Iewes as Gentile clappe your handes vz. for ioy as Nahum 3. ver 19. Hee putteth the outwarde signe of ioy for inward and outward ioyfulnes sing loude vnto God c. in this part of the verse the Prophet requireth of the people on the Lordes behalfe willingnes chearfulnes and gladnes for in all seruices performed to him hee specially regardeth these thinges as 2 Corinth 8.12 Ver. 2. Is high vz. not onely because hee dwelleth in the high heauens but also because hee hath highest yea all authoritie and terrible i. fearefull or méete to bee feared not onely of his children for their good but of the wicked for their punishments a great king vz. as whose power no creature is able to resist ouer all the earth i. such a king as to whose authoritie all the quarters corners of the earth are subiect Ver. 3. He i. God hath subdued vz. by his word spirit the people i. of all the people of the world some vnder vs i. vnder the exercises of his religion seruice which wee professe putting the persons professing a thing for the thing professed vnder our féete by this maner of speach is ment that the gentiles shold be schollers the Iews scholemasters as it were to them for to sit vnder the feet or at the feete is vsed in scripture for being a scholler or learning as Act. 22.3 And not that the Iews had euer such a large Lordship ouer the Gentiles Ver. 4. May be the words as it were both of the Iewes and Gentiles conuerted to Christes kingdome shewing what graces he hath bestowed vpon them hee q.d. he that knoweth what is better for vs then wee our selues hath chosen i. not onely layd out but also appointed and that of his owne good will and mercy towards vs our inheritance i. not onely all thinges méete for this life as landes countries possessions c. but euen all other things that concerne the hope of a better life euen the glory of Iaakob i. euen all these excellent thinges that he gaue and promised to Iaakob wherin he might glory and reioyce The faithful meane that they had as great both abundance and assurance of Gods grace and goodnes as Iaakob euer had Ver. 5. God i. the arke of God which was a true token of Gods presence and so is the word Lord also vsed as Psal 132.5 Is gone vp hee speaketh this no doubt in respect of bringing the Arke into the mount Sion of which sée 2. Sam. 6. Throughout the chapter with triumph vz. against the enemies which also was ioyfull to Gods people euen the Lord with the sound of the trumpet this is euen the same that was sayd in the first part of this verse sauing that here hee addeth the instrument which many times striketh terrour into the enemies and addeth courage to the faithful and by this manner of speach hée meaneth to note out the great glory of the Lord and of the triumph and victories that our Sauiour gotte as Colos 2.15 Ephes 4.8 Ver. 6. The foure times repeating of these woordes sing prayses hath great force q.d. let all your care and study tend to this to prayse the Lorde and his sonne Christ Ver. 7. For God this is a reason why they shoulde extoll the Lorde King of all the earth i. hath power ouer all and exerciseth an Vniuersall kingdome the particulars and the maiesty whereof hée setteth out in the next verse Ver. 8. Holy throne hée meaneth either the Tabernacle or else the heauen for both of these in scripture are called Gods holy throne because he that had the fulnes of holines in himselfe gaue manifestation of himselfe from both these places sée Mat. 5.34 Matth. 23.22 Whatsoeuer it is or howsoeuer it is to be taken the Prophets purpose no doubt is to describe God as a iudge ready to yéelde iustice both to good and bad according to their seuerall causes Ver. 9. The Princes of the people q.d. not onely meane men from among the Gentiles but euen the mighty are gathered vz. by the mightie woorking of Gods spirit and the exercises of the word the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach that the Gentiles should make profession of true godlines as well as Iewes and he speaketh of it as though it were already performed for the certainty of it people of the God of Abraham i. the Iewes for from Abraham they came according to the flesh And he calleth him the God of Abraham thereby to distinguish him from al the false Gods of the Idolatrous gentiles the shields of the world i. the defence and the protections of the whole earth he vseth shields which are good meanes of defence for defence it selfe belong to God is his right q.d. seeing that the worlde is preserued and maintained by God great cause is there why men shoulde reuerence his so great and high maiesty and therefore he addeth hee is greatly to bee exalted i. feared and praysed Ver. 1. It becommeth all sects of people to praise God Do. and that willingly and chearefully Ver. 2. Sheweth that wée ought to praise him for his maiesty and power Ver. 3. Declareth that it is God alone that draweth mens heartes to the imbracing of his trueth Ver. 4. Gods loue is the first and onely cause of all the graces we haue Ver. 5. Setteth out his maiesty and might Verse 6. Teacheth how earnest we should be in praising our God Ver. 7. Sheweth that both our praises and all the seruices that we shall yéeld to the Lorde must procéede from an vnderstanding heart Ver. 8. In that God is described as a iudge it conteineth matter of comfort to his children of terror to the wicked Ver. 9. God calleth of all states some to the imbracing of his truth also God alone is the defender of the whole world and of all the people 's therein and that therefore he is worthylie to be magnified Psalme 48. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into three partes In the first is conteined a commendation of Gods power and goodnes manifested especially to the citie of Ierusalem from Ver. 1. to the end of the third In the seconde is declared that all the conspiracies practises and forces of the wicked against that Citie shal be ouerthrowne because God will defend it from ver 4. to the end of the 8. In the third the faithfull set out the assured perswasion that they had of Gods goodnes towardes them praying for the continuance therof both vppon themselues and the whole Church from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title would bée thus a song or Psalme meaning such a Psal or song as both by voyce and instruments was sung the rest is expounded Psal 42. Ver. 1. Great is the Lorde vz. in respect of his power and glory and greatly to be praysed q.d. and therefore no smal prayse doth belong to him in the citie of our God i. in Jerusalem which is called Gods Citie because God had
outragiously following sinne and vngodlinesse for they haue not known i. neither allowed loued nor walked in my wayes i. eyther my doctrine and law or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes Verse 11. Wherefore vz. by this their continuall rebellion being moued I sware vz. vnto them q.d. I tied my selfe by the vertue of an oth in my wrath vz. agaynst them he meaneth by this spéech being angry with them saying vz. in such sort that they might both heare it and know it surely they i. this wicked and rebellious people shall not enter vz. at all into my rest i. into the land of Canaan where they should rest after their long trauayles and he calleth it Gods rest both because God promised it and also after forty yeares by the ministery of Iehoshua performed it vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people sée Heb. 4. ver 8.9 Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues Do. but also to prouoke others thereto Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him publikely chearefully and with an vnfeyned hart Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth no not all of them together are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue Ver. 4.5 teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen earth the water c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things first that in respect of God and of our selues we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same Verse 8. teacheth vs to cast away and to purge from vs al hard hartednesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse and Gods iustice vpon them for the same that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises not demaunding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth Verse 10. teacheth vs that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them Also that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente if it woulde bée Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome Psalme 96. TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation directed to the people Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his goodnesse yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde verse 1.2.3 In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it verse 4.5.6 In the third he doth agayne because men are dull prouoke them to that duety of praysing God ver 7 8 9 10. In the fourth he desireth or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem differing little or nothing sauing in the chaunging of certain words from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse Verse 1. Sing vz. with harte and voyce vnto the Lord vz. our good gracious God a new song i. not only new in respect of making but an exquisite one and more then a common song by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God but one that is more then accustomed yea extraordinary sée Psalme 33 3. sing vnto the Lord vnderstād it as before in the beginning of this verse all the earth i. all the people inhabiting the earth meaning specially the people of the Iewes vnderstanding also by earth the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord expound this as it was expounded before ver 1. of this Psal and praise his name i. set forth his maiesty power c. as Psalme 20 1. with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing declare vz. in your songs with your words his saluation i. the gracious deliuerance wch he performeth for his people frō day to day i. continually without ceasing as the day neuer ceaseth True it is that god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new continuall benefits but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that but to shew rather the faythful what their duty is in publishing these graces Ver. 3. Declare vz. by your words déeds his glory i. the things which he hath don for you getting ther by glory vnto himselfe among al nations vz. of the earth meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils and his wonders vz. whiche he hath done for you and on your behalfe among all people vz. of the whole world q.d. sound sende them abroad that other may heare the same and feare Ver. 4. For the Lord is great vz. in strength might and power and muche to bée praysed vz. of all men but specially of his own children and seruaunts for the graces he bestoweth vpon them he is to be feared vz. with a reuerent and holye feare aboue al Gods i. more then al the idols of the Gentils for of them he speaketh in this place as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods but yet are not so in déed as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5 and Psal 115.4.5 c. are idols i. vanities and matters of nothing as appeareth 1. Corinth 8 4. whereof also in this place and Leuit. 19.4 they haue their names as the etymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth but the Lorde vz. our God which we serue made vz. in the beginning and that of nothing the heauens i. al things whatsoeuer heauen earth c. putting one part of the creatiō for the whole Ver. 6. strength vz. to strike his enemies to defend his own people and glory vz. for those whom he loueth liketh are before him i. are continually in his sight and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him power beauty vz. most excellent and glorious are in his sanctuary i. in the place of his abode worship the Prophet meaneth as I take it that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Tabernacle Verse 7. Giue vnto
i. is prepared and layde vp and yet lyeth hid as it were séede committed to the earth which shall in good time come forth sée Colossians 3.3.4 1. Cor. 12.12.1 Iohn 3.2 The Metaphor that he vseth in this place is excellent q.d. Euen as wheate or other séede cast into the earth dyeth and lyeth hidde for a certayne while before it waxe gréene and bring forth fruite so the iust suffer manye thinges before they féele ioye but theire ioye shall in good time bee made manifest and they shall haue great increase and store thereof as of one grayne cast into the grounde commeth plentie and abundaunce of Corne for the righteous i. for them whome GOD frameth to righteousnesse of life and holye conuersation and ioye this sheweth playnlye what he meant by light vz. ioye both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come for the vprighte in harte i. for them that are voyde of hypocrisie and dissymulation Sée Psalme 33 1. Verse 12. Reioyce yée vprighteous in the Lorde q.d. Let him bee the matter of your ioye that doth suche great thinges for you and giue thankes vz. vnto him onelye for his holye remembraunce these wordes maye haue a double sence eyther thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that it pleaseth him that is holye to thinke vppon and to remember you or else thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that you haue good and often occasion giuen you by his continuall graces bestowed vppon you to remember and thinke vppon him that is holye and iust and this latter I take to bee the more simple Verse 1. Teacheth vs that it is a matter of great ioye Do. to knowe that the Lorde ruleth and gouerneth all thinges Verse 2. teacheth vs what greate power and iustice is in the Lorde Verse 3. teacheth vs that the wicked and vngodly shall not escape vnpunished Verse 4. teacheth vs that the least of Gods creatures is able to terrifie all the world Verse 5 sheweth that nothing is able to withstand the Lord in his purposes and that the strongest and gretest thinges are as nothing before him Verse 6. teacheth vs that Gods goodnesse and vprightnesse are so cleare euen in his creatures as none can pretend ignoraunce Verse 7 teacheth two things first that we may pray agaynst idols and Idolaters secondlye it sheweth what greate iudgementes shall ouertake them Verse 8 teacheth the godly to reioyce euen in Gods iudgementes executed vpon the wicked Verse 9 setteth out the excellency maiestie and almightie power of God Verse 10 teacheth first that our hatred and lothing of euill must be a seale of the law of God in our harts secondlye that God hath more then a fatherly care ouer the liues of those that be his and thirdly the wicked for all their power can not doe what they would against Gods children Verse 11. teacheth that howsoeuer the good be afflicted for a time yet is abundaunce of ioy layde vp for them Verse 12 teacheth the faithfull to shew themselues alwayes thankefull to God Psalme 98 Di. THis Psalme contayneth thrée speciall parts In the first hee exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord shewing some causes that should lead them so to doe Verse 1.2.3 In the seconde he sheweth how this thanksgiuing and prayfe should be yéelded to the Lord and that is partly with the voyce and songes and partly with musicall instruments Verse 4.5.6 In the thyrde parte by exhorting dumbe creatures to yéelde thankes vnto the Lord he prouoketh men to the performaunce of that excellente and holye duetye Verse 7.8.9 Se. The Title a Psalme this hath bene expounded before and namely Psal 3. and Psalme 4 in the title Verse 1. Sing vnto the Lord a new song sée for this Psalme 96. verse 1. for hée vz. alone hath done vz. by his power and might marueylous thinges i. matters to be wondred at and farre passing the reache of man his right hand vz. alone meaning by right hand his almightye strength and power and his holy arme i. the arme of him that is holye yea holinesse it selfe vnderstanding by arme the same thing hee did by hande vz. might and strength hath gotten him i. him himselfe and in him his Church the victory vz. against all his and their enemies The Prophet meaneth that God deliuered his Church from the enemies thereof not by the meanes of man or any accustomed order but by his owne power and strength sée Psalm 44 2.3 also Isaiah 59 16. and agayne Isaiah 63.5 Ver. 2. The Lord declared vz. by the meruailous and great workes which he hath done his saluation i. his gracious deliueraunce of his Church out of al daungers and distresses and this is called his saluation because he is the only worker of it and doeth fréely bestowe the same vppon his people and his righteousnesse i. his faythfull and vprighte executing of iustice and iudgemente hath hée reuealed vz. in his mightye and marueylous workes in the sighte of the Nations i. openly not only before the Iewes but before all other Nations of the worlde Verse 3. He hath remembred i. he hath not onelye thoughte vpon but in his remembraunce performed his mercye and his truth i. his gracious goodnesse and his faythfull promises made towardes the house of Israell i. to the people of the Iewes whome hée calleth the house of Israell because they procéeded from Iaakob who was also called Israell and came from him as from one stocke or Fountayne all the endes of the earth i. all the partes and quarters of the worlde and some people inhabiting the same haue séene vz. playnly and sensibly meaning by this spéech that they haue bin made partakers of the saluations vz. mercifully promised graciously to be performed in Christ of our GOD i. of that true and euer liuing GOD whome we serue He speaketh here no doubt of the calling of the Gentiles and of those gracious promises expressed Genesis 12.3 Genesis 22.18 Verse 4. All the earth i. all people inhabiting the earth q.d. Consider this great benefyte euerye one of you and chearefullye prayse the Lorde for it sing yée lowde i. prayse him willinglye and openlye vnto the Lorde vz. who hath bestowed these greate graces vppon you crye out q.d. inforce your selfe to prayse him and reioyce vz. for the mercies which you haue receaued and sing prayses vz. continually and that to the Lorde who hath dealt so fauourablye with you as to make you of no people a people vnto himselfe The Prophet repeateth one and the selfe same thinges vnder diuers termes not only to expresse his own earnestnesse but also to declare mens dulnesse in the performaunce thereof and with all to expresse that the thinges themselues giuen from God and receaued of vs are so excellent that we can neuer be sufficient thankefull for the same Ver. 5. Sing praise vz. for the grace and blessinges receaued to the Lorde vz. who hath freely giuen the same vppon the Harpe i. vppon musicall instrumentes vnderstanding by one many or
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
those that can hardly be tamed and bee full of wantonnes and sport as it were such as calues be when they are very fat that tread vnder féete i. that do contemne despise and set little by as Matth. 7.6 pieces of siluer thinges that ought to be regarded and estéemed putting one for al of the like sort scatter sée ver 1. of this Psalme the people that delight in warre i. take pleasure thinke it to be the greatest ioy when they may contend or fight most Ver. 31. Then i. when thou shalt bestow these great graces vpon thy children and ouerthrow thine enemies shall the Princes vz. moued partly through iudgments and partly by thy mercy come out of Egipt vz. to yéelde obedience vnto thée and to submit themselues to thy Lordship and gouernment Ethiopia i. the people inhabiting that land shall hast i. make hast and speede to stretch her hands i. to pray vnto or readily to offer giftes in signe of obedience and subiection putting the signe of prayer or obedience for the things themselues vnto God i. vnto thée speaking of God to God in the third person Ver. 32. Sing vnto God vz. prayse and thankesgiuing for your conuersion calling for these verses comprehend the calling of the Gentiles to the kingdom of Christ O ye kingdomes of the earth i. O ye people which inhabite the kingdomes of the world putting the places inhabited for the persōs inhabiting as sundry times before sing prayse vnto the Lorde the saying is doubled the more earnestly to prouoke men thereto Verse 33. To him that rideth vppon the heauens i. to him that gouerneth them and their course as hee that rideth vppon the Horse doeth the Horse this is spoken of GOD according to man and is nothing else as a man woulde say but a description of Gods excellent maiesty and when hee sayth most high heauens hee speaketh it also according to men who are wont to make sundry heauens as the Philosophers yet doe not that there are so for all that they babble of that matter is vayne but that men so esteeme it and yet notwithstanding in Scripture wee see that the worde heauen is sometimes vsed in Scripture for the ayre as when wee say foules of heauen sometimes for the firmament which is also aboue the ayre and so this place may bee expounded thus let men imagine neuer so many heauens yet God ruleth them all whiche were from the beginning as appeareth Gen. 1.1 and so haue since that time continued and still shall continue al which tendeth to expresse the great power of almighty God behold he will send out by his voice a mightie sound by Gods voyce he vnderstandeth the thunder the diuers effects whereof sée at large Psalme 29. And by mighty sound he meaneth not only large sound but also great which euen shaketh the earth as it were Verse 34. Ascribe the power to God i. giue vnto him all the prayse of power both in himself and in you for his maiestie is vpon Israel i. is declared mightily toward his people and Church as Psalm 14.7 and his strength is in the cloudes i. is not onely made manifest in the same but also he vseth the cloudes and all other creatures whatsoeuer to set out his power Verse 35. O God thou art terrible vz. to thine enimies and aduersaries out of thine holy places q.d. Thou shewest euident testimonies and tokens thereof out of thy tabernacle and he vseth the plurall number holy places eyther in respect that the arke was set vp in sundry places before the temple was builded or else in respect of the distincte places of the arke as Heb. 9.2.3 all which were called holy or else in respect of the heauenly holye place and the earthly holy place which was a shadowe of that heauenly one as Heb. 10.19 the God of Israel i. the God of his Church and faythfull people is he vz. alone that giueth vz. of his own goodnesse and mercye onely without any merite or desert of theirs strength and power vz. to defend themselues and to beat back their enimies meaning by strength and power all the meanes whereby these great workes may be performed vnto the people vz. whome he hath chosen vnderstanding the people of Israell for that time and the Church for euer praysed be God vz. for that his mercy and greate goodnesse towards them Verse 1. Teacheth two things Do first that God hath all power in his hande to destroy his enemies seconde that the enemies of the Church cannot prosper Verse 2. Setteth out the sodayne destruction of the wicked Verse 3. sheweth that when the wicked shall be beaten downe Gods children shall be lifted vp in spirituall ioye and mirth Verse 4. teacheth vs continually to prayse God for his incomprehensible maiestie and power Verse 5. Teacheth vs what greate care God in mercy carrieth toward the distressed persons Verse 6. Teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of body deliueraunce of extreme daungers and plagues and punishments of what sort soeuer vpon the vngodly come all from God Verse 7. Teacheth vs to thinke vpon Gods graces performed of old that therby our fayth may be strengthened to escape daungers Verse 8. Teacheth that all creatures are not able to stande before the presence and maiestie of God Verse 9. Teacheth that plentifulnesse and the means thereof are all in Gods handes Verse 10. Teacheth that though the wicked haue a great portion of the earth in possession yet that the Lord hath properlye prepared it for them that feare him Verse 11. Teacheth vs that we can not haue our mouthes open to speake much lesse to speake well til God giue both the matter and vtterance also that the weakest meanes as women when God inableth them shal be sufficient to expresse his prayse Verse 12. teacheth that neither multitude strēgth nor authority can preuaile agaynst the Lord and his people otherwise then he himselfe séeth good Verse 13. Teacheth that the afflictions of the godly doe no whit at al hinder the beautie of the godly but rather are the instruments which God doth use to make them more glorious Verse 15. Setteth out the excellency beauty and continuance of Gods church Ver. 16. Teacheth that al congregations though outwardly neuer so glorious and glittering in respecte of it are nothing Ver. 17. Sheweth that Gods power is inuincible and his armies to performe his purpose are innumerable Verse 18. Sheweth that God will triumphe ouer al the faythfull willingly and vnfainedlie subiecting themselues and the other whether they will or no. Verse 19 teacheth vs two things first to yéeld thanks to God for his mercies secondly that his goodnes toward vs neuer ceaseth Verse 20 teacheth vs that euen in the greatest daungers God deliuereth his children to the end all glory might be giuen to him therefore Verse 21. Sheweth that the wicked enemies of his Church shal not long escape vnpunished Verse 22. teacheth vs that Gods promises of deliuerance saluation c. are the
cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour is the fountayne of all woe disquietnesse death c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy and to pray for the continuaunce thereof Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue and carefully to labour the performance thereof Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regarded in Gods sight Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde Psalme 105 Di. THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies shewing who they are that shoulde doe it from the first verse to the ende of the sixte In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them from the tyme of their firste calling till their comming oute of Egipt from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme declaring who made it yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8 c. that Dauid made it and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107 following al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God partly for his graces towards the Church Psalme 103 and generallye towardes all creatures Psalme 104 and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by trying and correcting them Psalme 105 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men Psalme 107. Verse 1. Prayse the Lord vz. all ye good and faythful people he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued and call vpon his name i. feare his Maiesty but specially pray vnto him putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole declare vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place his workes i. the maruaylous thinges that hée hath done among the people vz. not onely of Iudea but of the whole earth Verse 2. Sing vnto him sing prayse vnto him vz. alone the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp and also to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe and talke vz. amongest your selues openlye and euerye where of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you and your Fathers so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remembraunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs. Verse 3. Reioyce in his holye name i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his which besydes the excellencye thereof contayneth in it holinesse also lette the hearte i. the inwarde affection as well as the outwarde behauiour of them that séeke the Lorde vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde seruing of him according to his will reuealed in his worde reioyce vz. in the Lorde and bée glad euen for this that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him Verse 4. Séeke the Lorde vz. earnestlye and that euen now while hée maye bée founde as Isaiah 55.6 and his strength 1. the Arke of the Couenaunte from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61. séeke his face i. the arke of couenaunte whiche is also called Gods face because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse towards his people continually i. so long as you liue q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie Verse 5. Remember i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him his marueilous workes i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people he calleth thē maruailous because the Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē euen so that a man might easily iudge that they came from him that he hath done vz. in time heretofore and that for you your fathers his wonders i. the strange things which he hath done far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit and the iudgementes of his mouth i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others and also the law and word he hath giuen vnto you for I would referre it to both these Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh his seruaunt i. that serued GOD hee setteth before them their Fathers example the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye ye children of Iaakob i. O ye that come of Iaakob wch are his elect i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations and here he vseth another reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience Verse 7. Hée vz. alone and none other but he is the Lord our God i. he that gouerneth vs and vpon whome we our selues depend his iudgementes vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse meaning by iudgements punishments are thorow all the earth i. are made manifest in all the world though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same or else we may take iudgements for rule guiding and gouernment so you haue the word to iudge vsed Psalm 98 9. meaning that Gods gouernment was stretched thorow out all the world Verse 8. He hath alway remembred his couenaunt and promise vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts mening by remembred not only thinking vppon it but also the execution and performaunce of it that he made vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse to a thousand generations i. not only to infinite numbers of people putting a nūber certayne for an vncertayne but also to last and indure for euer Verse 9. Euen that vz. couenaunt which he made with Abraham vz. our Father sée Genesis 12 2 3 and his oth vnto Isaak sée Genesis 26.3.4 c. and hee vseth the word oth to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed betwéene God and the people Verse 10. And since vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak meaning after their death hath confirmed it vz. both
people but specially the Priests and Leuites to whome hée giueth this title by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted and that therfore they to the end also that by their example they might draw on others to do the like should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time but in the night kéeping watch and ward about the temple of the Lord sée Num. 18.1.2 c. 1. Chron. 9.33 And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the temple as it is reported of Anna Luk. 2.37 yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites and when he sayth stande hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the place where the Arke was or the temple after it was builded Verse 2. Lift vp your handes i. praye and giue thankes the signe of prayer or an outwarde gesture vsed in it put for the thing it selfe as Psalme 141 2. also 1 Timothie 2 8. to the sanctuarye i. towardes the Sanctuarye meaning the place where the Arke was and the Arke it selfe out of which God had promised to aunswere his people and to heare their prayers and prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercyes as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the principall ende of outward ceremonies is to set forth Gods praise and glory Verse 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth i. the God of all maiestie glory power c. sée Psalme 121 2 also Psalme 124 8 blesse thée vz. with all goodnesse and fauour out of Sion where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power and in the seconde his fatherlye loue which two must neuer be sundered but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes whose office it was to blesse the people as Numbers 6 23 or in his own person as praying for them and testifying his great loue vnto them it is not muche materiall Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent to the performance of their dutie Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue to pray for others as for our selues Psalme 135. IN my iudgement Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee to prayse the Lorde shewing certaine causes that may leade them thereto as his mercy his power his wonderful workes c. from ver 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference there is betwéene the true God and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles exhorting al the faithful generally and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God whose seruice they professed from ver 13. to the end of the Psalme The title is prayse yée the Lorde sée this expounded before Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argument of the Psalme as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as sundrie times before and namely Psal 20.1 and Psal 124.8 ye seruants of the Lorde this I referre generally to all as Psalm 134.1 but specially to the priests praise him this doubling of the exhortation séemeth to set out as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same so the excellency of the thing it selfe Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde i. ye priestes specially and chiefly because they ought by their duety to shewe the way vnto others and in the courtes of the house of our God i. in those courtes that did appertein to the temple of the Lord amongst which the people had some which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9 the great court and this is the reason why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise Verse 3. Prayse ye the Lorde vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue sée Psal 134.1 for the Lorde is good vz. euen of his owne nature and from that abundaunt goodnesse which is in him floweth all goodnesse which wee haue and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him sing prayses vnto his name i. extol his maiesty power c. as before ver 1. for it is a comely thing vz. to do so meaning by comely pleasant and profitable sée Psal 133.1 also Psalm 92.1 Ver. 4. For the Lorde vz. whom I exhort you to praise and magnifie hath chosen vz. of his infinite mercy goodnes Iaakob i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob to himselfe i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe and vz. he hath fréely chosen for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word Israel i. the true Israelites or the Israel of God as Psal 124.1 for his chiefe treasure i. for a people whom hee maketh more account of by many degrees then men do of their chiefest treasures Sée Exod. 19.5 The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse most exquisite thinges as pearles precious stones or such like And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his people Ver. 5. For I know vz. both by his worde workes and myne owne experience that the Lord vz. whom we serue is gret vz. in power might and that our Lorde vz. whom we worship according to his will reuealed in his word is aboue al Gods i. is higher and mightier then they whether they be Angels and magistrates to whom this name is sometimes giuen or idoles which the vaine people worship whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in this Psalme Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do that did he vz. because no power was able to resist him in heauen and in earth in the Sea and in al depthes i. euery where for no place is excepted from his power and presence as Psalm 139.7.8 c. and howe true this is the particular examples of his woorde doe declare specially these two the vniuersall flood and the confusion of Babel Gene. 7.8.11 chapt and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause wherefore men should prayse God and that is the great power of God declared not onely in
onely and not from any policie or deuise of man whatsoeuer Ver. 15. Sheweth that the Lorde can by his worde doe watsoeuer pleaseth himselfe Ver. 16.17.18 Teach vs that howsoeuer God vse secondarie causes in the accomplishment of his wil yet it is his power only that directeth disposeth of al things see to this end Iob. 37. throughout Ver. 19. Teacheth vs that gods word is the most singular iewel and blessing that God can giue vs in this life Ver. 20. teacheth vs that God wil haue mercy vpon whomsoeuer he wil haue mercie and he wil shew compassion to whomsoeuer he wil shewe compassion as for the other he wil harden psalme 148 THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first Di. the Prophet exhorteth al the heauenly creatures to praise and glorifie God from ver 1. to the end of 6. In the second he stirreth vp earthly creatures to the performance of that great duety and al this he doth that hee might the better prouoke men therunto from ver 7. to the end of the 12. In the thirde hee exhorteth them al together to prayse the name of the Lorde shewing certaine notable causes wherefore they should do it and this is comprehended in the two last verses of the Psalme The title Prayse ye the Lord Sée before Psal 106. also 111. also 112. Se. also 113. also 146. also 135. and 149. 150. Verse 1. Prayse yee the Lorde from the heauen q.d. al ye things that are in the heauens and haue your abiding there magnifie the Lord and extol him for his goodnes praise ye him in the high places i. ye that are in the heauens haue your dwelling places as it were there and the heauens are called high places because they are high aboue vs and note that in this verse he speaketh generally vnto them al meaning them parcularly as it were one after another in the verses folowing ver 2. Praise ye him all yee his angels hee speaketh this not as though the Angels did not their duetie in that behalfe but because he woulde haue them to shewe men the way as it were to praise God and they are called Gods angels both because he created them and also because they are alwaies ready to execute his commandements praise him al his armies or hostes this is a general word and is to bee referred to all the heauenly creatures as Gene. 2.1 which are called Gods armies and hostes because he vseth their ministery and seruice either in the defence of his children or in the ouerthrow of his and their enemies yet notwithstanding it may very wel be applied to Angels especially as who are the chiefe and principall instruments which he vseth in those cases Verse 3. Prayse ye him sunne and moone he directeth his speach to the insensible creatures though they haue no vnderstanding because they glorifie their creator in doing their duty and kéeping the order which he hath set them and because Gods glory shineth forth in them and they do as it were with a loud cleare voyce publish and set foorth his prayses sée Psal 19.1 and Psal 145.11 all this hee doeth to shewe that it should be great vnkindnes if men should degenerate from the end of their creation prayse ye him al bright starres i. all starres for there is no starre but he hath brightnes and light in him to shine vppon the earth as Gene. 1.16.17 Ver. 4. Prayse ye him heauen of heauens i. not onely the circles and spheres wherein the planets are as it were in diuers seates dwelling houses as the Philosophers affirme but euen the very true heauēs the place of eternal ioy prepared for the elect sée for this phrase 1. King 8.27 and waters i. raine that bée aboue the heauen i. are in the cloudes aboue the firmament and are there vpholde by his almightie power Sée Genesis 1.7 so heauen in this place is put for the aire or the nethermost region of the aire aboue which the cloudes conteining the raine are Ver. 5. Let them vz. altogether and euery one of them prayse the name of the Lorde i. celebrate and set forth his maiesty power goodnes c. for hee commaunded i. hee spake the worde onely and they i. all and euery one of them were created vz. immediatly and presently as Psalme 33.6.9 Verse 6. And hee hath established them vz. by the strength and power of the same word whereby hee created them for euer and euer i. to all perpetuitie and this must chiefely be vnderstoode of the Angels and ministring spirites he hath made an ordinaunce i. he hath set a decrée or decréed by which they are lead to do the office wherunto they are appointed which shal not passe i. which shall not vanish or fléete away or rather thus which they shal not passe i. which they shal not transgresse or goe beyonde doe what they can Verse 7. Prayse yee the Lorde from the earth i. yee earthly thinges as from the heauen verse 1. was heauenlye thinges and this is a general terme comprehending the particulars expressed afterwardes ye Dragons the Hebrewe worde properly signifieth great fishes such as are Whales but yet it may bee applied generally to all great beastes whether they liue in the lande or in the waters and all depthes i. all déepe places or rather by the signe metonomia all thinges conteyned in the déepe places as whether they be in the bottome of the sea or in the caues of the earth Ver. 8. Fire i. lightning and haile i. which cōmonly commeth with stormes of thunder and lightning snow and vapours vz. in the ayre which are drawn vp thither by the power attractiue of the sunne stormie wind which vz. wind or else all of them together but I rather refer it to the wind execute his word i. obey his commaundement after their maner and fashion the accomplishment whereof we sée Exod. 14.25 And this he sayeth because alterations come not by fortune or chaunce but are guided and gouerned by Gods secret will Verse 9 Mountaines and all hils by this particular enumeration he declareth this to be his meaning that he would haue no creatures excepted though he do not reckon them vp all fruitfull trees i. trées that beare fruit for the nourishment of man and beast which thing many trées doe not being replenished only with boughes and leaues and all Cedars vz. how high and tall soeuer they be meaning that if the best were not excepted thē the worst should not Verse 10. Beasts and all cattel vz. of what kind or forme so euer they be the particulars whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes créeping things vz. as wormes snakes serpents and such like which créepe or craule vnderstanding also by those the very fishes as may appeare Gen. 1.20 feathered foules i. euery thing that hath winges and flieth Ver. 11. Kings of the earth i. al maner of rulers and men of mighte by what title or name soeuer they are called and
in that he beginneth with them he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse because that whereas they are more bound to God then others by reason the greater benefits they haue receaued from him and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their dutie in this behalfe vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on forward defrauding God by that meanes of the praise which is due vnto him supposing that the world was made only for them but also secretly telleth thē their dutie to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office for the more that any hath receaued and in the offices of his exaltation draweth nigh to God the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace and al people vz. of the world of what nation country or kinred soeuer they be princes and all iudges of the world i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them Ver. 12. Yong men and maids old men and children the particular recitall of the distinction of ages and sexes which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare that all without exception should imploy themselues in the seruice praysing of God And these two words virgins children import an amplifying as it were of the matter q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are performe this dutie of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 13. Let them vz. altogether both heauenly and earthly reasonable and vnreasonable but chéefely the reasonable creatures laste rehearsed verse 11 12. prayse the name of the Lorde i. his goodnesse power and might for his name only is to be exalted vz. in the songes and prayses of his peoples meaning that none is worthy of prayse in respect of himselfe but he alone sée Psalme 145 3. and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or the earth or else his prayse is so great that neither the heauens nor the earth nor all thinges therein contayned are able sufficiently to expresse it and this is the firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own maiestie Ver. 14. For he vz. alone hath exalted vz. by his power and mighte the borne of his people i. their strength for so haue we had the word horne vsed sundry times heretofore meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity which vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength is a prayse to all his saints i. tendeth not only to their glory and prayse but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magnifie his name by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them For the worde Saints sée Psalme 145 10. euen for the children of Israell i. euen for the true and right Israelites and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts a people that is nere vnto him vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham and confirmed in his sonne Christ and thus he doth more and more specifie the people who haue most singular occasion to praise him praise yee the Lorde sée Psal 146 in the end Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme from ver 1. to the end of the 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind much more man for whose sake all the creatures were made that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this dutie men had much more néede to be remembred and not only so but to bee pricked and prouoked forward thereto Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses doth playnly proue that Angels as well as other things were created and that therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit Verse 6 teacheth vs that not one of the creatures nor all the creatures can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest so they should be the first and examples to others in the seruice of God Verse 12 teacheth vs that no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sincere worship and seruice of God Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer belong onlye vnto him alone Verse 14 teacheth vs first that al the glory and strength which the church hath it hath it from God secondly that God neuer bestoweth benefit vpon the Churche but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it Psalme 149 THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes Di. In the first hee exhorteth the faithfull to praise God for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him for the strength and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme The title is expounded before Psalme 148. Se. in sundrie other places Ver. 1. Singe yee vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes vnto the Lord vz. your God a newe song i. a singular and excelent song by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme 33.3 also psalme 144.9 let his praise i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise be heard vz. openlie and painelie in the congregation of saincte i. in his Church this is an excelent description of the Church for saincts sée Psalme 148.14 Ver. 2. Let Israell i. the Church of God and faithfull people sée Psalme 147.19 also 148.14 reioyce vz. excedinglie and with an vnfeyned ioye in him that made him i. in God and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation onely but also of their frée adoption by which they were chosen seperated from all mankinde to be a peculiar people to God which was as it were a newe creation and let the children of Sion i. the faithfull members of the Church sée Psalme 146.10 and 147.12 reioyce vz. as before in this verse in their king i. either in Dauid and so by consequent in Christ because Dauid was but a figure of him or els in God whom the faithfull many times call their king as Psalme 5.2 and this latter do I rather allowe
hath thrée principal partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth that Gods excellent maiesty sheweth foorth it self in the heauens generally and particularly in the sunne from ver 1. to the end of the sixt verse In the 2. he commendeth the law of God and the knowledge that may therby be attained farre beyond the consideration of the creatures frō ver 7. to the end of the 11. In the third hee earnestly prayeth to bee deliuered from his sinnes and to be kept backe from performing any thing that might displease almightie God from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psal is expounded before sée Psal 4. ver 1. Se. The heauens i. not only the heauens thēselues the most excellent workmanship therof but al the things therein contained as Sunne Moone Starres c. Declare i. plainly set out euen as it were by speach and the firmament i. the skie and al that which in our iudgement ouerspreadeth vs whereof also in the Hebrew tongue it hath the name The worke of his hands i. that hée hath made them and not so onely but the excellencie thereof also méete for so excellent a workman to whom handes are attributed for mans weaknes sake ver 2. Day vnto day i. one day that goeth before declareth the same to the day following and that not so much for the daies sake as that man by a cōtinual reuolution and successe of the daies man might bee instructed of the power and prouidence of almightie God and by day hee meaneth in this place the day artificiall which after some is counted from the Sunne rising to the Sunne setting or after other some consisteth of xii houres vttereth i. after their maner speaketh the same i. Gods glory power night vnto night he speaketh of the artificial night which wordes also proue that the word day must be vnderstood of the day artificiall teacheth knowledge vz. touching Gods power and goodnes ver 3. There is no speach nor language vz. in them meaning as men vse to speake and yet notwithstanding we vnderstand them as it were speaking vnto vs. sée Rom. 1.20 Psal 8.1.3 mend the latter part of this verse thus and yet not without these i. speach or language is their voyce vnderstood he meaneth that though they haue not mans voyce yet do they sufficiently shewe foorth Gods praise by what meanes he noteth in the next verse ver 4. Their line i. the stretching out of the heauens as a line is gone foorth through all the earth i. hath extended from one end of the world to another and their wordes he speaketh as though they did speak into the ends of the world i. vnto the furthest part thereof q.d. there is no part of the world nor people but it is ouercouered with this excellent workmanship which serueth very well for the Prophets purpose to amplifie Gods goodnes and power in them i. in the heauens or regions of the aire hath he i. God set a tabernacle i. appointed as it were a dwelling place ver 5. Which vz. sunne commeth foorth vz. at the first arising or appearing thereof aboue our Horizon as a bridegrome out of his chamber This is one similitude seruing to expresse the glory and excellency of the sunne hee resembleth the hyding of the sunne out of our sight to a secret chamber prepared for the bridegrome till it please him to make him selfe knowen and the appearing of the Sunne to the bridegrome comming out of his chamber in his glory and excellency and reioyceth like a mightie man to runne his race This is an other similitude to expresse the swiftnes of the sunne which also is noted in the beginning of ver 6. q.d. when the sunne is once vp he goeth his race with a ready chearful ioyful mind euen as a mighty strong man runneth with a chearful noble couragious mind to the gole or marke set before him in the race resembling the Sunne to a mightie strong man and the swift passage therof round about the earth to the spéedy hast of one that runneth in a race noting also by the word reioysing the readines willingnes that this dumbe creature hath as it were to performe the course set it of God ver 6. His going out i. the rising of the sun from the end of the heauens i. from the East where the sunne riseth and his compas is vnto the endes of the same by the ends of the heauens hée vnderstandeth the foure quarters of the world and all their parts q.d. the race of the sunne which he doth so swiftly performe is from the East vnto the west in which course notwithstanding he visiteth the South the North and none or else nothing hee meaneth men or any thing else whatsoeuer For there is nothing to which the heate of the sunne commeth not I meane that quickning heate which all things féele not onely the rootes of trees plants c. But al things else that be hidden as it were in the bowels of the earth as golde water stones c. ver 7. Is perfit vz. nothing may be added to it without marring of it Prouerb 30.6 Conuerting i. turning from euil to good the soule i. the whole man inward and outward but yet he speaketh of the inward because that reformation and amendment must first bee begunne there the testimony i. the lawe vsing an other terme tending to the same ende and it is called testimonie because it witnesseth to vs what God woulde haue vs to doe is sure i. true and can neuer faile and giueth wisedome vnto the simple i. it maketh them that haue little or no skill at all in knowledge many times to excéed their teachers sée Psal 119.99 and by wisedome he meaneth not worldly wisedome condemned Rom. 8.6 but the wisedome of the spirit commended there ver 8. The statuts i. the law an other terme put for the lawe declaring that God hath decréed and appointed the same for vs to walke in are right i. void of any iniustice or corrupt dealing the cōmandement one number for an other vz. the singular for the plural an other terme put for the law because God thereby commaundeth vs to the doing or leauing vndone of this or that is pure i. free from any corruption whatsoeuer vnto the eies vz. of our mindes ver 9. The feare of the Lord i. the reuerence religion and seruice of God after some but I take it to be vsed here for the law which is called the feare of the Lord because it teacheth rules and reasons howe and wherfore he should be feared is clean vz. without any spot or shew of euil and indureth for euer i. is not subiect to alteration and chaunge as mens lawes and ordinaunces are the perpetuitie whereof teacheth vs stedfastly to continue in the same all the daies of our life The iudgements i. the lawe still which is called iudgements because it conteineth and pronounceth iudgements against the breakers therof and here is a
and the raine also conteined in the cloudes which hee expresseth afterwards by the worde dropping meaning the falling of the raine out of the cloudes which also make the grounde fruitefull which he expresseth vnder the worde fatnes for raine fatteneth the earth as it were In a worde this is the sense that in what place and on what side soeuer it pleaseth the Lorde to walke there hee manifesteth his blessinges and bestoweth great fertilitie and plentifulnes of all thinges sée Prouerb 3.20 Ver. 12. They i. thy steps meaning as before clouds and raine in them droppe i. fal downe vppon the pastures of the wildernes i. vpon the places that are not tilled and manured where nothing growes but wildnes as it were q.d. not onely fruitfull places as furrowes valleis and such like but also barren places as wildernesses mountaines c. shal be made plentifull and the hilles vz. which by reason of their height are in summer parched away with heate and in winter killed with cold shal be compassed with gladnes i. shal be replenished with abundaunce of fruite that shall make mens hearts and bodies glad as Psal 4.7 Psalm 104.14.15 Ver. 13. The pastures are clad with sheepe the metaphor of clothing expresseth the great plenty and store vz. that as a garment couereth the whole body so shall shéepe and other cattel for by one sort he vnderstandeth the rest couer the pastures the valleies shal be also couered with corne vz. in such sort that a man shal behold no void place and this metaphor setteth out the abundance of corne that shal be in the land therefore they i. other men speaking of them indefinitely or else the valleis and corne thereon the plenty wherof maketh men glad as we say the fields laugh whē through their goodly shew they make mens eyes ioyful showte for ioy and sing i. conceiue and expresse abundance of ioy but I rather referre this in mine owne iudgement to men then to other creatures Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that praises and thankesgiuing are due to God in the publike assemblies of his Saints Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods readines to graunt his childrens requests shoulde prouoke vs to earnest and often prayer Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy surmounteth all our iniquities that in the multitude thereof he will do away al our sinnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour is the best blessing that can come vnto vs in this life Ver. 5. Declareth that God hath iudgement and power in his owne handes for his childrens defence and the wickeds punishment Ver. 6.7 Sheweth that God by his power gouerneth all thinges in heauen and earth Ver. 8. Gods iudgements executed vpon some do many times strike terror and feare into others Ver. 9.10.11.12.13 Teach two things first that abundance of all earthly benefites procéed from the Lords blessing which instructeth his to hang vpon him secōdly that he performeth these blessings by ordinary meanes which also teacheth vs to vse holy and lawful meanes Psalme 66 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth al men to praise the Lord to consider al his works specially his power against the wicked from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hee declareth that howsoeuer God afflicteth his for a time yet in the ende hee will be gratious vnto them for which hee promiseth thanksgiuing and praise from ver 8. to the ende of the 15. In the third hee frameth his speach to all the faithful declaring what great things God had done for them to the end that in his example they might be comforted from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psal 4. and Psal 48. in the title Se. Some and that of the Hebrewe writers suppose that this Psalme was made by some others rather then Dauid because his name is not here expressed but for this matter sée Psal 45. in the title Likely it is that this Psalme was written and that by Dauid himselfe when God had deliuered the Israelites from the cruell tyrannie of the Philistines and him from his manifold persecutions Ver. 3. Reioyce in God i. be thankefull vnto him and that with great gladnes for his benefits all ye inhabitants of the earth q.d. there is none of you all but you haue great occasion giuen you from him so to do Ver. 2. Sing foorth i. publish aloude that others may heare the glory of his name i. either the glory which is due vnto his maiesty or else his glorious name but I like the first best make his praise glorious i. let all your thankesgiuings tend to this end that his name and praises due thereto may bee glorious continually q.d. adde praise to praise and neuer cease praysing Ver. 3. Say vnto God i. confesse in his presence not that our speaking vnto him doeth make him any whit the more glorious but because that others hearing vs speake of his power goodnes in his sight may haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty striken vnto the how terrible i. reuerend and feareful vz. to the good who beare a louing feare towards thée and to the wicked who feare him for punishment and not for loue in thy workes i. in euery thing that thou doest through the greatnes of thy power vz. exercised heretofore against the godly whereof also thou hast reserued store with thy selfe for them that shall walke in such steppes shall thine enemies i. those that any maner of way set themselues against thée shalbée in subiection vnto thée i. shal forge and faine a subiection to thy maiesty but chuse them whether they will doe it vnfeignedly or no into subiection they shall bée brought for none is able to resist thy power Ver. 4. All the worlde i. all the inhabitants of the world as ver 1. of this Psalme putting all for a very great number shall worshippe thée vz. as thou hast prescribed meaning that they shoulde imbrace his religion and seruice and sing vnto thée i. prayse thee for thy mercy and trueth euen sing of thy name hee noteth what shal be the argument or matter of their song that is Gods maiesty power goodnes c. as Psal 20.2 Ver. 5. Come vz. with mee hee speaketh euen vnto the best sort of people who haue neede to be prouoked to this good thing and behold i. déepely consider with all your vnderstanding and eies both of your bodies minds he is terrible i. reuerend feareful and wonderful in his doings towards the sonnes of men vz. either for their defence or for their punishment The proofe of this plainely appeareth in the gouernement of all creatures whatsoeuer particularly in that hee vpholdeth and maintaineth the estate of men Ver. 6. Hee hath turned the sea i. the red sea into dry land so that this people passed through the same when they came out of Egipt sée Exod. 14.21 They i. his own people of Israel passe i. passed one time
it were life vnto the people and as the shewers vz. falling from heauen that water the earth after some great drought By these similitudes hee sheweth howe acceptable good gouernment should be to the people Ver. 7. In his daies i. in his yeres and while he reigneth sée Isaiah 1.1 The righteous shal florish i. good men and of vpright conscience shal be aduanced for such as he is himselfe wil he labour to haue in authority and abundance of peace i. of all good things and blessings as ver 3. of this Psalme shal be vz. vppon the people of his land so long as the moone indureth i. for euer as ver 5.17 of this Psalme also Psal 89.37 and this must be referred as many other things also in this Psalm to Iesus Christ Ver. 8 From sea to sea i. from from the red sea vnto the sea of Syria or Palestina which is an arme of the Mediterraneum Sea sée Exod. 23.31 Deutron 11.24 sée also Numb 34. from ver 2. to the end of the 12. and from the riuer vz. of Euphrates or Perah sée Deutron 11.24 vnto the endes of the lande vz. of promise or Canaan which reacheth to the great wildernes towards the mountaine of Lebanon Ver. 9. They that dwel in the wildernes i. those that dwel Southward from Ierusalem and were furthest of from the land of Canaan meaning also barbarous vntamed and wilde people shall knéele before him vz. in token of reuerence and subiection as though hee were their owne naturall Prince or king and his enemies vz. though they bee neuer so stoute shall licke the dust by this manner of speach hee meaneth a most lowly subiection q.d. they shall not onely fall downe before him flat vpon the earth after the manner of the Easterne people but shal as a man would say as much debase themselues as possible can be in token of trustines reuerence and obedience Ver. 10. The kings of Tarshish i. those that rule in Cicilia putting the chiefe Citie of the Country for the whole country and of the Issles vz. which lye along the sea coast from Cicilia to Grecia as Cyprus Candie and others which are compassed in with the Mediterranium sea shal bring presents vz. in token of homage and obedience sée Psal 45.12 the accōplishment of this sée 1. king 4.21.34 also 1. king 10.25 the kings i. the rulers and magistrates as before of Sheba i. Arabia felix putting Sheba whiche was but a parte of it for the whole from this Countrey it séemeth that the Quéene came who is mencioned 1. king 10. in the beginning of the Chapter and Seba i. as some expounde it Ethiopia but I take it to be some other Countrey as may appare Isaiah 43.3 These Countries séeme to haue their names of two of the sonnes of Cush who came of Ham as appeareth Gene. 10.7 whatsoeuer it is the Prophet myndeth nothing else but vnder the kingdome of Salomon to set out the inlarging of Christes kingdome shall bring giftes i. giftes in signe of honour that they owe testifying their subiection for so much the Hebrewe worde importeth Ver. 11. Yea q.d. that in one worde I may shut vp the matter all Kinges shall worshippe him all nations shall feare him if wée vnderstande this of Salomon then it must haue this sense many kings and nations specially of those that bee about him shall yéelde him homage and obedience but if wee referre it to Christ then it comprehendeth the inlargement of his kingdome by mightie men and nobles and the calling of the Gentiles of which sée Psalm 2.8 Isaiah 49.23 Verse 12. For hee shall deliuer the poore vz. from him that oppresseth him when hee cryeth vz. vnto him i. when hee prayeth earnestly vnto him for helpe and him that hath no helper vz. amongest men q.d. there is none so helplesse but God will bee an helper vnto him if he hang vpon him only Ver. 13. Hée shalbée merciful i. not only in compassion but in actiō shal preserue the soules i. the liues and bodies from the rage and cruelty of harde hearted men Verse 14. He shall redéeme i. deliuer and set frée their soules i. them themselues putting a part of a mā for the whole man from deceite and violence vz of the cut-throates that liue amongest men Vnder these two wordes hée comprehendeth all manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer or howsoeuer performed by deceit hée meaneth al those that are craftily and closely wrought and by violence all those that are perfourmed with open force and deare i. precious and of great regarde shall their blood bee i. their life as Genesis 9.5.6 or else by blood hée meaneth that blood of theirs which the vngodly spill in tormenting them in his sight i. before him and in his iudgement howsoeuer base and contemptible men estéeme it Verse 15. Yea hee shall liue some referre this word hée to the poore whome the King shall redeeme but I rather to the King the Prophet meaning by this speach that hée shall liue a long and a prosperous raigne and vnto him i. vnto the king shall they i. the poore that are redéemed from deceite and violence giue of the gold of Sheba i. of precious and costly golde as being farre fet Sheba being a place farre distant from the lande of promise whatsoeuer it is hée meaneth that the people shall willingly perfourme with all the power that they haue the duetie and obedience which they owe him which was in times past signified by giuing of giftes as may appeare 1. Samuel 10.27 pray for him i. for his health and welfare and for the good of the whole kingdome and dayly blesse him i. prayse and commend him as in déede hée iustly deserueth for his vpright gouernment Verse 16. An handfull of corne i. a small portion no more then a man can holde in his hande shalbée sowen in the earth within the compasse of the lande of promise if wee referre it to Salomon euen in the toppe of the mountaines which are very vnméete places by reason of their great drought in Summer and of their great colde in winter and the fruit thereof i. of the corne sowen shall shake like the trées of Lebanon i. shall growe vp into great height and abundaunce and shalbée so florishing that they shall russell and make a noise as it were the trées of the forest of Lebanon Sée Psalme 29.5 hee meaneth that there shalbée nothing so small amongest Gods people but through Gods blessing it shall multiply to much and bring foorth abundaunce and the children shall florish out of the Citie i. men shal bee as plentifull both within and without the Citie al the land through euen as the grasse of the earth i. in great store and abundaunce Verse 17. His name i. his maiesty renowne and glory shalbée for euer i. last a great season if wee referre it to Salomon but it shalbée eternall if wée referre it to Christ and so must the wordes following bee likewise expounded sée
headed men dreame to the contrary secondly that he doth vpon the earth euen whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 34 teacheth that sin and vngodlines is the mean to turn al plenty into pouerty and al blessings into cursings Verse 35 teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of ground and plenty of al things is Gods only gift Ver. 36 teacheth that God in great mercy prepareth abundance for them that want and giueth them safety shilter from al their enemies Ver. 37. Teacheth Gods children euen in the middest of Gods blessings and abundance yet notwithstanding to imploy themselues in ordinary trauayle and labour Ver. 38 teacheth vs that it is not the trauayle of man but Gods blessing that maketh men rich sée Psal 127.2 Verse 39 teacheth that afflictions are good means to bring men to the right knowledge of God and themselues Verse 40 teacheth that the estate of Princes and great men is not so sure as they commonly fantasie Ver. 41 teacheth vs that preferment commeth not from the east nor weast but from the Lord only sée Psalme 75 6. Verse 42 teacheth that godly men may reioyce as in the benefites of God bestowed vpon others so in his iudgements poured forth vpon the wicked it teacheth also that Gods mercies vpon his children and his punishments vpon the vngodly bring forth an other effect in the wicked that is taketh from them all sence so that they neyther haue harts to conceiue nor mouthes to speake either with or against god in his dealings Ver. 43 teacheth first that men ought déeply to weigh Gods wonderful workes secondly that the number of thē that do so in déede is very small in respect of the other thirdly that the consideration of his works is one good means to make vs sée and féele not his power and prouidenee only but also his eternall goodnes and incomprehensible mercy Psalme 108 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet stirreth vp himself to prayse God calling also vpon him for helpe and deliuerance from verse 1. to the ende of the 6 verse In the second the Prophet assuring himselfe by reason of Gods promises that his enemies should be ouerthrowne maketh his prayer vnto God for strength to performe it And this part reacheth from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title A song or Psalm of Dauid sée before Psal 48. in the title and in that it is sayd here a Psalm of Dauid it is euident that he was the author of it Though it be true that this Psal be made of two Psalmes before going that is of Psal 57 from ver 7 to the end of the Psal and of Psal 60 from verse 5. to the end of the Psal frō whence also the sence doctrines might very wel be fet yet notwithstanding because there is some difference somwhat shal be sayd in this place Ver. 1. O God mine hart i. my inward man is prepared vz. to prayse thée for thy mercies so is my tongue i. mine outward man also putting a part for the whole q.d. I am ready both in the inward man outward mā to magnify thée for thy graces I vz. my self none other for me wil sing gyue praise vz. vnto thée alone Ver. 2. Awake Viol and Harpe he incourageth not only himself but also his instruments to praise God that euen thereby hee himselfe might be the better prouoked thereto I will awake vz. from my sléepe and rise vp from my bed early vz. in the morning the Prophet meaneth that he will euen breake his sléepe to performe seruices to God Verse 3 I wil praise thée O Lord vz. for thy mercies great and vnspeakeable among the people vz. whom thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe and I will sing vnto thée vz. prayses and thanksgiuing amongst the nations vz. round about vs the Prophet meaneth that he would so publish Gods prayses that euen the Gentiles should heare of it Ver. 4. For thy mercy vz. towardes all men but speciallye towards thy sonnes and seruaunts is great i. is so great that it is aboue the heauens i. higher then the heauens themselues so that as the space betwéene heauen and earth is infinite so is thy mercy and thy truth vz. reacheth he vnderstandeth by truth Gods faythfulnesse in making kéeping and performing promise vnto the Cloudes by these maner of spéeches hée meaneth nothing else but that Gods mercy is vnmeasurable and incomprehensible as it were in respecte of the greatnesse of it Verse 5. Exalt thy selfe O GOD vz. by thy mighte and power aboue the heauens i. aboue the highest thinges that may be not that he meaneth that God was not then and alwayes is exalted but that he prayeth the Lorde by effect to shew it amongste men and let thy glory i. the praise that appertaineth vnto thy glory be vz. dispersed farre and wide vpon al the earth i. in euery place of the worlde The Prophet sheweth in this verse that the firste thing that moued him to make this request is Gods glorye In the nexte Verse hée sheweth that an other reason is the saluation and deliueraunce of his people Verse 6. That thy beloued vz. people that is suche people as thou fauourest and louest of thine owne mercye onely without any merites of theirs may be deliuered vz. out of the great daungers distresses and feares wherein they are helpe vz. both them and me and euerye one of vs in this case for it shoulde séeme that Dauid made this Psalme at the beginning of his Kingdome when thinking vppon his enimies and his owne weakenesse it was tyme to craue helpe at the Lords hands for himselfe and his people with thy right hand i. with thy mighty power and strength that so thereby I may ouercome these enemies and heare me vz. praying vnto thée for my selfe and my people vnderstanding by hearing graunting his requestes Verse 7. GOD vz. himselfe hath spoken vz. openlye and playnlye and that by his holye Prophet Samuell that hee will establshe and inlarge the kingdome in my hande yea he hath spoken it in his holinesse i. hée hath holilye and assuredly promised it mée so that I néede not doubte any more of it then of his holinesse therefore vz. for this his mercye I will reioyce vz. greatlye for séeing he hath promised mée I knowe that I shall diuide vz. as the right owner and possessor of it Shechem Shechem is the name of a place on this side Iordan as the valley of Succoth was beyond Iordan Hée nameth certayne places of the land whiche by reason of Saules stocke and those that tooke part with him as Abner and such like he had not at the enterance into his Kingdome in his possession and yet notwithstanding assured himselfe that he should haue them and measure vz. to euery man his portion as Ioshua did by which the prophet noteth his gouernment kingdome ouer it the valley of Succoth this is expounded alredy before euen in this verse
not onely labour to whet our coldnesse and dulnes but sheweth that God is he who alone is worthy all prayse Ver. 2. Blessed i. praysed and magnified hée the name of the Lorde i. Gods maiesty power and goodnes as before ver 1. of this Psalme from henceforth and for euer i. from this tyme and so forward alwayes In this verse the Prophet amplifieth Gods prayse by the circumstance of tyme q.d. hée would haue it to continue alwayes in mens mouthes as in the next verse hée amplifieth it by the circumstaunce of place q.d. hée woulde haue it remaine and abyde also in all places Ver. 3. The Lordes name i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as before verse 1.2 of this Psalme and also Psalm 20.1 is praysed i. is meete and worthy to bee praysed for the excellency and woorthinesse thereof some read it thus let it be praysed both senses may stand well with the purpose of the Prophet from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same i. in and through all the world he putteth two of the chiefest parts of the world for the whole world because these two partes vz. East and West were most inhabited for the North by reason of colde and the South by reason of heate are not so well peopled as the other quarters are Ver. 4. The Lorde is high aboue all nations i. is renowmed and more glorious then al the peoples of the world or any one of them and it is a secret reproof q.d. Is there any thing more absurde amongest reasonable men then this that they which haue certaine experience and knowledge of Gods glory amongst them should cease to prayse him for it séeing it shineth euen amongest them that are blinde and his glory aboue the heauens q.d. God doeth not onely excéede and excel al nations in glory but euen the very heauens themselues which are not able to conceiue or conteine his glory Ver. 5. Who either in heauen or in earth is like to wit in power strength prouidence goodnes c. vnto the Lorde our God i. vnto him whom we serue that hath his dwelling on high i. that dwelleth in the heauens as Psalme 2.4 Ver. 6. Who abaseth himselfe vz. in loue and mercy towardes his to behold thinges vz. which are done in the heauen and in the earth he meaneth that God foreseeth all thinges both aloft and belowe and by his power disposeth thereof Ver. 7. He rayseth vz. through his almighty power and of his goodnes the needy i. the poore and abiect amongst men out of the dust i. out of a vile and contemptible estate and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung hee speaketh the selfe same thing in other tearmes meaning that God many tymes aduanceth the most base persons sée 1. Sam. 2.8 also 2. Sam. 7.8 and note that hée speaketh not here of an ordinary course as in other places but of vnaccustomed workes in which Gods hand power is more manifest as when he exalteth a poore man not onely to a simple degrée of honour but also to haue authority ouer his people True it is that this appeareth plainely in the ciuill gouernement but yet especially in the state of the Church which is the principall theatre as it were of the worlde and wherein God giueth the plainest testimonies of his power wisedome and wonderfull iustice Ver. 8. That he may set them with the princes i. that he may giue and commit vnto them gouernement as other princes haue and not onely as euery other Prince but euen such gouernement as the princes of his owne people haue whome hée hath not onely chosen but also most tenderly loued Ver. 9. Hée i. God maketh vz. by his almighty power and working the barren woman i. shee that was barren to dwell with a family i. to haue plenty of children about her the Prophet putteth the whole family for the principall part thereof that is children and vz. God maketh her also a ioyfull mother of children i. to reioyce in her children and fruitfulnes hee ascribeth here ioy vnto mothers because they preferre posterity before all other thinges which they desire that barrennes bred griefe and fruitfulnes ioy appeareth in Hannah the mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 1.2 chapiters throughout prayse yee the Lorde sée Psal 106. and the last verse Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all men Do. but specially the ministers of Gods worde to set forth the noble prayses of the Lord. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that Gods prayses should be continuall Ver. 3. Sheweth that they shall bée publike in all places Verse 4. Sheweth that all the glory both of heauen and earth and of all the creatures therein conteined is not so much as a shaddow of the glory and maiesty that is in God Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that none is any manner of way comparable with God or like vnto him Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God looketh vppon all thinges both in heauen and earth which shoulde teach vs to walke with feare and trembling in his sight Ver. 7. and 8. Teach vs that preferment commeth not from the East nor from the West but from the Lorde onely as Psal 75.6.7 Ver. 8. Teacheth further that christian princes and those which gouerne Gods people are more to be estéemed then vnbeléeuing magistrates are Ver. 9. Teacheth vs first that barennes and fruitfulnes are both from the Lord. Secondly that wee may yea that wee ought to reioyce when God blesseth vs with posterity Psalme 114 THis Psalme may be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth how the people were deliuered out of Egipt and the wonderfull works which God did for their sake from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is comprehended as it were a dialogue or disputation betwéen the Prophet and the creatures from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as sundry other haue not and namely Psal 10. Se. also Psal 91. also Psal 93. c Ver. 1. When Israell i. the people of Israell who are called Israel because they descended of Iaakob who was also called Israel went out of Egipt i. were deliuered out of it by the handes of Moses Aaron and the house of Iaakob i. his race and posterity from the barbarous people vz. of the land of Egipt the Hebrew worde vsed in this place signifieth such as spake an other tongue besides the Hebrewe Sée Psalm 81.5 Ver. 2. Iudah i. not onely that tribe but all the rest of the people of Israel for that which hee attributeth to that tribe because it was one of the chiefest appertaineth also euen vnto the whole body of the people was his sanctification i. was a people whom hée had sanctified and seperated from other nations to bée a peculiar holy people to himselfe And Israel i. the people that came of Israel as ver 1. of this Psalm his dominion i. God had purchased vnto himselfe a Lordship and rule ouer them
matter of no smal comfort Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that it is a good thing to be borne of good parentes but that it is much better to haue our names written in the booke of life also that though mischief be deuised against Gods seruauntes or they themselues somewhat fal into it yet that God will either preuent the mischiefe or else dispatch them out of distresse Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that thankesgiuing and prayer should alwaies be ioyned together Verse 18. Is the same with ver 14. and deliuereth the same doctrines also it teacheth vs not to be ashamed openly to praise God for his mercies Ver. 19. teacheth vs also to yéeld him that sacrifice publikely in his Church and in the assemblies of his saints It teacheth vs also to prouoke others to praise the Lord. Psalme 117. Di. AS this Psalme is the shortest Psalme in al the booke and hath but only two verses so it specially propoundeth two things The first is a generall exhortation to al people to praise the Lorde this is in ver 1. The second comprehendeth a double reason why they should praise him vz. for his mercy in making promises and for his faithfulnes in performance of them ver 2. Se. It hath no title or inscription Ver. 1. Al nations vz. of the world whether ye be gentiles or Iewes prayse ye the Lord vz. both with heart and voyce al ye people vz. of the whole earth some vnderstand by nations all the Gentiles onely and by people the people of Israel only but I sée no reason of it for the Prophet speaketh generally to al praise him vz. incessantly and in all places This doubling of the word noteth not only how necessary the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing is but how backwarde also wee are in it that must so often be called vpon ver 2. For his louing kindnes i. his mercy is great towards vs i. is multiplied very much and sufficiently confirmed vnto vs. The Hebrew word may be turned is strengthened vz. so that it hath preuailed against vs q.d. though we would pue it backe yet it wil ouercome vs meaning that it hath bene excéeding great and mighty one example of the continuance and increase of Gods fauour and graces read 1. King 17.14 and the trueth of the Lord indureth for euer i. Gods faithfulnes in performing his promises continueth stedfast and sure and therefore hee is worthy to be praysed of al. This is to bee referred to the continuall testimonies of Gods fatherly fauour and grace which is as it were decked with stedfastnes and firmity Verse 1. teacheth vs that it behoueth all men of the world Do. and euery particular person in the same to praise God Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods mercye and faithfulnes be the principall causes which should moue vs to thankfulnes and praysing of his name Psalme 118 THis Psalme séemeth to bee made eyther after that Dauid was deliuered from some great trouble in the dayes of Saule Di. or after Saules death when he was aduanced to the kingdom or after victory obtained amongst and against sundry nations with whom he fought Whatsoeuer it is it doth specialy propound thrée thinges the one is an exhortation to men to praise God and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde hée sheweth the causes why men should doe so which though they bee many particularly expressed in the Psalme yet generally they are but these two his mercy towards his children and his iustice towards his enemies from verse 5. to the end of the 20. In the third is contayned a harty reioycing both of the people and Priests for the establishment of Dauids Kingdom and this reacheth from verse 21 to the end of the Psalm This Psalme hath no title as many other before haue not Verse 1. Se. Praise ye the Lord vz. O ye seruaunts of the Lord as Psalm 113.1 because hee is good vz. towards all but specially towards you for his mercy vz. towardes you indureth for euer i. lasteth for euer and euer he noteth the cōstancy of gods mercy towards his children and withall sheweth that the righte occasion of praysing God is rather set forth vnto vs in his mercye then in his iustice and power because we shall neuer be well disposed to prayse God vnlesse wee bée drawne vnto it by the swéetenesse of his mercy Verse 2. Let Israel i. not only them that came of Israel or Iaakob according to the flesh but the true faithful Israelites now say i. presently and without any delay confesse from their hart that his mercy indureth for euer vz. euen as they themselues by their owne practise and experience are very well able to report These wordes are expounded before verse 1. Verse 3. Let the house of Aaron i. those that are of Aarons stock and come from him meaning especially the Priests and Leuits sée Psalme 115 10. now say c. this is expounded before verse 1.2 Verse 4. Let them that feare the Lord i. that serue and worship him in al holy reuerēce sée Psalme 115 11 13 All the rest is expounded before in this Psalme marke that he tieth his spéeche to the true seruaunts of God because that although many Israelites according to the flesh occupied a place in the church yet they were notwithstanding straungers from it Ver. 5. I called vpon the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer in trouble i. when I was in trouble sée Psalme 1.20 ◠and the Lord heard me i. graunted me the requests and prayers which I made vnto him and set me at large i. at liberty taking me out of the distresse wherein I was sée for this purpose Psal 4.1 In this verse also marke that the Prophet commeth from the generall to his owne particular person declaring that as he himself had marks and tokens of Gods goodnesse towards him so hee had also thereby occasion giuen him as well as the rest to prayse the Lord. Verse 6. The Lord is with me vz. in all distresse hee meaneth by this spéech that God tooke his part against al his enemies therefore I will not feare what man can do against me i. I wil not care for al that man can doe or deuise whatsoeuer it be by man he meaneth multitudes of men and great personages q.d. be they neuer so many or neuer so great yet I wil not feare Thus wee sée how the Prophet hauing felt Gods assistaunce in former time and obtayned sundry victories assureth himself of Gods perpetual aide in time to come such confidence and assured perswasion sée before Psal 3.6 also Psal 27 3. Ver 7. The Lord is with me i. not only present but also on my side and taketh my part among them that helpe me vz. being thus cast down and afflicted the prophet meaneth that seing God taketh his part he shal preuaile otherwise if he had al the helpe in the world it could not stand therfore shal I sée my desire vpon my enemies i. I shall