersly read and according to the seueral readings hath seuerall sentences Immanuel readeth the king himselfe wil heare vs applying it to Christ and the assurednes that the faithfull men haue that he will heare their praiers othersome take it to be a quick passing from the second person to the third q.d. O king whose office kings in the earth haue in part communicated to them hearken vnto vs so often as we shal seeke thine ayde me thinketh that the Geneua text and note is as plaine as any of these Do. Ver. 1. And so forth teacheth people to pray for their magistrates it teacheth also that the day of affliction is a notable time to pray in also that no ayde is to be had but from God alone ver 3. Teacheth that kinges shoulde be giuen to religious exercises ver 5. The prosperity of the king is the florishing of the people and on the other side the welfare of the people is the Kinges glory Ver. 6. Teacheth those that pray to haue both before and after their prayer an assurance of obteyning ver 7. Sheweth that Gods children must not at any time trust in any thing saue in God alone whatsoeuer the wicked doe whose strength and purposes GOD ouerthroweth vers 8. Declareth Gods iudgements against the vngodly and his fauour to his children vers 9. Teacheth vs to vse earnest prayer in affliction for that doth hee meane by these termes in the day that we do cal vz. vpō thée Psalme 21 THis Psalme hath two principall partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth what great benefites and blessings the Lord had bestowed vpon him before he came to the kingdome and in that time also after that he was established therein from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second part he prophecieth of gods great and wonderfull power against his enemies and of their vtter ouerthrow and confusion from ver 8 to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psalm 4. Ver. 1. Se. In thy strength vz. which thou shalt bestow vpon him to stand against to ouercome al his enemies yea how greatly q.d. it can not be expressed in thy saluation i. in that deliuerance that thou shalt bestow vpon him his people giuing them victory ouer their enemies in this verse Dauid speaketh of himself in the third person ver 2. His hearts desire i. whatsoeuer his heart could wish sée Psal 20.4 Hast not denyed him i. hast yéelded and graunted vnto him for by not denying the Hebrewes vnderstand euen as it were performing the request of his lippes i. whatsoeuer he praied rightly vnto thée for vsing in that praier his lippes and other instruments natural whereby the voice is framed ver 3. With liberall blessings i. with abundance and fulnes of all good thinges some particulars wherof he reckneth in the verses folowing diddest set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head i. diddest appoint him to be king most good and glorious vsing setting of the crowne vpon his head which is but a signe as anointing was of his entrance into the kingdome for the ful possession inioying therof ver 4. He asked life vz. in this short life a long life i. more long then he desired for euer and euer i. yea not only life in this life but eternal life also ver 5. His glory i. the glory that thou hast giuen him laid vpon him is great i. is very much inlarged in thy saluation i. through or by the deliuerances and victories that thou hast bestowed vpon him laid vpon him euen of thine owne good wil and in despite of his foes that would haue hindered him therefrom ver 6. Thou hast set him i. appointed him as blessings vz. vnto thy people he vseth the plurall number by which he noteth the wonderfull abundaunce of gods graces bestowed vpon the people by him for euer i. for a long season as we haue had it sundry times before With the ioy of thy countenance i. through the grace and fauour that as it were with a pleasant countenance thou hast shewed him ver 7. The king trusteth the prophet sheweth here the meanes whereby the king shal be established vz. by hope and trust in God he shall not slide vz. from the prosperous successe of his affaires and state ver 8. Thy hand here Dauid speaketh to God meaning by hand power also by right hand in this verse he meaneth the same thing shal find out i. ouertake and lay hold vpon though thine enemies would think to hide thēselues from it ver 9. Like a firie ouen he meaneth that God wil through his wrath make them to burne stil as a firie ouen doth and so in the end consume and ouerthrow them as an ouen cōtinually heat must néeds be spoiled by which maner of speach he noteth two things first that there shal be no intermission of plagues and punishments secondly that these punishments shal not tend to
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
it their rewarde i. a rewarde meete for them and their wickednesse ver 5. Workes of the Lord i. his iudgements against other wickednesse and the order of his prouidence breake them downe vz. as men doe olde rotten and ruinous houses for such a metaphor is vsed here and builde them not vp i. let them be without hope of repayring or establishment ver 7. the Lord is my strength my shield sée Psal 18.2 my hart trusted i. inwardly I was fully perswaded and hoped rightly for the hart is it that God specially respecteth and is the seat of all our affections good and euill my hart shal reioyce i. inwardly I will be glad with my song will I prayse him i. openly also will I testifie my ioy and thankfulnes ver 8. Their strength vz. that went forth with me to warre acknowledging that the meanes that men haue are but the instruments of Gods power the strength of their deliuerances i. the only worker of the deliuerances of his annointed that is which his King hath receaued sée Psal 18.50 ver 9. Saue thy people vz. from the rage of their enemies blesse i. poure plēty of blessings vpō that people that thou hast chosen to be a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe féede them i. be as it were their sheapheard of which sée psal 29.1 nothing his care watchful gouernmēt of thē exalt thē vz. aboue their enimies as psa 27.6 for euer i. cōtinually Ver. 1. When God séemeth not to heare then must we be most earnest ver 2. Do. we must inforce our voice holding vp our hands c and all that we can doe to prouoke vs to earnestnesse in prayer ver 3. It is not good to partake in punishment with the wicked We must learne also to take héede of dissembling either in word or hart ver 4.5 We may pray against the malicious contemners of God and his truth Ver. 6. We ow thankfulnesse to the Lord after that he hath heard our praiers ver 7. Consideration of Gods goodnesse towards vs in former times is a good meane of hope in time to come ver 8. God blesseth the good and those that take part with thē ver 9. In al our prayers we should be mindfull of the prosperous and good estate of the whole church Psalme 29. THis Psalme hath thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet admonisheth rulers and Princes to feare the Lord this is contayned in the two first verses In the second part he setteth oute the effects of thunder which is an argument of Gods wonderfull maiestie and power from ver 3. to the 9. In the thirde part he sheweth what effects thunder and other workes of God worke in his children promising prosperitie goodnesse to all those that feare the Lord with a right affection from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Se. ver 1. Sons of the mighty i. Princes noble men who many times by reason of their birth wealth swel as it wer against god giue vnto the Lord this doubling doth note first that this belōgeth vnto god alone secondly how vnwilling mē are to giue him that which is his right glory strength vz. euen that which you your selues haue q.d. acknowledge that that which you haue you haue from him alone ver 2. due vnto his name which you do not if you claime either the whole or part by name he meaneth god himself al that is in him as maiesty power excellēcy c. in the glorious sanctuary i. in the tabernacle of witnesse in wch god sundry times gaue playne declaration of his glory and maiesty Ver. 3. The voice of the Lord i. the thunder which is called his voyce because he alone sendeth it out is vpon the waters i. as some expound it is heard vpō the waters but I suppose it would rather be turned thus is aboue the waters meaning the waters that be vphelde in the firmament by Gods almightie power because the thunder is in a higher region of the ayre than the cloudes in which the water are contayned the God of glory i. he to whome all glory is due maketh it to thunder i. is the author of it The Lord or better the Lords voice is vpon the great waters as before in this verse and he calleth the waters in the cloudes greate both because of the abundance of them and also because of the force thereof as may appeare in the vniuersall flood Gen. 9. and the reason why I expoūd this verse is because he sayth afterwards verse 10. God sitteth vpon the floud Ver. 4. Is mightye i. declareth greate might in his maiestie is glorious i. expresseth his great glory ver 5. The voice i. the thunder and those things that eyther go before it or follow it as lightnings the thunderbolt storme tempest c. the Cedars of Lebanon i. most high and excellent Cedars for that place yéeldeth the best the most thick and those that lasted longest Ver. 6. He maketh them i. sundry mountaines or places whereof he nameth two in this verse it may also be vnderstood of the shaking of the trées to leape i. to moue and stir muche vp and downe like a Calfe vz. that is vnruly and for pastime as you would say can hardly stand still Lebanon also and Shirion these are the names of two places for Shirion see Deut. 3.8.9 like a yong Vnicorne i. very lustily and nimblye for the Vnicornes but specially their yong ones be slender and light bodyed and much giuen to leaping or skipping ver 7. Deuideth the flames of fyre i. lightnings so called because they séeme to vs and are indéed flaming fire now the thunder deuideth them because it immediately followeth one flash of lightning goeth before another ver 8. the wildernes to trēble i. after some the beasts of the wildernes by Metonomya or which I take to be more plain by reason of that which followeth it maketh the very ground earth of the wildernes to shake as it were the Lord vz. by his power thūdering voice the wildernes of Kadesh i. that most great and horrible wildernes wherin the children of Israel wandred xl yeres before they came to the land of promise of which of the cruel beasts therin mētion is made Deut. 8.15 ver 9. Maketh the hinds who naturally bring forth with great difficulty as Iob 39.4.5.6 to calue vz. before their time which argueth the thunder to be a very terrible thing discouereth the forrest this place hath thrée sences some expound it thus that by forrests they vnderstand the beasts in the forrests which thorow thunder euen for verye feare come out of their couertures others vnderstand by forrest the mere groūd of the forrest which is layd open by the ouerthrow casting downe of trées in thunder and tempest others vnderstand by discouering the forrest the laying of it euen as it were by taking away the leaues thorow thuūder storme and to this
thrée speciall things first earnest prayers and supplications that the Prophet maketh that God would turne away his wrath from him and deliuer him from his enemies ver 1.9.15.21.22 In the second hee sheweth by manifold words and circumstances the great grief that hee was in by reason of his sinnes ver 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 In the third he declareth what his friendes and his foes did against him to the wonderful increase of his griefe also ver 11.12.13.14.16.17.18.19.20 Se. The title a Psalme of Dauid for remembraunce i. which hee made not onely as a meane to put him in remembrance of his sinne and Gods chastisements vpon him for the same but also to admonish him of the deliuerance out of the fame through Gods goodnes ver 1. is expounded Psal 6.1 Ver. 2. Thine arrows i. plagues diseases and griefes that thou hast sent haue light vppon mee vz. violently and with great force as appeareth by that which followeth in this Psalme and thy hand i. thy power and might or else heauie iudgements exercised thereby lyeth vpon mee vz. very sore and grieuously ver 3. There is nothing found in my flesh i. there is no part of my body but it is very much diseased in my bones i. in the parts members of my body because of my sinne vz. committed against thee and the plagues and punishments that thou hast layd vpon mee for the same ver 4. For mine iniquities i. both my sinnes and the punishments vppon me for the same are gone ouer my head i. either are growne to a great height or else which I rather allow of they ouerflowe me and as it were drowne mee this being a metaphor taken from waters as Psal 42.7 Psal 88.17 Psal 124.4 Meaning that hee was drowned or ouerwhelmed in his iniquities and punishments for them as one that were ouerwhelmed in a deepe water and as a weightie burthen this is an other metaphor taken from burthen by which hee noteth the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of his sinne to heauie for me vz. to beare yea they doe as it were presse mee downe vnto the grounde ver 5. My woundes i. the sores that I haue by reason of thy correction and punishments vppon mee for my sinnes are putrified i. are growne to bee full of matter and corrupt vz. so that they are almost past mee no doubt the prophet meaneth by these speaches to expresse both the greatnes of his griefe and length and continuance thereof because of my foolishnes i. because of my sinne in which respect also wicked men are sundry times in Scripture called fooles ver 6. I am bowed and crooked hee noteth the grieuousnes of his punishment which by reason of length and bodily weaknes that he receiued by it had as it were bowed him together very sore i. very much I go mourning al the day i. all the day long I doe nothing but mourne ver 7. My reines vz. of my back are ful of burning i. of wonderful great heat which the Phisitions take to be a signe of great sicknesse and dangerous weakenesse there is nothing c. sée ver 3. of this Psalme Ver. 8. sore broken vz. in my body by reason of my sicknes this is a maner of spéech that we vse in our tongue whē flesh is much abated or strength much decayed the Prophet meaneth that he was as it were consumed and worne away I roare sée psal 37.3 for the gréefe of mine harte i. by reason or thorow the great gréefe that I sustayn euer in the inward mā ver 9. I poure i. lay out my whole desire i. whatsoeuer I wish or desire before thée q.d. All the thinges that I desire are manifest to thée yea the verye sighs and grones which I send out sometimes in my prayers and sometimes in the gréefe of my mind are naked in thy presence But to what ende speaketh the Prophet this vz. To testifye his affection to Godward and how readye he was to come to him by prayer Ver. 10. And the light of mine eyes vz fayleth me as Psal 6.7 are not mine own vz. to vse them as I was wont to do because the vse of them was not so cleare and profitable vnto him as in former time they had bin he speaketh as though he had lost them altogether ver 11. Stand aside from my plague i. by reason of my plague and sicknesse they estrange themselues from me which thing Iob also complayneth of ver 12. Lay snares vz. to catch me imagine deceit continually vz. agaynst me that they may by subteltie take me ver 13. Heard not i. made shew as though I heard not the things they spake as a dumbe mā which openeth not his mouth i. I replyed not againe vpon them but quietly patiently bare their words and that this is the right sence maye appeare by verse 14. and 15. following ver 15. for on thée O Lord doe I wayt he sheweth a reason of his silence q.d. I am deafe and dumbe also at the reproches and iniuries that mine enemies laie vpon me because I hope that thou shortly wilt heare my prayers and deliuer me from this calamitie ver 16. Least they reioyce ouer me a reason to mooue God to heare least otherwise his glory should be blasphemed by these wicked men my foote flippeth i. when I am but likely to fall extoll themselues i. lift vp themselues both in wordes and déedes Ver. 17. Redy to halt i. to slide and flip as mine aduersaries would haue it vnlesse thou Lord strengthen mee and my sorrow vz. for that and other causes euer before me i. continuallye vppon me and in my sight so that I cannot forget it verse 18. Declare my payne i. largely by wordes and otherwise as sighings c. set out my gréefe both outward and inward and am sorry for my sinne which was the cause to pul these heauy iudgements vpon me verse 19. Are aliue vz. to worke mischiefe wheras before they séemed to be as it were dead and hee sheweth by these 2 termes Mighty and many that they haue power and number to performe the same ver 20. reward euill sée Psal 35.12 follow goodnesse i. allow and laboure to performe the things that are good the other two verses are verye plaine in which the Prophet prayeth for present ayde and spéedy deliueraunce Ver. 1. Gods wrath and indignation is much to be feared ver 2. Do. God verye sharpely punisheth many of his children Ver. 3. Sinne draweth vpon vs wonderfull iudgements Ver. 4. We are not able to beare the multitude of our sinnes much lesse to satisfie for them ver 5.6.7.8 shew that sinne the punishments of God therefore doe bring vpon Gods children many times bodilye sicknesses and wonderfull infirmities ver 9. It is good for vs to lay out our causes before God ver 11. A mans enimies many times are they of his owne houshold sée Iob 19.13.14.15 Ver. 12. Describeth the malice and subtilty of the vngodlye Ver. 13.14 Teacheth vs many times to bury
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
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
thy countenaunce i. thy moste mercifull fauour and presence in whiche thou wentest before them and shewest thy selfe fauourable vnto them Sée for the proofe of this Exodus 15.13 Ieoshu 24.12.13 c. Verse 4. Thou art my King these are the wordes of the people that thorow Gods goodnesse inhabited the Lande of promise and they saye My King because all the faythfull were but as one man vnto Iaakob i. vnto the Israelites that came of Iaakob the Father of the Nation for the Nation it selfe sée Psalme 14.7 Verse 5. Thorow thée i. the might and strength that thou hast giuen vs haue wée thrust backe vz. as Beastes doe with their hornes for suche a worde hée vseth in this place sée Deutronom 33.17 they meane that they had beaten backe and ouerthrowne those that assaulted them by thy name i. by thy vertue power and grace as Psalm 20.1 haue we troden down vz. vnder our féet noting by this spéech both the weakenesse of their aduersaries the ouerthrow that they gaue them despising them also as dust vnder their féete Verse 6. By Bowe and Sworde he meaneth all maner Weapons and warlike Instrumentes whatsoeuer and by sauing he meaneth deliuering from daungers speaking vnder the person of one because all the faythfull are but one body in the name of all the rest Verse 7. Saued vs i. set vs frée and deliuered vs marke the sodayne chaunging of the number from our Aduersaries i. from all their force and subtile practises and haste put them to confusion vz. in defending vs and in ouerthrowing them Verse 8. will confesse i. thanke as often in these Psalmes and Luke 10.21 thy name sée verse seuen of this Psalme Verse 9. Farre off vz. from helping vs puttest vs to confusion i. makest vs ashamed and that before thyne and our enemyes because thou doest not helpe vs and goest not foorth vz to battayle fighting for vs as thou was wonte to doe and giuing vs victorie ouer all our enemies Verse 10. To turne backe i. thorow faynt hartednesse to flée before him spoyle vz. vs and oure substaunce Verse 11. Thou giuest vs vz. ouer to the rage and crueltye of oure enimyes as Shéepe to bee eaten i. whiche shoulde bee presentlye killed and presentlye deuoured vnder whiche similitude they set out the greate daunger and extreamitye they were in and doest scatter vs among the Heathen this was an other punishmente and that verye gréeuous to bee amongest a people among whome GOD was blasphemed and they themselues to wante the exercises of Gods Religion Verse 12. Thou sellest thy people by this manner of spéeche they mynde to declare that GOD had them not in that estimation and regarde that hée had their forefathers q.d. We are vile and despised in thyne eyes because wee are solde to the enemyes on euerye side of vs for a little or nothing neither yet arte thou thy selfe inriched by the sale of vs. Verse 13. They meane that GOD had giuen them ouer to their neighbours to bee mocked and scorned by all the meanes the vngodlye coulde deuyse as by ieasling spéeches laughing countenaunces and gestures that fauoured of scoffing Verse 14. A Prouerbe i. a common by-worde meaning that they and their name were in greate reproche amonge the Gentiles and they had them continuallye in their mouthes so that their common sentences and spéeches were not more rife in their mouthes than the calamitye and myserie of the Iewes and a nodding of the heade i. a continuall skoffe and mocking stocke as it were sée Psalme 22 7. 2. Kings 19 21. Verse 1. My confusion marke the sodayne chaunging of the number sée for this purpose also Verse 6. of this Psalme is daylye before mee i. I euery day or continuallye beholde and therefore can hardlye forget the confusion and shame that lyeth vppon vs the shame of my face i. the shame wherewith my face is as it were ouercouered hath wroughte this effecte that I am ashamed or for shame I dare not looke vp Verse 16. This verse hangeth vppon the former thus q.d. I am altogether ashamed by reason of the opprobrious spéeches of the enemyes for the voyce i. for the wordes whiche they that slaunder vs and rebuke vs vtter agaynste GOD and vs and auenger vz. of themselues and their owne causes meaning thereby the crueltye and bloodinesse of these men and this is to bee noted that they speake of all their enimies vnder the name of one and in the singular number meaning notwithstanding all whatsoeuer Verse 17. They declare that by no troubles they coulde bee drawne awaye from trust in GOD and from that trueth of his Religion whiche they had imbraced yet doe wée not forget thée vz. as those that make little accounte of thée and thy Religion neyther deale wée falslye concerning thy couenaunt vz. made with vs they meane that they had indeauoured to the vttermost of their powers to abstayne from the breache thereof Verse 18. They declare what it is to breake Gods couenaunt vz. in affection of minde to turne away from him for that they meane by hart or in action or conuersation openlye to violate vnderstanding by steppes outwarde behauiour and by Gods pathes the wayes wordes and law which hee hath appoynted them to walke in euen as it were a path beaten way Verse 19. Thou hast smitten vs downe i. cast vs downe as it were with a blowe Marke howe hée ascribeth this to GOD because the Chaldeans or other their enimyes whosoeuer they were coulde doe nothing withoute him into the place of Dragons i. into desolate and solitarie places for they delight to dwel there or else into countries the inhabitantes whereof are no lesse cruell then Dragons or as Immanuel readeth into the place of Whales i. into the moste déepe Sea whatsoeuer it is they meane that they were caste into moste horrible and gréeuous daungers and couered vs i. ouerwhelmed vs with the shadowe of death i. with moste manifest daungers which séeme to bring nothing but death with them sée Psalme 23.4 Verse 20. If wee haue forgotten i. made little account of or nothing at all regarded as verse seuentéene of this Psalme the name of our GOD i. his glorye honour worship and Religion and holden vp our handes i. by prayer and supplication soughte helpe of anye other than of the true GOD whom we worship they vse the signe of one that worshippeth and séeketh helpe for the thing it selfe to a straunge God i. to an Idoll eyther one or manye nowe this verse is ended in the nexte verse Verse 21. Searche this out q.d. It could not be but he would and addeth a reason as a proofe thereof because hée seeth knoweth and vnderstandeth euen the very secrete thoughtes and imaginations of our heartes Verse 22. For thy sake i. for thy causes as the vse of thy worde the exercise of thy religion c. are wée slayne vz. thorowe the crueltie of the enemyes wée yet notwithstanding willingly and chearefully bearing the same as shéepe
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
maner of delights pleasures excessiuely for otherwise to make much of our selues is not only not condemned but allowed that thereby wee may bee the better inabled to serue God and to profit our brethrē ver 19. Amend thus though he may come to the age of his fathers i. though he should liue neuer so long yea euen as long as the oldest fathers were wont to doe yet they shall not inioy light for euer i. yet their life must haue an ende in this life and they shall not inioy the light of eternall life The Geneua translation also may haue a good sense thus hee shall not enter into the generation of his fathers i. hee shall die as his fathers haue doone before him for that is the way of all flesh notwithstanding his great pampering of himselfe and they he sodainly chaungeth the number from the singular to the plurall meaning that though they be neuer so many or neuer so wealthy yet they shal not escape death nor inioy life for euer i. a long season vpon the earth Verse 20. Amend thus A man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not is like to beasts that perish i. one yea euery one that God highly aduaunceth and yet vnderstandeth not vz. how to vse the good things he hath or that they all come from God alone is like to brute beasts i. voide of true féeling light and iudgement and in respecte of Gods matters may be sayde to be as voyde of goodnes as bruite beasts are of reason and vnderstanding Verse 1. Gods worde must be diligently hearkened vnto also it is generall Do. appertayning to all people Verse 2. Yea to all sortes of people Verse 3. Wée shoulde learne alwayes to speake the wordes of edification Verse 4. They that wil teach others to hearken diligently must be examples themselues of the same thinges also they must vse all lawfull meanes to make the doctrine acceptable and gracious to the hearers Verse 5. Assured fayth surmounteth all difficulties whatsoeuer Verse 6. There is a double iniquitie in the vngodly riche the one is they make their goods their God and so commit idolatrie the other they wax proude thorow the abundaunce of their riches and so sundrye times oppresse their bretheren Ver. 7. Setteth out the insufficiency of riches and that and verse 8. teach that all mony which hath bin giuen for Masses Diriges Trentals c. hath bene cast away séeing Christ is the onely Redéemer Ver. 9. Mony can not preuent or put away death neither can wit wisedome or policy Verse 11. sheweth how vayne and deceitfull mens mindes and cogitations are and howe that all the meanes that they can deuise for the continuaunce of their name shall come to nought Ver. 12. Nothing that man hath is certayne Verse 13. There is no wickednesse so playne and manifest but some eyther for pleasure or profite will delight in it and approue it Verse 14. Nothing can deliuer from the power of death Verse 15. The faithfull hanging assuredly vpon God shall escape eternall iudgement Verse 16. Other mens prosperity or our owne aduersity should not dismay vs. Verse 17. We brought nothing into this world neyther shall we carry any thing out 1. Timoth. 6.7 Ver. 18. Epicures alwayes pamper their bellies besides the riche are neuer without their flatterers Verse 19. Death is the end of all flesh Verse 20. The more that a man hath of worldly blessings and the lesse he hath of spiritual and heauenly vnderstanding the greater is his blockishnesse and misery Psalme 50. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is contained an excellent description of the Maiestie power greatnesse and glory of almighty God from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second the Prophet taking vpon him the person of God sheweth that no outward meanes no though he himselfe prescribed them can be acceptable before God but that it is a spirituall seruice that pleaseth him from verse 7. to the end of the 15. In the third he reproueth the wicked and vngodly shewing what fruites true worshippers should yield from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a Psalme of Asaph I take it to be called Asaphs Psalme not because he was the Author of it but because it was committed to him and his to bee the singers thereof sée 2. Chron. 25.2 Verse 1. The God of Gods i. hee that is God to all the Rulers in the worlde who are called Gods and to all the counterfeit idols of the Gentiles who are also so named 1. Corinth 8.5 euen the Lord he sheweth more playnly whome hee meaneth hath spoken vz. by his seruauntes as Moses and the rest touching his true worship and seruice and called vz. to himselfe and his seruice the earth i. the people and inhabitants of the earth this was verifyed in the Gentils by the workes of creation as Romanes 1. and in the Iewes by the Creatures and by the worde also from the rysing vp of the Sunne vnto the going downe thereof i. all the Worlde ouer and thorow out the same sée Malach. 1.11 Verse 2. Out of Syon sée Psalme 48.2 whiche is the perfection of beautye i. whiche is the most beautifull and fayre place that canne be and seemeth to be so glorious that nothing can bee added thereto hath GOD shyned i. made manifest himselfe by his workes and by his worde in the exercises of his religion Verse 3. Our GOD These bee the words of the faithfull people assuring themselues of gracious deliueraunce from the crueltye of the wicked by the mighty power of that God whome they feare shall come i. certainlye and assuredlye shall come though hee séeme for a while to deferre put off his cōming shal not kéepe silence as he hath séemed to do heretofore eyther in not hearing the praiers of his people or in not punishing the wicked and vngodly sée verse 21 of this Psalme A fyre shal deuoure before him he compareth Gods iudgements agaynst the wicked to a consuming fyre which shall so eate them vp that nothing shall remayne and a mightye tempest this is another similitude to expresse Gods power iudgmēts by against the vngodly round about him these wordes are added to take awaye hope of escape from the wicked for if iudgement should be but before him they would thinke to créepe behinde him but the Prophet sheweth that whether they bée before him or behinde him all is one for consumed they shall bee if not with the fyre yet with the tempest or whirlewind before which they shoulde bée but as chaffe Psalme 1.4 Such yea a more large description of Gods wrath agaynst his enemies is before Psalme 18.7.8 c. Ver. 4. The Heauen aboue Heauen is here put for heauen and all the heauenly powers which the Lorde will call forth not only as witnesses agaynst the vngodlye but as aydes and helpes also for the defence of his and the earth i. not onely the
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
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
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
vz alone as who hath it in his hands to doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him al this is aleaged to confirm the doctrines which hee had before expounded Ver. 12. And to thée O Lord mercy vz. towards thine own people here is a chaunging of the person from the third to the second for thou rewardest euery one according to his work i. towards the good thou art mercifull towards the wicked thou declarest thy strength to consume them this place and manner of words is often repeated in scripture and hath ben muche abused to the mayntaynaunce of merite In summe this is it that I haue to say of it firste that there is great difference betwéene reward and desert as to any that will consider the words may easily appeare Secondly that these words his work ought to haue this sence in respect of good and holy people that they are sayde to bee theirs not because they are the authors of them but Gods instrumentes to doe them so that when he rewardeth them for the doing of them hee doth no more but crowne his own good workes in them Ver. 1. Teacheth vs neuer for al our assaults to murmur against god Do. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that if God be on our side we néed not care who be against vs also that though afflictiōs cease vs yet none shal ouercome vs. Ver. 3. declareth what a general sodain destructiō the Lord in his iustice bringeth vpon the wicked ver 4. teacheth that notwithstanding the threatnings of gods iudgements the wicked procéed in their mischieuous imaginations lyings hipocrisie cursings such like Ver. 5. teacheth vs to chear vp our selues in god in our afflictiōs crosses Ver. 6. teacheth the same doctrine that ver 2. doth Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer we haue we haue it frō our God Ver. 8. teacheth vs in all distresses seasons whatsoeuer to hang vpon him alone and to deale plainlye with him in laying open our harts before him and then no doubt we shal find ease and comfort ver 9. teacheth vs to cast of al trust in flesh and blood of what degrée or calling soeuer they be of it teacheth vs also not to haue other mē nor our selues in so great regard as we haue Ver. 10. Teacheth vs to beware of oppression robbery and vanity it teacheth vs also not only to hate couetousnesse but also to take héede least thorow abundance of riches we be puffed vp in pride Ver. 11. sheweth that God is a powerfull God against al rebellious people Ver. 12. Teacheth that he is a mercifull God to all those that are his also that as he cannot away with wickednesse because he rewardeth it i. punisheth it so a holye life is verye acceptable in his sight and therefore we should striue to it Psalme 63. Di. TRue it is that this Psalme is very much mixed sometimes protesting earnest prayer sometimes promising humble thanksgiuing sometimes assuring himselfe of deliueraunce and somtimes foretelling the destruction of his enemies yet al that notwithstanding thus it may be diuided In the four first verses the Prophet sheweth his great hūger and thirst after God promising both to pray vnto him and to prayse him al his life long In the 4. next verses vz. 5.6.7.8 he sheweth what wonderful ioy safety and assuraunce he shal be in when God shall haue graciously graunted his requestes And in the 3 last verses vz. 9.10.11 he doth in the spirit of prophecy foretell the great ouerthrow of his enimies and his own wonderful deliueraunce Se. The Title a Psalm of Dauid vz. which he made when he was now he noteth the time in which this Psalme was made in the wildernesse of Judah he meaneth the wildernesse of Ziph which is here called the wildernesse of Iudah because it was in that portion of the land which was giuen to the tribe of Iudah Sée 1. Samuel 23.14.15 and this Psalme séemeth not to vary much in argumēt from Psal 54. Verse 1. O God thou arte my God i. he that hitherto by thy strength and power hath deliuered me from mine enimies that did pursue me and therfore earely will I séeke thée i. betimes in the morning will I call vpon thée for he meaneth séeking vnto him by prayer and the Prophet noteth that he will doe this diligently and carefully because hee will as it were break his sléepe to doe it My soule i. my inward man thirsteth after thée i. desireth thee especiallye and aboue all other thinges sée Psalme 42.2 my fleshe i. euen my outward man also longeth greatlye after thée a notable metaphor taken from women with child to expresse the earnest affection he had to Godward which also is very much increased by the Aduerb greatly in a barren dry land without water it was gréeuous to be in a barren place and dry land but much more where Waters were wanting but all this the Prophet speaketh to set out the miserye that he was in while hee was as a banished man from the place and exercises of Gods Religion q.d. all the bodily penury and pinching that I might haue in this life shoulde not touch me so nigh as this that I want spirituall exercises Ver. 2. Thus I behold thée q.d. though I be in such a miserable case yet I leaue not off to loke vpon thy glory and thy power as if I were in the sanctuary though this sence be good yet me thinketh Immanuel doth better translate it thus to behold i. that I may behold sée q.d. my great longing thirsting is for this that I may sée thy strēgth i. the arke wch was a signe of the presence of the most mighty strong God sée 1. Chron. 16.11 2. Chron. 6.41 Psal 78.61 where it is also called his power and thy glory i. either thine own glory shining in the tabernacle or else the glory of thy Tabernacle or sanctuary either may stand very well as I did vz. heretofore when I was not thus persecuted sée thée i. thy Maiestie and glorye in the sanctuarie i. in the place where the arke was from which the Lorde was wont to shew euident testimonies of his power and presence ver 3. for thy louing kindnes i. thy mercy manifested to thy childrē is better i. more profitable comfortable and to be wished for then life we may vnderstād it thus thē al earthly means ayds by which men are vpholdē in their estate or else thus then euen life it self wch without Gods fauor both here else where is nothing else but worse then a continual death therfore my lips shal prayse thée he meaneth not only these instrumēts of nature by which the words are vttered but also the words themselues q.d. with my words wil I set forth thy glory prayse Ver. 4. Thus vz. euen as I purpose do at this presēt wil I magnifye thée i. prayse and extoll thée and thy workes all my life vz. long meaning so long as this life lasteth and lift vp mine handes
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
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
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
image or shadow see Psal 39.6 Verse 21. Verily my heart was vexed vz. within me and I was pricked in my reines i. in my most secret thoughtes as in this sentence God searcheth the heart and reines the Prophet sheweth what griefe hee had in himselfe for that he had taken vpon him so to discourse against Gods prouidence as it were Ver. 22. So foolish was I and ignoraunt vz. in iudging so yea I was as a beast i. without vnderstanding q.d. all beastes can conceiue nothing of thée no more coulde I in that matter before thée i. in thy presence sight and iudgement so that these two verses are as it were an humble confession of his former sinne Ver. 23. Yet I was alwaye with thee q.d. notwithstanding my rash and corrupt iudgement thou diddest not forsake me but euen then when I was in danger altogether to go astray thou calledst me back and restrained mee Thou haste holden mee by my righte hande i. thou hast held me vp and bene a proppe vnto me that I haue not fallen in the consideration of the slippery estate of this life Ver. 24. Thou wilt guide mee vz. hereafter though I haue fallen heretofore by thy counsell according to thy will reuersed in thy worde and wilt not suffer mee to follow the imagination of my owne heart as I haue done heretofore and afterwardes vz. after that thou hast instructed me and taught me according to thy word receiue mee to glory he meaneth by glory here not only eternal life but also all the blessinges that God giueth vnto his in this life whether it be health wealth wisdom c. which the Lord giueth them sometimes here in this worlde that they might in them haue a tast as it were of the felicity to come Ver. 25. Vttered by the way of an interrogation carrieth with it this sense that the Prophet sought all his ioy contentment in God alone and in no creature whatsoeuer earthly or heauenly Ver. 26. My flesh faileth and my heart also i. my outward men haue béene and are many times wonderfully afflicted so that I haue failed and fallen so lowe that in mans iudgment I am many times past recouery but God is the strength of my heart i. he that inwardly strengtheneth me and he putteth the inwarde part for the whole not only because it is the more excellent but also because if that be couragious that outward mā can not faile my portion i. the portiō assigned to me wherwith I wil be cōtent al the daies of my life Ver. 27. Withdraw themselues from thee i. from thy gouernement and walke not in the obedience of thy wayes shall perish vz. not only from amongest men but also eternally thou destroyest vz. in thy iust iudgement that go a whoring from thee i. that put not their whole trust in thee and hang not altogether vpon thee whereby wée sée that not onely grosse idolatrie is spiritual fornication but also to withdraw the least part of our assurance that can be from God Ver. 28. It is good i. most pleasant and profitable for mee to drawe neere to God vz. by faith assured perswasiō hanging continually vpon him as may plainly appeare by the words following in this verse that I may declare i. publish and set abroad amongst men and that both by word and déede all thy works he meaneth by al a very great number because otherwise it is impossible to comprehend them and by workes he meaneth specially the iudgements that God executeth vpon the earth Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that Gods goodnes towardes his people is more then flesh can estéeme of it Ver. 2. Sheweth how weake euen the best men are in thē selues Ver. 3. Sheweth that it is no small temptation to the godly to sée the wicked highly aduanced and themselues depressed and kept vnder Ver. 4. 5. teach not onely in what a prosperous estate the wicked many times are in this life but also that we should count no man blessed for his outward felicity Ver. 6.7.8.9 Teach first the disposition and nature of the vngodly describing their wicked qualities secondly they shewe how that Gods forbearaunce and long suffering and mercy is abused by them to the increase of their transgressions Thirdly that for as much as they abuse their power their witte their wealth their vtterance and all that they haue against God themselues and other men that therefore we should learne to vse all his blessings in what quantitie soeuer they be bestowed vpon vs to his glory our owne comfort and the profit of our brethren Ver. 10. Teacheth that Gods people haue abundance of plagues in this life but yet that they should not fal away from God therfore Ver. 11. Teacheth howe farre Gods children slide when they are left for a while vnto themselues euen to the denial of his prouidence Ver. 12. Sheweth the continuall prosperity of the vngodly Ver. 13.14 Shew how farre mans presumptiō breaketh forth when he followeth his own reason Ver. 15. Teacheth vs humble and vnfeigned confession of our sinnes Ver. 16. sheweth howe vnable wee are of our selues to behold Gods dealing and doinges towardes men Ver. 17. Sheweth that the frequenting of publike assemblies and the righte vse of Churche exercises are very good meanes to worke light and knowledge in vs. Verse 18. Teach that the wickeds seate is ticklish and vncertaine Ver. 19. 20. Teach not only the sodaine destruction of the wicked but also that those iudgements are sent vpon them from God Ver. 21. Declarrth that euen the godly men haue their affections though not so right as they shuld Ver. 22. Sheweth what blindnes is in vs til God inlighten vs. Ver. 23. God is the onely vpholder of all his children Ver. 24. Teacheth that without God guide vs we go out of the way to eternal destruction Ver. 25. Teacheth Gods children to hang vpon him alone Ver. 26. Teacheth that when al things quaile yet God alone must be stuck to Ver. 27. Conteineth Gods great iudgements against the wicked and vngodly Ver. 28. Teacheth that howsoeuer other men fall away yet it behoueth Gods children to hang alwaies vpon him Psalme 74 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the faithfull doe as it were debate the matter with God of their affliction layd vpon them by the cruell and vngodly dealing of the enemies and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 9. In the seconde part they pray against the enemies of the Church assuring themselues by these particular examples both of his mercy towards the good and his iustice towards the wicked which he had declared before that they should bee deliuered and the enemies plagued and this reacheth from ver 10. to the end of the 17. In the third part is conteined the faithfuls prayer which they make for themselues and against their enemies grounding the same vppon Gods goodnes towards them and his iudgements towards the wicked and this reacheth
dennes of violence vz. which they practise against other men q.d. the holes which men sought for refuge and defence are by these mens cruelties become very dennes of outrage violence Ver. 21. Oh let not the oppressed vz. by the iniurie outrage of cruel men returne vz. from thy maiesty specially séeing he prayeth vnto thee but let the poore and néedy praise thy name i. giue them occasion to prayse and extoll thy power by deliuering them from their enemies and supplying their wantes Ver. 22. Arise O God vz. to declare thy might vpon thine enemies and to helpe thine maintaine vz. against the violence and rage of thine enemies thine owne cause i. thyne own glory now hazarded in the person of thy people like to be ouerthrowne if thou lay not to thy hand q.d. the enemies will say that either thou canst not or wilt not helpe and so thy glory shal be defaced remember this is spoken according to man and not that God forgetteth though hee séeme so to doe thy dayly reproch i. the reproches which thy enemies and the enemies of thy people do daily vtter against thée by the foolish man i. which the wicked man speaketh foole put for a wicked person as Psal 14.1 Verse 23. Forget not this is spokē as in the other ver remember the voice of thine enemies i. the roaring and blasphemies that they cast out against thee thy temple and people sée ver 4.6.7.8.10 verses of this Psalme for the tumult i. the rage and outcries of them that rise against thée i. of thine enemies and thy peoples enemies ascendeth vz. into thy sight and presence continually q.d. thou canst not chuse therefore but remember and thinke vpon the same as in the beginning of this very verse Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God many times layeth grieuous afflictions vpon his children to the end he might thereby drawe them nigh vnto himselfe Verse 2. Teacheth the faithful not only to haue recourse to god by praier in the time of their troubles but to ground themselues vppon that experience which either they thēselues or their forefathers haue had of his goodnes Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that we may safely pray against the enemies of the Church Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 Do liuely paint out the rage violence of the enemies of god and that against the outward marks of religion which may teach Gods children hatred and zeale against the monuments of idolatry superstition Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that euident signes of Gods wrath displeasure as the want of his worde the stopping of the true ministers mouthes c. should touch vs to the quicke Ver. 10. Teacheth vs with patience to beare the Lords hand vpon vs till it please him to remoue it and yet notwithstanding to craue according to his wil the taking of it from vs. Ver. 11. Sheweth that Gods right hand and power is the only assured meane of defence of his children the destruction of the vngodly Ver. 12. True tast and féeling of gods former deliuerances should strengthen the hope of his seruants that they shal again be deliuered out of al their distresses Ver. 13.14.15.16.17 are particular descriptions of the might power of God in certaine particular works of his out of which we learne to stay our selues wholly vpon him who hath al power in his owne hands and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked which reacheth not only vnto men on earth but to God in heauen Ver. 19. Teacheth vs to haue recourse to God by earnest prayer in the middest of all our calamities and afflictions Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenant made with vs is not only a good ground for prayer but also a matter of great comfort to the conscience because we know he wil not go backe from that which he hath promised Ver. 21. Teacheth that it is no small comfort to the godly when they féele by effects that their praiers are heard Ver. 22. Sheweth that God his people be so linked together that reproch can not be offered to the one but it is offred to the other Ver. 23. Teacheth vs that euen the very outrage cruelties of the wicked are effectuall instrumentes to drawe from God as iudgements against their owne soules so deliuerance to his people Psalme 75 IN the argument of this Psalm I do somewhat differ from the Geneua Bible taking it to be a Psalme made by Dauid before that hee bare rule ouer the twelue tribes what time there was such great warres betwéene him and the house of Saul the Prophet promising here that if God will establish him in the full gouernement hee wil praise his name continually for the better proof of this my assertion consider the words of the third verse of this Psal This Psal specially expoundeth thrée things Di. first is a solemne promise of hearty thanksgiuing vnto the Lorde and this is comprehended ver 1.9 The second is a protestation what he wil do when god shall aduance him to the kingdome and this is in ver 2.3.10 And the thirde is a louing admonition to the wicked with graue reasons of that admonition that they set not themselues against God and his ordinance and this is conteyned in ver 5.6.7.8 For the exposition of the title of this Psalme sée Psalm 57. in the title Se. and also Psal 48. in the title and Psal 50. in the title out of al which laid together you shal haue these termes destroy not a Psalme and song committed to Asaph expounded and as for these words to him that excelleth they are declared before Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. We wil praise thée O God vz. for thy benefites and graces bestowed vpon vs and the doubling of the wordes noteth the constant mind and earnestnes which they caried with them to performe it and all this Dauid speaketh in the person of the faithful in his owne name also for thy name is néere i. thy power maiesty as Psal 20.1 meaning that God by his power began to approch for his good profit therefore they i. not only I but al other faithfull and godly people will declare i. publish and set abroad and that to all others thy wonderfull workes i. those workes of thine which thou doest for those that are thine are in déed for the excellency and greatnes of them to be wondered at Immanuel readeth the latter part of this ver thus for thy wonderful workes declare that thy name is nigh q.d. this shalbée one cause of our praysing thée because we perceiue by thy wonderfull workes that thou in power drawest nigh to helpe vs in these confusions and troubles and this is in my mind a very good sense Ver. 2. When I marke the sodaine change of the person this Dauid speaketh of himselfe not of God as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth shall take i. obtaine and get a conuenient time i. that time
man for mankind or the greatest part thereof shall turne to thy prayse not only because that when the godly shal sée them frustrated of their purposes they shall haue occasion to prayse thée but euen if thou couldst suffer and appoynt them to preuayle yet euen therein shouldst thou bée glorifyed because God will make all things worke together both for his own glory and to the good of those that loue him the remnant of thy rage shalt thou restrayne some expound it thus those of the wicked that shall be left aliue hoping that they shall be able to performe great matters shalt thou so kéepe as it were brideled that they shall not be able to atchieue any enterprise I rather expound it thus the remnaunt of the rage that is suche good people as shall remayne after the execution of the wickeds rage shalt thou restrayne eyther from doing euill themselues or else from the violence and outrage of the wicked which latter I like best of And that maketh Immanuel to vse for the word restraine compas about meaning shielding and defending of them Sée to this purpose 2. kings 19.30 so that in this verse he declareth two vses of gods iudgement the one is the prayse and glory of God the other is the deliuery of the good people Verse 11. Vow vz. as tokens and signes of youre thankfulnesse to God for your enemies ouerthrow and your own deliuerances performe vz. your sacrifices vowed testifying also thereby your obedience and readinesse in his seruice vnto the Lord vz. only and alone who also is your God i. your defender and kéeper all ye that be round about him i. both priests and people the Leuits and Priests because they wayted in the Tabernacle and the people because they coulde be no where but in his presence lette them bring presents that is offrings and sacrifices which are called presentes because they presented them before the Lorde sée the accomplishmente of this 2. Chron. 32.23 vnto him that he ought to be feared vz. of all both high and low of what state or condition soeuer they be and this is spoken of the almightye God Verse 12. He shal cut of the spirite of Princes this may bee read better eyther in the present tense or preterperfect tense he doth it or he hath done it meaning by cutting off frustrating or taking away and by spirite not onelye their vnderstanding and purposes but their liues also as appeareth 2. Chron. 32.21 he is terrible vz. not in outward shew onely but in déede and effecte to the kings of the earth i. euen to the mightiest Monarchies and al the Princes of the world so that they néede not thinke that they shall be fauoured for their greatnesse or haue any power to stand against him Do. Verse 1. and 2. teach that God doth specially manifest both his power and good will to the people that exercise his religion and cast vpon his name ver 3. Teacheth that neither armor or indeuour can preuayle agaynst the Churche of God further then he himselfe appointeth Verse 4. Teacheth that he that is on the faythfuls side is stronger then all Verse 5. Teacheth that there is no wisedome strength power or policie able to withstand the Lord in his purposes Verse 6. Teacheth that God néedeth not to make much adoe to ouerthrow for euen a word or rebuke of his mouth shall cast them downe to death Verse 7. Teacheth that God only is to be feared and reuerenced Verse 8. Teacheth vs specially then to haue good regard to our selues when God sheweth euidēt testimonies and tokens of his iudgements Verse 9. sheweth that God will neuer forget the afflicted that hang vpon him Verse 10 sheweth that euen the very sinnes of the vngodly shall serue to Gods great glory Verse 11. Teacheth vs both carefully to purpose and religiously to performe the exercises of the worship and seruice of our God Verse 12. Teacheth vs that it is God onlye who hath the issues of the life and death of al men in his hands Psalme 77 THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the firste the Prophet expresseth the great afflictions and gréeuous temptations that he indured and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde hee declareth by what reasons and argumentes he comforted himselfe teaching the Churche to doe the like from verse 10. to the ende of the Psalme The Title or inscription of this Psalm would be amended thus Se. To him that excelleth set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie with Asaph a Psalme i. a psalme appoynted to that excellent Musitian whosoeuer he was that was set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie and to Asaph sée 1. Chron. 25.23 Verse 1. My voice i. the prayers that I made came to God i. were directed vnto him appeared in his presence when I cried i. when I prayde earnestly in the anguishe and bitternesse of my soule and hee hearde mee vz. making my prayer vnto him And all this and that whiche followeth the Prophet alleadgeth to strengthen as it were his fayth and hope that he that had bin heard of God in the time of his former affliction should likewise be heard now Verse 2. In the day of my trouble i. in the time wherein I was afflicted for his gréefe lasted longer thē one day doubtlesse I sought the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer my sore ran and seased not in the night he meaneth that his disease cōtinued and that no remedy could diminish the same it séemeth to be a spéech taken from woundes and sores that bléede continually or send forth corruption in such sort that they cannot be staunched Immanuel hath another reading and another sence but me thinketh that this is as proportional with this text and better rather My soule i. I my selfe putting a parte for the whole man refused comforte q.d. My payne wrought in mee such waywardnesse that nothing was comfortable or ioyfull vnto mée Verse 3. I did thinke vpon GOD vz. with my harte in my prayers and supplication and was trouble◠vz. because I conceaued that GOD was angrye agaynst me in that I prayed and he graunted mee not my petition I prayde vz. earnestly and my spirite i. my soule and inward man was full of anguish i. gréefe and sorrowe because I felt not the force of my prayers Immanuel readeth this verse also otherwise as he doth the most part of this Psalme but because this texte and sence is playne ynough I varie not from it Verse 4. Thou vz. by the gréefs and sorrowes which thou doest continuallye laye vpon me kéepest mine eyes waking he setteth out in this spéech the greatnesse and continuance of his gréefe which tooke sléepe from his eyes and spéeche from his tongue as hee sayth afterwardes in this verse I was astonied vz. by my gréefs and sorrows yea so amased that I could not speake See Iob. 2.13 also Iob. 3.1 sée also Psalme 38. almost thorow out and Psalme 102. in
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
what a one thou wast not that GOD was ignoraunt of it before at the waters of Meribah Sée Exodus 15 22 23 c. Psalme 95 8. Verse 8. Heare vz. me speaking vnto thée by my word and law manifested vnto thée O my people i. the people whome I haue so tenderlye loued and I will protest vnto thée i. I will not only open my will vnto thée but also make a solemn contracte with thée to the ende that my wordes maye haue the greater weighte and authoritie if thou wilte hearken vnto mée vz. speakinge vnto thée in my Lawe then lette this bee fulfilled that followeth Verse 9. Let there bée no straunge God in thée i. let there be no idols or images in all thy Lande hee calleth them straunge Gods because straungers from the couenaunte i. other people besides the Iewes did worship them and hee calleth them Gods not because they were so but because the Idolaters supposed them to be so or that there was a certayne Deitye inclosed within them Sée 1. Corinth 8. ver 5.6 neyther worship thou anye straunge God q.d. bee contente with mée alone I expound this verse thus that in the first parte hee forbiddeth the occasion of idolatrie which are images idols c. and in the second he forbiddeth the thing it selfe Ver. 10. For I am the Lord thy God here hee sheweth a reason of the former verse q.d. there is no other but I and I am God alone sée Isaiah 45 verse 5. and hee laboureth in this parte of the verse not onelye to proue himselfe to be the true God but also to strengthen their fayth first by Gods eternity noted in these words I am the Lord secondly by the couenant which he made with thē noted in these words Thy God thirdly by the workes which he did for thē noted in these words Which brought thée out of the Land of Egipt vnderstanding by one singular worke all the rest of the graces that God had at any time bestowed vpon them open thy mouth wide i. largely and abundauntly aske euen whatsoeuer thou wilte according to my will standing fast in my seruice and religion The Hebrewes vnderstande by this speech boldnesse trust liberty and importunity in prayer and not amisse and I will fill i. I will giue thée whatsoeuer thou shalt aske sée Ioh. 15. ver 16. and besides put songes of prayse into thy mouth for benefits receaued Verse 11. But my people would not heare my voyce i. would not obey the thinges that by my word I commaunded them Whereby we sée that to heare and not to perform is as much as in contempt not to heare at all and Israel would none of me vz. in déede and truth though they made a shew as though they reuerenced and loued me alone the truth of this appeareth in Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Deutronom and the Booke of Iudges Verse 12. So I gaue thē vp q.d. séeing nothing I could doe for them or to them coulde reclaime them or bring them to goodnesse I layd the bridle as it were in their own necks and let them run their full swinge to wickednesse vnto the hardnesse of their harte i. vnto all licentiousnesse and iniquity that their harde hartes setled in sinne could deuise and they haue walked i. their conuersation hath bin in their own counsels i. according to their owne deuises and imaginations and not according to my prescript and rule Verse 13. O that my people had hearkened vnto me i. had obeyed my voyce and lawes giuen vnto them and this God speaketh after the maner of men testifying what a great loue he had to them and how acceptable their obedience should haue bin sée Deutron 5. verse 29. Deut. 32.29 Isaiah 48.18 and Israell had walked in my wayes i. had ordred his conuersation according to my commaundements which he calleth wayes because they are as pathes or beaten wayes that we are to treade in all the dayes of our life neuer being weary of going in them Verse 14. I would soone i. very quickly q.d. then my power should haue sodaynly appeared to their comfort but specially for iudgement vpon the wicked haue humbled i. cast downe and ouerthrowne it is a metaphor taken from thē that in humblenesse throw themselues down at others féete meaning that God in iudgement would haue brought them very low their enimies i. al their enemies of what state condition or multitude soeuer they had ben and turned vz. from mine own people vnto their aduersaries mine hand i. my power and might executing iudgement and vengeaunce q.d. My power and fierce wrath should haue lighted vpon their enemies and not vpon them Verse 15. The haters of the Lord i. the wicked and vngodly people which sundry times oppressed them as appeareth in the booke of Iudges shoulde haue bin subiect vz. eyther willinglye or constreinedly chuse them whether it is true that the worde signifyeth a counterfeit subiection by which he noteth the hipocrisie of the enemies vnto him i. to the people of God speaking of them all in one person as it were of whiche sée verse 6 7 of this Psalme and their time i. the time of their prosperity and florishing and marke here the sodaine chaunge of the number and here he speaketh of the people of God should haue moured for euer i. cōtinued and abode in that state continually according to Gods promise made vnto them Ver. 16. And God marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the first to the third God speaking of himself in the third person would haue fed them i. nourished and maintained his people with the fat of Wheate i. with the best and picked wheat for you shall haue the worde fat and fatnesse so vsed sundrye times in scripture vnderstanding by wheat also not onely corne but also whatsoeuer else was necessary for the maintainaunce of lyfe sée Deutronom 32. verse 14. and with honie out of the Rock would I haue satisfied thée q.d. rather than they shoulde haue wanted I woulde haue made barren places such as Rockes are plentifull and that euen with things not onlye for profite but for delight and pleasure noting by this maner of spéeche that they shoulde haue had all thinges both pleasaunt and profitable for the maintaynaunce of their lyfe if their naughtinesse hadde not stopped the course of his goodnesse and mercy Ver. 1.2.3 teach that we should not be only thankefull to God Do. but that the sacrifice of thanks giuing which we wil render vnto him must be yéelded coragiously chearfully because the Lorde requireth at our handes both the thing it selfe the maner of the performance of it Ver. 4 teacheth that Gods commaundment is the only ground warrant vnto vs that the seruices which we render vnto him are acceptable in his sight Ver. 5. teacheth first that Gods reuealing of his will word to any people is a plain testimonye of his grace and fauour also that Gods accounteth the afflictions of his people as his
ouerthrow stoode also the Kings discomfiture and ouerthrowe Sée Iudges 4.2 at the Riuer of Kishon hée nameth the place for the more certaintie of the Historye sée Iudges 4 7 and it may be vnderstoode that at the riuer Sisera and the Midianites were Verse 10. They i. Sisera and the Midianites with them perished i. were ouerthrown confounded and destroyed at Endor which is the name of a place nigh to Taanach and the waters of Megido as appeareth Iudg. 5.19 and were dung for the earth i. were not only troden vnder féete as mire but also left vnburied vpon the vpper face of the earth as dung layde vppon grounde is Verse 11. Make them vz. the enemies that now come to assault vs euen the Princes q.d. the best mightiest men amongst them and he prayeth agaynst them because in the dismay confusion and ouerthrow of the Prince standeth for the most part the discouragemēt and ouerthrow of the people like Oreb and like Zeeb i. destroy them and ouerthrowe them by death of both these see Iudges 7.25 yea all their Princes i. all their men of might and power that they being discouraged the rest might be confounded like Zebah and like Zalmana these were two great Kinges or Princes of Midian whom Gideon slew sée Iudges 8. verse 5.21 Verse 12. Which vz. enemies of thine ours whose great number hee had reckoned vp before ver 6.7.8 haue sayd vz. euen in our hearing or as a man would say euen yet do speake thus let vs take vz. by force and conquest for our possession i. to be a possession to vs and oures the habitations of God no doubt he meaneth Iudea and the Cities thereof wherein God was worshipped but especially Ierusalem where the temple and tabernacle was and in which places God gaue most manifest testimonies of his presence and dwelling Verse 13. O my God this speake the faythfull as it were but one man or else some particular person amongst them in the name of the rest make them like vnto a whéele hée prayeth that they and their counses may be vnstable and inconstant so that wandring in their consultations and imaginations they may not hurt thy people and as the stubble before the winde vz. which is tossed hither and thither an other similitude which hee vseth to expresse their owne inconstancye and the vanity of their deuises sée Psalme 1 4. Verse 14. As the fyre vz. put into the Forrest burneth the forrest vz. if men minde to consume and destroy it after that sort for fire eateth vp all before it and as the flame vz. of that fyre so kindled and burning setteth the Mountaynes on fyre i. causeth the very mountaynes to melt as it were and burne before it Verse 15. So persecute them i. pursue and ouertake them for it muste not bee vnderstoode as though God by laying these iudgements vppon them did offer them iniury or wrong with thy Tempest i. with thy sodayne and fierce iudgementes as tempestes are wonte to come sodaynelye and fiercelye make them afrayde i. cause them not only to quake or shake for feare but astonishe them and take awaye from them all vse of witte and reason that they maye bée euen as it were deade men with thy Storme by storme hee meaneth the same that he did by tempest vnder these two Metaphors noting Gods fierce wrath and iudgement Whatsoeuer it be this is his meaning to praye the Lord that the wicked may be enforced euen in despighte of their heads as it were to acknowledge thorow the multitude of punishmentes that shall fall vpon them that they doe in vayne set themselues agaynste God and his people and shal in the end be confounded and ouerthrowne Ver. 16. Fil their faces with shame i. poure forth vpon them such abundance of shame and confusion by destituting them of their hopes that they may be ashamed as it were to shew their faces that they may séeke thy name O Lorde eyther this worde they must be referred to the faythfull eyther then liuing or afterwards to come who in the confusion of the enimies should haue a good ground offered them continually to hang vpon Gods power or else the Text must bee mended thus after Immanuel that thy name may be sought O God making this as it were one end of their deliuery that God might afterward be prayde vnto and praysed for it for in my iudgement it can at no hand be referred as the Geneua note goeth to the enemies Verse 17. Let them be confounded vz. by thy iudgements which thou shalt execute vpon them and troubled vz. in their mindes and bodies that thorow disquietnesse in both of them they maye be hindered from doing any euill thing agaynst thine for euer i. all the dayes of their life and as long as they shall liue yea let them be put to shame vz. before men and openly in their sight and perish vz. from amongst men Ver. 18. That they i. thine and our enemies may knowe i. féele inwardlye and confesse outwardly though they shall not haue the grace to yeelde to the same for here he speaketh of knowledge by experience which goeth not downe into the hart but is only put into them thorow necessitie and force that thou which art called Iehouah sée for the expounding of this name Exod. 6.3 arte alone contrary to that opinion which the Gentiles haue that their idols are Gods euen the most high ouer al the earth i. that doest whatsoeuer pleaseth thée in earth Ver. 1. teacheth that the more our dangers and miseries be Do. the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for the redresse therof Ver. 2. sheweth how the enemies of Gods people in great multitudes with great noyse and very proudlye set themselues agaynst the Lord and those that are his Verse 3. teacheth also that they doe it not rashly but aduisedlye and with great crafte and subteltie Verse 4 setteth out both the words and purposes of the wicked who carrye continuallye with them a hart to roote out good and godlye men from off the earth Ver. 5 6 7 8. teach principally two thinges the one is the great multitude of enemies that Gods people haue the other is howe that al the wicked though otherwise at iarres can yet notwithstanding consente together to destroy Gods chosen They shewe also that they who by nature and kindred as it were should fauour them do many times become their deadly enimies as the Edomites came of Esau Iaakobs brother and the Ammonites and Moabites of Lot Abraham his nigh kinsman Verse 9.10.11 teache that we may pray against the enemies of Gods Church also that iudgments executed vpon former enemies should be grounds to strengthen our hope that God will doe the like to ours if he sée it may serue for his glory and oure comfort Verse 13. and all the rest vnto the ende of the Psalme teach that we maye lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church that in their
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
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
many wordes here to signifie one thing whome thou remembrest no more he meaneth not that God hath no regard at al of them that are dead but that he séemeth so as it were vnto men this hee speaketh as a man grieuously afflicted as one caryed away with the vehemency of his grief and they are cut off i. they séeme to be cut off and remoued from thy hand i. from thy care and custody Restore this whole ver out of Immanuel thus I am counted among the dead I am shut out as the slaine lying in the graue whom thou remēbrest no more who are cut off by thy hand i. by thy power iudgment so the sense shal be more plain Ver. 6. Thou hast layed me in the lowest pit i. in most great dangers and extreme perils sée Psal 86.13 in darknes and in the déepe by all these woordes hee signifieth but one thing vz. greatnes of griefe and extreme anguish sée Psalm 130.1 for déepe and that darkenes is so vsed many places of scripture shew and here the proportion woulde bee considered for darke places are ful of horror feare horror and feare do by consequent ingender sorrow and grief déep waters or places are very dangerous for men in thē that they be not ouerwhelmed or drowned therin Ver. 7. Thine indignatiō i. sure testimonies signes of thy heauy wrath lieth vz. sore vpon me thou hast vexed me i. grieued me that inwardly outwardly with al thy waues i. with al thy wrath iudgments which thou hast laid vpon me ouerwhelmed me with as the waues of a great flood or sea ouerwhelme somewhat Ver. 8. Thou hast put away my acquaintance farre from me i. thou hast made mee destitute of al mans aide succor for euē they that should haue pitied my case haue through thy appointment their harts hardened against me sée Psalm 38.11 and made me to be abhorred of them i. lothed as it were hated of them Iob complaineth also of this Chap. 19. almost throughout I am shut vp vz. in dangers troubles euen as a birde in a cage so that I can not get out and can not get forth i. I sée no way as it were how to be deliuered from thē or how to escape Ver. 9. Mine eye is sorowful through my afflictiō i. my afflictions are so grieuous that the very signes therof appeare in mine eies countenance yea his very sight decayed thereby Psal 38.10 Lord I cal dayly vpon thée q.d. yet I do not for al this discourage my selfe but call vpon thee dayly i. not only one day after an other but all the day long as it were noting his importunity I stretch out mine handes vnto thée vz. as one that woulde bee glad to receiue some fauour succor from thée he putteth in these wordes the signe of prayer or a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe Verse 10. Wilt thou shewe a miracle to the dead i. to mée who am as it were dead q.d. it shall bee very straunge if thou restore mee and all this hée speaketh setting out one while the greatnes of his misery an other while the weakenes of his fayth and an other while prouoking GOD thereby to hasten his ayde otherwise that he should not come in time or shal the dead i. others that séeme to be dead by reason of our afflictions rise vz. out of the great dangers distresses wherin they are and praise thee vz. for thy deliuerance and mercy q.d. there is little or no hope that we shal so do for I do not vnderstande this of the resurrection of the dead no more then I do that Ezech. 37. which I think wel waied would serue also for the clearing of the sense of this place Verse 11. Shall thy louing kindnes vz. which thou art wont to shewe to them bee declared in the graue i. either in great distresse or extremity or else putting it for the persons vz. for them that bée at the last push meaning it of himselfe or others q.d. when I looke vppon the hugenes of my afflictions and griefes there is litle or no hope thereof or thy faithfulnes vz. which thou vsest in kéeping performing thy promises so that wee may sée the faith of Gods children is many times wonderfully shaken in destruction i. in them that are appointed to destruction are as it were at deaths dore Ver. 12. Shal thy wonderous works be known i. made manifest in the darke vz. places putting it for afflictions as before ver 6. of this Psal and thy righteousnes vz. which thou shewest towards thine when thou giuest them that which thou hast promised them in the land of obliuiō or forgetfulnes i. in the graue which he calleth the land of forgetfulnes because that they which are dead are soone forgotten and all this hee speaketh by the way of a continual metaphor as it were to expresse the greatnes of his misery afflictions not otherwise as I take it Ver. 13 But vnto thée q.d. notwithstanding all my afflictions the great combats that I haue indured betwéene faith and dispaire vnto thée vz. alone none other besides thée haue I cryed O Lorde i. powred forth mine earnest hearty supplications and earely q.d. yea and though thou shalt not heare me at the first yet I wil not leaue of prayer and earely vz. in the morning sée Psal 5.3 shall my prayer come before thée i. I wil pray vnto thée not meaning as though either God or he were tyed to that time but because hée woulde vse that time wherein he found himselfe best affected to prayer Ver. 14. Lorde why doest thou reiect my soule i. why doest thou séeme to despise and neglect me vnderstanding by soule which is a part of man the whole man and hydest thy face from me q.d. what is the cause that thou turnest thy countenaunce from mee as though thou wert angry with mee and diddest despise both mee and my prayers all this is spoken of God according to mans capacity and after the iudgement of flesh Verse 15. I am afflicted vz. greatly and on euery side the Prophet fetcheth an argument from his misery to moue the Lorde with spéede to pity and helpe him and at the poynt of death i. ready euen to dye and as it were at the last gaspe vnlesse thou ayd and strengthen me from my youth i. continually the Prophet noteth his daily griefe continual exercises I suffer thy terrors i. such punishments and troubles as thou laiest vpon me which do wonderfully pierce me with terror feare doubting of my life i. doubting what shal become of my life vz. whether I shal dye presently I know not or whether these vexations shal cōtinue longer vpon me I know not euen al the days of my life Ver. 16. Thine indignation i. thy manifold wrath and very many signes and tokens of the same for hée speaketh in the plural number go ouer me i.
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
people as the sea and floods do when they gayne vpon the lande but this in my iudgment is the more simple sense that hee meaneth that though the noyse of the floods and sea vnderstanding thereby if you will all the hurliburlies of the earth bee very great and forcible yea euident testimonies of Gods power and might yet if they bée compared with Gods owne maiesty and might they are as much as nothing and this sense is confirmed by that which followeth in the next verse the floods lift vp their waues vz. and make a great and fearefull noyse and this expoundeth what he ment before when he ascribed voyce to the floods Verse 4. The waues of the sea are marueilous vz. considered in themselues if a man mark their goinges greatnes and the noyse of them but yet more marueilous are they in the respects before alleadged through the noyse of many waters vz. which fal into them and ioyn with them sée Ecclesi 1.7 and so by that meanes the waues and noyse of the floodes are greater yet the Lord on high vz. in heauen is more mighty vz. then them al as who hath the ordering disposing and gouerning of them al at his good pleasure q.d. though it be true that the sea and floods make a great noyse and so expresse a great power yet that is nothing if they be compared to God by whose appointment they doe that which they doe Ver. 5. Thy testimonies i. thy worde and all thinges therein conteined as Psal 19.7 specially thy promises made vnto thy seruants are very sure vz. so that they can not be altered at any time or by any way holines i. thy holines or such holines as thou both appointest and giuest becommeth thyne house i. adorneth and beautifieth thy Church and congregation for euer i. continually Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth sundry thinges first Gods great power and maiesty the consideration whereof is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to his children secondly it setteth out not onely the great care that God hath ouer the earth and the things therein so that they can not be shaken but also how litle or nothing at all mans Counsell can preuaile to hurt or hinder much lesse to vndoe any thing that the Lorde will haue to remaine stedfast and sure Ver. 2. Setteth out the eternity and euerlastingnes of almighty God Ver. 3. Teacheth that the very creatures may manifest vnto vs some part and piece of Gods excellencye and power the same thing doeth Verse 4. Teache but yet so that it sheweth further that all that wee can beholde in them is not so much as a shadowe to the trueth if it bee compared with the Creator himselfe Verse 5. Is comfortable to the consciences of the godly because it assureth them of the certaintie of Gods worde and promises also it sheweth that the holinesse of Gods Church is from GOD himselfe and not from the Church Psalme 94 THis Psalme in my iudgement may very aptly bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet doeth not onely praye against the vngodly but reckoneth vp their particular sinnes and doeth sufficiently comfort all their vayne imaginations and this part reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 11. In the second part he doth especially shew in what a good and blessed case they are whose God is the Lorde interlasing notwithstanding the attempts of the wicked all which the Lorde will for his peoples sake frustrate bring to nought and this reacheth from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme is without title as the Psalme next going before is Se. and also sundry other Psalmes following and namely 95.96.97.99 Ver. 1. O Lorde GOD the auenger O God the auenger i. O God to whome alone it belongeth to punish the wicked Roman 12.19 shewe thy selfe clearly i. openly manifest thy power and might by punishing the wicked and defending the good Sée Deutron 33.2 q.d. punish the vngodly openly and in the sight of all men Verse 2. Exalt thy selfe i. doe not onely shewe thy selfe vnto the vngodly but declare thy selfe to bee great and high q.d. lift vppe thy selfe not onely aboue them but oppose and set thy selfe in thy power and might against them O Iudge of the worlde i. O thou to whome the iudgement of al men and matter appertaine Sée Genesis 18.25 Psalme 82.7 Render a rewarde to the proude vz. for their pryde against thée and men q.d. paye them home and punish them for that they haue proudlye set themselues against thee and thy people Verse 3. Lorde howe long shall the wicked this hée speaketh not as though hée would prescribe GOD a time but as praying that the rage and power of the wicked might not continue long howe long shall the wicked hée repeateth the same wordes not onely to set out the great cruelty and pride of the vngodly but to expresse also his earnestnesse in prayer triumph vz. in their pride and mirth against thée and thy people and by this manner of speach hée meaneth a certaine kinde of gladnesse full of outrage and boasting as though all thinges were lawfull for wicked men to doe Verse 4. They prate vz. with an open and full mouth not béeing ashamed of their speaches and speake vz. rashly and that without any feare of thy maiesty or modesty towardes men fearcely i. not onely rough and harde things but proudly and presumptuously Sée 1. Samuel 2.3 all the workers of iniquitie i. all they that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne with gréedinesse vaunt them selues vz. in themselues and their transgressions making that a great part as it were of their glorye Verse 5. They smite downe vz by their force and might and that vnto the grounde meaning by this speach all manner of affliction that the wicked laye vpon them thy people i. that people whome thou hast chosen for thine owne and trouble vz. very much with sundry sortes of crosses and afflictions thine heritage i. that people whome thou hast chosen to bée a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe Sée Psalm 28.9 Verse 6. They slay vz. through extortion rauening and violence the widowe and the straunger i. all manner of persons that euen in curtesie should bee fauoured and murther vz. cruellye and without any remourse of conscience or tendernes of heart the fatherles i. them that bee destitute of helpe and comfort Sée Hosea 14.3 q.d. they in their cruelty and rage spare none Ver. 7. Yet q.d. for all this wickednesse that they commit they say vz. not so much in their woordes as in their perswasion and by their factes Sée Psalm 14.1 Hée meaneth that without any checke or controlement of their owne heartes or woordes they gaue themselues ouer to commit euil casting behind them the feare of God and perswading themselues that hee regarded not thinges done vpon the earth the Lord shal not sée vz. the iniquity and sinne that we commit against him q.d. wee haue meanes to bleare his eyes and to stop vp
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
outragiously following sinne and vngodlinesse for they haue not known i. neither allowed loued nor walked in my wayes i. eyther my doctrine and law or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes Verse 11. Wherefore vz. by this their continuall rebellion being moued I sware vz. vnto them q.d. I tied my selfe by the vertue of an oth in my wrath vz. agaynst them he meaneth by this spéech being angry with them saying vz. in such sort that they might both heare it and know it surely they i. this wicked and rebellious people shall not enter vz. at all into my rest i. into the land of Canaan where they should rest after their long trauayles and he calleth it Gods rest both because God promised it and also after forty yeares by the ministery of Iehoshua performed it vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people sée Heb. 4. ver 8.9 Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues Do. but also to prouoke others thereto Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him publikely chearefully and with an vnfeyned hart Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth no not all of them together are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue Ver. 4.5 teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen earth the water c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things first that in respect of God and of our selues we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same Verse 8. teacheth vs to cast away and to purge from vs al hard hartednesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse and Gods iustice vpon them for the same that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises not demaunding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth Verse 10. teacheth vs that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them Also that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente if it woulde bée Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome Psalme 96. TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation directed to the people Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his goodnesse yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde verse 1.2.3 In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it verse 4.5.6 In the third he doth agayne because men are dull prouoke them to that duety of praysing God ver 7 8 9 10. In the fourth he desireth or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem differing little or nothing sauing in the chaunging of certain words from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse Verse 1. Sing vz. with harte and voyce vnto the Lord vz. our good gracious God a new song i. not only new in respect of making but an exquisite one and more then a common song by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God but one that is more then accustomed yea extraordinary sée Psalme 33 3. sing vnto the Lord vnderstād it as before in the beginning of this verse all the earth i. all the people inhabiting the earth meaning specially the people of the Iewes vnderstanding also by earth the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord expound this as it was expounded before ver 1. of this Psal and praise his name i. set forth his maiesty power c. as Psalme 20 1. with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing declare vz. in your songs with your words his saluation i. the gracious deliuerance wch he performeth for his people frō day to day i. continually without ceasing as the day neuer ceaseth True it is that god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new continuall benefits but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that but to shew rather the faythful what their duty is in publishing these graces Ver. 3. Declare vz. by your words déeds his glory i. the things which he hath don for you getting ther by glory vnto himselfe among al nations vz. of the earth meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils and his wonders vz. whiche he hath done for you and on your behalfe among all people vz. of the whole world q.d. sound sende them abroad that other may heare the same and feare Ver. 4. For the Lord is great vz. in strength might and power and muche to bée praysed vz. of all men but specially of his own children and seruaunts for the graces he bestoweth vpon them he is to be feared vz. with a reuerent and holye feare aboue al Gods i. more then al the idols of the Gentils for of them he speaketh in this place as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods but yet are not so in déed as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5 and Psal 115.4.5 c. are idols i. vanities and matters of nothing as appeareth 1. Corinth 8 4. whereof also in this place and Leuit. 19.4 they haue their names as the etymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth but the Lorde vz. our God which we serue made vz. in the beginning and that of nothing the heauens i. al things whatsoeuer heauen earth c. putting one part of the creatiō for the whole Ver. 6. strength vz. to strike his enemies to defend his own people and glory vz. for those whom he loueth liketh are before him i. are continually in his sight and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him power beauty vz. most excellent and glorious are in his sanctuary i. in the place of his abode worship the Prophet meaneth as I take it that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Tabernacle Verse 7. Giue vnto
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
withholding thy goodnesse from them as verse 29 of this Psalme but also by propagation of séede and ofspring they are as it were anew thorow the strength of thy commaundement and blessing Gen. 1. in sundry places created and thou renuest the face of the earth i. though thou séeme to man by reason of the death which falleth vpon creatures to be a wonderful decay of earthly creatures yet by raising vp the like in their roomes vpon the vpper part of the earth thou giuest as it were a new face and countenaunce agayne vnto the same Verse 31. Glory be to the Lord for euer after the particular description of Gods power and prouidence in his creatures he bursteth forth to Gods prayse for the same and wisheth as it were that both he and all men would yéeld continuall thankes and prayse vnto him therefore let the Lord reioyce i. take singular delight and pleasure in his workes i. in the workes and creatures whiche hée hath made The Prophet addeth vnto his former praysing of God for his power and goodnesse a praier to the Lord for the continuance of the same towards his creatures I know others expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is a simple sence Verse 32. He vz. God looketh vz. with his angry countenāce as it were on the earth i. on the world it selfe and all things therein contayned and it trembleth vz. for feare and reuerence of his maiestie hee toucheth the mountaynes and they smoke q.d. the Lorde néedeth not to doe much to testifie his wrath for euen the very Mountaynes by touching them shall burne and consume All this is nothing else but a consideration of the greate power and Maiestie of God of which sée more Psalme 18 7 8 9. c. Verse 33. I will sing vnto the Lord i. I will prayse him pray vnto him and serue him for hée putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole q.d. Euen the greatnesse of his power and maiestie shall be one meane to draw me on to the seruice and obedience of him and that not for a small time onely but all my life long I will prayse my God while I liue this is the same with that which went before the doubling of it noteth the resolute purpose whiche the Prophet had to performe this his vow Verse 34. Let my wordes be acceptable vnto him hee promised before prayse and thanksgiuing and now he desireth that that seruice maye be pleasaunt in his sight I vnderstand by wordes not only the words of his prayers though them chéefely indéede but all his other spéeches whatsoeuer sée Psalme 19 14. I will reioyce in the Lorde q.d. I will remooue all my thoughts from the pleasures and profits of this life to the ende I may staye my selfe vpon a spirituall ioy and contentment in God only Verse 35. Lette the sinners i. the notorious wicked men sée Psalme 1. ver 1.5 be consumed vz. vtterly lest they should infect others stay from the the godly abundance of graces blessings out of the earth vz. wherein they dwell and thus he prayeth agaynst the vngodly whom the Lord had sealed vp agaynst the day of his wrath and the wicked vz. men of the worlde meaning by wicked men them that foster and foode themselues in wickednesse till there bee no more vz. of them left vpon the earth he desireth an vtter taking awaye of the vngodlye both of their persons and memories O my soule prayse thou the Lorde sée verse 1. of this Psalme where you haue the same wordes In these wordes hée prouoketh himselfe to prayse the Lorde as in these wordes following prayse yée the Lorde he prouoketh the rest of the godlye and faythfull to doe the like And thus muche for the sence of this Psalme the doctrines follow in order Verse 1 teacheth vs to stir vp our selues to the prayses of God De. it teacheth vs also that Gods power and glorye doth after a sort craue the same at our handes Verse 2 sheweth that euen in Gods creatures we haue euident glasses wherein to beholde his Maiesty power c. the selfe same thing doth ver 3 and and many other verses in this Psalme teach Verse 3 teacheth that God by his power ruleth the waters the cloudes the windes c. the same doctrine doeth verse 4 deliuer Verse 5 teacheth that whatsoeuer firmity the earth hath it hath it from the Lord and not of it self Verse 6 7 teach that neither the waters nor any other creature can go further then the Lord appoynteth them and that his onely word without any déede as it were is sufficient to staye the rage of them all Verse 8 and 9. teach the selfe same doctrine sée Prouerbes 8.29 Verse 10.11 teach that all blessings whatsoeuer yea and the abundaunce of them come from the Lorde only Verse 12 teacheth that God hath made his creatures not only profitable for man but one of them ioyfull and delightful to another Verse 13 teacheth that God can by moysture as a meane make barren places plentifull also that there is no place of the world wherein there is not to be séene abundaunce of his blessinges though in some places more then in other some as must be confessed Verse 14 teacheth what care God hath ouer his creatures in giuing them all thinges necessarye for the mayntainaunce of life Verse 15 setteth out Gods large liberalitie who giueth vs all thinges of pleasure as well as of profite contrary to the assertion of Anabaptistes who would haue vs vse nothing for necessitie only Verse 16 teacheth that which god doth farre excelleth all done by arte or witte of man Verse 17 18. shewe that God hath made all creatures one of them to be delightfull and profitable to an other sée before verse 12. Verse 19 doth not onely expresse Gods power and prouidence in the Sunne and Moone but their obedience also to that course sette them which shoulde teache vs to walke with care and conscience before him Verse 20.21.22.23 set forth Gods great care for man and beast who hath distributed to eyther of them times for their labour and times for their rest whiche also teacheth vs to beware that we turne not the day into night nor the nighte into daye withoute some verye speciall and vrgent occasion Verse 24 teacheth vs that the variety and plentye of GOD his creatures shoulde not onlye draw vs into a maruayling at them and their Creator but also into a praysing of him for the same Verse 25 teacheth vs that euen the Sea as well as the Lande doth lyuely expresse the greatnesse of GOD his power and goodnesse The same in particularitye doth verse 26. whiche verse 25 did generallye Verse 27 doth not onely set out the largenesse of Gods prouidence which stretcheth it selfe to all creatures but also it teacheth vs with patience to attende for euerye thing necessarye from the Lordes hande in due season Verse 28 teacheth that Gods frée and only liberalitye is the very
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
thus he sent leauenes into the soule i. he punisheth and that with pining away their whole man vnderstanding by a part the whole whatsoeuer it is the Prophet meaneth that God in such sort yéelded vnto the desire of this people that yet notwithstanding in the middest of his benefits he plagued and punished them for their sinne and transgression Ver. 16. They i. the people of Israel but specially Corah Dathan and Abiram Sée Num. 16.1.2 c. enuied Moses in the tents I suppose that the Prophet meaneth that these rebels did secretly murmure at Moses in their tents and that afterwards their rebellion and sins burst forth as at the noone tyde and Aaron the holy one of the Lord i. him whome the Lord had sanctified and separated to serue him in the ministery and Priesthood declaring also in déed that hée was holy Sée Numb 16.5.7 Ver. 17. Therefore i. for this their great sinne the earth opened vz. her mouth as it were and that by Gods appoyntment and swallowed vp Dathan vz. aliue and couered the company of Abiram i. he and all those that tooke part with him See Numb 16.31.32.33 Deut. 11.6 Ver. 18. And the fire vz. sent out from the presence of the Lord was kindled in their assembly i. began with Corahs cōpany the flame vz. of that fire sent from God burnt vp the wicked i. consumed them vtterly hée sheweth how they that tooke part with Korah were punished otherwise then Dathan and Abiram and their companies sée Numb 16.35 Ver. 19. They vz. the Israelites made a calfe i. caused a calfe to be made which they might worship in stéed of God in Horeb he noteth the place for the certaintie of the history and worshipped vz. with outward reuerence of the body and speach of the mouth the molten image of a calfe which they had caused Aaron to make in the absence of Moses sée Exod. 32. throughout Ver. 20. Thus i. by this means they turned vz. foolishly and wickedly their glory i. God himselfe who so long as they serued him onely was glorious vnto them but when they worshipped others besides him they were naked and laye open to their enemies Sée Exodus 32.25 The Prophet meaneth that they forsooke the true God who was their only glory and honour in déed into the similitude of a bullocke that eateth grasse hee noteth the grosenes of their idolatry not onely for that they worship somewhat besides the true God but for that also it was not a liuely and quicke thing sée Rom. 1.23 Verse 21. They forgate vz. quickly as before ver 13. of this Psalme God their sauiour i. he that had saued deliuered them from manifold dangers so you shal haue the word sauiour vsed 1. Tim. 4.10 which had done great things in Egipt vz. for them and their sake a short summe wherof you may sée psal 105.28.29 c. Ver. 22. Wonderous works in the land of Ham i. in Egipt as before psal 78.51 Psal 105.23.27 and feareful thinges vz. both to them and their enemies but specially to their enemies by the red Sea i. when they were at the sea passed through it I suppose that both in it and on this side of it and on the further side the Lord shewed terrible things for his peoples sake some particulars sée Exod. 14.21.24.25 Exod. 16. ver 1. c. Ver. 23. Therefore i. for these their great and horrible sinnes he mynded or as it is in the Hebrew text he said al commeth to one sense for Gods purpose is his word and his word is his purpose to vs ward alwayes prouided that we accuse not God either of inconstancy as though he had sodainly altered or changed his mind or of insufficiency as though he could not do that he woulde or of hypocrisie as though hee spake one thing ment another to destroy them vz. vtterly to haue left none but Moses as should appeare Exod. 32.10.31 c. had not Moses his chosen i. had not Moses whom hee had chosen to bée his ruler and leader of that people Sée Psalm 105.26 stood in the breach before him this is a metaphor taken from warrefare or battry meaning that Moses did so oppose himself against wrath by earnest and hearty prayer made on their behalfe that the Lorde woulde not destroy them euen as after a rupture or breache is made in the wall of a Citie or Towne those that are within runne immediatly to put backe them that woulde giue the assault Sée verse 30. of this Psalme concerning Phinehas also Ezech. 13.5 to turne away his wrath vz. ready to bée powred foorth vppon that people for their sinnes lest hee shoulde destroy them vz. vtterlye in that his great iudgement Verse 24. Also q.d. besides other signes they contemned i. not onely had not in right regarde but reuiled and spake euill of that pleasaunt lande vz. of Canaan which GOD had giuen and appoynted vnto them to the ende that therein they might bée nourished as in his fatherly lappe and haue as it were a gage of the heauenly inheritaunce and hee calleth it a pleasaunt or desirable lande because it abounded with all fruitfulnesse Sée Deutronomie 8.7 also Deutronomie 11.10 in which respect also it is called in scripture a lande that floweth with milke and hony and beléeued not his woorde i. the promises that hee had made them both for the goodnesse and possession of that land Sée for this history Numbers Chapters 13. and 14. throughout Ver. 25. But murmured vz. against GOD and his Seruauntes Moses Ioshua Caleb c. i. secretly and closely as before verse 16. of this Psalme yet so that this brake forth into an opē sinne as appeareth in the chapters before alleaged and hearkened not vz. to doe and perfourme for otherwise they coulde not chuse but heare that which the Lorde spake vnto them in that respect vnto the voyce of the Lord i. vnto Gods commaundement which is expressed Deut. 1.21 Ver. 26. Therefore vz. because they would not yéelde obedience vnto this his commandement he lifted vp his hand against them to lift vp the hande in the scripture is taken for swearing because it was a signe ceremony and gesture vsed in swearing Sée Gene. 14.22 Numb 14.30 Nehe. 9.15 and neuer vsed in the scripture so farreforth as I remember for to punish besides that the punishment followeth in this verse presently and therefore I take the latter part of the note in the Geneua Bible to be superfluous it is then q.d. he certainely sware against them to destroy them in the wildernes i. that woulde ouerthrowe them there and that they shoulde not enter into the lande the execution of this Sée Deut. 2.13.14 c. Verse 27. And to destroy their séed i. their posterity this is an other part or parcell as it were of Gods othe among the nations i. in the middest of them and by their force and might the threatning of this Sée Numb 14.33 Ezech. 20.23 and the perfourmance therof
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
Verse 8. Gilead i. the whole lande countrie of Gilead with the people inhabiting the same shall be mine i. subiect to my power and authority and Manasseh i. the whole tribe of Manasseh shal be mine i. subiect to me though now for a while they follow the house of Saul Ephraim also i. the tribe of Ephraim shall be the strength of mine head i. shall be a principall proppe and staye of my kingdome and this the Prophet speaketh not only for any affiaunce he had in that tribe but also and chéefly because that tribe was mighty much people and when he sayth the strength of his head he vseth a Metaphor taken from beasts with hornes who vse also to defend thēselues therwith q.d. Ephraim shal be one of my principall meanes of defence Iudah i. the tribe of Iudah or the place where that Tribe dwelt is my lawgiuer i. is the place or people frō whence or from whom my lawes and ordinaunces procéed Verse 9. Moab i. the whole land people inhabiting it q.d. not only the Israelites but euen the Gentiles shal be added to my kingdome shal be my washpot vz. wherein I wil wash my féet meaning hereby that he would handle them more hardly make les account of them then of the Israelites because they were vncircūcised q.d. I wil make no more account of them then of an earthen pot vnder my féete and yet if I will reserue any of them I wil vse them in base seruices sée 2. Sam. 8.2 ouer Edom i. ouer the Edomites and their lande I will cast my shoe i. I will ouercom them when they are cast down tread vpon thē as it were meaning nothing else but that he would bring thē euen easily into his subiection obediēce vpō Palestina i the country it self the people inhabiting it who were called Philistines wil I triumph vz. boldly chearfully q.d. whereas they were wont ieastingly and scoffingly to triumph ouer vs as appeareth Iudges 16 25. 1. Samuel 4.7.8.9 Nowe wee will doe the like vnto them as though he should say now let them brag that they haue vanquished vs heretofore if they can or dare Verse 10. Who vz. besides God q.d. there is none able but he alone as may appeare by the next verse following wil lead me vz. the righte and ready way into the strong Citie vz. of mine enemies he putteth one citie for many and he calleth thē strong because they that possessed thē thoughte them so to be and not that they were able any maner of way to resist Gods power in him who will bring me to Edom vz. to vanquish and subdue it and the people there inhabiting Ver. 11. Wilt not thou O God q.d. I am sure thou wilt for so significant is the interrogatiō in this place which haddest vz. heretofore forsaken vs vz. vtterly leauing vs in the hands of our aduersaries and diddest not go forth vz. as thou wast wont to doe in fauour loue with our armies i. with those armies which we sent out agaynst our enemies q.d. Though heretofore we haue receaued a repulse yet now we perswade our selues that thou wilt giue vs victory ver 12 Giue vs vz. thorow thy mercy and goodnesse only for we craue it as a gift helpe i. aid strēgth grace c. against trouble i. against al trouble that we shall indure eyther outward or inwarde for vayne is the helpe of man i. the ayd that man can giue or bring is to little or no purpose Ver. 13. Thorow God i. thorow the ayd and strength we haue of him and in that assurance that we haue of his succour and assistance we shal doe valiauntly vz. against his and our enemies howsoeuer men be not able to ayd vs for he vz. alone without the helpe of any other shall tread down vz. vnder our féete meaning by that spéeche vanquishing and subduing of them our enemies i. all that shall rise vp agaynst vs either at home or abroad Do. Ver. 1. teacheth to come to Gods seruice with purpose and preparation also to serue him with our inward and outward man both Verse 2 doth teach vs two things first to vse all the meanes that may prouoke to the seruice and worship of God secondly to forgoe some parte of our pleasures and profits to performe it Verse 3 teacheth vs to prayse God so that other men may knowe it and by our example be stirred vp to do the like Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods mercy and truth and the greatnesse and assurednesse thereof are two singular comforts to the consciences of his children Verse 5 teacheth vs in all our praiers to set before vs Gods glory as the speciall marke to aime at Ver. 6 teacheth vs also in our prayers to remember the safety and deliueraunce of our brethren Verse 7 teacheth vs that Gods worde and promise is ground sufficient ynough for the stay of his childrens perswasion Verse 8 teacheth vs that if the Lord haue promised vs a thing we should make as certayne account of it as though we had it in possession Verse 9 teacheth vs that no enemies whatsoeuer shal be able to resist Gods purpose in his seruants but that he wil both with ease and in assurance cast them down Ver. 10 teacheth that the ouerthrow of cities and peoples is from God only though he vse sundrye meanes for the performance therof Verse 11 teacheth that though God séeme to destitute his children for a while yet he will not forsake them for euer Ver. 12 sheweth that all mans ayde helpe counsell and countenaunce is as much without God as nothing Ver. 13 teacheth that all the strength power and victory that God his seruaunts haue is from the Lord only Psalme 109 THis Psalme as I take it Di. doth principallye propounde two things first the Prophet prayeth for himselfe alleaging his own misery and the mischiefe of his aduersaries as a mean to moue the Lord to mercy promising also praise thanksgiuing if the Lord will performe it verse 1 2 3 4 5 21 22 and so forth to the end of the Psalme In the second he praieth agaynst his aduersaries who were voyd as of all godlinesse in respect of the Lord so of all curtesie in respect of men and this reacheth from verse 6 vnto the end of the 20 verse The title of this Psalme is all one with Psal 13. and Psal 14. in their titles Se. and many others Likely it is that Dauid made this Psalm at some one time or other while Saule was king in whose dayes all the thinges were oute of order and if we compare the second verse of this Psalme with 1. Samuel 26.19 it shall appeare it was not made long before Saules death Verse 1. Hold not thy tongue vz. at these things which the vngodly practise agaynst me leste thou shouldest be thought eyther not to sée or else not to regarde the iniuries that they lay vpon me when they falsly accuse me before Saule the
vngodlinesse and let not the sinne of his mother be done away vz. out of the Lords sight but let it stand fast there as to craue continual punishmēt vpon her children resting in the like Ver. 15. But let thē i. their sins transgressiōs alway be before the Lord i. let the Lord continually remēber thē for we do not forget these things that are alwayes in our sight that he may cut of vz. in his iustice iudgemēt their memorial i. both they thēselues al other things that might bring them to remēbrance frō the earth i. not only from the place wher they dwel wch cannot properly be said to haue any remēbrance of thē but chéefly specially frō the people inhabiting those places or that part of the world Ver. 16. Because now he beginneth to shew some causes of his praier of gods iudgemēt he i. the wicked mā remembred not i. did of purpose forget put out the remēbrance of it in himself to shew mercy i. to haue pity cōpassion vpō others distressed but persecuted vz. with great rage egernes the afflicted poore mā i. him whom the Lord had cast downe brought to the state of néed the sorrowful harted i. him that was wounded and pearced with sorow at his hart for the calamities miseries that he was in to slay him vz. in his heat rage of persecutiō Ver. 17. As he loued cursing vz. of other mē vnderstāding by cursing al maner of wickednes that the vngodly was giuen to so shal it come vnto him vz. frō the Lord the Prophet meaneth that the vngodly multiplying sins against the lord shal frō the Lord receiue abūdance of plagues wch are so many curses sent frō the Lord as he loued not blessing i. good holy dealing generally for so you haue the word blesse vsed Mat. 5.44 so shall it i. blessing from the Lord and goodnes frō the God of Iaakob be far from him vz. so farre that it shall neuer come nigh him nor he in any hope to haue any part or portion thereof Verse 18. As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a rayment i. euen as he loued cursing as many men doe their costlye apparell as he was couered both within and without as it were and wrapped vp and trussed in cursing so shall it i. cursing come vz. being sent from God in his iustice into his bowels i. into his inwarde parts vnderstanding thereby euen the soule and minde also like water i. great abundaunce and like oyle into his bones i. it shall come plentifully vpon him By water he vnderstandeth their vsuall drinke and by Oyle their oyntmentes q.d. as men when they are thirstie drinke muche and when they are full of paines and aches vse much oyntment so let fulnes and abundance of cursing fall vpon the vngodly This is well knowne that water was an vsuall drink in those dayes and amongst that people sée Gen. 21.19 Ver. 19. Let it i. the cursing whiche hée hath vttered and vsed agaynste good men be vnto him i. vnto the wicked and vngodly as a garment to couer him i. let it stick and cleaue as fast vnto him as mens garments doe to their bodies and for a girdle wherewith he shall be alwayes girded hee meaneth by this lette it neuer departe from him but lette it daylye sticke closer and closer vnto him as mens garmentes doe when their gyrdles are aboute them This Verse differeth but a little from the former sauing that it séemeth to bee a prophecie and this a prayer this also further noting the continuance of cursing vppon the wicked Ver. 20. Let this i. al the punishments before reckoned be the reward of mine aduersaries vz. for their iniquities agaynst the Lord and me from the Lorde i. layd and sent vpon them from him by his mighty power and iustice and of them i. let such punishmēts also light vpon them that speake euill hee meaneth vnder this word deuising vttering and performing of crueltye agaynst my soule i. against my life for otherwise wicked men can not touch the soule as appeareth Matth. 10.28 All these imprecations Dauid maketh in a spiritual wisedome and by the motion of the holy Ghost Vnder the name of his aduersaries a man may vnderstand Christs aduersaries for whom al cursing is prepared and against whom the Church may vse suche like prayers because they are Gods obstinate and rebellious enemies Verse 21. But thou O Lorde my God vz. in whom I put my trust only deale vz. according to thy accustomed goodnesse with me vz. so sore distressed according vnto thy name i. according to that power maiestie goodnesse c. as Psalme 20.1 which thou arte wont to shew and thy seruaunts haue felt deliuer me vz. out of all my daungers and feares for thy mercy vz. towards thy children is good i. comfortable profitable and excéeding great And this is the firste reason that Dauid would moue the Lord by to pittie him in his calamities and an other reason followeth in the next verse Verse 22. Because I am poore and néedie q.d. I am most miserable and voyd of all hope this is a second reason taken from his calamities sée Psal 86.1 and mine hart is wounded within me vz. by the reason of the gréefes that I indure He meaneth by his hart wounded that he was almost dead because they that be wounded at the hart can hardly escape so that that metaphor expresseth the great daunger he was in Ver. 23. I depart vz. from amōgst men or out of this life like the shadow that declineth vz. very swiftly and sodainly for so soone as a cloud taketh away the sunne the shadow is presently gone it may be referred also to these long shadowes that appeare cōmonly before the sun set which séemeth to be very great and huge and yet when the sunne is down they sodainly vanish away and appeare no more and I am shakē off vz. from place to place he meaneth by this spéech that he was wonderfully tossed from post to piller as the grashopper wch leapeth hither thither continueth not long in a place how true that was in Dauid sée 1. Sam. frō chap. 18. til ye come almost to the end of the booke namely chap. 23.26 Ver. 24. My knées are weake through fasting he meaneth by fasting not an abstinence willingly layd vpon himself by himselfe but a long abstinence by reason of weakenesse of stomack q.d. I haue so lōg abstained frō meat nourishment that euen my knées and legs which should bear me are not able to beare vp my body my flesh hath lost all fatnes i. I am very lean low brought he meaneth some great gréefe extremity by means wherof natural force comlines was decaied in him Ver. 25. I vz. thus in misery became also a rebuke vnto thē i. to the wicked vngodly he meaneth that the wicked did tauntingly scornfully rebuke him they that looked vpō me vz. in
my misery shaked their heads vz. at me that in sign of mockery contēpt sée 2. King 19.21 this verified in Christ as appeareth Mat. 27.39 Ver. 26. Help me vz. in these distresses O Lord my God q.d. vnles thou help I shal be ouerthrown saue me i. deliuer me frō the power of the wicked according to thy mercy vz. promised to thy seruants performed to many of them Ver. 27. And they i. euen the very wicked vngodly shal know i. féele confesse that this vz. my deliuerance and help is thine hand i. is done and wrought by thy mighty power that thou Lord vz. alone none other with thée hast done it vz. for my good and safety Ver. 28. Though they i. the wicked curse i. speake and doe all manner of euil against me yet thou wilt blesse vz. me meaning by blessing a plentiful giuing of al graces this the Prophet speaketh in the assured perswasion of Gods mercy in contēpt of his aduersaries enterprises q.d. let thē curse as much as they wil or can yet this is my cōfort that thou wilt blesse me with thy fauour they shal arise vz. vp and that to do mischéef against me and be cōfounded vz. by thy mighty power in their wicked enterprises but thy seruants shal reioice vz. in thy goodnesse towards him the destruction of his and thine enemies marke that in these 3. verses 26 27 28. He prayeth for his own safety deliuerance as in the next for his enemies ouerthrow Ver. 29. Let mine aduersaries be clothed with shame i. let them be vtterly confoūded ashamed or couered with shame as men are with their clothes let thē couer thēselues with their cōfusion as with a cloke he meaneth that they should be compassed in on euery side with shame confusion wishing also that the best couerture that they might haue for themselues in the daye of distresse might be but only shame confusion of face This doubling of the sentence serueth not only to note the Prophets earnestnesse but also to set out the abundance continuance of shame to be poured forth vppon the wicked Ver 30. I vz. being thus deliuered from the vngodlies power will giue thanks vnto the Lord greatly i. will oftē and as it were continually prayse his name for it with my mouth i. openly and before others q.d. I wil not do it inwardly only in my hart but openly with my mouth and tongue putting the word mouth wherby voices are vttered for the very words of praise thanksgiuing and praise him vz. for his great power goodnes mercy towards me amōg the multitude vz. of his people assembled also for to praise him Ver. 31. For he i. the Lord wil stand vz. continually at the right hand of the poore i. hard by him that is afflicted meaning by standing at the right hand the continuall power prouidēce goodnes of God watching ouer those that are his to saue him i. to deliuer him and set him frée though he speake but of one yet hee meaneth al the faithful for that which God is to one of his he is to all of them from them that would condemn his soule i. from thē that would condemn him to death By soule he vnderstandeth the whole man and by the word condemn he sheweth that he had to do with the King and other mighty enimies Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestly to cōmend our selues our causes into gods hāds by prayer Do. Ver. 2 setteth out the deceit hipocrisie lying of the vngodly Verse 3 sheweth how the wicked spare not to speake do euil also though they haue no cause giuen them Ver. 4 sheweth that the wicked many times recompence good with euil it teacheth the faithful also in the midst of alcōfusion to betake themselues to praier Ver. 5 sheweth that it is a portion alotted to Gods childrē in this life to be many times molested of them of whom they haue best deserued the Lord working this because he would thereby bring them out of loue with this life teach thē not to hang to much vpō men Ver. 6 7. c. teach first that we may pray against the malicious obstinate enemies of Gods people Ver. 6 teacheth further that it is a sign god is very angry whē he causeth one wicked man to punish another Ver. 7 sheweth that god wil somtimes make the very intreaty of the wicked serue to his own hurt Ver. 8.9.10 teach that it is many times a token of Gods wrath to be cut off in the middest of our dayes to haue our offices giuen to other to leaue behind vs poore fatherles children widdows I say many times because it is not always so Ver. 11 doth liuely describe the nature of the hard harted extortioner cruel stranger Ver. 12 teacheth that it should be no smal gréefe vnto vs if mens bowels compassion be shut vp against vs. Ver. 13 sheweth that God in his iudgmenes doth many times root out men their rases Ver. 14 teacheth that god punisheth the sinnes of vngodly fathers in their wicked children walking in the same ways Ver. 15 teacheth that it should déepely wound vs to know that God beholdeth al our sins Ver. 16 teacheth that God in his iustice doth punish men with those sins that they haue cōmitted against other Ver. 17 teacheth vs that they wch delighte continue in euil shal frō the Lord haue abundance of euil poured vpon them The same thing doth verse 18 19 teach Ver. 20. teacheth that al punishmēts poured vpon the wicked procéed frō the Lord. Ver. 21 teacheth that whē men sée or know that God wil deale in punishment against the wicked it then behoueth that godly to flie to his mercy by praier Ver. 22 teacheth vs that euē our own miseries shold moue vs to make harty supplicatiō vnto the Lord. Ver. 23 24 shew into what pittiful estate Gods children are many times brought Ver. 25 teacheth that it is no new thing for the wicked to scoffe skorn at the godly Ver. 26 teacheth vs in al our praiers to flie to Gods mercy Ver. 27 teacheth that the very wicked shal be constrained to confes gods hand in their punishment the deliueraunce of his children so did Pharaoh the Egiptians Ver. 28 teacheth that mans cursing cannot hurt where God hath promised his blessing Ver. 29 teacheth vs that we may pray against the wicked in that the Prophet doubleth his praier he teacheth vs that we should do so specially then when Satan bewraieth his subtilties and crafts Ver. 30 teacheth vs both secretly and openly to giue thanks to the Lord for his mercies Ver. 31 teacheth that God is nigh to his children euen to deliuer them in their greatest distresses and feares Psalme 110. THis Psalme being principally a prophecie of the kingdom priesthood of Christ consisteth especially of two parts Di. In the first are described the offices
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
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
the same alway i. all the dayes of my life q.d. I fainte weare awaye and consume with a holy desire that I haue to knowe and obserue thy lawe Verse 21. Thou vz. O Lord hast destroyed vz. iustlye by thy great mighte and power the proude i. the wicked vnbeléeuing and obstinate people for vnbeléefe is the mother of pride as faith is the mother of humilitie cursed are they i. all they of what estate or condition soeuer they are that doe erre vz. in their life and conuersation and this worde of erring doeth not signifye euery offence indifferentlye but an vnbrydeled licence whiche procéedeth from the contempt of GOD sée verse 10 of this Psalme and the word wander from thy commaundements vz. which thou hast prescribed as footesteppes and paths for me to tread in Verse 22. Remoue vz. very farre and that of thy goodnesse and mercy from me vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunte shame and contempt which the wicked and vngodlye haue purposed to bring vpon me for i. because I haue kepte thy testimonies vz. in my life and conuersation q.d. suffer not the wicked to diffame and mocke mée for this that I studye to obserue thy Lawe meaning that in that respecte and for that cause only the wicked did contemne mocke and despyse him Verse 23. Princes also i. great and mightye men as Magistrates and Iudges q.d. I was scorned and contemned not onlye of the common sorte of people but of great personages did sit vz. in the place and on the seat of iudgement and did speake vz. there and that openly where they should haue vttered nothing but iustice and truth this hee alleageth as a circumstaunce to aggrauate the sinne of those Rulers agaynst me vz. in my iust cause and that with mockes and tauntes but thy seruaunt i. I thy seruaunt speaking of himselfe by chaunging the person in the thyrde person did meditate vz. notwithstanding all that they spake or sayde agaynst mée in thy statutes i. in thy lawe and worde q.d. I did couragiously neglecte the shame and contempt which they did purposely lay vppon mée And this no doubte did muche wounde him that he was mocked not onlye of the popular sorte but of the mightiest amongste them yea euen of them that sate in the iudgement seate Verse 24. Also q.d. I did not only meditate in them but I tooke also singular delight and pleasure in them thy testimonies are my delighte i. I take my only pleasure and pastime in them and my Counsellors i. they by whose counsell I gouerne my selfe Dauid speaketh here after the manner of men and namely Princes who will doe nothing without the aduise of them that are of their counsell whereby he declareth that we must not stay our selues vppon our owne vnderstanding and wit but vppon the worde of God onely Verse 17 teacheth vs that our life is giuen vs Do. and shoulde be spent in the obedience of Gods truth Verse 18 teacheth vs that in respect of apprehending Gods misteries we are of our selues blinder then béetels till GOD open the eyes of our vnderstanding Verse 19 setteth out the wretchednesse misery and ignoraunce that is in vs not only before but after regeneration Verse 20. teacheth vs to haue a holy hunger and thirste not onlye after the knoweledge but also after the practise of God his lawe Verse 21 teacheth vs that GOD cannot awaye with proude men also that disobedience to Gods lawe pulleth his curse vppon vs. Verse 22 teacheth vs to praye to bée deliuered as GOD will from shame and contempt amongst men Verse 23 teacheth vs first that it is no new thing to haue mightye men to bée enemyes to Gods children secondlye that the more they shall trouble vs by persecution reuyling or otherwise the more we should giue our selues to meditation of God his word and the exercises therein prescribed Ver. 24 teacheth vs also two thinges firste that we should take singuler delight and pleasure in GOD his word otherwise there is little hope of profiting thereby secondlye that wée should haue it in this reuerence neuer to doe any thing but to aske aduise of the word whether we may do it yea or no. Daleth Di. THis is the fourth letter and serueth to distincte the fourth parte of the Psalme which generally comprehendeth an earnest praier of the Prophet desiring God somtime to instruct him in his wayes Verse 26 27 29 somtimes he prayeth to be deliuered from gréefes and troubles wherein he was verse 25 28 31 sometimes he setteth out the purpose that he had within him of obedience to the law verse 27 30 31 32. Se. Verse 25. My soule i. my life yea I my selfe in respecte of the outward and inward man cleaueth to the dust i. is not only nigh to deaths doore as it were but is full fraught with calamities and miseries so that I am cast downe and lie prostrate vnder them quicken mée vz. thus distressed q. d. Restore me to a better state and condition of life according to thy woorde vz. whiche thou hast giuen vnto me Hée putteth the worde which is the whole for the promises which are a part thereof Verse 26. I haue declared vz. from the bottome of my hart and that vnto thée alone my wayes i. not onely my matters affayres and thoughts but all my miseries yea very harte and order of lyfe committing them as it were into thy handes and thou heardest mée vz. thus praying and declaring my gréefes vnto thée vnderstanding by hearing graunting of his requestes teache mée thy statutes i. instructe mée in thy law and learne mée to leade my life according thereto q.d. I haue heretofore declared all my thoughtes vnto thée without hypocrisie or deceate I haue also committed all my actions and affections to thy care and referred all my enterpryses to thy good will hanging wholye vppon thy prouidence and thou hast heretofore hearde mée and taughte mée doe the lyke for me nowe Verse 27. Make me vz. that am so blinde and ignoraunt to vnderstand vz. rightlye and soundlye the waye of thy preceptes i. after what sorte and order I am to liue and directe my selfe and lyfe according to those thinges that thou haste commaunded mée in thy Lawe and I will meditate vz. continuallye and with a good harte thorowe thy goodnesse in thy wonderous workes i. in those workes whiche thou haste done and bée wonderfull because they farre excéede the reache of mans witte I had rather reade in thy wonders i. in the wonders of thy lawe sée before verse 18. of this Psalme Verse 28. My soule i. my life and I my selfe as verse 25. melteth i. consumeth and weareth awaye hée vseth a word here whiche signifieth dropping q.d. Droppe by droppe as it were my life perisheth and being made thinne consumeth awaye I wéepe so much for heauinesse vz. of harte whiche I haue by reason of the outward and inward gréefes whiche I sustayne rayse mée vp vz. euen as it were from deaths dore Hée meaneth by
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
but also that they were dayly more and more indurate and hardened Sée Isaiah 6.10 but my delight is in thy lawe vz. aboue and before all thinges Verse 71. It is good i. both profitable and pleasaunt as Psalme 92.1 for mee vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruant that I haue béene afflicted vz. graciously and mercifully at thy handes and that with the rods of thy children sée ver 67. of this Psalme that I may learne vz. not onely to knowe but also to obserue thy statutes i. the lawes which thou hast established Ver. 72. The law of thy mouth i. the worde which procéeded and came from thée and was vttered as it were with thy mouth is better vnto me i. is more deare and precious and swéete then thousands of gold and siluer i. then a very great number or infinite treasure he meaneth that he did preferre Gods woorde before all earthly things whatsoeuer Do. Ver. 65. Teacheth vs that God alwayes graciously performeth his promises to his seruants Verse 66. Teacheth vs that we can haue no sounde knowledge till God teach it vs. Ver. 67. Teacheth vs that afflictions are profitable instruments which God doeth vse to draw vs on to the practise of his worde ver 68. Teacheth vs to make gods grace goodnes our special ground worke of our prayers Ver. 69. Teacheth vs first that the wicked will leaue no stone vnrolled that thereby they might hurt the godly Secondly that wee shoulde striue vnfeignedly to kéepe Gods lawe Verse 70. Teacheth vs that the wicked are hardened and baked as it were in their sinnes also that wee shoulde take singular delight and pleasure in gods word Ver. 71. Teacheth vs that afflictions are euen good for vs because they pull vs on to the obedience of Gods trueth Verse 72. Teacheth vs to preferre Gods woorde before all worldly things whatsoeuer Iod. Di. THis tenth part consisteth wholly of supplications and prayers partly for himselfe verse 73.76.77.80 partly also for others ver 79. and partly against the wicked and vngodly ver 78. lastly hee sheweth what fruite the godly shal reape in that his petitions are granted vnto him and cōfesseth that he hath deserued al punishments ver 74.75 Se. Ver. 73. Thine hands haue made me i. thou by thy mighty power O Lorde hast created mee of the flime and dust of the earth and fashioned me vz. in this order and shape wherein I nowe liue giue mee vnderstanding therefore i. make mee apt and able so to vnderstand thy will that I may learne vz. to knowe and keepe thy commaundements Marke here two thinges first that in making his prayer for holy vnderstanding hée iustly accuseth himselfe and all others of blindnesse which procéeded not from the Creator but from man corrupted Secondly that euen by his creation he conceiued hope that God woulde continue his worke begunne in him because God leaueth not his worke and therefore hee requireth God to bestowe newe grace vpon him and to finish that which he had begunne in him Verse 74. So i. by that meanes when they shall beholde and sée that they that feare vz. with the reuerent feare of thy sonnes from which as from the cause procéedeth this true effect of the right worshipping and seruing of thée séeing mee vz. thus instructed and taught by thee in the knowledge of thy lawe shall reioyce vz. for the graces that I haue receiued from thee because I haue trusted vz. stedfastly and with patience in thy woorde vz. generally but specially in thy promises Verse 75. I knowe O Lorde vz. not onely by the trueth of thy woorde but also by mine owne particular experience and practise that thy iudgments i. all thy iudgments whatsoeuer but specially these punishments whereby thou doest prouoke men to repentance are right i. are ministred in all equity and right so that no man can charge thée of iniustice and that thou hast afflicted mee i. corrected and chastened mee as verse 67.71 of this Psalme iustly i. being mooued thereto by very good right and cause Ver. 76. I pray thée vz. humbly and heartily that thy mercy i. thy singular and vnspeakeable goodnesse may comfort mee vz. alwayes and namely when I am in any sorrowe and distresse according to thy promise vz. made and giuen that is according to the promise that thou hast made vnto thy seruant i. to mée thy seruaunt for hee speaketh of himselfe here in the thirde person as sundry tymes before in this Psalme Verse 77. Let thy tender mercyes vz. which thou was wont to shewe heretofore to thy afflicted seruauntes come vnto mée vz. also that is let mee bée partaker of thy excéeding loue in trueth and féeling as they haue béene that I may liue vz. here vppon earth among men and set foorth thy prayse Sée verse 17. of this Psalme and it is as much also q.d. It is impossible that I shoulde liue till such time as I féele my selfe reconciled to thée through thy mercy for thy lawe i. study practise and knowledge of thy woorde is my delight i. all my whole delight for the Prophet vseth here a worde of the plurall number delights Ver. 78. Let the proude bee ashamed vz. euen before thee and before men what hee meaneth by proude persons sée before verse 51.69 for they haue dealt wickedly i. vniustly and cruelly against mee and falsely vz. also with mee meaning that they had both by force and fraude as lying hypocrisie c. sought his ouerthrowe but I meditate vz. earnestly and continually for all that of thy precepts i. of thy lawe and word and of the things conteyned therein Verse 79. Let such as feare thée i. loue and serue thee with an vnfeigned heart turne vnto mée i. ioyne themselues to mee agayne in familiaritie after that through thy iudgements thou shalt haue declared and made knowne vnto them the goodnesse of my cause Sée Iob. 6.29 q.d. as the good haue for a tyme through the insolency and pryde of myne enemies béene beaten backe so let them nowe take courage agayne when they shall sée mée restored and lifted vp and they that knowe thy testimonies vz. to doe them Verse 80. Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes i. let me haue a sound affection towardes thy word and obedience of it and let mee bée frée in these things that I doe of all hypocrisie and dissimulation that I bee not ashamed i. made ashamed and that before men which should in deede betyde me if I should depart from thy statutes sée ver 31. of this Psalme also Psalm 44. almost throughout specially towards the end Do. Ver. 73. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly for light and vnderstanding out of Gods word Ver. 74. Teacheth vs that Gods mercies bestowed vppon some of his children should bée an occasion of comfort and ioy to the rest Ver. 75. Teacheth vs fréely to confesse that whatsoeuer God doeth he doth it vprightly because there is no vnrighteousnes with him Ver. 76. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy and goodnes rightly
felt is the speciall matter of comfort to al his children Ver. 77. Teacheth vs that wee can not liue no not in this life much lesse in the life to come without Gods great mercy Ver. 78. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the wicked also what the nature of the wirked is vz. to vse force and flattery against Gods Saintes to worke them hurt if they can thereby lastly that serious meditation in Gods lawe is a singular comfort agaynst the assaultes of our enemies Ver. 79. Teacheth vs to pray for them that bee shrunke away euen as for our selues also that there is no right worshippe of God without the knowledge of his woorde Ver. 80. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly against the sinne of hypocrisie and dissimulation Caph. Di. THe Prophet in this eleuenth part maketh hearty prayer to the Lorde for helpe and deliuery first because of the miserable estate wherein hee himselfe was in respect of his owne person verse 81.82.83.88 Secondly in respecte of the great outrage and cruelty of his enemies verse 84.85.86.87 Se. Verse 81. My soule faynteth i. my life is euen as it were consumed for thy saluation i. with looking for helpe and deliueraunce from thée yet q.d. notwithstanding all this great distresse wherein I am I doe wayte vz. in hope and patience for thy worde i. for the accomplishment of those thinges which thou in thy worde hast promised q.d. I haue in great patience waited for deliuerance from thée and wil waite for it still for by fainting hee vnderstandeth a certaine patience whose force though it séeme to be vtterly lost yet doeth it not altogether forsake them in whome it is who séeme notwithstanding to bee dead but putteth into their heartes secret gronings yea such as men cannot well expresse Ver. 82. Mine eies i. the power strength and sight of mine eies faile i. decayeth and waxeth dimme for otherwise hée had his eyes still for thy promise i. with looking for the accomplishment of thy promise so long thou séemest to mée to deferre and put it off saying i. in so much that I burst foorth into this speach and saide when wilt thou comfort mee vz. distressed and afflicted on euery side such a sore conflict and battaile had Dauid within himselfe Verse 83. For I am like a bottle vz. made of beastes skinnes in the smoke i. hanged vp in the smoke hee meaneth that through griefe and misery hée was wrinkled withered dryed away and consumed as it were yet do I not forget thy statutes q.d. my miseries driue me not into a forgetfulnes of thée and thy word but make mee more to remember thée it Verse 84. Howe many are the dayes vz. of affliction and trouble of thy seruaunt i. which thy seruaunt shall indure Sée Psalme 116.2 in the Prophetes also we shal read this phrase the dayes of Egipt the dayes of Babilon c. when wilt thou execute iudgement i. when wilt thou punish on them that persecute me vz. without a cause Verse 85. The proude Sée before ver 51.69.78 haue digged pits for me i. haue secretly and by ambushes as it were sought my death and destruction Sée Psalm 7.15 which vz. craftie and subtil kinde of dealing is not after thy lawe i. consenteth not with the trueth of thy woorde but directly fighteth against it and this hee addeth to moue the Lorde the rather to execute iustice Immanuel referreth it to the persons thus The proude who conforme not themselues to thy lawe i. will not bee ruled after thy woorde nor order their life according to it haue digged pittes for mee but me thinketh the other sence is as playne Verse 86. All thy commaundements i. they all generally and euery one of them particularly are true i. most true yea trueth it selfe and in all trueth and vprightnesse enioyned men to obserue them they i. the proude and wicked men persecute mée falsely i. not only without a cause on my part but lyingly and slanderously in respect of themselues helpe mée vz. thus distressed and deliuer mee from these bloody and cruell men Verse 87. They had almost consumed me vz. through their wicked deuises and cruell practises vppon the earth i. liuing here vppon the earth with them Immanuel readeth it better thus cast downe vppon the earth i. being very much humbled and afflicted q.d. my miserie coulde not moue them to pity mee but the more weake I was the more cruell they were against mée but vz. for all that I forsooke not thy statutes i. I ceased not to beléeue thy woorde and to walke in obedience of it Verse 88. Quicken mee i. recreate and refresh mée ouer all my troubles and as it were call mée backe from death to life according to thy louing kindenes vz. which thou wast wont to shewe to thy seruaunts and hast heretofore declared vnto mee so shall I kéepe vz. diligently and carefully the testimonie of thy mouth i. thy woorde and lawe which is thus named to set out the authoritie that it hath in it selfe and shoulde haue amongest men Sée ver 13. of this Psalme Ver. 81. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer the faith hope Do. and patience of Gods children bee for a time darkened yet is is neuer vtterly quenched or put out Ver. 82. Teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a lowe ebbe and doth for a long while withholde his aide yet doeth he not altogether for euer forsake them it sheweth also what great conflicts the godly haue in their troubles Ver. 83. Teacheth vs that no misery shoulde make vs to forget Gods word nay rather the more our miseries are the more should we meditate therin because in it only is sound comfort to be found Ver. 84. Teacheth vs that euen Gods children do many times desire to know those things which the Lord hath not particularly reuealed vnto them in his word Ver. 85. Teachech vs that the wicked are both cruel and crafty Ver. 86. Teacheth vs that the more egerly men molest vs the more earnestly we should call vpon God for his helpe Ver. 87. Teacheth vs two things first that the vngodly are without bowels of pity and compassion secondly that we should be so rooted in the loue and knowledge of God and his trueth as nothing shoulde pull vs away therefrom Ver. 88. Teacheth vs that wee can performe nothing obediently to God till it please him to giue vs the grace and strength Lamed Di. IN this part the Prophet maketh plaine proofe of the certainety continuance and truth of Gods word first by the very works of creation ver 89.90.91 secondly by his owne particular experience and practise ver 92.93.94 and so on to the end of this part Se. Ver 89. O Lorde thy woorde indureth for euer in heauen q.d. euen the very heauens can be witnesse of the continuance and constancie of thy worde séeing that they in the strength of thy word continue and abide much more shall thy word it selfe indure Some expound it thus the Prophet affirmeth
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.
mutual performance of duties one of vs towards another so is the word vsed Mica 6 8. by thy testimonies i. by and in thy worde and truth i. not only sound and sincere dealing but doing of it with an vpright affection specially for though a man do the thing and do it not with the same mind that God requireth it is sinne to him For in the obedience of Gods commaundements we must carefully take héede that we tread in these thrée steps to doe the same thing that he appointeth and none other to do it with the same mind that he demaundeth it to be done and to refer it to the same end Ver. 139. My zeale i. the gréefe of my hart as before ver 136 and the anger which I did conceaue hath euen consumed me i. almost wasted me worn me away so that there is little or no hope of my life he meaneth not that he was thus cōsumed by reason of the sorrow which he conceaued for priuate iniuries but because the law of his God was trāsgressed because mine enemies who the particulars were as whether it were Saul or others it is not certain but he speaketh of thē al generally haue forgotten thy words i. wil not acknowledge it but cōtemtuously tread it vnder their féete Ver. 140. Thy word is proued most pure i. is by experience of thy seruaunts found to be most excellent as the gold and siluer is best which hath bin most fined sée Psa 12.6 thy seruant i. I thy seruaunt speaking still of himself in the third person and that same worde and may wel be turned therefore loueth it sée ver 97 113 127. Ver. 141. I am smal i. of small account and little estimation and despised vz. of all men specially of the great ones yet q.d. for all that I do not forget thy preceptes vz. but think vpon them both to know and do them sée ver 109. Ver. 142. Thy righteousnesse i. not only the righteousnesse which is in God but that which God himself requireth of men in his word is an euerlasting righteousnes vz. both because it indureth for euer and bringeth the doers of it to eternal blessednes and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before verse 109 is truth i. not only true but very truth it self which is more significant noting that there is no truth without or beside that word Ver. 143. Trouble and anguish i. abundance and great store of troubles for so much I think the two words together import are come vpon me i. haue seased and taken hold of me yet q.d. for all my gréefes are thy commandements my delight i. thy word doth not only delight and pleasure me but much comfort me Ver. 144. The righteousnesse of thy testimonies i. that righteousnesse which thou prescribest in thy word is euerlasting i. indureth and abideth for euer as before verse 142. graunt mée vnderstanding vz. thereof and I shall liue vz. a blessed certayne and assured life hereby he sheweth that to speake properlye men liue not when they are destituted of the light of God and heauenly wisedome and therefore that note in the Geneua Bible is good for the doctrin that the life of a man without the knowledge of God is nothing else but death Do. Verse 137 teacheth vs alwaies to confesse Gods iudgemēts to be righteous though perhaps it appear not so to our own reasō Ver. 138 setteth out before vs the excellency of Gods word by the things which it commandeth Ver. 139 teacheth vs to be greatly gréeued when other men transgresse gods law Ver. 140 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe from it loue and liking of it on our parts Ver. 141 teacheth vs that no aduersity should cause vs to forget God and his truth Verse 142 teacheth vs that Gods word is the only rule of righteousnesse and truth so that whatsoeuer is not according to it is to be condemned for falshood Ver. 143 teacheth vs that only Gods word can delight and comfort vs in the dayes of our trouble and anguish Ver. 144 teacheth vs that howsoeuer men liue in this life yet they liue not in déede the life of God without the knowledge of his maiesty by his word Koph Di. THis xix part standeth especially of prayer wherein the Prophet first promiseth obedience and propoundeth his earnest desire and patience verse 145 146 147 148 as arguments to moue the Lord to graunt his request Secondly he vseth reasons for that purpose taken firste from the person of God who is most merciful ver 149 ready to helpe ver 151. and most constant in his word verse 152. Secondly from the person of his aduersaries who pressed vpon him to doe him mischiefe ver 150. Thirdly from the experience whiche hée himself had had of Gods goodnesse ver 152. Se. Ver. 145. I haue cried i. earnestly and vehementlye prayed vnto the Lorde for that word crying declareth that he directed all the affections of his harte to GOD alone and that with vehemency and ardencye with my whole harte q.d. My mouth hath not onely bene nigh thée but euen my very harte and all the powers and partes thereof haue consented to the good thinges which I vttered with my wordes heare me O Lord i. graunt me my requests and petitions for otherwise it is not to be doubted but that the Prophet knew that the Lord heard him and I will kéepe thy statutes sée verse 115 and 134 of this Psal Ver. 146. I called vpon thée vz. heretofore speciallye when I was in trouble as Psal 120 1 and thou heardest me Psal 3 4. q.d. I hope thou wilt doe so now saue me i. deliuer me from daungers and distresses and I will kéepe thy testimonies this is the very same but yet in other wordes which hée spake before verse 145. Ver. 147. I preuented vz. with my prayers the morning light i. the dawning of the day or the light whiche commeth before the morning and cried i. prayed earnestly vnto thée The Prophet meaneth that he vsed to pray vnto the Lord euen before the day dawning sée before verse 55 62 for I wayted on thy word i. I stedfastly stayed my hope vpon thy promise and did patiently abide the performaunce thereof Verse 148. Mine eyes preuent the night watches i. I my selfe am more attentiue to meditate thinke vpon thy law than the night watches to kéepe their watche and ward Or else thus Euen before the night watches beginne to sette their watche doe I beginne to medytate on thy word and as they continue in the same so doe I. For the better vnderstanding of this place sée Psalme 1 2. also Psalme 130 5 6. Verse 149. Heare my voyce i. graunt the prayer which from my hart I vtter with my voyce according to thy louing kindnesse vz. shewed heretofore to others of thy Seruantes and to me as verse 132 specially when they call vpon thée O Lorde quicken me vz. in the knowledge and obedience of thy truth
and he testifyeth by this worde so often vsed in this Psalme that euen in the middest of life we are dead vnlesse we be quickened and vpholden by the power of God according to thy iudgement vz. pronounced in thy word or we may take iudgement to be put for the word it selfe which declareth vnto vs Gods goodnesse he alludeth no doubt to the office of an earthly iudge whose duty cōsisteth in these ij points to absolue and lose some and to pronounce the sentēce of condēnation vpon other some in which sence also we say in the cōmon cōfession of our fayth that Christ our sauiour shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead Ver. 150. They draw neare vz. to me euen to persecute hurte and destroy me that follow after malice i. that pursue the mischieuous and wicked attempts which they themselues in their own malice had maliciouslye and wickedly deuised against me and are far from thy law i. they care not either for the sight hearing or knowledge of it thus he giueth two properties to know the wicked by the first is that they are malicious the second which indéed is the welspring of al mischiefe they despise Gods law Ver. 151. Thou arte neare O Lord vz. to al thine euen to aid succour them in their distresses for al thy commaundements are true that word for would better be turned and and he meaneth that not only the words wherwith gods commandements are expressed but euen the very things commanded therein are iust true holy Verse 152. I vz. my selfe haue knowne vz. euen by mine own practise and experience long time i. not only of late but sundry times heretofore whiche I will neuer forget by thy testimonies i. by thy word that thou hast established them for euer i. that thou hast ordained that it should abide firm and stable for euer and euer sée ver 89 of this Psalm and verse 144. Verse 145 teacheth vs that in all our supplications praiers to the Lord Do. our hart and our words should concur consent together Verse 146 teacheth vs that the former experience of Gods goodnesse in hearing our praiers shoulde imbolden vs both to pray and to hope to receaue the like Verse 147 teacheth vs euen to breake our sléepes to giue our selues to prayer and calling vppon the name of GOD. Verse 148 teacheth vs to be continually diligente and carefull in the meditation and studye of Gods worde Verse 149 teacheth vs that Gods frée mercy is the first cause of the graunting of al our requests Ver. 150 doth liuely paynt out the nature and disposition of the wicked and vngodly Verse 151 teacheth vs that the Lord is neuer absent from those that loue and feare him Verse 152 teacheth vs that to know the assurednesse of Gods worde and to haue felt by proofe the certainty thereof are two notable proppes of our fayth and hope Resch Di. IN this part as in the former the Prophet continueth his prayers to almighty God vsing certaine arguments to induce the Lord to graunt him his requests as first his own misery affliction and gréefe verse 153 154 158. secondlye the desperate estate of the wicked and the greate heape of his enemies 155 157. Thirdlye the great loue mercy and truth of the Lord verse 156 159 160. Se. Verse 153. Behold mine affliction i. how great the affliction is which I presently indure not that the Prophet thought the Lord did not beholde it but because he would haue him by effect to declare that he did regard and consider it and deliuer me vz. out of the same for I haue not forgotten vz. as the wicked men doe verse 139 but I haue thought vpon it to doe it thy lawe i. thy worde as sundrye times before Ver. 154. Pleade my cause vz. against mine aduersaries that would oppresse me sée Psalme 35. verse 1. and verse 122 of this Psalme It is as much as if he should desire the Lord to defende him and his case and deliuer mée vz. from them that would oppresse me as ver 134 sée also for this phrase ver 153. quickē me according vnto thy word sée verse 25 of this Psal Verse 155. Saluation i. helpe and deliueraunce out of daunger as Psalm 3 8 is farre from the wicked i. they shall haue no parte or portion of it and this he speaketh specially of his aduersaries who defended an vniust cause against him because they séeke not vz. vnfeignedlye and from a good harte thy statutes i. thy worde and that to know and to do them Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercyes O Lord vz. towards thy sonnes and seruaunts Sée Psalme 86 5 13 15. quicken me according to thy iudgements sée verse 149 of this Psalme Verse 157. My persecutors and mine oppressors i. those that persecute and oppresse me are manye vz. in number and great in power yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies q.d. for all that I leaue not the loue and obedience of thy truth sée verse 110. of this Psalm Ver. 158. I saw vz. euen with mine eyes meaning that he did certainly know the naughtinesse of the wicked men the transgressors vz. of thy law for sinne is the transgression and breache of Gods lawe 1. Iohn 3 4 and was gréeued vz. with them and at them for their sinnes sake sée before verse 53 136 139. because they kepte not thy worde i. because they had no care eyther to know it or doe it Sée verse 136. Verse 159. Consider O Lorde the Prophet speaketh this not as though he doubted whether god knew it yea or no but to intreat the Lord by effects to declare the care that he had of him how I loue thy precepts i. how much I loue them sée ver 97 113 127 and sundry other places of this Psalm quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse this may stand vs in stéed of an exposition of that which was sayd before 149 156 if that bée not plaine ynough as that he should vnderstand by iudgements Gods promises and mercies in which sence also the word is vsed in sundry places of scripture Ver. 160. The beginning of thy word is truth i. thy worde hath bin true euen since the beginning and al the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. all thy iust and righteous iudgements indure for euer the Prophets purpose is in this verse to note that Gods word is most certain faithful stedfast and durable Ver. 153 teacheth vs Do. that euen our very affections are good matters to moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon vs. Verse 154 teacheth vs whether we haue mās ayd or no yet we should continually hang vpon the Lord and pray vnto him for our iust defence euery maner of way Ver. 155 teacheth vs that a very cōtempt of Gods word which the wicked vse is a seale vnto Gods children that no parte or péece of Gods fauour belongeth vnto them Ver. 156 doth notably set out the aboūdant riches infinit treasure
of Gods eternal mercy Ver. 157 teacheth vs that no persecution or oppression should cause vs to decline from God or the obedience of his truth Ver. 158 teacheth vs to pittie and pray for other men in their fals and transgressions and not to reioyce in them as the world doth Ver. 159 teacheth vs that vnfaigned loue to Gods law is a meane to moue the Lord to shew mercy vpon vs. Ver. 160 teacheth vs that it is no small comforte for Gods children to know that Gods word shall neuer fayle Schin IN this xxi part the Prophet first setteth out mens malice towardes him Di. and his vnfeigned loue to the law and word of God ver 161 162 163. Secondly he sheweth how he did delight in the exercises thereof and carefully indeuoured the performaunce of the same Ver. 164 166 167 168. Thirdlye hée sheweth what blessings shal be not only vpon him but vpō al those that loue and like the same ver 165. Ver. 161 Princes i. great and mighty men of the earth haue persecuted mée Se. vz. being smal despised as ver 141 without cause vz. giuen vnto them on my behalf but mine hart i. I my selfe putting a part for the whole man and yet he doth not without cause mention the hart because if there be not in it rightly planted a true reuerence of God all outward thinges are but hipocrisie stood in awe of thy words i. had a reuerent and childish feare and cared not for Princes hauing thy law on my side Verse 162. I reioyce at thy word i. I take as much delight and pleasure in it yea I loue it and estéeme it as he sayd before ver 127 128. as one that findeth vz. after an ouerthrow giuen or a conquest and victory gotten a great spoyle i. a riche bootie and pray He meaneth that he was as glad of Gods word and found as muche pleasure in it as hée that being a conqueror did besides the honour of the triumph inrich himselfe with the spoyle of his enemies Ver. 163. I hate sée verse 113 of this Psalme falshood i. lying hipocrisie dissimulation which is contrary to round walking and vprightnes and abhorre it vz. from the bottome of my hart so that I can not abide so much as to beholde it with mine eyes sée Rom. 12.9 but thy law do I loue vz. earnestly and vnfeignedly sée verse 113 of this Psalme Verse 164. Seuen times a day i. very often in a day and as it were continually a number certaine put for an vncertaine which is an vsuall thing in the scriptures see Leuit. 26 18 doe I praise thée vz. with my whole harte whiche kinde of spéeche is often vsed in this Booke of Psalmes because of thy righteous iudgments vz. practised and performed towards men and declared in thy holye word al this is as much q.d. that he hath found in Gods law such great perfection of righteousnesse and wisedome that euen from time to time hée hath as it were betaken himselfe to praise God and to yéeld him continuall thanks Verse 165. They that loue vz. vnfeignedly and with a good harte thy Lawe i. thy worde shall haue great prosperitie i. shall haue abundance of blessings poured forth vpon them the worde whiche is here turned prosperitye is in the hebrew peace by which they vnderstand the abundaunce of all blessinges speciallye outwarde blessing and they shall haue none hurte this doubling of one and the selfe same thing in contrarye woordes is muche vsed in the Scriptures as wee haue sundrye times noted heretofore and serueth in this place to shewe that they shal be deliuered from al euill and haue aboundante of all good Verse 166. Lorde I haue trusted i. I haue both stedfastlye hoped for and patiently wayted for in thy saluation i. fréedome and deliueraunce from thée from all distresses sée verse 155. and haue done thy commaundementes i. haue had thorow thy goodnesse not onlye care and conscience but also strength and abilitye to performe the same Verse 167. My soule i. I my selfe a parte for the whole and yet in vsing this worde he noteth his vnfeignednesse in obseruing Gods lawe hath kepte thy testimonies i. hath indeuoured to kéepe them and thorowe thy strength hath sometimes performed them for I loue them excéedinglye sée for the truth of this verse 97 127 and 162 of this Psalme Verse 168. I haue kepte vz. vnfeignedlye and from the bottome of my harte thy precepts and thy testimonies i. thy worde he vseth two words signifying one thing For kéeping of his testimonies and precepts sée verse 22 of this Psalm for all my wayes are before thée some expound it thus my whole life and conuersation is knowne to thée putting this word way for order of life as Psal 1. ver 1.6 some thus all my wayes are before thée i. thou séest knowest orderest and carest for my whole life this latter comprehendeth the former which maketh God the Iudge and arbitrator of al his thoughts and goeth somewhat further that is to shew that God guideth him and all his actions Do. Verse 161 teacheth vs first that it is no new thing that great men bee the enemies of Gods people secondly that it is a comfort to Gods children when they are persecuted without a cause thirdlye that howsoeuer men deale with vs yet we must haue a continuall reuerence of God and his word in our harts Verse 162 teacheth vs in what great regard and account we should haue Gods word Ver. 163 teacheth vs to auoid al hipocrisie and to striue to al roundnesse soundnes of conuersatiō Ver. 164 teacheth vs to be continual in the praysing thanking of God for his graces Ver. 165 to prouoke vs the more earnestlye to loue Gods law setteth before vs not only the auoiding of all euill but also the abundaunce of all good Ver. 166 teacheth vs both to hope for and patientlye to looke for deliueraunce from God out of all our daungers whatsoeuer Ver. 167 teacheth vs that where there is a sincere loue of Gods law planted in the hart there wil be striuing and indeuoring to performe the same Verse 168 teacheth vs that to know that God hath an eye ouer our conuersation is a good mean to draw vs to the obedience and practise of his truth Tau THe Prophet in this last part first maketh his prayer vnto God Di. that his requests may be graunted that he may be indued with knowledge deliuered from daunger and receaued to Gods fauour Verse 169 170 173 175 176. Secondly he promiseth after the graunting of his petitions humble and vnfeigned thanksgiuing to the Lord protesting both his great patience and the singular delight he had in Gods law ver 171 172 173 174. and thus I thinke may this part be fitly diuided Verse 169. Se. Let my complaint i. the complaint crie which I make vnto thée come before thée O Lord i. appeare in thy sight q.d. shew by effect that thou hearest my complaint and
giue me vnderstanding vz. in thy law and worde according to thy word i. according to thy promise made vnto me sée verse 25 of this Psalm where word is vsed for promise Ver. 170. Let my supplication i. the prayer which I make come before thée i. appeare in thy presence It is the same in other words which he said before ver 169 and deliuer me vz. out of al my feares and distresses according to thy promise vz. made vnto me q.d. deliuer me as thou hast promised Ver. 171. My lips shal speake praise vz. to thée He putteth lips which are some of the instruments wherby the voice is framed for the rest of them Meaning that he would not only with his hearte bée thankful to God but that he would with his mouth and words expresse the same and that phrase of speaking praise doth shew that he wil do it plentifullye and sing as it were with an open and full mouth when thou hast taught mee vz. to know and vnderstand thy statutes i. thy worde q.d. before he had knowledge thereof he could not doe it and so we learne that such as are ignoraunte of Gods doctrine can not prayse and glorifie him Verse 172. My tongue i. my mouth one part of it put for the whole and the whole mouth it selfe put for the wordes expressed thereby shall intreat of thy word i. not onelye simplye speake and talke of it but solemnly sing and set forth the prayses of it for thy commaundementes are righteous i. the thinges that thou commaundest are most iust Verse 173. Let thine hand help me i. let thy power preserue and defend me from all mischiefs and inconueniences whatsoeuer hand put for power for I haue chosen vz. before all other things whatsoeuer thy precepts i. thy law and word Ver. 174. I haue longed i. I haue greatly and earnestly desired euen as women with child lust after a thing sée Psal 84.2 for thy saluation O Lord i. for helpe and deliueraunce from thée as ver 155 166 of this Psalme and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before a parte for the whole is my delight i. is the chéefest thing wherein I take most delighte and pleasure sée verse 77. Ver. 175. Let my soule liue i. graunt mee to liue long vpon the face of the earth soule put for the whole man as ver 167 and it shall praise thée vz. continually and that for all thy mercies both bodily and spirituall and thy iudgements i. the vengeaunce that thou shalt shewe vpon mine enemies shall helpe me not only because they shall be weakened beaten down and so I by that means strengthened but also because I shal be holpē forward thereby to the knowledge and obedience of thy truth Ver. 176. I haue gone astray vz. from thée O Lord wandering vp and downe hither and thither in the vayne and wicked imaginations of mine own hart like a lost shéepe i. like a shéepe that strayeth and stragleth farre both from the flock and the shéepeheard whereof there can be no other account made then as it were of one that were lost séeke vz. euen as the sheepeheard doth the straying shéepe sée Ezech. 34 4 also Luke 15 4. thy seruaunt i. me thy seruaunt for he speaketh of himselfe in the third person for I doe not forget thy commaundements i. I heare thy voyce euen as thine own shéepe Iohn 10 3 c. these words are often times repeated in this Psalm as verse 61 93 c. Do. Verse 169 teacheth vs to pray earnestly to the Lorde for the vnderstanding knowledge and practise of his word Ver. 170 teacheth vs in all our prayers to call to minde the gracious promises of GOD made vnto vs in his worde as the chéefest grounde in déede of all our supplications Verse 171 teacheth vs that as we cannot prayse God till he haue giuen vs light so when wee haue receaued that light from him wée should then speake continually to his prayse Verse 172 teacheth both to speake of Gods worde continuallye and also to labour to praise the same according to the dignity and excellency thereof Verse 173 teacheth vs that vnlesse God helpe vs by his almightie power wee cannot stand Verse 174 teacheth vs in patience to tarrye the time wherein the Lord will worke our deliueraunces Verse 175 teacheth vs that the ende of our life in this life is to praise and glorifie God also that the faithfull are furthered to Godward by his iudgemēts poured forth vpon the wicked Ver. 176. teacheth vs first in all humblenes and simplicity to confesse our sinnes secondlye with a stedfast faith to come vnto the Lord that so we may be cured and holpen of our diseases Psalme 120. THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth what experience hee had had of Gods mercy in hearing his prayers whereuppon in assurance of the like grace he calleth vpon the Lord that he may be fréed from slaunderous tongues Ver. 1.2 In the seconde he speaketh to such as vse deceitfull wordes shewing that they themselues profite not thereby and also doe much harme and hurt to others Ver. 3.4 In the thirde part he grieuously lamenteth his owne case in that he is inforced to dwell with such wicked men as nothing on his part could make them quiet Ver. 5.6.7 The title A song of degrées Some as the Geneua note Se. take it to bee so called because of the lifting vp of the tune the rising in singing some thinke the worde degrées to be vsed in the plurall number for excellent because those places are excellent whereunto men assend by degrées and that therefore it is as much q.d. a most excellent song and of this mind is Immanuel Some take it to be ment thus that this and the other xiiii Psalmes following are called songs or Psalmes of degrées that is of staires or steppes because they were sung vppon the staires or steppes of the Lords house of which you may read 2. Chro. 9.11 and I for mine owne part incline thereto because there is mention made of the staires of the Leuites that is of the staires whereuppon the Leuites were wont to stand Nehem 9.4 Ver. 1. I called i. I praied earnestly vnto the Lord vz. only because he alone was able to helpe in my trouble i. when I was greatly and much troubled with affliction and hee hearde me i. he granted me my request sée Psalm 3.4 Ver. 2. Deliuer my soule i. me my selfe as Psal 119. ver 167. and 175. from lying lippes i. from the lying woordes of the wicked and vngodly who did continually accuse him before Saul as Dauid himselfe sheweth 1. Sam. 24.10 also 26.19 Sée for this purpose also Psalm 52. almost throughout and from a deceitfull tongue i. from a tongue that vttereth deceit and craft and in these wordes hee noteth particularly the kind of affliction that made him to cry vnto god Ver. 3. What doth thy
neither hee himselfe imagined neither should we imagine any fleshly thing of God Ver. 2. Beholde euen as the eies of seruants looke vz. earnestly and attentiuely vnto the hand of their misteris i. vnto their power aide and helpe not doubting of their faithfulnes succour and defence neither yet looking for aide from others besides their misteris and as the eyes of a maide vz. looke and wayte vpon the hande of her maistresse i. the power helpe and succour of her whom God hath placed ouer her as before in this verse so our eyes vz. both of our bodyes and of our mindes as ver 1. of this Psalme wait vz. with patience continuance vpon the Lorde vz. only our God i. whom we serue and worshippe vntill hee haue mercy vpon i. vntil he shewe by effect that hee wil take pitie vpon vs and deliuer vs out of our griefs the woord vntil in this place meaneth not as though that then they would leaue of to trust in him but it noteth continuance and perpetuity of tyme sée Psalm 110.1 and many other places Ver. 3. Haue mercy vpon vs vz. that are so greatly distressed and afflicted O Lorde haue mercy vpon vs this doubling of their prayer noteth both their great earnestnes and also their great néede wherein they were for wee haue suffered vz. a long while together to much contempt vz. from the proud and wealthy men of the world as may appeare by the next woordes following Verse 4. Our soule i. euen our whole life is filled to full vz. in our iudgements if thou O Lord thinke it so also of the mocking of the wealthy i. with the mockes and taunts which the rich men of the world vomit out against vs and he speaketh thus because that many times riches ingender fearcenes and pride of heart and of the dispitfulnes of the proude i. with that despite and hatred which the proude vse against vs. Do. Verse 1. Teacheth in all extremities whether men sticke to vs or forsake vs to hang vppon the Lorde our God onely Verse 2. Teacheth vs by a notable similitude neuer to leaue off either trust in God or prayer vnto him til such tyme as hée graciously looke vppon vs and graunt vs our petitions Verse 3. Teacheth vs to bee earnest in prayer with the Lorde our God Ver. 4. Setteth out the naughty nature of the wicked men of the worlde who can doe nothing else but mocke and disdayne the sonnes and seruants of the most high God Psalme 124 THe Prophet in this Psalme specially propoundeth two things Di. first in what case he and the rest of the godly should haue béene through the rage of the wicked had not the Lorde taken their part ver 1.2.3.4.5 secondly hee prayseth the Lorde for setting him and others frée from the great dangers wherin they were and so concludeth the Psalme in the commendation of Gods grace and power ver 6.7.8 The title is expounded before Psalme 122. in the title thereof Ver. 1. Se. If the Lorde vz. by his almightie power and presence had not béene on our side i. had not taken our partes may Israel nowe say vz. very iustly and truely hee putteth this worde Israel for the people of God as Galat. 6.16 Verse 2. If the Lorde had not béene on our side by this repetition of one and the selfe same thing hee noteth both the greatnes of the daunger wherein they were and the excellency of the benefite which God did bestow vpon them in deliuering them from the same and it may stand vs in stéede of a bridle to keepe vs occupied in the meditation of Gods deliueraunces to the end we forget them not when men vz. casting all feare of God and loue of his people aside rose vp vz. in their rage and madnes against vs vz. to destroy vs. Ver. 3. They had then swallowed vs vp quicke i. without all doubt they had destroyed vs and by these woordes swallowing vp quicke they signifie both the barbarous crueltie of the enemie and also their owne weakenes to resist so mightie enemies and here marke that very likely it is that Dauid made this Psalme in his owne name and the name of the Church when their wrath was kindled against vs i. when they were set on a rage presently as it were to destroy vs. Ver. 4. Then the waters i. the great abundaunce of their wrath and fury and the daungerous estate of affliction wherein wee were Sée Psalm 69.1 had drowned vs i. had ouerwhelmed vs and quite and cleane destroyed vs and the streame vz. of their rage had gone ouer our soule i. had persed euen vnto the inward man and had doubtles taken away our life Verse 5. Then had the swelling waters gone ouer our soule hée repeateth the same thing againe both to set out the cruelty of the enemies and the desperate estate as it were wherein they themselues were that by this meanes Gods mercie might bee the more magnified who had graciously deliuered them from the same and in that they compare the forces of their enemies to great riuers streames waters and such like they therby declare that the enemies had more outwarde force then the Churche had and they doe it also to this ende that declaring it in his liuely colours other men might bee made the better to féele it Ver. 6. Praysed be the Lord vz. continually for this his great goodnes mercy towards vs which hath not giuen vs vz. vp that is deliuered vs or made vs which in his iustice for our sinnes he might haue done as a pray i. to be spoyled and deuoured vnto their téeth i. vnto their cruelty and rage hée compareth the enemies here to wild beastes that with their téeth teare in sunder such things as they get to pray vpon Ver. 7. Our soule i. our life and we our selues as sundry times before and namely Psal 120.2.6 is escaped i. is graciously deliuered and so by that meanes hath escaped their barbarous cruelty euen as a birde vz. taken in a foulers snare or grinne and yet notwithstanding is by some mean or other deliuered escaped thence out of the foulers snare i. out of that snare which the foulers lay for it or for thē the snare vz. which our enemies prepared and layd for vs and this word sheweth that the wicked did ioyne to their force and violence treason and subtiltie and that yet notwithstanding Gods people yea though they were voyd of counsell and of force were miraculously preserued by Gods owne hande is broken vz. through the might and power of our God and wee are deliuered vz. through his goodnes out of al those dangers Ver. 8. Our helpe i. the help and succour which we looke for and must haue is i. standeth onely and is no where else to be found but in the name of the Lorde i. in his might power maiesty goodnes c. as Psa 20.1 which hath made heauen and earth this is expounded before Psal 121. ver 2. Do.
Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that if God take not part with his children defend them they shal easily be ouerthrown Ver. 2 teacheth the selfsame thing and sheweth further that men are many times to men wolues and deuourers though happely not in action because by god they are restrained therfrom yet in affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs that when God his children are in the greatest dangers he is most nigh to deliuer them also that the wrath of man neuer worketh the righteousnes of God Verse 4. and 5. Declare and set out the rage and crueltie of the wicked and vngodly men Ver. 6. Teacheth vs first Gods mercy in deliuering his from al their dangers and feares secondly our duty that we ought by al maner of meanes to shew our selues thankful vnto him for the same Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked ioyne to their power and crueltie craft and subtiltie but it sheweth further that there is no wisedome strength or policy that can preuaile against the Lorde and his people whome hee will succour Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that God alone is hee whom his people must trust to for helpe and succour Psalme 125 Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two parts in the first the prophet propoūdeth doctrine shewing in what assurance the faithful are which do trust in the Lord. ver 1.2.3 In the second he maketh his prayer for them that bee good and sheweth what punishments shall ouertake the wicked and what prosperitie shal be to the faithful holy people ver 4.5 The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Se. They that trust vz. assuredly and stedfastly in the Lorde vz. onely ioyning none other neither in heauen nor in earth with him shalbée vz. stedfast and vnmoueable as mount Sion i. as the rocke whereuppon the Church is builded yea and as the Church it selfe against which no stormes nor tempests no nor the gates of hell shall preuayle Sée Matth. 7.24 Matth. 16.18 which can not bee remooued vz. though the worlde and wicked men doe what they can against it but remaineth vz. stedfast and sure for euer i. continually nowe we must knowe that the stedfastnes of the Church and euery particular member therof hangeth not of themselues but of Gods eternall loue towards them and Christs earnest prayers for them as when hee sayth to Peter Luke 22.32 I haue prayed for thée that thy fayth fayle not Verse 2. As the mountaines are about Ierusalem vz. to strengthen and defende them from the force of their enemies so is the Lorde about his people vz. on euery side of them to saue them from the violence of men from hencefoorth and for euer i. hee is presently their defence and will bee so continually so that by this similitude taken from the mountaines compassing Ierusalem The Prophet setteth out the sure and secret defence of GOD towardes euery particular one of his Church and this wée sée playnely set out Psalme 5.12 also Psalme 34.7 also Psalme 91. throughout also Psalme 121. throughoute Zachari 2.5 Verse 3. For in this verse hée preuenteth an obiection which might bee made thus doe we not sée the Church many tymes afflicted notwithstanding this large promise yeas sayth hée but it continueth not long yea the very calamities them selues make the defence of the godly more famous and notable the rodde vz. of gouernement and authoritie meaning thereby the Scepter putting the signe of gouernement for gouernement it selfe of the wicked vz. men of this worlde in the Hebrewe text hee vseth the woorde wickednesse putting the thing for the men giuen thereto and so the Geneua text yéeldeth the sense shall not rest vz. longe but shal bee quickely remooued and so the good deliuered as 1 Corinth 10.13 on the lot of the righteous i. vppon the Church and inheritance of the godly people which hee calleth the lot of the righteous because GOD hath as it were giuen the same vnto them by lot as it were for an inheritance lest the righteous put foorth their hande vnto wickednesse i. doe commit wickednesse and sinne eyther by murmuring against GOD or by falling to the impieties of their persecutours and so hee sheweth a reason why affliction lyeth not long vppon Gods children and for this cause as it shoulde séeme did the Lorde commaund them to bée flayne that inhabited Canaan leste the people shoulde followe theire fashions the summe of all is q.d. though the Lorde appoynt his to bee afflicted for a tyme by very wicked people yet hee will not leaue them for euer for the wicked shall not alwayes haue power and authoritie ouer the godly So that this thirde verse is as it were a correction of the other q.d. Gods protection lettteth not but that his should be waked by crosses and tribulations to the end that the righteous being tryed by temptation should not giue themselues ouer to licenciousnes in sin which he expresseth by stretching out their handes their hands I say which before were subiected to the obedience of Gods will vnderstanding by hands their whole man putting a part for the whole Verse 4. Doe well O Lorde i. blesse and pursue continually with thy fauour Sée Psalme 119.17 vnto those that be good i. vnto such as thou hast made good vnto thy selfe by thy worde and the working of thy spirite for otherwise there is none good no not one as Psalme 14.1.3 and true i. found and vpright both to thy maiesty and to men in their hearts i. in their affections hee putteth the seate of affections for affections them selues Verse 5. But those that turne aside i. hypocrites which haue a place in the Churche and liue in it though they bée not of it and by turning a side hée meaneth going stray from the right way which God hath sanctified in his worde by their crooked wayes i. by deuises and imaginations of their owne for all that man deuiseth without God is crooked and peruerse Immanuel readeth it thus but those that set their mindes vppon their own crooked waies which in my iudgement is more playne shall the Lorde vz. himselfe in his great iustice and iudgement leade vz. out of his Church foorth vnto iudgement meaning that he shall pull them out from the godly and then pronounce sentence of condemnation agaynst them and giue them their portion euen eternal iudgment Matth. 21.41 Matth. 25.32 Luke 12.46 with the workers of iniquities i. with all others that haue giuen ouer themselues with gréedines to commit sinne sée Matth. 7.21.22.23 but peace i. al maner of blessednes and prosperity as Psalm 122.6.7 shal bee vz. continually vppon Israel i. vppon Gods Church and people Sée Psalme 124.1 and by Israel hee meaneth not onely them that came of Abraham according to the fleshe but those that are Abrahams children by fayth So that he sheweth that the peace of the Church shall procéed from this that the wicked shal bee driuen out of it Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs what stedfastnes Gods people haue as who can neuer fal away
groweth vppon houses incontinently withereth because it hath not earth sufficient vnder it to giue it moysture and nourishment wherefore looke by how much they shall thorow the greatnesse of their pride draw nigh to the Sunne so much the more sodainlye shall they be consumed because they haue no roote Verse 7. whereof i. wherewith the mower i. he that should mowe it filleth not his hande q.d. it is so skarse that he can not take a handful of it neither the glainer vz. which commeth after the mower and looketh more narrowly his lappe i. can get anye thing to speake of this may haue a double sence and both good though I confesse there is but one right sence of all scriptures for it may bee referred vnto the grasse spoken of before in the house toppe and then his meaning is that it commeth not to any ripenesse in so muche that it can neyther be mowed nor gathered but this I approue not because men vse not to mow grasse on the house toppe nor yet to gather it to any vse or it maye bee another Metaphor taken from Corne that commeth thinly vp here an eare and there an eare noting that the wicked thorow Gods iudgements should be brought to such a wasting that very few or none of them should be left and I take to be the more fitte sence Verse 8. Neither they which go by vz. the mowers and reapers say the blessing of the Lord be vpon you i. the Lord blesse you and your haruest because they cannot say so for they sée Gods hand vpon them in scarsitie Those that passed by were wont to wish well to the haruest workers as appeareth Ruth 2 4 so that this is as much q. d. They shall not pray no not for the worke men much lesse wish well to the haruest it selfe or this particle sheweth that it is an other kinde of spéeche that they vsed to the haruest men wée blesse you i. wée wishe you good in the name of the Lord i. thorow his maiesty power and goodnesse Do. Verse 1 setteth out the continual both malice assaults of the wicked against the godly Ver. 2 sheweth that they can neuer preuaile vtterly against them Ver. 3. declareth the hard hartednes and vnmercifulnes of the wicked Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God doth frustrate al the purposes and attempts of the vngodly whatsoeuer Ver. 5 conteineth the destruction of them that persecute the church Ver. 6 sheweth that the vngodlye are of no long continuaunce because they haue no déepe roote Ver. 7 sheweth that the vngodly wicked are vtterly vnprofitable to euery good thing Ver. 8 teacheth vs that it is a testimony of Gods greate curse vpon vs to want eyther the prayers or good wishes of the godly Psalme 130. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first he maketh his earnest prayer vnto the Lorde desiring him to remoue his sinnes that so he may féele his singular mercy ver 1 2 3 4. In the second he testifyeth his fayth and patience exhorting the faythful continually to hang vpon the Lord from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psal 120. Ver. 1. Out of the déepe places i. out of most deepe and huge dangers it is a metaphor taken from waters ready to drown a man sée Psal 69 1 2. haue I called vnto thée Lord i. earnestlye prayed vnto thée sée Psal 116.3 4. so that we sée that the Prophet when he felt himself sore oppressed with distresse yea as it were plunged in a gulfe of perplexity calleth earnestly vpon God for the greater the afflictions are whiche Gods children indure the more earnest are their supplications Ver. 2. Lord heare my voice i. graunt me the praiers which I expresse with my voice let thine eares attend i. harken diligently meaning that he would haue the Lord by effecte to shew that he had carefully heard his prayers to the voice of my prayers i. to the words whiche I vse in my praiers because the voyce is a meane to vtter wordes he putteth it for the words themselues Ver. 3. If thou O Lorde vz. which séest and knowest all thinges straitly markest i. narrowlye weighest or kéepest as a man would a register or reckoning iniquities i. the infinit numbers of sinnes committed agaynst thée and others for so I take the word in the plurall number who shall stand vz. in thy presence or before thée sée Psalme 1 5. q.d. who is hée that shall be able to beare thy iudgement or the least parte thereof Verely there is not one amongst all men that either haue bin are or shal be He meaneth then that we can not be iust but by the remission of sinnes and I take this verse to containe a reason as it were of his former prayer q.d. Spare vs not for our owne sake for there is nothing in vs that can mooue thée to pitie vs but for thine own mercy sake as in the next verse Verse 4. But mercy is with thée i. thou hast infinite and abundaunt mercy that thou mayst bée feared vz. amongest men and hée putteth feare in this place for the reuerente and sincere seruice of GOD so that he doth as it were desire GOD to haue regarde of his owne glorye whiche consysteth in the fayth and truth of his promises and in his worship and seruice both whiche shoulde vtterlye decaye if the Lorde did straightlye obserue our iniquities and destroy vs in his iudgement therefore and so he sheweth that there is no reuerence of God in mens hartes till his mercies bee sensiblye felte and knowne whiche is the foundation thereof and by feare he meaneth in this place the reuerent feare of Children and not the slauish feare of Seruaunts Verse 5. I haue vz. heretofore and yet at this present doe for vnder this hee comprehendeth also the present time wayted i. trusted and hoped and haue obtained that which I hoped for my soule hath waited vz. vpon the Lord as in the next verse Hée meaneth by this that he trusted in God not feignedly or in hipocrisie but hartily and from the déepe affection of his hart whereby he sheweth that the seate of sure hope is in the hart and I haue trusted vz. stedfastly in his worde i. in all his word generallye but specially in his promises made vnto mee Meaning that as he had before trusted and obtained fauour so he would doe still Verse 6 My soule wayteth on the Lord sée this expounded before verse 5. the repeating of it séemeth to shew the ardencie of his zeale and his continuaunce in hanging vpon God more then the morning watch i. that watch that is appointed to watch til the morning hath no body to ease him from his watche al night long watcheth for the morning i. for that time wherein in the morning he shall leaue his watch q.d. I am more desirous to inioy God and the fauours of his grace then the watchmen which are weary with
watching all night do desire to sée the breaking vp of their watch in the morning Verse 7 Let Israell i. Gods faithfull people as before Psalme 129 and afterwardes Psal 131 3 and in this verse he exhorteth all the Church by this example to hāg vpon God wayt vz. with patience on the Lorde vz. only and no other but him for with the Lord is mercy i. hee is gracious and mercifull as before verse 4 of this Psalme and this is a reason why he woulde haue the faithfull to hang vpon the Lord and with him is greate redemption vz. procéeding from that mercye of his as the streame from the Fountayne Meaning by that word great redemption that the Lord hath diuers meanes to deliuer his by and to draw them out of all daungers wherein soeuer they shal be Ver. 8. And he vz. himself and no other for him shall vz. most certainlye and assuredly redéeme i. set frée and deliuer Israell i. his faythfull people which shall haue their trust in him from all his iniquities i. not onely from all their sins but also from all daungers and distresses whereinto their sinnes mighte cast them For so largely doe I rest perswaded that the word shoulde be taken in this place Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more earnest and often should we be with the Lord by prayer Verse 2 teacheth vs that because sinne cleaueth fast vnto vs and our praiers pierce little or nothing that therefore we should continually call vpon the Lord to heare our prayers Verse 3 teacheth vs in our prayers to haue recourse vnto Gods mercy onely also that no man is able to stand as righteous in the presence and iudgement of God Verse 4 sheweth that Gods mercy should not breede carelesnesse in vs but care and conscience to walke before him in feare and trembling Verse 5 teacheth that there was neuer yet any one confounded that did vnfeignedlye put his trust in the Lord Verse 6 teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thyrste after the Lord. Verse 7 teacheth vs to prouoke others as well as our selues with patience to waite vpon the Lord. Verse 8 teacheth vs that it is God onlye that can deliuer from sinne and from all those punishments whiche sinne hath pulled vpon vs. Psalme 131. Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme propoundeth two thinges first he setteth downe the simplicitie and humblenesse of his own minde ver 1 2. Secondly he exhorteth the faithfull by his example to stryue to patience verse 3. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 also Psalme 122 in the title thereof Verse 1. Lord vz. whom I serue q.d. thou knowest whether it bee true or no that I speake though men will not beléeue me mine heart is not haughty he beginneth with the fountayne of pride which is in the heart q.d. Thou knowest that I haue not so much as in hart affected the Kingdome or Saules ruine or taken in hande any great matter but by a stedfast faith haue wholye stayed my selfe vpon thée and rested in the obedience of thy will neither are mine eyes loftie from the inward which is the hart he commeth to the outward which are the eyes q.d. that there was not in his visage or countinance any signe of pride but that outwardly he gaue an euident testimony of the humilitie of his hart inwardly neither haue I walked in great matters i. I haue not attempted high enterprises by fact without the reache of my calling and hid from me i. I haue not assayed to looke into such thinges as passe the lighte of capacity and vnderstanding which thou gauest me Verse 2. Surely q.d. this is most certain and thou knowest it though I would not report it I haue behaued my selfe vz. both outwardly and inwardly like one weaned from his mother i. euen as a little childe which is humble and lowly in whiche respecte our sauiour sayth except we receaue the kingdome of God as a little child we shall not enter therein Mar. 10 15. and Paul bee not children in vnderstanding but as concerning maliciousnesse be children 1 Cor. 14 20. and kéept silence i. speake very little or nothing I am in my selfe i. in mine owne perswasion and that in the vpright testimonie of a good conscience before God as one that is weaned i. as a yong childe in respect of affections and wicked desires for children commonly are not very old when they are weaned Ver. 3. Let Israell waye on the Lord sée this expounded Psal 130. ver 7. from henceforth and for euer i. from this time and continually Ver. 1 teacheth vs to auoyd pryde and arrogancye Do. both inwardly in the hart and outwardly in the countenance and behauiour Ver. 2 teacheth vs to striue to all humilitie and lowlinesse of affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs not only with patience for the time to wait vpon the Lord but to doe it continually for euer Psalme 132. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first is conteined a prayer for Dauid the Lords Priests and the faithfull people of God with a declaration of their zeale to Gods worship and seruice from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second there is expressed both Gods promises made particularly to Dauid and his posterity also to the whole churche generally from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before in the title of Psal 120. Ver. 1. Lord vz. Se. which art the only true God iudgest vprightly remēber i. declare by effects that thou remēbrest and beholdest him that thou doest approue the purpose of his mind in graunting him his request for otherwise God neuer forgetteth specially those that are his sée Gen. 8.1 Dauid vz. thine annointed king seruaunt and al his affliction i. al and euery one of the troubles which he hath indured specially the great care of his hart for the building of thy Temple of which sée 2. Sam. 7 1 2 3. but specially that which followeth in this Psal and all this he alleageth not as boasting of any thing he did but that séeing the Lord mercifull vnto him he might thereby take an argument of good things Ver. 2. who sware vnto the Lord i. bound himselfe vnto him by an oth and that to this end that therby he might be the more carefully bound to perform the good wch hée had promised sée Psal 119 6 vowed a vow i. promised that certainly this difference I take to be betwéen an oth a vow that the one is made with calling god to witnes the other is a solemn protestation or promise only yet so that if it be made concerning good things and by them that haue power in themselues to perform it it bindeth the cōscience sée Num. 30 thorow out to the mighty god of Iaakob i. to God who by his mightie force and power did deliuer the Patriarche Iaakob from all his daungers faying vz.
vnfaignedly and from his hart Ver. 3. I wil not enter vz. willingly and gladly into the tabernacle of my house i. into any part of the house or the house it self which I haue caused to be newlye builded sée 2. Samuel 5 9 also 1 Chronicles 15 1. nor come vpon my pallet or bedde vz. whiche are set and made in my new house to lye down vpon them or take my rest there Verse 4. Nor suffer mine eyes to sléepe vz. verye muche specially in that house which I haue newly made nor my eye liddes to slumber q.d. I will bee continually watchfull and carefull for to build God a house The Prophet meaneth not in al this that he was so proude as to think that either by oth or vow he could prescribe God a law neither yet that he was so rash as to promise that he would dwel openly in the ayre not sléepe neither daye nor night till the arke were brought to a place whiche hee woulde prepare for it which could not be very quickly done for that had but after a sort to haue killed himself but this he meaneth that he made religion conscience of it to goe into his new house vnlesse he had prepared a place for Gods arke to rest in also q.d. I must not be more carefull for my selfe either in respect of pleasure or profit or both then I am for God and his seruice Ver. 5. Vntill I finde out i. vntill I shal by searching find out a place i. a fit méet and conuenient place for otherwise there were places ynow for the Lord vz. to dwell and rest in not that God is tied to any place for the heauen of heauens can not contain him but he meaneth the Ark which is called the Lord himself because it was a most manifest testimonie of his maiesty and power an habitation i. a place to rest dwel in that it may no longer bee caried from place to place as it hath bin for the mighty God of Iaakob i. for that great God whom Iaakob worshipped or else for him that saued and deliuered Iaakob frō many daungers as before ver 2. Ver. 6. Lo we i. both I and others heard of it i. not of the place but of the arke in Ephrathah i. that it was Ephrathah I take this rather as Immanuell doth to be the name of the countrie wherein the tribe of Ephraim dwelt then of any one particular place yet so that it should note Shilo in the Tribe of Ephraim where the Arke of the Lord was kept from the dayes of Iehoushua vntill the death of Helie the Priest at what time it was taken by the Philistines sée 1 Samuel chapiters 1 2 3 and 4. and found it i. the Arke in the fieldes of the Forrest or as Immanuel turneth it as it is in the hebrew text in the fields of Iahar i. in the citie of Iahar which was situate both in a plain and woody place and therfore is turned here in the fields of the forrest in which respect also it hath seuerall names for of the woodes it is called Kiriah Iearim that is the citie of woods and of the playn or fielde it is called Baal or Baalah or Kiriah in Baalah and sometimes Bala of Iuda that is plaine place for the sence of this place sée 1. Sam. 7 1 c. and for the citie it self sée Iehosh 15.60 where it is reckoned vp among the cities alotted to the tribe of Iudah hath two names I know other men giue other sences but methinketh this is most plain Ver. 7. We wil enter vz. cherefully gladlye into his tabernacles i. into the places where this arke shall rest he himself be religiously serued which in Psal 100. ver 4. are called his gates his courts and worship vz. him before his footestoole i. before the ark of the couenaunt which is so called to put the faithfull in mind that they must not stay in the beholding of the ark only as though god wer inclosed therin but that they must lift vp their harts to heauen to worship God there with all reuerence as though GOD stretched his féete from the heauen to the earth that hée might lifte vs vp to heauen Now he must be sought to in Christ who is the verye Arke of Couenaunte in déede Verse 8. Arise vz. now at the earnest prayer of thy people O Lord this is to be referred both to God himselfe and to the Arke also as may appeare by that which followeth in the Vers Sée the word Lord also put for Arke verse 5 of this Psalme to come into thy rest i. into the place of thy rest because that before the Arke stayed not long in one place as maye appeare by the continuall concourse of the stories thou and the Arke of thy strength i. both thou thy selfe and the visible sacrament as it were of thy strength and power and he calleth it the ark of Gods strength because that in and from the Arke the Lord did plainly declare his maiesty power c Ver. 9 Let thy Priests i. the Priests which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe to bée the administers of holy things be clothed i. compassed about on euery side let it cleaue stick fast to thē as apparel doth to the body with righteousnes vz. both outward inward q.d. Let thē that are sanctified to this gret office be more and more sanctified let thy saints i. thy people whom thou hast sanctified to thy self reioyce vz. greatly that for this because the Ark shal stay in one place not flit as heretofore it hath done so that here he praieth both for Priests people Ver. 10. For thy seruaunt Dauids sake i. for him those promises which thou hast made to him others vnderstād by Dauid christ the sonne of Dauid who also in the Prophets is called by that name as Hosea 3 5 in the letter the first sence is most playn he speaking of himself in the third person in the doctrine the other is very true refuse not the face of thine annointed i. of me whom thou haste appointed to be King vnderstāding by not refusing his face the graunting of him his requests for here he prayeth the Lord to be merciful to his priests and people not to reiect the prayers which the king maketh for thē Ver. 11. The Lord vz. himself hath sworn in truth i. hath truly iustly sworn to perform whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto Dauid i. vnto me speaking stil of himself in the third person will not shrinke from it i. will not at any hand or by any meanes go back from his word sée Psa 110.4 and note that God sweareth not for any inconstancy in his word but for the strengthening of our fayth of the fruit of thy body i. some one or other of thy children sée Psal 127 3 wil I set vpon thy throne i. I will establishe them as thy lawfull heyres in thy kingdome after
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
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
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
a man should cut wood cleaue it on the earth our bones are scattered ready to be thrust into the graues mouth i. the enemies doe compasse me mine with such great violence are so ready to flie vpon vs all that wée shal be presently broken rent in peces by their rage vnles thou O Lord lay to thy helping hand which danger of theirs is most excellently set out by a verye fit similitude taken from wood cleauers or else thus I and my companions haue bin handled in al cruelty as if that after they haue cut a mans throat they would teare him in péeces before they would bury him Ver. 8. But mine eyes vz. both of my mind of my body looke vz. carefully continually as Psal 123.1.2 c. vnto thée O Lord God vz. only who hast both power wil for to helpe me in thée vz. only and none other but thée is my trust vz. alwayes but specially in this time of my great daunger and calamitie leaue not my soule i. me my selfe a part for the whole destitute vz. of thy defence aid and saluatiō Ver. 9. Kéepe me vz. of thy goodnesse that by thy power might from the snare i. that I fal not into the snare or grin or be taken therwith which they i. mine enemies vngodly men haue layd vz. closely and secretlye for me vz. to take me to catch me in and from the grins he repeateth the same matter in other words which is not vaine because it serueth to amplifie the cruelty craft of his wicked aduersaries of the workers of iniquitye sée before Psal 5.5 also Psal 6.8 also ver 4. of this very Psalm Ver. 10 Let the wicked fall vz. thorow thy iust iudgemēt into his nets i. into his own nets vz. which he hath made and layd for others together vz. with all them that take their parte q.d. let all the vngodly be ouertaken with their own nets thorowe thy iudgements as fishes are taken with a casting net for such a Metaphor he séemeth to vse in this place sée for this metaphor Isaiah 19.8 whiles I escape vz. out of the dangers which they supposed to haue brought vpon me this escaping of his must be attributed to Gods goodnesse and power only Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestnesse and seruency in prayer to our god not as a man would say to leaue of til he haue graciously graunted our requests Ver. 2. teacheth vs that séeing our prayers smack of the corruption which is in vs we should earnestly desire the Lord to accept of them in his own mercy Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not bridle our spéech vnles the Lord giue vs grace Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only to pray against grosse euils but also things that may preuoke and stir vs vp therto by reason of the slipperines of our corruption Ver. 5. teacheth vs that the reproofes of the godly are good and profitable secondly that a godly man should euer take them in good part thirdly that no euil that men can do to vs should make vs neglect our duty towards them Verse 6 teacheth vs not only how subtile and crafty the wicked are to intrap Gods childrē but also that no humble or swéet spéech that the godly can vse will asswage their malice and cruelty against them Ver. 7 teacheth vs to what a low ebbe miserable estate Gods children are many times brought in this life Ver. 8 teacheth vs not only in the great sea of our afflictions confidently to trust in the Lorde but also with patience to attend his leasure time for our deliueraunce Ver. 9 teacheth vs to pray the Lord to deliuer vs from the fraud and force of his and our enemies Verse 10 teacheth vs to pray for the confusion of the malicious enemies of God and his people Psalme 142 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth howe that in the time of his greate affliction and feare yea euen then when all had forsaken him hee cryed earnestly vppon the Lorde from the first verse to the ende of the fift In the second part he prayeth earnestly vnto the Lord to be deliuered from his enemies sometimes alleadging the better to moue the Lord thereto his owne miserye his aduersaryes strength and the prayse that the faythfull will yeelde to the Lorde therefore verse 6.7 The Title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction Sée this expounded before Psalme 42 and Psalme 44 in the titles thereof and a prayer vz. Se. which Dauid himselfe made when he was in the caue i. in the selfe same Caue with Saule whereof reade 1 Samuel 24 4. Verse 1. I cryed i. I earnestly prayed vnto the Lorde vz. in my trouble as Psalme 120 1. with my voyce i. wich seruent wordes expressed with my voyce with my voice I prayed vnto the Lord he expresseth the same thing in other termes noting thereby the ardency and earnestnesse of his prayer Verse 2. I poured out vz. plentifullye and in great aboundaunce my meditation i. the meditation of my hart q.d. I did not onely pray vnto him with my hart but layed forth the holy meditations of my soule with abundance of wordes before him i. in his presence not meaning that God was ignoraunt of the thoughts of his hart but expressing his great dutye towardes the Lord and declared vz. playnly and plentifully mine affliction i. the affliction and sorrowe whiche I did suffer and indure not but that GOD knew it for hee knoweth all things but because this is a péece of duty which he hath layd vppon vs to call vppon him in the time of our trouble Verse 3. Though my spirit was in perplexitie in mée i. though I my selfe was full of anguishe as Psalme 7◠ver 3 and troubled with gréeuous assaultes both inwarde and outwarde yet thou knewest i. diddest approue and allowe of as Psalme 1 6. my path i. the order of my life and innocent conuersation In the waye wherein I walked i. what iournie or way soeuer I tooke haue they i. the wicked and myne enemies priuily layd a snare for me vz. to catch me in it sée Psalme 141 9. Verse 4. I looked vz. as well and as narrowlye as I coulde vpon my right hande i. on euerye syde of mée or round about me putting a parte for the whole and behelde vz. on my lefte hande and that as attentiuelye as I coulde but there was none vz. amongst men that would know mee i. haue any care or regard of mée or succour me any maner of waye all refuge vz. of or from men fayled me i. was taken from me none vz. amongst men cared for my soule i. estéemed either me or my life q.d. I looked on euery side I perceiued my self to be destitute of all help and ayd Ver. 5. Then vz. when I saw my selfe thus distressed so that we sée that the true tast féeling of our own daungers and miseries
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
in that he beginneth with them he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse because that whereas they are more bound to God then others by reason the greater benefits they haue receaued from him and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their dutie in this behalfe vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on forward defrauding God by that meanes of the praise which is due vnto him supposing that the world was made only for them but also secretly telleth thē their dutie to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office for the more that any hath receaued and in the offices of his exaltation draweth nigh to God the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace and al people vz. of the world of what nation country or kinred soeuer they be princes and all iudges of the world i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them Ver. 12. Yong men and maids old men and children the particular recitall of the distinction of ages and sexes which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare that all without exception should imploy themselues in the seruice praysing of God And these two words virgins children import an amplifying as it were of the matter q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are performe this dutie of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 13. Let them vz. altogether both heauenly and earthly reasonable and vnreasonable but chéefely the reasonable creatures laste rehearsed verse 11 12. prayse the name of the Lorde i. his goodnesse power and might for his name only is to be exalted vz. in the songes and prayses of his peoples meaning that none is worthy of prayse in respect of himselfe but he alone sée Psalme 145 3. and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or the earth or else his prayse is so great that neither the heauens nor the earth nor all thinges therein contayned are able sufficiently to expresse it and this is the firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own maiestie Ver. 14. For he vz. alone hath exalted vz. by his power and mighte the borne of his people i. their strength for so haue we had the word horne vsed sundry times heretofore meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity which vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength is a prayse to all his saints i. tendeth not only to their glory and prayse but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magnifie his name by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them For the worde Saints sée Psalme 145 10. euen for the children of Israell i. euen for the true and right Israelites and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts a people that is nere vnto him vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham and confirmed in his sonne Christ and thus he doth more and more specifie the people who haue most singular occasion to praise him praise yee the Lorde sée Psal 146 in the end Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme from ver 1. to the end of the 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind much more man for whose sake all the creatures were made that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this dutie men had much more néede to be remembred and not only so but to bee pricked and prouoked forward thereto Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses doth playnly proue that Angels as well as other things were created and that therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit Verse 6 teacheth vs that not one of the creatures nor all the creatures can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest so they should be the first and examples to others in the seruice of God Verse 12 teacheth vs that no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sincere worship and seruice of God Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer belong onlye vnto him alone Verse 14 teacheth vs first that al the glory and strength which the church hath it hath it from God secondly that God neuer bestoweth benefit vpon the Churche but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it Psalme 149 THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes Di. In the first hee exhorteth the faithfull to praise God for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him for the strength and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme The title is expounded before Psalme 148. Se. in sundrie other places Ver. 1. Singe yee vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes vnto the Lord vz. your God a newe song i. a singular and excelent song by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme 33.3 also psalme 144.9 let his praise i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise be heard vz. openlie and painelie in the congregation of saincte i. in his Church this is an excelent description of the Church for saincts sée Psalme 148.14 Ver. 2. Let Israell i. the Church of God and faithfull people sée Psalme 147.19 also 148.14 reioyce vz. excedinglie and with an vnfeyned ioye in him that made him i. in God and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation onely but also of their frée adoption by which they were chosen seperated from all mankinde to be a peculiar people to God which was as it were a newe creation and let the children of Sion i. the faithfull members of the Church sée Psalme 146.10 and 147.12 reioyce vz. as before in this verse in their king i. either in Dauid and so by consequent in Christ because Dauid was but a figure of him or els in God whom the faithfull many times call their king as Psalme 5.2 and this latter do I rather allowe
ouerthrowe the children of God may be incouraged to pray vnto him and to prayse him for it and this is conteined in verse 16. also that he himself and his power may thereby be glorifyed in that the wicked whether they will or no must of necessity confesse his might and this is in verse 18. Psalme 84 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided as I take it into two parts In the first part the Prophet sheweth what great desire hee had in the time of his exile to ioyne himselfe to the assemblies of Gods people and what good estate they are in that may so doe from verse 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he maketh his request to God for his returne assuring himselfe that God in good time will graciously looke vpon him for his good concluding that they are blessed that stay vpon the Lord from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 8. Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1. O Lord of hosts i. O mighty God which hast al things at thy cōmaundement as armies or hosts to execute thy will how amiable i. not onely swéete and pleasaunt but most tenderly beloued of me are thy tabernacles by this word he vnderstandeth both the places wher the holy assēblies were made frō whence he was banished thorow the crueltie of his enemies also the people there assembled namely principally Ierusalē the temple the assēblies made there Ver. 2. My soule i. I my self both body and soule putting one part for the whole longeth i. vehemently and earnestly desireth wee applye this spéech to women with child who if they haue not the thing they lust for are in great daunger yea and faynteth i. with desiring of it and not obtayning of it I languish away and am as it were dead or entring into a swoone for the courts of the Lord he doeth expreslye vse this worde Courtes because hée might not go further vnlesse he had bin a Priest for mine harte and my fleshe i. both my inward and outward man reioyce in the liuing God i. take pleasure in him and his seruices who alone is the only true God for by the terme liuing he separateth him from al the dead idols dum images of the Gentils Ver. 3. Yea the sparrow hath found her a house vz. in which she maye rest and take her pleasure and the Swallowe a neast for her i. a place of ease both for her selfe and yong ones as may appeare by that which followeth euen by thine altars i. not verye farre from them by many hee meaneth onely one for it was not lawfull to haue manye Altars to offer Sacrafice vppon Immanuel readeth the latter part of the second verse and this verse otherwise ioyning them together thus My harte and my fleshe crye oute with desire to come to the mighty liuing God vnto thine Altars O Lorde of hostes my King and my God yea the Sparrow hath found a house and the swallowe a neast for herselfe wherein she maye laye her yong ones but the sence varieth not much Verse 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house this hee meaneth of the Priests and Leuites who not only had their houses nigh vnto the Temple but their lodgings also sée 1. Samuel 3.2 c. they will euer prayse thée i. they will be continually occupied in praysing thée for thy goodnesse and truth Verse 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thée i. who renounceth his owne and others strength and trusteth onelye to thy mighte and power and in whose harte are thy wayes i. that haue a desire and purpose to walke according to thine ordinaunces and namelye in visiting thy Temple and repayring to the exercises of thy Religion And by the worde Man he vnderstandeth many or that number of good men who vsed that course Verse 6. They Marke the sodaine chaunge of the number going thorow the vale of Baca of this valey reade 2. Samuel 5.23.24 and it should appeare to be a very drie place because of the Mulberry trées therein whiche thriue best in drie places make Welles therein i. make accounte of the drinesse of the place as though they had abundaunce of water for the pleasure that they take in Gods seruice mittigateth the great thirst of this drie place the raine also vz. which falleth from heauen couereth the pooles i. falleth vppon the vpper parts of the waters of the pooles increasing them But for mine own parte I would haue all this verse wholly referred out of Immanuel thus Blessed i. in good case are they that going thorow the valey of Baca or Mulberrye Trées of which somewhat is sayd before make it a well i. make that account of it as of a Well or of a most pleasaunt place wherein are welles and springes whome also i. which men the raine of blessings i. rayne that commeth from God and is bestowed vpon the earth as a blessing of God to make the same fruitfull and by raine of blessings he vnderstandeth also abundaunce of raine couereth i. falleth much vpon them and yet hindereth them not from going to the exercises of god This then is his meaning in these thrée verses 4 5 6 that not only the Priests and Leuites are in better case then he but the cōmon people that trauaile thorow many dangers and distresses to come to the place of Gods seruice from which he was shut by reason of his exile and whether hee would haue come with as great payns as they if he might safely haue done it Verse 7. They i. the people that thus repayre to the exercises of God and his word go from strength to strength i. the Lord indueth them with al maner of strength so that they féele no weakenesse or féeblenesse til euery one appeare i. come and place himselfe not denying but that afterwards also the Lorde doth graciously strengthen them before God vz. according to the law Exod. 23.17 meaning also by this spéech the arke of the couenaunt which to the children of Israel was a testimony of Gods presence in Sion vz. which was the place wherin the arke was the seruice of God vsed when Dauid did write this Psalm Ver. 8. O Lord god of hosts this is sundry times expounded before heare my prayer i. graunt my requests and petitions that I make vnto thée hearken i. yéelde to my suite O God of Iaakob i. of the faythful ones putting the name of the father from whom they came for his holy posteritie Ver. 9. Behold vz. in mercy our languishing and fainting for the exercises of thy word so looke vpon vs that we may be restored thereto for here Dauid prayeth both for him selfe and others that were with him in the like case O God our shield i. protector and defender who kéepeth vs many degrées better then shields and tergats are sée Psal 18.2 looke vpon the face i. graciously accepte the persons and prayers of thine
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
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