that put their trust in him 10 Thou chieflie the ofspring of Aaron which ought to go before others both in doctrine and example trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al that put their trust in him 11 Finallie how manie soeuer do professe to worship Iehouah trust you in the Lord who is the shield and defender of them that fixe their hope in him 12 The Lord doubt ye not careth for vs he wil blesse he wil blesse the posteritie of Israël he wil blesse the kindred of Aaron 13 The Lord is bountiful toward his true worshippers both toward the noble and also the most abiect 14 He wil heape you euen you I saie and your posteritie with new benefits more and more 15 For the Lord which hath made the heauen and the earth hath receiued you into his fauour 16 And he inhabiting those most high heauens from whence he ruleth al things hath granted the vse of the earth and of infinite good creatures wherewith he hath adorned it vnto men of his singular liberalitie 17 Euen for this purpose that they should publish his glorie in the earth the which thing verelie the dead can not perfourme vnto whome death it selfe taking awaie the vse of the tongue hath inioined silence 18 Deliuer vs therefore ô God that we may sing foorth thy glorie both now being aliue and for euer Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVI The Argument Whether we refer this Psalme vnto Dauid whom we certainlie knowe to haue bene maruellouslie deliuered oftentimes by the Lord from most present death and also froÌ„ most great anguish of mind or to anie other it conteineth an example of a singular thankesgiuing whereby we may vnderstand how far sometime the best and most vpright men vse to be cast downe and vnto whom in such case we must flie finallie how happie an end there shal be of al temptations so that we refraine our impatience by the bridle of faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AL my loue is in the Lord hearing the voice of my praier 2 And giuing attentiue eares vnto mee wherefore also I wil cal vpon him so long as I liue 3 Behold I was bound in the chaines of death the verie anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the sorrowes of my heart 4 Then I called vpon the name of the Lord I beseech thee ô Lord said I deliuer my most miserable soule 5 And what else should I say here than that which I streightwaies prooued in deed verelie that God is verie mild toward his and verie iust in perfourming his promises and that our God is most merciful 6 And that the Lord finallie doth defend those that walk plainlie vprightlie because he did help me so readilie when I was brought to extremitie 7 Go to therefore ô my seelie soule returne now vnto thy selfe and take rest seeing that so notable a change of thy state is wrought by the Lord. 8 For thou ô Lord hast deliuered my life from death thou hast staied the teares of mine eies thou hast established my feete that I did not fal 9 So that I may walke now safe and sound before thee among the liuing 10 For I beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my faith ministring voice and words to me being most sore oppressed with sorrowe 11 For I grant that I was so far cast downe that I knewe not whither to turne me and finding no staie anie-where did decline vnto this that I iudged with my selfe that both the very men and whatsoeuer they do is nothing 12 But ô Lord this most dangerous temptation being ouercome by thy power for how can that thing be vaine which is taken in hand by thine appointment or how can they be nothing with thee vpon whome thou hast bestowed thy grace what shal I giue againe vnto thee for al thy benefites which thou hast bestowed vpon me 13 Verelie I wil take in my hands the cup of thankful sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name ô Lord I wil testifie openlie that I knowledge this deliuerance to be of thee 14 And those things which I vowed vnto thee ô Lord when I was in danger wil I now paie in the presence of al the people 15 I acknowledge therefore and professe as the truth is that thou doest not despise those to whom thou hast once bin beneficial but louest them most deerelie and that thou wilt in no wise vnaduisedlie destroie them 16 Verelie therefore I am thy seruant thy seruant I saie euen thy bond seruant and therfore hast thou broken the bonds wherewith I was bound 17 And I againe as is meete doe render vnto thee this sacrifice of praise and cal vpon thy name 18 I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised before the whole assemblie of the people 19 And that in the courts of thy house ô Lord and in the middest of the citie Ierusalem Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVII The Argument The vocation of the Gentiles is prophesied in this most short but verie excellent Psalme as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 15 11. And also the summe of the Gospel is declared namelie the giuing of the grace and truth as Iohn doth expound it Iohn 1 17. and the end also namelie the worshipping of God in spirit and truth that we may knowe that the kingdome of Messiah is spiritual Finallie we are here taught what is the office of the subiects of this kingdome and what good things they ought to waite for THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye now the Lord ô al ye Gentiles casting awaie al your fained Gods and al ye people set forth his praise 2 For now at the length that his great mercie hath ouercome and is powred downe vpon vs and the truth of that eternal saluation promised of the Lord is now perfourmed Praise the Lord. PSALME CXVIII The Argument J do agree vnto them that attribute this excellent Psalme vnto Dauid and do suppose that it was written at the first beginning of his kingdome when the nations about him were readie to inuade him either in the feast of passeouer or in the feâ—st of the Tabernacles both that he might giue thanks to God after he had ouercome so manie difficulties and also that they which had so long resisted him might knowe that they resisted God and again that the whole people might so much the more willingly receiue the king that was giuen them froÌ„ heauen And it appeareth that Dauid so wrote these things of himselfe and of things that were past that they did chieflie appertaine to the Messias of whome he was a figure Esaie 8 14. and 28 16. Math. 21 42. Acts. 4 11. Rom. 9.33 Ephes 2 20. 1. Pet. 2 7. And Ierome witnesseth that this Psalme was thus expounded in the synagogues by the ancient Iewes the which thing is manifestlie confirmed by those ioiful acclamations of the people taken out of this Psalme when as they receiued him at his last entrance into the
Lord and they shal testifie vnto their posteritie that shal be borne after them that he onelie is the authour of this maruellous worke PSALME XXIII The Argument Dauid of a shepeheard being made a most mightie king contrarie to the errour of the Epicures which do dreame that al that they haue commâ—th vnto thâ—m either by fortune or by thâ—ir owne industrie and so abuse al the good things that they haue vnto al filthines doth attribute al those things to the liberalitie of God alone vsing two similitudes one of a shepeheard that prouideth for his flocke with great carefulnes the which similitude is most apt for Dauid being once a shepeheard and it also admonisheth the kings that they ought to be the shepeheards and feeders of the people The other similitude is taken from them that keepe good hospitalitie which most liberallie receiue those trauelers that come vnto them the which thing also doth admonish vs of our state and sheweth how al things are sanctified vnto vs by the word of God and thankesgiuing whatsoeuer the Lord ministreth vnto vs for the vse of this life Last of al it teacheth vs that we ought to rise from those transitorie benefites to those euerlasting and heauenlie blessings seeing that godlines hath the promises both of this present life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord is my shepeheard I neede not to feare anie famine 2 He lodgeth me in greene pastures and leadeth me to the pleasant riuers of waters 3 He restoreth me to life being ouertyred and doeth leade me in a plaine and pleasant waie deseruing thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie 4 Therefore though I should go by most darke and dreadful vallies of death I wil feare none euil trusting vpon the rod and shepeheards hooke of my shepeheard 5 Thou in the verie sight of mine enimies doest prepare a deintie table for me thou doest annoint my head with oile and giuest me a ful cup. 6 And surelie thy goodnes and mercie shal followe me to cause me to dwel in thy house al the daies of my life PSALME XXIIII The Argument This most sweete Psalme doth teach vs that as God is the creator of al things so is he the Lord of al howbeit that he hath chosen vnto himselfe out of the multitude of men some certaine persons whome onlie he accounteth for his subiects and whome alone he hath appointed to euerlasting blisse Furthermore he declareth who these are and by what workes the true members of the Church may be knowne that we may vnderstand that they are not al of the Church who are outwardlie conuersant in the Church But because there was but one certaine nation as yet comprehended vnder the couenant the Israëlites I meane and there was but one place certaine in the which the Church was bound to assemble that holie mountaine I meane in the which the Temple was then to be builded therefore doth Dauid chieflie make mention hereof and doth treate by the spirit of prophesie of the magnificent building of the Temple Yet doeth he exhort the people that they should not onlie regard the outward building and the outward rites and sacrifices but that they should chieflie giue their hearts vnto him that promised to dwel in the Temple And this same doctrine doth euen now at this daie declare the true vse of the sacraments and doth much more appertaine vnto vs vnto whome the truth is plainelie reuealed al the shadowes of the lawe being abolished than it did to the old fathers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD is the Lord of the earth and of al things therin conteined euen of the whole world I saie and of al that dwel therein 2 For it is he that built the earth vpon the sea placed it to appeare aboue the flouds as we see 3 Howbeit he hath chosen vnto himselfe a certaine mountaine into the which loe who shal ascend and who shal stand in that place consecrate vnto him 4 Euen he whose hands are not polluted with wickednes that is of a pure heart which gapeth not for vaine things neither sweareth deceitfullie 5 Such a man shal receiue blessings of the Lord abundantlie and in the end shal find him a sauiour as he that can not lie hath promised 6 And this is thy true seede ô Iakob euen the generation of men that seeke God and present themselues before thee ô Lord. 7 O ye gates lift vp your postes mount vp I saie ye eternal gates that the King of glorie may enter 8 Who is this glorious king That same Lord strong and valiant that mightie warriour 9 Lift vp your head postes ô ye gates mount vp I saie you gates that this King of glorie may enter 10 Who is this glorious King The Lord of hoastes he is this King of glorie PSALME XXV The Argument This Psalme teacheth a forme of praier dailie to be vsed of the whole Church and of euerie one of the saintes of God wherein three things are requested euen by faith regarding the promises alreadie made vnto vs and confirming it selfe by the experience of former benefites The first is the free forgiuenesse of sinne The second that we may be gouerned by the holie Ghost in the whole course of our life that remaineth The third a defence from the iniuries of our enimies the which three do answere to the petitions of the Lords praier wherein we require to haue our sinnes forgiuen and that we be not led into temptation and to be deliuered from euil THE PARAPHRASIS 1 VNTO thee ô Lord I lift vp my whole heart 2 O my God my hope is onlie fixed in thee let me not be repulsed I beseech thee and put to shame and so be derided of mine enimies 3 And surelie thou wilt not suffer them that depend vpon thee to be put to shame but rather must these faithles persons that persecute the innocent be brought to shame 4 Graunt ô Lord that I may vnderstand in these so great perplexities and extremities what way thou appointest thine to walke and teach me thy pathes 5 Guide my steps in thy truth and teach me continualie for thou art he ô my God of whom I do looke faithfullie for my deliuerance 6 Be mindful ô Lord of thy mercies which thou hast shewed so oft to thy seruants and of thy manifold goodnes which thou hast declared in al ages 7 Contrariwise ô Lord forget al the follie of my youth and al my trespasses and remember me ô Lord of thy sinâ—ular mercie and goodnes 8 And why should not I thus hope seeing the Lord is merciful and true in his promises therfore doth he cal againe into the way the sinners that go astraie 9 He also after they be humbled made meete to learne doth teach them gentlie and meekelie and declareth how louinglie he vseth to gouerne his 10 Which waie so euer the Lord doth leade his his mercie appeareth as also how constantlie he keepeth his promise to them that keepe
his couenant that he hath made with vs as the singular testimonie of his mercie 11 I beseech thee ô Lord therefore for thy great mercie and for the honour of thy holie name forgiue me my sinnes the which I acknowledge to be great and manifold 12 O how happie is he that feareth the Lord for he wil teach him the waie that he ought to walke 13 His mind enioieth a continual rest a blessing shal alwaie followe him wherof his posteritie shal be partakers 14 These are they to whome the Lord doth reueale his counsels which are otherwaies hid from vs euen that his couenant I saie to them that feare him 15 Wherefore I haue mine eies alwaies bent vpon the Lord alone for he in the end wil rid my feete foorth of these nets 16 O looke vpon me and haue mercie vpon me for I am verie miserable and forsaken of al. 17 Sorowes oppresse my heart on euerie side deliuer me from these miseries 18 Behold how miserablie I am vexed and tormented and put awaie my sinnes which are the verie cause of al these miseries 19 Behold how manie do hate me and how bitter hatred they beare against me 20 Defend me and keepe me from shame for in thee onlie do I trust 21 Graunt that I may be preserued safe in simplicitie and integritie the which I do waite for of thee 22 Finalie ô God deliuer thou Israël out of al troubles PSALME XXVI The Argument It is a verie hard thing in the Court to retaine true religion and vprightnes of life and conuersation chiefelie when wicked men do reigne there flatterers do rage partlie by open violence partlie by false accusations and an other sort doth sing in their eares that they must frame their wits to serue al turnes and purposes euen as the fish called Polypus doth change himselfe into the colour of the stone whereunto he cleaueth so that some do altogither leaue their vocations prouiding for their owne commodities to the great damage of the common wealth others do by little and little fal to the Courtlie maners like the rest And some there be who for the wicked life of certaine others do either absteine from the holie assemblies or gather vnto them-selues apart priuate conuenticles as did the Catharians and the Nouatians and manie Monkes that went into solitarie places and the Anabaptistes of our time But Dauid contrariwise though his state was no better in the Court of Saul yet doth he perseuere in his place and vocation and doth the more diligentlie frequent the holie assemblies that were polluted with no idolatrie whiles he is driuen from them by violence neither when he is driuen thence doth he repent of his constancie but being alwaies one man he doth commit his cause vnto God and stil continueth to abhorre the counsels and the examples of the wicked and plainelie testifieth that he wil make a true profession of his faith and that he wil liue an vpright life resting vpon the promises of the most merciful and most mightie God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O LORD iudge thou my cause for surelie according to my power I haue endeuored my selfe to walke vprightlie and I setling al my confidence in thee ô Lord am minded to continue without wauering 2 Thou ô Lord prooue me and trie me and search the secret of my heart 3 Surelie mine eâ—es are alwaie bent vpon thy goodnes and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life 4 I haue carefullie auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitful dealers 5 I hate the assemblie of euil men neither do I accompanie the wicked 6 I do present my selfe before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from al wickednes 7 That I may openlie set foorth thy praise and celebrate thy wonderful workes 8 For there is nothing that I loue more dearelie than that temple wherein thou hast set thy seate euen the house of thy Maiestie 9 Wrap me not in I beseech thee with these wicked persons neither account me with these cruel men 10 Who do speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are ful of bribes 11 But I haue walked vprightlie to my power therefore haue mercie vpon me and deliuer me 12 That I do stand vpright in the waie I do attribute it to thee ô Lord and wil magnifie thy name in the publike congregations PSALME XXVII The Argument Whether we saie that Dauid did write this Psalme when he was now deliuered or when he was in the middest of his daungers it is no great matter But here are opened vnto vs euen when al things seeme most desperate three liuelie and neuer failing fountaines whence we may drawe assured comfort One is to take hold of the power of God by true faith and oppose it against al the bragges of the enimies The second a continual desire alwaie of the glorie of God keeping euermore a safe conscience and vsing diligentlie the meanes whereby our faâ—th may be confirmed that is to saie the hearing of the word preached and the vse of the sacraments if so be that we may haue thâ—m if not yet must we haue a continual meditation of them The third is earnest praier wâ—th faith and patience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord seeing thy wil doth manifestlie appeare like a most bright light vnto me in this so great darkenes to deliuer me whome shal I feare seeing my life standeth vpon the strength of the Lord of whom shal I be afraid 2 I speake of experience for so oft as those wicked tyrants mine enimies did runne vpon me as though they would deuour me with their teeth they fel downe voide of their purpose 3 Hereafter therefore though the enimies come foorth with their armies set in araie against me yet wil I stand without al feare yea though they enter into battel against me I wil hereof take the occasion of more confidence 4 Neither do I yet herein prouide for mine owne priuate commoditie but I beg and craue this one thing of the Lord that I may dwel in the house of the Lord and leade my life with him euen to spend my whole life in beholding the beautie of the Lord and to meditate in his holie temple 5 For there trulie vnder the roose of his house wil I lie hid when anie storme commeth in the secret place of his pauilion shal I be hid whilest that I be set vpon an high and safe rocke 6 Yea euen now alreadie like a conquerour I mount vp listing mine head aboue mine enimies that compas me about wherefore I wil offer sacrifice ioifullie in his tabernacle and I wil sing and praise the Lord. 7 Receiue therefore ô Lord the voice of my crie haue mercie vpon me and heare me 8 My heart doth continualie meditate that same thy commandement Seeke ye my face that is euen as I now open my selfe wherfore I do obeie thee
trust in him 4 O blessed is that man who putting al his confidence in the Lord turneth awaie from men that are puffed vp with most vaine and deceitful confidence 5 O Lord my God! how manie and maruellous are thy works who is able to comprehend in his mind or to declare and vtter thy thoughts towards vs seeing they are innumerable 6 Howbeit this doth chieflie set forth the greatnes of thy benefites that al this doth proceed freelie of thine vnspeakeable mercie For thou hast not required of me the oblations and sacrifices of the law as though I could satisfie thee by them which were a madnes for anie man to persuade himselfe but thou hast required this one thing for al maner of oblations and offering that I should heare thee the which thing also thou hast graunted vnto mee making me apt and readie to heare thee 7 Wherefore I trusting to this thy grace haue streightwaies againe answered within my selfe Lo I am here for in the verie beginning of the booke of thy lawe I doe heare my selfe thus called when thou saiest Heare ô Israël 8 Neither dost thou command vs ô my God to heare thee for anie other cause but that we should obeie thee when thou speakest Seeing thou hast graunted vnto me ô Lord this wil I haue testified my wil and that thy lawe is setled in the secret of my heart 9 Neither haue I done this dissemblinglie for I haue openlie declared thy righteousnes neither wil I euer cease to declare it for feare of anie peril of the which my wil thou art witnesse ô Lord vnto me 10 I haue not kept secret I saie thy righteousnes which I did knowe in my heart but I haue most plainlie professed how faithful thou art in thy promise and that al our saluation doth consist in this thine onlie goodnes I haue testified thy mercie truth also before al the assemblie of thy people 11 Now thou againe my God seeing that new enimies do arise continue as thou hast done hitherto to haue mercie vpon me and ioine neare vnto me those thy faithful keepers euen thy mercie and fidelitie in keeping thy promises 12 For innumerable troubles doe againe hang ouer my head and so manie and so great punishments due vnto my sinnes do presse me that I can scarselie behold them a farre off with mine eies for they are aboue the number of the haires of mine head and my verie heart faileth me 13 Let it please thee therefore ô Lord to deliuer me ô Lord I saie make haste to helpe me 14 Cause them to be confounded ashamed and frustrate of their expectation that seeke my death and let them be turned backe with shame voide of their purpose which bend themselues wholie to hurt me 15 Let them suffer the same blot of infamie for a reward of their wickednes wherewith they would haue spotted me which cried Ha ha in my miserie 16 But contrariwise let al that seeke thee being confirmed comforted by mine example reioice and they that haue set al their hope of saluation in thee let them exhort one another to praise thee I was miserable and destitute of al mens helpe but the Lord prouided for me and mine affaires Thou wast my helper thou wast my deliuerer and now ô my God I beseech thee make no delaie PSALME XLI The Argument This is a most greeuous temptation which was the occasion of the making of this Psalme treating the same matter with the booke of Job wherein this question is handled to wit whether seeing God is iust and al the miseries wherevnto men are subiect doe come for our sinnes we may determine of the wrath of God and of the condemnation of anie by the present miseries wherewith they are oppressed For it is the common iudgement of the world supposing of the contrarie that they are in Gods fauour which doe abound with the commodities of this life And both these are false as God himselfe doth decide the controuersie betweene Job and his friendes and Salomon also in his booke called Ecclesiastes Now this temptation is most greeuous for it openeth the doore to blasphemie and desperation and this euil iudgement is the more greeuous when it proceedeth from faithlesse and churlish persons of whom chiefly we looked for comfort Thus was Dauid maruellouslie vexed of them who liked not his sincere and vpright dealing and seueritie of discipline as it appeareth by the historie that the son was drawen away froÌ„ his father by the practise of wicked Achitophel and others and driuen to that horrible conspiracie Moreouer these faithles persons had an horrible disease in their hearts which increased the desire of alteration in them for they supposed when Dauid should be taken awaie that they could raise vp one who would satisfie their lustes and would set them at more libertie Dauid therefore greeued with so manie sorrowes acknowledgeth himselfe a sinner and both by faith resting vpon God and vpon an vpright conscience towardes these traitors flieth vnto God and wisheth wel vnto them that had a better opinion of him and powreth foorth most feruent praiers for the safetie of himselfe and his kingdome of the good issue whereof he is so sure as he might wel be hauing a particular promise of God that he giueth thanks for the performance of the same And heerein there is a maruellous figure both of Dauid compared with Christ and of Achitophel with Judas as the verse of this Psalme is cited Iohn 13 18. For like as Dauid being betraied chased awaie by his sonne dâ—d yet recouer the kingdome euen so Christ betraied of his disciple and nailed vpon the crosse by the malice of his owne people did then verelie begin his kingdome and both the traitors had the like and the same end THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT wel may it be vnto you that iudge more vprightlie of me being in most great miserie for surelie the Lord wil deliuer me forth of this calamitie 2 The Lord wil not faile to prouide for me and wil restore me to life againe yea whatsoeuer these do prattle God wil againe blesse me neither wil he suffer mine enimies to satisfie their lustes vpon me 3 The Lord rather wil strengthen me though I be throwen downe with the greatnes of my sorowes and he wil go about my verie bed 4 For I haue called vpon him with these words which cannot be frustrate I knowledge ô Lord that I haue sinned against thee and am therefore punished most iustlie but thou hauing compassion vpon me heale me being wounded much more in mind than in bodie 5 Behold these churlish and faithles persons doe not cease to cursse me wish nothing more than my destruction When saie they shal he once perish and his name be wholie extinguished 6 If anie man come vnto me vnder the colour of friendship he may wel testifie amitie in his words but he meaneth in his heart to hurt me casting manie subtile fetches in his mind and
when he goeth from me he vttereth al to the men of his faction that he hath found out of me 7 And then when they haue diligentlie commoned and consulted together they pronounce the sentence of death against me 8 For saie they He is found guiltie of a horrible and mischieuous wickednes that there is no hope that he can escape from these miseries 9 Yea that same my most familiar who being in safetie I hoped for al prosperitie and of whome I looked for al kind of friendship euen he whome I tooke to mine owne table hath lifted his heele against me 10 But thou Lord haue mercie vpon me make frustrate their desires and raise me againe that according to the office and authoritie that thou hast giuen me I may iustlie punish their infidelitie 11 But oh Wherefore should I vse manie words vnto thee doubtles I now knowe that thou doest not hate me euen by this that thou hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me as they verelie hoped and by mans iudgement it seemeth so in deede 12 Behold then I do yet stand safe sure through thy defence and I knowe that thou wilt alwaies care for me 13 O Lord the God of Israël euerlasting praise be giuen to thee euen so be it I saie so shal it be PSALME XLII The Argument This Psalme doth set forth a singular example of true faith together with a maruellous care of the exercise of religion For Dauid being now an exile and not onlie spoiled of al his honour but of al his goodes and also fought for vnto death by most cruel enimies on euerie side doth yet testifie that he doth not despaire Furthermore he saith that he doth nothing regard so great losse of al other things in comparison of this one thing that whereas before time he was wont to go before others that vsuallie came vp to the Tabernacle he was now compelled to want those helpes of faith appointed by God For this most holie man did vnderstand that although he had God present with him whither soeuer he went and had profited so greatlie in the knowledge of God and his dutie as no man like him yet did he knowe that there was profite to be taken of the holie publike assemblies and that there is not anie man that doth not neede the hearing of the word and the comforts of the sacraments Let them marke this chieflie who thinke themselues so wise that they wilfullie despise the holie assemblies and the sacraments and they much more who for the commoditie of the transitorie things of this world doe refuse the holie ministerie Finallie they also which had rather he stil in the dunghil of idolatrie than to be accounted of the Church of Christ. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LIke as the Hart long and sore chased with the hunters panting and braieng doth most greedilie seeke the fountaines of waters euen so I miserable man whome these men neuer cease so manie yeeres to persecute doe crie vnto thee ô God with my whole heart 2 Neither doe I desire againe the honour that I haue lost or the riches or my wife or my kinsmen and friends but I am consumed wholie rather with thirst and desire of thy liuely and euerlasting fountaine ô God Ah then when shal it at the length be graunted vnto me most miserable man that I may behold thee in thy house 3 I feede my selfe with teares day and night hearing these wicked men vpbraiding me as though I were forsaken of thee asking dailie Where is my God 4 O how bitter vnto me is the remembrance of the former times when I consider how great a multitude I was wont aforetime to leade vnto thy house which caused the verie fields to sound forth thy praises with their songs and danses 5 Go to yet my poore soule Why art thou so amazed and troubled so greatlie wait thou whilest God that thy deliuerer doe come For he I knowe wel wil bring to passe that I shal appeare againe in his sanctuarie and shal giue thankes vnto him for my deliuerance 6 But oh my God! I doe lie downe ouerthrowne both in the strength of my bodie and mind thinking of thee so far absent being chased vnto Iordan and lieng hid in the tops of the mountaines Hermon and Mizar 7 One deepe followeth another and calleth me to destruction thy streames breaking out with horrible sounding and the conduits of the clouds rolling downe vpon my head and al the flouds powred foorth to destroie me at once 8 Be it far from me yet that I should despaire for surelie the Lord wil prouide for mee in the daie time through his goodnes and in the night time he wil giue me cause to sing foorth his praise Finalie I wil neuer cease to praie vnto God the onelie authour and preseruer of my life 9 I wil saie vnto God vnto whose onlie protection I trust Can it be that thou shouldest be vnmindful of me and suffer that I being oppressed of the enimie should lie for euer in sorowe and miserie 10 Wilt thou neuer regard me nothing mooued with the losse of those thinges whereof I am most vniustlie spoiled but wounded to the heart with those wicked words of mine enimies when I heare them oftentimes speake in derision asking Where that my God is 11 Go to then my seelie soule why art thou so amazed and why art thou so disquieted wait rather whilest the Lord come for he wil graunt me that I being againe deliuered shal giue him thanks Thus he deliuering me shal cheere my countenance he I saie is my God PSALME XLIII The Argument This Psalme is a portion of the former repeating the praiers whereby he praied to be restored to the Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 MAinteine my right ô God and defend my iust cause deliuer me from this vnmerciful multitude and from the deceitful and wicked man 2 For I trust to thy power alone ô my God wherefore doest thou refuse me and sufferest me to go heauilie being oppressed of mine enimies 3 Graunt I beseech thee that thy mercie and truth may shine vnto me which may bring me vnto that holie mountaine euen to thy tabernacles 4 O God! I wil there witnesse my ioie with my voice comming foorth vnto thine altar and I wil praise thee ô God my God vpon the harpe also 5 Wherefore art thou cast downe my soule and so sore disquieted wait vpon God for it wil come to passe that I shal praise him againe For this is that my God who deliuering me wil againe comfort me PSALME XLIIII The Argument This is also a Psalme of praier but ful of most grieuous lamentations the authour whereof is supposed of manie not to be Dauid because these complaintes seeme not to belong to his time therefore other do refer it to some other time but I do thinke that that which is spoken in the 18. verse and afterward doth much lesse agree to anie time than to those times which came after Dauid
with another but now turne thee againe vnto vs. 2 For what haue we not suffered For thou hast shaken the verie earth so that it doth euen cracke and gape therefore fil the clifts thereof and restore it being sore shaken 3 Thou hast caused vs thy people to taste most heauie things and hast made vs to drinke as it were a cup of giddinesse 4 But now againe of the contrarie such is thy mercie when thou giuest vnto vs being conuerted vnto thee thy standard and thy truth to go before vs and commandest vs to folowe our captaine and bring foorth the armie 5 Defend thy beloued and by stretching out thy right hand heare them and preserue them 6 And why should we douâ—t I praie you that this thing should so come to passe seeing God hath spoken vnto vs forth of his sanctuarie wherefore I do wholie reioice being certeine alreadie of the victorie For God wil graunt vnto me verelie that I shal compose and set my kingdome in order ouer-comming al mine enimies I wil diuide therefore the fields of the Sichemites and wil measure the vallie of Succoth 7 I shal obteine my Gilead and Manasseh beyond Iordan peaceablie the Gentiles round about being chased awaie Ephraim shal be the chiefe part of mine armie I wil place in Iudah the throne of iudgement 8 But the strangers how fierce soeuer they be shal do al seruile worke vnto me the Moabites shal hold the basen to wash my feete I wil cause the Idumites to take vp my shooes being shaken off and cast vpon their heads and thou proud Palestina prepare triumphes for me and ioiful songs as thou hast a little before triumphed ouer vs. 9 But by what captaine shal I win so many strong cities and by what power shal I be strengthened to come vnto Idumea 10 Verelie thou being my guide and trusting to thine onelie power my God although thou hast beaten vs backe hertofore and hast refused a great while to go foorth before our armies 11 Therefore be present with vs ô Lord after the miseries of so manie yeeres for that helpe is vaine which is hoped for of men 12 We trusting vnto thee ô God shal doe valiantlie he alone wil tread vnder foote al our enimies PSALME LXI The Argument Dauid being an exile declareth by this Psalme that like as there is a continual battel betwixt the world and the saints Iames. 4.4 so that the hope of the saints is nourished by a continual remembrance of former benefits for the decree of God concerning the preseruation of his is not changeable yet here be some things which do rest vpon the singular promise of God not common vnto al men as those things which Dauid doth promise to himselfe for the atteining of the kingdome and for long life trusting verelie to the word of God as is written Psal 89 11. c. and 130 11. and most fullie 2. Sam. 7. Notwithstanding so farre doe these promises belong vnto euerie one of the saints that they are sure generallie that godlines hath the promises both of this life and of the life to come and so may cast their care of particular euents of their affaires onlie vpon God Furthermore that which the Prophet promiseth vnto himselfe of the eternitie of his kingdome seeing it is referred vnto the kingdome of the Messiah which is both the sonne and the Lord of Dauid which kingdome is not of this world as it is applied by the Angel Gabriel Luke 1. it bringeth great comfort and most certeine to the Church and to euerie member thereof in al miseries how sore and extreame soeuer because that the honour of the king can not stand but in the safetie of the subiects THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare my crie ô God and giue eare vnto my praiers seeing the greatnes and multitude of my dangers do so require 2 For though I be driuen farre awaie from thy sanctuarie and doe carrie a mind oppressed with cares notwithstanding I crie vnto thee requiring that thou wouldest now take me into that high tower whither I cannot come by anie meanes but by thine onelie power 3 For hitherto thou hast bene vnto me a most safe refuge and a most sure tower against the enimie 4 Therefore I doubt not but it shal come to passe that though I be now farre absent from thy tabernacle yet at the length I shal be placed againe therein and I shal rest there vnder the defence of thy wings 5 For thou ô God hast graunted my desire and hast appointed me the king of thy holie people 6 And also thou wilt bring to passe I knowe wel that prolonging the life vnto the king whom thou hast appointed his age shal bee as it were doubled 7 Yea this his throne shal be eternal before thee but I beseech thee giue vnto him two keepers vpon whome he may onlie trust euen thy mercie and thy truth 8 I then being restored againe wil praise thy name for euer and wil paie my vowes dailie vnto thee PSALME LXII The Argument Dauid being cast from his throne by the conspiracie of his sonne and being compelled to flie with an handful of men beyond Jordan as may be gathered by the 8. verse striuing with a most greeuous temptation namelie by so great and sudden a change of things tempted either to prooue vnlawful things or to fal to desperation doth conclude that he wil notwithstanding perseuere and continue constantlie in waiting for the helpe of God and he confirmeth those that did cleaue vnto him by his example and that with so great so liuelie a courage of heart wherevnto the verie words and sentences doe answere that whosoeuer hath this Psalme in memorie it seemeth that he can be ouercome with no kind of temptation THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOwsoeuer it is and what thing soeuer and after what sort soeuer it seemeth to threaten me my heart doth rest no-where else but onlie in the power of God and his wil declared vnto me and for a ful conclusion I wil wait for deliuerance from him alone 2 Furthermore whatsoeuer commeth vnto me on the contrarie God is my fortresse my saluation my tower and I knowe this that though I be tossed long and much more and more yet shal I neuer fal 3 But yee ô wicked men wil yee neuer cease to conspire altogether against mee with vncessant fiercenes and to driue me downe whome yee account like a wal readie to fal of it owne accord or an heape of stones sliding downe 4 For these men are afraid least I be raised vp againe and therefore they are wholie occupied in this that they may vtterlie cast me downe and there is no craft which they doe not inuent against me faining friendship in their words but deuising destruction against me as appeareth in verie deed 5 But go to my seelie soule looke vp vnto God and quietlie rest in him for I doe depend wholie vpon him alone 6 Finallie with what weapon soeuer I am inuaded seeing
and poore 2 Preserue the life of him that is promoted by thy benefite preserue ô my God I saie thy seruant that flieth vnto thee 3 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord crieng dailie vnto thee 4 Refresh the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee alone ô Lord my soule doth lift it selfe 5 For thou ô Lord art verelie good and merciful and vsest great clemencie and kindnes towards them that cal vpon thee 6 Giue eare vnto my praiers ô Lord and receiue the words of him that praieth vnto thee 7 Neither doe I crie without cause vnto thee but being in most extreame miserie therefore thou wilt heare me 8 For verelie amongst al those feined gods vnto whome the mad men doe attribute so much who is to be compared vnto thee ô Lord and who is able to doe like vnto thee 9 Wherefore al nations in the end shal cast awaie their false gods and shal knowledge thee their creator and reuerencing thee shal giue thee al praise 10 For thou verelie art great thou onelie art God the author and worker of maruellous works 11 Teach me ô Lord the waie that thou hast appointed that I may shew my selfe faithful and trulie obedient vnto thee and cleauing wholie vnto thee may set my mind to serue thee 12 O Lord my God I wil praise thee with my whole heart and magnifie thy name for euer 13 Seeing I haue the experience of thine infinite goodnes in my selfe and am deliuered from the lowest pit of the graue by thee 14 Thou seest doubtles how cruel and proud men do arise vp against me and how such as regard nothing lesse than thee doe labour with al power to take my life from me 15 But thou ô Lord God vpon whome onlie I do depend wholie art verelie merciful and pitiful and art not hastie vnto anger most merciful I saie and most ful of truth 16 Take care of me therefore for thine infinite mercie and helpe thy bond-seruant 17 Grant finallie that I may manifestlie knowe that thou louest me that mine enimies may be ashamed of themselues when they see that thou dost helpe and comfort me PSALME LXXXVII The Argument Manie do applie this Psalme to the time of the second temple but I had rather to attribute it to that time of the kingdome of Dauid when he set vp a tabernacle for the Arke of the Lord in that part of the citie that bare his name euen the mount Sion whilest that the temple was builded Howsoeuer it is besides the prophesie of spreading the Church of God thoughout the whole world this Psalme doth teach vs with a maruellous and diuine breuitie vnder the figure of that earthlie either temple or tabernacle either first or second that the worke of the building of the spiritual temple of God which is made of liuely stones euen the Church is altogither diuine and that the foundation thereof is onelie the good pleasure of God and that the Church is not bound to one place alone and that nothing is more stable and durable than the Church finallie that the true and euerlasting ioie doth onlie there remaine as hauing the promises both of this life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord minding to build vnto himselfe a firme and stable habitation hath chosen these hils consecrated them to himselfe 2 And he hath preferred the gates of Sion aboue al the habitations of Iacob because it so pleased him 3 Wherfore excellent things are decreed of thee ô citie of God 4 For behold saith the Lord I wil account both Aegypt and Babylon amongst my people so that they shal be no more enimies vnto thee and the verie Philistins the Tyrians and Arabians shal be numbred amongst thy citizens 5 Finallie men of al nations shal not be as aliens and strangers but they shal be the natiue citizens of Sion the which God wil establish from aboue 6 For God accounting the people wil write them al in his booke 7 There shal al sound with singers and shawmes there saith the Lord al the fountaines of my benefits shal flowe foorth PSALME LXXXVIII The Argument The Hebrue title doth testifie that the writer of this Psalme was Heman by his countrie surnamed Esrait a kinsman and fellowe of Asaph of whome most honourable mention is made 1. Chron. 6 33. and 15 4. where it is said that he was a Prophet to the king and a singer and of singular wisedome 2. Kings 4.31 So that I thinke they are deceiued who refer this Psalme to the time of Joakim the last king of Iu l◠saue one who was captiue in Babylon And it conteineth such a lamentation as there is none more lamentable and pitiful in the whole Psalmes the which the whole Church and the families and also euerie priuate man may vse both in publike and priuate miseries Therefore was this Psalme afore-time named amongst the penitentials as they called them and was sung at the publike confession of the excommunicate persons the which Psalmes afterward we haue seene to be applied foolishlie and without reason to a daily and priuate babbling without respect either of time or person THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord GOD of whome I doe wait for my deliuerance I cal for thy helpe daie and night 2 Let my praiers I beseech thee come vnto thee and giue eare vnto my crie 3 My soule is ful of miserie neither is my life far from the graue 4 For I am more like to a dead than to a liuing man by the iudgement of al that doe behold me 5 And as though I had no part with the liuing I am now counted amongst the dead and amongst them that lie in graue of whose life there is none account as those whome thy hand hath cut off at once 6 And I am cast by thee as into the lowest darke and deepe pit 7 Thy wrath lieth vpon me and thou hast ouerwhelmed me with al thy flouds 8 Thou hast put al my familiars from mee vnto whome I am so loathsome not without thy knowledge so that I keepe my selfe within my house as it were in a prison and dare not go one foot forth 9 Mine eies are consumed through sorowe yet cal I vpon thee dailie ô Lord spreading foorth my hands 10 And wil there be time to exercise thy great power when men are dead wilt thou restore them to life againe that they may giue thee praise 11 Shal they that lie in graue set foorth thy mercie there and shal they that are dead set foorth thy truth againe here 12 Shal those that lie buried in the darknes of death knowe thy woonderful workes and they whose memorie death hath blotted out from the liuing acknowledge thy righteousnes 13 Wherfore I cease not to cal vpon thee ô Lord and I doe preuent the morning light in powring foorth my praiers 14 Why dost thou refuse mine oppressed soule ô Lord why doest thou turne awaie thy face from mee 15 Ah! I am miserable and readie to
die how oft haue I bene striken with terrours sent by thee euen from my very youth how oft haue I stood amazed 16 Thy most bitter wrath hath ouerwhelmed me thy terrours haue shut me in on euerie side 17 A floud of waters as it were ouerflowing al and compassing me round about doe close me in 18 Thou hast remoued al my friends and companions farre from me that I see nothing anie-where but meere darknes PSALME LXXXIX The Argument Ethan the Esrait as also Heman were named by their countrie as J iudge vnto the which Ethan this excellent Psalme is intituled It is the same whose genealogie 〈◊〉 deriued from Merari 1. Chron. 6 44. a man of singular wisedome 1. King 4.31 And I do agree with them that thinke that he did liue after Salomon and that he lamenteth in this Psalme both the falling awaie of the ten tribes from the house of Dauid and also that horrible inuasion and spoile of the land of Iuda and of the house of God and of the kings house which was made by Zesak king of Aegypt as it is declared 2. Chron. 12. Jt conteineth a most greeuous and pitiful lamentation in the which yet he is not discouraged but in the verie beginning ouercomming by faith he doth couragiouslie lift vp himselfe ouer infidelitie and though he seeme somtimes to languish and faint in the battel at the length yet like a conquerour he triumpheth he commeth foorth then as a valiant champion armed with faith and hope both twaine being grounded of most certaine and sure foundations euen of the vnmoueable stabilitie of the decrees of God first considered generallie that is in the adoption of the seede of Abraham then particularlie in the promise confirmed with Dauid And he bringeth foorth two most certaine testimonies thereof euen the innumerable benefits verse 1. and the verie frame of heauen verse 2. in the which he saith that God hath ingrauen the truth of his promise not so much for the stable substance of the heauens and also most certaine course but much more as I suppose because the Lord making a couenant with Abraham would haue the heauens which he commanded him to behold to be as a sacrament of his couenant But in the other part that is in the league made with Dauid of the eternitie of his kingdome he chieflie laboureth verse 4. and 5. and that worthilie because that the whole foundation of the faith of the saints resteth vpon this sonne of Dauid For if he be an eternal King the Church also which is the kingdome of heauen must of necessitie be eternal and euerlasting and therefore without al danger to perish The second foundation of this faith and hope is the infinite power of God whereof he bringeth also a double testimonie one that shâ—neth foorth in the gouernement of things both aboue and beneath the other declaring it selfe in the manifold deliuerances of the Church from the 6. verse to the 15. the third foundation of these twaine is the nature of God himselfe who must needes be both merciful towards his by the couenant of his gratious and free promise and a iust aduenger of their enimies the which place he doth amplifie with an excellent poëtical inuention borrowed of the thrones of kings verse 14 and 15. these things being set downe as though the battel were finished he singeth the triumph verse 16. and in the three next following But here contrariwise the enimie rebelleth who seemed to haue bene ouercome and verelie which is strange he vseth the same weapons wherewith chieflie he was ouercome For he granted the couenant made with Dauid yea euen so that he bringeth foorth the verie tables of the couenant and requireth euerie word of them to be pondered that he may gather thereby by present experience that that couenant is frustrate euen because it was violated and broken by the posteritie of Dauid and therefore that their hope is vaine which rested vpon the stabilitie thereof And this is the greatest battel of faith namelie whereas the promises are granted generalie and the controuersie is brought of the particular applicationâ— the assault of the enimie is conteined verse 20 c. vnto the 46. verse Finallie there followeth a most feruent praier in the which he rising vp who seemed to be ouerthrowne resting stil notwithstanding vpon those three things whereof we haue spoken he concludeth that it were a great absurditie and that it is farre from the wil of God reuealed that he should alwaie be angrie with his verse 47. then doth he lament the miseries of mankind which perisheth euen of his owne follie verse 48 49. and in the end he concludeth the Psalme with a most godlie triumph bringing in againe the league made with Dauid and declaring on the one side the greatnes of the present miserie and on the other side putting God in remembrance that it standeth not so much of the preseruation of the miserable as of the maintenance of his owne glorie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough we be afflicted on euerie side with so great calamities as we thinke can come to anie yet God forbid that I should expostulate with him naie rather I wil celebrate with continual songs how manie and how great his benefits are towards vs and I wil neuer cease to praise his euerlasting constancie in perfourming his promises 2 For although that thing be interrupted sometimes which he hath begun yet must we determine that that must alwaies remaine vnmooueable which he promising of his great mercie hath said shal continue taking the heauens themselues to witnesse 3 But the effect of this couenant doth depend altogether of that which I wil not let to declare by the voice of God himselfe Thus then he saith Behold I doe sweare that I wil perfourme this my couenant begun with your fathers vnto that same chosen man euen vnto Dauid this my seruant 4 That is to saie that a child shal spring out of him whome I wil endue with eternitie and that his kingdome shal be perpetual 5 And euen that stable frame of the heauens that endureth so manie ages doth declare that God wil bring to passe and worke that thing which passeth the condition of mankind and the state of al kingdomes but especiallie that companie of holie spirits which celebrate the truth of God 6 For who in those regions that are aboue vs may be compared with the Lord the maker and which of those most mightie spirits shal we saie to be like the Lord 7 For there is none of al these that stand about him which doe not feare at the sight of God and doth not confesse that he is to be reuerenced aboue al. 8 Oh Lord God the emperour of those heauenlie armies who can saie that he is equal to thee in power and thy truth is no lesse stable than thy power is mightie 9 And that thou wilt doe what thou art able for thine thou hast testified now of old when thou hast bridled the raging sea
by thy power and hast stilled the most deepe surges thereof that there might be a passage to thy people 10 And by the same thy mightie arme thou hast cast downe Aegypt euen thine enimies wounded to death 11 And how can it be but thou art able to doe it vnto whome the heauen and the earth as to their onlie Creator are subiect 12 And which hast defended with a certaine special power the land which thou hast chosen and giuen vnto thine For thou certainlie hast appointed the north and south borders thereof and hast set Tabor at the west and Hermon at the east 13 Wherefore seeing thou hast a power neither weake nor idle surelie thou wilt declare thy strength and wilt lift vp thy right hand 14 Finallie thou wilt declare thy selfe in deede to be the King whose throne that most moderate equitie whereby thou gouernest thine assemblie and that seueritie of iudgement whereby thou punishest thine enimies and the enimies of thy people doe hold vp as it were two pillers vnto whome also sitting vpon this throne mercie and truth are seene to stand before him 15 O blessed is the people who being stirred vp with the sound of thy trumpets ô Lord doth go foorth the light of thy countenance shewing them the waie 16 And praising thee dailie and trusting of thy iustice doth reioice 17 For thou art both the honour and also the strength both of them and vs and we lift vp our head trusting vpon thy most merciful goodnes 18 For our defender our king I saie vpon whom we set our eies who is ordeiâ—ed ouer vs by thee ô Lord which hast consecrated and separated thine Israël forth of al people vnto thee is stablished by thy power 19 For thou at what time it pleased thee to bestowe this so great benefite vpon vs didst appeare vnto men whome thou louedst most dearelie and didst speake vnto them in these words I haue raised vp this most valiant man chosen out of the whole people by whose power my people may be defended 20 Dauid I saiâ— hath it pleased me to take onlie out of al the rest whose endeuour I would vse in that busines and therefore haue I consecrated him with my holie oile to be the king 21 Therefore my hand shal establish him with mine arme I saie wil I strengthen him 22 No enimie shal ouercome him by subtiltie neither shal anie wicked man oppresse him by force 23 For I wil destroie al that would oppresse him before his face and I wil staie al his enimies 24 My mercie shal neuer faile him my truth shal neuer forsake him and he trusting to my fauour shal lift vp his head most high 25 I wil cause him to haue one hand vpon the sea and another vpon the flouds 26 And he shal name me his father his God and his safe tower 27 And I wil place him againe as my first begotten sonne in the whole familie of the kings of the whole world euen in a throne most high aboue others 28 I wil defend him with euerlasting mercie and my couenant made with him shal be stable for euer 29 I wil cause that his generation shal be eternal and his throne as stable and euerlasting as heauen it selfe 30 For though his posteritie shal saile from my lawe neither order themselues by the rules of the lawe prescribed vnto them 31 But violate the ordinances that I haue appointed and keepe not my commandements 32 I wil then take the rod and correct their faults and punish their wickednes 33 But I wil not suffer them to be without al sense of my mercie neither wil I therefore breake my promise 34 Nor wil violate my couenant or wil change anie thing of those things that I haue spoken 35 For I the holie one haue once sworne by mine owne selfe If I lie at anie time vnto Dauid 36 His generation shal stand for euer and his throne shal be as the sunne before me 37 And it shal continue euen as the moone in al ages they both being faithful witnesses of this my promise in the heauens 38 Thou hast euen promised these things of old ô Lord how shal I now saie then that it is come to passe that thou being angrie hast refused and cast awaie this thy king 39 Wherefore I praie thee hast thou abrogated thy league made with thy seruant wherefore hast thou laid open to the reproch of al men his crowne cast vpon the ground 40 Al his forts being ouerthrowne and al his fortresses destroied 41 Thou hast laid him open to be spoiled by al that passe by at their pleasure and to be derided of al his neighbours about him 42 Thou hast ministred power and cause of ioie to al his aduersaries 43 Thou hast made blunt the edge of his sword thou hast taken awaie al courage from him that he is not able to stand against the force of his enimie 44 And thou hast blotted out al his honour and hast cast downe his throne euen vnto the ground 45 In the verie flower of his youth thou hast cut off his strength hast couered him with al shame 46 Oh Lord wilt thou withdraw thy selfe from vs for euer shal thine anger thus like a most raging flame breake foorth against vs 47 Remember how short the space of mans life is although it should be the whole time continued And shal we thinke that thou hast made men for no purpose but to take them awaie suddenlie 48 What neede anie violence I praie you to destroie vs seeing there is no man who doth not perish of his owne selfe and no man is able to exempt him selfe from the graue 49 Where are now those thine old benefits ô Lord which thou hast sworne vnto Dauid that they should remaine for euer 50 But to what purpose do I make these complaints Thou knowest most certainelie the purpose of thy counsels and be it far from me that I should doubt of thy fidelitie Onlie I beseech thee ô Lord consider with thy selfe how thy seruants are rebuked especiallie how manie reproches so manie people do vomit into my bosome 51 Euen what these thine enimies rather than ours haue reprochfullie laide vnto thy charge ô Lord and with what ieasting taunts they aunswere those things which are rehearsed by vs of the king and kingdome that thou hast established 52 Howbeit ô Lord howsoeuer these men dote and which waie soeuer thou leadest vs to and fro al land and euerlasting glorie apperteineth vnto thee And so vndoubtedlie without al faile wil it come to passe PSALME XC The Argument Moses doth here preach of the miseries of mankind speciallie of death wherof the Philosophers do teach manie things but falselie and foolishlie For they vnderstoode nothing of the creation of man nor of his fal much lesse of the true comforts against al the miseries of this life Hereof did these wicked voices arise that It was the best either not to be borne at al or to die
do flourish which argument is treated in manie other places it admonisheth least the godlie should turne themselues to folowe the wicked that we may not esteeme the loue or hatred of God by prosperitie or aduersitie or that we should therefore denie the prouidence of God as though anie thing came by chance or yet be discouraged but rather to adore the wisedome of God and his power also who concerning the wicked wil recompence the delaie of the punishment with the greeuousnes thereof but wil defend his that is those that are grafted trulâ—e into the Church euen vnto the end THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOw excellent a thing is it to praise the Lord and to sing vnto his most high name 2 And to rise in the morning earelie to praise thy goodnes ô God and to praise thy truth at the night as we are admonished both by the morning and euening sacrifices ordeined by thee 3 Vpon the instrument of ten strings vpon the viol and with song and with the harpe 4 For the workes that thou hast done minister an argument of most great ioie vnto me that I can not but with reioicing haue them in admiration 5 For how wonderful are thy workes ô Lord and how secret and hid are the reasons of thy counsels 6 Therefore the foolish and mad men who onlie seeme to themselues and to others to be wise do not perceiue what this thing meaneth 7 That the euil and most wicked men do growe vp and flourish therefore they wickedlie condemne that which they do not vnderstand as though either the state of men were gouerned by chance or that God did fauour wickednes euen because they do not vnderstand that these wicked men are like hearbes so greene and flourishing that streightwaies they die vp by the roots 8 For although these inferiour things be subiect to maruellous changes yet thou the most wise and most iust gouernour of al them sitting on high art not changed but art the same and doest remaine like thy selfe ô Lord. 9 What alteration then of things or time soeuer do fal yet must this end of necessitie folowe that thine enimies thine enimies I saie ô Lord must perish and that al which are obstinatelie bent vpon wickednes because those are thine enimies howsoeuer they flourish for a time in the end shal be scattered and vanish 10 But thou contrariwise wilt lift vp this mine head as it were of an vnicorne being annointed by thee with fresh oile and laden with new benefites continuallie 11 Wherefore there wil be a time when we shal see and heare that this is come vpon them which they deserue who rising out of their ambushments seeke to destroie vs by al meanes 12 But the iust men do not onlie not faint vnder the burthen of miseries but also they gather strength like the palme tree and like those high cedars of Libanus which cannot be consumed with rottennes or age but dailie growe vp more great 13 For they are planted in a most fat and wealthie place euen in the house of the Lord himselfe in the courts whereof let them flourish 14 And that with such power that they may be greene bud foorth and be ful of sap euen in their verie age 15 And this is the onelie end of these benefites and the marke that we may feele and professe the Lord to be our onlie towre and the most righteous gouernour in the world who departeth not one iot from that which is most iust PSALME XCIII The Argument This Psalme trulie is verie short but it conteineth al in one word that is necessarie to confirme our faith when he saith that God reigneth that is to saie that he is a King not in name alone but in verie deede the most mightie defender of his and the auenger of their enimies And seing that the father hath giuen al iudgment to his sonne euen as he is man Iohn 5.22 and the Church is therefore called the kingdome of heauen it is euident that this Psalme hath respect vnto Messiah whose verie true godhead is prooued heereby manifestlie that the name of Jehouah is attributed vnto him THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOwsoeuer the wicked freat and disturbe al things as much as lieth in them yet reigneth the Lord ful of maiestie and power which thing the verie sight of the heauens do declare Neither doth he sit there idlelie but if we diligentlie consider with how great wisedome and also power he doth gouerne al things howsoeuer they be disordered by the wickednes of men he is alwaies armed with those weapons wherewith he both defendeth his and brideleth their enimies For how can he not do this thing who vpholdeth this huge masse of the verie earth by his onlie power so ballanced that it can neither wauer to the one part nor to the other 2 Therefore is his kingdome much more stable and vnmoueable as it hath alwaies bin and shal be 3 How great is the rage of the flowing waters how terrible is the roaring of the stormes that do rise vp and beate one against another 4 But al these how lowd sounding and raging tempestes soeuer are nothing verelie compared with the infinite power of Iehouah thundering forth of his high throne and repressing al this tumult by his onelie becke and how much more easilie can he calme selie men be they neuer so outragious 5 And the assemblie of the saints which continueth stable now from the beginning of the world declareth the matter to be thus For it is necessarie that the promises made by God should bee sure and altogether vnchangeable Therefore howsoeuer the world doe sreat and how great stormes soeuer it do stir vp against thy house ô Lord that holines ful of most excellent beautie wherewith thou doest adorne it shal be euerlasting PSALME XCIIII The Argument This most excellent Psalme is a displaieng of the tyrannie of Sathan by whose furies the most mightie princes of the world being stirred vp doe violate al the lawes of God and man especiallie when they rise vp against the godlie euen as though there were no God or that he had no prouidence at al of which horrible rage and wickednes the chiefe kingdomes of Europa giue vs an example at this daie But most effectual comforts are afterward annexed drawne forth of the vnchangable nature of God himselfe and of his prouidence and are described with great maiestie the godly are commanded to read and meditate diligentlie the holie scriptures that they may knowe these things whereby they shal vnderstand euen by innumerablâ— and most certaine testimonies that al these tempests and stormes shal turne to the commoditie of the godlie but to the destruction of the wicked the which thing euen the Prophet proueth by his own example and the Church verelie neuer triumphed but vnder the crosse THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SHine vnto vs in so great and horrible confused darknes ô Lord the auenger of wickednes and most iust iudge 2 Go vp vnto thy iudgement seat ô thou
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
commeth vpon vs and then verelie the wild reuening beasts creepe foorth of their dens 21 Euen the young lions searching their praie with roring and requiring their meate as it were of God himselfe who hath kept them shut vp in the daie time for mans sake 22 But when the light returneth againe at the sun rising they get themselues into their dens againe as it were by a signe giuen from the heauen 23 So that man may returne vnto his labors which he had lest off and continue his trauel safelie vnto the euening 24 How maruellous therefore are thy works ô Lord how wiselie hast thou made al things with what and how great riches hast thou filled the earth 25 And this wide sea how large is it and how in numerable fishes are there how manie liuing creatures both of smal bodies and of monstrous greatnes doe swim therein 26 The ships also do run there through the seas and those huge beasts created of thee doe leape to and fro through the midst of the flouds as though they would plaie 27 And al these things as they haue receiued life of thee so also they wait for meate of thee wherewith they are nourished in their due time 28 Therefore thou giuest it vnto them and they receiue it and when thou openest thine hands they are satisfied 29 But if at anie time thou withdrawe thy selfe from them they stand euen astonished whilest that thou calling againe that liuelie strength which thou hadst giuen them they die at the length and returne to their dust 30 Yet for al this the kinds of things doe not decaie but whilest thou doest shew foorth that thy power which createth and preserueth al things thou causest that one of thy creatures comming into the place of another the verie face and furniture of the earth is renewed 31 Therefore euerlasting praise be giuen to the Lord and let the Lord continue to take his delight in his owne works 32 He is great I saie and verie mightie at whose angrie countenance the earth it selfe doth shake and tremble and by whome the mountaines being touched doe cast out smoke and flame 33 And as concerning me I wil consume al my life in praising him and so long as I shal remaine aliue I wil praise that my God 34 And would to God that my songs might be so acceptable vnto him as I with glad and cheereful mind doe celebrate his so manie and so great benefits 35 And contrariwise would to God that al the wicked that are stubborne against him might vtterlie be destroied But thou my soule praise thou the Lord and al ye others praise ye God PSALME CV The Argument Jt is euident by 1. Chron. 16. that the author of this Psalme was Dauid and that it was indited for Asaph to be sung when the Arke of the Lord was carried into the citie and there is the same vse of this as of the two former but the argument is diuers in this point that he doth celebrate two peculiar benefits of the Israëlites namelie the free adoption of that people and the bringing in of the same into the land promised Now seeing we haue a couenant more excellent than the former and our true Joshua is gone before into the verie heauen we may wel perceiue besides that now also the rehearsal of those old histories is most ioiful and most profitable so haue we so manie examples both of Gods mercie and truth whereby we may confirme our faith resting vpon the same foundations and are bound also much more than our fathers to celebrate these benefits and to continue in setting foorth the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord cal vpon him and in the hearing of the people shew foorth his works 2 Sing vnto him praise him set foorth his maruellous acts 3 Glorie in his holie name you also that seeke the Lord reioice 4 Come ye vnto the Lord and diligentlie seeke this visible signe and pledge of his power and excellencie namelie this Arke 5 Cal to mind how manie and how great miracles and wonders he hath wrought for your sakes finallie what punishments he hath executed is iudgement of your enimies 6 For we are the children of Abraham his seruant and the ofspring of Iacob whome he hath choses to himselfe 7 And the Lord againe is the gouernour in deed and Lord ouer al the earth but he is our God by a peculiar right 8 Namelie for that he is mindful of that his couenant and word which shal be of force for euer by his commandement 9 Of that couenant I saie which he made first with Abraham and after with Isaac which was confirmed with a solemne oth 10 And further established with Iacob or Israël in these plaine words to stand for an vnchangeable and euerlasting decree 11 I wil giue you this land of Canaan as a possession by right of inheritance measured out by me 12 And that which he promised most freelie he hath perfourmed also most faithfullie For though they were verie few in number and of no strength and liued in that land as strangers 13 And changing their seates oftentimes wandering from nation to nation and remoued from one kingdome to another 14 Yet was it so farre off that he would suffer anie violence to be done vnto them by anie man that he also rebuked kings for their sakes 15 And hath written this decree as it were in these few words Let none touch mine annointed consecrate priests let no man hurt my prophets 16 But afterward he sent a famine vpon the earth as it were called by him and he did breake al the strength of bread that they might al seeme to be readie to perish streightwaies 17 But he sent a man before them when they should go into Aegypt long before by a most maruellous meane farre from al mans wisedome who should prepare them a place to soiourne in euen Ioseph who was first sold as a slaue in Aegypt 18 But afterward he was bound with iron fetters no lesse chained in mind than in bodie 19 Whilest at the last at the time appointed mention was made of him vnto the king and the wisedome which the Lord gaue vnto him did declare what maner of man and how excellent he was 20 Then therefore the king and lord of the Aegyptians did not onelie send messengers and loose him from his bonds 21 But also made him the steward of his court and so appointed the gouernement of al his affaires vnto him 22 Also an absolute authoritie was giuen vnto him ouer al the great princes of Aegypt that he should gouerne the verie magistrates of Aegypt by his wisedome and counsel 23 Therefore came Israël at length into Aegypt and Iacob did soiourne in the countrie of Cham. 24 And the Lord increased his familie there maruellouslie so that they became feareful for this cause vnto the Aegyptians that hated them 25 For God did change their minds against his people that they began to hate
as it were in a most large waie wil liue at hearts ease with a quiet minde being addicted wholie to thy commandements 46 Furthermore I wil boldlie dispute of those things which thou hast testified vnto vs euen before kings 47 And I wil delight my selfe with thy commaundements a thing that is most deare vnto me 48 I wil hold with both mine hands thy commaundements which are most ioiful vnto mee I saie and wil neuer cease to meditate thy statutes THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. VII 49 GRaunt that I may by experience perceiue that thou art mindful of those things which thou hast spoken vnto me thy seruant and hast commanded me to trust in 50 For in al my miseries this is mine onlie comfort euen thy word by the helpe whereof I being almost dead am restored to life 51 For although these arrogant men do deride me therefore yet notwithstanding I decline not from thy doctrine one iot 52 And I calling to memorie how thou hast punished such kinde of men do take great comfort thereof 53 Yet do I greatlie feare when I behold these despisers of thy doctrine which haue the same punishments hanging ouer their heads 54 Furthermore it is so far from me that I being an exile should despaire that contrariwise I am occupied in singing thy praises taking the occasion of thy statutes 55 Yea euen at midnight also setting aside al other cares beeing mindful of thy name I do watchfullie thinke how I may keepe thy doctrine 56 And this do I attribute to this cause that I labour to keepe thy commandements THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. VIII 57 LET other men gape after what things they lust I do account al my riches to be set in this ô Lord that I may obeie those things which thou hast spoken vnto vs. 58 I do powre foorth praiers before thee without anie dissimulation and as thou hast promised with thy mouth haue mercie vpon me 59 I am not of their number who haue no regard whether they walke in the right or wrong waie before thee but I haue searched carefullie what way I should keepe and I haue fastened my steps in those pathes the which thou hast testified to please thee 60 Neither haue I staied when I did knowe the matter so to be but haue streightwaies bent my selfe to obserue thy commandements 61 And although the wicked haue conspired against me and spoiled al my goodes yet do I not forget thy doctrine 62 No I do arise vp at midnight when others do soundlie sleepe and I do cal to memorie the examples of punishment which thou hast executed vpon such wicked men 63 But if I do knowe anie that feareth thee and that keepeth thy statutes I ioine him to my felowship 64 O Lord who leauest no inhabitants of the earth voide of thy benefites I desire this one thing of thee that I may learne thy statutes by thine instruction THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. IX 65 THou hast dealt faithfullie I grant with thy seruant as thou hast promised by thy word 66 Yet is there a further thing that I must desire of thee euen that thou wouldest teach me that true knowledge ioined with such a iudgement whereby I may discerne al things aright as it were by tasting a sauourie thing because I depend of thy commandements 67 Before I was tamed by thy rod I was wanton wandering to and fro but now haue I learned to obeie thy commandements 68 But againe I beseech thee which art most merciful and liberal that thou wilt teach me these same statutes 69 Surelie there is no kind of slaunder nor anie manner of deceit which these men of desperate boldnes haue not practised against me who could neuer yet bring to passe but that I endeuoured my selfe to keepe thy commandements with my whole heart 70 And they thus abusing their prosperitie and thy liberalitie became foolish and witlesse euen their senses as it were dulled with fatnes but I delight my selfe in the meditation of thy doctrine 71 I grant therefore that it was to my great commoditie that I being tamed by these miseries shuld prooue more meete to vnderstand thy statutes 72 For the doctrine which thou hast deliuered by thy mouth vnto vs is far aboue al heapes of gold and siluer THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. X. 73 THou who once hast made man and formed him with thy hands and therefore canst onlie restore him againe being vtterlie destroied of himselfe grant me vnderstanding that I may learne al thy precepts 74 For so shal it come to passe that al which feare thee shal mightilie reioice when they shal see me resting vpon thy word to haue attained this benefit of thee 75 For I haue learned by experience ô Lord that thou doest nothing vniustlie and in that thou hast dealt with me so hardlie thou hast done nothing repugnant to thy truth 76 But I beseech thee that thy mercie may be readie to comfort me the which thou hast promised to thy seruant 77 Let thine vnspeakeable mercie I saie be present that I may reuiue seeing thine onelie doctrine delighteth me 78 Let these cruel men be ashamed and frustrate of their purposes who haue dealt so frowardlie with me and that without my deseruing and I wil with so much more willing mind wholie applie my selfe to meditate thy commandements 79 So shal it come to passe that they which feare thee and which vnderstand thy testimonies wil ioine themselues to me 80 Wherefore graunt this vnto me that I may knowe and keepe thy commandements with a pure heart that I be not ashamed THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XI 81 AL my courage faileth me whilest I wait for the deliuerance promised by thy word which is deferred 82 My verie eies doe faile me whilest I lift them vp to behold those things which thou hast spoken vnto me and oftentimes I breake foorth into this voice Ah alas when wilt thou once comfort me 83 Wherefore I became like a bottle dried in the smoke through sorrowe and mourning notwithstanding yet I haue not therefore forgotten thy statutes 84 Ah! how long shal these things endure and when wilt thou once decree iust punishments against them that persecute me 85 For they haue euen digged pits to catch me the which thing thou hast plainlie forbidden in the doctrine that thou hast giuen vs. 86 But whatsoeuer they enterprise whether by force or craft the thing it selfe shal declare that it must needs be stable and true whatsoeuer thou hast commanded Onelie helpe thou me that am most vnworthilie oppressed 87 For although those men haue cast me downe to the ground and almost brought me to nought yet haue I not forsaken thy commandements 88 Restore me to life therefore for thy singular bountie that I may most carefullie obserue those things that thou hast testified by thy mouth THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XII 89 ANd why should I doubt oh Lord of the certaintie of thy promises whereas I see in that thing in the which though it be a most mightie
as thou art accustomed to doe to those that loue thy name 133 Direct me that I set not one step out of the waie of thy words and that no affection striuing against thy wil doe rule ouer me 134 Defend and deliuer me from the crafts and false accusations of the wicked that I being deliuered from them may applie my selfe to keepe thy commandements 135 Command the light of that thy countenance to shine vnto thy seruant and teach mee thy statutes 136 Mine eies verelie did swim with teares when I beheld the contempt of thy doctrine THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVIII 137 THou art iust ô Lord doubtles and whatsoeuer thou decreest is right 138 And thou hast commanded worthilie that those thinges which thou hast testified vnto vs should be knowen and obserued as most iust and as the most perfect rule of truth 139 Wherefore I am wholie consumed being inflamed with the loue of thee because I see thy words despised of mine aduersaries 140 For verelie there is nothing more pure than thy words wherefore I euen thy seruant doe embrace them with an incredible loue and desire 141 So that though I see my selfe to be counted vile and abiect of these men therefore yet wil I not cast awaie the studie of thy commandements 142 For that onlie rule of iustice taught by thee is euerlasting and the same is most true and most stable wheras other both decrees and lawes which mans wisedome doth set downe are subiect vnto change and at length euen do come to naught 143 And I haue tried this by experience getting not onelie great comfort but also delectation thereby when I was in most great miseries and anguish 144 That is the fountaine of euerlasting goodnes that it hath pleased thee to testifie vnto vs by thy voice but grant thou that I may vnderstand it more and more that I may so liue the true life THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIX 145 O Lord heare me crieng vpon thee with my whole heart and that am bent to keepe thy statutes 146 Preserue me I saie calling for thy helpe and thinking on nothing more than of those things which thou hast testified vnto vs to be kept 147 Thou knowest that I am accustomed to preuent the verie twilight in the morning with my lowd praiers euen because I trusted to thy word 148 Neither do anie watchmen doubtles so carefullie keepe their watch as I am diligent in meditating thy words 149 Heare my words therefore ô Lord of thy singular mercie and as thou hast promised to do in thy lawes restore me that am without life 150 Thou seest how neere they assault me which are continuallie giuen to wickednes and are departed most far from thy doctrine 151 But I knowe wel that thou cleauest more nere vnto me for it must needes be that the verie truth remaine stable which thou hast ioined both to thy threatenings and to the promises in thy precepts 152 And I haue alreadie tried in deede that they are so ordeined by thee that they can neuer be ouerthrowne THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XX. 153 REgard I beseech thee how sore I am oppressed and deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught vs 154 Euen thou vnto whome I appeale from the most wicked iudgements of other men pleade my cause and be my iudge and as thou shalt determine of my right by the prescript rule of thy word deliuer me and preserue me 155 For they are in greater danger than I for saluation is further remooued from none more than from these wicked men which refuse thy statutes 156 Yet do not I trust in anie righteousnes of mine to desire thy helpe but whereas it is most euident that thou art most merciful ô Lord keepe thou me I beseech thee after thy woonted manner 157 For although they be verie manie and mightie of whom I am oppressed and driuen to extreme necessities yet haue not I declined frō those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 158 Naie I neuer conceiued more griefe of anie thing than when I did perceiue these men to despise thy words so stubbornelie and impudentlie 159 Haue regard of me therefore vnto whom thy commandements haue alwaie bene most deere and of thy singular goodnes saue me that doe perish 160 This is the chiefe thing in thy word that it is infallible and it is the vnchangeable rule of thy iustice for euer THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXI 161 AL the most mightie do persecute me though I haue deserued no such thing but I had rather to tremble at thy words than at their threatenings and to feare to offend thee rather than them 162 And though I might seeme to get great gaine by the denieng of thee yet the ioie that I receiue of thy words is better vnto me than anie praie how rich soeuer 163 I hate and abhorre deceits and I embrace thy doctrine 164 Yea I am so far off from folowing their example that contrariwise I beholding the excellent iudgements of thy iustice seuen times a daie do celebrate thy praises 165 Certainlie most great tranquillitie and true securitie safe from al casualtie do come vnto those men onelie which are occupied in the studie of thy doctrine 166 Therefore ô Lord I cherish within my selfe the hope of deliuerance which wil come vnto me from thee being in the meane season bent to keepe thy commandements 167 For I am determined to embrace with most great loue those things which thou hast testified vnto vs and to keepe them most diligentlie 168 And how sincerelie I doe this that is how without al hypocrisie I applie my selfe to thy commandements and to al things that thou hast testified vnto vs it is best knowne vnto thee who being my witnes and priuie to my doings I doe whatsoeuer I doe THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXII 169 LET my cries come vnto thee ô Lord and graunt vnto me the vnderstanding of thy word 170 Let my praiers I saie come vnto thee and deliuer me as thou hast promised to doe by thy word 171 Then I being deliuered and being taught thy statutes wil powre foorth thy praises out of my mouth flowing as it were from a most abundant spring 172 And I sounding foorth thy words with my tongue wil publish far and neere that there is nothing more iust than thy precepts 173 But go to helpe thou me with thy hand who haue preferred thy commandements before al other things 174 For of thee alone ô Lord I wholie depend and I seeke comfort at thine onelie doctrine 175 Commaund therefore my life to be prolonged that I being receiued into thy defence that art a most iust deliuerer may sing euerlasting praises vnto thee 176 Ah alas as thou seest I doe run wandering to and fro like a sheepe going far astraie from the flocke lieng open to al dangers but thou ô most merciful pastor seeke vp thy poore seruant which doth not forget thy precepts and when thou hast found him restore him againe PSALME
For if at anie time I go about to rehearse them I find them mo than the smal sands of the sea and though sleepe come vpon me thinking vpon these things I neuer wake againe but a new matter and cause of praising thee doth offer it selfe 19 And if thou ô God determine to exercise thy power and to destroie the wicked vtterlie then surelie shal I be free from these cruel men 20 From these men I saie which speake wickedlie of thee so great and so proud is the crueltie not of mine enimies so much as of thine for they abuse thy holie name 21 But I as thou knowest because they haue hated thee do therefore againe hate them and do euen abhor them because I perceiue them to rise vp against thee 22 I hate them I saie vtterlie and count them for my greatest enimies much lesse wil I ioine my selfe vnto them or can abide to winke at their wickednes 23 I submit my selfe ô God in this thing to thy trial that thou maist throughlie see my heart and vtterlie search al my thoughts 24 Finallie consider whether I haue prouoked them with giuing anie offence and as thou knowest me innocent so preserue thou me and gouerne the course of my life with thy counsels PSALME CXL The Argument This Psalme is of the same argument with manie others in the which Dauid being brought into great extremities partlie assaulted by slanders partlie by open violence doth declare what is the state of the godlie in this world and to whome we must flee for succour adding most sweete sentences whereby we may perceiue what we must staie our faith vpon and how the end of al these conflicts shal be blessed in the end to the godlie but vtter destruction to the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô Lord from wicked men preserue me from those that would do me violence 2 Who partlie assaile me by craft deuising manie things with themselues and partlie prepare open force against me 3 Thou wouldest thinke they were serpents whetting their poisoned tongue against mee and aspes that carrie poison in their mouth to kil men at vnwares 4 But thou ô Lord preserue me that I do not fal into the hands of anie of these wicked men defend thou mee against them that do mee iniurie and are wholie bent vpon this that they may cast me downe miserablie and destroie me 5 These proud men haue laide snares priuilie against me and haue spread their nets and set their grinnes for me which waie soeuer I should go 6 But I ô Lord do hold this point firmelie that thou are my God heare therefore ô Lord my voice when I praie 7 O Lord my Lord thou art he who both wilt and canst saue mee and who hast bin in stead of an helmet to my head assailed with a thousand darts 8 Permit not I beseech thee the wicked to haue their most mischieuous desires neither to bring to passe that which they go about for thereby they wil take occasion to be more and more proud 9 But rather graunt that the captaine of them that lie in wait so diligentlie for me and also they their owne selues with their captaine may be ouerwhelmed with that euil that they haue intended against me by their slanders 10 And surelie I see it wil so come to passe that euen burning coles comming downe from heauen shal fal vpon them and they being stricken with lightnings shal be cast headlong into most deepe pits neuer to come out againe 11 For this is an vndoubted thing that the backbiters and slanderers shal neuer continue and al they that rage with violence bring vpon themselues destruction by their owne wickednes 12 Neither can it be doubted but that the Lord wil helpe the poore and the oppressed 13 And the iust ô God shal praise thy name and with what force soeuer they be assaulted yet shal they that loue truth and equitie remaine safe before thee PSALME CXLI The Argument In this Psalme also Dauid being most greeuouslie vexed doth praie vnto God with great confidence after his accustomed maner but he requireth three things chieflie in this praier One that he may bridle his tong which vnlesse it be restrained doth manie times make the matter worse The second that he do not ioine himselfe to the wicked being ouercome with euil examples or entisements The third that iust and moderate reprehenders be not wanting vnto them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEfer no longer ô Lord I beseech thee to heare my crie but rather giue care vnto me when I crie vnto thee 2 Let my praiers be accepted vnto thee as the smel of the incense appointed by thee and let my praiers which I powre out lifting vp my hands vnto thee be as the euening sacrifice 3 Stop my mouth and locke vp the dores of my lips by the power of thy holie spirit least I do speake anie thing rashlie or impatientlie 4 Giue not vp my heart to be gouerned with wicked lusts least I giue my selfe wholie to euil with those that are bent to wickednes either being ouercome with the greatnes of dangers or entised by tasting their delicates 5 But let the iust men smite me the which thing I wil count for a great benefite and let them rebuke me and let neuer that excellent baulme want vnto my head wherewith it shal not be hurt But what neede mo words for it shal shortlie come to passe that I shal praie vnto thee in the miseries of these wicked men euen for them much lesse shal I be swallowed vp by them 6 And when thou hast cast downe headlong the chiefe of them others which are now enimies vnto me shal receiue my words with gentle minds as acceptable and pleasant vnto them 7 In the meane season we do lie not onlie as dead men but also euen as the hewers of stone do cut here and there the peeces of stones so are we scattered and our bones cast to and fro at the mouth of the graue 8 But thou ô Lord my Lord when I turne mine eies vnto thee being full of hope bring me not vtterlie to nothing 9 But rather defend me least peraduenture I fal into snares and into the nets which wicked men haue laied forme 10 And so doubtles it wil come to passe for they shal rather fal into the nets of God but I as it hath come to passe hitherto so also alwaies hereafter shal escape without hurt forth of their snares PSALME CXLII The Argument The Hebrue title doth signifie that this Psalme was made by Dauid when he was closed in on euerie side by Saule and fled into the caue of Engaddi whereby it may be perceiued how great his faith and constancie was as it is declared 1. Samuel 24. therefore this Psalme also conteineth an excellent example of most feruent praiers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Crieng cal vpon the Lord and crieng praie vnto the Lord. 2 I powre forth al my mind before him I declare vnto him
greeuous lamentation with great consolation in the end 90 An excellent praier of Moses 91 An assurance vnto him that putteth his trust in God 92 An exhortation to praise God with a comparison betwixt the wicked and the iust 93 The power of God and his promises 94 Against tyrants with a comfort to the afflicted 95 The praise of God and a terror to the vnthankeful 96 An exhortation to praise God chieflie for Christs comming 97 Christ dreadful to the rebels but ioiful to the iust 98 An exhortation to praise God for his power mercie and truth and for saluation in Christ 99 To the same purpose 100 To praise the Lord for his creation redemption and perpetual protection 101 How a king should gouerne 102 A lamentation a consolation a prophesie of the dignitie of the Church a song of triumph 103 An excellent thankesgiuing both for corporal and spiritual blessings 104 105 To the same purpose 106 A thankesgiuing for Gods mercies with a declaration of the stubbornesse of the people and a praier for ful deliuerance 107 To praise God for his maruelous and woonderful prouidence in al maner of things 108 Dauid praiseth God with great confidence 109 A most terrible imprecation against the enimies 110 An epitome of the Gospel 111 A thankesgiuing and declaration what is true wisedome 112 They that feare God are blessed al other shal perish 113 God worketh aboue nature in his Church 114 Of the deliuerance from Aegypt a figure of our spiritual deliuerance 115 A praier for deliuerance for the onlie honor of the true God who is compared with their fained Gods 116 Dauid protesteth that he wil giue thankes and acknowledgeth that he can render nothing else for Gods great benefites 117 118 To praise the Lord for his mercies in Christ 119 A long and most feruent praier for the true meditation and exercise in Gods holie word 120 A praier against slanders and a lamentation for his long abode amongst the wicked 121 The Lord must onlie be looked to in troubles 122 Dauid reioiceth and praieth for the prosperitie of the Church 123 Like the 121. 124 The power of God onelie deliuereth from dangers 125 The assurance of the godlie in their afflictions 126 The people that were so wonderfullie deliuered praie for them that remained in captiuitie so should we doe 127 The whole state of the world both in publike and priuate dependeth vpon Gods onlie prouidence 128 They are onelie blessed that feare the Lord. 129 The Church oft afflicted but by the Lord deliuered 130 The faithful crie vnto the Lord in their miseries they confesse their sins and are deliuered 131 Man may not exalt himselfe but wait vpon the Lord. 132 The people praie for the posteritie of Dauid and for the building of the temple that is both for their spiritual King the Messiah and for religion 133 A commendation of brotherlie loue and concord 134 135 136 A thankesgiuing to the Lord for the benefites bestowed vpon his Church 137 There is a time of silence vnder the crosse so that neither faith nor zeale decaie 138 Dauid praiseth God for things past and assureth himselfe against troubles to come 139 A most excellent Psalme dailie to be meditated 140 The state of the godlie in this world and the staie of their faith 141 Dauid praieth for the brideling of his tongue and that he ioine not with the wicked but that iust men may admonish him 142 An earnest praier with great confidence 143 An earnest praier for remission of sinnes the cause of miserie 144 He praiseth God with great humilitie 145 He praiseth God for his wisedome mercie power and iustice and for his benefites toward his Church The other foure Psalms are exhortations also to praise God chieflie for his mercies toward his Church And whereas musical instruments are named they were agreeable to that ceremonial time but now al ceremonies being ceased we must worship in spirit and truth and so sing Psalmes with the voice as our heart may be most stirred vp to praise and magnifie the Lord our GOD. FINIS 1581 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater Noster Rowe at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis