Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
vnto this grace by an earnest abasing and casting downe of themselues with a true knowledging of sinne that they may obteine forgiuenesse in Christ apprehended by faith by feruent and continual praier Finalie that al this conflict shal turne in the end to the glorie of God and most great commoditie of the saints so that the other part of repentance which is the amendment of life do folowe and that we must desire to be deliuered from those euils to this end that we may be the instruments to set foorth the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger neither chastise me in thy wrath 2 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord that am vtterlie without al strength heale me ô Lord for my verie bones are shaken 3 Yea and my soule is vtterlie amazed but thou ô Lord how long 4 Turne againe ô Lord and behold me deliuer my soule saue me of thy free mercie 5 For the dead can not remember thee neither can he set foorth thy praise in the graue 6 I am wearie with sighing my bed swimmeth euerie night washed with my teares 7 Sorowe doth consume my face I waxe wrinkled and old by reason of the miseries wherewith I am oppressed 8 Hence from mee al ye wicked for the Lord hath heard my lamentable crie 9 The Lord I saie bâ—â—h heard my praier the Lord hath receiued me his humble suppliant 10 Let al mine enimies bee ashamed and dismaied and flie awaie suddenlie confounded PSALME VII The Argument Whereas reprochful slaunders do most trouble men so that it is hard for them therein to bridle their anger and other euils that folowe especialie when we can find no comfort in the lawful defence of the magistrate we are taught in this Psalme to set the defence of God against men but so that we commit without al outrage of affections the defence of our innocencie vnto God alone the most seuere punisher of slaunderous tongues And the circumstances and causes of the writing of this Psalme are diligentlie to be considered whether it be referred to Saul or to Semei which historie is written 2. Sam. 16. or to anie other of Saules kinred that we may learne how that in the most greeuous slaunders and accusations wherein both our good name and our life also is dangered that we must yet keepe this moderation of mind and brideling of our affections And this doctrine doth chieflie apperteine to the whole Church and the gouernours thereof whome Sathan and his ministers do chieflie strike with these darts THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Trust in thee ô Lord my God preserue me and deliuer me from al those that persecute me 2 Let him not deuoure me aliue like a Lion and teare me in peeces hauing none to deliuer me 3 O my Lord God if I haue committed this wickednesse if my hands haue committed anie such mischiefe 4 If I haue rendered euil to anie man yea if I haue not deliuered this same man from danger that doth persecute me without anie cause 5 Let the enimie pursue me vnto death let him take me and cast me downe and spoile me of my life and burie al mine honour and credit with me 6 Arise ô Lord in thine anger and come downe with thy power against al mine enimies awake ô Lord for my sake to execute that iudgement that thou hast appointed 7 Let the assemblie of people come about thee and turne thee vnto them from thine high throne 8 Lord execute iudgement among the people iudge me ô Lord euen as I am innocent giltles 9 Let the wickednes of the wicked I beseech thee come to an end and establish the iust For thou ô iust God doest search the hearts inward thoughts of man 10 My defence is in my God who defendeth the vpright in heart 11 God doth deliuer the iust and the same God is dailie angrie 12 So that vnlesse this wicked man repent God hath sharpened his sword he hath bent his bowe and made it readie 13 He hath also prepared his deadlie weapons and shooteth his arrowes against them that do so hotlie persecute me 14 Behold he traueleth with mischiefe he hath conceiued within himselfe to molest me but he shal bring foorth nothing 15 He hath digged a deepe pit but he shal fal into the pit that he hath digged 16 The euil that he hath deuised against me shal fal vpon his owne head and the hurt that he hath wrought against me shal fal vpon his owne pate 17 I wil praise the Lord as he iustlie deserueth and I wil sing praise to the name of the Lord most high PSALME VIII The Argument This Psalme is a thankesgiuing vnto God for two most excellent benefites bestowed vpon mankind that is for our creation in Adam and our restauration and redemption in Christ. And although that man by his owne fault did fal from that high dignitie wherein he was created yet there doe remaine certaine notes and markes of that dignitie and excellencie both in that he is the Lord ouer al the beastes and hath a certaine power of life and death ouer them and also in that singular prouidence wherewith God in mercie ordereth mankinde but that other state wherevnto the eternal sonne of God hath exalted mans nature being assumpted into the vnitie of his person al the infirmitie thereof laid aside that he might make al that beleeue partakers of his excellent glorie to whome onlie also he graunteth this that in this life they should haue the light of the true wisedome and that they may vse al the creatures of God in this world with safe conscience is the chiefe end of this Psalme as the holie Ghost doth interprete it Matth. 21 15. 1. Cor. 15 27 and Hebr. 2 8. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord our God how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth aduancing thy glorie aboue the verie heauens 2 The verie mouths of infants sucklings confirme thy power so that al they that oppresse others or do rise vp against thee shal come to naught 3 For when I behelde those thy heauens the worke of thy fingers the Moone and the Starres so cunninglie set in order 4 O what is man saie I that thou art mindful of him that he being borne of mortal parents thou shouldest regard him 5 Thou hast made him little inferior to the Angels and hast crowned him with glorie and honor 6 Thou hast made him Lord ouer al the workes of thine hands thou causest al to serue him 7 Al sheepe cattel and the verie wilde beasts 8 The foules fleeing in the aire and the fishes swimming in the seas 9 O Lord our GOD how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth PSALME IX The Argument The Prophet doth teach the Church in this ix Psalme continualie to giue thankes for the benefites receiued at Gods handes which do testifie both his infinit power and singular fauor and by these examples both to comfort themselues in present miseries
abide 18 And he also againe so soone as he commandeth doth melt the things that are frosen and the waters streightwaie flowe foorth againe as though their bands were losed 19 And these things verelie do testifie most plainelie both his infinite goodnes and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefite which he bestowed vpon his Israël when he deliuered vnto him the doctrine of saluation and the rule to leade his life both godlie and honestlie 20 Neither is there any nation vnder heauen with whome he hath so dealt but he hath left other men without this most true and most iust doctrine PSALME CXLVIII The Argument The scope and end of this Psalme most ful of maiestie euen written with a heauenlie feruencie is whereas there be extant so manie most cleare witnesses of Gods wisedome of his power and goodnes as there be things created to cal vpon al those things high lowe and of the middle sort to set foorth the praise of God with common consent For though manie of them are without both vnderstanding and sense yet they al after their maner although they be silent are said to sound foorth the glorie of God though men which haue reason and for whose cause they are made ought properlie both in their owne name and in their name to do this dutie and chieflie the godlie ought to set foorth continuallie that incomparable benefite whereby they are chosen into the felowship of the sonne of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let them found forth the praises of the Lord euen from the most high heauens 2 O al ye holie spirits the apparitors of his Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go ye before others in this his praise 3 Thou Sunne and Moone and al ye Starres shining in the heauens shewe forth the praise of your Maker 4 O ye most high spheares of the heauens praise ye him ye vawts of waters which hang on high 5 Let al these things I saie praise the Lord for they began to haue their being by his onlie commandement 6 And they are placed by his appointment in the same place and order where they stand most stable and they are set in order with certaine spaces and bounds which they can not passe ouer by anie meanes though they would 7 And let the earthlie things againe answer vnto the heauenlie and the creeping wormes in the hollowe holes of the earth and also the depths of waters 8 And ye flames of lightnings also hailes snowes vapours lifted vp whirlewinds and other tempests which al haue your being and are moued by his commandement 9 Mountaines and al hils trees laden with fruits the Cedars mounting vp with such maruelous height 10 Ye wild beasts also and ye that be tame whatsoeuer creepeth vpon the ground and whatsoeuer fleeth through the aire 11 But chieflie both the kings and their people subiect vnto them the princes and the gouernours of the earth 12 Yong men and old yong maides also and children 13 Praise ye the name of the Lord for he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the very earth more high than the heauens 14 But this becommeth chieflie the people whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others therefore it becommeth those that haue receiued such benefits of God to set forth his praises euen the posteritie of Israël the which people God hath chosen to be his owne familie and houshold PSALME CXLIX The Argument The interpretation of this Psalme seemeth to be more plaine and more agreeable to the holie historie if it be applied vnto the kingdome of Dauid rather than to the last times of the captiuitie of Babylon Wherefore in ny iudgement the people recouering themselues from so manie miseries which they had suffered both in the times of the iudges and of Saule himselfe both the religion of God being first restored and also the policie set in good order is taught by this Psalme to giue thankes vnto God and not to abuse his so great benefits Wherein Dauid himselfe giueth them example acknowledging the Lord God to be the King together with them And as concerning the musical instruments here named it was a part of the seruice of the lawe which is abolished notwithstanding no man vnlesse such a one as is worthie to be counted amongst beastes can denie but that there is a great power both of musicke when it is sung and also in instruments to moue mens minds yet the examples both of the former Church and the horrible abuses that streightwaies followed do teach sufficientlie how vnprofitable it is to bring in such musicke and instruments into the Church of Christ as hath bin of late And a prophesie is also added which the verie end did confirme so manie victories being granted vnto Dauid and the bounds of his kingdome being spread euen vnto Euphrates that then the promise was fulfilled at the length which was made vnto Abraham as concerning the figure for it can not be doubted but that these things were the figures of the kingdome of Christ and of his spiritual victories and of that horrible iudgement which shal be most fullie in the end at the last daie and which now and then God executeth vpon al the rebellious THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to al ye that haue receiued benefites of the Lord sing vnto him a new and excellent song being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths 2 Euen thou ô Israël delight thy selfe in setting forth his praises whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed O ye citizens of Sion reioice ye trusting in the Lord your King Gouernor which belongeth to none other nation vnder heauen 3 Set foorth his praises far and wide not onelie priuatelie but also publikelie not onlie with voice but also with fluites and timbrels and with al kind of musical instruments 4 Euen because it hath pleased the Lord of his infinite mercie to consecrate this people vnto himselfe and as the matter it selfe maketh it manifest when they seemed vtterlie to be lost to make them honourable and of most high dignitie 5 Wherefore these glorious people vpon whom he hath bestowed so manie benefites do now reioice and shal reioice hereafter and with great quietnes shal sing a triumph 6 Praising the Lord indeede with their exclamations cries but armed with double edged swords in their hands 7 Wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the people 8 And also may drawe their kings nobles bound in chaines and iron setters 9 Euen to execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by the Lord and this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of al them whome God hath receiued to his fauour PSALME CL. The Argument Jt is probable that the holie singing men of the temple did stir vp one another with this Psalme ful of maruelous zeale We
And also being assured of his prophetical spâ—rit that this kingdome how florishing so euer was but onlie a figure and patterne of that eternal kingdome of Messiah who should be borne of him therefore doeth he extend his speach therevnto and prophesieth that al people of the earth shal receiue him for their King as the Apostle Paule doth interpret it Rom. 15.9 10 11 12. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord my strength I doe loue thee from the bottome of my heart 2 The Lord is my rocke and my fortresse my deliuerer my God my mount my refuge my shield the horne wherewith I driue away the enimie and my high tower of defence 3 I haue praised the Lord and called vpon him and he hath deliuered me from al mine enimies 4 The bands of death had compassed me round about and bound me most wicked men like most raging flouds made mee afraide enuironing me round about 5 I did lie as it were wrapped in my winding sheete euen snarled with the snares of death 6 I called vpon the Lord in these extremities I called vpon my God I saie and he heard my voice out of his high palace and receiued into his eares the crie that I made vnto him 7 Then began the earth to quake and tremble the verie foundations of the mountaines to shake and shudder 8 And he breathed out smoke from his nostrels spitting foorth fire out of his mouth yea casting foorth euen coles of fire 9 He bowed the heauens and came downe the darkenes beeing spred al abroade vnder his feete 10 He did ride vpon the wings of the Angels and was caried with the wings of the winde 11 Blacke darkenes enuironed his tabernacle round about and he was couered with most darke and thicke cloudes 12 Vntil his glistering brightnes did breake those cloudes and the flames of fire did flash on euerie side 13 At the length he thundered from heauen and filled al places with his mightie sounding voice and with hailestones and lightnings 14 He shot foorth his firie dartes and increasing his lightnings he terrified mine enimies and destroied them 15 Then the deepe bottomes of the waters appeared and the foundations of the world were discouered at thy rebuke ô Lord and at the blustering winde of thy wrath 16 So then hath he stretching his right hand downe from the heauen taken me and drawne me out of the bottome of the deepe waters 17 From that mightie enimie I saie and from the other enimies by whose power I was oppressed 18 For they verilie had almost cast mee downe and destroied me at the sudden but he was my staffe that staied me 19 And he hath drawne me out of these straights and placed me in an open and large place because it so pleased him without my deseruing to fauour me 20 For he had regard in deede of me that was oppressed of these men without cause and granted these things to me being guiltles 21 For I haue folowed the waie that the Lord hath appointed me howsoeuer these men vexed me neither could I be drawne by anie of their iniuries that I should faile from my God as the wicked vse 22 For I had al his lawes before mine eies neither did I put his statutes foorth of my sight 23 But I behaued my selfe without hypocrisie with him neither did I folowe mine affections which else would easilie haue carried me forth of the waie 24 Therefore had the Lord regard of me that was oppressed of them without anie cause and fauoured me the innocent partie 25 For thou ô Lord wilt shewe thy selfe good vnto the good and vpright to them that deale vprightlie 26 And as thou shewest thy selfe sincere with them that deale sincerelie so the craftie men shal perceiue thee to be more cunning 27 For although manie times thy seruants be sore vexed yet doest thou preserue them and doest cast downe those that behaue themselues so proudlie 28 Hence haue I my light whereby thou causest me to shine and driuest away my darkenes 29 Thou hast made me to ouercome these dangers easilie and to leape ouer the walles and lets that were in my waie 30 For the waie whereby God leadeth vs is plaine the word of God is most pure the Lord doth defend al that trust in him as with a shield 31 For who is God but the Lord and who is mightie but our God onlie 32 He hath girded mee with power and hath made my waie safe 33 He hath made me as swift as the Hindes and hath placed me in most high and safe places 34 He hath taught mine hands to fight and he hath giuen me so great strength that I am able to breake a bowe of brasse with these mine armes 35 Thou hast preserued me with the protection of thy shield and thou hast staied me with thy right hand when I was readie to fal through thy great mercie 36 Thou hast caused me to go safelie without danger and thou hast staied my sliding steps 37 Therefore haue I pursued mine enimies and taken them and I haue not turned backe til I haue destroied them 38 I haue so beaten them downe and troden them vnder foote that they were not able to raise themselues againe 39 For thou verelie hast giuen me such strength that they which haue risen against me haue fallen headlong at my feete 40 Thou hast giuen me power to strike off their heads and that I might destroie them that pursued me 41 Yet Lord I graunt they cried vnto thee but thou hast not deliuered them neither wouldest heare their crie 42 Therefore did I beate them smal like the dust that the winde scattereth abroad and I did tread them like the mire which is trampled vnder the feete of them that walke the streetes 43 Yea also thou hast deliuered me from domestical and inward troubles and thou hast giuen me dominion ouer the nations that I neuer knew before 44 Vnknowne people I say obey my commandement and strangers be compelled for feare to submit themselues vnto me 45 The hearts of the strangers haue failed so that they fal downe for feare in their strongest forts 46 Let the Lord liue and let him that is my defence be knowledged and worshipped of al as he worthilie deserueth let God my deliuerer be praised euerie-where 47 Euen God I say who is mine aduenger who hath subdued so manie people vnder me 48 Thou hast saued me from mine enimies thou hast deliuered me from them that rose vp against me especialie from that cruel man 49 Therefore wil I praise thee euen among the prophane nations and I wil sing vnto thy maiestie 50 For verelie thou hast maruelouslie preserued thy king and not onlie Dauid himselfe whom thou hast annointed king but also thou hast shewed singular fauour to his seed that shal remaine for euer PSALME XIX The Argument This Psalme doth teach vs the summe of al true diuinitie the end whereof is that we haue that knowledge both of God himselfe and of the worship
onlie by his word and commandement euen that great compas of the heauens how wide and vnmeasurable so euer togither with that infinite number of starres and both the great lightes of the Sunne and the Moone wherewith he hath beautified that frame of the heauenlie firmament as with a great armie set in most comelie order was formed and made by the commandement of his eternal word and by the vnspeakeable power of his spirite also which proceedeth from him 7 Now to come vnto the creatures more neare vnto vs it is the selfe-same power that hangeth ouer vs that liquid and euer flowing element of water and heapeth it vp in it selfe and holdeth it inclosed in certaine secret gulfes and doth keepe it backe that it doth not drowne the world againe 8 Go to then let al them that dwel in the world feare and reuerence such a workemaister and tremble at his workes 9 And learne to followe the examples of those things though they want both sense and vnderstanding who yet so soone as he had spoken the word they stoode foorth and were obedient vnto him do now stil remaine at his commandement 10 It is he the same also although verie manie not onlie particular persons but also whole multitudes conspire togither outragiouslie to their own destruction and labour to bring al things to vtter confusion that yet doth ouerthrowe and breake their wicked practises and craftie counsels because he is the mainteiner and preseruer of ciuil policie and natural equitie whereby mankinde is kept in safetie 11 For it can not be that anie thing that the Lord hath determined can at anie time be made frustrate and voide but rather must alwaies and in al ages remaine stable and vnmoueable 12 But ô most blessed and happie nation to whome the Lord sheweth himselfe their God before others euen by taking a singular and peculiar care ouer them O thou trulie art an happie people if thou didst knowe thine owne blessed state whome he hath chosen to himselfe as his peculiar heritage 13 For God is not an idle beholder of the things that he hath created neither doth he suffer them to be carried at al aduentures but he doth behold al things with a watchful eie and most chieflie doth he obserue al mankind 14 And from his most hie throne he doth behold al the inhabitants of the world wheresoeuer they are placed 15 God forbid that we should thinke that he that hath created the hearts of al men and hath put into them the power of affections of reason could not consider and vnderstand what they thinke and enterprise 16 Wherefore they are doting mad how proud and mightie soeuer they be who dreame that they are able to do anie thing by their owne power seeing that al kingdomes are planted and subuerted by Gods onelie appointment 17 Wherefore their hope is deceiueable vaine who abusing the meanes giuen them by God doe depend of anie other thing than of his power alone not vnlike to the horsemen who trust to the strength of those horses which haue oftentimes ouerthrowne them 18 So then they perish through their owne fault but contrariwise them doth the Lord behold assuredlie keepe and defend which feare him and haue onelie regard vnto his mercie 19 For although al things seeme to threaten their destruction being destitute of al other helpe and sometimes both heauen and earth denie them their bodilie foode yet the Lord preserueth them safe and sound and doth minister vnto them in due season sufficientlie to passe thorough the course of their life 20 Let vs therefore earnestlie run vnto the Lord alone as he worthilie deserueth being our onelie defence and succour 21 And surelie our expectation shal not faile vs for vndoubtedlie it wil come to passe that after some sharpe assaults of these miseries he wil comfort vs with most certaine and true ioies Therfore let vs neuer cease to rest vpon the promises that he hath reuealed vnto vs and neuer faile at anie time to cal vpon his holie name 22 And thou againe ô Lord defend vs by thy mercie that we haue so oft felt from the heauens as thou commandest vs to hope and we trust that thou wilt performe PSALME XXXIIII The Argument This Psalme was written by Dauid as the title declareth for the wonderful deliuerance foorth of the hands of king Achis by dissembling madnes as is written 1. Sam. 21. And it declareth what is our dutie when we haue receiued Gods benefites that is not onlie to giue thanks vnto God and to confirme our selues in faith and hope against other temptations by such like experience but also to exhort others to doe the same by setting foorth these examples that they may belieue that these deliuerings from dangers are not special priuiledges granted to anie one man but that they are so manie preachings as it were and sermons which do appertaine both to the whole Church and to euerie membâ—r of the samâ— Howbeit the Prophet doth ad this one thing that these benefites yet do appertaine to none other but vnto them who after they be deliuered forth of dangers doe repent of their sinnes and doe feare God more seriouslie Also he admonisheth that we should ioine the deliuerance of the godlie with the destruction of the wicked that we make not God as the mockers and scorners doe onlie to see of the one side and so to be merciful that he should forget his iudgements Finallie this Psalme is so furnished with eloquent wordes and so great glistering of most graue sentences that amongest others this is wel worthie to be committed vnto memorie by al the godlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil giue thankes vnto the Lord without ceasing and I wil neuer leaue off to haue his praise in my mouth 2 I wil extol the benefits of the Lord I saie from the bottome of my heart that al the afflicted when they heare this may be thereby comforted 3 Go to then praise and magnifie the Lord together with me and let vs altogether extol and praise his name as he deserueth 4 For I haue sought the Lord and he accomplishing my desire hath deliuered mee from al that troubled me 5 Therefore shal they be bold also moued by my example to turne their eies vnto him and to make haste to run vnto him and shal not be repulsed 6 For Behold shal they saie this miserable man was heard when he called vpon the Lord who deliuered him out of al his miseries 7 And this is a sure case for like as they that feare God are assaulted of euerie side not onlie of other men but also of Sathan and his angels euen so the Lord againe doth campe about them with the inuincible armies of his Angels that they may so be preserued 8 I beseech you therefore doe not careleslie behold this great goodnes of the Lord but rather thinke vpon it againe and againe taste his most comfortable sweetnes and crie together with me O blessed is
that moued him to that crueltie by whose rage to auoide their craftie snares he came into so great danger Howsoeuer it be this Psalme doth shew vnto vs the example of a singular faith and constancie especiallie if we consider the person of Dauid and from how great dignitie without anie fault committed of him he was throwne downe into so miserable condition THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH my God! haue mercie vpon a man most miserable how neare was it that he should swalowe me neither doth he yet cease to beset me round about and to bring me to extremitie as if he would deuoure me 2 These men I saie whither soeuer I remooue or go lieng in wait most diligentlie haue a mind to deuoure me and a great multitude do fight against me ô God most high 3 Notwithstanding when feare commeth vpon me I flie vnto thee 4 And why should I not glorie of that thou hast spoken vnto me most boldlie Wherefore I trust in thee ô God and wil not be afraid For what can these mortal men do against me that rest vpon the power of God who hath testified his good wil vnto me 5 They are wholie bent vpon this that whatsoeuer I intend I speake or doe they may peruert it and therevpon take occasion falselie to accuse me 6 They go together closelie following me at the verie heeles seeking this one thing how they may take my life from me 7 Notwithstanding yet they hope by their crafts to escape thy hands but thou ô Lord how manie soeuer they be and how great soeuer their conspiracies be cast them downe I beseech thee 8 I knowe that thou hast al my wanderings to and fro in a reckoning I beseech thee gather my teares into thy bottels they are I trust registred in thy counting bookes 9 Wherefore so oft as I shal cal vpon thee mine enimies shal be put to flight For I knowe this assuredlie that thou art of my side 10 For I haue the word of God whereof I glorie the word of God I saie whereof I wil glorie 11 Wherefore resting vpon God what should I feare and what can anie mortal man doe against mee 12 O how greatlie do these so manie and so great benefits bind mee vnto thee but I wil paie that which onlie I am able namelie the continual magnifieng of thy mercie 13 For thou hast deliuered my life foorth of the most present doores of death and thou hast raised me when I was cast downe and that I liue now I may onlie thanke thee PSALME LVII The Argument Another most great daunger much like to the former which is sâ—t foorth 1. Sam. 24. gaue the occasion of writing this Psalme whereof we may gather that it lieth in the hand of God not onlie with how great but with how long miseries yea euen by wicked men he wil exercise his seruants and therfore that we must praie continuallie as wel for the gifts of constancie and perseuerance as for the gift of faith Jn other things this Psalme is to the same purpose as certeine other that went before and written of like occasion THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw at the length ô Lord it is high time that thou either looke vpon me or else I am vndone Wherefore haue mercie haue mercie vpon mee I saie ô God for this my soule doth onlie trust in thee and I flie onlie vnto thee vnder the shadow of whose wings I may lie hid so long whilest these great calamities do passe ouer 2 I crie vnto thee ô God most high that thou wouldest finish that which thou hast begun in me 3 And so doubtles wil it come to passe For the Lord wil send helpe from heauen because I find none in the earth and he wil not suffer mee so shamefullie to be deuoured For there wil come downe from the heauen to deliuer me two inuincible helpes for defence euen his mercie and that most high and sure faith which he declareth in the perfourming of his promises 4 In the meane season I graunt my selfe exposed of the one side to the pawes of the lions and the crueltie of most outragious men and of the other side to the false slanders of most shameles accusers whose teeth are like vnto speares and arrowes and their tong more hurtful than most sharpe swords 5 But thou ô God declare that thou dwellest euen aboue the heauens and cause that thy glorie may be published throughout the whole world 6 Whither soeuer I mooue my foote their net is spread to take me I doe lie as it were throwne downe vpon the earth I see before mine eies the pit into the which they hope to cast me downe headlong but the matter wil go otherwaies For they contrariwise shal fal into the selfe-same pit 7 Therefore ô God I being now prepared with my whole heart with my whole heart I saie haue great desire to praise thee both with my voice and harpe 8 Go to my tongue go to both lute and harpe awake with me in the morning 9 Euen the gentils most farre distant shal heare me declaring thy praises the people shal heare me sing vnto thee 10 For surelie thy goodnes extendeth it selfe vnto the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds 11 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the verie heauens and shew forth thy glorie to the whole world PSALME LVIII The Argument Jt may be collected of this Psalme that Saul that he might haue some excuse to couer his hatred against Dauid did gather a councel of the states whereby he procured him being absent to be condemned as a publike enimie now there is no greater iniurie than that which doth oppresse vnder the cloake of lawe wherefore Dauid comforting himselfe and appealing to God doth paint forth those most corrupt iudges in their owne colours as one that knew them verie wel and also doth pronounce the sentence against them in the name of God himselfe not as a priuate man but as a Prophet and as a king alreadie allowed of God and he vseth similitudes most agreeable to the couetousnesse and ambition of such maner of men For where they haue this purpose chieflie that they may set themselues aloft and their children by these practises yet God doth oftentimes cut them off in the mid course of their couetous desires furthermore their posteritie cleane contrarie to the opinion of their fathers doth either consume awaie by little and little in the sight of al men or is destroied by some sudden rage THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Yee states and senatours tel me I praie you if there remaine anie sparkle of conscience in you Is this to decree iust iudgement O ye mortal men of how great dignitie soeuer ye be doe ye iudge aright 2 Naie surely seeing the matter it selfe declareth that inwardlie ye deuise al manner of wickednes outwardlie and openlie in al mens sight yee doe weigh nothing but iniurie in your ballance 3 Neither is this now the first time that ye do so for I
10 But the innocents whome these men without cause laboured to oppresse shal more ioifullie praise the name of God and shal flie vnto him more boldlie hereafter al I saie that be of good conscience shal take occasion of a certaine holie boasting and glorieng hereby PSALME LXV The Argument This Psalme or hymne written to the praise of God first teacheth vs that his benefites are neuer anie where rightlie knowledged and praised but onlie in his holie congregations Then he biddeth vs to marke three special things and to praise God for them One and that for the greatest that God doth gather a Church vnto himselfe in the which he wil be praised where he heareth them that do praie where he doth forgiue sinne the which finallie he neuer ceasseth to blesse with the multitude of his benefites and most mightilie to defend Secondlie that he doth mainteine the societie of mâ—n by appointing and preseruing the policies and gouernements in the midst of so great hurlieburlies Thirdlie that he doth minister from heauen al things that are necessarie for this life so abundantlie and liberallie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou certeinlie art onlie he to whome once vttering thy pleasure al men must worthily yeeld but this praise ô God is giuen vnto thee in the onlie mount of Sion where onlie vowes are paied vnto thee aright 2 And thou againe there doest despise the praiers of none that flie vnto thee 3 There doest thou purge the sinnes wherewith else we being vtterlie ouerwhelmed durst not lift vp our faces before thee 4 O blessed is he therefore whome so euer thou so fauourest that thou commandest him to come vnto thee and whome thou feedest abundantlie with those true good things of thy house and most holie palace after thou hast receiued him into the number of thy houshold seruants 5 For although no men seeme to be more in danger yet experience it selfe doth declare that none are more sure whiles that thou in verie deede dost declare thy selfe terrible to al their enimies for the perfourmance of thy promise so oft as they cal vpon thee so that euen to the vtmost coastes of the earth and the farthest part of the sea the same of thy name being spread al men are compelled to looke vp vnto thee 6 Thou art he by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth these mountaines which we see and the kingdomes also and the policies whereby mankind is preserued 7 And like as thou doest calme the stormes of the sea and the sounding tempests so also thou doest breake and bridle the fiercenes of the raging multitude 8 By these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced do tremble and keepe silence and thus peace being restored thou causest that men againe do leade their life both daie and night in comfortable peace and tranquillitie 9 For thou takest care of the earth euen from the heauens watering it and making it fruiteful with plentious showres which are thy verie gift wherwith it being soupled and prepared doth reteine the seede committed vnto it 10 Afterward thou waterest the sorrowes of the fields thou breakest the clots thou mollifiest the ground with mild and timelie showres sent downe from aboue thou cherishest and bringest forth the seede with their buds 11 Finallie thus thou crownest the earth most bountifullie with al kinde of fruites yearelie the fatnes dropping downe from aboue from thy steps which waie soeuer thou walkest 12 Yea and the pastures of the wildernes doest thou cherish with dew and thou fillest the high hilles also with gladnes 13 So are the pastures clad with sheepe the vallies are clothed with corne finallie al places do sound together with ioiful shoutes and songs PSALME LXVI The Argument This Psalme and also certaine other do seeme to be written for the perpetual vse of the Church although they haue some priuate occasion partlie to renew the memorie of so manie old deliuerances and partlie to giue thankes vnto God so oft as anie occasion doth offer it selfe either priuatelie or publikelie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye inhabitants of the earth sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song 2 Praise his name with songs praise him with glorie and maiestie 3 Saie in his presence O how terrible and feareful doest thou shew thy selfe in verie deede for euen thine enimies ouercome by the greatnes of thy power are compelled to acknowledge thee and to dissemble at the least that they feare thee 4 Therfore shal al the earth worship thee it shal sing praises vnto thee and celebrate thy name 5 Go to come hither al you behold the things that God hath done and with how great miracles he hath declared himselfe terrible to mortal men 6 This is he that dried vp the sea in a moment and made the floud passable vnto our feete for the which benefit we his people euen at this daie do reioice 7 This is the almightie Lord of the whole world beholding from heauen al the nations scattered throughout the world not suffering them that forsake him to exalt themselues at their pleasure 8 O praise the Lord ô ye tribes and kindreds consecrate vnto him sound forth his glorie far and wide 9 For he hath restored our life when it was lost and he onlie hath staied that we should not fal with sliding steps 10 For thou wouldest not haue vs to be lost ô God but onlie hast tried vs and fined vs as the siluer put in the fornace 11 Thou hast snared vs and cast vs bound with chaines into most streight distresse 12 Thou hast suffered that our enimies hauing ouercome vs did abuse vs with reproches and scoffes as though we had bin beastes we haue tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water but thou afterward hast sent comfort and refreshed vs. 13 Wherefore I am present in thy house with offerings to performe my vowes 14 Which I haue fullie vowed in my miserie and spoken them with my mouth 15 Therefore haue I determined to offer vnto thee fat offerings euen the fat of rams and bullockes and goates 16 And you also al others that feare God come hither I praie you with me and giue eare vnto me rehearsing the benefits bestowed by him vpon me 17 I haue called for his helpe with my mouth and haue praised him with my tongue 18 And that with a mind free from al euil imagination for else he would not haue heard me 19 Therefore the Lord hath heard me and gaue eare vnto my praier 20 Praise then be vnto God who refused not my praiers neither did withdrawe his mercie from me PSALME LXVII The Argument The Prophet doth attribute vnto the onlie mercie of God both the spiritual blessings which are peculiar vnto the Church and also the corporal whereof he desireth the continuance and also doth prophesie the spreading of the Church that should be vnder Messiâ—h and so exhorteth al the
godlie to giue thankes and to celebrate the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD from whose mercie so manie benefites do proceede vnto vs continue to blesse vs and chiefelie do cause his pleasant countenance to shine vpon vs. 2 That his waie which he hath declared vnto his people may be knowne as far as the borders of the earth are extended and that al nations may embrace the saluation promised by him 3 Let al people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 4 Let the people be glad and reioice For the time wil be when thou shalt gouerne the whole world with most iust and righteous iudgement 5 Let the people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 6 Command the earth also to bring foorth her fruites and continue ô God our God to heape thy benefites vpon vs. 7 Continue I saie ô God to blesse vs and let al the world againe acknowledge and worship thee PSALME LXVIII The Argument Dauid being about to carrie the Arke of the couenant which was the visible testimonie of the presence of God and of his mercie into the tower of Sion when he had ordeined a solemnitie whereof he himselfe was the ringleader than the which there was neuer anie in this nation more famous which is written plainlie 1. Chron. 15. he made certaine Psalmes vndoubtedlie by diuine inspiration wherewith he inflamed both himselfe and others doubtles to praise God maruelouslie And amongst other he did write this Psalme also than the which nothing could be written more diuinelie more ful of maiestie or more eloquentlie by anie man and he repeateth and calleth to memorie the former benefites of God and addeth maruellous artificial colours rather painting it forth than writing it But we must diligentlie marke this thing further that the Prophet stood not fixed onlie in that matter which was then in hand but by diuine inspiration did insinuate mysticallie as the times did then suffer the most excellent secrets of the kingdome of heauen and therfore by that Arke is mysticallie vnderstood that the sonne of God in whome the fulnesse of the Godhead remaineth hath put vpon him our flesh by Sion is meant the tabernacle not made with mans hand by bringing in of the Arke the ascension of Christ into heauen by leading awaie of the captiues that Sathan sinne death are ouercome lastlie by the temporal blessings continuallie powred vpon Jsraël the spiritual euerlasting giftes of Christ dailie bestowed vpon the Church by the holie ministerie worke of the Gospel is here figuratiuelie described as Paule witnesseth Ephes 4 8. and almost throughout the Epistle to the Hebrues THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let God onlie arise and in a moment al his enimies shal flee awaie wandring and scattered abroade 2 For al the vngodlie must none otherwise vanish awaie at his sight and countenance than the smoake which being driuen with the winde is dispersed and the waxe that is laied before the fire is melted 3 But on the contrarie the righteous being maruelouslie refreshed by his countenance shal reioice and shal leape for gladnes 4 Go to then celebrate the Lord with songs sing vnto his name prepare the waie to him that hath long wandered in the wildernesse and comming now vnto vs praise him I saie who is eternal both in name and in deede and reioice before him 5 For he that is the father of the fatherles and the defender of the widowes hath now chosen amongst vs holie and stable habitations vnto himselfe 6 This is he that hath made fruiteful those barren persons of whome we had our beginning who hath losed vs from bonds being oppressed with most cruel bondage who hath cast out the rebels into drie and desert countries and regions 7 For thou ô God when thou wentest before the people leddest them by the horrible wildernes 8 The earth it selfe did tremble and the heauens being afraid by feeling of thy maiestie were dissolued as it were in a sweate and dropped downe when thou ô God the God of Israël didest sit presentlie vpon the top of mount Sinai 9 Furthermore thou hast not failed to water the countrie in the which thou hast placed thy people with the raine of thy large liberalitie and to refresh it when it was barren 10 Euen that thou mightest feede therein thy flocks to whome thou hast giuen it and mightest strengthen thine which else should haue perished through hunger 11 And also thou hast giuen the cause to the great multitudes of our virgins to reioice and sing of thy victories which should otherwaies haue bin vnthankeful vnlesse they had praised thee with hymnes 12 Behold the mightie euen the kings compassed about with their armies haue fled awaie they haue fled I saie and the women that vsed not to come out of the house haue diuided the spoile 13 O ye damsels ye haue liued hitherto amongst the soote of the pots euen sitting at home but now ye may come foorth shining and glittering no otherwise than the doues as white as snowe do cast foorth a certaine golden glistering as they flee in the aire 14 For when the strength of the enimies was scattered by the power of GOD a most cleare brightnes did shine vnto the earth euen like the snowe that lieth vpon the top of Salmon which dazeleth the eies of them that looke vpon it with the brightnes thereof 15 O mount Basan thou verelie art verie fat and art seene to haue manie tops of thy hilles but what canst thou do God hath not chosen thee but the mount Sion vnto himselfe 16 Why then should ye be proud why should ye lift vp the tops of your hilles for God hath chosen vnto himselfe this hil far lower than you in the which he wil dwel the Lord hath consecrated vnto himselfe this seate for euer 17 Here verelie he is caried in his chariots the which two millians both on this side and that side doe drawe and being inuironed with these armies as he did sit vpon the top of Sina of old so now he entreth the possession of this his holie place 18 Now therefore ô God thou doest verelie exalt thy selfe carrieng awaie thine enimies captiue taking the spoiles that thou maist giue to thine euen thus taming thine enimies how rebellious so euer and going vp to the tower of Sion that thou maist settle thine euerlasting habitation there 19 Wherefore euerlasting praise be vnto thee ô Lord ô God I saie our sauiour which doest heape vpon vs thy continual benefites 20 For this is that God who hath declared himselfe vnto vs to be the God our sauiour after a thousand sorts and the Lord hath approued in verie deede that deliuerance from death is set in him alone 21 Therefore so oft as neede is that same God wil breake the verie head of his enimies and wil cast downe the wicked which arrogantlie hold vp their long shagged haire 22 For he hath promised to do the same thing againe
which he did of old when he preserued our elders putting to flight the kings of Basan and brought them through the deepe streames of the sea 23 Wherefore then ô people thou didst walke through the middest of the heapes of thine enimies that were slaine dogs licking their bloud 24 Then ô God our elders did see thee going ô my God they did see thee going I saie within thy holie tabernacle ô my King 25 The singers went before thee the trumpetters folowing thee the companie of damsels also did plaie vpon the timbrels on euerie side one sort exhorting an other by course with this maner of song 26 Go to praise God with courage praise the Lord by course ye that come of Israël 27 Beniamin on the one side which was the youngest hath mightilie ouercome the enimie Iuda on the other side hath destroied them with stones also the valiantnes and noble victorie of the princes of Zabulon and Ephraim is famous 28 And as we knowledge al this power to haue proceeded from thee alone so disposing it so doe we now praie ô God that thou wilt confirme it more and more vnto vs. 29 And we doubt not but thou wilt so doe much more hereafter than euer before foorth of thy holie palace which thou hast chosen vnto thee at Ierusalem whither the verie kings also shal once come and shal offer gifts vnto thee 30 Represse therefore and bridle with thy terrible rebuke those cruel beasts that breake foorth of their holes and dens fierce rankes of buls and scatter the people that are like wanton calues that go proudlie decked in siluer euen the people that couet wars 31 Surelie the time wil come when the princes of Aegypt shal run hither vnto thee the Aethiopians with great haste shal hold vp their hands humblie vnto thee 32 Go to then ye kingdomes scattered through the earth praise God with melodie and sing vnto the Lord 33 Euen vnto the Lord that sitteth vpon those most high heauens from al eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from thence 34 Acknowledge ye his power the maiestie wherof doth no lesse shine foorth in Israël than the thunders sounding in the clouds 35 For this is that sanctuarie ô God out of the which thou declarest thy selfe terrible vnto thine enimies but vnto thine ô God of Israël thou wilt minister power and strength therefore al praise and glorie be giuen vnto thee for euer PSALME LXIX The Argument Although this Psalme is altogether agreeable with the 22 Psalme written in the forme of a praier and no doubt by the occasion which either the flieng of Dauid out of the court of Saule seemeth to offer when the chastitie of his wife was not preserued safe vnto him who was married vnto an other husband much lesse did they spare his goods to the which opinion I doe incline or the treason of Absalom yet is it certaine that the holie Ghost did so gouerne the mind and the hand of the Prophet that he seemeth to haue regarded those things rather whereof he was a figure than himselfe if not in euerie place of the Psalme yet surelie in the most part thereof So then is Christ our mediatour rather brought in complaining vnto God of the crueltie of his people which could be ouercome by none of his benefits than Dauid complaining of his enimies and he also wisheth and forewarneth those punishment which the people of the Jewes did worthilie suffer for their ingratitude wherewith we also now see that they are punished of the which mystical interpretation we haue most cleare witnesses Matth. 27 48. Luke 1 20. Iohn 2 18. and 19 28. Last of al Paule Rom. 11 9. and 15 3. And seeing the members must be conformed vnto the head it followeth that there wil be great vse and commoditie of this Psalme so long as the Church shal soiourne vpon earth THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô God euen now readie to be swallowed with these streames of water 2 For I am now cast downe into the most deepe mirie pit where I can by no meanes fasten my foote and I am drowned with most deepe waters flowing vpon me on euerie side 3 I am wearied with crieng my iawes are pained with hoarsenes also mine eies haue failed while I earnestlie wait for my God 4 Furthermore I may more easilie tel the haires of mine head than the multitude of mine enimies which hate me causelesse yea and the number of them that hate me deadlie is increased dailie and which thing is most greeuous of al those that spoile my goods deale so with me as though I had first spoiled others 5 But thou ô God knowest verie wel whether I haue behaued my selfe vprightlie and wiselie or no and whether I be a wicked man as these doe slander me 6 What then if I be forsaken of thee verelie they must needs also be ashamed who haue ioined them selues with me trusting to the promises that thou hast made vnto me O most mightie Lord staie thou this thing that it come not to passe neither suffer that they faile of their hope which seeke thee the God of Israël in the defence of my cause 7 For doubtles whatsoeuer they pretend they would wound not me but thee by my side and for thy cause alone am I so railed vpon and doe lie downe couered with reproch 8 Neither am I forsaken of strangers onelie but also my kinsemen and mine owne brethren doe despise me as an vnknowne person and as I were not ioined vnto them with any bond of consanguinitie 9 For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorrowe the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble and I accounted my self to be wounded with the reproches cast out against me 10 Wherefore I being in great heauines haue absteined euen from my meate for sorrowe the which my care these men had in derision 11 I laid downe my garment I saie and tooke vnto me haire cloth the which thing these men turned into scoffes 12 So that in the publike assemblies also they ceased not to prate on me and feasting merilie they made songs of me 13 What shal I do then Verelie ô Lord I doe notwithstanding powre out my praiers vnto thee being nothing afraid either of the power or of the pride of these men For though thou hast now loosed the raines to their dissolute wickednes I doe knowe that thou hast appointed a time againe when thou wilt bridle them and wilt declare in deed how much thou louest thine Wherefore I beseech thee ô God by that thine infinite mercie that of thy great and most assured goodnes thou wilt heare me when I crie 14 Deliuer me I beseech thee from this deuouring pit least I be wholie swallowed vp deliuer me from mine enimies and from the floud of so manie miseries 15 Forbid I beseech thee least I be ouerwhelmed vtterlie by the abundance of waters least
this most deepe streame swallowe me least I being deuoured in this deepe pit no hope of deliuerance be left vnto me 16 Graunt ô Lord of thy great mercie that I may prooue that my praiers were heard of thee and seeing thy mercies are infinite declare them by hauing regard of me 17 Doe not withdrawe thy selfe I beseech thee from thy seruant oppressed with so manie miseries but hasten ô Lord rather to heare me and to deliuer mee 18 Come vnto this my most miserable soule that thou maist deliuer it calling for thy helpe and redeeme me frō this multitude of most cruel enimies 19 Thou knowest more than al men with what and how false crimes I am charged and with what iniuries and reproches I am vexed neither can anie of mine aduersaries escape my sight 20 Ah! how sore doe these things vexe trouble and torment me especiallie seeing I haue so long waited but in vaine that some man should stand vp which should be moued with so many iniuries offered vnto me yet can there be found no-where anie man which would comfort me most miserable man with one word 21 Yea moreouer they labour to increase my miseries so much as lieth in them feeding mee with most bitter gal and they haue giuen me vineger to drinke they are so farre from comforting of me most miserable man 22 But cause thou againe that al thy benefits may turne to their destruction that they may be snared like beasts which are deceiued by the baits of meat set before them and let them find death there where they gaped for mirth and ioie 23 Take from them al the light of reason and vnderstanding and cut as it were al their sinewes that they may neither thinke nor perfourme anie thing that is good 24 Powre forth vpon them thine indignation and in the heate of thine anger correct them with iust punishment 25 Destroie their faire houses to the ground and waste al their dominion vtterlie 26 For they are so farre from hauing anie compassion on him whome it hath pleased thee to afflict so seuerelie that they haue also tormented him more greeuouslie and they haue laid new strokes one after another vpon him that thou haddest so greeuouslie wounded 27 Withdrawe therefore al thy helpe againe from them that they may heape wickednes vpon wickednes neither giue them at anie time the spirit of repentance to receiue them into thy fauour 28 And although that they insomuch as they are borne of those holie fathers may seeme to be counted amongest the number of thine to whome thou hast appointed the gift of the true life yet rase thou out their names foorth of thy booke neither count them amongst the iust 29 Let this then be the lot of those most wicked men but I ô God now being most miserable at the length shal be deliuered of thee and shal be exalted againe 30 Wherefore I wil then sing of thy name then wil I set foorth thy praises with great maiestie 31 And this I knowe wel shal be more pleasant vnto the Lord than the most great offering hauing hornes and hoofes 32 And al that are likewise vexed being comforted by mine example shal reioice and flieng vnto God by mine example shal be restored vnto life 33 For the Lord shal they saie wil heare the needie and doth not despise them who are bound in the chaines of miseries for his cause 34 Go to therefore let the verie heauens and also the huge lumpe of the earth the verie seas what things soeuer creepe in the waters let them set foorth the praises of the Lord. 35 For God wil preserue his Sion and wil build vp his cities appointed vnto Iuda and wil there assigne euerlasting habitation for his people 36 For the fathers shal sit ouer this heritage vnto their posteritie and this shal be the euerlasting possession of the seruants of God namelie of those that seeke his glorie carefullie PSALME LXX The Argument This Psalme doth conteine a praier which it is like that Dauid vsed in his banishment most commonlie and hath prescribed it vnto the Church afterward as a forme of dailie praier seeing that there neuer wanteth such enimies vnto the Church or at the least to manie of the members thereof as are here described THE PARAPHRASIS 1 COme speedilie ô God to deliuer me make haste to helpe me ô Lord. 2 Put them to shame that seeke my death command them to turne backe and to be couered with shame which desire nothing more than to see me destroied 3 Let them turne home with shame for a recompence being disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted against me as though I had bene vtterlie vndone 4 And graunt thou of the contrarie that not I alone but al they also that haue a desire to worship thee and wait for an end of my miseries may be ioiful and reioice and that they may giue solemne and euerlasting thanks and praises vnto thee who hast deliuered me 5 In the meane season I stand here poore miser destitute of al succour make haste therfore ô God to helpe me For I depend vpon thy helpe alone ô God my deliuerer ô Lord I beseech thee delaie no longer PSALME LXXI The Argument This Psalme though it be without title in the Hebrue yet doth it seeme to be made by Dauid and written at that time when he now being aged was with so sudden and so great rage driuen from his roial seate and chased euen beyond Jordan chieflie by the treason of Achitophel and of his sonne whome he so deerelie loued And it is ful of most greeuous and iust complaints and it doth also set foorth an example of excellent constancie and of an inuincible faith And seeing the good seruants of God can looke for none other condition or state it is profitable oft to meditate this Psalme both least they should fondlie promise vnto themselues after they had ouercome manie troubles that their old age should be quiet and also least they should despaire when they shal be likewise vexed not onlie of strangers but also of them whome they haue cherished in their owne bosom but that they go forward in their vocation whilest they atteine the garland following the example of Dauid and other Prophets and of the Apostles as also of verie manie other faithful Bishops THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Flie vnto thee alone ô Lord suffer me not to be ouerwhelmed with shame for euer 2 Deliuer me rather from this calamitie as I haue had experience that thou art iust and mindful of thy promises heare me and deliuer me 3 Be thou vnto me also in the steede of a most strong tower into the which I may alwaies flie For seeing thou hast once already receiued me into thy defence where else shal I rather seeke for succour 4 Therefore my God graunt that I fal not into the hands of this most wicked and most craftie enimie which rusheth vpon me with so great rage 5 For I depend wholie
they desire 8 They speake openlie of oppressing others being of dissolute life and despise others looking downe as it were from the top of heauen and they terrifie al men with their proud speach 9 And also they set themselues against the heauen as though they would prescribe lawes to God himselfe and hold in subiection al things vpon the earth at their pleasure 10 Thus commeth it to passe that not a few of the verie people of God wearied by their long miseries do ioine themselues vnto them 11 For how saie they can we thinke that God knoweth these things or that there is anie God that careth for mans busines 12 Whereas we euen the people of God are assaulted with continual calamities and these wicked men abound so long with good things and their riches are increased more and more 13 Haue not I therefore endeuoured my selfe to godlines in vaine and kept my hands pure from al iniurie 14 Being alwaies miserable and seuerelie chastised euerie daie if I trespas in anie points 15 But contrariwise how can I so thinke or speake but I must sinne most greeuouslie for if the matter went so what should become of the sonnes of God yea and how great iniurie should I do vnto thee their most merciful Father and vnto them borne of thy spirit and preserued by thee so manie ages 16 Therefore I thought againe that I must more diligentlie consider the whole matter howbeit I could not rid my selfe of these most troublesome cogitations 17 Whilest that I entred into thy house the house of most holie and most true wisedome and did learne of thee what is the end of this so great prosperitie of the wicked 18 For there I learned that they whose condition I thought to haue bin the best were so far from standing in that most slipperie place that they were alwaies by sliding steps readie to fal not onlie because al these things are vanishing and transitorie which thing euen the prophane men taught by verie experience do confesse but as we are taught in thy schole onelie because they abusing thy benefites are cast downe headlong by thee into that deepe pit 19 Neither doest thou defer alwaies thy iudgements vnto that time so far out of our sight For how manie do we behold brought into extreame and vnrecouerable miseries in a moment from that top of shadowed felicitie how manie saie I do we see suddenlie taken awaie being horriblie cast downe with sudden terrors 20 Wherfore their state is like a dreame that vanisheth when a man awaketh For thus ô Lord doest thou shake off al imaginations as things most vaine and doest also waken their vaine securitie 21 Wherefore did I then so sore boile and was inwardlie pricked 22 Surelie I was mad and I was not a man but a beast without vnderstanding and reason when I thus doted and willinglie wearied my selfe 23 But I knowe that it is come to passe by thy singular benefit that I alwaies notwithstanding stood of thy side euen because it pleased thee to reach me out thy right hand who else should haue fallen 24 And thus no doubt thou wilt direct me in thy wisedome whilest by thy gift I may obteine a glorious victorie by ouercomming my selfe 25 Farewel earth oh that it were so and that I were now in heauen with thee ô God! For what is there in the earth that should retaine me neuer so little space 26 I haue experience how carnal and fleshlie and how vaine al things are that mortal men do thinke of themselues Thou therefore ô God be vnto me a true and sound wisedome wherein I may onlie and wholie rest 27 For howsoeuer al things are tossed vp and downe whosoeuer depart from thee shal perish and whosoeuer do forsake thee that is to saie whosoeuer do trust in anie other but in thee are destroied by thee 28 Therefore I do thus determine with my selfe neither wil I suffer my selfe at anie time to bee drawne from this iudgement that then shal al things go wel with me when I shal not depart one foote from God which waie soeuer he leadeth me ô Lord God al my hope is set vpon thee alone and I wil bestowe al my life in praising thy great workes PSALME LXXIIII The Argument Where this Psalme doth manifestlie speake of the subuersion of the temple either that same Asaph is to be supposed to haue spoken of it before by the spirit of prophesie and to haue indited this praier for the captiues that should be so long after carried into Chaldëa or else this Psalme must be referred to some other of his posteritie And it conteineth most feruent praiers against the spoilers of the Church whereof we haue too manie at this daie which do not onelie as foraine enimies most cruellie fight against it but also within the bowels and bosome thereof do vexe and torment it But the Prophet doth set before God first of al that euerlasting couenant which is in deede the staie and foundation of al our praiers then doth he touch the crueltie of the enimies and their wicked words and the greatnes of the present calamities and chiefelie the ceassing of the prophesie He doth also rehearse the benefites bestowed vppon the people of old and beseecheth him to continue his accustomed goodnes bringing in manifold examples of his power to proue that he can do what he wil. Finallie which is the greatest argument of al he doth testifie that the matter doth not stand so much for the deliuerance of the people as for the glorie and maiestie of God to be mainteined against the wicked enimies al the which things how they do agree to our times it is most euident euerie daie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SHal we suppose ô God that thou hast vtterlie cast vs off and that thy wrath is kindled against thine owne flocke without anie hope of reconciliation 2 Naie rather remember that multitude which thou hast redeemed and purchased to thy selfe so manie yeares ago and be mindful of that heritage which thou hast measured out vnto thy selfe namelie of this mount Sion in the which thou hast built an house for thy selfe 3 Come forth speedilie and cast these men downe headlong that they neuer rise vp againe euen as these thine enimies haue left nothing safe in thy sanctuarie 4 For they openlie professing themselues to be thine enimies roaring against this thine owne house haue brought in their banners euen their prophane ensignes 5 And loe a man may behold them like the wood fellers in the woods so hewing with their axes and cutting downe that thine excellent building built and set vp with so great cunning 6 And they were so farre off from spareing the vawtes and most fine carued workes that they brake them downe most violentlie with axes and with maules 7 And what more they haue also burnt vp with fire that thy secret sanctuarie most ful of maiestie and most holie least anie part of thy house should remaine vndestroied 8 Finallie
die how oft haue I bene striken with terrours sent by thee euen from my very youth how oft haue I stood amazed 16 Thy most bitter wrath hath ouerwhelmed me thy terrours haue shut me in on euerie side 17 A floud of waters as it were ouerflowing al and compassing me round about doe close me in 18 Thou hast remoued al my friends and companions farre from me that I see nothing anie-where but meere darknes PSALME LXXXIX The Argument Ethan the Esrait as also Heman were named by their countrie as J iudge vnto the which Ethan this excellent Psalme is intituled It is the same whose genealogie 〈◊〉 deriued from Merari 1. Chron. 6 44. a man of singular wisedome 1. King 4.31 And I do agree with them that thinke that he did liue after Salomon and that he lamenteth in this Psalme both the falling awaie of the ten tribes from the house of Dauid and also that horrible inuasion and spoile of the land of Iuda and of the house of God and of the kings house which was made by Zesak king of Aegypt as it is declared 2. Chron. 12. Jt conteineth a most greeuous and pitiful lamentation in the which yet he is not discouraged but in the verie beginning ouercomming by faith he doth couragiouslie lift vp himselfe ouer infidelitie and though he seeme somtimes to languish and faint in the battel at the length yet like a conquerour he triumpheth he commeth foorth then as a valiant champion armed with faith and hope both twaine being grounded of most certaine and sure foundations euen of the vnmoueable stabilitie of the decrees of God first considered generallie that is in the adoption of the seede of Abraham then particularlie in the promise confirmed with Dauid And he bringeth foorth two most certaine testimonies thereof euen the innumerable benefits verse 1. and the verie frame of heauen verse 2. in the which he saith that God hath ingrauen the truth of his promise not so much for the stable substance of the heauens and also most certaine course but much more as I suppose because the Lord making a couenant with Abraham would haue the heauens which he commanded him to behold to be as a sacrament of his couenant But in the other part that is in the league made with Dauid of the eternitie of his kingdome he chieflie laboureth verse 4. and 5. and that worthilie because that the whole foundation of the faith of the saints resteth vpon this sonne of Dauid For if he be an eternal King the Church also which is the kingdome of heauen must of necessitie be eternal and euerlasting and therefore without al danger to perish The second foundation of this faith and hope is the infinite power of God whereof he bringeth also a double testimonie one that shâ—neth foorth in the gouernement of things both aboue and beneath the other declaring it selfe in the manifold deliuerances of the Church from the 6. verse to the 15. the third foundation of these twaine is the nature of God himselfe who must needes be both merciful towards his by the couenant of his gratious and free promise and a iust aduenger of their enimies the which place he doth amplifie with an excellent poëtical inuention borrowed of the thrones of kings verse 14 and 15. these things being set downe as though the battel were finished he singeth the triumph verse 16. and in the three next following But here contrariwise the enimie rebelleth who seemed to haue bene ouercome and verelie which is strange he vseth the same weapons wherewith chieflie he was ouercome For he granted the couenant made with Dauid yea euen so that he bringeth foorth the verie tables of the couenant and requireth euerie word of them to be pondered that he may gather thereby by present experience that that couenant is frustrate euen because it was violated and broken by the posteritie of Dauid and therefore that their hope is vaine which rested vpon the stabilitie thereof And this is the greatest battel of faith namelie whereas the promises are granted generalie and the controuersie is brought of the particular applicationâ— the assault of the enimie is conteined verse 20 c. vnto the 46. verse Finallie there followeth a most feruent praier in the which he rising vp who seemed to be ouerthrowne resting stil notwithstanding vpon those three things whereof we haue spoken he concludeth that it were a great absurditie and that it is farre from the wil of God reuealed that he should alwaie be angrie with his verse 47. then doth he lament the miseries of mankind which perisheth euen of his owne follie verse 48 49. and in the end he concludeth the Psalme with a most godlie triumph bringing in againe the league made with Dauid and declaring on the one side the greatnes of the present miserie and on the other side putting God in remembrance that it standeth not so much of the preseruation of the miserable as of the maintenance of his owne glorie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough we be afflicted on euerie side with so great calamities as we thinke can come to anie yet God forbid that I should expostulate with him naie rather I wil celebrate with continual songs how manie and how great his benefits are towards vs and I wil neuer cease to praise his euerlasting constancie in perfourming his promises 2 For although that thing be interrupted sometimes which he hath begun yet must we determine that that must alwaies remaine vnmooueable which he promising of his great mercie hath said shal continue taking the heauens themselues to witnesse 3 But the effect of this couenant doth depend altogether of that which I wil not let to declare by the voice of God himselfe Thus then he saith Behold I doe sweare that I wil perfourme this my couenant begun with your fathers vnto that same chosen man euen vnto Dauid this my seruant 4 That is to saie that a child shal spring out of him whome I wil endue with eternitie and that his kingdome shal be perpetual 5 And euen that stable frame of the heauens that endureth so manie ages doth declare that God wil bring to passe and worke that thing which passeth the condition of mankind and the state of al kingdomes but especiallie that companie of holie spirits which celebrate the truth of God 6 For who in those regions that are aboue vs may be compared with the Lord the maker and which of those most mightie spirits shal we saie to be like the Lord 7 For there is none of al these that stand about him which doe not feare at the sight of God and doth not confesse that he is to be reuerenced aboue al. 8 Oh Lord God the emperour of those heauenlie armies who can saie that he is equal to thee in power and thy truth is no lesse stable than thy power is mightie 9 And that thou wilt doe what thou art able for thine thou hast testified now of old when thou hast bridled the raging sea
Psalme doth belong to those times that were most miserable of al other in the which that captiuitie of the seuentie yeares was finished so that it seemeth vnto me to answere on the contrarie vnto that excellent praier which is conteined in the 9. Chapter of Daniel And there be foure parts thereof one from the 1. verse vnto the 11. doth describe a most lamentable mourning of the Church more like to a dead carcase than to a liuing bodie euen as it is resembled in Ezechiel Chapter 37. adioining so liuelie and apt similitudes that in my iudgement there is no writing treating of the same argument comparable with it The second part from the 12. verse vnto the 15. setteth forth the arguments of most sure comforts partlie drawne from the most constant nature of God himselfe partlie of the oracle vttered by the mouth of Iâ—remie and other Prophets concerning the restoring of the Citie The third part from the 16. verse vnto the 23. is the amplifieng of the second part in the which the â—r nâ—tâ—o honour of the second temple that is to saiâ— of the spiritual and eternal whereof that stonie tâ—mple was a figure that is euen of the Church to be spread with most great maiestie throgh the whole world vnder Christ the head is described by the spirit of prophesie Finâ—llie the fourth part from the 24. verse vnto the end of the Psalme the Church as a conquerour singeth a song of triumph THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare my praiers ô Lord and let nothing hinder that my cries come not euen vnto thee 2 Turne not thy face from me in such miserable times but rather giue eare and answere speedilie to me that crie 3 For behold my life is consumed as the smoke and I am withered and without al moisture al my strength being consumed like the stone vnder the fire 4 My heart is withered like the hearbe cut downe with the syth and loatheth al meate 5 My bones consumed with sorowe sticke hard vnto my flesh 6 I am like the Pellicane or the Bitter dumping in the desert like the Owle mourning in the wildernesse 7 I passe the nightes like a bird vnder the house eaues bereaued of her mate or spoiled of her yong ones taken foorth of the nest 8 For mine enimies lie in wait for me poore miser and with intollerable pride they abuse the example of my calamitie if they wish euil or curse anie 9 Wherefore I being cast downe vpon the earth can not tel whether I do eate bread or dust and I mixe my drinke with teares 10 For how can I do otherwaies thou beeing so sore displeased with me in that thou maist seeme therefore to haue exalted me that I should fal with so much sorer ruine 11 Wherefore to conclude al in few words I vanish awaie like a shadowe when the sunne setteth and wither like the haie 12 But thou ô Lord vpon whose power notwithstanding and promises I do rest continuest stil the same and thy memorie which thou hast appointed to be with vs must needes be eternal 13 Therefore seeing thou hast so long bin as it were an idle beholder of the miseries of Sion so manie yeares thou wilt arise I knowe wel and haue compassion vpon it when the appointed time shal come 14 Neither shalt thou want seruants which shal beare good affection towards the rammel thereof and haue pitie thereon when it is beaten into dust 15 Yea it is so far off that it should alwaies lie prostrate that contrariwise ô Lord the Gentiles which in the former ages were alienate from thee shal now feare thy name and al the kings of the world shal magnifie thy Maiestie 16 Because thou ô Lord whose worke this is onlie hast built Sion againe and hast shewed thy selfe there much more glorious than at anie time before 17 Not despising the praiers of thy most miserable people but rather hearing them in verie deede 18 For thou shalt do a worke worthie to be set forth in writing to euerlasting memorie and a new people created by thee shal sing forth thy praises 19 Because that from thy most high and holie throne euen from the heauens thou hast looked downe vpon the earth 20 To heare the mourning of the prisoners and to loose them forth of their bonds of whose life it was despaired 21 That in Sion againe thy name ô Lord that thy praise I saie in Ierusalem may be published manie nations and kingdomes running together to worship thee 22 Howbeit thou in the meane season I grant whilest this so great goodnes is waited for doest greeuouslie afflict vs and doest as it were cut off the thred of our life 23 But in this extreame distresse ô God I did flie vnto thee and I praied thee with plaine words that thou wouldest not take me awaie hastilie before that I had run the race of my life 24 And why should not I trust that it wil certainelie come to passe that thou hast promised vnto vs for thou art not like vs who are changed by time but thou abidest stable throughout al worlds 25 And the verie earth was most firmelie established by thee long ago when thou madest it and this mightie compas of heauen standeth vnshaken vnto this daie which was framed by thine onelie hands 26 But their stabilitie is nothing to that thine vnchangable firmitie for they also by little little do faile but thou endurest al one Al these things I saie how stable so euer they seeme are worne by little little as the garment is by long vse whilest that at the length they be changed by thee from the forme that we now see as a garment cast off 27 Yet thou art the selfe-same altogether subiect to no tearme of yeares and time 28 Therefore that thy kingdome which thou hast raised for thy selfe amongst thy people shal also be for euer and that posteritie of thy seruants with whome thou hast made an euerlasting couenant howsoeuer it be tossed with manie and most sharpe tempests yet it being staide by thy wil and vnchangeable power shal remaine for euer PSALME CIII The Argument Dauid did write this Psalme being rauished as it were out of himselfe into heauen in the which he stirreth vp not himselfe onlie but the verie heauenlie spirits also to sing praises vnto God taking the chiefe occasion of that great and vnspeakeable benefite of God which he bestowed on his Church by reuealing both the right waie of righteousnes and the free forgiuenes of sinnes not forgetting his most abundant liberalitie in giuing vs those things most bountifullie which belong to this present life which benefits he setteth forth with most excellent similitudes most sincete sentences adioining herevnto a most magnificent description of the diuine Maiestie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to my deare soule and mine inward bowels giue thankes vnto God with al your power 2 Praise the Lord my soule and declare thy selfe that thou art mindful of al his benefites
them whome they loued so greatlie before and they now laboured by subtiltie to circumuent them 26 Yet did he neuer forsake them but when their case seemed vtterlie desperate he sent Moses his seruant and Aaron whom he had chosen to succour them 27 And they as they were commanded of God when they were sent did worke those great signes and wonders in the land of Cham. 28 Wherefore the Lord did send darknes vpon the Aegyptians which came so soone as the Lord commanded 29 He turned their waters into bloud and killed their fishes in the verie waters 30 Swarmes of frogs came streightwaie foorth of the earth at his commandement and went into the verie chambers of their king 31 At the voice of his commandement swarmes of flies and lice came foorth in al the coasts of Aegypt 32 He rained downe stones from heauen and horrible flames of lightnings did run through al Aegypt 33 With these darts he beat downe their vines and figtrees and he did breake downe al the trees that were set in those borders 34 By his commandement grashoppers and caterpillers being stirred vp came foorth without number and deuoured euerie herbe and consumed al the fruits of the earth 35 Moreouer he did slaie their first borne that is euen the chiefe of al their families 36 Finallie when al this was done he brought foorth his people loden with gold and siluer al healthful and indued with strength 37 Aegypt was glad at their departure which before was greatlie afraid of them 38 He couered them as they went foorth in the daie time with a cloud against the heat of the sun and in the night least they should wander to and fro he went before them and lead them with the brightnes of a shining firie piller 39 They desired quailes which were giuen at their desire and they were satiate with bread sent downe from heauen 40 God brake the rocks for them whence water did flowe yea euen riuers did run foorth 41 And this did he euen mindful of those things which he the holie one in times past had couenanted with his seruant Abraham 42 Thus then he brought foorth his people to wit his elect glad and ioiful 43 Vnto whom he gaue those countries that were possessed of sundrie people hauing obteined with great ease whatsoeuer the inhabitants thereof had gotten with great trauel and paines 44 Namelie that they being placed there because that the former inhabitants had prophaned the land with filthie superstitions and vile lusts they should obserue the statutes and lawes giuen them of the Lord. Praise ye the Lord therefore PSALME CVI. The Argument J suppose that this Psalme euen as the 126. is to be referred vnto those times when they which were brought from Babylon with Zorobabel or else with Ezra and Nehemiah praied for the residue who notwithstanding were either detained by cowardise or were afraid by the difficultie of the iournie either staied there stil for other causes And the Prophet beginneth at a thankesgiuing for the returne granted vnto that people streight after he descendeth to a plaine confession of the sinnes of the whole nation euen from the deliuerance out of Aegypt expressing also the circumstances euen of the times and places and fullie answering vnto that which we reade in the 9. of Nehemiah where also is repeated oftentimes that which is here set downe in the 4. verse the which would God in this our most miserable age in the which we almost see the patience of the most merciful and mightie God as it were ouercome with such like stubbornnes would God I saie that manie had rather followe this example both publikelie and priuatelie than to be so readie to teare one another in peeces THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise yee the Lord and celebrate his name for he is of most excellent and euerlasting goodnes 2 Who is able to set foorth in words the wonderous works which he hath done for vs who is able sufficientlie to set foorth his praise 3 O blessed is that man who at al times and in what estate soeuer he is neuer declineth from vprightnes and iustice 4 But thou ô Lord be mindful of me of thine vnmeasurable mercie which thou hast alwaies shewed to thy people and regard me to make me partaker of thy saluation 5 That I being a witnes of thy bountie towards thine elect may ioie and reioice together with that thy people which thou hast chosen for thy peculiar heritage 6 We verelie I grant euen as our elders also haue erred haue sinned and haue done wickedlie 7 For to begin the matter from the first original those our fathers neither had anie regard of so manie miracles wrought in Aegypt neither were they mindful of the multitude of thy benefits for they did striue with thee at the red sea 8 Yet God ô the incredible goodnes that he might prouide for his owne glorie and testifie his owne power hath preserued them though most rebellious 9 For he rebuked the sea which incontinentlie dried vp and he led his by the surges of the waters euen as by the drie ground 10 So did they escape safe out of the enimies hands God deliuering them 11 But their oppressors being swallowed vp with the waters did perish so that not one of them remained aliue 12 And the Israëlites being ouercome by this fact began then verelie to beleeue in the Lord and did sing foorth his praises 13 But lo when this was scarse finished when they suddenlie forgetting al these things would not suffer themselues to be gouerned by the wil of God and his counsels 14 But with immoderate lust desired flesh in the wildernes and began to tempt and trie the power of the mightie God 15 Therefore he granted vnto them that thing which they so greedilie desired but to their great hurt for these delicates brought them leanenes and consumption 16 Yea and they went about through enuie to displace Moses himselfe and Aaron that holie priest of the Lord. 17 Therefore the earth gaped and swallowed vp Dathan and couered Abiram with the verie tabernacles 18 But the fire also beginning in the assemblie of the rebellious the flame did burne them vp together suddenlie 19 The same men made a calfe in the mount Horeb and worshipped when they had molten it 20 Changing that their honour and ornament euen the euerliuing God ô miserable men into a dead image of a bullocke that eateth haie 21 And casting awaie the memorie of God the sauiour which had shewed so manie wonders in Aegypt 22 Who had declared so manie miracles vnto them in the land of Cham and had done so horrible things at the red sea 23 Wherefore he was about to destroie them at once but that Moses deerlie beloued of him aboue other setting himselfe before God in the midst of the slaughter restrained his wrath that it should not be fierce to vtter destruction 24 What more when he was about to bring them into the countrie promised they not beleeuing
that put their trust in him 10 Thou chieflie the ofspring of Aaron which ought to go before others both in doctrine and example trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al that put their trust in him 11 Finallie how manie soeuer do professe to worship Iehouah trust you in the Lord who is the shield and defender of them that fixe their hope in him 12 The Lord doubt ye not careth for vs he wil blesse he wil blesse the posteritie of Israël he wil blesse the kindred of Aaron 13 The Lord is bountiful toward his true worshippers both toward the noble and also the most abiect 14 He wil heape you euen you I saie and your posteritie with new benefits more and more 15 For the Lord which hath made the heauen and the earth hath receiued you into his fauour 16 And he inhabiting those most high heauens from whence he ruleth al things hath granted the vse of the earth and of infinite good creatures wherewith he hath adorned it vnto men of his singular liberalitie 17 Euen for this purpose that they should publish his glorie in the earth the which thing verelie the dead can not perfourme vnto whome death it selfe taking awaie the vse of the tongue hath inioined silence 18 Deliuer vs therefore ô God that we may sing foorth thy glorie both now being aliue and for euer Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVI The Argument Whether we refer this Psalme vnto Dauid whom we certainlie knowe to haue bene maruellouslie deliuered oftentimes by the Lord from most present death and also froÌ„ most great anguish of mind or to anie other it conteineth an example of a singular thankesgiuing whereby we may vnderstand how far sometime the best and most vpright men vse to be cast downe and vnto whom in such case we must flie finallie how happie an end there shal be of al temptations so that we refraine our impatience by the bridle of faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AL my loue is in the Lord hearing the voice of my praier 2 And giuing attentiue eares vnto mee wherefore also I wil cal vpon him so long as I liue 3 Behold I was bound in the chaines of death the verie anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the sorrowes of my heart 4 Then I called vpon the name of the Lord I beseech thee ô Lord said I deliuer my most miserable soule 5 And what else should I say here than that which I streightwaies prooued in deed verelie that God is verie mild toward his and verie iust in perfourming his promises and that our God is most merciful 6 And that the Lord finallie doth defend those that walk plainlie vprightlie because he did help me so readilie when I was brought to extremitie 7 Go to therefore ô my seelie soule returne now vnto thy selfe and take rest seeing that so notable a change of thy state is wrought by the Lord. 8 For thou ô Lord hast deliuered my life from death thou hast staied the teares of mine eies thou hast established my feete that I did not fal 9 So that I may walke now safe and sound before thee among the liuing 10 For I beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my faith ministring voice and words to me being most sore oppressed with sorrowe 11 For I grant that I was so far cast downe that I knewe not whither to turne me and finding no staie anie-where did decline vnto this that I iudged with my selfe that both the very men and whatsoeuer they do is nothing 12 But ô Lord this most dangerous temptation being ouercome by thy power for how can that thing be vaine which is taken in hand by thine appointment or how can they be nothing with thee vpon whome thou hast bestowed thy grace what shal I giue againe vnto thee for al thy benefites which thou hast bestowed vpon me 13 Verelie I wil take in my hands the cup of thankful sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name ô Lord I wil testifie openlie that I knowledge this deliuerance to be of thee 14 And those things which I vowed vnto thee ô Lord when I was in danger wil I now paie in the presence of al the people 15 I acknowledge therefore and professe as the truth is that thou doest not despise those to whom thou hast once bin beneficial but louest them most deerelie and that thou wilt in no wise vnaduisedlie destroie them 16 Verelie therefore I am thy seruant thy seruant I saie euen thy bond seruant and therfore hast thou broken the bonds wherewith I was bound 17 And I againe as is meete doe render vnto thee this sacrifice of praise and cal vpon thy name 18 I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised before the whole assemblie of the people 19 And that in the courts of thy house ô Lord and in the middest of the citie Ierusalem Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVII The Argument The vocation of the Gentiles is prophesied in this most short but verie excellent Psalme as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 15 11. And also the summe of the Gospel is declared namelie the giuing of the grace and truth as Iohn doth expound it Iohn 1 17. and the end also namelie the worshipping of God in spirit and truth that we may knowe that the kingdome of Messiah is spiritual Finallie we are here taught what is the office of the subiects of this kingdome and what good things they ought to waite for THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye now the Lord ô al ye Gentiles casting awaie al your fained Gods and al ye people set forth his praise 2 For now at the length that his great mercie hath ouercome and is powred downe vpon vs and the truth of that eternal saluation promised of the Lord is now perfourmed Praise the Lord. PSALME CXVIII The Argument J do agree vnto them that attribute this excellent Psalme vnto Dauid and do suppose that it was written at the first beginning of his kingdome when the nations about him were readie to inuade him either in the feast of passeouer or in the feâ—st of the Tabernacles both that he might giue thanks to God after he had ouercome so manie difficulties and also that they which had so long resisted him might knowe that they resisted God and again that the whole people might so much the more willingly receiue the king that was giuen them froÌ„ heauen And it appeareth that Dauid so wrote these things of himselfe and of things that were past that they did chieflie appertaine to the Messias of whome he was a figure Esaie 8 14. and 28 16. Math. 21 42. Acts. 4 11. Rom. 9.33 Ephes 2 20. 1. Pet. 2 7. And Ierome witnesseth that this Psalme was thus expounded in the synagogues by the ancient Iewes the which thing is manifestlie confirmed by those ioiful acclamations of the people taken out of this Psalme when as they receiued him at his last entrance into the
citie whom soone after at the persuasion of the priestes and elders they refused with so great outrage And the same state that was then of the head must be now also of the members so that it is no maruel though the godlie professors of the truth be reiected as blasphemers and Heretikes euen of those which would be counted the chiefe builders of the Church and at length also to be deliuered vp to Pilates to be crucified but yet againe that corner stone can neuer be ouerthrowne nor yet the building that is lud vpon it can by anie force policie or subtiltie be destroied THE PARAPHRASIS 1 OH acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnes is for euer 2 Let Israël now confesse this thing for his bountious goodnes is for euer 3 Let the stocke of Aaron now confesse this that his louing kindnes is perpetual 4 Let al the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse this that his louing kindnes is perpetual 5 I doubtles being a notable example of his vnspeakable bountie haue not ceased as ye knowe to cal vpon him in my greatest extremitie and he as ye your selues see hauing heard me hath exalted me into this most large roome 6 Wherefore I hauing experience that the Lord worketh for me and that he is so neere at hand vnto me God forbid that I should feare the power or the threats of anie man 7 For the Lord himselfe is the chiefe leader of those that helpe me so that I can not doubt at al but that I shal see with these mine eies those enimies which remaine iustlie punished of him 8 Oh! how far better is it to trust in the Lord than in man 9 How far better is it to trust in the Lord than in anie men how excellent soeuer they be 10 Behold manie nations compasse me about but I calling vpon the Lord shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 11 They compasse me in I saie they beset mee round about but calling vpon the Lord I shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 12 Mine enimies in great multitudes compasse me like swarmes of bees but I shal forthwith stifle them as though they were cast into the fire and calling vpon the Lord I shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 13 For in deede before the most cruel enimie did so sore thrust at me that I seemed euen now readie to fal but as I was falling the Lord supported me 14 Therefore I account him mine onlie strength I knowledge him to be my sauiour and praise him in my song 15 Hereof come those voices of those that sing and reioice together with me out of their tabernacles Now doubtles the Lord hath aduanced the power of his most strong right hand 16 The Lord hath now exalted that his right hand Now the Lord hath shewed forth the power of his most strong right hand 17 Behold me then that am yet aliue and about to set forth the workes of God 18 For though he hath striken me verie sore yet hath he spared my life 19 I praie thee therefore let that gate now at the length be open vnto me which onlie the louers of righteousnes must go vnto that I being entred thither may praise the Lord. 20 For it is consecrate vnto the Lord therefore is it open to the iust alone 21 Here wil I praise thee ô Lord because thou giuing eare hast deliuered me 22 For the stone which the verie chiefe builden haue so stubbornlie as yet reiected as nothing fit is not onlie now counted in the building but euen as a principal it vpholdeth the whole weight of the verie building 23 Verelie it is a worke of God in deede which maketh al the beholders thereof to be amazed 24 Go to them seeing the Lord hath commanded this most ioiful daie to shine vnto vs let vs passe it wholie in mirth becomming Saints 25 I beseech thee ô Lord preserue the King that is giuen vs from heauen I praie thee I saie I praie thee ô LORD giue the King al prosperitie 26 Let him haue prosperitie and blisse that commeth to gouerne vs in the name and commandement of GOD we wish prosperitie to you also that are the neerer inhabitants of the house of the Lord. 27 Iehouah is the onelie God who shineth vnto vs bind ye the lambe with cords that is brought to the hornes of the altar 28 Thou art my God I wil praise thee thou art my God I wil sing thy praises most lowd 29 Confesse that the Lord is exceeding good for his bountious goodnes is euerlasting PSALME CXIX The Argument This is the principal end of this Psalme which the longer it is the more excellent it is and it is written with two and twentie Octonaries that is euerie part hauing eight verses whereof euerie one beginneth at one particular letter of the Hebrue alphabet that men might be entised to the careful studie of the heauenlie doctrine And the whole treatise is set foorth partlie generallie of absolute and certaine positions or sentences and partlie of special and more particular considerations the Prophet setting downe himselfe for example to them that he teacheth and mixing praiers complaintes comforts and thankesgiuings throughout the Psalme And the whole doctrine may be brought to these foure principal heads 1 That those things are signified by the name of the heauenlie doctrine which are reuealed of God himselfe and comprehended in the holie scriptures whether we vnderstand that part which commandeth that which wee ought to do and forbiddeth the contrarie the name of the Lawe beeing taken in a more streight signification or whether we vnderstand that other part wherein it is taught what wee must beleeue to saluation the which we call the Gospel 2 That this doctrine is declared from heauen not that wee should comprehend it in our vnderstanding onelie but that euerie one should folowe it with an earnest care without fainting as the rule of his whole life 3 That we may be both willing and able to embrace and folowe it wee must of necessitie praie for the spirit of God which may both driue awaie darkenes from our vnderstanding and amend our affections that are wholie corrupted 4 Though the world beeing terrified partlie with the feare of dangers partlie with the greatnes of calamities and partlie also deceiued with a fained shew of profit doth rather go some other waie yet they onelie do wiselie which sticke vnto that waie which is set downe in the word of God what difficulties so euer do offer themselues in this life so that at the last they shal haue the fruition of true and euerlasting life THE PARAPHRASIS Octonarie I. 1 O Blessed are they that are of an vpright and blamelesse life who walke after the rule of the doctrine prescribed by the Lord 2 Blessed are they I saie who do obserue that which he hath testified to please him who do seeke him sincerelie and carefullie 3 Doubtles they are not giuen to wickednes neither bend
worke yet is it of far lesse importance than the saluation of thy people in the frame of the heauen I meane that there is as it were ingrauen a sure stabilitie of that thing which thou hast once spoken Wherefore though the companie of the godlie be tossed with infinit tempests vpon the earth yet shal it be firme and stable the which thing thou hast opened by thy word to be determined by thee of the euerlasting rest thereof in the heauens 90 Surelie thy truth shal faile in no age for euen that bodie of the earth doth so remaine as it was established by thee vpon her foundations 91 And al these things doe so continue as they were ordeined and appointed by thee from the beginning obeieng thee doubtles as their Lord. 92 But if I had not learned these things of the doctrine that thou hast deliuered vnto vs whereof doubtles I did take a maruellous pleasure verelie I had perished alreadie being ouerwhelmed with calamities 93 Therefore be it far away from me that I should forget thy commandements at anie time vnto whome I confesse that I doe owe my life 94 Saue me therefore seeing I am thine and a diligent obseruer of thy statutes 95 For the wicked do labour for this with al their power that they may destroie me but I giue my selfe wholie to consider those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 96 For I see al the most absolute perfect works to come to an end onelie thy precepts are prolonged without measure and without anie end THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIII 97 O How do I loue thy doctrine surelie I consume whole daies in meditating of the same 98 And I doe find by experience that I haue not done this in vaine for I haue prooued to be much wiser by thy precepts than al mine aduersaries of how great dignitie or authoritie soeuer for I haue obteined a wisedome that wil neuer forsake me 99 Yea thou hast made me better learned than my verie teachers and maisters euen because I haue giuen my selfe wholie not to mans inuentions but to meditate those things onlie which thou hast giuen vnto vs for sound learning 100 Finalie I was more skilful than anie of the ancient euen because I was bent not onlie to knowe thy cōmandements but also to keepe them indeed 101 For I held backe my feete that I should not go the way that leadeth vnto euil but that I should alwaies rather hold the waie which thou hast taught vs by thy mouth 102 Neither did I turne from thy lawes but rested vpon thee my teacher and admonisher 103 And surelie I felt thy words more pleasant and sweet to my mouth than if I had tasted honie 104 Finallie thy precepts haue taught me true wisedome and therefore I abhor the other rules of the order of life as wicked and false THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIIII 105 WHerefore that thy word hath bene and shal be like a torch shining before me as I go and as a light shewing my path vnto me 106 For so haue I sworne euen by an oth that I would doe and that I would keepe thy most iust lawes the which thing I wil perfourme in deede 107 And thou againe ô Lord keepe me safe which am maruellouslie vexed as thy word promiseth 108 O Lord let the vowes and free promises of my mouth be accepted of thee and teach me thy lawes more and more 109 Behold my life is exposed to al casualties as though I did carrie it in my hand yet haue not I forgotten thy lawe 110 The wicked haue laid snares for me yet haue not I wandered from thy precepts 111 Those things that thou hast testified vnto vs are in the stead of an euerlasting inheritance that can neuer be alienate neither doe I take anie pleasure anie-where but of them onelie 112 Finalie I haue bound my whole hart for euer euen to my last gaspe to obserue thy statutes THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XV. 113 I Abhorre the wauering and wanderers to and fro in religion and I account thy doctrine most deere 114 Thou art my refuge where I may hide my selfe thou art my shield whilest I rest vpon those things that thou hast said vnto me 115 Hence from me ye wicked that I may keepe the precepts of my God so much more purelie 116 Vphold thou me ô Lord as thou hast promised to doe otherwise I perish and doe not shame me by making my hope frustrate 117 But rather strengthen thou me that I safelie escaping may applie my selfe continuallie to thy statutes with great ioie 118 For verelie thou doest tread vnder foote prostrate vpon the earth al them that go astraie from thy statutes and their craft doth vanish 119 Thou doest cast awaie I saie al the wicked whereof this world is ful like drosse therefore is nothing more pleasant vnto me than the testimonie of thy wil. 120 Yet doe I wholie tremble for feare of thee and for that thy seueritie against the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVI 121 LEt them shameleslie imagine what they lust I haue so behaued my selfe that no man can worthilie complaine of me that I haue committed anie thing against him contrarie to right and equitie doe not deliuer me therefore I beseech thee to the lust of the slanderers 122 But rather laieng a pawne for my sake regard that I be not oppressed by these proud men 123 For my verie eies do faile me waiting for the deliuerance alreadie promised vnto me and for the perfourmance of thy most iust word 124 Neither when I desire this doe I desire anie thing that I haue deserued but this one thing rather that thou wouldest haue mercie vpon me thy poore seruant and teach me thy statutes 125 Go to I beseech thee seeing I am thy bond-seruant grant this vnto me that I may vnderstand and embrace those things that thou hast testified vnto vs so as it is conuenient 126 For the time it selfe requireth ô Lord that thou laie thy hand to the worke seeing that these men haue vtterlie ouerthrowne thy doctrine 127 But contrariwise thy precepts are more pretious vnto me than anie gold how much soeuer 128 For I doe affirme that al thy commandements are a most certaine rule of equitie and I abhor as a thing appointed to deceiue vs whatsoeuer leadeth vs from them THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVII 129 OH the maruellous things that are comprehended in those words that thou testifiest vnto vs so that I haue most iustlie giuen my selfe wholie to consider them most attentiuelie 130 For vnto them that enter within the threshold onelie to heare thee a certaine vnspeakeable light doth offer it selfe to be seene not so much dazeling the minds with glittering as lightening them with a ioiful brightnes and instructing them that knowledge their owne ignorance with true wisedome 131 Wherefore I haue greedilie swallowed thy precepts as thirstie men vse desiring them most earnestlie 132 Looke vpon me therefore and haue compassion on me that pant for breath
slumber much lesse wil he be so deepe in sleepe that he wil suffer you to be oppressed 5 Therefore let this be as a thing certainelie determined vnto thee and be thou confirmed with this onelie hope in al distresse that the Lord is thy keeper that the Lord is a shadowe for thee against al stormes and that he is present by thee and wil neuer faile thee 6 And as he was present of old when thou returnedst out of Aegypt so now also that he wil be present with thee against the heate of the sunne in the daie time and against the noisome humours which the moone vseth to raise in the night time 7 Finallie the Lord wil preserue thee safe against al discommodities he I saie wil defend thy life 8 And to conclude which waie so euer thou shalt go he wil be with thee when thou goest forth into one place and wil be with thee when thou goest into another place neither in this iournie onlie but for euer he wil guide and gouerne thee PSALME CXXII The Argument The people of God are brought in in this Psalme reioising one with another for the reedifieng of the citie which either was streightwaies to be begunne or else alreadie begun and therevnto drawing this Psalme written by Dauid aforetimes when as that citie which should be both the sanctuarie of God and also the head of the kingdome was first builded And verelie this was the double dignitie of that citie so yet that the sanctuarie was manifestlie preferred before the ciuil policie seeing this was a benefite generallie common vnto the Church of God euen with manie prophane people but the other was a proper and peculiar blessing vnto the Church Onelie would to God that the cities and states to whome that is giuen from God aboue in our memorie would acknowledge and carefullie keepe both these giftes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Happie and ioiful tidings the house of the Lord shal be sanctified into the which we shal go 2 We wil go to visit thee and wil stand in thy porches ô Ierusalem 3 Neither shalt thou now seeme like a village dispearsed thy houses being scattered here and there but built vp with houses ioined one to another like a citie 4 But especiallie that that people which is holie vnto God might assemble together by tribes after the manner appointed of God to celebrate the name of the God of Israël 5 Furthermore because that the tribunal seates I meane the tribunal seates are there placed of God for Dauid and his posteritie to minister iustice to euerie one 6 Wherefore seeing the safetie of the whole people seemeth to consist in the preseruation of this citie go to let vs praie for Ierusalem and for the safetie and welfare of al them that loue and fauour it 7 Be thou at peace within and without and filled with al maner of good things on euerie side round about thy towers 8 Neither do I powre foorth these praiers for thy safetie without cause seeing the preseruation of al the families of our nation is set in thee 9 Finallie seeing the Lord our God hath set his house in thee that his pure worship might be exercised there I wil labour to preserue and to amplifie thee with as great care as is possible PSALME CXXIII The Argument The weake people of God is brought in in this Psalme praieng most earnestlie vnto the most mightie and merciful God against the infinite iniuries of the mightie gouernours of the countries about them the which historie is abundantlie written in Ezra Nehemiah and would God that the Church would vse the same counsel and remedie in these our times most like vnto theirs THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough al things are contrarie vnto me in the earth yet wil I not despaire but I do lift vp the eies both of my minde and bodie vnto thee that sittest in the heauens 2 For vnto whome should the seruants rather flee than vnto the helpe of their maisters and to whome should the handmaidens rather turne to desire aide than at the hand of their mistresse euen so do we cast our eies and looke vnto the Lord our God and wil not cease before he haue compassion vpon vs. 3 Go to yet ô Lord haue mercie I saie haue mercie vpon vs for trulie nothing can be imagined more contemptible than we 4 And wee are filled inough and more than inough with the scoffes and reproches of these mightie men that are most proud PSALME CXXIIII The Argument Like as in the former Psalme the people as it were fainting vnder the burthen did lament sigh euen so now they are brought in reioising giuing God thankes being erected in faith both for that they had receiued a more comfortable message from the kings of the Persians and also that they had escaped the conspiracies of their enimies by the praiâ—rs wisedome and fortitude of Ezra Nehemiah we haue sâ—ne manie such like examples of the goodnes of God in this our age how miserable soeuer our posteritie doubtles in their time shal see the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LEt Israël now confesse and franklie publish that without the Lord who was present with vs that were destitute of al mans aide 2 Without the Lord who was present with vs that else were vtterlie lost when men rose vp so speedilie against vs 3 Doubtles they had swalowed vs vp quicke their rage was so furiouslie kindled against vs 4 I saie they had alreadie ouerthrowne vs like most violent waters and would as it were haue caried vs quite awaie beeing ouerwhelmed with the vehement force of a swift streame 5 The most tempestuous stormes would euen then haue couered vs that were cast downe 6 Praised be the Lord that hath forbidden letted that these sauage and cruel beastes taking vs in their pawes and tearing vs with their most fierce teeth do not deuoure vs. 7 Verelie our life is saued like a bird that is deliuered from the net of these foulers trulie their snares are broken and we are deliuered 8 And we must attribute this whole benefit to the bountie of the Lord alone who is the maker both of heauen and earth PSALME CXXV The Argument The citie being now at the length repaired and the policie againe established the people againe is taught vpon what foundation they ought to rest hereafter by an argument drawne of the situation of the citie which was a figure both of the power of God and of his fauour alreadie declared which would moue him that he should mitigate euen his seueritie with most moderate correction But this is added that this thing belongeth to them onlie which testifie their religion in deede whereas al other shal suffer iust punishment none other waies than the heathen Gentiles although they did dwel in the middest of the citie of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AS vnmoueable as we behold the verie hil of Sion to stand through his great and heauie masse so certaine do assure
make stir against him PSALME CXXVIII The Argument This Psalme pertaining to the same purpose with the former euen that the people of God being againe restored should vnderstand and haue set foorth as in certaine tables what was their dutie is wholie oeconomical that is for priuate families and it doth teach two chiefe and principal precepts of the right gouernement of the familie to wit the feare of God openlie testified and diligent labour of the bodie of the which twaine the one part doth bind al the godlie without exception but this later part is so to be taken not as though bodilie labour were commanded to euerie one but that we may knowe that idlenes and slouthfulnes is forbidden vnto al not that euerie one hath strength of bodie or wit particularlie attributed vnto him whereby he may get his liuing or may vse the thing rightlie that is alreadie gotten But this also is to be obserued that al men are here spoken vnto as though they were maried because this is the ordinarie vocation from the which how vnlawful it is for a man vnaduisedlie to depart much lesse to saie that the deuelish vowes are anie where approued of sole life either in the scriptures or in the example of anie the miserable condition of them doth declare which haue transformed the world into a Sodome and Gomorrha or euen into some worse thing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis is the right waie to leade a blessed life that a man knowe the true worship of God liue accordinglie 2 For whosoeuer thou art that dost thus although thou be in so poore estate that thou must liue vpon thy handie labour euerie daie yet God wil bring to passe that thou shalt haue a competent liuing therby and he wil grant vnto thee that thou shalt so liue wel and happilie 3 Yea he wil cause thy generation to spread also for thy wife shal be like a fruitful vine in thy house euen bringing foorth most pleasant fruit vnto thee whome thou shalt see placed in order at thy table like oliue branches 4 Behold therefore thus wil the Lord blesse al them that feare him 5 The Lord I saie wil blesse thee from the tower of Sion whosoeuer doest thus behaue thy selfe and he wil bring to passe that thou shalt see Ierusalem flourishing so long as thou doest liue 6 And thou shalt then behold both thine ofspring to be spread abroad at home and also publikelie Israël to enioie great peace and tranquillitie PSALME CXXIX The Argument The people of God being restored after so manie calamities giueth thanks vnto God for so great benefits as the onlie authour of them and promising themselues the same in time to come doth contrariwise foreshew that a certaine destruction doth hang ouer their enimies THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let Israël now say by iust cause These haue vexed me oftentimes from my verie youth 2 They haue vexed me oftentimes from my youth yet could they not ouercome me as it is plaine by experience 3 For they verelie I grant haue wounded me as it were plowing ouer me and drawing long furrowes on euerie side 4 But that most true and iust aduenger of his euen the Lord hath cut in sunder at the length al the bands of the wicked 5 Thus certainlie al the enimies of Sion being filled with shame shal turne their backs their enterprises being frustrate 6 And they shal be proud in shew and flourishing for a little time but they shal be like the herbe that groweth on the top of the houses which withereth before it come to the highest 7 The which neither anie man doth sheare by handful neither doth he laie it in order by handfuls which heapeth vp the haruest 8 Neither for the cause thereof shal the passengers at anie time crie vnto the reapers The Lord blesse you from heauen with most plentiful haruest and by the power of the Lord let your labours haue good successe PSALME CXXX The Argument The people of God being careful to retaine the possession of their countrie and citie restored yet trusting to the promises of God and his mercie whereof they had experience doe comfort themselues in this Psalme which was counted aforetime amongest the penitentials that is amongest those Psalmes which they vsed to sing when the penitent persons were publikelie reconciled vnto the assemblie of the Church the which afterward the Romanists applied foolishlie to the praiers for the dead by no more probable pretence as I thinke than because it is said in the beginning De profundis clamaui that is Out of the depth haue I called so great was the power of the spirit of errour manie yeeres THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I crie vnto thee from the deepe bottome of my heart and from the deepe gulfe wherein I am plunged 2 Heare me ô Lord that cal vpon thee and giue eare to my lowd sounding praiers 3 I grant ô God that I haue deserued al extreme punishment for what can I else saie but if thou ô Lord do marke our sinnes who is able at anie time to abide thy most iust wrath 4 But the matter standeth far otherwise for else could there be no worship of thee anie-where amongst men therefore doth thy mercie ouercome the sinnes of men For thou hast found out and deliuered vnto vs the meanes of attaining thy fauor that thou maist be acknowledged and reuerenced amongst men 5 Wherefore though I be most wicked yet wait I for the helpe of the Lord I wait assuredlie for the helpe of the Lord I saie for he hath testified by his word that he wil helpe me wherevnto I trust vndoubtedlie 6 Therefore there is no night watcher no man I saie that watcheth in the night that loketh for the dawning of the daie more desirouslie or more assuredlie than I doe looke for the comming of the Lord to helpe me 7 Go to then ô Israël wait vpon the Lord with assured hope vpon the Lord I saie most merciful and whom thou hast experienced so oft to be thy deliuerer and aduenger 8 This is he doubtles who wil deliuer Israël now also and forgiue him al his sinnes at once PSALME CXXXI The Argument This Psalme compared with the historie of Dauid wherevnto it is applied in the Hebrue title doth set foorthe plaine example of true modestie which they commonlie cal humilitie euen of that man which fearing God and despising no man doth remaine within the bounds of his calling and afterward this same Psalme is appointed to the people being returned that like as in the formeâ— Psalme they were admonished that they should not be discouraged in aduersitie so contrarâ—wise they shoâ—â—d take heed vnto themselues least they should waxe prâ—â—d in prosperitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Take thee to witnes ô Lord against the flanders of al men that I neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor thâ—â— I am now proud being promoted by thee therevnto nor that I haue bent mine eies to high
Christian faith as the Apostle doth testifie and interprete it Rom. 4.6 that is to saie that al our blessednes doth consist in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes For al other religions do deceiue men in this point chiefelie that they teach them to seeke saluation at their owne righteousnes which can no where be found But in the Gospel onlie Christ that our onlie mediator is declared vnto vs to be made righteousnes of God his Father The Prophet doth also teach in thâ—â— Psalme that this doctrine doth not bring in a foolish and careles securitie as the Papistes do falselie slaunder it as though the free imputation of the iustice of Christ should abolish the care and endeuour to do good workes For he contrariwise doth declare that the spirit of regeneration is alwaies annexed with the gift of righteousnes by imputation which is receiued by faith which doth kindle in the hearts of them that are iustified an earnest loathing of sinne hope true obedience and other vertues Whereof this followeth that the conscience being pacified doth enioie a true and perpetual ioie what stormes soeuer do arise Therfore this Psalme doth differ from the first because it sheweth the chiefe effectes whereby a man may be knowne to be blessed but thâ—â— doth declare the cause of that blessednes and also of the effects and by this consideration may Paule and Iames be reconciled THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BLessed is that man verilie whome being oppressed with the burthen of his sinne the Lord doth raise vp and whose offences are couered by Gods mercie 2 That man I saie verilie is blessed to whome the Lord doth not impute that which he hath done amisse and whose heart is free from falshood and hypocrisie 3 I do speake by experience for by dulling mine owne conscience and deceiuing my selfe at the length I came to this point that I did fal downe consuming whole daies in mourning in vaine and al my strength was wasted 4 For the weight of thy hand did oppresse me day and night more and more so that I being as it were burnt vp with the heate of the Sunne did lie parched and as it were without life 5 At the length therefore ô Lord I fullie determined with my selfe to confesse my selfe willinglie and plainlie guiltie before thee and to declare my sinnes and disclose al my wickednes without anie dissimulation the which thing so soone as I had done thou hast forgiuen me al mine offence 6 So must al they do whome thou receiuest to thy fauour euen to aske forgiuenes of thee taking the oportunitie of time when thou maiest be found for so shal it be that the flouds of great waters although they rage yet shal they neuer come neare them 7 Thou therefore art my refuge vnder the which I being hid do feare none euil that I being safe vnder thy defence may praise thee my Sauiour 8 Come hither therefore whosoeuer desirest to be blessed I wil teach thee what waie thou oughtest to walke and I wil direct thee faithfullie and neuer remoue mine eie from thee 9 Take heede ye be not like horses and mules beastes without reason striking with the heeles whose mouthes your selues do vse to bridle with bittes and snaffles least they rage against you 10 So are they in danger of infinite punishments whosoeuer go on in their sinnes contrariwise al they that turne to the Lord are compassed about with his goodnes on euerie side 11 Wherefore be glad and reioice in the Lord al ye righteous al ye I saie that loue righteousnes sing forth his praises PSALME XXXIII The Argument Nothing can be spoken more notablie than this Psalme wherein we are admonished to consecrate our whole life to the singing and setting forth the praises of God the which thing if men were persuaded to doe nothing were more happie vpon earth than mans life as by the contempt of the which doctrine it commeth to passe that nothing is more miserable than it But chieflie the order of this Psalme is maruelous for first it teacheth that sacrifices of praiers are not acceptable vnto God except the puritie of the heart do go before the word of the mouth to the which end also the lawes of outward purifiengs tended it addeth afterward that God is to be praised not for fashion sake but seriouslie and earnestlie then it bringeth most weightie reasons as wherwith almost the verie stones ought to be moued much lesse that men for whose sakes al this whole world was made should not do their dutie Wherefore it setteth forth in the beginning the wonderful wisedome and gratious goodnes of God which appeareth three manner of waies in the workemanship of the world namelie both in the creation thereof and also in the order of euerie part thereof and lastlie in such a maruelous gouerning of it so that al creatures especiallie man that is endued with reason and vnderstanding ought almost to tremble when he considereth these things Furthermore it goeth to a peculiar consideration of the prouidence and bountie of God in the presâ—ruation of mankind For although troublesome men do infinite waies seeke to destroie and ouerthrowe themselues yet God continueth to defend them hindering and bringing to naught the endeuours and practises of those that are seditious And the prophet doth ioine also some sentences against the madnes of those men which sticke in secondarie causes and against the doting follie of others who dreame that al things are carried about by fortune to the which things they binde the prouidence and mightie power of God But the third place is especialie to be noted wherein he speaketh of that peculiar loue wherewith he doth most mightilie pres rue through his mercie his Church most desperatelie assaulted by mightie and most cruel enimies against al calamities that do inuade them and againe he expresseth in few words which is the true Church that God wil neuer forsake that is to saie euen the assemblie of those which worship him truelie and boast of no merites of their owne but possessing their owne soules in hope and silence do looke to his mercie alone THE PARAPHRASIS 1 YOV that loue righteousnes magnifie the Lord for it is meete that he be praised altogither of them that loue iustice and goodnes 2 Praise ye the Lord therefore and sing vnto him with al kind of instruments 3 Sing hymnes I saie and psalmes one after another and testifie your ioie with most cheareful and lowd voices 4 For this most beautiful order of the whole world made and appointed by his word and ordinance whereof euerie part doth manifestlie testifie how great both his power and constancie is doth require the same of you 5 Againe I beseech you consider what iust and due order and moderation is manifestlie to be seene in his gouernement of the world so that the whole earth is ful and doth abound with his goodnes and bountie 6 Furthermore that al these things began to appeare and haue their being of nothing