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
Christian faith as the Apostle doth testifie and interprete it Rom. 4.6 that is to saie that al our blessednes doth consist in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes For al other religions do deceiue men in this point chiefelie that they teach them to seeke saluation at their owne righteousnes which can no where be found But in the Gospel onlie Christ that our onlie mediator is declared vnto vs to be made righteousnes of God his Father The Prophet doth also teach in thâ—â— Psalme that this doctrine doth not bring in a foolish and careles securitie as the Papistes do falselie slaunder it as though the free imputation of the iustice of Christ should abolish the care and endeuour to do good workes For he contrariwise doth declare that the spirit of regeneration is alwaies annexed with the gift of righteousnes by imputation which is receiued by faith which doth kindle in the hearts of them that are iustified an earnest loathing of sinne hope true obedience and other vertues Whereof this followeth that the conscience being pacified doth enioie a true and perpetual ioie what stormes soeuer do arise Therfore this Psalme doth differ from the first because it sheweth the chiefe effectes whereby a man may be knowne to be blessed but thâ—â— doth declare the cause of that blessednes and also of the effects and by this consideration may Paule and Iames be reconciled THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BLessed is that man verilie whome being oppressed with the burthen of his sinne the Lord doth raise vp and whose offences are couered by Gods mercie 2 That man I saie verilie is blessed to whome the Lord doth not impute that which he hath done amisse and whose heart is free from falshood and hypocrisie 3 I do speake by experience for by dulling mine owne conscience and deceiuing my selfe at the length I came to this point that I did fal downe consuming whole daies in mourning in vaine and al my strength was wasted 4 For the weight of thy hand did oppresse me day and night more and more so that I being as it were burnt vp with the heate of the Sunne did lie parched and as it were without life 5 At the length therefore ô Lord I fullie determined with my selfe to confesse my selfe willinglie and plainlie guiltie before thee and to declare my sinnes and disclose al my wickednes without anie dissimulation the which thing so soone as I had done thou hast forgiuen me al mine offence 6 So must al they do whome thou receiuest to thy fauour euen to aske forgiuenes of thee taking the oportunitie of time when thou maiest be found for so shal it be that the flouds of great waters although they rage yet shal they neuer come neare them 7 Thou therefore art my refuge vnder the which I being hid do feare none euil that I being safe vnder thy defence may praise thee my Sauiour 8 Come hither therefore whosoeuer desirest to be blessed I wil teach thee what waie thou oughtest to walke and I wil direct thee faithfullie and neuer remoue mine eie from thee 9 Take heede ye be not like horses and mules beastes without reason striking with the heeles whose mouthes your selues do vse to bridle with bittes and snaffles least they rage against you 10 So are they in danger of infinite punishments whosoeuer go on in their sinnes contrariwise al they that turne to the Lord are compassed about with his goodnes on euerie side 11 Wherefore be glad and reioice in the Lord al ye righteous al ye I saie that loue righteousnes sing forth his praises PSALME XXXIII The Argument Nothing can be spoken more notablie than this Psalme wherein we are admonished to consecrate our whole life to the singing and setting forth the praises of God the which thing if men were persuaded to doe nothing were more happie vpon earth than mans life as by the contempt of the which doctrine it commeth to passe that nothing is more miserable than it But chieflie the order of this Psalme is maruelous for first it teacheth that sacrifices of praiers are not acceptable vnto God except the puritie of the heart do go before the word of the mouth to the which end also the lawes of outward purifiengs tended it addeth afterward that God is to be praised not for fashion sake but seriouslie and earnestlie then it bringeth most weightie reasons as wherwith almost the verie stones ought to be moued much lesse that men for whose sakes al this whole world was made should not do their dutie Wherefore it setteth forth in the beginning the wonderful wisedome and gratious goodnes of God which appeareth three manner of waies in the workemanship of the world namelie both in the creation thereof and also in the order of euerie part thereof and lastlie in such a maruelous gouerning of it so that al creatures especiallie man that is endued with reason and vnderstanding ought almost to tremble when he considereth these things Furthermore it goeth to a peculiar consideration of the prouidence and bountie of God in the presâ—ruation of mankind For although troublesome men do infinite waies seeke to destroie and ouerthrowe themselues yet God continueth to defend them hindering and bringing to naught the endeuours and practises of those that are seditious And the prophet doth ioine also some sentences against the madnes of those men which sticke in secondarie causes and against the doting follie of others who dreame that al things are carried about by fortune to the which things they binde the prouidence and mightie power of God But the third place is especialie to be noted wherein he speaketh of that peculiar loue wherewith he doth most mightilie pres rue through his mercie his Church most desperatelie assaulted by mightie and most cruel enimies against al calamities that do inuade them and againe he expresseth in few words which is the true Church that God wil neuer forsake that is to saie euen the assemblie of those which worship him truelie and boast of no merites of their owne but possessing their owne soules in hope and silence do looke to his mercie alone THE PARAPHRASIS 1 YOV that loue righteousnes magnifie the Lord for it is meete that he be praised altogither of them that loue iustice and goodnes 2 Praise ye the Lord therefore and sing vnto him with al kind of instruments 3 Sing hymnes I saie and psalmes one after another and testifie your ioie with most cheareful and lowd voices 4 For this most beautiful order of the whole world made and appointed by his word and ordinance whereof euerie part doth manifestlie testifie how great both his power and constancie is doth require the same of you 5 Againe I beseech you consider what iust and due order and moderation is manifestlie to be seene in his gouernement of the world so that the whole earth is ful and doth abound with his goodnes and bountie 6 Furthermore that al these things began to appeare and haue their being of nothing
which he did of old when he preserued our elders putting to flight the kings of Basan and brought them through the deepe streames of the sea 23 Wherefore then ô people thou didst walke through the middest of the heapes of thine enimies that were slaine dogs licking their bloud 24 Then ô God our elders did see thee going ô my God they did see thee going I saie within thy holie tabernacle ô my King 25 The singers went before thee the trumpetters folowing thee the companie of damsels also did plaie vpon the timbrels on euerie side one sort exhorting an other by course with this maner of song 26 Go to praise God with courage praise the Lord by course ye that come of Israël 27 Beniamin on the one side which was the youngest hath mightilie ouercome the enimie Iuda on the other side hath destroied them with stones also the valiantnes and noble victorie of the princes of Zabulon and Ephraim is famous 28 And as we knowledge al this power to haue proceeded from thee alone so disposing it so doe we now praie ô God that thou wilt confirme it more and more vnto vs. 29 And we doubt not but thou wilt so doe much more hereafter than euer before foorth of thy holie palace which thou hast chosen vnto thee at Ierusalem whither the verie kings also shal once come and shal offer gifts vnto thee 30 Represse therefore and bridle with thy terrible rebuke those cruel beasts that breake foorth of their holes and dens fierce rankes of buls and scatter the people that are like wanton calues that go proudlie decked in siluer euen the people that couet wars 31 Surelie the time wil come when the princes of Aegypt shal run hither vnto thee the Aethiopians with great haste shal hold vp their hands humblie vnto thee 32 Go to then ye kingdomes scattered through the earth praise God with melodie and sing vnto the Lord 33 Euen vnto the Lord that sitteth vpon those most high heauens from al eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from thence 34 Acknowledge ye his power the maiestie wherof doth no lesse shine foorth in Israël than the thunders sounding in the clouds 35 For this is that sanctuarie ô God out of the which thou declarest thy selfe terrible vnto thine enimies but vnto thine ô God of Israël thou wilt minister power and strength therefore al praise and glorie be giuen vnto thee for euer PSALME LXIX The Argument Although this Psalme is altogether agreeable with the 22 Psalme written in the forme of a praier and no doubt by the occasion which either the flieng of Dauid out of the court of Saule seemeth to offer when the chastitie of his wife was not preserued safe vnto him who was married vnto an other husband much lesse did they spare his goods to the which opinion I doe incline or the treason of Absalom yet is it certaine that the holie Ghost did so gouerne the mind and the hand of the Prophet that he seemeth to haue regarded those things rather whereof he was a figure than himselfe if not in euerie place of the Psalme yet surelie in the most part thereof So then is Christ our mediatour rather brought in complaining vnto God of the crueltie of his people which could be ouercome by none of his benefits than Dauid complaining of his enimies and he also wisheth and forewarneth those punishment which the people of the Jewes did worthilie suffer for their ingratitude wherewith we also now see that they are punished of the which mystical interpretation we haue most cleare witnesses Matth. 27 48. Luke 1 20. Iohn 2 18. and 19 28. Last of al Paule Rom. 11 9. and 15 3. And seeing the members must be conformed vnto the head it followeth that there wil be great vse and commoditie of this Psalme so long as the Church shal soiourne vpon earth THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô God euen now readie to be swallowed with these streames of water 2 For I am now cast downe into the most deepe mirie pit where I can by no meanes fasten my foote and I am drowned with most deepe waters flowing vpon me on euerie side 3 I am wearied with crieng my iawes are pained with hoarsenes also mine eies haue failed while I earnestlie wait for my God 4 Furthermore I may more easilie tel the haires of mine head than the multitude of mine enimies which hate me causelesse yea and the number of them that hate me deadlie is increased dailie and which thing is most greeuous of al those that spoile my goods deale so with me as though I had first spoiled others 5 But thou ô God knowest verie wel whether I haue behaued my selfe vprightlie and wiselie or no and whether I be a wicked man as these doe slander me 6 What then if I be forsaken of thee verelie they must needs also be ashamed who haue ioined them selues with me trusting to the promises that thou hast made vnto me O most mightie Lord staie thou this thing that it come not to passe neither suffer that they faile of their hope which seeke thee the God of Israël in the defence of my cause 7 For doubtles whatsoeuer they pretend they would wound not me but thee by my side and for thy cause alone am I so railed vpon and doe lie downe couered with reproch 8 Neither am I forsaken of strangers onelie but also my kinsemen and mine owne brethren doe despise me as an vnknowne person and as I were not ioined vnto them with any bond of consanguinitie 9 For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorrowe the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble and I accounted my self to be wounded with the reproches cast out against me 10 Wherefore I being in great heauines haue absteined euen from my meate for sorrowe the which my care these men had in derision 11 I laid downe my garment I saie and tooke vnto me haire cloth the which thing these men turned into scoffes 12 So that in the publike assemblies also they ceased not to prate on me and feasting merilie they made songs of me 13 What shal I do then Verelie ô Lord I doe notwithstanding powre out my praiers vnto thee being nothing afraid either of the power or of the pride of these men For though thou hast now loosed the raines to their dissolute wickednes I doe knowe that thou hast appointed a time againe when thou wilt bridle them and wilt declare in deed how much thou louest thine Wherefore I beseech thee ô God by that thine infinite mercie that of thy great and most assured goodnes thou wilt heare me when I crie 14 Deliuer me I beseech thee from this deuouring pit least I be wholie swallowed vp deliuer me from mine enimies and from the floud of so manie miseries 15 Forbid I beseech thee least I be ouerwhelmed vtterlie by the abundance of waters least
iudge of the world and punish the proud as they deserue 3 For how long ô Lord shal the wicked how long shal the wicked reioice 4 If thou behold their words they powre out what they list tauntingly and the most wicked men do threaten cruelie and boast themselues proudlie 5 But in their deedes ô Lord they oppresse thy chosen people and waste the heritage consecrated vnto thee 6 It is so farre awaie that they should helpe the widowes straungers and fatherlesse as the verie lawes of nature do require and thy lawes do command that they euen kil them most cruellie 7 Yea and which is the greatest of al wickednes these are their words whereby they inflame themselues to al mischiefe God seeth none of these things the God of Iacob knoweth not these things 8 O ye most foolish and most mad of al men when wil ye once waxe wise 9 Is he deafe which hath ioined the eares vnto mans head framed so cunninglie is he blind who hath made the eies with such a maruellous workemanship 10 He that spared not whole nations wil not he reprooue you doth he vnderstand nothing which giueth the power of vnderstanding vnto men 11 Yes verelie he doth not onelie knowe what they saie and doe but also the Lord fullie knoweth what men doe thinke and is not ignorant how vaine and foolish their thoughts are 12 What then shal we doe in so great a disorder of al things surelie we must knowe this of thee O blessed is the man therefore ô Lord whome thou teachest by the doctrine that thou hast deliuered vnto vs 13 That he hauing receiued of thee a quiet and peaceable mind in the midst of these tumults waiteth whilest the wicked may be perceiued to haue digged a pit for themselues wherin they are fallen 14 For it cannot be possible by anie meanes that the Lord should cast awaie his people and that he should forsake them whome he hath chosen to be his peculiar heritage 15 Therefore it is of necessitie that this so disordered a state of the world which seemeth to be vtterlie void of iustice should be restored at the last into that ancient most right order that they may followe God with great cheerefulnes whosoeuer delight in righteousnes 16 And that al men may euen now knowe that the Lord doth not faile his and that the saints are established by his power alone Who amongst al mortal men hath holpen me being assaulted by these most wicked enimies who hath taken my part against the wicked 17 Verelie the Lord alone who vnles he had bene present with me verie death streightwaies would haue put me to silence 18 But when I thought with my selfe that I was now ouerthrowne thy goodnes ô Lord hath staied me that I did not fal 19 And when I was vtterlie amazed and my mind distracted into diuers parts thou hast comforted me with maruellous consolations 20 For what hath the tyrannical domination agreable with thee adioining authoritie to most wicked lawes 21 Conspiring against the godlie and abusing the colour of the lawe to condemne the innocent 22 But go to let these men rage as they list for a space and let them tread vnder foote al the lawes both of God and man the Lord shal be vnto me a most safe fortresse and I wil flie to the rocke of my God 23 For he wil repaie vnto the wicked that which their wickednes deserueth and their owne malice shal destroie shal destroie them I saie ô Lord our God PSALME XCV The Argument Jt may he that the Church of Israël whilest their temple did stand did begin their continual morning sacrifice with this Psalme by whose example the latine Church when they set in order in old time the holie Church seruice did begin the morning praiers and the memorie of those that departed godlie which were afterward most filthilie polluted with idolatrie and this Psalme was so vsed not vnworthilie for it containeth a doctrine amongst others most necessarie namely the knowledge of that last end for the which men are created and vnto the which as vnto a marke al the actions both of the bodie and of the mind must be bent and it hath a most sweet exhortation adioined Now this end is the glorie of God both because the infinite maiestie of the most mightie Creator of al things and most wise gouernour doth require it and also for the infinite and singular benefites bestowed by him vpon those men who being chosen out of the number of the residue he hath consecrated to himselfe But because many of those same which wil be counted in the Church either vse negligentlie to regard these things or else vtterlie to despise them there is added a rehearsal of a most famous storie wherein is set forth a notable example of the vnthankful mind of men and of the most seuere iudgement of God As for the meaning of the last verse how these things pertaine to the time of the new testament search in the Epistle to the Heb. 4. Chap. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 COme ye al that we may celebrate the praises of the Lord together and let vs sing altogether a song of triumph vnto him that is the onelie rocke of our saluation 2 Let vs make haste to praise him openlie and to sing Psalmes vnto him 3 For God is a great Lord doubtles and a King far aboue al emperours how great soeuer 4 For he hath in his power as the Lord of al both the lowe secret parts of the earth and the high tops of the mountaines 5 And also he hath ful authoritie ouer the whole sea as he that hath euen created it like as he hath made the masse of the earth also by his power 6 Come therefore that we may fal downe and worship him and kneele downe before the Lord our maker 7 For he is not onlie our God as he is of others but after a peculiar maner as he that hath chosen vs whome he wil feede as his sheepe and lead by the hand as his flocke 8 Therefore so oft as you shal heare his voice and so long as he speaketh vnto you take heede least you stubbornelie striue against his voice as it did fal out of old in those places which thereof had their name Meribah and Massah 9 Of the which matter heare the words of God himselfe rebuking you There saith he your fathers although they had so oft beholden with their eies what I was able to do yet ceased they not to tempt me and to trie my power 10 Wherefore I being greeued after so manie sorts fortie yeeres long by this kind of men haue in the end thus determined with my selfe Seeing that this people is wilfulie mad and wil not knowe me although it hath bene admonished so oft both with words and deedes 11 I sweare in my wrath if euer they shal set one foote to take possession of that rest which I had promised vnto them PSALME XCVI The Argument This
3 For it is he alone who forgiueth al thy sinnes of his vnspeakeable mercie and so plaieng the part of a Physician wiping away the woore of the deadlie woundes wherewith thou wast wounded thorough thy sinnes doth cure the verie diseases themselues to wit euen the original sinnes 4 This is he who when thou wast appointed to death did redeeme thee as his owne and hath adorned thee with benefites as testimonies of his singular goodnes and mercie 5 This is he who vseth to minister vnto thee most abundantlie meate to eate and to renew thee with giuing thee new and new strength like the eagle that liueth most long 6 This is he who being mindful of his promises doth defend the suppliants flieng vnto him for succour and doth punish seuerelie those that do anie iniurie vnto others 7 This is he who declared the waie vnto Moses wherein we should walke and hath preserued Israël shewing so manie miracles 8 This is finallie that Iehouah who euer was most readie to haue compassion vpon the miseries of his people and most readie to pardon them most slowe to anger ful of goodnes and mercie 9 Euen readie to forgiue and not retaining iniuries in memorie 10 For surelie he hath not so dealt with vs as our sinnes did deserue neither hath he rendred punishment agreeable to our wickednesse 11 Naie looke how much more greater the heauen is than the earth both in largenes and in height so much more doth his goodnes excell and as it were swalowe vp their sinnes who being penitent and sorowful for them do feare him 12 So far as the east is distant from the west so far hath he remoued our sinnes from vs. 13 With how great and how louing kindnes the parents are moued towards their children being in anie miserie with so great tender loue doth the Lord embrace those that feare him 14 For he knoweth that we are but earthen vessels he knoweth that our substance is made of the earth 15 For I praie thee vnto what thing rather shalt thou saie that the life of men is like though they flourish neuer so much than like a little plant or a little flower 16 For when as euen the least blast of hurtful weather doth touch this flower it perisheth so that thou canst not easilie knowe the place it selfe wherein it grew a little before 17 Howbeit thus flightsome then is mans life by it owne nature but the euerlasting mercie of God toward them that feare him and that tender affection to preserue his owne which is also extended to their posteritie doth redresse this miserable condition 18 Of them I saie that keepe his couenant and applie themselues diligentlie to obserue the statutes that he hath made 19 Finallie to passe ouer al these his benefites towards vs what honour is not the Lord worthie of whose seate is set in the heauens and whose dominion is stretched forth ouer al things without exception 20 Go to then with me you mightie spirits being his apparitours and the diligent executioners of his wil so soone as ye heare him speake celebrate ye the praises of the Lord. 21 O ye mightie armies of his most obedient souldiers praise the Lord I saie 22 Praise ye the Lord ô al his workes in what place so euer of his dominion you be Finallie thou my deare soule set thou foorth the praise of God PSALME CIIII. The Argument There is onelie this difference betwixt this Psalme and the former that in the other the particular benefites of God towards his Church but in this his general benefits towards al mankind are rehearsed namelie the creation of the world and of euerie part thereof and the gouernance thereof for mans sake both the which things he so amplifieth with such an excellencie of words and grauitie of sentences that nothing can be thought to be spoken either more elegantlie or more learnedlie than this heauenlie poëtical inuention THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord ô my soule thou surelie my Lord God art ful of maiestie and art so accounted declaring thine honour and glorie wherewith thou art adorned in al thy workes 2 For the Lord shineth wholie as he were cloathed with most bright light the heauens beeing spread round about him as it were a most large and beautiful pauillion 3 He himselfe hath built a chamber vnto himselfe in the verie waters being staid onelie by his power he is caried vpon the cloudes as in a chariot he is caried and walketh vpon the wings of the windes 4 He vseth the windes none otherwise than his messengers and the lightnings as his ministers 5 Thou hast established the masse of the earth also to be vnmoued in her foundations by thy maruelous wisedome and power 6 And thou hadst couered it wholie in the beginning with the deapth of the waters which ran ouer the verie tops of the hils 7 But so soone as thou diddest rebuke them they fled awaie and being afraide by the terrible sound of thunder they departed hastilie 8 Wherefore the hils then did lift vp themselues and the vallies contrariwise did fal downe and go into the place appointed for them 9 But thou diddest shut vp the waters within their bounds that they should neuer returne to couer the face of the whole earth 10 Yet the fountaines and the riuers gathered of them meeting together came foorth to run by the bottoms of the mountaines at thy commaundement 11 Euen that the cattel might drinke of them and the wild asses and other wild beastes might quench their thirst 12 By the which the shril sounding birds should abide and sitting vpon the boughes euerie one should sing his owne tune 13 But on the other side euen from heauen thou waterest the mountaines powring downe raine from thy chambers and by that thy benefite it commeth to passe that the earth as it were drinking drinke to the fil doeth not deceiue the hope of the husbandman 14 That selfe-same power bringeth foorth of the bowels of the earth grasse and manie kinds of hearbs to nourish the beasts which are necessarie for the vse of men finallie it bringeth al kind of nourishment 15 Euen wine wherewith the strength of man is refreshed and oile whereby his face being annointed doth shine and bread wherewith the heart of man is strengthened 16 And also the verie trees of Libanus which we behold so high that it may seeme that God hath set and planted them with his owne hand because they growe so mightilie must attribute it vnto the moisture which the Lord doth send them most plentifullie from the heauens 17 There do the birds build there the storke maketh her house in the high fir trees 18 The tops of the most high hils also are for the goates and the rocks are a refuge for the conies 19 He also hath created the moone to change her forme by certaine seasons and the sunne also to haue the appointed time of his setting 20 And so soone as he setteth the darknes of the night
and the slaughter of his people I therefore rather suppose that it was written of Dauid and euen in those times that were betwixt the death of Saule and the annointing of Dauid in Hebron For the Philistins being at that time conquerours and ciuil war being raised vp though Dauid behaued himselfe verie moderatelie yet it is manifest that the affaires of the Jsraëlites were verie sore vexed and no doubt manie captiues were caried awaie from sundrie places and sold and yet the historie doth not record that anie thing was then changed in religion But the circumstance of this time doth maruelouslie commend Dauids faith and his mind for the establishing of the kingdome of God not thinking of himselfe alone but inditing these praiers for the whole Church And as concerning the matter it selfe this Psalme teacheth vs that which we ought especiallie to knowe that is to saie that the Crosse is annexed with the doctrine of Christ crucified not for the trial of this or that man alone but also of the whole bodie of the Church as the 22. verse of this Psalme is recited of the Apostle Rom. 8.35 Although then that to suffer for righteousnes sake is a sure testimonie of our conformitie and likenes with the sonne of God for the which Christ commandeth vs to reioice yet seeing we are not iron hearted but the same Christ doth bid vs to suffer together in the priuate afflictions of our brethren and much more in the publike calamities of the Church it is needeful that our faith should then chieflie be kindled to praier by powring out sobs and sighes into the bosome of our father of the which praier this Psalme ministreth vnto vs a most notable example For it is an other thing to murmur against God as vniust and deceiueable as they vse to do which receiue the promises of God after a sort for their owne commoditie than to do as he doth not as one particular man but as the whole Church declaring and acknowledging the benefites of God alreadie receiued that we may determine though these inferiour things be changed yet God wil alwaies remaine like himselfe constant and that we so complaine both of the crueltie of the enimies and of these alterations that we stil remaining in faith take occasion thereby to praie so much more earnestlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis our present most miserable estate calleth into our remembrance ô God those former times of the which we haue heard of our elders for they haue declared vnto vs how manie and how great things thou hast done for our sakes of old 2 To wit that thou hast driuen out by thine owne hand the people which possessed this countrie that thou mightest place them heere and moreouer also that thou hast broken and consumed al that remained of those nations that this stocke or linage of our elders should spread far and wide 3 For surelie there was no cause why they should ascribe the atteining and winning of this countrie to their owne weapons or wherefore they should imagine that they haue resisted so manie and so mightie people by their owne power naie al this praise is thine because it so pleased thee of thine onlie mercie to strengthen vs by thine arme and thy right hand stretched out by the brightnes of thy countenance 4 Neither did thy mercie cease heere for it failed not to gouerne vs afterward and oh that thou wouldest continue to deliuer vs as al things are obedient at thy commandement 5 For of old it is plaine that we did driue awaie our enimies neither did anie rise against vs whom we haue not repulsed by calling vpon thy name 6 For neither by the trusting in our owne bowe or sword haue we obteined so manie victories 7 But thou thy selfe hast deliuered vs from our enimies and hast put them to shame 8 And we ô Lord dailie praise thee therefore and set foorth these thine innumerable benefits 9 But now ô God what alteration of our state and sudden change is this now doest thou reiect vs whome thou diddest defend now doest thou shame vs who diddest before fil our enimies with shame and confusion now doest thou forsake vs who before wast our captaine to go before our armies 10 Heereof now it commeth that we that haue so oft chased awaie our enimies whilest thou wast our captaine haue now fled from our enimies folowing vpon vs and haue bin exposed to their lust and spoile 11 Thou giuest vs vp then vnto them to be deuoured like sheepe they drawe vs into bondage and scatter vs amongst them 12 Thus hast thou sold thy people for most vile price and without anie chapman to increase the price thou hast sold them to anie that would buie them 13 Thus hast thou giuen occasion to our enimies to raile and ieast vpon vs so that of euerie side we could heare nothing of those people that dwel about vs but scoffings and reproches 14 To conclude we are a common talke vnto al men and we are mocked of the prophane nations which wag their heads at vs. 15 Neither is this for one daie but no daie passeth wherein we do not behold these things so that we dare scarselie looke vp for shame 16 Whilest on the one side reproches and railings are increased and of the other side our most cruel enimies gape ouer vs. 17 Notwithstanding yet though we be striken with so manie and great miseries we are not vnmindful of thee neither do we forsake the couenant that thou hast made with vs. 18 We haue not turned awaie our heart and loue from thee to anie other neither hath anie crueltie drawne vs awaie from the worshipping of thee as thou hast appointed vs. 19 Although thou hast cast vs awaie as it were into wildernesses ful of dragons hast ouerwhelmed vs as with the shadowe of death 20 But if it be otherwaies and that we haue forgotten thy name ô our God and are knowne to haue worshipped anie strange or feined God 21 Thou ô God that beholdest the verie secrets of the heart go to cal vs to accomptes for this wickednes 22 Therefore for thy sake alone are we killed euerie daie neither are we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter 23 Now then ô Lord rise vp at the length for how shal we saie that it commeth to passe that in so great miserie of thy people thou seemest to sleepe awake ô Lord neither put vs away for euer 24 Shouldest thou turne awaie thy face from vs that are thine shouldest thou haue no regard of this our miserie and oppression 25 Surelie we are cast downe vpon the earth by the burthen of our miseries and lie downe flat cleauing to the earth 26 Come forth therfore and helpe vs and for thy singular mercie redeeme vs. PSALME XLV The Argument This whole Psalme is altogether allegorical and hath the selfe-same argument that the song of Salomon hath but I cannot consent vnto those which thinke
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
that moued him to that crueltie by whose rage to auoide their craftie snares he came into so great danger Howsoeuer it be this Psalme doth shew vnto vs the example of a singular faith and constancie especiallie if we consider the person of Dauid and from how great dignitie without anie fault committed of him he was throwne downe into so miserable condition THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH my God! haue mercie vpon a man most miserable how neare was it that he should swalowe me neither doth he yet cease to beset me round about and to bring me to extremitie as if he would deuoure me 2 These men I saie whither soeuer I remooue or go lieng in wait most diligentlie haue a mind to deuoure me and a great multitude do fight against me ô God most high 3 Notwithstanding when feare commeth vpon me I flie vnto thee 4 And why should I not glorie of that thou hast spoken vnto me most boldlie Wherefore I trust in thee ô God and wil not be afraid For what can these mortal men do against me that rest vpon the power of God who hath testified his good wil vnto me 5 They are wholie bent vpon this that whatsoeuer I intend I speake or doe they may peruert it and therevpon take occasion falselie to accuse me 6 They go together closelie following me at the verie heeles seeking this one thing how they may take my life from me 7 Notwithstanding yet they hope by their crafts to escape thy hands but thou ô Lord how manie soeuer they be and how great soeuer their conspiracies be cast them downe I beseech thee 8 I knowe that thou hast al my wanderings to and fro in a reckoning I beseech thee gather my teares into thy bottels they are I trust registred in thy counting bookes 9 Wherefore so oft as I shal cal vpon thee mine enimies shal be put to flight For I knowe this assuredlie that thou art of my side 10 For I haue the word of God whereof I glorie the word of God I saie whereof I wil glorie 11 Wherefore resting vpon God what should I feare and what can anie mortal man doe against mee 12 O how greatlie do these so manie and so great benefits bind mee vnto thee but I wil paie that which onlie I am able namelie the continual magnifieng of thy mercie 13 For thou hast deliuered my life foorth of the most present doores of death and thou hast raised me when I was cast downe and that I liue now I may onlie thanke thee PSALME LVII The Argument Another most great daunger much like to the former which is sâ—t foorth 1. Sam. 24. gaue the occasion of writing this Psalme whereof we may gather that it lieth in the hand of God not onlie with how great but with how long miseries yea euen by wicked men he wil exercise his seruants and therfore that we must praie continuallie as wel for the gifts of constancie and perseuerance as for the gift of faith Jn other things this Psalme is to the same purpose as certeine other that went before and written of like occasion THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw at the length ô Lord it is high time that thou either looke vpon me or else I am vndone Wherefore haue mercie haue mercie vpon mee I saie ô God for this my soule doth onlie trust in thee and I flie onlie vnto thee vnder the shadow of whose wings I may lie hid so long whilest these great calamities do passe ouer 2 I crie vnto thee ô God most high that thou wouldest finish that which thou hast begun in me 3 And so doubtles wil it come to passe For the Lord wil send helpe from heauen because I find none in the earth and he wil not suffer mee so shamefullie to be deuoured For there wil come downe from the heauen to deliuer me two inuincible helpes for defence euen his mercie and that most high and sure faith which he declareth in the perfourming of his promises 4 In the meane season I graunt my selfe exposed of the one side to the pawes of the lions and the crueltie of most outragious men and of the other side to the false slanders of most shameles accusers whose teeth are like vnto speares and arrowes and their tong more hurtful than most sharpe swords 5 But thou ô God declare that thou dwellest euen aboue the heauens and cause that thy glorie may be published throughout the whole world 6 Whither soeuer I mooue my foote their net is spread to take me I doe lie as it were throwne downe vpon the earth I see before mine eies the pit into the which they hope to cast me downe headlong but the matter wil go otherwaies For they contrariwise shal fal into the selfe-same pit 7 Therefore ô God I being now prepared with my whole heart with my whole heart I saie haue great desire to praise thee both with my voice and harpe 8 Go to my tongue go to both lute and harpe awake with me in the morning 9 Euen the gentils most farre distant shal heare me declaring thy praises the people shal heare me sing vnto thee 10 For surelie thy goodnes extendeth it selfe vnto the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds 11 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the verie heauens and shew forth thy glorie to the whole world PSALME LVIII The Argument Jt may be collected of this Psalme that Saul that he might haue some excuse to couer his hatred against Dauid did gather a councel of the states whereby he procured him being absent to be condemned as a publike enimie now there is no greater iniurie than that which doth oppresse vnder the cloake of lawe wherefore Dauid comforting himselfe and appealing to God doth paint forth those most corrupt iudges in their owne colours as one that knew them verie wel and also doth pronounce the sentence against them in the name of God himselfe not as a priuate man but as a Prophet and as a king alreadie allowed of God and he vseth similitudes most agreeable to the couetousnesse and ambition of such maner of men For where they haue this purpose chieflie that they may set themselues aloft and their children by these practises yet God doth oftentimes cut them off in the mid course of their couetous desires furthermore their posteritie cleane contrarie to the opinion of their fathers doth either consume awaie by little and little in the sight of al men or is destroied by some sudden rage THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Yee states and senatours tel me I praie you if there remaine anie sparkle of conscience in you Is this to decree iust iudgement O ye mortal men of how great dignitie soeuer ye be doe ye iudge aright 2 Naie surely seeing the matter it selfe declareth that inwardlie ye deuise al manner of wickednes outwardlie and openlie in al mens sight yee doe weigh nothing but iniurie in your ballance 3 Neither is this now the first time that ye do so for I
10 But the innocents whome these men without cause laboured to oppresse shal more ioifullie praise the name of God and shal flie vnto him more boldlie hereafter al I saie that be of good conscience shal take occasion of a certaine holie boasting and glorieng hereby PSALME LXV The Argument This Psalme or hymne written to the praise of God first teacheth vs that his benefites are neuer anie where rightlie knowledged and praised but onlie in his holie congregations Then he biddeth vs to marke three special things and to praise God for them One and that for the greatest that God doth gather a Church vnto himselfe in the which he wil be praised where he heareth them that do praie where he doth forgiue sinne the which finallie he neuer ceasseth to blesse with the multitude of his benefites and most mightilie to defend Secondlie that he doth mainteine the societie of mâ—n by appointing and preseruing the policies and gouernements in the midst of so great hurlieburlies Thirdlie that he doth minister from heauen al things that are necessarie for this life so abundantlie and liberallie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou certeinlie art onlie he to whome once vttering thy pleasure al men must worthily yeeld but this praise ô God is giuen vnto thee in the onlie mount of Sion where onlie vowes are paied vnto thee aright 2 And thou againe there doest despise the praiers of none that flie vnto thee 3 There doest thou purge the sinnes wherewith else we being vtterlie ouerwhelmed durst not lift vp our faces before thee 4 O blessed is he therefore whome so euer thou so fauourest that thou commandest him to come vnto thee and whome thou feedest abundantlie with those true good things of thy house and most holie palace after thou hast receiued him into the number of thy houshold seruants 5 For although no men seeme to be more in danger yet experience it selfe doth declare that none are more sure whiles that thou in verie deede dost declare thy selfe terrible to al their enimies for the perfourmance of thy promise so oft as they cal vpon thee so that euen to the vtmost coastes of the earth and the farthest part of the sea the same of thy name being spread al men are compelled to looke vp vnto thee 6 Thou art he by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth these mountaines which we see and the kingdomes also and the policies whereby mankind is preserued 7 And like as thou doest calme the stormes of the sea and the sounding tempests so also thou doest breake and bridle the fiercenes of the raging multitude 8 By these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced do tremble and keepe silence and thus peace being restored thou causest that men againe do leade their life both daie and night in comfortable peace and tranquillitie 9 For thou takest care of the earth euen from the heauens watering it and making it fruiteful with plentious showres which are thy verie gift wherwith it being soupled and prepared doth reteine the seede committed vnto it 10 Afterward thou waterest the sorrowes of the fields thou breakest the clots thou mollifiest the ground with mild and timelie showres sent downe from aboue thou cherishest and bringest forth the seede with their buds 11 Finallie thus thou crownest the earth most bountifullie with al kinde of fruites yearelie the fatnes dropping downe from aboue from thy steps which waie soeuer thou walkest 12 Yea and the pastures of the wildernes doest thou cherish with dew and thou fillest the high hilles also with gladnes 13 So are the pastures clad with sheepe the vallies are clothed with corne finallie al places do sound together with ioiful shoutes and songs PSALME LXVI The Argument This Psalme and also certaine other do seeme to be written for the perpetual vse of the Church although they haue some priuate occasion partlie to renew the memorie of so manie old deliuerances and partlie to giue thankes vnto God so oft as anie occasion doth offer it selfe either priuatelie or publikelie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye inhabitants of the earth sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song 2 Praise his name with songs praise him with glorie and maiestie 3 Saie in his presence O how terrible and feareful doest thou shew thy selfe in verie deede for euen thine enimies ouercome by the greatnes of thy power are compelled to acknowledge thee and to dissemble at the least that they feare thee 4 Therfore shal al the earth worship thee it shal sing praises vnto thee and celebrate thy name 5 Go to come hither al you behold the things that God hath done and with how great miracles he hath declared himselfe terrible to mortal men 6 This is he that dried vp the sea in a moment and made the floud passable vnto our feete for the which benefit we his people euen at this daie do reioice 7 This is the almightie Lord of the whole world beholding from heauen al the nations scattered throughout the world not suffering them that forsake him to exalt themselues at their pleasure 8 O praise the Lord ô ye tribes and kindreds consecrate vnto him sound forth his glorie far and wide 9 For he hath restored our life when it was lost and he onlie hath staied that we should not fal with sliding steps 10 For thou wouldest not haue vs to be lost ô God but onlie hast tried vs and fined vs as the siluer put in the fornace 11 Thou hast snared vs and cast vs bound with chaines into most streight distresse 12 Thou hast suffered that our enimies hauing ouercome vs did abuse vs with reproches and scoffes as though we had bin beastes we haue tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water but thou afterward hast sent comfort and refreshed vs. 13 Wherefore I am present in thy house with offerings to performe my vowes 14 Which I haue fullie vowed in my miserie and spoken them with my mouth 15 Therefore haue I determined to offer vnto thee fat offerings euen the fat of rams and bullockes and goates 16 And you also al others that feare God come hither I praie you with me and giue eare vnto me rehearsing the benefits bestowed by him vpon me 17 I haue called for his helpe with my mouth and haue praised him with my tongue 18 And that with a mind free from al euil imagination for else he would not haue heard me 19 Therefore the Lord hath heard me and gaue eare vnto my praier 20 Praise then be vnto God who refused not my praiers neither did withdrawe his mercie from me PSALME LXVII The Argument The Prophet doth attribute vnto the onlie mercie of God both the spiritual blessings which are peculiar vnto the Church and also the corporal whereof he desireth the continuance and also doth prophesie the spreading of the Church that should be vnder Messiâ—h and so exhorteth al the
this most deepe streame swallowe me least I being deuoured in this deepe pit no hope of deliuerance be left vnto me 16 Graunt ô Lord of thy great mercie that I may prooue that my praiers were heard of thee and seeing thy mercies are infinite declare them by hauing regard of me 17 Doe not withdrawe thy selfe I beseech thee from thy seruant oppressed with so manie miseries but hasten ô Lord rather to heare me and to deliuer mee 18 Come vnto this my most miserable soule that thou maist deliuer it calling for thy helpe and redeeme me frō this multitude of most cruel enimies 19 Thou knowest more than al men with what and how false crimes I am charged and with what iniuries and reproches I am vexed neither can anie of mine aduersaries escape my sight 20 Ah! how sore doe these things vexe trouble and torment me especiallie seeing I haue so long waited but in vaine that some man should stand vp which should be moued with so many iniuries offered vnto me yet can there be found no-where anie man which would comfort me most miserable man with one word 21 Yea moreouer they labour to increase my miseries so much as lieth in them feeding mee with most bitter gal and they haue giuen me vineger to drinke they are so farre from comforting of me most miserable man 22 But cause thou againe that al thy benefits may turne to their destruction that they may be snared like beasts which are deceiued by the baits of meat set before them and let them find death there where they gaped for mirth and ioie 23 Take from them al the light of reason and vnderstanding and cut as it were al their sinewes that they may neither thinke nor perfourme anie thing that is good 24 Powre forth vpon them thine indignation and in the heate of thine anger correct them with iust punishment 25 Destroie their faire houses to the ground and waste al their dominion vtterlie 26 For they are so farre from hauing anie compassion on him whome it hath pleased thee to afflict so seuerelie that they haue also tormented him more greeuouslie and they haue laid new strokes one after another vpon him that thou haddest so greeuouslie wounded 27 Withdrawe therefore al thy helpe againe from them that they may heape wickednes vpon wickednes neither giue them at anie time the spirit of repentance to receiue them into thy fauour 28 And although that they insomuch as they are borne of those holie fathers may seeme to be counted amongest the number of thine to whome thou hast appointed the gift of the true life yet rase thou out their names foorth of thy booke neither count them amongst the iust 29 Let this then be the lot of those most wicked men but I ô God now being most miserable at the length shal be deliuered of thee and shal be exalted againe 30 Wherefore I wil then sing of thy name then wil I set foorth thy praises with great maiestie 31 And this I knowe wel shal be more pleasant vnto the Lord than the most great offering hauing hornes and hoofes 32 And al that are likewise vexed being comforted by mine example shal reioice and flieng vnto God by mine example shal be restored vnto life 33 For the Lord shal they saie wil heare the needie and doth not despise them who are bound in the chaines of miseries for his cause 34 Go to therefore let the verie heauens and also the huge lumpe of the earth the verie seas what things soeuer creepe in the waters let them set foorth the praises of the Lord. 35 For God wil preserue his Sion and wil build vp his cities appointed vnto Iuda and wil there assigne euerlasting habitation for his people 36 For the fathers shal sit ouer this heritage vnto their posteritie and this shal be the euerlasting possession of the seruants of God namelie of those that seeke his glorie carefullie PSALME LXX The Argument This Psalme doth conteine a praier which it is like that Dauid vsed in his banishment most commonlie and hath prescribed it vnto the Church afterward as a forme of dailie praier seeing that there neuer wanteth such enimies vnto the Church or at the least to manie of the members thereof as are here described THE PARAPHRASIS 1 COme speedilie ô God to deliuer me make haste to helpe me ô Lord. 2 Put them to shame that seeke my death command them to turne backe and to be couered with shame which desire nothing more than to see me destroied 3 Let them turne home with shame for a recompence being disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted against me as though I had bene vtterlie vndone 4 And graunt thou of the contrarie that not I alone but al they also that haue a desire to worship thee and wait for an end of my miseries may be ioiful and reioice and that they may giue solemne and euerlasting thanks and praises vnto thee who hast deliuered me 5 In the meane season I stand here poore miser destitute of al succour make haste therfore ô God to helpe me For I depend vpon thy helpe alone ô God my deliuerer ô Lord I beseech thee delaie no longer PSALME LXXI The Argument This Psalme though it be without title in the Hebrue yet doth it seeme to be made by Dauid and written at that time when he now being aged was with so sudden and so great rage driuen from his roial seate and chased euen beyond Jordan chieflie by the treason of Achitophel and of his sonne whome he so deerelie loued And it is ful of most greeuous and iust complaints and it doth also set foorth an example of excellent constancie and of an inuincible faith And seeing the good seruants of God can looke for none other condition or state it is profitable oft to meditate this Psalme both least they should fondlie promise vnto themselues after they had ouercome manie troubles that their old age should be quiet and also least they should despaire when they shal be likewise vexed not onlie of strangers but also of them whome they haue cherished in their owne bosom but that they go forward in their vocation whilest they atteine the garland following the example of Dauid and other Prophets and of the Apostles as also of verie manie other faithful Bishops THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Flie vnto thee alone ô Lord suffer me not to be ouerwhelmed with shame for euer 2 Deliuer me rather from this calamitie as I haue had experience that thou art iust and mindful of thy promises heare me and deliuer me 3 Be thou vnto me also in the steede of a most strong tower into the which I may alwaies flie For seeing thou hast once already receiued me into thy defence where else shal I rather seeke for succour 4 Therefore my God graunt that I fal not into the hands of this most wicked and most craftie enimie which rusheth vpon me with so great rage 5 For I depend wholie
faile to be worshipped 6 And thou againe wilt powre downe vpon thy people from heauen al good things like a showre comming downe vpon the new mowne medowes and none otherwise than thou vsest to water the earth with showres in due season 7 Whilest he reigneth the iust shal flourish and great peace shal be so continued as is the firme course of the starres 8 And the king himselfe shal haue dominion from the one sea to the other euen from Euphrates to the farthest coastes of the earth 9 The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shal come vnder his yoake falling downe vnder his feete and his enimies falling downe before him shal licke the dust of the earth 10 The kings of Silicia and of the Islands shal offer presents vnto him the Aethiopians also and the Arabians shal bring him giftes 11 Finallie al kings shal worship him al nations shal serue him 12 For his righteousnes shal be praised throughout the whole world for that he heareth the crie of the poore and doth defend the needie forsaken of others 13 He hath mercie on them that are needie and he refresheth those that are in danger of their life 14 He defendeth the poore against the iniurie of the mightie neither doth he suffer the violence done vnto them to be vnreuenged 15 God also wil keepe him safe and gold shal bee brought vnto him out of the middest of Arabia al men shal make praiers for his life and safetie and shal dailie wish al prosperitie vnto him 16 Then shal wheate be shorne euerie-where with ful handfuls in the verie mountaine tops the corne growing as high as the trees of Libanus and there shal be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities that they may almost seeme like plants springing out of the earth 17 Therefore his memorie shal be for euer euen durable as the Sunne and this king shal be an example of al felicitie vnto al nations which shal account him blessed 18 But vnto thee ô Lord the Prince of the heauenlie companie the Author of al things so wonderful let al praise be giuen 19 The same of thy glorie be praised for euer that it may fil al the earth so euen so shal it be ¶ Here end the praiers of DAVID sonne of Jshai PSALME LXXIII The Argument That which is written in the end of the former Psalme is not so to be taken as though the Psalmes of Dauid were al ended here as it is euident seeing that diuers of them that folowe haue his name set before them and some of them that go before are without anie title but those 11. that folowe are attributed to Asaph an excellent Prophet and Leuite one of the singers of whome mention is made in manie other places and chiefelie 2. Chro. 29 30. vnlesse we had rather saie that there were diuers men of that name or that his posteritie were called by that name And in this Psalme is dâ—scribed the victorie of the spirit against the flesh the which the Sophisters and Papists do falselie imagine to be that which is taught by the Philosophers when they dispute of the strife betwixt reason and the affections whereas yet in those things which peculiarlie belong vnto God there is nothing that striueth more against the true wisedome than doth the verie reason of man as he is natural and not regenerate yea euen then when he hath granted the true principles so true is it that the Apostle saith euen that mans wisedome doth end in foolishnes as appeareth also in this Argument For mans wisedome doth iudge and rightlie iudgeth that if men be gouerned by the prouidence of God it must go wel with good men and euil with euil men But where it gathereth thereby that therefore men are not gouerned by the prouidence of God and that their paines and trauel is in vaine which seeke vertue because the life of wicked men fâ—r the most part floweth with prosperitie but the life of the godlie is contrarilie ful of calamitie herein it sheweth it selfe to be most foolish For it should rather haue bin gathered by that same principle that we must determine otherwise of the ends of good and euil things than men vse to do because God doth bestowe euen vpon euil men certaine commodities his prouidence is not therefore abolished but rather his infinite goodnes and patience commended And that good men are exercised with diuers calamities in this life it commeth to passe partlie that they should not abuse the mercie of God partlie because they stand in neede of chastisement and also that they may learne to hope for better things and the more hard battels that they suffer so much the more excellent might the power of God appeare in their victories and the souldiers themselues might be rewarded with so much the greater reward Finallie which is the chiefest of al that it shal neuer go wel with the euil men and that by their owne fault Contrariwise that it shal neuer go euil with the good and that by the singular mercie of God For vnto the euil men good things are turned to euil and on the contrarie vnto the good men euen euil things turne to good This is a verie pretious doctrine which is handled oftentimes both in other Psalmes and in diuers places of the scripture especiallie in Job and the Prophet Abacuc but aboue al in this Psalme the which doctrine Asaph worthilie saith that it must be sought onlie in the sanctuarie of God whereas bare slender and sometime foolish things are taught in the scholes of the difference of good and euil things and of the vertues and of their causes and effects euen among those Philosophers which did count vertue their onlie meede and did iudge onlie the wise man to be alwaies blessed THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT whatsoeuer things are now brought on the contrarie it must needes be true and inuiolable that God can not be but fauourable vnto Israël that is to them that worship him purelie and deuoutlie 2 Howbeit I confesse that I could scarselie wrestle out at the length from contrarie cogitations so that I was verie like to fal and scarselie could I staie my selfe least I should fal downe headlong 3 For I was wholie set on fire beholding mad men so proud and puffed vp with prosperitie 4 For they are lustie so that thou wouldest saie that they were free from diseases and almost from death it selfe they are of so strong health 5 When others are in trouble and oppressed with manifold miseries these men haue the comforts of this life in readines whereby they auoide these miseries 6 Therefore are they haughtie and testifie with how great pride and fiercenes their heart swelleth by the verie apparel of their bodie adorned with chaines with gold and pretious stones 7 And their fat panch doth declare with what and how great delicates they abound and their eies sticke out with fatnes and if they desire anie thing they obteine also more than
they not being thus contented with the destruction of thy temple when they had thus determined to spoile al things at once that there should be no monument of vs at al remaining they burnt vp al the other buildings that we anie where had built for the hearing of thy precepts and to set forth thy praises 9 At the least ô Lord we should now see some of those our old and accustomed signes and wee should haue some one prophet who might comfort vs and might signifie vnto vs what end would be to these calamities 10 But how long ô God shal these enimies raile against thee shal this enimie neuer cease to reproch thy holie name 11 And wilt thou for euer hold in thy right hand whereby onelie we can be deliuered wilt thou turne it awaie from vs and neuer drawe it out of thy bosome 12 But thou art he who hast taken in hand to gouerne me so manie yeares ago and hast saued me so oft al they beholding and fighting against me 13 Thou by thy power hast made the sea passable for our sake and hast broken the heads of the mightie men of Aegypt being like dragons within the waters 14 Thou hast broken the head of that huge and cruel whale and thou hast giuen their carcases to be deuoured by the beastes of that wildernes 15 Thou euen contrarie to the course of nature breaking the huge rocke didst bring forth a riuer out of the veines of the flint stones and contrariwise thou diddest drie vp suddenlie the deepe chanel of that most raging riuer 16 Thou art the Authour and Ruler both of daie and night which hast set in order the certaine and vnchangeable motions of the light and of the Sunne 17 Thou hast diuided the whole compas of the earth into their borders thou hast appointed the course of summer and winter 18 And how much more easilie canst thou restore thy people if thou please in what desperate case soeuer they be onelie therefore be mindful of that thy couenant yea though thou couldst forget thy people yet doubtles thou canst not forget thine owne selfe And what reproches hath not this enimie cast foorth against thee ô Lord and what railings haue not this mad people vsed against thee 19 Ah! do not forsake nor giue vp this thy most deare turtle doue counted to be forsaken mourning vnto thee vnto these most cruel beastes neither commit the congregation of thy miserable people to perpetual obliuion 20 Remember rather thy couenant ô Lord for the whole land is now nothing else but a den of theeues and robbers 21 Let not the praiers we beseech thee of thine being so sore beaten and vexed with so manie reproches be vaine and frustrate but rather giue occasion to them that are oppressed and destitute of al succour to praise thee 22 Arise ô Lord and pleade thine owne cause and do not forget the reproches of these outragious men which they dailie cast out against thee 23 Forget not I saie the outcries of thine aduersaries but declare in deede that the brute of their tumult is come vp vnto thee PSALME LXXV The Argument Whether this Psalme were written by Asaph in the name of Dauid or it were written by Dauid himselfe and after deliuered to Asaph the singer and chanter it doth wholie agree vnto those times when Dauid reigned in the citie of Hebron when he was readie to receiue the kingdome of the whole nation by the common consent of al the tribes and it conteineth three principal points to wit that God is the Author and gouernour of al iust policie againe that these be the two principal duties of the magistrates euen to be a terror to those that be euil and to cherish them that be good finallie that this is the chiefe and final end of al namelie that glorie be giuen vnto God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE praise thee we praise thee ô God and that most worthilie whose power we do feele present and shal find hereafter and so shal we againe set forth thy wonderful benefites 2 And I wil surelie care for nothing so much when I shal haue the people by thy goodnes committed vnto me as to institute an holie and righteous gouernement 3 For as the case now standeth al the bonds of lawes being broken the whole kingdome is disordered but I wil againe establish the pillers thereof which are remoued foorth of their places 4 I wil bridle the proud and dissolute persons I wil terrifie the wicked that they shal not lift their hornes so high with these words 5 O ye mad men do not henceforth exalt your selues neither answere you so stoutlie and proudlie as ye are wont 6 For as ye may wel perceiue which way soeuer a man doth turne him it is not in his power to mount to higher dignitie 7 But it belongeth to God alone the most iust gouernour of al things and it is in his power and authoritie to cast off whome he wil and to exalt whome he pleaseth 8 Wherefore thou doest not resist me but God himselfe And the Lord doth carrie in his hand a cup ful of troubled wine and ful of dregs the which he wil giue to al the wicked to sucke vp and to drinke to the verie dregs 9 Thus then I diligentlie praising the God of Iacob and singing vnto him continuallie wil cut off the hornes of the wicked but I wil increase the iust with honours PSALME LXXVI The Argument J do take it to haue the same Argument and the same occasion to be of the writing of this Psalme as of the 46. and this is most notable in them both that he distinguisheth plainelie that knowledge of God whereby the Gentiles are rather conuinced than taught and conuerted from that wisedome which Christ saith that it can not be perceiued of flesh and bloud which is onlie peculiar to the Church of God and whereby onelie the true Catholike Church may and ought to be knowne and distinguished from the residue of mankinde and especiallie from the false and fained apostatical Church which onelie delighteth in ignorance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THAT true God of Israël is onelie knowne in Iudëa who he is and he doth there onlie declare himselfe in deede how great and what maner of one he is 2 And though he fil both the heauen and the earth yet doth he not dwel euerie-where but in Salem as his tabernacle witnesseth which is placed in Sion 3 And experience it selfe doth declare this to be a most manifest testimonie of his presence seeing it is he who hath there broken in peeces the bowes and arrowes the shields the speares and al the instruments of war of the enimies of his people at once 4 Thus then hath he set foorth his owne glorie and he hath declared himselfe to be more mightie than al those spoilers people or kings how proud soeuer 5 For they how fierce or famous so euer they were are bereaued of their weapons and spoiles neither were they able
to bring forth their wepons and armies no more than they which lie sleeping in a most deepe traunce 6 But both the chariots and the horses being striken with slumber at the rebuke of God could not remooue from their place 7 Therefore thou art verie terrible and who is able to abide thy sight so soone as thy wrath is inflamed 8 For thou hast declared thy selfe plainlie bringing things to passe by thy diuine power aboue al order of nature that thou doest reigne in heauen and causest the very earth to tremble and to quake 9 When thou didst arise to destroie the wicked and to preserue thine who were of euerie side oppressed 10 Thus the more that men do rage so much the more doth it appeare who and how great thou art and if any doe yet remaine and begin againe to rage thou wilt euen bind them as it were in one bundle and destroie them at once 11 Go to then al ve that are preserued by the maruellous power of the Lord our God standing round about this your Emperour paie vnto him the things that you vowed most worthilie bring your offerings vnto him that is so terrible with al diligence 12 For this is he that cutteth off all the courage and strength of the verie kings as a gardener doeth twist his vines and doth declare himselfe terrible to the most mightie princes of the earth for his Church sake PSALME LXXVII The Argument It may be perceiued by manie most dolorous examples and euen by the greeuous agonie of Christ himselfe how horrible the battel is of the conscience touched with the sense of Gods wrath wherevnto yet we said that euen the most holie men haue bene subiect Psalme 6. and by this Psalme as by certeine other we vnderstand the same Therefore it is worthie the marking yea and verie necessarie to knowe by what weapons those valiant champions haue also shaken off these fierie darts of Satan This Psalme therefore doth teach vs in this most dangerous temptation to applie these remedies euen continual praiers although the verie mind be vnwilling to praie and though the verie thinking of God doe terrifie vs and a meditation of the former testimonies of Gods good wil towards vs which is ioined with his vnchangeable purpose how that he neuer putteth awaie for euer him whome he hath testified to haue chosen seeing that these his gifts are without repentance and that his mercie is infinite and that he hath the most high power in ruling the course of al things and times finallie the remembrance of the maruellous works of God both in trieng and in preseruing of his Church And it is very meete for euerie man to haue such examples in good remembrance and to applie them vnto him selfe particularlie in such manner of temptations THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Haue cried vnto God I haue cried I saie and haue lift vp my voice vnto God whilest hee heard my crie 2 The more greeuouslie that I was oppressed the more earnestlie I sought the Lord so that I praied in the verie dark of the night holding vp my hands without ceasing although my verie heart refused al comfort 3 For the remembrance of God was so far awaie from pacifieng mine vnquiet mind that contrariwise nothing did trouble me so much so that I did lie wholie oppressed with sorrowe 4 Neither could mine eies take anie sleepe nor my heauie heart breath nor finallie my mouth could speake one word 5 But at the length I began to cal to memorie those excellent things which thou hast done in the former ages whereby thou hast declared that infinite mercie towards thine from the beginning 6 Then came those comfortable songs into my memorie which I heretofore haue sung of thee al the which things I reuoluing with my selfe in the night and considering continuallie in my mind 7 Verelie thinke I although it seeme that thou art vtterlie vndone yet how can it be that that God whose wil is vnchangeable should now cast thee away for euer and that he should be now vnto thee an enimie neuer to be reconciled whose fatherlie loue thou hast so often tried 8 Shal I iudge that his mercie can be cleane spent or doe his decrees and promises at the length vanish awaie by continuance of time as mortal and humane things are wont to doe 9 Shal I saie that he hath cast off that nature most readie to haue mercie and in displeasure hath shut vp his compassion which before was spread ouer al 10 Furthermore I said thus also within my selfe Verelie this thy wound is now of it owne nature deadlie but the change of things dependeth in thy hand that is in the hand of the high God 11 And here I began againe to consider how oft thou hast shewed foorth that thy wonderful power in times past by deliuering thine through extraordinarie meanes 12 I began I saie to meditate those thy mightie works and to ponder them in my mind by the examples whereof I might lift vp my mind that did lie downe prostrate 13 For it appeareth no where more euidentlie what thou art able to doe than in thy sanctuarie where in deede thou declarest thy selfe what one thou art and can anie other god make himselfe equal with thee although those false gods were such as other nations imagined them to be 14 Thy works ô God are in deede maruellous and thou hast abundantlie shewed to al people how mightie thy strength is 15 For I praie thee with what incredible power hast thou deliuered thy people out of Aegypt I meane the posteritie of Iacob and Ioseph 16 Then the verie waters ô God sawe thee present I saie they sawe thee and were astonished and euen the depths of the sea were moued when they felt thy presence 17 The cloudes powred out flouds of waters the heauens thundered horriblie thy fierie darts went euerie-where abroad 18 A terrible noise of thunder was heard throughout the circuit of heauen the world shined with glittering lightenings the earth shaked and trembled 19 Finallie the seas made passage vnto thee and thou hast opened a waie to thy people going thorough the middest of the waters leauing no steps of this passage 20 Lastlie thou hast thus lead into these pastures thy people being brought foorth as a flocke committing them to faithful pastours Moses and Aaron Wherefore then should I despaire as though thou either wouldst not or couldst not behold me PSALME LXXVIII The Argument It may be collected by this Psalme what maner of sermons the Prophets made in the Church of Jsraël when the histories were declared in their synagogues And surelie this ancient monument of the holie antiquitie is to be had in great reuerence as certaine other Psalmes also and the sermon of Stephen in the Actes of the Apostles and that sermon of Paule made at Antioch Acts. 13. And hereby we learne also with what profite we may reade the holie histories which are set forth vnto vs in this Psalme after two
Asaph and others THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord mightie in battell how amiable are thy tabernacles 2 Wherefore for the desire of the visiting of thy courtes ô Lord which is vtterlie denied me I am wholie consumed coueting most earnestlie both in bodie and mind to come vnto thee ô God the authour of life 3 Oh alas is my condition worse than that of the sparowes and swalowes to whome it is permitted to finde some place where they may make their nests ô thine altars Lord of hosts my King and my God 4 O blessed are they that are permitted to dwel with thee and to set foorth thy praises continuallie 5 O blessed is that man to whome thou giuest grace to vse those thy sacraments appointed to strengthen their faith and who as he commeth in bodie vnto thy sanctuarie carrieth thy lawes grauen in his heart 6 Wherefore me thinkes I see the great multitudes of them that come vnto thee to go thorough the drie mores and wild figtrees affraid of no difficulties by the waie who rather than they should leaue off the iournie that they haue vndertaken do partlie dig pits with great diligence to receiue the running waters partlie do make cesternes with great labour to holde the raine-water 7 Neither do they ceasse but continue and increase in constancie whilest that one band and multitude meeting now and then with another they do come vnto thee ô high God into thy presence euen vnto Sion 8 O Lord of hosts heare my praiers giue eare vnto me poore miser ô God of Iacob 9 O God our defender behold me and regard the king whome thou hast annointed 10 For how far better is it to passe one daie in thy house than a thousand in anie place elsewhere therefore I wish rather my God to be the porter in thy house than to haue anie maner of condition amongst the prophane men polluted with sinne 11 For in other places there are continual and horrible darkenes but light is onelie with thee which art the verie true Sunne it selfe ô Lord and nothing is safe anie where else but in thee ô God the defender of thine there is most certaine safetie and the abundance of thy blessings which is appointed to them that trulie and sincerelie worship thee is infinite 12 O blessed is he Lord of hoasts which setteth al his confidence onlie in thee PSALME LXXXV The Argument This Psalme hauing the Korites for the authours thereof manie do refer to the time which folowed their returne from the captiuitie of Babylon when yet the building of the temple and the citie was letted by the Gentiles that dwelt about them But I leaue it to be considered whether it ought rather to be applied to the beginning of the kingdome of Dauid so that by the name of captiuitie not the carieng awaie of them from their habitation is to be vnderstood but the miserable seruitude of the people vnder the Palestines which had ouercome them after the death of Saule Howsoeuer it is we vnderstand by this Psalme that the Church is so pressed and vexed euen when God seemeth most iustlie to be angrie that yet it is not oppressed Furthermore this Psalme doth teach vs with what weapons chieflie the enimies being conquerours are repulsed euen by repentance and by praiers proceeding of faith whereof we haue heere a most excellent example Finallie there is added a verie cleare prophesie of the sending of Messiah in whom as Paule saith al the blessings are ratified that we may learne which are the proper and peculiar benefites of the Church and of the spiritual kingdome of Christ and to whome we must attribute the benefite of publike peace and tranquillitie when God doth grant it vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord thou hast manie times shewed thy selfe merciful to the inhabitants of thy land thou hast restored the posteritie of Iacob from most miserable bondage vnto libertie 2 Thou hast taken awaie the iniquitie of thy people thou hast couered al their sinnes 3 Thou hast put awaie al thy wrath thou hast suppressed thy wrath I saie that it should not vtterlie flame foorth 4 Continue now therefore ô God our deliuerer to change our miserable condition and command thy wrath wholie to depart 5 I praie thee wilt thou be angrie for euer and wilt thou continue thy wrath vnto al ages 6 Wilt thou not rather restore vs to life againe and giue vs occasion againe to praise thee with great gladnes 7 Ah Lord graunt that thy mercie may appeare vnto vs and that we being deliuered may haue experience of thy great benignitie 8 But why should I vse manie words vnto God surelie it is better diligentlie to heare what God our Lord answereth vnto me For I nothing doubt but he wil answere most gentlie and promise al prosperitie to that his people towards whome it hath alwaie pleased him to vse so great liberalitie that they being admonished may be wise hereafter 9 For although al things seeme desperate deliuerance is not far off from them that worship him and that time is neere when our land now lieng in miserie shal recouer her former beautie 10 For the mercie of God shal shine vnto vs to whom also his truth shal ioine in societie Furthermore iustice and peace another noble match meeting together with mutual imbraceings shal receiue one another 11 Then the minds of men being changed againe from infidelitie vnto faithfulnes truth comming downe from heauen shal appeare in earth which the spirit of righteousnes shal make fruitful from aboue 12 So wil it come to passe that the Lord wil powre out al kind of good things vpon vs and the earth shal bring foorth her fruits abundantlie 13 Finallie al things shal be done in most due manner and order and euerie man shal frame his manners after the rule appointed of God PSALME LXXXVI The Argument This Psalme of Dauid doth also containe a verie notable example of most feruent praiers with most pretious sentences adioined partlie of the wil of God declared vnto vs and oftentimes experienced towards vs partlie drawne from his infinite power whereby wee may be comforted euen in the greatest miseries and most desperate Now the praier of Dauid is of two sorts one that he may be preserued in this life against his most cruel and most mightie enimies vnto this end that the name of God may be spread to the vttermost coasts of the earth namelie by the comming of Messiah which should be borne of him the which promise should come to naught vnlesse God did bridle the rage and madnes of the enimies another cause the chiefe is euen as the foundation of the former that God should not suffer him being broken with the greatnes of the dangers to fal awaie as it happeneth somtimes euen to them that are most strong vnlesse that God by the power of his spirit doe strengthen our wauering faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GIue eare vnto me ô Lord and heare mee that am oppressed
being for this cause replenished with ioie and comforted with thy iudgements ô Lord wil reioice 9 Go to then ô Lord sitting vpon thy most high throne rule thou the whole earth and exalt thy selfe aboue al that is aloft anie-where 10 And ye that loue the Lord continue to hate that which is euil and doubt nothing but that he which hath freelie embraced you with so great fauour wil defend you also most mightilie and wil deliuer you from the wicked 11 And though this light of the mercie of God doth not streightwaie shine vnto the godlie let them remember that like as the seedes which are sowen in the earth do not foorthwith spring vp naie though they lie longer hid in the bowels of the earth yet they come forth more plentifullie euen so the light of righteousnes is sowen for them that loue that light whereby it shal wholie come to passe that al they that leade an vpright life are replenished with incredible ioie 12 Reioice ye therefore in the Lord so great a King ô al ye iust and magnifie the holie remembrance of him continuallie PSALME XCVIII The Argument This Psalme is the same almost with the ninetie and sixe and it conteineth the prophesie of the spreading of the kingdome of the Messiah and repeateth it againe of the which prophesie Simeon Zacharie and Marie the mother of the Lord in those their most famous hymnes are most diuine interpreters vsing almost the selfe-same words But this Psalme doth teach three things of most great importance euen in three verses One verse 1. that Christ our mediatour in this worke of our redemption hath no coadiutor at al nor partener the which heauenlie doctrine doth confute that diuelish dotage of the merits of saints as they cal them with what painted colours soeuer it be intruded and it giueth to God alone his due glorie as wel in the redemption as in the creation of man The second verse 2. that al this redemption consisteth in the iustice of Christ himselfe which verelie can not be made ours but by imputation The third verse 3. that al this benefit doth flowe foorth from the onelie free promise and truth of God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song for he hath now shewed foorth al that his maruellous power by ouercomming al his enimies by his owne right hand onelie and by his owne arme alone 2 And now in the end he setteth foorth to be seene before al nations this benefit of so great a deliuerance which was so long looked for of our fathers and now at the length is performed which did lie hid before as in a corner euen his owne iustice wherewith they being indued shal not onlie escape the damnation which their vnrighteousnes deserueth but also shal obteine the crowne of iustice promised 3 And if anie demand what hath mooued him at the length to so great bountifulnes let him knowe that al this proceedeth from hence that hee is mindful of the promise that he hath made and by the same mercie that he was moued to promise it by the same he is moued to perfourme it in deede that he might shew himselfe most bountiful in verie deede vnto al men to the vttermost borders of the earth 4 Go to then al ye inhabitants of the earth blowe vp the trumpets vnto God sound out the instruments sing a triumphant song vnto him sing praises vnto him 5 Sing vnto the Lord both with the harps and with voices by order and course 6 Go before the King Iehouah with sounding trumpets and shalmes 7 Let the sea how wide soeuer sound againe and also the whole world with the song of al the inhabitants of the earth 8 Let the verie flouds sound round about with their noise and the verie mountaines with triumphant songs 9 Before the Lord that shal vndertake the gouernement of the world and shal gouerne the people most iustlie and vprightlie PSALME XCIX The Argument This Psalme was set foorth that the people what storme soeuer should arise turning vnto God should learne to set foorth the promise of the Messiah against al terrours of whome he so plainlie speaketh as though he had bene now present at the same time commanding al men euen to behold him in the visible sacraments set before them because they were no vaine signes of his most present fauour being euen the same in signification that ours are seeing there is but one and the same Christ whether he be to be shewed or alreadie exhibited although their signes were differing from ours Furthermore he adioineth the testimonies of three most godlie men Moses Aaron and Samuel whose office was to praie vnto God for the people both that whilest that priesthood appointed of God should remaine in authoritie the people should surelie iudge that the same God should be present with them who was with them of old as also they which desired to be heard might followe the same waie of faith and godlines that they did vnto the which doctrine of the publike and ecclesiastical praiers that is to be applied which Paule writeth 1. Timoth. 2 1. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw I beseech you why should we feare the force or threatenings of anie man seeing we haue the Lord himselfe to be our King let the people fret as much as they lust yea let the earth wauer the foundations being shaken it is enough that he is with vs that inhabiteth the Cherubims 2 Verelie the Lord hath declared abundantlie the greatnes of his power in Sion and al the people nil they wil they shal be subiect to his power 3 Let vs therefore neither feare nor yet doubt but rather trusting vpon the most assured protection of God magnifie that his mightie and terrible name to the enimies for it is holie and therefore al honour is due vnto it 4 For is not this our King as he is indued with most great power so also the louer of iustice wherefore we neede to seeke none other succour besides him neither neede we to doubt but that he wil punish most sharplie al them of whome we are vniustlie oppressed For it is not possible that he should suffer their wickednes vnaduenged who is the authour of equitie it selfe hath set downe the verie rule of iustice vnto the posteritie of Iacob 5 Go to then praise ye the Lord our God and falling downe before his footestoole worship him for he is holie 6 For this cause did he consecrate Moses and Aaron of old and set Samuel also amongst them who did exercise the office of the mediator for the people the which thing whilest they did carefullie praieng vnto God they were heard of the Lord. Why then should wee doubt seeing that same priesthoode is of force but that we folowing their example should now also be heard 7 And also he did speake to those our fathers of old out of the cloudie piller vnto whome because they should keepe his commandements he prescribed the rites of
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
them whome they loued so greatlie before and they now laboured by subtiltie to circumuent them 26 Yet did he neuer forsake them but when their case seemed vtterlie desperate he sent Moses his seruant and Aaron whom he had chosen to succour them 27 And they as they were commanded of God when they were sent did worke those great signes and wonders in the land of Cham. 28 Wherefore the Lord did send darknes vpon the Aegyptians which came so soone as the Lord commanded 29 He turned their waters into bloud and killed their fishes in the verie waters 30 Swarmes of frogs came streightwaie foorth of the earth at his commandement and went into the verie chambers of their king 31 At the voice of his commandement swarmes of flies and lice came foorth in al the coasts of Aegypt 32 He rained downe stones from heauen and horrible flames of lightnings did run through al Aegypt 33 With these darts he beat downe their vines and figtrees and he did breake downe al the trees that were set in those borders 34 By his commandement grashoppers and caterpillers being stirred vp came foorth without number and deuoured euerie herbe and consumed al the fruits of the earth 35 Moreouer he did slaie their first borne that is euen the chiefe of al their families 36 Finallie when al this was done he brought foorth his people loden with gold and siluer al healthful and indued with strength 37 Aegypt was glad at their departure which before was greatlie afraid of them 38 He couered them as they went foorth in the daie time with a cloud against the heat of the sun and in the night least they should wander to and fro he went before them and lead them with the brightnes of a shining firie piller 39 They desired quailes which were giuen at their desire and they were satiate with bread sent downe from heauen 40 God brake the rocks for them whence water did flowe yea euen riuers did run foorth 41 And this did he euen mindful of those things which he the holie one in times past had couenanted with his seruant Abraham 42 Thus then he brought foorth his people to wit his elect glad and ioiful 43 Vnto whom he gaue those countries that were possessed of sundrie people hauing obteined with great ease whatsoeuer the inhabitants thereof had gotten with great trauel and paines 44 Namelie that they being placed there because that the former inhabitants had prophaned the land with filthie superstitions and vile lusts they should obserue the statutes and lawes giuen them of the Lord. Praise ye the Lord therefore PSALME CVI. The Argument J suppose that this Psalme euen as the 126. is to be referred vnto those times when they which were brought from Babylon with Zorobabel or else with Ezra and Nehemiah praied for the residue who notwithstanding were either detained by cowardise or were afraid by the difficultie of the iournie either staied there stil for other causes And the Prophet beginneth at a thankesgiuing for the returne granted vnto that people streight after he descendeth to a plaine confession of the sinnes of the whole nation euen from the deliuerance out of Aegypt expressing also the circumstances euen of the times and places and fullie answering vnto that which we reade in the 9. of Nehemiah where also is repeated oftentimes that which is here set downe in the 4. verse the which would God in this our most miserable age in the which we almost see the patience of the most merciful and mightie God as it were ouercome with such like stubbornnes would God I saie that manie had rather followe this example both publikelie and priuatelie than to be so readie to teare one another in peeces THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise yee the Lord and celebrate his name for he is of most excellent and euerlasting goodnes 2 Who is able to set foorth in words the wonderous works which he hath done for vs who is able sufficientlie to set foorth his praise 3 O blessed is that man who at al times and in what estate soeuer he is neuer declineth from vprightnes and iustice 4 But thou ô Lord be mindful of me of thine vnmeasurable mercie which thou hast alwaies shewed to thy people and regard me to make me partaker of thy saluation 5 That I being a witnes of thy bountie towards thine elect may ioie and reioice together with that thy people which thou hast chosen for thy peculiar heritage 6 We verelie I grant euen as our elders also haue erred haue sinned and haue done wickedlie 7 For to begin the matter from the first original those our fathers neither had anie regard of so manie miracles wrought in Aegypt neither were they mindful of the multitude of thy benefits for they did striue with thee at the red sea 8 Yet God ô the incredible goodnes that he might prouide for his owne glorie and testifie his owne power hath preserued them though most rebellious 9 For he rebuked the sea which incontinentlie dried vp and he led his by the surges of the waters euen as by the drie ground 10 So did they escape safe out of the enimies hands God deliuering them 11 But their oppressors being swallowed vp with the waters did perish so that not one of them remained aliue 12 And the Israëlites being ouercome by this fact began then verelie to beleeue in the Lord and did sing foorth his praises 13 But lo when this was scarse finished when they suddenlie forgetting al these things would not suffer themselues to be gouerned by the wil of God and his counsels 14 But with immoderate lust desired flesh in the wildernes and began to tempt and trie the power of the mightie God 15 Therefore he granted vnto them that thing which they so greedilie desired but to their great hurt for these delicates brought them leanenes and consumption 16 Yea and they went about through enuie to displace Moses himselfe and Aaron that holie priest of the Lord. 17 Therefore the earth gaped and swallowed vp Dathan and couered Abiram with the verie tabernacles 18 But the fire also beginning in the assemblie of the rebellious the flame did burne them vp together suddenlie 19 The same men made a calfe in the mount Horeb and worshipped when they had molten it 20 Changing that their honour and ornament euen the euerliuing God ô miserable men into a dead image of a bullocke that eateth haie 21 And casting awaie the memorie of God the sauiour which had shewed so manie wonders in Aegypt 22 Who had declared so manie miracles vnto them in the land of Cham and had done so horrible things at the red sea 23 Wherefore he was about to destroie them at once but that Moses deerlie beloued of him aboue other setting himselfe before God in the midst of the slaughter restrained his wrath that it should not be fierce to vtter destruction 24 What more when he was about to bring them into the countrie promised they not beleeuing
the things that he hath iustlie gotten doe continue 4 That meeke merciful and iust God commandeth the light to arise vnto them that walke vprightlie in the midst of the darknes of calamities 5 A good man is also liberal he lendeth and gouerneth his things vprightlie and iustlie 6 Wherefore he shal neuer fai and his memorie shal be for euer 7 He shal be shaken with no slanders neither with anie euil tidings but setling his hope vpon the Lord shal constantlie confirme himselfe 8 By this meanes his heart being staied he wil couragiouslie wait whilest that he see his aduersaries suffer the iust reward of their wickednes 9 In what state soeuer he is he continueth to be liberal vnto the poore and remaineth iust wherefore he is increased dailie more and more with glorie and honour 10 The wicked seeing this his felicitie wil be greatlie greeued and wil gnash with their teeth but they shal consume awaie al their enterprises being brought to naught PSALME CXIII The Argument The Leuites which were appointed to sing do exhort themselues mutuallie in this Psalme to praise the loue of God towards man testified by manie benefits chieflie toward the miserable and poore such as were Ioseph Moses Dauid and Daniel vnto the which examples doubtles this Psalme hath respect like as that which treateth of the barren women verelie is to be referred to Sara Rebeccah Anna. But in the verie beginning streightwaies we are admonished that these praises are then onlie accepted when they proceed from the seruants of God and are giuen to that true God as he openeth himselfe in his word for this is meant by the name of Iehouah And seeing that the Leuitical priesthood is taken awaie and al we Christians are now consecrate to offer this sacrifice of praise before the throne of God it appeareth that this exhortation doth apperteine to al Christs Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye praise ye I saie ô ye seruants of Iehouah the name of Iehouah 2 Let the blessed name of Iehouah be praised now and for euer 3 For most iust causes of praising and giuing vnto it al laud do declare themselues from the rising of the sun euerie-where vnto the setting of the same 4 The Lord doubtles hath a more high dominion than al the Gentiles and also he exalteth his glorie aboue the verie heauens 5 Is there anie like vnto the Lord our God which sitteth most gloriouslie in a most high place 6 And yet doth abase himselfe so lowe of his infinite goodnes that he beholdeth gouerneth both the things that are done in heauen and in earth 7 Wherefore this is he that raiseth vp the abiects and exalteth the miserable lieng in the dunghils 8 Whome he placeth among the princes among the princes I saie of his people 9 Finallie he causeth that they that were barren before and without comfort suddenlie being made mothers of manie children were filled with ioie Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXIIII The Argument Jt probable that this elegant and excellent Psalme was sung especiallie in the feast of the passeouer which was appointed peculiarlie to celebrate the deliuerance out of Aegypt and the bringing in of them into the land of promise the which things seeing they were the figures of that true and euerlasting deliuerance by Christ from the most miserable bondage of Sathan sinne and death and of the bringing of vs into the verie heauen it iâ— plainlie perceiued how much more we than the old people are bound to celebrate so great mercie of God especiallie in our holie feast of thankesgiuing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHen Israël came out of Aegypt euen the posteritie of Iacob from that cruel people 2 The Lord did consecrate Iudah to himselfe and Israël for a people ouer whom he would chieflie rule 3 The sea did flie at his sight comming foorth of Aegypt least it should hinder his passage Iordan driuing her waters backward made it selfe passeable that he might come ouer 4 The verie mountaines the tops of the rocks as it were the hornes of rams beating together and the hils like lambes did leape 5 And wherefore ô sea diddest thou flie wherefore ô Iordan diddest thou driue back the waters 6 Wherefore ye mountaines like rams and why did ye hils like lambes so leape 7 Verelie it was meete that thou ô earth shouldâ— tremble at the sight of the Lord going before his people at the sight I saie of the God of Iacob 8 Who turned the rocke into pooles euen the head rocke into flowing waters PSALME CXV The Argument This Psalme doth containe an example of publike praiers conceiued with great boldnes for the preseruation of the Commonwealth against prophane nations though it is not euident what battel this was and to what times this Psalme is to be referred I do applie it to the historie of Iehosaphat 2. Chron. 20. or else suppose that it was indited for the Chuâ—ch generallie to some such vse Now besides manie excellent sentences it conteineth a notable comparison of the true God with the false and it teacheth furthermore verie plainlie that the last and chiefe end of our praiers ought to be not anie commodities of our owne but the onlie glorie of the true God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THat we desire deliuerance out of this peril of thee ô Lord be it far from vs that we should aske it as due vnto anie righteousnes of ours neither that anie glorie or dignitie should arise thereof to vs but that rather thou shouldest prouide for thine owne name that is to saie that it may appeare plainlie thereby how liberal thou art in promising and how true in perfourming thy promises 2 For I beseech thee why doest thou suffer these men anie longer to aske in derision Where is their God 3 Our God ô cursed men of whome ye demand where he is is in the heauens indued with far greater maiestie than anie earthlie prince by whose power and also most free wil al things were created in the beginning and are euen now gouerned 4 But your idols if the matter be considered are gold and siluer and therefore dead things without al sense but if regard be had of the workmanship they are made by the hands of men 5 They haue a mouth and are dumbe what can they then answere you they haue eies and are blind what can they then see what is done here 6 They haue eares and are deafe wherefore then do ye powre out praiers vnto them they haue noses and smel nothing wherevnto then serueth the perfume and smel of sacrifices 7 They haue hands but touch nothing what can they then giue you they haue feet and can not go how then can they make haste to helpe you 8 And to speake al at one word what letteth it but that you your selues that worship them be as witlesse and senselesse as the verie stocks stones in whome ye trust 9 But thou Israël trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al them
worke yet is it of far lesse importance than the saluation of thy people in the frame of the heauen I meane that there is as it were ingrauen a sure stabilitie of that thing which thou hast once spoken Wherefore though the companie of the godlie be tossed with infinit tempests vpon the earth yet shal it be firme and stable the which thing thou hast opened by thy word to be determined by thee of the euerlasting rest thereof in the heauens 90 Surelie thy truth shal faile in no age for euen that bodie of the earth doth so remaine as it was established by thee vpon her foundations 91 And al these things doe so continue as they were ordeined and appointed by thee from the beginning obeieng thee doubtles as their Lord. 92 But if I had not learned these things of the doctrine that thou hast deliuered vnto vs whereof doubtles I did take a maruellous pleasure verelie I had perished alreadie being ouerwhelmed with calamities 93 Therefore be it far away from me that I should forget thy commandements at anie time vnto whome I confesse that I doe owe my life 94 Saue me therefore seeing I am thine and a diligent obseruer of thy statutes 95 For the wicked do labour for this with al their power that they may destroie me but I giue my selfe wholie to consider those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 96 For I see al the most absolute perfect works to come to an end onelie thy precepts are prolonged without measure and without anie end THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIII 97 O How do I loue thy doctrine surelie I consume whole daies in meditating of the same 98 And I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine for I haue prooued to be much wiser by thy precepts than al mine aduersaries of how great dignitie or authoritie soeuer for I haue obteined a wisedome that wil neuer forsake me 99 Yea thou hast made me better learned than my verie teachers and maisters euen because I haue giuen my selfe wholie not to mans inuentions but to meditate those things onlie which thou hast giuen vnto vs for sound learning 100 Finalie I was more skilful than anie of the ancient euen because I was bent not onlie to knowe thy cōmandements but also to keepe them indeed 101 For I held backe my feete that I should not go the way that leadeth vnto euil but that I should alwaies rather hold the waie which thou hast taught vs by thy mouth 102 Neither did I turne from thy lawes but rested vpon thee my teacher and admonisher 103 And surelie I felt thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth than if I had tasted honie 104 Finallie thy precepts haue taught me true wisedome and therefore I abhor the other rules of the order of life as wicked and false THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIIII 105 WHerefore that thy word hath bene and shal be like a torch shining before me as I go and as a light shewing my path vnto me 106 For so haue I sworne euen by an oth that I would doe and that I would keepe thy most iust lawes the which thing I wil perfourme in deede 107 And thou againe ô Lord keepe me safe which am maruellouslie vexed as thy word promiseth 108 O Lord let the vowes and free promises of my mouth be accepted of thee and teach me thy lawes more and more 109 Behold my life is exposed to al casualties as though I did carrie it in my hand yet haue not I forgotten thy lawe 110 The wicked haue laid snares for me yet haue not I wandered from thy precepts 111 Those things that thou hast testified vnto vs are in the stead of an euerlasting inheritance that can neuer be alienate neither doe I take anie pleasure anie-where but of them onelie 112 Finalie I haue bound my whole hart for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XV. 113 I Abhorre the wauering and wanderers to and fro in religion and I account thy doctrine most deere 114 Thou art my refuge where I may hide my selfe thou art my shield whilest I rest vpon those things that thou hast said vnto me 115 Hence from me ye wicked that I may keepe the precepts of my God so much more purelie 116 Vphold thou me ô Lord as thou hast promised to doe otherwise I perish and doe not shame me by making my hope frustrate 117 But rather strengthen thou me that I safelie escaping may applie my selfe continuallie to thy statutes with great ioie 118 For verelie thou doest tread vnder foote prostrate vpon the earth al them that go astraie from thy statutes and their craft doth vanish 119 Thou doest cast awaie I saie al the wicked whereof this world is ful like drosse therefore is nothing more pleasant vnto me than the testimonie of thy wil. 120 Yet doe I wholie tremble for feare of thee and for that thy seueritie against the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVI 121 LEt them shameleslie imagine what they lust I haue so behaued my selfe that no man can worthilie complaine of me that I haue committed anie thing against him contrarie to right and equitie doe not deliuer me therefore I beseech thee to the lust of the slanderers 122 But rather laieng a pawne for my sake regard that I be not oppressed by these proud men 123 For my verie eies do faile me waiting for the deliuerance alreadie promised vnto me and for the perfourmance of thy most iust word 124 Neither when I desire this doe I desire anie thing that I haue deserued but this one thing rather that thou wouldest haue mercie vpon me thy poore seruant and teach me thy statutes 125 Go to I beseech thee seeing I am thy bond-seruant grant this vnto me that I may vnderstand and embrace those things that thou hast testified vnto vs so as it is conuenient 126 For the time it selfe requireth ô Lord that thou laie thy hand to the worke seeing that these men haue vtterlie ouerthrowne thy doctrine 127 But contrariwise thy precepts are more pretious vnto me than anie gold how much soeuer 128 For I doe affirme that al thy commandements are a most certaine rule of equitie and I abhor as a thing appointed to deceiue vs whatsoeuer leadeth vs from them THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVII 129 OH the maruellous things that are comprehended in those words that thou testifiest vnto vs so that I haue most iustlie giuen my selfe wholie to consider them most attentiuelie 130 For vnto them that enter within the threshold onelie to heare thee a certaine vnspeakeable light doth offer it selfe to be seene not so much dazeling the minds with glittering as lightening them with a ioiful brightnes and instructing them that knowledge their owne ignorance with true wisedome 131 Wherefore I haue greedilie swallowed thy precepts as thirstie men vse desiring them most earnestlie 132 Looke vpon me therefore and haue compassion on me that pant for breath
Og the king of Basan and al the kingdoms of Canaan 12 Whose countries giuen to them before he deliuered to be possessed of Israël 13 Wherefore doubtles ô Lord thou hast gotten vnto thy selfe a name of perpetual praise neither shal the remembrance of thee be extinguished for euer 14 And thou wilt chieflie more and more set forth thy glorie in the preseruation of thy people and in thy louing kindnes that is so prone and readie to pardon thy seruants 15 But euen these most gorgious and pretious images which the senseles nations do worship are nothing else but gold siluer made by the workmanship of man in this or that forme 16 They haue a mouth and yet are dumbe they haue eies but they see nothing therewith 17 They haue eares but can not heare and haue a nose but wanting breath 18 And verelie in this point the workemen and worshippers of them differ nothing from them 19 But ye the stocke of Israël praise the Lord ye the familie of Aaron go before others in praising the Lord. 20 Ye Leuites praise the Lord as manie as professe his worship praise the Lord. 21 Let the euerlasting inhabitants of Ierusalem sound foorth the praises of the Lord out of Sion PSALME CXXXVI The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this most magnificent Psalme as of the other but the benefites of God both toward the whole mankind and especiallie bestowed vpon his Church are heere more plainelie set forth and euerie where there is a singular verse often repeated partlie that we should certainlie iudge these benefites onlie to come of the most liberal bountie of God partlie that we should iudge not onelie that al things generallie but also euen particularlie euerie thing is as a testimonie and pledge of Gods fauour and mercie to our saluation although this his liberalitie turne to the destruction of the wicked And it appeareth by 1. Chro. 7. that Dauid was the authour of this song the which was sung with most great solemnitie both in their high feasts and in their triumphant victories euer repeating this singular verse by course as also the historie of Iehosaphat doth declare 2. Chron. 20. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his great goodnes for his mercie endureth for euer 2 Praise the God of gods for his mercie endureth for euer 3 Praise the Lord of lords for his mercie endureth for euer 4 Who by his onlie power bringeth to passe maruelous things because his mercy endureth for euer 5 Who hath created the heauens by his infinite wisedome for his mercie endureth for euer 6 Who hath commanded the earth to stand vp aboue the bankes of the waters being appointed to susteine and giue nourishment to the beasts of the earth and the soules of the aire for his mercie endureth for euer 7 Who hath created those two great lights for his mercie endureth for euer 8 The Sunne to rule the daie for his mercie endureth for euer 9 The Moone and the Starres to rule in the night for his mercie endureth for euer 10 Who smote Aegypt slaieng their first borne for his mercie endureth for euer 11 And deliuered Israël from thence for his mercie endureth for euer 12 And that with a strong force and as it were by lifting vp his arme on high for his mercie endureth for euer 13 Who did part in sunder the Rushie sea which is called the red sea that it should lie open vnto the people passing to and fro by multitudes for his mercie endureth for euer 14 And led Israël through the middest thereof for his mercie endureth for euer 15 And drowned Pharao and al his armies in the same for his mercie endureth for euer 16 Who led his people by the waste wildernes for his mercie endureth for euer 17 Who stroke great kings with plagues for his mercie endureth for euer 18 Who slue mightie kings for his mercie endureth for euer 19 Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for euer 20 And Og the king of Basan for his mercie endureth for euer 21 And gaue their dominion to be possessed by others for his mercie endureth for euer 22 Euen to be possessed by Israël his seruant for his mercie endureth for euer 23 Who when we were oppressed was mindful of vs for his mercie endureth for euer 24 And deliuered vs from our enimies for his mercie endureth for euer 25 Who giueth foode to al liuing creatures for his mercie endureth for euer 26 Praise ye God the Lord of heauen for his mercie endureth for euer PSALME CXXXVII The Argument The holie Ghost would haue this excellent Psalme to be extant which no doubt was made by the Leuites the fingers in the time of the captiuitie that he might teach vs verie notable things and necessarie to our comfort to wit that there is a time of silence vnder the crosse when the power of darkenes hath his time notwithstanding that we must retaine alwaies our constancie not onelie in faith but also in zeale least we betraie the truth with our silence or forsake our dutie for feare of men The dogs verelie are vnworthie to haue anie holie thing offered to them but this same thing is not to be dissembled that they are dogs when it standeth vpon the glorie of God and that the oppressors of the Church shal neuer carie awaie their wickednes vnpunished and chieflie they which do inflame the crueltie of the mightie men against the innocent THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE being caried awaie vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in vs the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most doleful silence euen with aboundance of teares both our sinne and our sorowe at the floud of Euphrates being mindful of Sion 2 And though we caried our harpes euen to be our comfort in so great calamitie yet seeing that it seemed vnto vs that we should rather mourne than sing in that time and place we did hang them vpon the sallowe trees making no noise in the sight of the Babylonians 3 When they themselues which had drawne vs awaie into this most miserable captiuitie outrageouslie mocking our miserie did require of vs that we should delight them with our songs and take againe into our hands the harps that we had hanged vp speaking these words Come off sing vnto vs those tunes of your Sion 4 But we did not agree vnto them bearing most heauilie this their derision as breaking out into the reproch of the Lord himselfe For with what countenance or with what conscience could we abandon the holie praises of the Lord to be derided of those wicked enimies 5 But be it far awaie and God forbid ô Ierusalem that though we be far separate from thee we should forget thee but let rather euerie one of our right hands forget al plaieng of instruments 6 Let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it being vnmindful of thee
earnest affection of the heart thou dost as it were neuer depart from their sides 19 Insomuch that they can aske nothing of thee aright which thou dost not grant them and alwaies helpest them when they crie 20 And euen as thou safelie keepest al those that loue thee so thou destroiest al the wicked 21 Wherefore by good right ô Lord I wil declare thy praises euen with a sounding voice and it becommeth al men to whome thou grantest the vse of this life to doe this thing diligentlie and continuallie PSALME CXLVI The Argument The Prophet doth exhort al men in this Psalme to set forth the praises of God which consist chieflie in this point that al our confidence may be fixed in him alone as both in a most mightie most moderate and especiallie in a most merciful Lord of al things of whose both power equitie and clemencie he setteth foorth some notable examples those being proued by verie dailie experience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to yet my seelie soule praise the Lord. 2 For I haue thus determined to bestowe the whole time of my life in praising the Lord and to set foorth my God so long as I liue 3 And this praise properlie belongeth vnto him that we fixe our whole confidence in him alone For whome wouldest thou rather trust to princes whose glorious shew vseth to dazel the sight of foolish men But seeing euen these mortal men be also borne of mortal parents that is to saie hauing neither firme strength nor stable wil safetie cannot consist in them 4 For euen their life consisteth in their breath of the which so soone as they are bereaued the soule departing out of their bodie they are resolued againe into dust and al their cogitations do vanish awaie together with them 5 But ô blessed is that man which trusteth in the helpe of the God of Iacob and whose whole hope is laid vp in the Lord his God! 6 For hereby it appeareth euen to blind men how good and how great his power is in that he created the heauen the earth the sea and al things that are comprehended in them and his excellent goodnes and fidelitie is herein euident that he neuer breaketh his promise 7 That he doth maintaine those that are vniustlie oppressed he feedeth the hungrie and looseth the prisoners from their bonds 8 He openeth the eies of the blind and of such as are vexed for want of counsel and lifteth vp those that faint vnder the burthen of miseries finallie the Lord loueth al that loue righteousnes 9 The Lord doth defend and nourish those that are destitute of mans helpe especiallie strangers and trauelers the fatherles and widowes but vtterlie ouerthroweth them that liue a wicked life 10 Last of al other dominions are trulie transitorie and subiect to destruction but the kingdome of the Lord alone is euerlasting thy God I saie ô Sion endureth for al ages Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXLVII The Argument The people did in this Psalme celebrate that most high benefit of their returne from Chaldëa which was like a new birth of the Church chieflie if we principallie regard the worship of God as it is conuenient and the testimonies of the mercies of God are annexed so elegantlie described as nothing can be more excellent the which though they be general yet do they properlie belong to the children of God because they onelie knowe from whome they proceed and giue vnto God his iust praise Therfore in the end of the Psalme he doth make mention of that most excellent and great benefit of al others wherewith God did bind his Church peculiarlie vnto him euen the knowledge of his wil which bringeth saluation And whereas that deliuerance from Chaldëa and the gathering together of Jsraël as the citie of Ierusalem it selfe also were figures the truth thereof is exhibited vnto vs in deede in the Gospel there is no doubt but the Christian Church is much more bound dailie to set foorth the benefit of our redemption whereby we are brought into the heauenlie countrie especiallie in these our last times wherein God hath begun to gather his Church from the other occidental Babylon THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to I beseech you praise the Lord for what should we rather doe than to giue thanks vnto God who besides that he is God and therefore hath bound al men vnto himselfe by good right hath bestowed vpon vs so manie peculiar benefits and againe what can be more ioiful and more to be desired than such a testimonie of his fatherlie loue 2 For behold ô God thou restorest Ierusalem being cast downe destroied subuerted and beaten into dust contrarie to the hope of al people and dost gather together thine Israël being scattered ful seuentie yeeres the which thing the worke it selfe doth testifie that thou wast onelie able to doe 3 Thou doest comfort them that are vtterlie desperate thou also doest heale the deadlie wounds that none could heale but thou 4 Euen because there is nothing which thou art not able to do for thou knowest the number of the verie stars the which as their Lord thou callest out by name 5 O our great Lord both of infinite power and also of vnderstanding 6 And which doth vse his infinit power nothing proudly or immoderatly but euen to helpe the oppressed to cast the wicked downe to the ground 7 Go to then praise the Lord that our God both with voice and with instruments 8 Which couereth the heauen with clouds from whence he draweth foorth the raine to water the earth and to cloth the tops of the mountaines with al kind of hearbs 9 With this food he feedeth the beasts and nourisheth the yong rauens when they crie being forsaken of their dams 10 Yet is there nothing in vs which should moue him to embrace vs far vnlike to those which approue an horse by beholding his beautie or courage or that doe regard a man that runneth for his swiftnes 11 For what can he find in anie man which he hath not giuen vnto him before Therefore al the benefits which are bestowed vpon them that feare him and who haue regard onlie to his mercie doe proceed of his liberalitie alone 12 Go to then Ierusalem praise thou the Lord go to Sion praise thou thy God 13 For he doth ward thy gates with bars he doth cherish and multiplie thy familie thy citizens I meane 14 He bringeth thee into amitie with thy neighbors he feedeth thee with the fine flower of wheat 15 For he needeth none armies or engins of war but so soone as he hath declared what his pleasure is his commandement goeth foorth through the whole world like a most swift post 16 He raineth downe the flakes of snowe as it were wool from the clouds he doth sprinkle the earth also with the smal hore frost as it were with dust 17 He casteth out the I se like morsels and he bindeth together al things with cold that no man is able to
abide 18 And he also againe so soone as he commandeth doth melt the things that are frosen and the waters streightwaie flowe foorth againe as though their bands were losed 19 And these things verelie do testifie most plainelie both his infinite goodnes and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefite which he bestowed vpon his Israël when he deliuered vnto him the doctrine of saluation and the rule to leade his life both godlie and honestlie 20 Neither is there any nation vnder heauen with whome he hath so dealt but he hath left other men without this most true and most iust doctrine PSALME CXLVIII The Argument The scope and end of this Psalme most ful of maiestie euen written with a heauenlie feruencie is whereas there be extant so manie most cleare witnesses of Gods wisedome of his power and goodnes as there be things created to cal vpon al those things high lowe and of the middle sort to set foorth the praise of God with common consent For though manie of them are without both vnderstanding and sense yet they al after their maner although they be silent are said to sound foorth the glorie of God though men which haue reason and for whose cause they are made ought properlie both in their owne name and in their name to do this dutie and chieflie the godlie ought to set foorth continuallie that incomparable benefite whereby they are chosen into the felowship of the sonne of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let them found forth the praises of the Lord euen from the most high heauens 2 O al ye holie spirits the apparitors of his Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go ye before others in this his praise 3 Thou Sunne and Moone and al ye Starres shining in the heauens shewe forth the praise of your Maker 4 O ye most high spheares of the heauens praise ye him ye vawts of waters which hang on high 5 Let al these things I saie praise the Lord for they began to haue their being by his onlie commandement 6 And they are placed by his appointment in the same place and order where they stand most stable and they are set in order with certaine spaces and bounds which they can not passe ouer by anie meanes though they would 7 And let the earthlie things againe answer vnto the heauenlie and the creeping wormes in the hollowe holes of the earth and also the depths of waters 8 And ye flames of lightnings also hailes snowes vapours lifted vp whirlewinds and other tempests which al haue your being and are moued by his commandement 9 Mountaines and al hils trees laden with fruits the Cedars mounting vp with such maruelous height 10 Ye wild beasts also and ye that be tame whatsoeuer creepeth vpon the ground and whatsoeuer fleeth through the aire 11 But chieflie both the kings and their people subiect vnto them the princes and the gouernours of the earth 12 Yong men and old yong maides also and children 13 Praise ye the name of the Lord for he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the very earth more high than the heauens 14 But this becommeth chieflie the people whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others therefore it becommeth those that haue receiued such benefits of God to set forth his praises euen the posteritie of Israël the which people God hath chosen to be his owne familie and houshold PSALME CXLIX The Argument The interpretation of this Psalme seemeth to be more plaine and more agreeable to the holie historie if it be applied vnto the kingdome of Dauid rather than to the last times of the captiuitie of Babylon Wherefore in ny iudgement the people recouering themselues from so manie miseries which they had suffered both in the times of the iudges and of Saule himselfe both the religion of God being first restored and also the policie set in good order is taught by this Psalme to giue thankes vnto God and not to abuse his so great benefits Wherein Dauid himselfe giueth them example acknowledging the Lord God to be the King together with them And as concerning the musical instruments here named it was a part of the seruice of the lawe which is abolished notwithstanding no man vnlesse such a one as is worthie to be counted amongst beastes can denie but that there is a great power both of musicke when it is sung and also in instruments to moue mens minds yet the examples both of the former Church and the horrible abuses that streightwaies followed do teach sufficientlie how vnprofitable it is to bring in such musicke and instruments into the Church of Christ as hath bin of late And a prophesie is also added which the verie end did confirme so manie victories being granted vnto Dauid and the bounds of his kingdome being spread euen vnto Euphrates that then the promise was fulfilled at the length which was made vnto Abraham as concerning the figure for it can not be doubted but that these things were the figures of the kingdome of Christ and of his spiritual victories and of that horrible iudgement which shal be most fullie in the end at the last daie and which now and then God executeth vpon al the rebellious THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to al ye that haue receiued benefites of the Lord sing vnto him a new and excellent song being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths 2 Euen thou ô Israël delight thy selfe in setting forth his praises whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed O ye citizens of Sion reioice ye trusting in the Lord your King Gouernor which belongeth to none other nation vnder heauen 3 Set foorth his praises far and wide not onelie priuatelie but also publikelie not onlie with voice but also with fluites and timbrels and with al kind of musical instruments 4 Euen because it hath pleased the Lord of his infinite mercie to consecrate this people vnto himselfe and as the matter it selfe maketh it manifest when they seemed vtterlie to be lost to make them honourable and of most high dignitie 5 Wherefore these glorious people vpon whom he hath bestowed so manie benefites do now reioice and shal reioice hereafter and with great quietnes shal sing a triumph 6 Praising the Lord indeede with their exclamations cries but armed with double edged swords in their hands 7 Wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the people 8 And also may drawe their kings nobles bound in chaines and iron setters 9 Euen to execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by the Lord and this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of al them whome God hath receiued to his fauour PSALME CL. The Argument Jt is probable that the holie singing men of the temple did stir vp one another with this Psalme ful of maruelous zeale We