prepare arrowes for the persecutors i. those that with him doe persecute me ver 14. Behold q.d. notwithstanding all this he shall trauaile with wickednesse but yet he shal not be able to bring forth i. to worke that which he hath deuised for he hath conceaued vz. in his vnderstanding mischiefe vz. agaynst me but he shall bring forth a lie i. such a thing as shal deceaue him of his expectation and hope which he doth more particulerly and plainly declare in the next verse Ver. 15. by which and the 16. he noteth that all the mischiefes that the vngodly deuised agaynst the good and all the daungers that they thought to take the godly in shal light vpon themselues and they themselues be taken therewith ver 17. hath this meaning q.d. Propheta When I shall sée Gods iudgements vpon the wicked and his mercy in deliuering me I wil prayse him according to his righteousnesse he meaneth not so much as Gods righteousnesse i. his faythfull kéeping and performing of promises deserueth but rather noteth the cause that God hath giuen to prayse him for and by name in this verse he meaneth the excellent power maiestie of God which then appeareth when he ouerthroweth his enemies and deliuereth his owne ver 1. Trust and confidence in God Do. is alwaies necessary in them that pray to him also we learne to pray for deliuerance from our persecutours ver 2. describeth the cruel and subtill nature of the wicked ver 3. Sheweth that many of Gods children may stand vpō their innocencie to menward though not before God ver 4. Teacheth that we should ouercome euil with wel doing ver 6. Sheweth that we may sometimes pray against some enemies of the Church it teacheth this also to make Gods promises general or particular the ground of our prayers ver 8 Teacheth that when men wil not iudge rightly we may by prayer defer our causes to him that hath no respect of persons ver 9. that we shoulde pray for the direction and prosperitie of Gods people also that nothing no not the secret thoughts of our hearts can be hid from God ver 10. Teacheth two things 1. that we ought to hang vppon God 2. the fauour and loue hée beareth towards thē that sincerely feare him ver 11. Sheweth that God wil not the death of sinners in that he vseth so many meanes to bring them to amendmend ver 12. 13. Declare what mischieuous mindes the wicked carry towarde the godly and what meanes they wil worke to accomplish their naughtines ver 14.15.16 Shew the god shal ouerthrow al their purposes and practises so that good cause we haue to hang vpon him and litle cause to feare the other seeing that their deuises passe into smoke ver 17. Teacheth vs to thanke God either for the destruction of the wicked or the deliuerance of the good Psalme 8 Di. THis Psalme hath principally two partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the excellent power and prouidence of almightie God may appeare in many his creatures as namely in the heauens and the things therin contained and this is comprehended in the three first verses But specially it is to be seene in man whose excellency in respect of his first creation the Prophet doth wonderfully extol From ver 4. to the end of the Psalme And this is the second part thereof The title of this Psalm hath bene expounded before al sauing this word Gittith which I take to be instruments the custody whereof was committed to Obed Edom the Gittith and to his familie or kinred that came of him of whom you may read 2. Samuel 6.10.11 ver 1. name put for power maiestie as Psal 7.17 q.d. O Lorde howe great doth the whole earth shew thy power to be which hast set thy glory aboue the heauens q.d. not onely the earth but the heauens also declare thy glory as Psal 19.1 Yea he meaneth further by these spéeches that though gods glory appeare in heauen and earth yet notwithstanding hee is infinite in maiestie and glory because his glory is farre aboue the highest heauens vers 2. Hast thou ordained strength i. thou hast strongly established vz. thy prouidence and power q.d. besides the earth and the heauens wee haue very infants preachers of thy power and goodnes and so doth our sauiour vnderstand it Mat. 12.16 Because of thine enemies i. thou hast done this that they thereby might bee confounded that thou mightest stil the enemie i. stoppe his mouth in such sort that he should haue nothing to say and the auenger he that reuengeth his own cause and leaueth not vengeance to the Lord to whom alone it belongeth Rom. 12.19 Who by their facts sheweth that they are perswaded that God careth not for mens matters or else would they neuer so violently breake into his office ver 3. The heauens are called gods both because he made them and also because he gouerneth there and they are as it were his dwelling place the worke of thy fingers i. which thou thy self hast most exactly and perfectly made the moone and the starres Hee particularly reciteth some of the heauenly creatures which thou hast ordeined vz. to bee there to giue light and to keepe their ordinary courses ver 4. That thou art mindfull of him vz. to shewe fauour and loue towardes him or the sonne of man i. his posterity here hee speaketh generally of all comparing man with the rest of the creatures sée Eccle. 1.3.4.5.6.7 that thou shouldest visit him i. haue regarde and consideration of him ver 5. For thou hast made him a litle lower then God Here hee speaketh of GOD in the first place in the second person in the second place in the third person the Apostle Heb. 2.6 expoundeth or translateth in thus Thou hast made him a litle inferiour to the Angels both in this place and in that of the Hebrewes the meaning is that the Lord gaue vnto men in this life a certaine angelicall and heauenly excellencie and crowned him i. Thou hast decked him as it were with a crowne with glory and worshippe some referre this to the mynde and reasonable soule of a man by whiche hee doeth not onely differ from beastes but draweth nigh to the heauenly nature I doe not onely stretch it so farre but vnderstand thereby also the dominion and Lordshippe that the Lorde hath giuen to him ouer all his creatures which followeth ver 6. In the woorkes i. ouer the works of thine hands i. which thou thy selfe hast made all thinges vnder his féete i. made thē subiect vnto him this was true in Adam by creatiō it is verified also in our sauiour as may appeare Heb. 2. We lost it by Adams fall but we haue it in part restored againe vnto vs by Christ in our regeneration ver 7. He doth particularise the general time all in the 6. verse Ver. 8. and that which passeth through the paths of the sea Hee meaneth the whale and other great fishes which make a smooth
Iewes as Gentile clappe your handes vz. for ioy as Nahum 3. ver 19. Hee putteth the outwarde signe of ioy for inward and outward ioyfulnes sing loude vnto God c. in this part of the verse the Prophet requireth of the people on the Lordes behalfe willingnes chearfulnes and gladnes for in all seruices performed to him hee specially regardeth these thinges as 2 Corinth 8.12 Ver. 2. Is high vz. not onely because hee dwelleth in the high heauens but also because hee hath highest yea all authoritie and terrible i. fearefull or méete to bee feared not onely of his children for their good but of the wicked for their punishments a great king vz. as whose power no creature is able to resist ouer all the earth i. such a king as to whose authoritie all the quarters corners of the earth are subiect Ver. 3. He i. God hath subdued vz. by his word spirit the people i. of all the people of the world some vnder vs i. vnder the exercises of his religion seruice which wee professe putting the persons professing a thing for the thing professed vnder our féete by this maner of speach is ment that the gentiles shold be schollers the Iews scholemasters as it were to them for to sit vnder the feet or at the feete is vsed in scripture for being a scholler or learning as Act. 22.3 And not that the Iews had euer such a large Lordship ouer the Gentiles Ver. 4. May be the words as it were both of the Iewes and Gentiles conuerted to Christes kingdome shewing what graces he hath bestowed vpon them hee q.d. he that knoweth what is better for vs then wee our selues hath chosen i. not onely layd out but also appointed and that of his owne good will and mercy towards vs our inheritance i. not onely all thinges méete for this life as landes countries possessions c. but euen all other things that concerne the hope of a better life euen the glory of Iaakob i. euen all these excellent thinges that he gaue and promised to Iaakob wherin he might glory and reioyce The faithful meane that they had as great both abundance and assurance of Gods grace and goodnes as Iaakob euer had Ver. 5. God i. the arke of God which was a true token of Gods presence and so is the word Lord also vsed as Psal 132.5 Is gone vp hee speaketh this no doubt in respect of bringing the Arke into the mount Sion of which sée 2. Sam. 6. Throughout the chapter with triumph vz. against the enemies which also was ioyfull to Gods people euen the Lord with the sound of the trumpet this is euen the same that was sayd in the first part of this verse sauing that here hee addeth the instrument which many times striketh terrour into the enemies and addeth courage to the faithful and by this manner of speach hée meaneth to note out the great glory of the Lord and of the triumph and victories that our Sauiour gotte as Colos 2.15 Ephes 4.8 Ver. 6. The foure times repeating of these woordes sing prayses hath great force q.d. let all your care and study tend to this to prayse the Lorde and his sonne Christ Ver. 7. For God this is a reason why they shoulde extoll the Lorde King of all the earth i. hath power ouer all and exerciseth an Vniuersall kingdome the particulars and the maiesty whereof hée setteth out in the next verse Ver. 8. Holy throne hée meaneth either the Tabernacle or else the heauen for both of these in scripture are called Gods holy throne because he that had the fulnes of holines in himselfe gaue manifestation of himselfe from both these places sée Mat. 5.34 Matth. 23.22 Whatsoeuer it is or howsoeuer it is to be taken the Prophets purpose no doubt is to describe God as a iudge ready to yéelde iustice both to good and bad according to their seuerall causes Ver. 9. The Princes of the people q.d. not onely meane men from among the Gentiles but euen the mighty are gathered vz. by the mightie woorking of Gods spirit and the exercises of the word the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach that the Gentiles should make profession of true godlines as well as Iewes and he speaketh of it as though it were already performed for the certainty of it people of the God of Abraham i. the Iewes for from Abraham they came according to the flesh And he calleth him the God of Abraham thereby to distinguish him from al the false Gods of the Idolatrous gentiles the shields of the world i. the defence and the protections of the whole earth he vseth shields which are good meanes of defence for defence it selfe belong to God is his right q.d. seeing that the worlde is preserued and maintained by God great cause is there why men shoulde reuerence his so great and high maiesty and therefore he addeth hee is greatly to bee exalted i. feared and praysed Ver. 1. It becommeth all sects of people to praise God Do. and that willingly and chearefully Ver. 2. Sheweth that wée ought to praise him for his maiesty and power Ver. 3. Declareth that it is God alone that draweth mens heartes to the imbracing of his trueth Ver. 4. Gods loue is the first and onely cause of all the graces we haue Ver. 5. Setteth out his maiesty and might Verse 6. Teacheth how earnest we should be in praising our God Ver. 7. Sheweth that both our praises and all the seruices that we shall yéeld to the Lorde must procéede from an vnderstanding heart Ver. 8. In that God is described as a iudge it conteineth matter of comfort to his children of terror to the wicked Ver. 9. God calleth of all states some to the imbracing of his truth also God alone is the defender of the whole world and of all the people 's therein and that therefore he is worthylie to be magnified Psalme 48. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into three partes In the first is conteined a commendation of Gods power and goodnes manifested especially to the citie of Ierusalem from Ver. 1. to the end of the third In the seconde is declared that all the conspiracies practises and forces of the wicked against that Citie shal be ouerthrowne because God will defend it from ver 4. to the end of the 8. In the third the faithfull set out the assured perswasion that they had of Gods goodnes towardes them praying for the continuance therof both vppon themselues and the whole Church from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title would bée thus a song or Psalme meaning such a Psal or song as both by voyce and instruments was sung the rest is expounded Psal 42. Ver. 1. Great is the Lorde vz. in respect of his power and glory and greatly to be praysed q.d. and therefore no smal prayse doth belong to him in the citie of our God i. in Jerusalem which is called Gods Citie because God had
Ver. 2. Because thou hearest i. grauntest the prayer vz. of thy faithful people vnto thee shal al flesh come by flesh he vnderstandeth man as Gene. 6.12 by the terme al hee meaneth wonderfull many a phrase very ordinary in scripture meaning that that which was particular among the Iewes vz. the seruice of God shoulde in time to come be common to euery nation and this is a prophecy of the kingdome of Christ and when he sayth that they shall come vnto God he meaneth to present themselues before him to pray vnto him Ver. 3. Wicked déeds i. all manner of vngodlines haue preuailed against me vz. thus farre that they haue turned thy fauour from me hee speaketh here of himselfe but yet so that he shutteth vp others in the same sinnes imputing it to his owne sinnes and to the sinnes of his people that God who was accustomed to aide his people did for a while withdraw his hand shewed not himself fauourable towards them but thou wilt be merciful vnto our transgressions vz. fréely and graciously pardoning them all and so remouing them from vs shewe thy selfe mercifull vnto vs that haue transgressed which they remaining thou wouldest not performe Ver. 4. Whom thou chusest vz. to thy self and to be of the number of thine and causest to come to thée i. not onely to haue accesse vnto thy sanctuary there to call vpon thee but at all other times and in all places he shall dwel in thy courtes i. hee shall liue among holy and faithfull people in the middest of thy Churches here and after the dayes of his departure with all the rest of the elect in heauen and wee shal be satisfied marke the sodaine chaunge both of the number and person as before in this Psal ver 3. with the pleasures of thine house i. the doctrine of the lawe the sacrifices and other ceremonies but yet so that vnder them hee meaneth all spirituall blessing euen of thine holy temple hee more plainely expoundeth what hee ment by the house of God vz. the temple which is called holy not in respect of any holines it had in it selfe but because that he that is holines did appeare there and make it holy by his presence It is also called his house not because that God dwelt there as inclosed within the walles but because from that place hee manifested his residence and abode amongst that people Ver. 5. O God of our saluation i. hee that deliuereth vs from al dangers distresses thou wilt answere vs vz. when we call vpon thée for our defence with fearefull signes i. with such signes and tokens of thy presence as shall strike feare into the enemies in thy righteousnes i. according as thou hast righteously promised and iustly wilt performe O thou the hope of al the ends of the earth i. thou whom all the faithful wheresoeuer they bee stedfastly trust in and of them that are farre of in the seas i. of those that inhabite ilands farre of from Sion or the land of promise which are compassed with the sea Hee putteth the places inhabited for the people dwelling therin meaning by all the ends of the earth those that dwell in the continent or firme land and by those that are farre of in the Seas those that inhabite Ilands Ver. 6. Hée stablisheth the mountaines by his power vz. in such sort that they neither moue nor shake and is girded about with strength q.d. he hath al strength and power to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 7. Hee appeaseth the noyse of the Seas vz. when they swell rage and rore and the tumults of the people vz. when they are in hurliburlie and contentions among themselues or else outragiously persecute and trouble others Ver. 8. They also that dwell in the vttermost partes of the earth q.d. there shal bee no people so farre of or barbarous but they shal be striken with feare of thy signes vz. which thou shalt shewe and worke by signes he meaneth the notable workes of God and such as are alwayes méete to bee had in remembraunce wherein hee hath as it were ingrauen certaine markes of his glory Thou shalt make the East and the West to reioyce i. the people dwelling in these quarters Ver. 9. Thou visitest i. thou doest not onely looke vppon it but gratiously performest that which thou promisest as Gene. 21.1 the earth i. the land of Iudea by this circumstance it should séeme that Dauid made this Psalme after that the Lord deliuered the people from famine and pestilence of which sée 2. Sam. 21.14 2. Sam. 24.25 and waterest it vz. with raine and deaw from heauen thou makest it very rich i. plentifull and abundant in all fruites and this thou doest by thy mighty power and blessing the riuer of God he meaneth either the small riuer of Shiloah which passed through Ierusalem of which sée Psal 46.4 meaning by graces powred vpon one part of the land mercies bestowed vppon the whole or else the raine which maketh the ground fruitfull and is called the riuer of God both because it commeth from God and also from him in great abundance and to this latter exposition do I rather incline thou preparest thē corne by them we may vnderstand al generally but chiefely those that are spoken of before in this Psal ver 4. he meaneth that the earth bringeth forth her fruite because that GOD minding to prouide for men as a good father of an housholde hath created it that it might yéelde them nourishment for so thou appointest it vz. the earth hee meaneth that God hath appointed it in such sort and to such end to bring forth fruite for mans vse as Gene. 1.11 Ver. 10. Thou waterest abundantly the furrowes thereof vz. of the lande of Iudea meaning by this manner of speach and these that follow that God through abundance of showres made the land fruitful thou makest it soft with showres vz. wheras before it was very hard drie and parched for want of rayne thou blessest i. through thy blessing thou causest to increase grow and multiply as Gene. 1.22 the bud thereof i. whatsoeuer beganne as a man woulde say to sprout in the lande whether they were grasse herbes trees plants c. Ver. 11. Thou crownest i. thou adornest and inrichest a notable metaphor signifying the great glory and plenty that God bestowed vppon the lande euen as it were setting a crowne vpon the head thereof the yeere i. euery yeere one after an other putting one or the first of them for the rest that insued hee meaneth that GOD declared his goodnes towardes them by euery yeres course making one yeere to excéede an other in goodnes as hée that is the king and weareth the Crowne vppon his heade passeth all the people whatsoeuer with thy goodnes i. with abundance of good thinges which procéede only from thy goodnes and mercy and thy steppes hée meaneth by this speach vnder a similitude the cloudes which God is sayde to make his chariot Psalm 104.3
the kingdome for euer i. for a long time if you referre it to the outward gouernement but if you referre it to Christ it signifieth perpetuity and euerlastingnes of time and set vppe vz. to continue and abyde thy throne i. thy kingdome putting a part of the kingdom for the whole from generation to generation sée ver 1. of this Psalme there are two partes of this promise the one is heires and successours the other is the kingdome Sée Genesis 15.3.4.5 where the like order is obserued in promising two things Ver. 5. O Lorde euen the heauens i. either the firmament it selfe the thinges therein contained as the Sunne Moone starres c. or else the Angels or rather in déede both together Sée Psalm 148.1.2.3 c. shall praise thy wonderous woorkes i. they shall magnifie that great power of thine by which thou doest as it were miraculously vpholde thy Church yea vz. they shall prayse and set out thy trueth i. thy faythfulnes in kéeping and perfourming promises made in the congregation of the Saintes i. in the society fellowship and assembly of the children of God in the Church meaning that the Angels and heauenly spirites should bee Gods instruments to publish the same vnto men and to shewe them also matter of praysing God Ver. 6. For who is equal vz. in name maiesty power c. to the Lorde vz. the onely God in the heauens i. amongest all that glorious company of Angels and blessed spirites which are in the heauens putting the thing conteining for the thinges conteined q.d. not one of them no not all of them together are in any respect equall to him and who is like to the Lorde vz. in power maiesty might c among the sonnes of the Gods some vnderstande this Angels who in déed may be so named because they haue not their beginning from the earth neither clothed with a corruptible body but are heauenly spirits beautified with diuine glorye for mine owne part I woulde rather turne it thus amongest the sonnes of the mighty i. amongest the most mightiest of the earth of what state or condition soeuer they bee and so haue you the worde vsed before Psalm 29.1 also Ezech. 17 13. and chapter 32.21 and then it may bee the same in sense with that which is Psalme 73.25 Verse 7. GOD is very terrible i. hée sheweth manifest tokens of his maiestye and might which strike terrour into all in the assemblye of the Sayntes it skilleth not much whether wee take it for the company of Angels or for that which verse 5. of this Psalme is called the congregation of the Sayntes but I woulde take it rather in the latter sense because of that which followeth in this verse the Prophet meaning in my mynde that GOD is terrible both to men and angels and to be reuerenced aboue all i. more to be feared then all Angels or whatsoeuer else that are about him i. Angels or heauenly creatures whatsoeuer who are sayd after the manner of men to bée about as those that are alwaies ready to execute his commaundement Neither doeth the holy ghost meane in saying that God is to be reuerenced aboue all that therefore the Angels and dead Saints may haue a seruice and reuerence dedicated vnto them for if they will referre it to them why then should not the Sunne and Moone which the gentiles also worshipped as well as the Papists do Angels and dead Saintes be worshipped séeing that they are about God and attend vppon him to execute his will Verse 8. O Lorde God of hostes i. thou God who hast all thy creatures euen as it were so many armies to execute thy will and commaundement who is like vnto thée q.d. surely none for the Hebrews vse by such interrogations strongly to deny which art a mighty Lorde vz. a most mighty Lorde and an eternall being for hee vseth the name of God Iah in this place and thy trueth i. thy faithfulnes and constancy in all thinges and namely in perfourmaunce of thy promises is about thée i. compasseth thee in on euery side q.d. thou art full of all faithfulnes and trueth Verse 9. Thou rulest i. thou stillest makest calme as appeareth by that which followeth in this ver the raging of the Sea i. the mighty waues thereof which rage and roare and make a feareful noyse when the waues thereof arise vz. by some great wind or tempest thou stillest them i. thou makest them calme and still Verse 10. Thou hast beaten downe vz. to the ground and that by thy might and power Rahab i. Egipt as before Psalm 87.4 and here he toucheth the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt of which sée Exod. 14.15 c. as a man slayne vz. with the sword hee meaneth that God by the waues of the Sea destroyed the Egiptians as one man doeth an other by the edge of the swoorde thou hast scattered thine enemies i. thou hast discomfited them as men put to flight in a battaile runne some hither and some thither and so being out of aray lye open to be wounded and slayne of their enemies with thy mighty arme i. with thy great force power and strength so wée haue had armie vsed sundry tymes before Verse 11. The heauens i. the thinges themselues and all other things whatsoeuer therein conteined are thine i. at thy commaundement to be vsed when where and howsoeuer it shall please thée the earth also vz. with al things therein conteined is thine i. is at thy commaundement as before he meaneth that all thinges both in heauen and earth are at his commaundement which séemeth wonderfully to expresse the great maiesty and power of God thou hast layde vz. by thy almighty power the foundations of the worlde vz. in such sort that it shall not bee mooued and all that therein is vz. thou hast created and established Verse 12 Thou hast created the North and the South i. the whole worlde putting these two partes of it for the whole Tabor it is the name of a mountain towards the West of this mention is made Iosh 19.22 and Hermon this is the name of a mountaine towardes the East of which mention is made Deut. 3.8.9 and they are two high mountaines in Iudea by which no doubt he meaneth the whole land of Canaan shal reioyce in thy name i. shall prayse thy great power and maiestie Vere 13. Thou hast a mightye arme i. thou art of great power might and force strong is thy hande vz. thy left hande vnderstanding thereby the smallest manifestation of Gods power meaning that euen there is such strength as none is able to resist and high vz. in greatnesse and might is thy right hand i. thy mighty power and the full manifestation thereof Verse 14. Righteousnesse and equitie q.d. although thou art mightie in all manner of power yet thou gouernest not by power or strength only but in all vprightnesse iustly rendring vnto thine enemies that they haue deserued and faythfully perfourming to thy
for his excellent gouernment and prouidence Verse 13 teacheth that howsoeuer men be corrupted in their iudgements and gouernment yet God is not sée Psal 94. verse 20. Psalme 97 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is described the greatnesse and excellency of almightye God and and his power From verse 1 to the end of the sixte In the seconde is declared that this power of his is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to the godly whome the Prophet therfore exhorteth to yéeld obedience and thankfulnesse to the Lorde from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title as sundry both before it and after it haue not likewise and therefore we cannot determine eyther who was the Author of it Se. or when it was penned Certaine it is that the holye Ghost therein purposeth to exhort the faythfull to shew themselues ioifull for the Lordes fauour loue and power towards them Verse 1. The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 let the earth reioyce i. people inhabiting the earth as Psalme 96.1 q.d. Let the people be excéedingly glad euen in that respecte that the Lordes power beareth a sway Let the multitude of the Iles i. the multitude of people inhabyting the Ilandes be glad vz. for the same cause and occasion Ver. 2. Clouds and darkenesse i. most fearefull and terrible maiestie and power sée Psalm 18.11 And he doth thus describe God that he might more liuely touch mens harts to yéeld him reuerence and honour are round about him i. compasse him in on euery side meaning that he hath both plenty of them and in a readinesse also to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him righteousnesse i. all vprightnesse and equitie and iudgement i. true and right iudgement and this the holy Ghost addeth as it were to preuent that which the wicked might obiect as though gods power and maiestie were full of iniustice are the foundation of his throne i. are so tied to his kingdom that they can no more be separated from his kingdom then the foundation of his building Vnderstanding by throne the signe of a kingdome the kingdome it selfe and by foundation the straight and narrowe coniunction of iustice and sound iudgement to it Verse 3. There shall goe a fyre before him he vnderstandeth by the word fire the wrath and vengeaunce of God and burne vp his enemies round about i. it shall vtterlye consume those that set themselues agaynst him and that on euerye side before him and behinde him on the lefte hande and on the right hand so that none shall escape Verse 4. His lightninges i. the lightnings that come from him and are sente by his appoyntment gaue lighte vnto the world i. were so great that all the Worlde mighte sée them the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth saw vz. with their bodilye eyes and sensiblye it i. those lightninges one number put for an other and was afrayde vz. of his great power and maiesty whiche appeared therein By this and the thyrde verse before going and the nexte verse following it the holy Ghost myndeth nothing but to shewe the greatnesse of almightye Gods power in so much that nothing though it be neuer so stoute and stéedye is able to stande before it Verse 5. The Mountaynes vz. though they were neuer so greate strong and mighty melted like waxe vz. helde agaynst the fyre or the heate of the Sunne He meaneth by this Metaphor that they quickly consumed at the presence of the Lorde i. so soone as the Lorde gaue some shew of his presence or maiestie at the presence of the Lorde of the whole earth i. of him that ruleth the earth and all thinges therein contayned Verse 6. The Heauens declare his righteousnesse i. euen those thinges whiche are done in the Firmament as fyre hayle thunder lightning the Lorde thereby plaguing the wicked doe sufficientlye declare him to be vpright and iust in all his wayes and all the people vz. of the earth sée i. plainlye and sensiblye perceyue by the thinges done there his glorye i. his great power and mighte In this verse the Prophet mindeth to declare that God is most glorious manifest tokens of whose glory and iustice appeare in the very heauens and are set out before mens eyes to make them without excuse sée Psalme 19.1 Romanes 1 20. Verse 7. Confounded vz. thorowe the mightye power and iudgemente of almightye GOD bée all they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee q.d. let them bée confounded and ouerthrowne that serue vz. any manner of waye or with anye sorte of worship grauen Images i. images or pictures made framed and grauen by the hande arte and cunning of man and that glorye i. eyther boaste of or speake of them as to allowe them anye manner of waye in Idols see before Psalme 96 5. Leuiticus 19.4 Worshippe vz. according to the prescripte rule of his worde him vz. onelye all yée Gods i. not only mightye men and Magistrates of the world but all thinges that in the worlde is esteemed as God The Prophet meaning that eyther they shoulde doe it willinglye and of a good mynde or else by constraynt and inforcemente because they coulde not resist his power Verse 8. Sion i. the Church as Psalme 48.11.12 hearde vz. by thy workes and by thy worde of it vz. that goeth before i. the confusion and ouerthrowe of the idolatrers and was gladde vz. for the iust execution of thy iudgementes vppon them and the Daughters of Iudah i. not onely the Cittyes and Townes of that Lande in whiche sence you shall sundrye tymes haue the worde Daughters taken but the people inhabiting the same places meaning notwithstadding the particular members of the Church reioyced i. were excéedinglye glad because of thy iudgementes O Lord vz. executed vppon the wicked and vngodlye by whiche also it hath pleased thée to prouide for their deliueraunce and safetie Verse 9. For thou Lord vz. alone arte moste high aboue all the earth i. arte greater in power and mighte then all thinges in the earth because that they whatsoeuer they be are subiecte to thy authoritie and power Thou arte muche exalted vz. in thy iustice and iudgementes aboue all Gods sée Psalme 95 3. Verse 10. Yée that loue the Lorde vz. indéede vnfeignedlye and with a good hearte hate i. detest and abhorre from the bottome of youre hartes sée Romanes 12.9 Euill i. whatsoeuer is sinne and transgression before him or inclining that waye sée 1. Thessalonians 5.22 hée preserueth i. God mayntayneth defendeth and kéepeth the soules i the life and whole person of his Sayntes i. of those whome hee hath framed to holynesse and inflamed with the loue thereof hée will deliuer them i. set them safe and sounde from the hande i. from the cruell power and outrage of the wicked vz. that séeke to destroy them Verse 11. Lighte i. ioye prosperitie and eternall blessednesse Sée Ester 8 16. as by the contrarye vz. darkenesse is signifyed myserye is sowne
the person from the second to the thirde sendeth vz. by his eternall appoyntment and power the springs into the valleyes the Prophet meaneth that by Gods decree and appoyntment the fountaines and springes keepe their course euen in those places that he hath assigned them that is in the vales and lenelles of the lande which vz. fountaines or springes runne betwéene the mountaines q.d. not withstanding that they séeme to bee little thinges yet God doeth sometimes so increase them that they rise as high as some part of the mountaines This serueth to set out Gods power in the ordinarye gouernement euen of his creatures also Ver. 11. They i. the waters and springes shall giue drink vz. in great plenty and abundance to all the beastes of the fielde vz. so that not one of any kinde shal bee excepted and hee speaketh rather of beastes then of men the better to set out the grace of GOD not only in that he prouideth for bruite beastes but also in that hee giueth them which drinke more then men such great abundaunce of it and the wilde asses shall quench their thirst q.d. euen the beastes that drinke most by reason of their heate shall not onely be satisfied but leaue abundaunce beside of the wilde asse Sée Iob. 39. ver 8.9 10.11 Ver. 12. By these springes vz. spoken of before shall the foules of the heauen i. the birdes of the ayre heauen put for the aire Sée Matth. 6.26 dwell i. abide and continue and that with delight which hée expresseth afterwardes and shall sing vz. for ioy and pleasure that they shall take therein among the braunches vz. of the trees that stande along by the riuers sides Ver. 13. He i. God watereth the mountaines i. powreth downe abundance of waters vppon the mountaines so that by reason of the rayne which he sendeth hee maketh the mountaines otherwise barren very fruitfull from his chambers i. from the cloudes which are sayde to bee Gods chambers because it séemeth to vs that the Lorde dwelleth in and aboue them so that chambers is taken in an other sense here then in verse 3. of this Psalme and the earth i. the whole worlde so that there is no part exempted no nor no creature either man or beast as may appeare by that which followeth in this Psalme is filled vz. plentifully and in very great abundaunce with the fruite of thy workes i. with those fruites which by thy workes thou doest graciously minister vnto them which fruites also through thy blessing and commaundement the earth it selfe doth yéeld And marke the sodaine chaunge of the person from the thirde to the second Ver. 14. Hée i. God causeth vz. by his almighty power as the first cause and by rayne and dewe from heauen as the seconde cause grasse to growe vz. vppon the earth for the cattle i. for the vse of cattle that it may bee meate vnto them and herb i. euerye gréene thing sée Genesis 1 29. for the vse of man i. for man to vse eyther necessarily or of pleasure that he vz. man being strengthened by the vse of the hearbes trées c. may bring forth vz. by his ordinary labour and trauayle bread though the Prophet meane it principally of bread yet he vnderstandeth also thereby all manner of sustenaunce out of the earth vz. laboured and tilled in the sweat of mans face Gen. 3.18.19 Immanuel readeth the latter part of the ver thus that they i. both man beast reading it in the plural number may fet meat out of the earth i. may haue al maner of food ministred vnto them out of the earth for the maintaynaunce of their life whatsoeuer it be all commeth to one end vz. to shew that God by his power doth this and doth that Verse 15. And wine vz. God giueth that maketh glad the hart of man i. maketh mans hart to reioyce when it is striken downe with heauinesse sée Prouerb 31.6.7 and oyle to make the face to shine i. to make him séeme to haue a merry and chearefull countenaunce he speaketh this according to the manner of those hote countries wherein men vsed with sauours and oyntmentes both to strengthen and refresh themselues and bread vz. he giueth also vnderstanding by bread as before verse 14 that strengtheneth mans hart i. whiche is a good meane to ad strength and courage to a mans stomach And mark the Prophets course he sheweth in this place that God plentifullye giueth vnto all his creatures and namely vnto man not only life but al thinges necessary for the maintaynaunce thereof Whether they be thinges necessary as breade and foode or profitable as wine and drinke or seruing to pleasure delighte or comlinesse of the body as oyle and oyntments c. Verse 16. The high Trées he passeth from men to trées shewing that euen Gods power and prouidence also watcheth ouer them are satisfyed vz. with moysture dew and rayne sent from the Lord to make them grow and increase euen the Cedars of Lebanon sée Psalme 29 5. which he hath planted i. which the Lord himselfe hath caused to grow which sort of Trees must néedes excell them that are set by Art Verse 17. That the birdes vz. of the Woods and Forrests yea the very foules of heauen may make their neasts there vz. in those trées because they are so great high and mighty The Prophet doth not meane only as I take it that God ordeyned the Trées to this end that birdes might build their neasts therin but also to shew the greatnesse of Gods power in creating such great trées as are able to receiue the Fowles of the ayre the storke dwelleth in the Firre trées he meaneth not only that they build their neasts there for their yong ones but also haue as it were their continuall abode Verse 18. The high Mountaynes vz. otherwise barren and bare are yet notwithstanding good and profitable are for the Goates vz. good to féede on and to liue in the Rockes are a refuge for the Conies vz. to kéepe them safe in as it were from al distresse and feare Verse 19. He vz. God appoynted vz. by the order which he himselfe set in creation the Moone i. that glorious and excellent creature for certayne seasons i. not only to distinguish the night from the day and other times spoken of Gene. 1.14 c. as monethes yéeres c. but also for some principall feastes obserued in the lawe and the sunne i. that other great and excellent creature knoweth vz. by the boundes and orders which God hath set out his going downe i. in what part it shoulde set according to the seuerall quarters of the yéere Verse 20. Thou makest darkenesse i. thou causest darkenes to come in an ordinarye course And not as though GOD did euery night make newe darkenesse for hee did once create the same Gene. 1.2 to continue as the rest of his creatures and it is night i. night commeth presently for none is able to let or withstande it wherein i. in
people but specially the Priests and Leuites to whome hée giueth this title by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted and that therfore they to the end also that by their example they might draw on others to do the like should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time but in the night kéeping watch and ward about the temple of the Lord sée Num. 18.1.2 c. 1. Chron. 9.33 And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the temple as it is reported of Anna Luk. 2.37 yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites and when he sayth stande hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the place where the Arke was or the temple after it was builded Verse 2. Lift vp your handes i. praye and giue thankes the signe of prayer or an outwarde gesture vsed in it put for the thing it selfe as Psalme 141 2. also 1 Timothie 2 8. to the sanctuarye i. towardes the Sanctuarye meaning the place where the Arke was and the Arke it selfe out of which God had promised to aunswere his people and to heare their prayers and prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercyes as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the principall ende of outward ceremonies is to set forth Gods praise and glory Verse 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth i. the God of all maiestie glory power c. sée Psalme 121 2 also Psalme 124 8 blesse thée vz. with all goodnesse and fauour out of Sion where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power and in the seconde his fatherlye loue which two must neuer be sundered but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes whose office it was to blesse the people as Numbers 6 23 or in his own person as praying for them and testifying his great loue vnto them it is not muche materiall Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent to the performance of their dutie Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue to pray for others as for our selues Psalme 135. IN my iudgement Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee to prayse the Lorde shewing certaine causes that may leade them thereto as his mercy his power his wonderful workes c. from ver 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference there is betwéene the true God and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles exhorting al the faithful generally and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God whose seruice they professed from ver 13. to the end of the Psalme The title is prayse yée the Lorde sée this expounded before Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argument of the Psalme as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as sundrie times before and namely Psal 20.1 and Psal 124.8 ye seruants of the Lorde this I referre generally to all as Psalm 134.1 but specially to the priests praise him this doubling of the exhortation séemeth to set out as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same so the excellency of the thing it selfe Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde i. ye priestes specially and chiefly because they ought by their duety to shewe the way vnto others and in the courtes of the house of our God i. in those courtes that did appertein to the temple of the Lord amongst which the people had some which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9 the great court and this is the reason why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise Verse 3. Prayse ye the Lorde vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue sée Psal 134.1 for the Lorde is good vz. euen of his owne nature and from that abundaunt goodnesse which is in him floweth all goodnesse which wee haue and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him sing prayses vnto his name i. extol his maiesty power c. as before ver 1. for it is a comely thing vz. to do so meaning by comely pleasant and profitable sée Psal 133.1 also Psalm 92.1 Ver. 4. For the Lorde vz. whom I exhort you to praise and magnifie hath chosen vz. of his infinite mercy goodnes Iaakob i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob to himselfe i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe and vz. he hath fréely chosen for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word Israel i. the true Israelites or the Israel of God as Psal 124.1 for his chiefe treasure i. for a people whom hee maketh more account of by many degrees then men do of their chiefest treasures Sée Exod. 19.5 The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse most exquisite thinges as pearles precious stones or such like And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his people Ver. 5. For I know vz. both by his worde workes and myne owne experience that the Lord vz. whom we serue is gret vz. in power might and that our Lorde vz. whom we worship according to his will reuealed in his word is aboue al Gods i. is higher and mightier then they whether they be Angels and magistrates to whom this name is sometimes giuen or idoles which the vaine people worship whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in this Psalme Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do that did he vz. because no power was able to resist him in heauen and in earth in the Sea and in al depthes i. euery where for no place is excepted from his power and presence as Psalm 139.7.8 c. and howe true this is the particular examples of his woorde doe declare specially these two the vniuersall flood and the confusion of Babel Gene. 7.8.11 chapt and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause wherefore men should prayse God and that is the great power of God declared not onely in
busie with him either the Philistine as 2 Sam. 5. or els some other as 2. Sam. 8. Ver. 1. Blessed i. praised and that continually be the Lord my strength i. he who alone giueth me strength to ouercome mine enemies sée Psal 18.2 which teacheth my hands to fight vz. against his mine enemies meaning hereby also that God gaue him strength to ouercome them as wel as knowledge in warlike affaires to deale with them and my fingers to battaile i. apteth them and maketh thē able to indure fighting Ver. 2. He vz. alone is my goodnesse i. whatsoeuer good thing I haue eyther within mee or without mée hee is the Fountayne from whence it floweth meaning also that hée had euer felte GOD liberall and mercifull towards him my Fortresse my Tower and my deliuerer my Shield all these termes are expounded Psalme 18.2 and in him I trust vz. stedfastlye and continually which subdueth vz. by his almighty power my people i. the subiectes that hée hath giuen me vnder me i. vnder the obedience of me and my lawes he meaneth that GOD did put into the hartes of his people a minde willing and faythfull to commit themselues vnder him and his gouernment Ver. 3. Lord what is man i. of himselfe what account or regard is he to be had in that thou regardest him vz. so greatly and so much as thou doest or the sonne of man i. his posterity how great or famous soeuer it bée that thou thinkest vppon him vz. in such great mercy and with so fatherlye a care sée Psalme 8. verse 4.5 c. Verse 4. Man is lyke to vanitie i. to a thing of no accounte or regarde or to a vayne thing In an other place hée sayeth that they are vanitye that the chéefe men are but lyes and to laye them vppon the Ballance they are altogether lighter then vanitie Psalme 62.9 his dayes i. the dayes of this life in this worlde are like a shadowe that passeth vz. oute of mennes sightes and remembraunces quicklie and sodainlie q.d. his life is but short and of small continuaunce see Iob. 14.1.2 see also for this verse Psalme 39.5.6 and psalme 90. almoste throughout Ver. 5. Bow thine heauens O Lorde vz. to come to succour and help me this is spoken of God according to mens vnderstanding he calleth the heauens Gods owne both because he created them and hath his principal habitation and dwelling in them sée for this phrase 2. Sam. 22.10 also Psal 18.9 and come downe vz. to deliuer me from the hands of mine enemies persecutors touch vz. in thy wrath and furie q.d. thou néedest not vse al thy power or any great might against them begin but only to lay thy hand vpon them q.d. and do but touch them as a man would say softly and yet they shal be consumed the mountaines i. my most high and mightie enemies this kind of metaphor is very often vsed in the Prophets sée Isai 2.14 they shal smoke yea burne and that to their owne destruction he putteth the beginning of their miseries for the accomplishment and ful performaunce thereof And hee vseth all these maner of speaches both in this verse and in the verse following that hee might more excellently set out Gods power who deliuereth his after a wonderful sort and that he might declare that no worldly lets or hinderaunces are able to do any thing against Gods infinite power which hee apprehended by faith Ver. 6. Cast forth the lightning scatter them vz. one from an other so that they may not be able to gather their forces together againe q.d. by thy heauenly wisedome and power destroy and ouerthrow them shoot out thine arrowes vz. against them vnderstanding by arrowes either thunders or some other particular iudgments and consume thē vz. vtterly and from amongst men that they may no longer molest me and thy people Ver. 7. Send thine hand from aboue i. display and make manifest here below vpon the earth thy might and power which séemeth after a sort to be shut vp in heauen because thy seruants be not deliuered from their distresses deliuer me vz. of thy goodnes and through thy power from the rage and violence of those that persecute me and take me vz. who am ready to be drowned with troubles out of the great waters vz. which are ready to ouerflow and drowne mee by great waters he doth not only vnderstand the grieuous afflictions wherein he was but also the extreme rage of his enemies who did breake in vppon him as waters of the sea into the land sée Psal 18.4 also 69.1 also 124.4 and from the hand i. from the power and force of strangers this may be referred either to coūterfeit and bastardly Israelites who though they bragged in mouth that they were good people yet were they in déede starke naught or else to thē that were in déed idolaters and infidels such as the Philistines were and to these latter would I rather apply it Ver. 8. Whose mouth talketh vanity i. who doe nothing else but speak and vtter vaine and vncertaine thinges proudly promising vnto themselues great things and their right hand is a right hand of iniquitie i. they are vnfaithful people and ful of subtilty and haue no certainetie nor assuraunce in them This speach is borrowed from the common custome of men who when they make a promise giue one another their hands sée Gal. 2.9 Ver. 9. I wil sing vz. euen from my heart a new song i. a singular and excellent song sée Psal 98.1 vnto thée O God vz. when thou shalt haue performed these graces in deliuering me and ouerthrowing mine enemies and the Prophet maketh this promise and carieth with him a purpose to performe it because he was certainely perswaded and assured that God would in déed do both the one and the other sing vnto thée vpon a viole and an instrument of ten strings sée Psal 33.2 also Psal 92.3 he meaneth that he would vse these instruments as meanes to stirre vp his affectiōs and to prouoke him more earnestly and heartily to serue the lord Ver. 10. It is hee vz. alone that giueth vz. of his goodnes and mercy deliuerance vz. from all dangers and distresses and rescueth vz. when no other can do that for him Dauid his seruaunt i. me whom he hath aduaunced to this honour to serue him in the gouernment of the kingdome and thus hee speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person from the hurtful sword i. from the sworde of his enemies who did purpose to hurt him if they coulde haue caught him or ouerthrowne him wée may also stretch this worde further as that vnder it he should comprehende all the daungers through the which hee had passed and hee meaneth that this should be the argument or matter of the song that hee woulde sing to the Lorde Ver. 11. Rescue me vz. O Lord for vnto him onely hee directeth his prayers and deliuer me vz. who am in distresse and daunger on euery
GOD also as who requireth the same at our handes as a péece of his seruice Psalme 50.15 and prayse vz. giuen vnfeynedly vnto GOD is comelie vz. both before him and all good men though the wicked of the worlde make no account of it but as a deformed thing sée for these two wordes good and comelie Psalme 133.1 Verse 2. The Lord vz. him selfe doth buyld vp vz. thorowe his goodnesse and power Ierusalem i. his Church and vnder the terme builde the Holy Ghost doth meane that GOD is the author the founder yea all in all for his Church and gathereth to gether vz. by the voyce of his worde and the vse of his Sacramentes the dispersed of Israell i. the straying members of his Church If we referre it to Ierusalem and the Iewes he meaneth that GOD hath bene alwayes a gracious Father vnto that people and that howsoeuer they were now scattered abroad into other cuntreyes yet he would bringe them home agayne to theyr owne If wée referre it to the Church as wée may and ought to do in déede he meaneth then that it is not builded by mans power but by a heauenly and diuine power that is by GOD himselfe who gathereth into the bosome or lappe of his Church all those that are strayed from it and appertayne to his election Verse 3. Hee i. the Lorde healeth vz. by his worde and most comfortable promises conteyned therein which are the medicines of our soules and the diseases thereof and this he doth for his promise sake broken in harte i. humbled in the inward man for their sinnes committed agaynst him sée Psalme 51.17 it may also be taken for such as be grieuouslie afflicted either outwardly or inwardly yea throwen downe and ouerwhelmed as it were with their affliction and buildeth vp their sores i. remedieth and redresseth their hurtes and euills and cureth as it were theyr griefes like a good Shéepheard Ezech. 344. and as the good Samaritane Luke 10.34 and as a good Surgion is wont to doo after that he hath opened and dressed his patients woundes Verse 4. He i. the Lorde counteth the number of the starres i. knoweth the very certayne number of them and not that we should thinke that he sitteth there to reckon them after the manner of men calleth them all by their names i. knoweth howe to name euery one of them q.d. that GOD which sitteth in heauen and knoweth all thinges yea euen the least thinges that are and who also ruleth all thinges euen in the very Heauens and doth by name beare rule ouer euerie one of them according to his authoritie and might sée Isaiah 40.26 yea euen that God is worthie to be praysed declaring also that it is no more harde matter for God to gather his Church the dispersion thereof then to number the starres and to giue to euery thing his office might property guiding them all by his prouidence and wisedome in such sorte that nothing shal be disorderous in that great multitude Ver. 5. Great is our lord vz. in goodnesse great is his power vz. also d.q. both his goodnes and power is very great yea infinite Sée Psal 135.3 his wisedome is infinite vz. to men as who can neither account it nor throughly comprehende it vnderstanding by wisedome his most fatherly and wise gouernement also and the particulars thereof Ver. 6. The Lorde relieueth i. comforteth by his woorde and spirite and many times in his prouidence exalteth to great honour as Psal 113.7 the méeke i. the humble hearted and such as by their afflictions are brought to true lowlines and abaseth the wicked to the ground i. casteth them downe from the top of their honour euen as lowe as can bee Ver. 7. Sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde vz. our God with prayse i. with ioyfulnes also as well as with prayse sing vz. Psalmes of prayse vpon the harp hee addeth instruments for the better stirring of men vp Sée Psalme 144.9 and yet this was but temporal and arbitrarie vnto our God sée ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 8. Which couereth the heauens with cloudes i. casteth thick cloudes conteining raine in them ouer the firmament meaning thereby that God doeth by that meanes chaunge as it were the face of the heauen which shoulde drawe vs euen to wonder at his power and prepareth vz. by that meanes raine for the earth i. for the good and profit of the earth because without raine and moisture from heauen it woulde bee vtterly barren and maketh vz. through his speciall blessing as the first cause and the raine as the instrument the grasse to growe vz. in great plenty and abundaunce vpon the mountaines i. in most barren and drie places which are for the most part very scant of grasse because they are nigh to the parching and pearsing heate of the Sunne Verse 9. Which giueth vz. in mercy to beastes their foode i. the nourishment wherewith they are maintained and liue and to the young rauens which are not able to féede themselues which crye vz. through want of foode and sustenaunce Sée Iob. 39.3 and in this verse the Prophet setteth out Gods fatherly care and prouidence which stretcheth it selfe euen to Rauens or Crowes whiche are the most contemned foules almost that are men making no account of them as for foode but vtterly to destroy them as hurtefull and noysome Verse 10. Hée i. GOD hath not pleasure i. careth not for nor delighteth in in the strength of an horse of which you may reade a liuely description Iob. 39.22.23 c. and vnder this and that which followeth hee comprehendeth all meanes of flesh and blood whatsoeuer in which many men put their trust but that is a peruerse thing and much to bee condemned and yet without that wee may lawfully vse all holy meanes which God shall giue vs neither delighteth hee in the legges of man vz. howe strong well proportioned swift and nimble so euer they bee meaning notwithstanding that God exerciseth this goodnes towards vs of the vse of the meanes not for any worthinesse that is in any of the Creatures but for his owne glory fake and the good of his Church Verse 11. But the Lorde delighteth in them i. both careth verye much for them and taketh singular pleasure in them that feare him i. sincerelye worshippe and serue him hauing a reuerent feare of his maiesty in their heartes and attende vz. in hope and patience vppon his mercy i. the time till in mercie hee perfourme that which hee hath graciously promised them Verse 12. Praise the Lorde vz. for his mercy and goodnes O Ierusalem i. O thou his Church prayse thy God i. the GOD which thou seruest O Sion by Sion and Ierusalem he vnderstandeth both one thing vz. Gods Church and congregation Sée Psalme 51.18 meaning also by this often prouoking of men to prayse the Lorde to teach them this that they can neuer want occasion or matter in that behalfe Ver. 13. For he hath made
onely and not from any policie or deuise of man whatsoeuer Ver. 15. Sheweth that the Lorde can by his worde doe watsoeuer pleaseth himselfe Ver. 16.17.18 Teach vs that howsoeuer God vse secondarie causes in the accomplishment of his wil yet it is his power only that directeth disposeth of al things see to this end Iob. 37. throughout Ver. 19. Teacheth vs that gods word is the most singular iewel and blessing that God can giue vs in this life Ver. 20. teacheth vs that God wil haue mercy vpon whomsoeuer he wil haue mercie and he wil shew compassion to whomsoeuer he wil shewe compassion as for the other he wil harden psalme 148 THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first Di. the Prophet exhorteth al the heauenly creatures to praise and glorifie God from ver 1. to the end of 6. In the second he stirreth vp earthly creatures to the performance of that great duety and al this he doth that hee might the better prouoke men therunto from ver 7. to the end of the 12. In the thirde hee exhorteth them al together to prayse the name of the Lorde shewing certaine notable causes wherefore they should do it and this is comprehended in the two last verses of the Psalme The title Prayse ye the Lord Sée before Psal 106. also 111. also 112. Se. also 113. also 146. also 135. and 149. 150. Verse 1. Prayse yee the Lorde from the heauen q.d. al ye things that are in the heauens and haue your abiding there magnifie the Lord and extol him for his goodnes praise ye him in the high places i. ye that are in the heauens haue your dwelling places as it were there and the heauens are called high places because they are high aboue vs and note that in this verse he speaketh generally vnto them al meaning them parcularly as it were one after another in the verses folowing ver 2. Praise ye him all yee his angels hee speaketh this not as though the Angels did not their duetie in that behalfe but because he woulde haue them to shewe men the way as it were to praise God and they are called Gods angels both because he created them and also because they are alwaies ready to execute his commandements praise him al his armies or hostes this is a general word and is to bee referred to all the heauenly creatures as Gene. 2.1 which are called Gods armies and hostes because he vseth their ministery and seruice either in the defence of his children or in the ouerthrow of his and their enemies yet notwithstanding it may very wel be applied to Angels especially as who are the chiefe and principall instruments which he vseth in those cases Verse 3. Prayse ye him sunne and moone he directeth his speach to the insensible creatures though they haue no vnderstanding because they glorifie their creator in doing their duty and kéeping the order which he hath set them and because Gods glory shineth forth in them and they do as it were with a loud cleare voyce publish and set foorth his prayses sée Psal 19.1 and Psal 145.11 all this hee doeth to shewe that it should be great vnkindnes if men should degenerate from the end of their creation prayse ye him al bright starres i. all starres for there is no starre but he hath brightnes and light in him to shine vppon the earth as Gene. 1.16.17 Ver. 4. Prayse ye him heauen of heauens i. not onely the circles and spheres wherein the planets are as it were in diuers seates dwelling houses as the Philosophers affirme but euen the very true heauēs the place of eternal ioy prepared for the elect sée for this phrase 1. King 8.27 and waters i. raine that bée aboue the heauen i. are in the cloudes aboue the firmament and are there vpholde by his almightie power Sée Genesis 1.7 so heauen in this place is put for the aire or the nethermost region of the aire aboue which the cloudes conteining the raine are Ver. 5. Let them vz. altogether and euery one of them prayse the name of the Lorde i. celebrate and set forth his maiesty power goodnes c. for hee commaunded i. hee spake the worde onely and they i. all and euery one of them were created vz. immediatly and presently as Psalme 33.6.9 Verse 6. And hee hath established them vz. by the strength and power of the same word whereby hee created them for euer and euer i. to all perpetuitie and this must chiefely be vnderstoode of the Angels and ministring spirites he hath made an ordinaunce i. he hath set a decrée or decréed by which they are lead to do the office wherunto they are appointed which shal not passe i. which shall not vanish or fléete away or rather thus which they shal not passe i. which they shal not transgresse or goe beyonde doe what they can Verse 7. Prayse yee the Lorde from the earth i. yee earthly thinges as from the heauen verse 1. was heauenlye thinges and this is a general terme comprehending the particulars expressed afterwardes ye Dragons the Hebrewe worde properly signifieth great fishes such as are Whales but yet it may bee applied generally to all great beastes whether they liue in the lande or in the waters and all depthes i. all déepe places or rather by the signe metonomia all thinges conteyned in the déepe places as whether they be in the bottome of the sea or in the caues of the earth Ver. 8. Fire i. lightning and haile i. which cōmonly commeth with stormes of thunder and lightning snow and vapours vz. in the ayre which are drawn vp thither by the power attractiue of the sunne stormie wind which vz. wind or else all of them together but I rather refer it to the wind execute his word i. obey his commaundement after their maner and fashion the accomplishment whereof we sée Exod. 14.25 And this he sayeth because alterations come not by fortune or chaunce but are guided and gouerned by Gods secret will Verse 9 Mountaines and all hils by this particular enumeration he declareth this to be his meaning that he would haue no creatures excepted though he do not reckon them vp all fruitfull trees i. trées that beare fruit for the nourishment of man and beast which thing many trées doe not being replenished only with boughes and leaues and all Cedars vz. how high and tall soeuer they be meaning that if the best were not excepted thē the worst should not Verse 10. Beasts and all cattel vz. of what kind or forme so euer they be the particulars whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes créeping things vz. as wormes snakes serpents and such like which créepe or craule vnderstanding also by those the very fishes as may appeare Gen. 1.20 feathered foules i. euery thing that hath winges and flieth Ver. 11. Kings of the earth i. al maner of rulers and men of mighte by what title or name soeuer they are called and
care and conscience diligently to instruct others ver 9. Beware of stubbornes in sinne for besides that it maketh men brutish it draweth Gods iudgement vpon them ver 10. The vnlikely rewarde of the wicked and the vngodly from the Lord. ver 11. Exhortation yea euen to those that haue made good procéedings in godlines is very necessary Psalme 33 THis Psalme hath two special parts Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth good people to be thankful shewing sundry causes that shoulde moue them thereto as his power prouidence faithful performaunce of his promises and such like from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the seconde hee sheweth that all thinges in respect of God bee as nothing shewing what a fatherly care that great God hath continually ouer his children and praying also the continuance and increase thereof from ver 12. to the end of the Psal This Psalme hath no title such a one is Psalm 10. Ver. 1. Se. In the Lorde sée Psal 32.11 it becommeth this is a reason to induce praises to God set from their duty vpright men sée Psal 32.11 to be thankeful vz. to God for all his benefits ver 2. instruments of tenne strings the proper name of this instrument is not expressed but it should séeme to be very melodious by reason of the number of strings ver 3. A new song i. not a common song but a very rare and exquisite one chearefully for such countenances the Lord loueth in his seruice ver 4. Al his workes i. whatsoeuer he doth are faithful i. true firme in respect of him from whom they come and profitable vnto vs. ver 5 He loueth i. he so fauoureth that he performeth righteousnes and iudgment I make this difference in this place betwéene these two termes that righteousnes should be referred to the good people vnderstanding thereby faythfull performance of all his promises made to them and iudgement to the vngodly meaning the punishments that he will powre forth vppon them and yet which I thinke also wil not be a misse for this place in consideration that iudgement consisteth of two partes vz. of acquiting and clearing the intent and of condemning the guilty it may be referred to the faithful also is full i. hath wonderfull plenty of the testimonies and tokens of Gods mercy ver 6. Worde of the Lord i. his commandement or effectuall speach as Psal 148.5 Heauens i. not onely heauens but the earth and al creatures whatsoeuer some creatures or a part of the workemanship for the whole and al the host of them if you referre it to the heauens alone he meaneth Sunne Moone Starres c. but if you referre it to the whole worke of creation hee meaneth then all the seuerall creatures the breath of his mouth i. by his word only sée Iob. 15.30 ver 7. He gathereth i. he hath sundred them appointed them their place as appeareth Gene. 1.9 and euer since hath as it were kept them in that compasse and so wil do of all which hee speaketh in the present tense the depth i. the waters that séeme to haue no bottome in his treasures i. hee hath shut vp the depths to be kept in a certaine place euen as it were his treasures or amongst other his treasures ver 8. Al the earth i. al the people of the earth by Metonymia ver 9. He spake c. q.d. he did with a becke as a man would say create al things sée ver 6. of this Psalm It was done i. al the worke of his creation and it stood vz. firme sure and vnmoueable ver 11. the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer he hath purposed and decreed stand vz. sure and stedfast yea neuer to be ouerthrowne the thoughts of his heart the prophet speaketh herof God according to men and as they are able to conceiue of him ver 12. Blessed is that nation q.d. seeing it is so that man can do nothing and God is all in all O blessed are that people that hath the Lord for their God that is for their iudge and gouernor ver 13. All the children of men i. all men whatsoeuer and not only their persons but their deeds and workes as ver 15. ver 14. from the habitation of his dwelling i. from heauen as 1. king 8.30.43 ver 15. He fashioneth i. he not only made but now directeth and disposeth their harts and the thoughts of the same ver 16. Is not saued i. deliuered from danger or getteth the victory by the multitude of an host i. by an host consisting of very many people deliuered vz. from the danger and power of his enemies by great strength vz. of himselfe or others for him teaching that all is done and gouerned by the Lord. ver 17. A horse is a vaine helpe q.d. a horse can not helpe And we may vnderstand by horse al aide succour that man can haue deliuer any vz. that rideth vpon him by his great strength i. by any thing that is in him courage swiftnes c. sée Iob. 39.22.23 c. ver 18. The eye of the Lord i. his fauourable countenance and goodnes is yea and shal be continually ver 19. Their soules i. their liues from death i. from all manner of daunger and destruction that might bring death with it and to preserue i. féede and norish them aliue as he did Elijah by rauens in famine i. in the tyme when other people shall be oppressed with great want ver 20. Our soule i. our whole life and being our inward and our outward man wayteth for the Lord i. patiently taryeth the Lord and his leasure q.d. séeing God doth thus and thus for his children as he had declared before ver 18.19 This is it that we do and will do al the daies of our life trust in him with patience Our helpe i. he that helpeth vs and our shield sée Psal 3.30 Psal 11.2 Ver. 28. Our heart a principal part for God specially regardeth the heart put for the whole man q.d. we will reioyce c. in his holy name i. in his vertue power and grace as Psal 29.1 And God is called holye because there is nothing in him but holines nay hée can not away with wickednes Psal 5.4.5 Ver. 22. As wee trust in thee vz. that thou wilt shewe vs mercy not meaning that they woulde haue no more mercy shewed them then they had trust Ver. 1. The consideration of the duety we owe to God Do. should stirre vs vp to thankfulnes ver 3. God loueth chearfulnes in all the exercises that are to bee performed towardes him ver 4. Whatsoeuer God doeth is righteous good and therefore they are to blame that will dislike of his doings ver 5. God giueth plentiful testimonies of his mercy to the ende hee might thereby prouoke men to continual thankfulnes ver 6. Confirmeth this article of our faith God is the maker of heauen and earth ver 7. Gods prouidence guideth al his creatures and namely and particularly the Seas and great
poison of a serpent i. strong and ful of infection able to kil the parties vppon whom it is cast namely the venime of the Aspes of which he speaketh in this place which is vncurable vnlesse the mēbers touched therwith bee immediatly cut off as Plinie noteth lib. 8. cap. 3. like the deafe adder i. the wicked are like to it when he saith the adder or serpent is deafe he meaneth that they make themselues so expressing therby their subtilty against inchantments of whom some write that they stop both their eares after this sort they lay the one of thē close and hard to the ground stop the other with their taile so that no sound can enter when he attributeth eares vnto these adders serpents he meaneth by that speach those open partes of the head whereby they receiue a sound noise made Ver. 5. He noteth that the most cunning inchanter can not once preuaile against thē when their eares are stopped frō hearing of his inchanting words That serpents adders by inchantments haue beene made to lye still not able to hurt is very manifest and famous by sundry examples and yet at this day many in Germany do practise the same I my selfe haue seene it practised vppon a snake by a high Dutchman yet aliue as I take it in England but neither these examples nor this place do proue the lawfulnes of that art as some doe gather thereuppon but rather the contrary for whereas the Iewes cal their charmers by a name importing hauing fellowshippe with an other calling to their fellowship the deuill himselfe and his strength to the practising of these artes Dauid vseth the same word here which also God himselfe condemneth Deutron 18.11 Let vs rather sée what the Prophets purpose is he meaneth to note that his enemies in subtilty and malice did surpasse the most subtill serpents whatsoeuer and that they were so setled in their wickednes that there was no way nor hope of their reclaiming Ver. 6. Breake their teeth in their mouthes he prayeth the Lorde here to remoue all meanes whereby they might hurt either nigh or farre off I take it to be the same with Psal 10.13 sauing that it is expressed in other wordes meaning by téeth the cruell desire or rather their desperate rage to hurt wherwith they were set on fire as though they were raging to byte sée Psalm 3.7 breake the iawes of the yong Lions O Lord i. ouerthrow the force and power of this cruell men who for their force and cruelty hee resembleth to young Lions Ver. 7. Let them melt like the waters vz. turned either into snowe or ice which when the heate of the sunne once commeth vppon them confirmeth very easily and quickly so that he prayeth for a quicke riddance and dispatch of the wicked let them passe away vz. very sodainely when hee shooteth his arrowes i. when hée goeth about any manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer sée Psalm 11.2 Let them bee as broken i. not able to wounde or hurt no more then a broken arrowe can hee prayeth the ouerthrowe of all their mischiefe and power and marke both in this verse and in that that followeth the sodaine chaunge of the number from the plurall to the singular Ver. 8. let him consume like a snaile that melteth vz. after that he is come out of his shell or house for them as Aristotle noteth Lib. 5. de historia animal cap. 32. He waxeth dull and dieth quickly so that here hee prayeth that the wicked might come to a sodaine ende and like the vntimely fruite of a woman i. like a childe borne long before the time It appeareth by Iob. 3.16 that there is two sortes of this vntimely fruite one in which the forme and liniaments of a body doe not yet distinctly appeare an other that hath the parts and members of a body and life it selfe and yet dyeth either before the birth or in the birth I woulde vnderstande the Propet of both but especially of the first part Verse 9. As rawe flesh q.d. let the vngodly bee like rawe flesh taken away out of the pot before the pot haue felt the heate of fire made with thornes or any other wood whatsoeuer by which similitude the Prophet mindeth to note two thinges vz. both the sodaine vengeaunce of God against the wicked which also hee expresseth afterwardes by carrying him away in a whirlewind and also the vnprofitablenes of the wicked For as rawe flesh can not be méete foode for man so these vngodly are such as the Lorde taketh no delight in at all so let him i. God carry them away i. destroy the wicked from amongst men or else tosse them to and fro as the whirlewinde doeth the chaffe dust or any light thing and by the whirlewinde hee noteth their sodaine destruction as by Gods wrath he meaneth the greatnes thereof I know other men read this ver otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is sufficiently playne and hangeth well with that that goeth before Ver. 10. The righteous i. those that are accounted right not that any are so of themselues but that they are so accounted for Christes righteousnes sake shal reioyce i. not onely bee glad for the wickeds ouerthrowe but giue God the glory and praise therefore when hee séeth the vengeaunce vz. from God executed vppon the wicked and vngodly and this is not because the godly are caryed forward with a desire of reuenge that they so reioyce in the wickeds destruction and ouerthrowe but because they conceiue a wonderfull ioy when they sée Gods iudgments executed whereby they knowe that their life is precious before God for as there is mildnes and gentlenes in faithfull mens heartes so being lead with a true zeale they take pleasure in the execution of Gods iudgements and these affections are pure and right because they are ruled according to Gods will hée shall wash his féete in the blood of the wicked the Prophet meaneth hereby that Gods iudgements shalbée so heauily executed vppon the wicked and there shalbée so great a slaughter and discomfiture of them that the good shall euen bathe their feete by a manner of speach in their blood Ver. 11. And men shal say vz. not only the good but euē others that in the great slaughter of the wicked shal remain aliue shal say not in heart onely but also confesse with their mouthes verely there is fruite for the righteous i. certainely it is profitable and good to striue to serue God and to leade a holy life Doubtlesse there is a God vz. in heauen that iudgeth in the earth i. that gouerneth the worlde though the wicked thinke that hee is idle in heauen and regardeth not the things that are done here below Sée Mala. 2.17 also 3.14 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs charitably to debate matters with the wicked and vngodly it sheweth also that hypocrites pretend iustice and iudgement whereas they performe nothing lesse Ver. 2. Declareth how sinne
this Psalme respecting rather matter then order doeth somewhat confusedly expound diuers things generally hée expoundeth in déed Gods power which hee manifested in sauing and deliuering his in ouerthrowing their enemies for which mercy towards the one and iudgement towards the other he exhorteth all the faithful and all others to yéelde both thankes and power vnto him The ouerthrowe of the wicked is foretold and confirmed by examples similitudes Ver. 1.2.6.12.21.23.30 The mercy of God towards his seruants is set out Ver. 3.5.6.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.19.20.22.27.28 Exhortation to humble confession of Gods might and hearty praysing of him for his benefites are comprehended Ver. 4.19.26.32.34 The rest of the verses of this Psalme doe for the most part most excellently séeke the maiesty and power of God as 7.8.17.18.24.25.27.28.29.31.33.35 Se. The title is expounded before sundry times and specially Psal 48. of Dauid i. which Dauid made It shoulde séeme that Dauid writ this Psalme after he had ouercome the Philistines Iebusits and went about to cary the Arke into Ierusalem as 2. Sam. 6. and 1. Chronic. 13. and it is so much the more confirmed vnto me because he beginneth this Psalme with the same words almost that Moses vseth Numer 10.31 When the Arke should remoue Ver. 1. God wil arise i. God by effects wil declare that he is not only present with but that also he taketh care for his Church by exercising his power against the enemies therof and his enemies i. those that molest and trouble his people they are called his enemies because he estéemeth any thing done against theÌ„ as done against himselfe shal bee scattered vz. like chaffe before the wind sée Psal 1.4 meaning that they shal not be able to stand before him they also that hate him vz. either himself or his people shall flée before him vz. as men discomfited in the field and turne their backes Ver. 2. As the smoke vanisheth i. sodainly for we sée the smoke soone passeth away and this is one similitude hee vseth to set forth their hasty and present destruction so shalt thou driue them vz. by violence and that whether they will or no away vz. from the place of their aboade and where they thought their nest was most sure and as waxe melteth before the fire this is an other similitude expressing their sodaine and assured destruction so shall the wicked perish i. come to naught bée ouerthrowne and destroyed as Psalme 1.6 at the presence of God i. when God beginneth once to shewe some testimonies of his presence Ver. 3. But the righteous i. good and holy men who haue the righteousnes of God imputed vnto them shal bee glad and reioyce before God i. shall shewe themselues ioyfull because God declareth himself terrible to the wicked which also is for their good and the saluation of his Church yea they shall leape for ioy i. they shall expresse the inward ioy of their heart by outward gestures and signes Ver. 4. Sing vnto God he exhorteth the faithful to praise God and sing praises vnto his name i. to his power goodnes maiesty and nature for al these are his being substance exalt him vz. with songes and prayses that rideth vpon the heauens i. that hath an infinite power and is lifted vp farre aboue all the world in his name Iah i. in his eternal nature which is of it selfe and is the cause that all other thinges are for so much the worde Iah importeth and amongest other names and titles of God hee taketh that which is in déede most significant for the which he is especially to be praised reioyce before him vz. in the place where he is worshipped which was wheresoeuer the Arke was till the temple was builded Ver. 5. He i. God is a father i. a gracious prouider for maintainer of the fatherles i. of al those that bee in affliction misery as Hosea 14.3 and a iudge i. one that taketh knowledge of reuengeth iniury offred to the widowes by these two fatherles widowes he meaneth that God caryeth a singular affection towards those that are oppressed which he wil maintaine against all those that labour to put them downe and oppresse them by violence in his holy habitation hee meaneth either heauen or the tabernacle of wicnesse The sense is that for as much as God had chose him a dwelling place amongst men the poore might haue more bold assurance when they vnderstoode that they néed not séeke God farre off Ver. 6. God maketh the solitary to dwel in families by solitary he meaneth those that were childles who are so called not onely because barennes which was reprochful among the Iewes made theÌ„ sundry times to liue as it were solitarily i. not so much to reioyce in company as others did but also because not hauing séede they were as it were alone in as much as they did not increase the house or stocke and by dwelling in families hee meaneth blessing of them with children and posterity sée Psalm 113.9 and deliuereth i. setteth frée from bandes and the daunger of their enemies power them that were prisoners in stockes i. those that were kept most straitly and locked most surely as Paul and Silas Actes 16.24 Sée Psalme 107.10.13.14.16 also Psalme 146. throughout but the rebellious vz. against GOD and his truth shall dwell in a dried lande i. a barren place as Psalme 63.1 Hee meaneth that they shalbée destitute of gods blessing and in continuall misery expressing one kinde of affliction for al. Ver. 7 O God when thou weâ—test foorth i. when thou diddest take the charge and gouernement and so wentest in and out for them and on their behalfe before the people vz. of Israel what tyme thou causedst them to come vp out of Egipt when thou wentest vz. with them and that fortie yeeres long through the wildernes sée Psalme 95.8.9.10 also Numb 33.11 Verse 8. The earth i. not onely mount Sinai but also the ground about it sée Exodus 19.18 yea hee meaneth that all thinges gaue place vnto him bringing his people out of that bondage as the historie sheweth from Exod. 7. Vnto the 20. chapter the heauens dropped vz. either manna which God gaue the people or else raine and water sée Psalm 18.7.11 at the presence of this God i. when this our god would giue vs some tast of his maiesty euen Sinai q.d. that great notable and strong mountaine was moued i. trembled and shooke as before in this verse Verse 9. Thou O God diddest send for so it must be and not sendest a gracious raigne he meaneth that of his free and onely goodwill did giue the land which of it selfe was a lande of mountaines and valleis as Deutrono 11.11 good store of raine which here also hee calleth gracious because it procéeded of Gods onely grace and good-will vpon thine inheritance i. vpon the land of Canaan which he calleth inheritance because he gaue the same for an inheritance to his people and thou diddest refresh it
those that can hardly be tamed and bee full of wantonnes and sport as it were such as calues be when they are very fat that tread vnder féete i. that do contemne despise and set little by as Matth. 7.6 pieces of siluer thinges that ought to be regarded and estéemed putting one for al of the like sort scatter sée ver 1. of this Psalme the people that delight in warre i. take pleasure thinke it to be the greatest ioy when they may contend or fight most Ver. 31. Then i. when thou shalt bestow these great graces vpon thy children and ouerthrow thine enemies shall the Princes vz. moued partly through iudgments and partly by thy mercy come out of Egipt vz. to yéelde obedience vnto thée and to submit themselues to thy Lordship and gouernment Ethiopia i. the people inhabiting that land shall hast i. make hast and speede to stretch her hands i. to pray vnto or readily to offer giftes in signe of obedience and subiection putting the signe of prayer or obedience for the things themselues vnto God i. vnto thée speaking of God to God in the third person Ver. 32. Sing vnto God vz. prayse and thankesgiuing for your conuersion calling for these verses comprehend the calling of the Gentiles to the kingdom of Christ O ye kingdomes of the earth i. O ye people which inhabite the kingdomes of the world putting the places inhabited for the persōs inhabiting as sundry times before sing prayse vnto the Lorde the saying is doubled the more earnestly to prouoke men thereto Verse 33. To him that rideth vppon the heauens i. to him that gouerneth them and their course as hee that rideth vppon the Horse doeth the Horse this is spoken of GOD according to man and is nothing else as a man woulde say but a description of Gods excellent maiesty and when hee sayth most high heauens hee speaketh it also according to men who are wont to make sundry heauens as the Philosophers yet doe not that there are so for all that they babble of that matter is vayne but that men so esteeme it and yet notwithstanding in Scripture wee see that the worde heauen is sometimes vsed in Scripture for the ayre as when wee say foules of heauen sometimes for the firmament which is also aboue the ayre and so this place may bee expounded thus let men imagine neuer so many heauens yet God ruleth them all whiche were from the beginning as appeareth Gen. 1.1 and so haue since that time continued and still shall continue al which tendeth to expresse the great power of almighty God behold he will send out by his voice a mightie sound by Gods voyce he vnderstandeth the thunder the diuers effects whereof sée at large Psalme 29. And by mighty sound he meaneth not only large sound but also great which euen shaketh the earth as it were Verse 34. Ascribe the power to God i. giue vnto him all the prayse of power both in himself and in you for his maiestie is vpon Israel i. is declared mightily toward his people and Church as Psalm 14.7 and his strength is in the cloudes i. is not onely made manifest in the same but also he vseth the cloudes and all other creatures whatsoeuer to set out his power Verse 35. O God thou art terrible vz. to thine enimies and aduersaries out of thine holy places q.d. Thou shewest euident testimonies and tokens thereof out of thy tabernacle and he vseth the plurall number holy places eyther in respect that the arke was set vp in sundry places before the temple was builded or else in respect of the distincte places of the arke as Heb. 9.2.3 all which were called holy or else in respect of the heauenly holye place and the earthly holy place which was a shadowe of that heauenly one as Heb. 10.19 the God of Israel i. the God of his Church and faythfull people is he vz. alone that giueth vz. of his own goodnesse and mercye onely without any merite or desert of theirs strength and power vz. to defend themselues and to beat back their enimies meaning by strength and power all the meanes whereby these great workes may be performed vnto the people vz. whome he hath chosen vnderstanding the people of Israell for that time and the Church for euer praysed be God vz. for that his mercy and greate goodnesse towards them Verse 1. Teacheth two things Do first that God hath all power in his hande to destroy his enemies seconde that the enemies of the Church cannot prosper Verse 2. Setteth out the sodayne destruction of the wicked Verse 3. sheweth that when the wicked shall be beaten downe Gods children shall be lifted vp in spirituall ioye and mirth Verse 4. teacheth vs continually to prayse God for his incomprehensible maiestie and power Verse 5. Teacheth vs what greate care God in mercy carrieth toward the distressed persons Verse 6. Teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of body deliueraunce of extreme daungers and plagues and punishments of what sort soeuer vpon the vngodly come all from God Verse 7. Teacheth vs to thinke vpon Gods graces performed of old that therby our fayth may be strengthened to escape daungers Verse 8. Teacheth that all creatures are not able to stande before the presence and maiestie of God Verse 9. Teacheth that plentifulnesse and the means thereof are all in Gods handes Verse 10. Teacheth that though the wicked haue a great portion of the earth in possession yet that the Lord hath properlye prepared it for them that feare him Verse 11. Teacheth vs that we can not haue our mouthes open to speake much lesse to speake well til God giue both the matter and vtterance also that the weakest meanes as women when God inableth them shal be sufficient to expresse his prayse Verse 12. teacheth that neither multitude strēgth nor authority can preuaile agaynst the Lord and his people otherwise then he himselfe séeth good Verse 13. Teacheth that the afflictions of the godly doe no whit at al hinder the beautie of the godly but rather are the instruments which God doth use to make them more glorious Verse 15. Setteth out the excellency beauty and continuance of Gods church Ver. 16. Teacheth that al congregations though outwardly neuer so glorious and glittering in respecte of it are nothing Ver. 17. Sheweth that Gods power is inuincible and his armies to performe his purpose are innumerable Verse 18. Sheweth that God will triumphe ouer al the faythfull willingly and vnfainedlie subiecting themselues and the other whether they will or no. Verse 19 teacheth vs two things first to yéeld thanks to God for his mercies secondly that his goodnes toward vs neuer ceaseth Verse 20 teacheth vs that euen in the greatest daungers God deliuereth his children to the end all glory might be giuen to him therefore Verse 21. Sheweth that the wicked enemies of his Church shal not long escape vnpunished Verse 22. teacheth vs that Gods promises of deliuerance saluation c. are the
dennes of violence vz. which they practise against other men q.d. the holes which men sought for refuge and defence are by these mens cruelties become very dennes of outrage violence Ver. 21. Oh let not the oppressed vz. by the iniurie outrage of cruel men returne vz. from thy maiesty specially séeing he prayeth vnto thee but let the poore and néedy praise thy name i. giue them occasion to prayse and extoll thy power by deliuering them from their enemies and supplying their wantes Ver. 22. Arise O God vz. to declare thy might vpon thine enemies and to helpe thine maintaine vz. against the violence and rage of thine enemies thine owne cause i. thyne own glory now hazarded in the person of thy people like to be ouerthrowne if thou lay not to thy hand q.d. the enemies will say that either thou canst not or wilt not helpe and so thy glory shal be defaced remember this is spoken according to man and not that God forgetteth though hee séeme so to doe thy dayly reproch i. the reproches which thy enemies and the enemies of thy people do daily vtter against thée by the foolish man i. which the wicked man speaketh foole put for a wicked person as Psal 14.1 Verse 23. Forget not this is spokē as in the other ver remember the voice of thine enemies i. the roaring and blasphemies that they cast out against thee thy temple and people sée ver 4.6.7.8.10 verses of this Psalme for the tumult i. the rage and outcries of them that rise against thée i. of thine enemies and thy peoples enemies ascendeth vz. into thy sight and presence continually q.d. thou canst not chuse therefore but remember and thinke vpon the same as in the beginning of this very verse Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God many times layeth grieuous afflictions vpon his children to the end he might thereby drawe them nigh vnto himselfe Verse 2. Teacheth the faithful not only to haue recourse to god by praier in the time of their troubles but to ground themselues vppon that experience which either they thēselues or their forefathers haue had of his goodnes Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that we may safely pray against the enemies of the Church Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 Do liuely paint out the rage violence of the enemies of god and that against the outward marks of religion which may teach Gods children hatred and zeale against the monuments of idolatry superstition Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that euident signes of Gods wrath displeasure as the want of his worde the stopping of the true ministers mouthes c. should touch vs to the quicke Ver. 10. Teacheth vs with patience to beare the Lords hand vpon vs till it please him to remoue it and yet notwithstanding to craue according to his wil the taking of it from vs. Ver. 11. Sheweth that Gods right hand and power is the only assured meane of defence of his children the destruction of the vngodly Ver. 12. True tast and féeling of gods former deliuerances should strengthen the hope of his seruants that they shal again be deliuered out of al their distresses Ver. 13.14.15.16.17 are particular descriptions of the might power of God in certaine particular works of his out of which we learne to stay our selues wholly vpon him who hath al power in his owne hands and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked which reacheth not only vnto men on earth but to God in heauen Ver. 19. Teacheth vs to haue recourse to God by earnest prayer in the middest of all our calamities and afflictions Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenant made with vs is not only a good ground for prayer but also a matter of great comfort to the conscience because we know he wil not go backe from that which he hath promised Ver. 21. Teacheth that it is no small comfort to the godly when they féele by effects that their praiers are heard Ver. 22. Sheweth that God his people be so linked together that reproch can not be offered to the one but it is offred to the other Ver. 23. Teacheth vs that euen the very outrage cruelties of the wicked are effectuall instrumentes to drawe from God as iudgements against their owne soules so deliuerance to his people Psalme 75 IN the argument of this Psalm I do somewhat differ from the Geneua Bible taking it to be a Psalme made by Dauid before that hee bare rule ouer the twelue tribes what time there was such great warres betwéene him and the house of Saul the Prophet promising here that if God will establish him in the full gouernement hee wil praise his name continually for the better proof of this my assertion consider the words of the third verse of this Psal This Psal specially expoundeth thrée things Di. first is a solemne promise of hearty thanksgiuing vnto the Lorde and this is comprehended ver 1.9 The second is a protestation what he wil do when god shall aduance him to the kingdome and this is in ver 2.3.10 And the thirde is a louing admonition to the wicked with graue reasons of that admonition that they set not themselues against God and his ordinance and this is conteyned in ver 5.6.7.8 For the exposition of the title of this Psalme sée Psalm 57. in the title Se. and also Psal 48. in the title and Psal 50. in the title out of al which laid together you shal haue these termes destroy not a Psalme and song committed to Asaph expounded and as for these words to him that excelleth they are declared before Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. We wil praise thée O God vz. for thy benefites and graces bestowed vpon vs and the doubling of the wordes noteth the constant mind and earnestnes which they caried with them to performe it and all this Dauid speaketh in the person of the faithful in his owne name also for thy name is néere i. thy power maiesty as Psal 20.1 meaning that God by his power began to approch for his good profit therefore they i. not only I but al other faithfull and godly people will declare i. publish and set abroad and that to all others thy wonderfull workes i. those workes of thine which thou doest for those that are thine are in déed for the excellency and greatnes of them to be wondered at Immanuel readeth the latter part of this ver thus for thy wonderful workes declare that thy name is nigh q.d. this shalbée one cause of our praysing thée because we perceiue by thy wonderfull workes that thou in power drawest nigh to helpe vs in these confusions and troubles and this is in my mind a very good sense Ver. 2. When I marke the sodaine change of the person this Dauid speaketh of himselfe not of God as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth shall take i. obtaine and get a conuenient time i. that time
outragiously following sinne and vngodlinesse for they haue not known i. neither allowed loued nor walked in my wayes i. eyther my doctrine and law or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes Verse 11. Wherefore vz. by this their continuall rebellion being moued I sware vz. vnto them q.d. I tied my selfe by the vertue of an oth in my wrath vz. agaynst them he meaneth by this spéech being angry with them saying vz. in such sort that they might both heare it and know it surely they i. this wicked and rebellious people shall not enter vz. at all into my rest i. into the land of Canaan where they should rest after their long trauayles and he calleth it Gods rest both because God promised it and also after forty yeares by the ministery of Iehoshua performed it vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people sée Heb. 4. ver 8.9 Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues Do. but also to prouoke others thereto Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him publikely chearefully and with an vnfeyned hart Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth no not all of them together are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue Ver. 4.5 teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen earth the water c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things first that in respect of God and of our selues we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same Verse 8. teacheth vs to cast away and to purge from vs al hard hartednesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse and Gods iustice vpon them for the same that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises not demaunding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth Verse 10. teacheth vs that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them Also that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente if it woulde bée Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome Psalme 96. TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation directed to the people Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his goodnesse yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde verse 1.2.3 In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it verse 4.5.6 In the third he doth agayne because men are dull prouoke them to that duety of praysing God ver 7 8 9 10. In the fourth he desireth or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem differing little or nothing sauing in the chaunging of certain words from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse Verse 1. Sing vz. with harte and voyce vnto the Lord vz. our good gracious God a new song i. not only new in respect of making but an exquisite one and more then a common song by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God but one that is more then accustomed yea extraordinary sée Psalme 33 3. sing vnto the Lord vnderstād it as before in the beginning of this verse all the earth i. all the people inhabiting the earth meaning specially the people of the Iewes vnderstanding also by earth the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord expound this as it was expounded before ver 1. of this Psal and praise his name i. set forth his maiesty power c. as Psalme 20 1. with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing declare vz. in your songs with your words his saluation i. the gracious deliuerance wch he performeth for his people frō day to day i. continually without ceasing as the day neuer ceaseth True it is that god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new continuall benefits but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that but to shew rather the faythful what their duty is in publishing these graces Ver. 3. Declare vz. by your words déeds his glory i. the things which he hath don for you getting ther by glory vnto himselfe among al nations vz. of the earth meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils and his wonders vz. whiche he hath done for you and on your behalfe among all people vz. of the whole world q.d. sound sende them abroad that other may heare the same and feare Ver. 4. For the Lord is great vz. in strength might and power and muche to bée praysed vz. of all men but specially of his own children and seruaunts for the graces he bestoweth vpon them he is to be feared vz. with a reuerent and holye feare aboue al Gods i. more then al the idols of the Gentils for of them he speaketh in this place as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods but yet are not so in déed as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5 and Psal 115.4.5 c. are idols i. vanities and matters of nothing as appeareth 1. Corinth 8 4. whereof also in this place and Leuit. 19.4 they haue their names as the etymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth but the Lorde vz. our God which we serue made vz. in the beginning and that of nothing the heauens i. al things whatsoeuer heauen earth c. putting one part of the creatiō for the whole Ver. 6. strength vz. to strike his enemies to defend his own people and glory vz. for those whom he loueth liketh are before him i. are continually in his sight and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him power beauty vz. most excellent and glorious are in his sanctuary i. in the place of his abode worship the Prophet meaneth as I take it that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Tabernacle Verse 7. Giue vnto
of the Lorde i. shal tremble at his great power and maiesty though not with the reuerent and right feare thereof which his owne children only haue and al the kings of the earth q.d. this feare shal not onely sease the heartes of their common people but euen of their greatest and mightiest princes thy glory i. they shal feare thy maiesty glory which doest such great and glorious thinges for thy people Verse 16. When the Lorde hee noteth the time of the trembling of the kings and people shall builde vp Sion i. his Church vz. decayed and cast downe hee vseth this worde Sion generally for the place of Gods seruice because that sometime the arke of couenant was placed there and shal appeare in his glory i. shall shewe himselfe glorious and triumphant which shall no doubt be comfortable to his children and feareful to his enemies Ver. 17. And shal turne vz. his gracious and louing countenance meaning by this speach yéelding or graunting vnto the prayer i. to the harty supplications and requests of the desolate i. of thē that are forsaken of all whom though they stand in néede of euery mans helpe yet no man helpeth The worde properly signifieth a kinde of shrubble which groweth in vntilled places as a brier or such like by which he noteth also the people that were in the captiuity of Babylon as in a deserte and wilde place and not despise their prayer vz. which they make vnto him in their affliction hee speaketh one thing twise as it were of which sundry times before and not as though god did euer despise the supplications of his poore seruants Ver. 18. This vz. gracious hearing of his poore seruants prayers and deliuery of them out of captiuity shal be written vz. as an excellent thing and worthy of continual remembrance for the generation to come vz. that they therby may be instructed both of the power of God and his faithfulnes and trueth in performing his promises and the people vz. of Israel and Iudah which shalbée created i. which shal returne out of the captiuity of Babylon which hée compareth to be a second birth or creation as it were because they séemed therin to bée as dead Sée Ezech 37. from ver 1. to the ende of the 14. of which also for the greatnes of it it is sundry times sayd in the Prophets It shalbée no more sayd the Lord liueth that brought the people out of Egypt but that brought the people from the lande of the North shall prayse the Lorde vz. for his great goodnes and mercy towardes them Ver. 19. For hée hath looked downe vz. vppon the great outrage of his enemies and the wonderfull affliction of his people from the height of his sanctuary i. euen from the very heauens as hée séemeth to expound it euen in this verse out of the heauē which is the throne of his maiesty did the Lorde behold the earth i. not onely the earth it self but specially and chiefly men inhabiting the earth and amongest the rest his owne people as may appeare in the verses following Verse 20. That hee might heare vz. and so take pity of the mourning i. the sighings gronings and lamentable cryes of the prisoner i. of the prisoners one number put for an other meaning those that were bound and helde as captiues in Babilon and deliuer vz. out of daunger distresse and all manner of feare the children of death i. them that were at deaths doore or appointed to death as it were Sée Psal 79.11 Ver. 21. That they vz. so deliuered noting also the end why god giueth deliueraunce vnto his seruants may declare i. set out and publish and that both by word and déede the name of the Lord i. his power maiesty goodnes c. as Psal 21.1 in Sion i. in his Church and his prayse i. the prayse which is due vnto him for the same not that any is able to prayse him sufficiently for his power and goodnes in Ierusalem i. in the Church as before Sion and Ierusalem being the principall places of his worshippe put for his whole Church and the publike assemblies and congregations thereof sée Psal 2.6 Ver. 22. When the people vz. which are nowe in captiuity and dispersed abroad shal be gathered together vz. to serue the Lorde in these places and after that sort which he himselfe hath prescribed and the kingdomes vz. of the earth meaning hereby the calling of other people besides the Iewes to serue the Lord vz. according to the prescript rule of his word The Prophet noteth two thinges specially in this verse the one is the returning of the people out of Babylon the other is the calling of the Gentiles to the religion and seruice of God Ver. 23. He i. the Lorde abated vz. by outwarde and inward afflictions my strength i. whatsoeuer séemed excellent in mee putting one excellent thing for many in the way vz. wherein I walked meaning the daies and course of his life as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse and shortened vz. in mine owne iudgment and as I supposed for otherwise in respect of God our dayes are certainely numbred my dayes i. the dayes of my life Ver. 24. And I sayd vz. in that great affliction and griefe O my God take mee not away vz. out of this life q.d. let mee not vanishe awaye but shewe mée thy fauour in continuing my life in the middest of my dayes i. before I come to the full ende of my race and all this and that in the former verse the Prophet speaketh not onely in his owne person but in the name of the rest of the faithful thy yéeres indure from generation to generation i. thou continuest and abidest for euer and art alwayes one make mee therefore q.d. like vnto thy selfe Verse 25. Thou vz. O GOD hast afore tyme vz. in the beginning layde the foundation of the earth i. created and mainteined the earth and all thinges therein hee sheweth Gods eternitie because hee was before all thinges created and was the maker of all thinges whatsoeuer and the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined are the worke of thine handes i. thou hast made them handes attributed to GOD for our vnderstanding sake Verse 26. They vz. the heauen the earth and all thinges therein shall perish vz. not in respect of their substance but in respect of their qualities sée Isaiah 65.17 Isaiah 66.22 Reuelat. 21.1 2. Peter 3.12.13 and this perishing hée calleth afterwardes in this verse a chaunging but thou shalt indure vz. frée from any alteration or chaunge as Iames 1.17 and that for euer and euer hée here commendeth Gods eternity by comparison euen they all q.d. not one of them accepted shall waxe olde as doeth a garment i. shall through continuaunce of tyme decay as doeth a garment as a vesture shalt thou chaunge them this is a metaphor taken from men who changing their garmentes from worse to better of which chaunge of the creatures the Apostle
vz. both of man and beast sée Psal 136.6 also Psa 78.51 Exod. 12.29 euen the beginning of al their strēgth this is another Peraphrasis of their first born or eldest and they are so named because their parents are of principal force then in the beginning of them and their force doth specially then appeare sée Gen. 49.3 Psal 78.51 Sée this story Exod. 12.29.30 c. Ver. 37. He i. the Lord by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses brought them vz. the people of Israell forth vz. out of the lande of Egipt and that with a mighty hand and outstretched arm also i. euen as wel as punished the Egiptians I suppose that the word may note the time whē god performed it vz. after that he had plagued and punished the Egiptians with siluer golde vz. euen as it were faden they had such great abundance of it which they tooke from the Egiptians sée Exod. 12.35 36. and there was none féeble among their tribes q.d. they came al out of Egipt safe and found frée from al not only outward but inward hinderaunces as the Lord had promised Exod. 11.7 Ver. 38. Egypt i. the Egiptians putting the land for the inhabitants was glad at their departure vz. from amongst them for the feare of them i. of the Israelites meaning that God then had made thē terrible and fearful to their enemies who but a little before did cruelly oppres them had fallen vppon them i. had seased taken hold of and possessed the harts of the Egiptians sée Exod. 11.8 also Exod. 12.33 Verse 39. He spread a cloud vz. in the day time to bee a couering vz. vnto his people of Israel and that to kéepe them from the heate of the sunne and fire i. a piller of fire to giue light in the night vz. to lead them in the way that they went sée Exod. 13 21. Ver. 40. They i. the Israelites asked vz. of god and that temptingly as Psal 78.18 and he broughte quailes i. most dainty delicate things so gracious was God vnto them and hee filled thē with the bread of heauen i. with Māna wch is called the breade of heauen because it came from the Firmament sée for this Exodus 16. thorow out also Psal 78. verse 23.24 c. Ver. 41. He opened vz. by his almighty power the rock vz. in the Wildenesse he putteth rock for rocks for this miracle was performed more then once as may appeare Exod. 17 6 Num. 20 11 by diligent cōparing of these two places together the waters flowed out vz. in great abundance and ran in the dry places vz. where there was no water before like a riuer i. in great plenty abundance so that both men beasts were satisfied therwith as Num. 20 11. sée also Psalme 78 15 16. Verse 42. For he remembred vz. euen to performe it sée verse 8. of this Psalme his holy promise vz. which he had made the promise is called holy both because it came frō him that is holines it self and also because it conteineth holy things to Abraham his seruant sée ver 6 of this Psal Now he made him this promise when he promised to bring his séed into the land of Canaan after 400 yeres sée Gen. 15 13 c. also Iosh 24.4 5 c. Ver. 43. And he vz. God brought forth vz. after that he had plagued the Egyptians his people vz. of Israel with ioy vz. both on the behalfe of the Egiptians who were glad to be rid of them and of the Israelites who reioyced to be set free from bondage and his chosen i. that people whom he had chosen with gladnes i. with mirth and singing the truth of this appeareth Exo. 15.1 c. also Num. 33 3 Ver. 44. And gaue them vz. fréely and of his own accord and goodnes and that for an inheritaunce as ver 11. of this Psalme the lands of the heathen i. the lands that the heathen did inhabite and dwell in vnderstanding by Heathen the Amonites Hittites other people that dwelt in the lande of Canaan And they vz. the Israelites tooke vz. vnto themselues the labours of the people i. those things that the people by great labour and trauayle had got vnto themselues in possession i. to bée a possession or inheritance for thē Ver. 45. That they vz. the Israelites might kéepe vz. with al their harts his statutes i. Gods cōmandements obserue vz. in thought word déed his lawes i. those thinges which by his laws he commaunded them to do So that here he noteth the end wherfore God gaue them those graces prayse ye the Lord sée the last verse of Psalm 104. Verse 1 teacheth vs to prayse God for his mercies Do. secondly to ioine with our praises praier vnto him for the things we want thirdly to indeuor that other as well as we may come to the knowledge of his maiestie and power Verse 2 teacheth vs both with hart and mouth to glorify our god that this should be one péece of our spéech to set forth his wonderful workes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not rightly reioyce in any thing but in the power and goodnesse of God it teacheth vs also that none can in déed reioyce but those that loue fear the Lord Ver. 4 teacheth vs to ioin our selues to the publike assēblies of gods church for there the Lord is to be found also it teacheth vs the doctrine of perseuerance that we should neuer be weary of well doing Ver. 5 teacheth vs that in our meditations it is good for vs to ioyn Gods works his word together because al the life light that the works haue they haue it frō the word Ver. 6 teacheth that chéefly and only indéed it appertaineth to the faithful their séede to praise God Ver. 7 teacheth the faithful to comfort themselues in this that God is their God that they are vnder his gouernment Ver. 8 sheweth that this is very comfortable to Gods children that he thinketh alwaies vpon his mercies promised them to perform the same Ver. 9 10 setteth out Gods great goodnes who for the strengthning of our faith in the truth of his promises doth not only oftētimes repeat confirm the same but as it were tieth himself vnto vs by an oth Ver. 11 teacheth that whatsoeuer benefits either outward or inwarde God bestoweth vpō his seruants he giueth thē of his méere liberality goodnes only Ver. 12 teacheth vs that God respecteth not the person of men nor their multitude Ver. 13 sheweth that Gods children are vpō the earth strāgers pilgrims Ver. 14 teacheth that God doth neuer destitute his in any distres Ver. 15 teacheth how deare Gods children are vnto him and what care he hath ouer them so that he wil not haue them so much as once touched Ver. 16 teacheth that God many times euen by outward things exerciseth the faith of his dearest seruants Verse 17 teacheth that he doth not at any time for
not onely labour to whet our coldnesse and dulnes but sheweth that God is he who alone is worthy all prayse Ver. 2. Blessed i. praysed and magnified hée the name of the Lorde i. Gods maiesty power and goodnes as before ver 1. of this Psalme from henceforth and for euer i. from this tyme and so forward alwayes In this verse the Prophet amplifieth Gods prayse by the circumstance of tyme q.d. hée would haue it to continue alwayes in mens mouthes as in the next verse hée amplifieth it by the circumstaunce of place q.d. hée woulde haue it remaine and abyde also in all places Ver. 3. The Lordes name i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as before verse 1.2 of this Psalme and also Psalm 20.1 is praysed i. is meete and worthy to bee praysed for the excellency and woorthinesse thereof some read it thus let it be praysed both senses may stand well with the purpose of the Prophet from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same i. in and through all the world he putteth two of the chiefest parts of the world for the whole world because these two partes vz. East and West were most inhabited for the North by reason of colde and the South by reason of heate are not so well peopled as the other quarters are Ver. 4. The Lorde is high aboue all nations i. is renowmed and more glorious then al the peoples of the world or any one of them and it is a secret reproof q.d. Is there any thing more absurde amongest reasonable men then this that they which haue certaine experience and knowledge of Gods glory amongst them should cease to prayse him for it séeing it shineth euen amongest them that are blinde and his glory aboue the heauens q.d. God doeth not onely excéede and excel al nations in glory but euen the very heauens themselues which are not able to conceiue or conteine his glory Ver. 5. Who either in heauen or in earth is like to wit in power strength prouidence goodnes c. vnto the Lorde our God i. vnto him whom we serue that hath his dwelling on high i. that dwelleth in the heauens as Psalme 2.4 Ver. 6. Who abaseth himselfe vz. in loue and mercy towardes his to behold thinges vz. which are done in the heauen and in the earth he meaneth that God foreseeth all thinges both aloft and belowe and by his power disposeth thereof Ver. 7. He rayseth vz. through his almighty power and of his goodnes the needy i. the poore and abiect amongst men out of the dust i. out of a vile and contemptible estate and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung hee speaketh the selfe same thing in other tearmes meaning that God many tymes aduanceth the most base persons sée 1. Sam. 2.8 also 2. Sam. 7.8 and note that hée speaketh not here of an ordinary course as in other places but of vnaccustomed workes in which Gods hand power is more manifest as when he exalteth a poore man not onely to a simple degrée of honour but also to haue authority ouer his people True it is that this appeareth plainely in the ciuill gouernement but yet especially in the state of the Church which is the principall theatre as it were of the worlde and wherein God giueth the plainest testimonies of his power wisedome and wonderfull iustice Ver. 8. That he may set them with the princes i. that he may giue and commit vnto them gouernement as other princes haue and not onely as euery other Prince but euen such gouernement as the princes of his owne people haue whome hée hath not onely chosen but also most tenderly loued Ver. 9. Hée i. God maketh vz. by his almighty power and working the barren woman i. shee that was barren to dwell with a family i. to haue plenty of children about her the Prophet putteth the whole family for the principall part thereof that is children and vz. God maketh her also a ioyfull mother of children i. to reioyce in her children and fruitfulnes hee ascribeth here ioy vnto mothers because they preferre posterity before all other thinges which they desire that barrennes bred griefe and fruitfulnes ioy appeareth in Hannah the mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 1.2 chapiters throughout prayse yee the Lorde sée Psal 106. and the last verse Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all men Do. but specially the ministers of Gods worde to set forth the noble prayses of the Lord. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that Gods prayses should be continuall Ver. 3. Sheweth that they shall bée publike in all places Verse 4. Sheweth that all the glory both of heauen and earth and of all the creatures therein conteined is not so much as a shaddow of the glory and maiesty that is in God Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that none is any manner of way comparable with God or like vnto him Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God looketh vppon all thinges both in heauen and earth which shoulde teach vs to walke with feare and trembling in his sight Ver. 7. and 8. Teach vs that preferment commeth not from the East nor from the West but from the Lorde onely as Psal 75.6.7 Ver. 8. Teacheth further that christian princes and those which gouerne Gods people are more to be estéemed then vnbeléeuing magistrates are Ver. 9. Teacheth vs first that barennes and fruitfulnes are both from the Lord. Secondly that wee may yea that wee ought to reioyce when God blesseth vs with posterity Psalme 114 THis Psalme may be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth how the people were deliuered out of Egipt and the wonderfull works which God did for their sake from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is comprehended as it were a dialogue or disputation betwéen the Prophet and the creatures from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as sundry other haue not and namely Psal 10. Se. also Psal 91. also Psal 93. c Ver. 1. When Israell i. the people of Israell who are called Israel because they descended of Iaakob who was also called Israel went out of Egipt i. were deliuered out of it by the handes of Moses Aaron and the house of Iaakob i. his race and posterity from the barbarous people vz. of the land of Egipt the Hebrew worde vsed in this place signifieth such as spake an other tongue besides the Hebrewe Sée Psalm 81.5 Ver. 2. Iudah i. not onely that tribe but all the rest of the people of Israel for that which hee attributeth to that tribe because it was one of the chiefest appertaineth also euen vnto the whole body of the people was his sanctification i. was a people whom hée had sanctified and seperated from other nations to bée a peculiar holy people to himselfe And Israel i. the people that came of Israel as ver 1. of this Psalm his dominion i. God had purchased vnto himselfe a Lordship and rule ouer them
euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same the heauen and the earth vz. and al thinges therein conteined q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing séeing that he who blesseth you is the author preseruer gouernor of heauen al things therin of the earth al things therin which also he hath giuen to vs as verse following Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens i. the most high heauens are the Lords i. apperteine and belong vnto him as the special place of his delight and dwelling and yet we must not so vnderstand it as God were tyed to any one certaine place for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth but he hath giuen vz. of his large liberality and goodnes the earth vz. wherein men dwel to the sonnes of men i. to men and their séede after them that they should inhabite and vse it so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God and stirred vp thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity Verse 17. The dead prayse not the Lord the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church the whole order and course of the worlde shoulde bee turned vpside downe for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue if there were not a people to call vpon God whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world and so with al there is set out the end wherefore men are placed in the world vz. to prayse serue God q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise sée Psal 6.5 whether they that go downe into the place of silence i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them sée for this speach Psal 94.17 sée also Isaiah 38.18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one the selfesame thing Ver. 18. But we vz. which shal liue and be deliuered from our distresses wil prayse the Lord vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him from hencefoorth and for euer i. continually and alwaies prayse ye the Lord sée Psal 104. and Psal 105. in the very end Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confidence in our selues to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people when his own people are discomfited or disgraced Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles themselues and of al such as either make or worship them Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a whoring after idols to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers preachers of Gods word to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god there must be ioyned faith in God and his word or else it is nothing Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that God neuer forgetteth his children and merciful couenant made with them also that the godly shal haue from the Lord both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly and their posterity after them Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor shal not nor can not want any thing that is good Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life we shold vse them wel and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs to set forth his glory and praise Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things first that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies for euen to the ende haue we our life giuen and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like Psalme 116. THis Psalme as I take it may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side his loue fayth towards the Lord and on the other side Gods mercy and goodnes towards him from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde for that continuall heape of benefites which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes both before it Se. and after it haue not sée Psal 114.115.117.118 c. Ver. 1. I loue vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly the Lord vz. only and alone and none either with him or besides him and vnder the word of loue the Prophet sheweth that there was nothing without god that either could like him or please him because hee hath heard i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted my voyce vz. sent forth vnto him and my prayers vz. which I made vnto him vnder these words voice and prayers the Prophet meaneth such prayers as he powred forth vnto the Lord not only with his heart but also with his mouth and words Ver. 2. For he hath inclined his eare vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee this is spoken of God according to mans capacity vnto mée vz. being in distresse and when I prayed vnto him as followeth when I did call vppon him vz. for helpe and ayde by earnest and hearty prayers in my dayes i. in the tyme of my affliction as may appeare by the next verse following sée Psal 137.7 also Lament 1.21 and by the woorde dayes hée noteth that hee had continuaunce and length of trouble Ver. 3. When the snares of death compassed mee vz. on euery side and rounde about so that there was almost no hope of escaping no more then of a bird or wild beast taken in a snare or grin by this manner of speach hée meaneth that euen then when hee was ready to dye the Lord in mercy looked vppon him Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6 also Psalm 18.4.5 and the griefes of the graue i. great and extreme griefes which brought me almost to the graue made me as it were ready to bee put into it caught
doe in their beddes thou art there vz. in thy almightye power prouidence and presence Verse 9. Let mee take the winges of the morning i. as I take it the sunne beames putting a parte for the whole q.d. albeit I had as great quickenesse as the sunne hath both when it riseth and when as it were in a moment it goeth rounde about the worlde yet that woulde not profite mee to hyde mée from thy presence and knowledge and dwell in the vttermost partes of the Sea i. shoulde dwell as farre as there is any Sea or at the furthest ende of the Sea Verse 10. Yet thither vz. euen to that same very place shall thine hande i. thy power and might leade mee vz. euen as a shephearde is wont to leade his sheepe and thy righte hande i. thy great power and might holde mee vz. there and keepe mee in that place q.d. though I woulde thinke by flying hither and thither to withdrawe my selfe from thy presence yet I shoulde be in thy presence and power still because by it I should bée caried whither I my selfe would to stay there and to returne againe from thence at thy pleasure euen as the shéepe hang vppon the shephearde Verse 11. If I say i. if I shoulde either speake or thinke thus yet the darkenesse q.d. séeing other places and meanes can not helpe yet this shift I will haue I shal bee hidden from thée in the night for I take it that by darkenes hée vnderstandeth night as may appeare by that which followeth shal hyde me vz. from thy presence and knowledge so that thou shalt not sée or perceiue mee euen the night shal be light about me q.d. certainely I shal bee but deceiued for that which is done in the night is as wel known to thée as that which is done in the noone day for howsoeuer to me and other creatures the night is darke yet to thée that art the creator all thinges are open naked and bare as Heb. 4.13 Ver. 12. Yea the darknes i. the night nor no other darkenes whatsoeuer though it were as thicke and palpable as the darkenes of Egypt hydeth not vz. any either thought worde or déede from thée i. from thy sight and knowledge but the night shineth vz. before thée and in thy sight meaning by the worde shineth that it is as cleare for God to beholde any thing in as the noone tyde the darkenes and light i. the night and the day Sée Gene. 1.5 are both a like vz. to thée for thou séest as clearely in the one as in the other Verse 13. For thou hast possessed here hée yéeldeth a reason why God shoulde knowe the thinges before mentioned and it is taken from the notable creation of man by Gods wonder full gouernement q.d. by good reason all these thinges are knowne to thée because thou hast created man and euery part and péece of him and vnder the worde possessed the Prophet noteth first the knowledge that God hath of vs for no man possesseth euidences or houses but hee knoweth the right title roomes thereof Secondly his right and authoritie for howsoeuer men obtaine vniust possessions yet with the Lorde there is no iniustice my reines i. mine affections yea the most secret thoughtes of my heart and whatsoeuer lay or lyeth hid within me thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe Immanuel addeth here a terme that maketh the sense most plaine thus from the time that thou hast c. q.d. yea euen from my conception long before thou knewest al thinges concerning me And yet I deny not but this text of the Geneua Bible may haue a good sense thus thou hast couered mee vz. with flesh sinewes skin c. in my mothers wombe i. before I was borne when in that place thou gauest a forme and fashion to me and so it may be a reason why nothing can be hidden from God because God made him there and knewe him there therefore much more in this life Ver. 14. I wil praise thée vz. with my whole hart as psal 138.1 for I am fearefully wonderously made i. the very creation and making of me and the due consideration which I haue thereof do strike into me a feare of thy maiesty a wondering at thy workmanship or else thus thou hast created me after a feareful and wonderful sort Immanuel readeth it thus I doe praise thée because by these thy reuerend woorkes I am brought to wondering then repeateth these words I praise thy marueilous works my soule knoweth thē very well but I take the other text to be as good as this marueilous i. very excellent wonderfull are thy workes vz. euerie one of them and namely the continuall forming and creating of mankynde and my soule knoweth it well vz. through thy great goodnesse who hast put that light into it to know and consider of that excellente and wonderfull worke Verse 15. My bones i. neyther they all nor any one of them for thou kéepest them in a continuall account sée Psal 34 20. are not hid from thée for thou knowest both their names and their number though I was made in a secret place vz. in my mothers wombe as verse 13 q.d. the closenesse of that place could not hide them from thy presence and knowledge and fashioned beneath in the earth whereas thou notwithstanding was in heauen q.d. the distaunce of the place could not hinder thée from the sight and knowledge of me and of euery part and péece of me Verse 16. Thine eyes did sée me this is spoken of God according to mans vnderstanding not that God hath eyes but that the Lord knew more perfitly by many degrées then we know things by our sight when I was without forme i. when I had neither shape nor fashion but was as it were a rude lumpe he speaketh here of a great secret of nature Of which we should both think and speake reuerently and modestly for in thy booke this is spoken according to men who vse bookes for the helpe of their memory that they may haue euery thing by péecemeale as it were were all thinges written i. all the members and parts of my body were as well knowne in thy prouidence vnto thée as if they had bin written in a booke and layd before thée which vz. members and parts of mine in continuance vz. of time were fashioned vz. thorow thy great power woorking when there was none of thē before vz. created and made This is it that he meaneth that as God in the beginning made heauen earth as a huge heape without forme yet afterwardes gaue them that notable forme which they haue and out of them framed that great variety of excellent creatures so out of the rude lumpe conceaued first in the womb which yet notwithstanding did in it self containe the whole body did the Lord by a merueilous workmanship create that excellent forme and proportion of mans body and of the seueral members ioynts therof Ver.
forefathers and me He putteth time for the things done in the time he meaneth that by former examples trials he strengthened himself in the faith against the bitter assaults which he suffred I meditate vz. carefully and continually in all thy workes i. in all that thou hast wrought yea I meditate i. I doe diligentlye and déepely think vpon in the works of thine hands i. in those excellent workes which by thy power and prouidence thou hast performed Verse 6. I stretch forth mine hands vnto thée i. I doe earnestlye and hartilye pray vnto thée he putteth the signe for the thing signified as Psalme 141 2. to declare that we must euen as it were lift vp our selues vnto God my soule i. I my selfe but chéefely my inward man desireth after thée i. longeth sore after thée sée Psalme 42 1 2 also Psalme 84 2 as the thirstye lande vz. doth desire water rayne or dew He vnderstandeth by thirstie lande the earth which is dried and chopped for lack of water gaping gréedily as it were to receaue the moysture or raine that shal fal from heauen sée also Psal 63.1 Ver. 7. Heare me i. graunt the requests which I make vnto thée speedily O Lorde i. quickly and in good time not that he prescribeth god a season but expresseth rather his great misery q.d. vnlesse thou quickly helpe it is like in maÌ„s iudgment that I shal be destroyed for my spirit fayleth i. I faint euen in the inward man and this is a reason of his prayer taken from his own person the misery that he was in hide not thy face from me i. shew not thy selfe angry against me as men many times do who wil not vouchsafe to looke vpon theÌ„ with whom they are displeased else vz. if thou hide thy face I shal be like vnto theÌ„ that go down into the pit i. there wil be no difference betwéene me those that are dead Ver. 8. Let me heare thy louing kindnesse i. make me to know féele and perceiue thy mercy in the morning i. in good time and spéedily for in thée is my trust i. I depend and hang only vpon thée and shew me the way that I should walke in i. direct not only the order and conuersation of my life but euen my very steppes also from daunger for I lift vp my soule vnto thée i. I do both trust in thée cal vpon thée from the hart Ver. 9. Deliuer me O Lord from mine enemies i. from the power and rage of them who séeke nothing else but to destroy me for I hid me with thée i. I did hang vpon thy prouideÌ„ce and protection only sée Psal 31.5.6 Ver 10. Teach me to doe thy will i. to do the thing which thou willest commaundest in thy word for thou arte my God i. thou art he alone whom I wil serue worship let thy good spirit i. thy blessed and holy spirit which is called good because it is Gods effectuall instrumente to lead vs into all goodnesse leade me vz. which am so often and continuallye straying and wandering from good thinges vnto the land of righteousnesse i. guide me not only in this life to righteousnesse of life but to that same eternall life wherein righteousnesse shall dwell for euer sée 2. Peter 3.13 Ver. 11. Quicken me O Lord i. cause me to passe safe and sound thorow this danger wherein I séeme to be as it were in death for thy names sake i. that I others may praise thy name as Psal 142.7 and for thy righteousnesse i. for thy righteous and faythful accomplishment of thy promises bring my soule i. me and my life out of trouble i. out of this trouble wherein it presently is and vnder which it wil quaile if thou assist me not Ver. 12. And for thy mercy sake vz. toward me thy seruaunt slay mine enemies i. destroy them by what meanes or wayes soeuer thou shalt think good and destroy vz. in thy iustice and iudgements against the wicked al them vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be whether it be Saul as the chéefest or his complices that oppresse my soule i. me and would faine take away my life from me for I am thy seruaunt i. I am such a one as whom thou in mercy hast vouchsaued worthy of this honour to commit some part of thy seruice into his hands sée 1. Timoth. 1.12 13. so that he boasteth not here of his merits but magnifieth the grace of God from whom this goodnesse came Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. first in our distresses to run vnto God by earnest and harty prayers secondly to ground our prayers vpon the righteousnesse truth and faythfulnes of our God Ver. 2 teacheth vs two things first to pray the Lord to remoue al things that might hinder the course of his mercy toward vs secondly it is a strong place to ouerthrow al imagination of mans righteousnes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that God suffereth and appointeth the wicked many times to preuaile very far against the godly Ver. 4 is a notable place to proue that euen gods children in their troubles haue their affections against that blockish dotage of the stoâ—ks Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the consideratioÌ„ of Gods goodnesse in former times should minister no smal comfort vnto vs in the time of our present heauines Ver. 6 teacheth vs to hunger and thirst after the Lord and to bee earnest with him in our supplications vnto his maiesty Ver. 7 teacheth vs that the more our miseries grow increase vpon vs the more earnest and often we should be with the Lord our God in prayer Ver. 8 teacheth vs that there is nothing more comfortable then plentifully and in good time to féele Gods mercy Ver. 9 teacheth vs in all distresses to commend our selues to Gods power and prouideÌ„ce as to a most sure rock and tower of defence Ver. 10 is a notable place againste fréewill because we are blind til God teach vs and we can do nothing without the assistance of his holy spirit Ver. 11 teacheth vs that vnlesse God set vs frée from trouble we can neuer be deliuered Ver. 12 teacheth vs that we may safelye praye agaynste the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche and people Psalme 144 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts In the first he prayseth God for his goodnesse and confesseth his own vnworthines and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde he prayeth to GOD for the ouerthrowe of his enemies whose corruption he toucheth and for his owne deliueraunce and this reacheth from the fifte verse to the ende of the eleuenth In the thirde he sheweth what fruite shall redound thereby both to GOD and his people vz. he shall be praysed and they shall bée comforted from verse 12 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title A Psalme of Dauid vz. which he made after his comming to the kingdome when he had obtayned diuers victories and yet notwithstanding his enemies were very
in that he beginneth with them he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse because that whereas they are more bound to God then others by reason the greater benefits they haue receaued from him and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their dutie in this behalfe vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on forward defrauding God by that meanes of the praise which is due vnto him supposing that the world was made only for them but also secretly telleth thē their dutie to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office for the more that any hath receaued and in the offices of his exaltation draweth nigh to God the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace and al people vz. of the world of what nation country or kinred soeuer they be princes and all iudges of the world i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them Ver. 12. Yong men and maids old men and children the particular recitall of the distinction of ages and sexes which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare that all without exception should imploy themselues in the seruice praysing of God And these two words virgins children import an amplifying as it were of the matter q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are performe this dutie of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 13. Let them vz. altogether both heauenly and earthly reasonable and vnreasonable but chéefely the reasonable creatures laste rehearsed verse 11 12. prayse the name of the Lorde i. his goodnesse power and might for his name only is to be exalted vz. in the songes and prayses of his peoples meaning that none is worthy of prayse in respect of himselfe but he alone sée Psalme 145 3. and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or the earth or else his prayse is so great that neither the heauens nor the earth nor all thinges therein contayned are able sufficiently to expresse it and this is the firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own maiestie Ver. 14. For he vz. alone hath exalted vz. by his power and mighte the borne of his people i. their strength for so haue we had the word horne vsed sundry times heretofore meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity which vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength is a prayse to all his saints i. tendeth not only to their glory and prayse but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magnifie his name by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them For the worde Saints sée Psalme 145 10. euen for the children of Israell i. euen for the true and right Israelites and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts a people that is nere vnto him vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham and confirmed in his sonne Christ and thus he doth more and more specifie the people who haue most singular occasion to praise him praise yee the Lorde sée Psal 146 in the end Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme from ver 1. to the end of the 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind much more man for whose sake all the creatures were made that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this dutie men had much more néede to be remembred and not only so but to bee pricked and prouoked forward thereto Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses doth playnly proue that Angels as well as other things were created and that therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit Verse 6 teacheth vs that not one of the creatures nor all the creatures can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest so they should be the first and examples to others in the seruice of God Verse 12 teacheth vs that no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sincere worship and seruice of God Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer belong onlye vnto him alone Verse 14 teacheth vs first that al the glory and strength which the church hath it hath it from God secondly that God neuer bestoweth benefit vpon the Churche but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it Psalme 149 THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes Di. In the first hee exhorteth the faithfull to praise God for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him for the strength and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme The title is expounded before Psalme 148. Se. in sundrie other places Ver. 1. Singe yee vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes vnto the Lord vz. your God a newe song i. a singular and excelent song by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme 33.3 also psalme 144.9 let his praise i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise be heard vz. openlie and painelie in the congregation of saincte i. in his Church this is an excelent description of the Church for saincts sée Psalme 148.14 Ver. 2. Let Israell i. the Church of God and faithfull people sée Psalme 147.19 also 148.14 reioyce vz. excedinglie and with an vnfeyned ioye in him that made him i. in God and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation onely but also of their frée adoption by which they were chosen seperated from all mankinde to be a peculiar people to God which was as it were a newe creation and let the children of Sion i. the faithfull members of the Church sée Psalme 146.10 and 147.12 reioyce vz. as before in this verse in their king i. either in Dauid and so by consequent in Christ because Dauid was but a figure of him or els in God whom the faithfull many times call their king as Psalme 5.2 and this latter do I rather allowe
also that our tongues are not our owne to vse as we list but to Gods glory and our neighboures profite ver 5. Expresseth Gods readinesse to helpe his and how forcible in his sight the earnest prayers of his children are ver 6. Teacheth vs to make Gods promises alwayes the assured grounds of our prayers ver 7. Teacheth Gods prouidence and protection ouer his children if we reade it as in the Geneua text or els that we ought to pray for gods fauour toward them if we read it as Immanuel doth ver 8. setteth out both the diligence and the rage that the wicked vse in performing their mischiefe Psalme 13. Di. THis Psalme hath two partes in the firste the Prophet séemeth to complayne as it were that God was so long absent from him in his so gréeuous afflictions and this is comprehended in the two first verses In the seconde hee maketh his earnest prayer to God assuring himselfe in the truth of Gods goodnesse that he should ouercom yea euen the horrors of death from ver 3. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title is expounded before ver 1. he speaketh as men many times doe who if they be not succoured when they themselues would they thinke they are forgotten for euer q.d. What wilt thou neuer thinke vpon mée So hardly was his fayth assaulted to yéeld to distrust in God hide thy face which thing angry persons are wont to doe q.d. How long wilt thou shew thy selfe angry towards me Sée Psalme 10.1 Psa 4.6 or else face maye be taken for fauour and mercy ver 2. Take councell within my selfe i. how long shall I be tossed and tumbled with diuersitie of councels and purposes sometimes in my mind thinking this sometimes that ver 3. Heare mée i. my prayers lighten my eyes whiche are waxed dimme with trouble Psal 6.7 he meaneth that he would gladlye haue the Lord to driue afflictions from him that I sléepe not in death i. that I doe not certainly die for it is vsuall in scripture by sléepe to vnderstand death as 1. Corinth 11.30 1. Thessa 4.14.15 and by doubling as it were the word to note the certaintie of the thing Gen. 2.17 Ver. 4. He sheweth a double reason to induce god as it were to yéelde to his petition q.d. least otherwise mine enemies should not only euery day more than other wax proude but also haue an occasion to blaspheme thée as though thou wert weake and not able to helpe Ver. 5. In thy saluation i. in that deliuerance which thou shalte worke for mee Psalme 3.8 I will sing to the Lord i. I will declare my selfe thankefull for his benefites and goodnesse Ver. 1. Let vs learne that how sharpe soeuer our conflicts be Do. wee doe not vtterly despayre in God ver 3. Let vs learne by prayer to draw nigh vnto him desiring him euen for his owne glory to take our defence vppon him ver 4. Noteth the nature of the wicked two maner of wayes vz. the more they preuaile the more insolent they are the other that they will wonderfully insult ouer those that are afflicted ver 5. Teacheth vs to make Gods mercye alone the onely ground of our hope also that we should be glad for particular deliuerance and shew our selues thankfull vnto him for benefits receaued Psalme 14. THis Psalm hath thrée parts In the first Di. the Prophet describeth the peruerse nature of the vngodlye both towardes God and towards men and this parte is contayned in verse 1.3.6 In the seconde he declareth that God sitteth not idle in heauen as they did imagine but beholdeth the wicked to punish them and the good to deliuer them verse 2.4 In the third he sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the vngodly and his fauour toward his own seruants verse 5.7 The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 4. Ver. 1. Se. The Foole i. the wicked man how wise soeuer he be in naturall wit hath sayd in his hart i. is of this perswasion in his minde see for this 1. Mark 2.6.7.8 there is no God vz. that careth for mens matters here on earth sée Psalm 10.4 they i. the vngodly chaunging the number from the singular to the plurall haue corrupted vz. their own wayes turning the light of knowledge which they had into darkenesse Ver. 2. would vnderstande i. indeuoured to know God aright and as he is reuealed by his word and séeke God i. serue him and take delight and pleasure in his seruice and religiō Ver. 3. All i. the greatest number here but in Paul Romans 3. it is put for all generally considering man in his naturall corruption are gone out of the way vz. of right and goodnesse which God had prescribed them to walk in they are all corrupt i. full of filth and stinch it is a metaphor taken from stinking meat which all men are wont to loath ver 4. doe not all c. knowe q.d. their owne conscience doth sometimes though they quench it agayne tell them of their crueltie as they eate bread i. any kinde of foode or nourishment noting thereby not only their rauening and deuouring but the pleasure that the vngodly take in it they call not vpon the Lord i. They neglect all Gods religion and seruice calling vpon the Lord or prayer being a part thereof and put for the whole Gen. 4.26 2. Timoth. 2.19 ver 5. in the generation of the iust i. amongst iust men fauouring their causes and graciously deliuering them ver 6. the Lord is his trust i. because hee hath his whole trust and confidence in God only and he vseth counsell for al goodnes in the poore as holy purposes and carefull pursuings therof faith hope c. ver 7. giue saluation i. deliueraunce from all greefes in this life as Psal 13.5 Psalme 3.8 eternall glory after this life is once ended vnto Israel i. vnto the faythfull people out of Sion i. out of heauen the place of Gods presence earthly put for the Heauens sée Psalme 2.6 Psalme 9.11 turneth the captiuitye of his people i. when the Lord chaungeth their bondage for fréedome then Iacob shall reioyce and Israell shall be glad by these two names of the Patriarche who was faythfull attributed vnto the rest of the people he vnderstandeth all the faythful and true Israelites indéede Do. Ver. 1. Not only noteth the fountaine of sinne but sheweth how farre the diuel and sinne preuaile in mans hart that they make men vtterly to forget God good men ver 2. declareth that God hath an eye to mens doings vpon the earth Ver. 4. sheweth that the wicked sin many times against knowledge and the light of their own conscience Ver. 5. containeth a iudgement against the wicked ver 6. noteth a vile sinne of the vngodlye deryding and scoffing at the iust Ver. 7. that we should pray for the whole church and reioyce for the benefits that God bestoweth vpon it Psalme 15 Di. THis Psalme expoundeth specially one matter and therefore will hardlye admitte a
here ver 5. The sorrowes of the graue i. such extreme sorrowes as in a maner kil men and bring them to the graue the snares of death i. deadly snares in which if I had bene taken I had died for it ouertake me i. almost seased vpon me being in a most extreme danger for almost being catched therein q.d. there was but a little betwéene me and death ver 6. Out of his temple i. either out of heauen or else from betwéen the Cherubins for the temple materiall was not builded in Dauids time but in his sonne Solomons sée 1. Samuel 1.9 and my cry vz. which I made or poured forth ver 7. Then i. after that the Lord had heard my praiers the earth trembled and quaked i. there was a great earthquake which that he might the better expresse he vseth two words signifying almost one thing q.d. God shewed by wonders and signes that my prayer came vp to him the foundations also of the mountains q.d. this earthquake was not only vpon the vpper parts of the earth but euen the rootes as it were of the mountains wch lie déepe within the ground were shaken also by which he meaneth nothing else but a most vehement earthquake because he was angry vz. agaynst my enemies and that for the iniury they offered me Ver. 8. Is vttered by the way of a similitude q.d. God was so greatly angry that it séemed that smoke c. sée such a maner of spéech attributed to Leuiathā Iob. 41.11.12 Ver. 9. he bowed the heauens i. he made them séeme so low as though they had touched mens heads which is then done when the cloudes are thick and darke and came down this also is spoken after the maner of men Now God is sayd to come downe when by euident tokens he sheweth his wrath in confounding the wicked as Gen. 9.7 and darkenes i. darke cloudes whiche are called darkenes because they séeme to bring darkenes with them hee meaneth nothing else by these maner of spéeches but that God by a very great tempest declared himselfe to be present to defend his seruaunt and to strike his enemies Ver. 10. vpon Cherub the singular for the plurall Cherubines of whiche you may read Gen. 3.24 they are certayne Angels which readilye execute Gods will whereby and by his riding vpon them the Prophet noteth nothing else but Gods swiftnes in comming to succour him which also he noteth by wings of the winde Ver. 11. Darkenesse put for thick cloudes as before ver 9. and his pauilion round about him vnderstand was euen darkenes of waters i. cloudes full of rayne or water which are called darkenes of waters because they haue a certayne darkish colour as the waters also haue and cloudes of the aire i. more bright and shining cloudes q.d. God putteth both the one kind of clouds the other betwéene himselfe and the wicked as a testimony of his wrath ver 12. at the brightnes of his presence q.d. when God beginneth to shew his maiestie his cloudes passed i. were as a man would say made more light or else did cleaue as it were in sunder and they are called his cloudes because they are gouerned and directed at his appoyntment sée Iob. 37.15 Haylestones and coales of fyre vz. came from the Lord after that the cloudes were broken for coales of fire sée ver 8. ver 13 In the heauen i. in the firmament or in that region of the aire where the thunder is as Philosophers déeme and the highest gaue his voyce i. thundered sée Psalme 29.3 c. so that it is nothing but a repetition of that whiche went before haylestones and coales of fyre vnderstand he gaue q.d. he sent forth also or gaue hailestones c. Ver. 14. Then i. after al this he sent out his arrowes i. after some his lightning but I rather take it for all the afflictions that God layd vppon the vngodly sée Psal 38.2 and scattered thē i. destroyed them for then an armye is wont to perish when the order thereof decaieth ver 15. and the chanels of waters were séene i. the depths wher the waters run or as you would say the bottom of the sea the foundations of the world he alludeth to the miracle shewed at the red sea for then were the springs of the waters which he calleth the foundations of the earth by reason of their wonderfull depth discouered so that a man mighte as it were sée from whence so many sloudes had their beginning at thy rebuking i. when thou séemedst to rebuke them turning their courses contrary to those which they had before at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrels this is spoken according to man q.d. there was no néede that thou shouldest commaund them when thou diddest but breath vpon thē it was ynough to make the drie lande appeare ver 16. He hath sent down vz. his power or his Angels for God did vse to deliuer his children by Angels frō aboue from heauen and taken me i. deliuered me vz. out of many daungers hee hath drawne me q.d. euen by violence maugre the heads and harts of mine enimies out of many waters i. not only many but very great daungers sée Psa 69.1.2 Psal 124.4 Ver. 17. from my strong enimie he meaneth enemies one number being put for an other or else by one he vnderstandeth al that one being the ringleader of the rest ver 18. They preuented me vz. by their subtiltie and had almost taken me in the snare they layd for me in the day of my calamity i. when I was in calamity and affliction was my stay i. not only on whom I did leane vpon and trust to but my helper deliuering me from them ver 19. into a large place he meaneth by this his liberty and deliuerance for his calamities were as a prison or narrow roome vnto him because he fauoured me i. preuented me with his holy fauour and that with out any merit or desert of mine at all ver 20. Righteousnesse put for righteous cause as before Psal 41. purenesse of my hands i. integrity soundnes of my déeds hands put for déedes and workes by which the workes and déeds are performed note that Dauid in this verse setteth out his good cause agaynst them that slaundered him not speaking of his whole life giuing thē to vnderstand that he attempted nothing but right and well and that according to Gods commaundements Verse 21. The wayes of the Lorde 1. Lawes and commaundements as verse 22. of this Psalme and by kéeping he meaneth a carefull minde and a certaine abilitie also that GOD hath giuen him to performe the same and did not wickedly he meaneth not of some simple fal for we read of diuers before he came to the kingdom and after but of reuolting falling away that doth quite and clean alienate turn away frō God ver 22. before me i. in my sight vz. that I might not commit any thing against thē and I did not cast away vz. as though I
cruelly to deuoure consume me after the maner of wild beasts They stumbled euen for weakenes and faynthartednesse fell vz. so that they could not rise vp again to molest me mening that they were destroid ver 3. though an host sée Psa 3.6 it argueth a notable stedfast perswasion in the Prophet he meaneth by these words hoste and warre euery thing that may be terrible and fearefull in this worlde in this i. that the Lord is my light and my saluation as verse 1. of this Psalme ver 4. Haue I desired vz. by earnest prayer that I will require vz. agayne and agayne q.d. I will neuer leaue off till I haue obtayned it dwel in the house of the Lord he vseth the word dwelling for continuall presence and the house of the Lord for the sanctuary or tabernacle sée psal 23.6 the beautye of the Lord i. the wonderful works he doth and the famous gifts he giueth by which he is made beautifull and excellent or his beautie is declared to the sonnes of men and to visit i. to be often present in his teÌ„ple i. the place where the ark was as Psal 5.7 Ver. 5. He shall hide me i. kéepe me safe and sound in his Tabernacle it is not here to be taken for the sanctuarie or arke but for the place of Gods abode and visible presence whereby the Prophet meaneth safetye for where the Lorde is with his there is safety and assurance from dangers which the Prophet meaneth also by the wordes following in the secret place of his pauilion containing vnder these spéeches the assurance he had being shrouded vnder Gods protection set me vp vpon a rock i. such a place as my enimies can not come too to hurt me meaning still his safety ver 6. Lifte vp mine heade i. exalt me sée Psalme 3.9 sacrifices of ioy i. sacrifices to testifie my ioifulnesse for my deliueraunce ver 7. crie i. pray earnestly heare me i. graunt my requests for otherwise it cannot be but that God heareth Ver. 8. Séeke yée my face i. in distresse come to me for fauour and grace so that he maketh Gods commaundement in the which also is closely comprehended a promise as Deut 4.26 the ground of his praier mine hart aunswered i. yéelded to that truth and alwayes thought vpon it vnto thée i. thy sayinges and wordes verse 9. Therefore q.d. séeing I come and that according to thy worde and promise hyde not thy face â— withdraw not thy fauour but make me sensibly to féele thy vertue and goodnesse in my deliueraunce nor cast thy seruaunt away vz. without helpe and succour in displeasure vz. agaynst him God of my saluation sée Psal 18.46 Ver. 10. My father and my mother i. not only my parentes but all other whatsoeuer yea all mans ayde and comfort forsake me i. destitute and fayle me gather me vp i. graciously receiue me into his protection and defence see Math. 23.37 Ver. 11. Teach me sée Psal 25 4.5 right path i. righteous conuersation and vpright dealing because of mine enimies sée Psal 5.8 He meaneth such enemies as did looke into his life to sée whether they could finde any thing blame worthy therein Ver. 12. Mende thus for false witnesses would stande vp against me vz. if thou shouldest so deale with me and so I might easily be cast away speake cruellye i. cruell and vniust things that so by their spéeches I might perish ver 13. to sée i. to féele and tast as it were to haue experience of the goodnes of the Lord i. such good things as he hath promised me in the land of the liuing i. here in the world where men liue and I my selfe haue a portion of that life with them sée Psal 1â—6 9 Isaiah 38.11 Ver. 14. He exhorteth himselfe specially but yet also others wholy to depend vpon the Lord. Do. Ver. 1. Assured fayth in the Lord expelleth all feare of men ver 2. God confoundeth the cruell purposes of the vngodle ver 4. It is a notable thing to bée present at the publike assemblies and exercises of Gods Church Earnestnes also and continuance in prayer for good things is commended vnto vs. ver 5. God is an assured place of refuge for all his Ver. 6. God graciously rayseth his after they haue bene cast downe for the which it is their duty to yéeld him hartye prayse Ver. 8. Gods commaundement and promise are two principall spurres to prayer yea the very ground thereof Ver. 9. the godly many times haue such earnest affections in prayer that they can hardly content themselues with any wordes to expresse their mind withal Ver. 10. God is more sure and fast to his children then all naturall parents and friends whatsoeuer Verse 11. Prayer for vpright conuersation according to Gods word should bee muche vsed ver 12. We may pray to be deliuered from the rage and lust of our aduersaries ver 13. If Gods promises were not we should many times sink downe vnder the burthen of our calamities ver 14. It is good for vs to stirre vp our selues and others to a liuely trust and an assured hope in the almighty for we are all dull and weake Psalme 28. Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall parts In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to heare his prayer for himselfe and agaynst the vngodly whose naughtinesse also he doth in part set out from verse 1. to the end of the fift In the seconde hée prayseth the Lorde for his mercies and declareth also the assured perswasion he had in Gods mercy concluding with a prayer for the Church from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath bin already spoken of ver 1. Doe I crie i. pray earnestly O my strength i. thou from whom all the strength that I haue commeth bée not deafe i. doe not cast away and neglect my prayers eyther as though thou heardst not at all or wouldst not heare for as the deafe cannot heare so there are some that though they can yet will not if thou answere me not i. graunt not my petition I be like theÌ„ that goe downe into the pit i. like dead meÌ„ that are buried for he putteth the word Pit here for the graue meaning that hee and his glory should vtterly perish from among men Ver. 2. When I holde vp my handes the signe of prayer vsed for prayer see Psal 141.2 Exod. 17.11 toward thine holy oracle i. towards the place where thy arke was froÌ„ whence thou hast promised helpe to them that call vpon thée it may be also taken for heauen ver 3. Draw me not away c. vz. to death in the time that thou executest vengeance against the vngodly sée Psal 26.9 Psal 27.12 speake friendlye i. words that pretend friendship goodwill when malice is in their harts i. they imagine mischiefe though they speake fayre sée Psalm 12.2 ver 4. He meaneth that seing they had multiplied iniquitie the Lord would in his iustice repay them home for
to set out her glory and these handmaydes are called her companions not because they were her equals but because they were continually in her company as it were Ver. 15. He sheweth after what sort this glorious troupe shal come vz. with ioy gladnes i. with al mirth that possible may be see Psal 43.4 Ver. 16. In stéed of thy fathers i. thy auncesters q.d. there is no cause why thou shouldest think vpon them for thou shalt haue multitudes of children and thy posterity shal be wonderfully inlarged yea aduanced to great and wonderfull honour for that meaneth hée by making them Princes throughout all the earth meaning by earth the land of Iudah which promise was not fulfilled in Salomon and his séede not because God was not able but because the couenants and conditions on his part and his wiues were not performed Ver. 17. Are the words of the Prophet conteined wherein he promiseth to publish and that for a long season the glory and renowne of Salomon and his kingdome and that the people shal for a great while yeeld him prayse for his peaceable and quiet gouernement For so must the word Many generations world without ende bee vnderstood as referred to Salomon And thus wee sée howe it agréeth to him nowe let vs gather the doctrines out of it and sée howe in trueth it agréeth to our Sauiour and his time Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs first to take héed that we vtter nothing but good things and secondly to do that willingly and readily lest wee bee preuented by death or some other occasion and thirdly to dispose our selues with all the power we haue to set foorth holy marriage specially that which is betwéene Christ and his Church of which sée Hoshea 2.19.20 Ver. 2. Is fulfilled in Christ not in mans iudgement as appeareth Isaiah 53.2.3 But is to bee séene by the eye of faith only whose glorious beauty and gift of perswasion may appeare that hee in the ministery of his Apostles conuerted of all nations vnder the heauen some to imbrace the Gospel and when it is said that God hath blessed him it must bee vnderstoode in respect of his humanitie for otherwise in respect of his deity he is God equal with his father Ver. 3. Christs sword is spiritual is in déede Gods word of which sée Isaiah 11.4 Heb. 4.12 Reue. 1.16 Wherein also standeth his glory and worshippe when he is serued according to that and not as man deuiseth and in this verse Christ is called most mighty because he hath all power both in heauen and in earth Math. 28.18 And doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Christ is admonished in respect of his humanitie to talke vppon him and to execute his gouernement séeing hée is so replenished with giftes and is described like a triumphant conquerour amiable and comfortable to his owne people but terrible and fearefull to rebels as 2. Corinth 2.15.16 Ver. 5. Hée describeth Christes weapons and the munition of his kingdome which are not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe holdes and imaginations and euery high thing c. sée 2. Corinth 10.4.5.6 Ver. 6. Setteth out the euerlastingnes and equity of Christes kingdom of which sée Heb. 1.8 Ver. 7. First marke one manner of speach which in the sense I haue omitted louing one thing and hating another which kind of rehearsing by the contraries the Iewes often vse and hath in it great force vz. to note the earnestnes and soundnes of loue toward righteousnes and well doing and the sincere hatred of all sinne and corruption Howe this was verified in Christ wée néede not to stand vppon God is called Christes God in respect of his manhood and Christ in that respect also is said to be annoynted with the oyle of gladnes because hee had the fulnes of the spirite so that of his fulnes haue we al receiued euen grace for grace i. abundance of grace as Ioh 1.16 And by oile of gladnes is ment the fulnes and anointing of the spirit through whom it commeth to passe that the kingdome of God is righteousnes peace ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14.17 And by fellowes he meaneth not equals but generally all Christians who yet notwithstanding through faith are partakers of his dignitie Ver. 8. Doth allegorically set out the swéetnes and pleasure that is to bee found in our Sauiour and when hee speaketh of some that haue made him glad hee meaneth Christians who are called the friendes of the bridegrome because they stand and heare him and reioyce greatly by reason of his voyce Iohn 3.29 Ver. 9. Is described the glory of the church which is but one wife if wee respect it generally or else many if wee respect either the seuerall congregations or the particular members of the seueral congregations as wee say that euery part of a bone broken is a bone and euery part of earth is earth and yet there is but one bone and one earth Ver. 10. Christ requireth of the Church faythfulnes in him and denyall of her selfe Ver. 11. Hee sheweth what profit shall come to the Church by obedience to Christ Ver. 12. Setteth out the inlarging of Christes kingdom by the calling of the Gentiles Ver. 13. Sheweth that the glory of the Church standeth not in outward shewe and brauery Ver. 14. Setteth out the glory of the Church generally which is amplified by this circumstance that particular Churches which the holy ghost resembleth to handmaydes wayting vpon her shall adorne and beautifie her Ver. 15. Sheweth the manner howe the faithfull shoulde appeare in the presence of God in his assemblies Ver. 16. Expresseth the wonderfull inlargment of Christes kingdome which wee haue séene performed and the great glory that his children shall haue though not here yet eternall in the heauens Ver. 17. Teacheth that the prayses of our Sauiour who is the onely head of the Church shall continue for euer and that there shal bee no end of his kingdome as Luke 1.33 Other good Lessons may here and there be gathered as ver 2. that beauty and eloquence are good gifts in a Prince Ver. 3. That it becommeth a magistrate to be couragious Ver. 4. That he should professe and practise truth meekenes and righteousnes Ver. 8. That sumptuousnes in apparell for Princes is not altogether to bee condemned of Salomons apparell fée what our Sauiour sayth Matth. 6.29 Ver. 10. That marriage requireth forsaking of all that the wife may cleaue to the husbande and the husbande to the wife Gene. 2.24 Ver. 17. That the faithfull generally and euery one of them particularly shoulde carefully indeuour to aduance and set foorth the great glory of GOD and of our Sauiour Christ Psalme 46 THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet declareth howe that nothwithstanding the great trouble they were in they were sure they shoulde bee deliuered through Gods goodnes from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hee exhorteth others for their comfort
earth it selfe but all the powers therein to iudge i. to punish the wicked and to defende the good and maintayne them his people i. all both good and bad nowe the bad are called his people not because he loueth them with the loue of his people but because they are at his commaundement to vse them as pleaseth him Verse 5. Gather my Saynts he commaundeth the heauen the earth to bring Gods people before him whom he calleth saynts because his elect were truelye sanctifyed all were admitted to outward sanctification those that make a couenaunt with me vz. that they will serue me and none but mee with Sacrifice hee meaneth that the sacrifice slayne was a signe and testimonie of the couenaunt betwéene GOD and his people sée Exodus 24.6.7.8 Hee speaketh this according to the common custome for in olde times couenants were made sealed as it were betwéene parties with the death slaughter of some beasts Ver. 6. He sheweth how ready the heauēs shal be to accōplish perform that which was enioined them before ver 4. by righteousnesse he vnderstādeth fauour toward Gods children iudgement vppon the wicked sée 2. Thess 1.6 7. for god is Iudge himselfe q.d. hee that will not bee corrupted or iudge vniustlye is iudge Ver. 7. Heare O my people he requireth attētion declaring that he hath good occasion to deale with them because they had broken the couenant some by standing only vpon the outward seruice these he dealeth with till you come to the ende of the 15 verse and othersome for their lewde life and these he reproueth from verse 16 to the ende of the Psalme testify vnto thée vz. in a solemne sort and as it were vsing witnesses for I am God euen thy God this is a reason why they should hearken vnto him not only for that hee hath power in himselfe to punishe the contempte of his Worde but also because hee hath manifested that power for their good Verse 8. I will not reproue thee vz. so much for the neglect of sacrifices as for not referring thē to their right end and vse for otherwise euen the verye neglecte of them was for that tyme a breache of Gods lawe and therefore iustlye deserued a reproofe thy Sacrifices or burnt offringes I take betwéene these two wordes this difference that by Sacrifices he meaneth all maner of offringes excepte those that were offered for sinne and by burnte offringes hée meaneth those that were offered for sinne which are called burnt offrings because they were wholy burned wherof some were dayly offred as two lambs morning euening euery day Ver. 9. I will take q.d. I haue no néede to take out of thine house i. out of thy stall where thou diddest vse to kéepe them as in a house nor Goats he speaketh here of two sortes whiche were vsuall in the Sacrifices appointed by the law Ver. 10. For all the beasts this is a reason why the Lord néede not require any of their beastes for all the beastes and Foules of the world are at his commaundement thousand mountains a nūber certaine for an vncertain meaning by forrests mountains al the world the beasts therof Ver. 11. I know vz. in such order that I can count them and call thē whē I lust are mine vz. to do with them whatsoeuer I think good Ver. 12. If I be hūgry he speaketh this by supposal q.d. if it were possible that I could be hūgry I wil not tell it thée q.d. I haue no neede so to do for séeing al things are mine I can satisfye my selfe when I lust Ver. 13. Wil I eate q.d. no at anye hand I am a spirite Iohn 4. and néede no such grosse nourishment Ver. 14. Offer vnto God prayse q.d. This is it that God requireth that he be praysed for his goodnesse and this is indeede his spirituall seruice thy vowes i. the thinges which thou hast vowed and promised as testimonies of prayses and thankes giuing Verse 15. Call vpon me i. pray vnto me in the day of trouble i. whē thou shalt be in any kinde of calamitie or affliction and it is called the daye of trouble because in that day or at that time trouble doth sease vpon vs glorifie me i. prayse and thanke me Verse 16. What hast thou to doe q.d. Doth it belong to thée No no With what face then darest thou to speake of my lawes or of that couenaunt that is betwéene me and my people séeing thy life vtterly disagréeeth from the same Verse 17. To be reformed vz. by the rule of righteousnesse which is Gods word and hast cast my words behind thée i. contemned them or little regarded them sée Phillip 3.13 Ver. 18. Thou runnest with him i. thou both takest delight and makest great hast to commit theft as he doth thou art partaker i. thou doest not only enter into fellowship but committest the same villany with them Verse 19. To euill i. to speake ill wordes and to vtter euill thinges and with thy tongue thou forgest deceite i. thou deceauest others with thy spéeche putting the tongue which is an instrument of our spéeche for spéeche it selfe Ver. 20. Thou sittest vz. with some other in open places as markets iudgement places and suche like against thy brother i. thy friendes and kinsfolke vnder one comprehending the rest thy mothers sonne i. euen thine owne brother by birth and nature q.d. Suche is thy naughtinesse that thou regardest not friend kinsman or him that toucheth thée so nigh as thy owne brother is Verse 21. And I held my tongue i. I did not by my iudgements punish thée for the same for then God is sayde to holde his tongue when he executeth not his wrath but did in long sufferaunce looke for thy repentaunce sée Rom. 2.3.4 c. was like thée i. one that tooke pleasure in wickednesse as thou doest but I will reproue thée i. but thou shalt finde and féele the contrarie by the punishments that I will powre forth vpon thée and amongst the rest by this I will set them in order before thée i. I will in such order and so particularly lay them out to thy face that thou shalte sée them and confesse them Ver. 22. Consider this vz. that I beholde all thinges that men doe q.d. at the length know it mark it and be perswaded of the truth of it forget God i. himselfe and his iudgementes against you for sinne least I teare you in péeces he vseth a metaphor taken from wild beasts that cruelly rent in péeces the prayes that they haue gotten noting thereby the greatnesse of the punishment that shall come vpon the wicked and there be none c. He taketh away all hope of deliueraunce from the vngodly Verse 23. He that offereth prayse i. he that in stéede of sacrifices prayseth me vnderstanding by thanks giuing and prayse whiche is a part of Gods seruice and worship his whole religion shall glorifie me he meaneth that he that from the
vz. from thine enemies not that they did willingly giue them but that the Lord would haue them whether they would yea or no and they are called gifts not because they gaue them but that the Lorde taking them as spoyles from the enemies gaue them to his people which hee meaneth by these termes following for men i. that thine owne people might inioy and haue the same yea euen the rebellious hast thou lead q.d. Thou hast inforced them to yéeld themselues as tributaries and that not onely those that willingly yéelded but also those that coulde not otherwise bee brought downe but by force that the Lorde God might dwell there i. amongst his people in the sanctuary and by dwelling he meaneth both the manifestation of his power and presence for their good also his continual aboade amonst them as ver 16. of this Psalme S. Paul Ephes 4. ascribeth all this to Christ who is God manifested in the flesh i. meaning that our Sauiour was taken vp into heauen when hee had subdued and ouercome the world the flesh sinne death and the deuill sée Coloss 2.12.13 c. Ver. 19. Euen the God of our saluation i. that worketh gracious deliuerances for vs as sundry times before which ladeth vs dayly i. which filleth vs continually the metaphor expresseth the abundance of Gods benefites with benefites i. with graces and blessings new and old q.d. he neuer ceaseth to doe vs good so that we haue more benefits then we are able to beare as it were Ver. 20. Euen the God that saueth vs i. that worketh wonderful deliueraunces for vs the issues of death i. both meanes and waies to escape death if we referre it to his children and many wayes also to destroy the wicked if we referre it to them as wee may without any iniury to the text referre it to both Ver. 21. Surely i. without all doubt God will wounde vz. vnto death the heade of his enemies hée maketh mention of the head because it is the principall part of the body as wherein life is and from which it is deriued to the other members of the body so that it is as much as if he had sayde that the Lorde woulde take away their life and the heary pate hee meaneth by this the stoute enemies of God because they that woulde bee fearefull to others did foster their heare q.d. their stoute countinance and courage shall nothing preuaile them against God that walketh in his sinnes i. continueth in the same without repentance Ver. 22. The Lord hath sayd therefore it shal be performed I will bring my people vz. safe and sound againe from Bashan i. from dangerous places and distresses such as they were in before that Og king of Bashan was ouerthrowne sée Numb 21.33 and Deutron 3.1.2 c. I wil bring them againe from the depths of the Sea i. from wonderfull perils wherewith they should haue beene as it were ouerwhelmed altogether is q.d. I will worke as excellent a work for this people as I did for those whom I deliuered from the hāds of Og king of Bashan and as I did for them that passed through the red Sea as on drie land as Exod. 14.16 Ver. 23. That thy foote vz. O Israel or my people may bee dipped in blood vz. of the enemies slaine and the tongue of thy dogges in the blood of the enemies by these woordes hée noteth what a great slaughter there shalbée of the enemies of GOD in so much that not onely the faithfull shal haue their féete died in their blood but their very dogs shoulde haue their tongues made red and coloured with the very licking therof euen in it this repetition noteth also the certainetie of the great slaughter Ver. 24. They i. thine enemies to their great discouragement and ouerthrowe and thine owne people to their wonderful comfort thy goings vz. before thy people and thy guiding of them in the day of warre guiding them as a captaine and getting the victory for them and when hee sayth that they had séene all this hée meaneth that they had had the certaine triall and experience thereof which art in the sanctuary i. which giuest manifest signes and tokens of thy power and presēce of thy people there Ver. 25. The singers went before i. euery one in their order did publikely prayse God and pray vnto him sée Exod. 15.1.2 c. Numb 21.17.1 for the maides and women praysing God after the victory sée ver 11. of this Psalme Ver. 26. Prayse yee God in the assemblies i. openly yee that are of the fountaine of Israel i. that come from Iaakob as from a fountaine meaning thereby al the Israelites for he would haue none excepted as it may appeare by the next verse Verse 27. There i. in the publike assemblies to prayse God was little Beniamin i. those of the tribe of Beniamin which is called litle either because it was one of the least in number or else because they came of Iaakob his yongest sonne with their ruler i. with some principall man who was captaine and gouernour of that tribe and the Princes of Iudah i. the noble and great personages of the tribe of Iudah with their assembly i. with the people gathered vnto thē and in such sort must the wordes in this verse following bee expounded Ver. 28. Thy God hath appointed thy strength hee speaketh to the people q.d. the God which thou seruest hath beautified thée with strength because hee hath so appointed or commaunded the same to resist thine enemies shewing that the power of this people was from God and not of it selfe stablish i. strengthen and continue for euer that which thou hast wrought in vs hereby he vnderstandeth the graces and blessings of God both bestowed vpon them their forefathers praying the continuance of his graces Ver. 29. Out of thy temple i. out of the place where the Arke was as 1. Samuel 1.9 from whence it pleased the Lord many times to set foorth the power and maiesty hee had in him for the defence of his Church vppon Ierusalem by Ierusalem hee meaneth the Church of God as Psalm 51.18 And kinges shall bring presents vnto thee i. as some expound it shall yéeld themselues tributaries as it were subiects others to whom I incline giue this sense the Prophet speaketh of himself of his successours meaning that they would with most thankful mindes acknowledge him to be their God speaking in the third person of them altogether and vnderstanding by bringing presents which was a signe of thankfulnes the thing it self Ver. 30. Destroy the company of the speare men i. ouerthrowe both the multitude and the force of common souldiers vnderstanding by spearemen al others that vsed any weapon against them whatsoeuer vnder one sort comprehending all and multitude of the mighty bulles i. the great cōpany of their captaines and men of might who for their greatnes cruelty he compareth to mighty bulles sée Psalm 22.12 with the calues of the people i.
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
and confusion that should fal vpon them that séeke mine hurt i. that indeuour to do me mischéefe Ver. 14. But I wil wait i. looke for help succour from thée and that in hope and patience and wil praise thée more and more vz. because thou ministrest more and more arguments of prayse vnto me by the particular delyuerances that thou doest bestow vpon me Verse 15. My mouth shall daylye rehearse i. continually speake of thy righteousnes i. that righteousnesse which thou exercisest towards the vngodly in punishing them and thy saluation i. the helpe and deliuerance that thou performest to thine when they are oppressed Some stretch the word righteousnesse further as that it should comprehēd also Gods assured goodnesse in sauing his and that he ioineth thē both together because we can not else where be certainly assured but in this that in as much as God is iust and righteous he maintaineth those that are his for I knowe not the number that word for would better be rendred though for here is a modest correction of his former spéech q.d. I wil declare vnspeakeable thinges not according to their excellency but according to the slender abilitie that thou hast bestowed vpon me I will doe my indeuour to set forth thy iustice and saluation though I must néedes confesse that thy iudgements exercised vpon the wicked and thy mercies towards thy children neyther are knowne to me neither can I reckon them sée Psal 40.5 Verse 16. I wil go forward q.d. notwithstanding that great difficultie before alleaged that I know not the number yet I will procéede to speake of them and that in the strength of the Lord God i. assisted and ayded with strength and abilitie from him to the performaunce thereof which I am not able to doe of my selfe and wil make mention i. speake of with my mouth and lippes as before Ver. 15. euen of thine only vz. and of no others q.d. that is sufficient more then I can doe Ver. 17. O god thou hast taught me vz. by thy iudgements vpon others thy benefites towards me he meaneth that God had instructed him in his iustice and in his saluation by those meanes and had giuen him plaine demonstrations and euident proofes thereof and that from his youth i. from the time of his birth as ver 6. of this Psalme therfore I will tell i. speake openly and fréely of thy wondrous workes i. in respect of man as Psal 40.5 Verse 18. Yea euen vnto mine old age and gray head i. euen vntill I come to be very olde vsing graye head or heares a signe of great age for old age it selfe as Leuit. 19.32 Gen. 42.38 This verse may either be ioyned to that that goeth before as it is in the Geneua text with a comma q.d. thou hast taught me from my youth vntil now yea euen vntill that I am very aged or else read by it selfe thus taking away the colon in the middle of this verse thus yea euen vnto mine old age gray head forsake me not q.d. as thou hast continued mercifull and fauourable to me heretofore so I pray thee leaue me not till I come euen to extremity of old age as it were yea euen vntil I haue declared c. as it followeth in this verse and this reading and sence I do approue as most fit vntil I haue declared i. made manifest and set out both by déedes and wordes thine arme i. the moste great workes and mightie power and so is it expounded in the wordes following vnto this generation vz. whiche is yet present and aliue that shall come vz. after these meaning that he would labour to publish it to posterity Verse 19. I will exalt on high i. greatly prayse the same because thou hast giuen me particular triall thereof for thou hast done great thinges i. thou alone without the helpe and assistaunce of any other O God who is like vnto thée vz. either amongst the gods as Psal 86 8. or else in heauen and earth as psa 73.25 and this question sheweth that none is any manner of waye comparable with him Verse 20. Which hast shewed me i. madest me to sée and féele great troubles and aduersities vz. both inwardly and outwardly but thou wilte returne vz. from afflicting me to thy accustomed loue and fauour as Psal 6.4 and reuiue me who was it were almost dead thorow sorrow and gréef q.d. thou wilt refresh me and as it were call me back from death to life and wilte come agayne vz. after this departure and long absence of thine from me and take me vp vz. safe and sound from the depth of the earth i. from very great troubles and extreme daungers Verse 2. Thou wilt increase mine honour which by the conspiracye and rebellion of my sonne Absalon was for a time layd as it were in the dust sée Psalme 3.3 and returne vz. vnto me being pleased with me againe and comfort me vz. with that comfort that belongeth to thine which none can take from them Verse 22. Therefore will I prayse thée he concludeth with promise of thanksgiuing q.d. I will not be vnthankful to thée for thy mercies though I cannot be so thākful as I should or would for thy faithfulnesse i. iust performaunce of thy promises made to me vpon instrument and viol he alludeth to the maner of that age prescribeth not a rule for vs vnder the gospell as some imagine O holy one of Israel i. O God as Psal 8.41 Now he is called the holy one of Israel because that all the sanctification that either that people or his Church haue they haue it from that one alone who sanctifieth al those that be his Verse 23. My lippes will reioyce when I sing vnto thée the Prophet in these wordes expresseth the greate delight that not only his lippes but that al the parts and members of his outward man shall take in praysing the Lord by lips one part vnderstanding all the rest and my soule i. his inward affection al that is within him as Psal 103 ◠which thou hast deliuered vz. from most dangerous distresses yea from death it self Ver. 24. My tongue also shal talk of thy righteousnesse daylye i. I wil inforce my seife continually to speake of thy righteousnesse sée verse 15.17 of this Psalme for they are confounded and brought vnto shame that séeke my hurt sée Psalme 70.2 also verse 13. of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God only Do. how great soeuer our gréefes and daungers be Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods faithful promises made vnto vs or performed vnto vs ought to be the grounds of our supplications prayers Ver. 3. Setteth out what great care God hath ouer his people and what safetie and assuraunce they are in that be vnder his protection Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for deliueraunce from mischieuous men and cruell persons Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God must be trusted vnto and hong vpon al the dayes of our life
it were life vnto the people and as the shewers vz. falling from heauen that water the earth after some great drought By these similitudes hee sheweth howe acceptable good gouernment should be to the people Ver. 7. In his daies i. in his yeres and while he reigneth sée Isaiah 1.1 The righteous shal florish i. good men and of vpright conscience shal be aduanced for such as he is himselfe wil he labour to haue in authority and abundance of peace i. of all good things and blessings as ver 3. of this Psalme shal be vz. vppon the people of his land so long as the moone indureth i. for euer as ver 5.17 of this Psalme also Psal 89.37 and this must be referred as many other things also in this Psalm to Iesus Christ Ver. 8 From sea to sea i. from from the red sea vnto the sea of Syria or Palestina which is an arme of the Mediterraneum Sea sée Exod. 23.31 Deutron 11.24 sée also Numb 34. from ver 2. to the end of the 12. and from the riuer vz. of Euphrates or Perah sée Deutron 11.24 vnto the endes of the lande vz. of promise or Canaan which reacheth to the great wildernes towards the mountaine of Lebanon Ver. 9. They that dwel in the wildernes i. those that dwel Southward from Ierusalem and were furthest of from the land of Canaan meaning also barbarous vntamed and wilde people shall knéele before him vz. in token of reuerence and subiection as though hee were their owne naturall Prince or king and his enemies vz. though they bee neuer so stoute shall licke the dust by this manner of speach hee meaneth a most lowly subiection q.d. they shall not onely fall downe before him flat vpon the earth after the manner of the Easterne people but shal as a man would say as much debase themselues as possible can be in token of trustines reuerence and obedience Ver. 10. The kings of Tarshish i. those that rule in Cicilia putting the chiefe Citie of the Country for the whole country and of the Issles vz. which lye along the sea coast from Cicilia to Grecia as Cyprus Candie and others which are compassed in with the Mediterranium sea shal bring presents vz. in token of homage and obedience sée Psal 45.12 the accōplishment of this sée 1. king 4.21.34 also 1. king 10.25 the kings i. the rulers and magistrates as before of Sheba i. Arabia felix putting Sheba whiche was but a parte of it for the whole from this Countrey it séemeth that the Quéene came who is mencioned 1. king 10. in the beginning of the Chapter and Seba i. as some expounde it Ethiopia but I take it to be some other Countrey as may appare Isaiah 43.3 These Countries séeme to haue their names of two of the sonnes of Cush who came of Ham as appeareth Gene. 10.7 whatsoeuer it is the Prophet myndeth nothing else but vnder the kingdome of Salomon to set out the inlarging of Christes kingdome shall bring giftes i. giftes in signe of honour that they owe testifying their subiection for so much the Hebrewe worde importeth Ver. 11. Yea q.d. that in one worde I may shut vp the matter all Kinges shall worshippe him all nations shall feare him if wée vnderstande this of Salomon then it must haue this sense many kings and nations specially of those that bee about him shall yéelde him homage and obedience but if wee referre it to Christ then it comprehendeth the inlargement of his kingdome by mightie men and nobles and the calling of the Gentiles of which sée Psalm 2.8 Isaiah 49.23 Verse 12. For hee shall deliuer the poore vz. from him that oppresseth him when hee cryeth vz. vnto him i. when hee prayeth earnestly vnto him for helpe and him that hath no helper vz. amongest men q.d. there is none so helplesse but God will bee an helper vnto him if he hang vpon him only Ver. 13. Hée shalbée merciful i. not only in compassion but in actiō shal preserue the soules i. the liues and bodies from the rage and cruelty of harde hearted men Verse 14. He shall redéeme i. deliuer and set frée their soules i. them themselues putting a part of a mā for the whole man from deceite and violence vz of the cut-throates that liue amongest men Vnder these two wordes hée comprehendeth all manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer or howsoeuer performed by deceit hée meaneth al those that are craftily and closely wrought and by violence all those that are perfourmed with open force and deare i. precious and of great regarde shall their blood bee i. their life as Genesis 9.5.6 or else by blood hée meaneth that blood of theirs which the vngodly spill in tormenting them in his sight i. before him and in his iudgement howsoeuer base and contemptible men estéeme it Verse 15. Yea hee shall liue some referre this word hée to the poore whome the King shall redeeme but I rather to the King the Prophet meaning by this speach that hée shall liue a long and a prosperous raigne and vnto him i. vnto the king shall they i. the poore that are redéemed from deceite and violence giue of the gold of Sheba i. of precious and costly golde as being farre fet Sheba being a place farre distant from the lande of promise whatsoeuer it is hée meaneth that the people shall willingly perfourme with all the power that they haue the duetie and obedience which they owe him which was in times past signified by giuing of giftes as may appeare 1. Samuel 10.27 pray for him i. for his health and welfare and for the good of the whole kingdome and dayly blesse him i. prayse and commend him as in déede hée iustly deserueth for his vpright gouernment Verse 16. An handfull of corne i. a small portion no more then a man can holde in his hande shalbée sowen in the earth within the compasse of the lande of promise if wee referre it to Salomon euen in the toppe of the mountaines which are very vnméete places by reason of their great drought in Summer and of their great colde in winter and the fruit thereof i. of the corne sowen shall shake like the trées of Lebanon i. shall growe vp into great height and abundaunce and shalbée so florishing that they shall russell and make a noise as it were the trées of the forest of Lebanon Sée Psalme 29.5 hee meaneth that there shalbée nothing so small amongest Gods people but through Gods blessing it shall multiply to much and bring foorth abundaunce and the children shall florish out of the Citie i. men shal bee as plentifull both within and without the Citie al the land through euen as the grasse of the earth i. in great store and abundaunce Verse 17. His name i. his maiesty renowne and glory shalbée for euer i. last a great season if wee referre it to Salomon but it shalbée eternall if wée referre it to Christ and so must the wordes following bee likewise expounded sée
in their heades they haue more vz. of worldly prosperitie and wealth then heart can with i. theâ—â— they themselues in their owne affections can desire sée Psal 17.14 Verse 8. They are licentious i. they giue themselues in their conuersation and behauiour to al licentiousnes doing whatsoeuer they themselues like of and speake wickedly of their oppression hee meaneth to note their impudencie and shamelesnes that not only did euil but would with wicked words publish the same abroad and speak presumptuously i. fearcely against men and proudly against God as though they were not like other men Ver. 9. They set their mouth i. they spare not to speake putting the word mouth an instrument of speach for speach against heauen i. against God chiefely that is in heauen and these blessed ones that are there with him and their tongue i. their speach tongue is vsed here as the word mouth was before in this verse walketh through the earth i. they speake outragious wordes also euen against men that inhabite the earth and in these words heauen and earth there is Metâ—â—â—mia Ver. 10. Therefore his people i. Gods people turne vz. from God hither i. to wickednes and sinne with the vngodly the Prophet meaneth that many that were supposed to be faithful people straied from the right way or else stoode not so stedfastly therin as some imagined they did for waters of a ful cup are wrung out to them the Prophet noteth the cause of their falling to bee on the one side the wickeds prosperitie and abundance and on the other side the plentie of their owne afflictions vnderstanding by waters of a full cup wrung out vnto them the abundance of calamities that they sée dayly prepared to fall vppon them euen as it were bitter potions for them to drinke Ver. 11. And they say i. the godly or these that haue a shewe of godlines and are readye to fall from it by reason of the wickeds prosperitie as verse 2. of this Psalme howe doeth God know it vz. their wickednes and vngodlines is there knowledge vz. of their sinnes and trasgressions q.d. no surely for if there were hee must néedes punish them or else deny his owne nature so farre doeth fleshly weakenes cary them that it maketh them to doubt of Gods prouidence and gouernment Verse 12. Loe these vz. that thus florishe are the wicked vz. of the worlde yet prosper they alway sée verse 4. and 5. of this Psalme hee meaneth that whatsoeuer they take in hande goeth well forwarde and besides are not afflicted as others are and increase in riches vz. euen as much as their heart can desire Ver. 13. Certainely q.d. séeing the case so standeth to what ende haue I striuen to do well and note that the Prophet expresseth rather his assault shewing whereunto hée was tempted then vttered his perswasion I haue cleansed mine heart i. I haue laboured to remoue corrupt and filthy affections from mee not meaning that hee had power in himselfe but that God had giuen him a will to beginne in vaine i. without any cause why séeing that the wicked haue more abundance many times then the godly and washed my handes in innocensie by handes hee vnderstandeth workes performed by the handes as it were q.d. I haue in vayne béene carefull that my workes shoulde be cleane and iust meaning by purging his heart inward soundnes specially towards God and by washing his hands outwarde behauiour specially towardes men q.d. I haue without cause walked in honest conuersation before men and perfourmed dueties of godlines towardes God Sée Psal 26.6 also Iob. 9.30 Ver. 14. For dayly haue I béene punished i. continually afflicted with some one crosse or other for this is the portion of Gods children that in this life with them the latter end of one trouble is the beginning of an other chastened euery morning vz. for my amendment and bettering Ver. 15. If I say vz. to my selfe in my owne heart and thought I wil iudge thus vz. of the wicked that they are good and that thy prouidence beareth not such a sway as I haue beléeued behold the generation of thy children vz. which shal conuince me of vanitye and falshood because thou alwaies preseruest them to thy selfe what danger so euer come I haue trespassed q. d yea I must further confesse that in hauing these motions I haue sinned against thée Ver. 16. TheÌ„ thought I to know this i. I laboured painfully to come to this matter and the depth of it vz. whether matters were gouerned by thy prouidence yea or no but it was to paineful for me vz. to atteine vnto and that by mine owne natural wit and vnderstanding as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 17. Vntill I entred vz. with déepe consideration hearty prayer c. into the sanctuary of God i. into the word of God in which his wil is declared putting the place where the word was most vsed for the word it selfe then i. after that I had looked into thy word I vnderstood vz. rightly and soundly their end i. the wicked mens ende which is called their end not that it was in their choyse to make what end they would but that it was that end which GOD in his iudgements layde vppon them euen when they thought him to haue no care of their doings and themselues in the greatest safety Ver. 18. Surely thou hast set them in slippery places i. in an vncertaine and chaungable estate whereof they can haue no more assurance then if they went vppon â—se or some slippery matter and from which they shall as easily and as soone fall as they haue béene exalted thereto and castest them downe into desolation i. thou doest so ouerthrowe them that they are vtterly wasted and destroyed as may appeare by the next verse Verse 19. Howe sodainely are they destroyed vz. by thy iudgements perished vz. from among men and horribly consumed vz. by thy feareful iudgments which by reason of the noueltie strangnes of them astonisheth them and bringeth them to naught Verse 20. As a dreame when one awaketh vz. so passe the wicked and their felicity away hée meaneth that they sodainely vanish away as a dreame is quickely forgotten yea many times knowe not what they dreamed and though they doe yet they finde that it is nothing but a vayne perswasion and so shall the wicked mens felicity bee when thou raysest vs vp vz. either in honour and estimation for the lifting vp of the good is the depressing of the wicked or else in right and sounde iudgement Immanuel readeth when thou arisest vp referring it to GOD i. when thou beginnest to execute thy power vppon them which also is good sense thou shalt make their image despised vz. of the godly by image hee meaneth either their outwarde shewe which blearing their eyes vanish away as sodainely as an image that sheweth it selfe in a glasse or else the men themselues who are of no longer continuaunce then an
in God he sheweth the roote of all their sinne vz. Diffidence and distrust in GOD and his power and trusted not in his helpe vz. which he had promysed to perform for them which also maketh their sinne the greater because they beléeued not his promise whereby we sée that incredulitie is so déepely rooted in mans nature that it is impossible to pull it out except God work miraculously therein Verse 23. Yet he q.d. though God had bestowed very great abundāce and plenty had commaunded the cloudes aboue i. by his commaundement had brought to passe that the clouds poured down Manna as in the next verse had opened the dores of heauen i. had giuen them in great plenty an excellēt Metaphor to expresse the abundance of it Ver. 24. And had rayned down Manna sée Exod. 15. almost thorow out and had giuen them of the Wheat of Heauen he calleth Manna by this name because God caused it in great plēty to come down from the heauen by wheat you must vnderstand a food that had in it the same vse of nourishment that wheat had sée Num. 11.7.8 Ver. 25. Man i. men and euery one of the people of Israel did eat the bread of Angels i. excellente bread and such as Angels might vse if they did eat and not that they do eat it but because it came downe from that place that Angels inhabite this is a vsual phrase in scripture by things attributed to Angels to vnderstand very excellent things Sée Acts 6.15 also 1. Cor. 13.1 he i. God sent vz. from Heauen meate ynough i. strange and delicate flesh ynough as may appeare ver 28 29 30 31 of this Psalme also Exodus 16. and in other places Verse 26. He caused the East wind to passe in the Heauen i. he stirred it vp in the ayre or the Firmament It is likely that he meaneth that winde whiche is expressed Num. 11.31 which brought the Quailes vpon them and that which followeth in the next verse séemeth to strengthē the same and thorow his power he brought in the south wind meaning that God had al elements at his commaundement for the performaunce of his worke whatsoeuer Ver. 27. He rayned i. hée gaue them great plenty as ver 24. of this Psalm flesh vz. of Quailes as may appeare by the story Num. 11. as dust i. in such great abundaunce and as thicke by a maner of spéech as dust is vpon the earth see Genesis 13 16 also Numbers 23.10 also 2. Chronicles 1.9 and feathered foule i. Quayles for of them particularly he speaketh and meaneth as the sand of the sea i. innumerable as it were sée 1. Sam. 13.5 Psalme 139. Verse 17.18 Verse 28. And hee made it fall vz. from the heauen or the firmamente meaning it also of the fleshe of Quayles or Quayles themselues in the middest of their Campe i. of the place where they camped and not of the tents or campes themselues and round about their habitations i. the places where they dwelte for the time sée for this Numb 11.31 by these spéeches he meaneth that they might with ease gather them for they were not farre of Verse 29. So i. hauing these blessings and graces bestowed vpon them from God they did eat vz. of Quails were wel filled i. satisfied with the flesh thereof for he gaue them their desire i. god gaue thē that which they longd lusted after Ver. 30. They were not turned frō their lust i. frō the thing they longed after lusted for q.d. they were not wery of quails though they had eatē thē a whole mōth together sée num 11.20 they were as a mā would say ready to burst with fulnes but the meat i. the flesh of quails which they had eaten was yet in their mouthes i. euen as they were eating of it as may appeare Num. 11.33 Ver. 31 When the wrath of God i. punishment and vengeance sent from him vpon thē for their sinnes came euē vpon thē vz. as they were eating then gods wrath is sayd to come vpon any when he taketh iudgement in hand against them executeth the same vpon them flew the strongest of them who no doubt had abused the strong constitution of their body agaynst God thinking they were able to make their partye good with him and smote down vz. to the ground by death the chosen men in Israell i. the picked ones as men of greatest hope so that we sée no mans strength or neatnesse can turne away Gods iudgement from thē which by sin they haue pulled vpon thēselues Ver. 32. For al this i. notwithstanding the benefits God had giuen thē and the punishments he had layd vpon them they sinned still i. they procéeded on in their iniquities murmuring cōtinually against god as appereth Num. 14 12. c. num 16.1.2 c. num 17. almost thorowout num 20.2.3 c. and beléeued not his wondrous works i. had not their perswasion strengthened by the maruailous thinges that God did for them but did as much doubt of his power and good will as though he had shewed no signe or miracle at al Verse 33. Therefore i. for their sinnes and namely not profiting by his corrections their dayes i. the dayes and times of their life appointed vnto them did he consume in vanity i. God made them to passe away as vain transitory and vnprofitable things some expound it thus he caused thē to die some thus God thorow his curse vpon them cut off the time of their life so that they liued not out half their days nor brought thē into the lande of promise but layd their Karkases in the wildernes sée Num. 14.28.29 al commeth to one sence their yeres hastily he meaneth that they died hastilye sodainlye or when they thought least of it as appeareth verse 3. of this Psalm Ver. 34. And when hee slewe them i. when he did not only destroy them by his iudgements but also when soeuer he layd any affliction vpon them they sought him vz. in hipocrisie and counterfeiting as appeareth ver 36.37 of this Psal so that they did but séeme only to séeke him or made as though they would séeke him and they returned vz. from their euil wayes but this was in outward shew onlye and not from the hart as Iudas is sayd to repent Matth. 27.3 and sought God vz. by hypocriticall and dissembled prayers such as are mentioned Isaiah 29.13 early vz. in the morning pretending that they would spare no labour or payn Ver. 35. And they remembred that God was their strength i. he that strongly defended them from their enimies and gaue them strength to incounter with them and the most high God their redéemer vz. from al distresses trouble and daunger Ver. 36. But they flattered him with their mouth i. they went aboute by words and faire spéeches to deceaue God as it were and this was not only because they did not vnfainedly confesse their offences but also did not truly and
bée séene and glorious in beholding as these places palaces that are builde on high hilles and mountaines like the earth which he stablished for euer vnderstande and like the earth for this is an other similitude expressing the firmitie and continuance of the Church which shal indure vppon the earth vnto the comming of Christ and afterwardes for euer and euer in heauen Verse 70. Hée chose Dauid also his seruant after that he had spoken of the Arke religion and seruice of God hee commeth to speake of the kingdome and politique gouernement for these two things were principal signes of Gods goodnes and grace and tooke him from the shéepefoldes i. from a poore and meane estate for hee was no better then a shéephearde as it were Ver. 71. Euen from behind the ewes with young i. as hee followed the ewes either ready to eane or hauing eaned all ready for the worde I take it may be referred to both to féede his people in Iaakob i. to rule and gouerne his people Iaakob vz. those that came of Iaakob his inheritaunce in Israel i. the Israelits which were his inheritance I knowe these words in Iaakob and in Israel may haue an other sense as though hee put the names of the father of the people inhabiting the place for the place it selfe but mee thinketh the other is more simple Verse 72. So hée fed them i. ruled and gouerned them according to the simplicity of his heart i. as he was of a single mind so hée gouerned iustly and holyly and guided them i. went in and out before them exercising holy and lawfull gouernement ouer them by the discretion of his hands i. by most iust rule and gouernement for the worde hande is in many places of Scripture by metonimia put for worke rule and gouernement because kinges in their handes did vse to beare their Scepter a signe and seale of their gouernement All this serueth to shewe that Dauid did not vnaduisedly handle the thinges that hee was to passe through but did that which apperteined to his office through wisedome aduisedly also and with iudgement Verse 1. Teacheth vs to bring attentiue eares with vs Do. to the exercises of the worde Ver. 2. That the more darke and high the thinges are that are propounded the more diligent should we be in hearing and meditating thereof and not discouraged as many men are with the hardnesse Ver. 3. Teacheth that the workes and worde of GOD which either wee our selues haue tryed or other in trueth haue tolde vs of should bée great grounds of strength to our consciences and perswasions Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care for posterity that the worde and works of God may in trueth and sinceritie continue with vs and our séede for euer Ver. 5. Sheweth that Gods word bestowed vpon any people is no small signe or token of his fauour or loue towardes them Ver. 6. Sheweth that God giueth his word to the end that the people present and they that should come after might be instructed in sound knowledge of his truth Ver. 7. Teacheth that Gods word is ordeined to two especiall purposes the one is to increase hope in the heartes of his children and the other is to worke obedience Verse 8. Teacheth that fathers are not alwayes to bee followed and therefore that they say nothing that say they will treade in the steppes of their fathers Verse 9. Teacheth that weapon and armour are nothing where GOD his strength and fauour is not ioyned with them Verse 10. Teacheth that disobedience and rebellion against GOD is a grieuous sinne Verse 11. Teacheth vs howe fowle a sinne forgetfulnes of Gods goodnes is Verse 12.13.14.15.16 Setteth out Gods great loue towardes his people who maketh thinges against nature to prouide for them rather then they shoulde bee hurt or want any thing that were good and all this hée doeth to the ende that they might haue their fayth stedfastly stayed vppon him and his goodnes Verse 17. Teacheth that sinne against GOD after benefites receiued is very horrible and monstrous Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euill motions of the heart are sinne Verse 19. Teacheth that there can no greater dishonour bee offered to God then to call his power and will into question Verse 20. Sheweth howe the wicked peruert those things that God doth for them so the increase of their distrust and infidelitie Ver. 21. Teacheth two thinges first that the Lorde séeth the thoughts of the hearts heareth the words of mens mouthes conceiued or spoken against him secondly that sinne shall neuer bee vnpunished Verse 22. Teacheth that distrust in God is a most heinous and grieuous offence Verse 23.24.25.26.27.28.29 Expresse Gods great loue in giuing the people whatsoeuer they desired and that in wonderfull plenty and abundaunce to the ende that by that meanes he might bring them to amendment Ver. 30. Teacheth that the wicked are not drawne to repentance by Gods benefites but rather goe on forward more and more in their sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth that the abuse of Gods goodnes and mercy shall neuer bee left vnpunished also that God respecteth no persons in the execution of his iustice but hee that hath offended of what countenance soeuer he be shall smart for it Ver. 32. Teacheth that there are a sort of people so setled in their sinnes that no graces of God will pul thē out of them Ver. 33. Teacheth that hasty and sodaine destruction oftentimes ouertaketh the wicked Ver. 34. Liuely painteth out the nature of hypocrites their counterfeite repentance so doth verse 35.36.37 Ver. 36. Teacheth that the abuse of mens mouthes and tongues must be answered to the Lorde Verse 37. Sheweth that God specially regardeth an vpright heart Ver. 38. Doeth wonderfully commend the riches of Gods grace and goodnes Ver. 39. Doth marueilously set out the vanity and frailtie of man in all his glory Ver. 40. Teacheth howe the vngodly cease not sinning but procéede from one iniquitie to another Ver. 41. Teacheth that to set god his bounds is a grieuous transgression Ver. 42. Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of gods benefits towardes his children or of his iustice vpon his and their enemies is a grieuous transgression In that description of gods wrath executed vpon the wicked Egiptians and comprehended Ver. 43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50.51 Wee may learne many thinges first that the enemies of gods people shall neuer escape vnpunished which also expresseth gods iustice against persecutours Secondly wee sée the mightie power of the Lorde who wil arme the least of his creatures with such might as all the Monarchies in the worlde shall not bee able to resist Thirdly in that there are so diuers and sundry punishments reckoned vp we learn that the Lord hath all his creatures at commandement to vse them for the manifesting of his glory either in the maintenance of his seruants or for the punishing of the wicked Ver. 52.53 Do not only expresse gods great loue towards his children but also they teach howe that in
the first that is roote taking their florishing and prospering in that lande and it filled the lande i. it increased and grewe mightely in number greatnes and glory Verse 10. The mountaines were couered with the shadowe of it among many senses I take this to bée the simplest that the people of Israel was so mightily multiplied and increased throughout the lande of Canaan that not onely the valleis which are for the most part fruitfull but the mountaines which are commonly barren were well inhabited and peopled Sée Matth. 3.1 Luke 1.39 and the boughes thereof i. the yong people that came of that roote or stocke were like the goodly Cedars i. beautifull to beholde as tall straight strong c. Ver. 11. She stretched out her braunches i. she replenished the land with inhabitants vnto the Sea vz. Mediterranium and her boughes vnto the riuer vz. of Euphrates he doeth describe the bredth of the land of Canaan and howe farre Gods people had extended their gouernement sée Psal 72. verse 8. and they recken vp Gods benefites towardes them in times past that they might presently the more easily obteine his fauor and goodnes Verse 12. Why hast thou then broken downe her hedges i. why hast thou destitute her of succour and ayde and why doest thou no more take her into thy sauegarde and protection but hast withdrawne thy power and strength with which shée was compassed as hée threatned Deutronom 31.17 also Isaiah 5.5 so that all they which passe by the way haue plucked her i. spoyled and destroyed her hee meaneth by this manner of speach the gap as it were that GOD made and gaue to the enemies to afflict his people by Verse 13. The wilde Bore i. the most vncleane and rauenous Gentiles the worde wilde out of the wood noting their rauening and the worde Bore noting their vncleannes for the Iewes might not eate swines flesh because it was accounted vncleane by the lawe Leuittic 11.7 hath destroyed it i. hath vtterly rooted it vppe by the rootes as though it woulde finde some thing hidden vnder it for the worde that he vseth here is a compounde worde and signifieth to digge vp some thing that is hidden as Treasure or such like and the wilde beastes of the fieldes haue eaten it vppe i. it was giuen for a pray to all sortes of beastes both of the forrestes and of the fieldes hee meaneth that their neighbours nigh about them and others farre off them did grieuously afflict the people of Jsrael which enemies of theirs hee compareth to wilde beastes by reason of their cruelty Verse 14. Returne we beseéch thée vz. to thy former loue and grace q.d. set aside thy wrath and be mercifull vnto vs as thou hast béene heretofore O GOD of hostes this properly respecteth his power whereby wée sée that they made his might one grounde of their prayers looke downe vz. vppon this vine from heauen q.d. though thou dwell on high yet looke vppon vs belowe in fauour and mercy and beholde and visite this vine i. not onely remember it but perfourme deliueraunce vnto it as thou hast promised sée the worde visiting so vsed Gene. 21. verse 1. Verse 15. And the vineyarde i. the whole body of the people putting the thing conteyning for the thing conteined that thy right hande hath planted i. which thy mighty power hath not onely brought out of Egipt but setled fast in this lande and the young vine so hee calleth the people either because they were small and fewe at the beginning or else because that in the time of these troubles they were become as it were but a handfull which thou madest strong for thy selfe i. to which thou gauest great strength that in it thou and thy glory might appeare Verse 16. It is burnt with fire and cut downe i. it is destroyed by fire and swoorde noting by these two termes of fire and cutting downe all the wayes and meanes that the wicked vsed to destroy the children of GOD with all and they perish i. all thy people of Israel and Iudah at the rebuke of thy countenance i. when thou shewest by thy countenaunce that thou doest rebuke them and art angry with them q.d. the force of the enemy néede not confound them for the very signe and token of thy displeasure doth consume them Ver. 17. Let thy hand i. thy power might grace and goodnes he vpon i. be present with in effect and féeling the man of thy right hande he putteth the worde man for men and people one for many and by man of right hande hee meaneth those that God did so tenderly loue and for their sakes hée continually manifested his mighty power in leading and gouerning them and vppon the sonne sonne is here put for sonnes or posterity as man for men before whom thou madest strong i. whom thou gauest might and power vnto not onely to defence themselues but to wounde their enemies for thine owne selfe i. for thine honour and glory that thou in them mightest bee glorified Verse 18. So will not wee q.d. if thou shew vs the fauour prayed for we wil continue alwaies in thy obedience This must be vnderstood not as though they conditioned with God but alledge their purposed obedience as a reason to moue the Lord to pity them go backe from thée vz. to false and strange worships deuised by men but will kéepe our selues fast to that seruice that thou hast prescribed by thy word reuiue thou vs i. take from vs the great heauines that hangeth vpon vs by reason of our sorrowes and afflictions and quicken vs and so we shal cal vpon thy name i. profes thy religion sincerely and pray vnto thée only Ver. 19. is the very same in words and sence with verse 3 and verse 7 of this Psalme Verse 1 teacheth vs to haue recourse in all our afflictions to God by prayer Do. and in the same to consider as good grounds of our supplications his mercye and his power Verse 2 teacheth that not onely the féeling but the manifesting of Gods strength and power is comfortable to his saints Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods fauour is the only cause of all goodnesse towards vs. Verse 4 declareth that it is no small affliction of conscience to Gods children to féele that their prayers are not forcible Verse 5 6 teach first that all the afflictions of Gods children come by his prouidence and appointment secondly that he bringeth them very lowe euen in this life to the end that they may haue their harts and soules the more lifted vp to him Verse 7 sheweth that we cannot know till the Lord turne vs and so is stong agaynst frée will Verse 8 setteth out Gods great and vnspeakeable loue towards his Church and his plaguing and punishing of the wicked for their sakes Verse 9 sheweth that the beginning increase and continuance of the Church and of euery particular member of it is from the Lord. Verse 10 11 doe vnder excellent Metaphors set out the
signes of thy wrath vpon them hast remoued from their shoulders the heauie weighte of thy iudgementes and hast turned backe vz. in pittie and compassion as though it were better weying thine own mercy and our miserye from the fiercenesse of thy wrath or else we had bin consumed thereby They meane that GOD kindled not his wrath to the vttermoste agaynste them eyther as in iustice hee mighte or in wickednesse they had deserued Verse 4. Turne vs vz. vnto thée by fayth and repentaince as Lamentation 5.21 or else from that miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein wee are to oure former libertye and fréedome in oure owne lande O GOD of our saluation i. thou that workest our deliueraunce from daungers and distresse so saluation is taken Psalm 3.8 release thine anger towards vs i. frée vs from that wrath of thine the testimonies thereof which we sée and féele presently vpon vs. Verse 5. Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer q.d. wee hope no for that is the force of the interrogations meaning that Gods wrath should not alwayes continue vppon them and wilte thou prolong thy wrath vz. which is now presently vpon vs from one generation to an other i. vpon vs and our posterities q.d. shall it continually abide vpon vs and our séedes Ver. 6. Wilt thou not turne again vz. in loue mercy fauor presence towards vs quicken vs who seeme as it were to be dead sée Ezechiel 37.1.2 c. that thy people i. the people whome thou haste chosen to thy selfe may be deliuered and set frée and so haue an occasion to reioyce in thée i. to prayse thée and to magnifie thée for thy goodnesse towardes them hee séemeth to note two endes of their deliuerance one the good and benefite of the people the other Gods glory Ver. 7. Shew vs O Lord thy mercy i. make vs by effect to sée and féele thy goodnes and graunt vs i. graciously and fréely bestowe vpon vs thy saluation i. the deliueraunce which fréely and only must come from thée For the acception of this worde saluation sée before ver 4. of this Psal Ver. 8. I this the faithful together speak as though they were but one person by reason of the nigh cōiunction of them wil heare i. not only diligently hearken vnto but patiently looke for what the Lorde God wil say i. what he will either speak or performe for the word of God is as it were the déed of god sée Psal 148.5 for he wil speak i. promise and performe in déed and this is a reason why hée will in patience attend the Lorde and his worke peace i. al goodnes and prosperity after that their calamities bee once ended Sée Gene. 43.23 vnto his people i. vnto his faithfull ones putting by this marke a difference betwéene Gods people in déede and those that haue but the bare title only and to his Saints i. to those whom he hath sanctified sée Psal 16.3 that they turne not againe vz. to their old filthines of idolatry distrust and such like whereunto Antiochus laboured to bring them to folly i. to all maner of wickednes and in this respect the vngodly are generally through the Prouerbes called fooles as also Psalm 14.1 Ver. 9. Surely q.d. without all doubt it can not otherwise be his saluation i. succour deliuery and aide from God sée ver 7. of this Psalme is neere i. euen as it were at the doores and wil come vpon them quickly to them that feare him vz. with holy feare and all their heartes leading also their liues according to the rule of righteousnesse which hée hath prescribed that glory i. the sincere seruice and worship of God and all goodnes as may appeare by all the verses following in this Psalme may dwel i. may haue continual aboad notwithstanding the mischieuous deuises of the vngodly in our land i. amongst the people that inhabite this land appointed for vs so had you the word lande vsed ver 1. of this Psal Ver. 10. Mercy vz. from God and truth i. simple and sincere dealing vz. from men shall méete vz. ioyfully and chearefully together q.d. God wil turne his owne iustice towardes his people into mercy and their hypocriticall heartes and handes into sounde and sincere ones righteousnes vz. from God meaning by righteousnes also the faithfull execution of his promises and peace vz. of conscience in men an effectuall worker whereof is Gods faithful performance of his promises shal kisse one an other vz. in token of true friendshippe and reconciliation for by these manner of speaches and metaphors the holy ghost mindeth to note the reconciliation and agréement which shal be made betwéen God and his people Ver. 11. Truth vz. from men as before ver 10. shall bud i. by effects shall shewe foorth it selfe and yéelde fruite as the bud in the spring time appeareth which also is an argument of hope that fruite wil followe out of the earth i. out of the mindes and soules of the godly putting earth conteining them by the figure Metonimia for they themselues therein contained and righteousnes i. the iust performance of Gods mercifull promises as before verse 10. shall looke downe i. shal manifest and declare it selfe from heauen i. from the almighty whose dwelling is in the heauen Ver. 12. Yea the Lord shal giue vz. fréely and of his owne goodnes for so much doth the word import generally throughout the Scriptures good thinges i. heapes and abundance of al goodnes whether they be spiritual graces mentioned ver 10. 11. or bodyly blessings mentioned in the last part of this verse and our land i. the land appointed to vs from God and wherin we dwel shal giue her increase i. shal plentifully yéeld it the same being made fruitful by the mighty power of God Ver. 13. Righteousnes shal go before him q.d. when God shal shew these graces vnto his people then God wil bring to passe that vpright dealing shall haue frée passage amongest men for so I take righteousnesse to bee vsed in this place and shal set her steppes in the way vz. so that a man shal walke no way but there shall appeare certaine printes as it were of his footing Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise but methinketh this sense is plaine Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour in former time should minister hope vnto his seruauntes that they should afterwards féele it in like sort when they are in any distresse Verse 2. Teacheth that it is God alone that doeth and must forgiue all the sinnes of his people Verse 3. Sheweth that vnlesse the Lorde in the middest of his wrath remember his mercy wee shoulde bee all consumed Verse 4. Teacheth that vnlesse GOD worke in vs repentaunce wee shall neuer repent Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods wrath indureth not alwayes Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 6. Teacheth two thinges the first is that vnlesse GOD quicken vs wee are but as dead people the seconde that God in deliuery of his
oppresse mee and ouerwhelme me as waters do the drowned body and thy feare i. the feares that haue béene wrought in mee by the troubles and afflictions which thou hast layd vpon mee haue cut me of vz. from liuing in this worlde or from being amongst men he meaneth that they had euen vtterly as it were destroyed him Ver. 17. They i. the assured testimonies and tokens of thy wrath came roūd about me i. cōpassed me in on euery side so that there was no way to escape or get out yea they take hold of me both inwardly outwardly dayly i. continually and without ceasing as it were like water i. in great abundance and with great force as surges or waues that would swallowe mee vp sée ver 7. of this Psalm and compassed mee together i. euen at one time as it were and with al their violence they set vpon me Ver. 18. This is the same both in sense and almost in worlds with ver 8. of this Psalme hee meaneth that none of those which were linked to him either by nature or kinred would come out for to helpe him Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest and continual in prayer vnto our God Do. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord to make vs féele vs the effects and force of our praiers Ver. 3. Teacheth two things first that very great heapes of afflictions are the ordinary portion of Gods children in this life secondly that the more miseries we haue the more spéed we should make to God by prayer for the redresse of them Ver. 4. Sheweth in what regarde the wicked of the world haue Gods children in the time of their affliction Ver. 5.6.7 Teach that Gods hand lyeth very sore many times vpon his dearest children and yet for all that hee loueth them neuer a whit the worse Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that euen the losse of our friends falleth out according to Gods appointment which rightly considered should minister no smal comfort to Gods children Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that as our miseries increase or continue so our prayers to God should increase or continue Ver. 10.11.12 Shew how sharply the faith of gods children is in their afflictions assaulted so that many times there séemeth to be little difference betwéene hope and dispaire Ver. 13. Teacheth that howsoeuer the godlines fayth be expressed for a time yet it is not vtterly ouercome but bursteth foorth into victory at the length and to earnest praier Ver. 14. Sheweth that nothing gréeueth Gods children so much as to féele a separation betwéene God and them selues Ver. 15. Teacheth that the afflictions of Gods children are continuall euen from youth to old age and from the day of our life vnto the houre of our death Ver. 16.17 Declare that Gods children are not slenderly tryed with some meane crosse but that stil the latter end of one trouble with them is the beginning of an other and as one flood or waue commeth thicke and thréefold in an others necke so do afflictions assault them Ver. 18. Deliuereth the same doctrine that ver 8. doeth also it teacheth vs that we should not be much dismaid when wee sée our friendes and acquaintaunce forsake vs in our miseries for as much as Dauid and many other of Gods Saints haue felt the same Psalme 89 Di. THis being a very long Psalme and handling sundry matters may yet notwithstanding be diuided into three partes In the first part Ethan the Ezraite setteth out and prayseth Gods goodnes which he manifesteth by many thinges but especially by the description of his workes and power and of his mercy and loue towardes his owne people and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the seconde part hee maketh expresse mention of Gods couenaunt made in Dauid and his séed a singular testimony no doubt of his vnspeakeable mercy shewing that hee will establish it for euer and yet notwithstanding conuert them if they goe astray from verse 18. to the ende of the 37. In the thirde parte hee séemeth to bewayle the want of performance of that mercy promised praying the Lorde to looke and that in time vppon the great desolations of the Lande concluding in hope of deliuerye with a thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde and this reacheth from verse 38. to the ende of the Psalme Se. For the title of this Psalme sée the title of Psalme 88. Ver. 1. I will sing i. I will by song set foorth the mercies of the Lorde i. his manifold and sundry mercies q.d. wee haue tasted of more then of one of his mercies yea wée haue felt all his mercyes and therefore I will prayse the same for euer i. all the dayes of my life Sée Psalme 146.1 with my mouth will I declare i. I will openly speake of in my wordes and with my voyce for hee putteth the worde mouth which is an instrument to frame the voyce by for the voyce and woordes themselues thy trueth i. the faithfulnesse and constancy that thou hast in all thinges and namely in keeping thy promises from generation to generation i. to al posterities meaning that by leauing it in writing behind him hee woulde bée an instrument as it were to conuay it from hand to hand to all posterity Verse 2. For I sayde i. I beleeued it in my heart and spake it with my tongue as Psalme 116.10 by which he sheweth the assurance of faith that he had in his heart out of the abundaunce whereof the mouth did speake Matth. 12.34 mercy vz. of God shal bee set vppe i. shal bee exalted builded and continue as a very faire strong and artificiall house thy trueth i. the stedfastnesse and stay of thy promises shalt thou vz. O God establish i. ratifie and confirme in the very heauens i. euen the place appointed for the elect sée for this sense Luke 10.20 Others expound the whole verse thus the promise of God shal be as certaine as the state of heauen vnderstanding thereby not the visible firmament but the place of eternal ioy which is exempt from all chaunge Ver. 3. I haue made a couenant a sodaine change of the person from his owne to Gods for this and the next verse are spoken in the person of God with my chosen i. with Dauid whom I haue chosen preferred before al others euen his owne brethren to be king ouer the people of Israel I haue sworne not as though there were any distrust to bee had in Gods worde but for the more strengthening of the couenant in Dauids heart sée ver 49. of this Psalme also Psalm 132.11 and this is to be vnderstood that God by an oth had promised the performance of those things that follow vz. that his séede should continue to Dauid my seruant i. to him whom I haue appointed and chosen to bee my seruant and to serue me my people in the gouernment of the kingdom Ver. 4. Thy séed i. those that shall come of thée as thy posterity and successors wil I stablish vz. in
strength and power and the Rock i. the assured staye that I haue sée Psalme 18.2 of my saluation i. that I shall be deliuered from all the daungers and distresses wherein I am sée Psal 3.8 al that is here spoken of Dauid ought in truth also to be referred to Christ Verse 27. I will make him i. I will haue him in that regard and account my first borne vz. that firste borne children are wont to bee had in whome the scripture sheweth to haue had great priuiledges and honor and estimation q.d. I wil greatly aduance and honour him higher i. I wil aduāce him higher then al the Kings of the earth i. he shal be the most excellēt among them al by the fauor that I wil shew him and the graces that I will giue him And marke that this cannot appertain to Dauid but only so farre forth as he was a figure of Christ and this we must further marke that when Dauid Solomon and others are set out as figures of Christ sometimes that whiche is spoken agréeth to the figure only sometimes to Christ onlye who is figured by them and sometimes to both vz. the fygure and the thing fygured so that it behoueth the Reader to haue a diligent regard thereto of this somewhat hath ben sayd before Psalme 2 and also Psalme 45. Ver. 28. My mercy will I kéep for him for euer i. I will neuer vtterly destitute him of my louing kindnesse mercy howsoeuer I séeme for a time to withdraw it and my couenaunt i. the couenant that I haue made with him shal stand fast vz. for euer q.d. I wil faithfullye performe whatsoeuer I haue promised with him i. betwéene him and me Verse 29. His séede also i. his posterity wil I make to indure vz. in the gouernment of the kingdome for euer i. for a very long time if you referre it to Dauid But if to Christ and those children that thorow him are brought and begotten to God by the sanctification of the spirite of whiche sée Heb. 2.10 then it signifyeth euerlastingnesse of time and his throne i. his kingdome and state sée verse 4. of this Psalme here must bee repeated I will make as the dayes of Heauen i. perpetuall and continuall Heauen is here put for that state of eternall glorye preserued for the faythfull whiche shal neuer decay Verse 30. If his children i. if his séede and posteritie forsake my lawe i. departe awaye from it and that rule of righteousnesse which it prescribeth them to walke in in their conuersation and walke not i. frame not their life as Psal 1.1 Ephes 4.17 in my iudgements i. according to those rules of iustice and iudgement which I haue prescribed he meaneth nothing by all this but if they shall sinne against him and his word Verse 31. Is the same altogether in sence though it differ somewhat in wordes with verse 30. If they breake vz. eyther thorow ignoraunce or knowledge my statutes i. the thinges that I haue ordeyned them to walke in kéepe not vz. in thought word and déede my commaundementes i. the thinges that I haue commaunded them Verse 32. Then i. when they shal haue dealt thus wickedly with me will I visite i. correct and punish sée Psalme 59.5 Isaiah 26.21 their transgressyons vz. which they haue committed agaynst me with the rod and their iniquity with strokes i. I wil punish them for their sinnes committed against me meant by transgressions as before and against men vnderstood by the worde iniquity with the rod and with strokes i. with sundry kinds of punishmentes and all to bring them home to my selfe by repentance and amendment Ver. 33. Yet q.d. for all my threats and punishments my louing kindnesse i. my riche and vnspeakeable mercy will I not take from him vz. continuallye or for euer q.d. I will not vtterly or altogether reiect him neyther will I falsifie my truth vz. promised and sworne vnto him q.d. I will not faile or breake in the accomplishment of the promises which I haue made him Verse 34 My couenaunt i. the couenaunt which I of mercy haue made with him will I not breake but stand stedfastly to the performaunce of it and euery part thereof nor alter the thing i. chaunge the sentence or matter that is gone oute of my lippes i. which I haue vttered and spoken q.d. I will not be inconstant for I will neyther chaunge my purpose nor vnsay that which I haue sayde Ver. 35 I haue sworne this is spoken in the person of God and the Lordes oth is added not for any insufficiency that is in him but to ratifye the matter more sufficiently in the mind of Dauid and his posteritie Gods oth is to promise by an othe sée Heb. 6. from verse 13. to the end of the 18. once and therefore will not goe backe from it This word importeth that Gods oth was irreuocable by mine holinesse i. by my selfe because he had no greater to sweare by as Heb. 6 13. and not as some expound it by the sanctuary wherein Gods Maiestie did visibly appeare that I wil not fayle Dauid i. disappoint him vz. in any thing that I haue promised him Ver. 36. His séede shall indure for euer i. his posteritie shall haue a long and continuall roote sée verse 29. of this Psalme and his throne i. his kingdome putting the signe of a kingdome for a kingdome sée ver 4.29 of this Psalme shal be as the Sunne i. shall continue as long as the Sunne and he alleageth the Sunne and verse 37. the Moone as a witnesse of the continuaunce of Dauids kingdome not because these creatures are eternall but because they haue more stedfastnesse then the earth the ayre c. whiche are subiect to many things before me i. in my presence and sight Ver. 37 He vz. in his own person and the person of his séede shal be established vz. in the seate of the kingdome for euermore how this is to be vnderstoode of Dauid and Christ sée before verse 29. of this Psalme as the Moone sée verse 36. of this Psalme as the Moone sée verse 36. of this Psalme and as a faithfull witnesse i. as the faythful witnesses meaning the starres Planets c. putting also the singular for the plural number in the Heauen i. in the Firmament for the Lord hath there placed the Sunne Moone and Starres c. as witnesses faythfully to distinguish betwéene time and time sée Genesis 1. verse 14. c. hée meaneth nothing else but that Dauids kingdome and posteritye shall haue a long continuaunce as the Sunne Moone and Starres c. haue Verse 38. But thou hast reiected i. cast away and that from thy fauour as it should séeme q.d. thou that hast promised to be so gracious to Dauid and his séede séemest now to haue no care of eyther of them And this he speaketh not as accusing God eyther of inconstancye or lying but eyther vsing the wordes and expressing the mind of the enimies of God
speaketh Roman 8.19.20.21.22 verses Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shal be imployed I answere that for as much as GOD in his worde hath not reueiled that it is more then curiositie to aske the same and they shal bee changed i. they shall certainely and without fayle bée chaunged for so much doeth the doubling of the worde chaunge import Verse 27. But thou art the same i. alwayes one and the selfe same without any shadowe of chaunging q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable yet thou the creator art alwayes vnchaungeable and thy yeeres i. the time of thy essence and beeing shall not fayle vz. for euer and euer q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting and so shalt continue Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes i. thy godly ones and their godly posterity shall continue vz. stedfast and sure alwayes safe vnder thy almighty defence whatsoeuer great alteration shal bee in heauen or earth and their séede i. their race and posteritie shall stande fast vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer in thy sight i. before thée hée meaneth that GOD will care for and preserue for euer the godly Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests Do. Verse 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children then to perceiue God any long time absent Ver. 3.4.5 Do declare what great affliction the godly are in for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them for the same Verse 6.7 Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men Verse 8. Noteth two things the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things first howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and indignation of the Lorde Secondly that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing is not by fortune as they say but from the Lorde onely Verse 11. Setteth out the shortnesse and troublesomnesse of mans life Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assured trust that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges first to delyte more euen in the verye ruines of the Church then in the palaces of the vngodly secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs that Gods fauour shewed to his Church shalbée matter of sufficient terrour to the wicked and vngodly Ver. 17. Is comfortable shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity that both Gods mercy towards them and his iudgements vpon the wicked might be conueyed to their children Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth contrary to the imagination of them who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his and namely when they are in the greatest distresse Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares specially to this end that they might publish his prayse for the same in the Church Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be for the seruice and glory of god Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life but yet so that that life may bée referred to Gods glory Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth Verse 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature which shoulde instruct vs so to vse the worlde as though wee vsed it not and no otherwise but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is yet the creator is altogether vnchaungeable Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly their continuaunce Psalme 103. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord and this is conteyned in the two first verses In the seconde hee sheweth causes for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde as for the forgiuenesse of their sinnes for their deliuery from daunger and the continuall course of his mercies from ver 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord for the largenes of his goodnes from ver 20. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme hath beene expounded before in others of the lyke inscription Ver. 1. My soule hee exhorteth the soule to this great worke because if that be ready the other cannot be much backward and the word soule is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions prayse thou the Lord vz. for his great mercies and all that is within me as my thought my hart and all the powers both of the one and the other and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde as Psal 51.17 Ioh. 4.23 prayse his holy name i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his maiesty power goodnes c. name is here vsed as Psalm 20.3 Ver. 2. My soule praise thou the Lord this is expounded before ver 1. and forget not vz. through negligence or otherwise but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power al his benefites i. not onely all but any one of them as possible thou canst and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the blessings which afterwardes he reckoneth vp Ver. 3. Which vz. alone forgiueth thée fréely vz. and of his owne mercy onely without any merites or deserts of thyne at all all thine iniquity vz. committed either against God or man either of ignoraunce or of knowledge and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes which are nothing else but the effects of that reconciliation and healeth vz. of his great goodnes his mighty power all thine infirmities vz. bodily or spirituall outwarde or inward Ver. 4. Which vz. alone as before ver 3. redéemeth vz. by his great and mighty power thy life i. thy whole man both body and soule putting a part for the whole from the graue i. from death and destruction Sée Psalm 16.10 putting that which followeth death for death it selfe and crowneth
thée i. adorneth and compasseth thée about as the crowne is a testimony of glory and honour and compasseth the whole head round about with mercyes and compassions i. with great abundaunce and varietye of mercies which appeareth both in that hée vseth two woordes signifiying almost both one thing and also because hée putteth the latter in the plurall number Verse 5. Which satisfieth the mouth i. which filleth thine affection and appetyte Sée Psalm 81.10 hee séemeth to alude to men which take great licence to themselues in eating and drinking meaning that God will abundauntly satisfie vs and giue vs all that wee can wish with good thinges i. with all manner of good thinges so that nothing should bee wanting and thy youth i. the dayes and times of thine age yea euen though thou bee olde yet shall it bée as youth is renued vz. through the speciall blessing and goodnes of GOD as the Egles which liue long and dye not but through want of abilitie to take in their meate as Aristotle and Plinie both shewe Verse 6. The Lorde vz. himselfe executeth vz. both in word and déed specially when men are negligent righteousnesse and iudgement i. suche sentence as are righteous and iuste Sée Psalm 97.2 to all vz. of his children and seruauntes that are oppressed vz. by wicked and vngodly men Verse 7. Hée vz. God the Lorde made his wayes knowne by wayes hee vnderstandeth not onely the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt and all that hée did for them till hée brought them into the lande of Canaan but euen his whole lawe vnto Moses vz. first and before others and afterwardes by him to all his people and his workes i. the excellent and noble workes which hée did and that for their sakes vnto the children of Israel vz. which hee had chosen to bee a peculiar people to himselfe Verse 8. The Lorde is full of compassion and mercye vz. to them that come vnto him slow to anger vz. though men by their wickednesses prouoke him much thereto and of great kindnes vz. towardes them that turne vnto him this sentence seemeth to bée taken out of Exodus 34.6 where the nature of GOD is so farre set foorth vnto vs as is profitable for vs to knowe and séemeth to bée the same with Nehe. 9 17. Psalm 86.15 Verse 9. Hee will not alway chyde vz. with men and specially with his children neither keepe his anger for euer vz. towardes them Sée Leuitic 19.18 Ver. 10. Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes i. hee hath not punished vs according to the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of our sinnes nor regarded vs vz. in his iustice and iudgements heare wée sée what rewardes wee may looke for from the Lorde in respect of our selues according to our iniquities vz. committed against him and our brethren Verse 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth q.d. looke what distaunce there is betwéene heauen and earth which is very great and wonderfull yea infinite as it were so great is his mercye i. the mercy which hée sheweth for if hee had it in himselfe and powred it not foorth vpon others it were to litle purpose towardes them that feare him vz. with an vnfeigned heart putting the feare of GOD for care conscience and obedience to his trueth Verse 12. As farre as the East is from the West vz. which wee knowe to be so farre asunder that they shall neuer come together so farre yea and further to if further possible can bée hee meaneth by this comparison that the Lorde hath vtterly remoued our iniquities from vs hath hee remooued our sinnes i. the sinnes that wee haue committed from vs i. who were the doers thereof Verse 13. As a Father vz. earthly or naturall hath compassion on his children notwithstanding that manye times they doe prouoke him to displeasure so yea and in farre greater measure by howe much GOD is greater then man and his afflictions more certaine and sure hath the Lorde compassion i. hée vouchsaueth them mercye notwithstanding they deserue it not on them that feare him Sée verse 11. of this Psalme Verse 14. For hee knoweth vz. by manye degrees better then wée our selues whereof wée bée made i. of howe brittle a matter wée are created for so much doeth the Hebrewe woorde import which sense also maye bee gathered by that whiche followeth in this verse hee remembreth though men many times forget it that wee are but dust and that into the same wee shall returne Sée Genesis 3.19 Verse 15. The dayes of man i. the course of his yéeres and age or the tyme of his life are as grasse vz. which is cutte downe withered and quickely consumed hee meaneth by this speach the breuitye and shortnesse of mans lyfe as a flowre of the fielde so florisheth hée i. hee is nowe florishing and by and by withered and note that hée speaketh of a flowre of the fielde rather then of a garden flowre because that fielde flowres are more subiect to stormes tempest heate c. then the garden which haue more shelture and couerture Verse 16. For the winde vz. sent from GOD meaning by wynde which is one meane to marre the beautye of blossomes and flowres all other whatsoeuer goeth ouer it vz. with violence and so â—ppeth it either with extreme colde as the Easternewynde or with partching heate as the Westerne wynde and it is gone vz. out of mens sight hée meaneth that it is decayed and the place thereof i. the grounde wherein it grewe shall knowe it no more vz. in mans iudgement meaning also by the woorde it the selfe same and not any other of the same kynde In these two last verses hée doeth nothing else but by a similitude sette out the shortnesse and vanitye of mans lyfe which is no better then an hearbe or grasse subiect to cutting downe weather wynde and such lyke Verse 17. But the louing kindnesse of the Lorde vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes indureth for euer and euer the reason is because those whome the Lorde loueth hee loueth for euer vppon them i. playnelye testified towardes them and plentifullye powred foorth vppon them that feare him Sée verse 11. and 13. of this Psalme and his righteousnesse i. his iust and faythfull kéeping of his promise and the succour and ayde by which hée maynteyneth and preserueth his vppon childrens children i. to all posteritye Verse 18. Vnto them that kéepe vz. in their behauiour and conuersation his couenaunt i. his Lawe which is called a couenaunt because it conteyneth the conditions of bargayne as it were betwéene GOD and his people and thinke vppon them vz. in their déepe thoughts and secret heart his commandementes i. the matters which hée hath commaunded to doe them vz. in their outwarde conuersation and dealing Verse 19. The Lorde hath prepared his throne in heauen i. hée hath a kingdome and exerciseth the same euen in heauen and yet that letteth not but that his iurisdiction ruleth our all vz. what
soeuer either in heauen or in earth And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD vz. for his gracious and large gouernement Verse 20. Prayse the Lorde yée his Angels Angels are sayde to bée Gods not onelye because hée created them but also because hee vseth them at his pleasure in the execution of his will that excell in strength vz. all other creatures vnderstanding also by strengthe whatsoeuer is excellent in them so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23 that doe his commaundemente i. the thinges hée commaundeth you in obeying the voyce of his woorde q.d. you are so readye in obeying that so soone as the Lorde speaketh you are readye to doe it Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures because the Lorde hath them at commaundement as a Captayne hath his armed men and Souldiers to vse them as pleaseth him some onelye to Angels but I allowe rather the former reason by that which is written Genesis 2.1 Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure i. what pleaseth him before hee called his creatures hostes for the multitude of them Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts because hée hath them at commaundemente Verse 22. Prayse the Lorde vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse all yée his woorkes i. all his creatures of what order or condition so euer yée bée in all places of his dominion i. euerye where because hee ruleth euerye where and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen and in earth my soule prayse thou the Lorde hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it and therefore Sée verse 1. of this Psalme And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last also Psalme 147. verse 1. and last Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last Verse 1. Teacheth vs first to inforce our selues Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man Verse 2. Teacheth also two thinges the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings of almightie GOD Secondly that they rightly thought vppon are strong arguments to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4 He teacheth vs for what causes and graces wée shoulde bee thankefull vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings they teach also that all the graces which wee haue wee receiue onely from the Lorde but yet let vs somewhat more particularly consider them Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely which ouerthroweth mans merites thirdly that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them originall actual c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ and as for actuall sinnes committed after baptisme men must satisfie for them Lastly it teacheth that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured no though wée vse all meanes vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke Verse 4. Teacheth first that the issues of life and death are in Gods owne hande Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely and not by his owne strength or any thing in him Thirdly that the Lorde is not skant or pinching in his goodnesse but plentifullye powreth it foorth vppon those that are his Verse 5. Teacheth vs that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is Secondly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age and maketh them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye as in the dayes of their youth Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye yet the Lorde will deale vprightly which is a great comfort vnto his children Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye Verse 9. Teacheth vs that this is no small comfort that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come Verse 11. Teacheth vs that Gods mercye is infinyte and incomprehensible Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD towardes his sonnes and seruauntes Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16 Vnder the similitude of the grasse flowre wind c. doe set foorth not onely the shortnes but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life Verse 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde practise and obedience also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde and his commaundementes to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome which is comfortable to the godly because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience to the voyce and worde of the Lorde Verse 21.22 Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde much more man that excellent creature not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created but also because hée hath receiued infinite numbers of benefites aboue the rest Ver. 22. And these woordes in all places of his dominion teach Gods children neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme with the same sentence that hee did beginne it hee doeth not onely shewe howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is but also howe dull men are thereto and that maketh him in this Psalme to double and treble that sentence that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety Psalme 104 THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry matters and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided Di. Notwithstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and others to praise God for his power from ver 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of God towardes his
creatures both generally and particularly and this reacheth from verse 11. to the ende of the 23. And in the thirde parte hee doeth not onely expresse Gods excellency manifested in his creatures but speaketh also together both of his power and prouidence sometymes wondering at the Lordes woorkes sometimes praysing him for the same and sometyme praying against the wicked from verse 24. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes haue not Se. yet notwithstanding a man may probably coniecture that hee which penned the other penned this also adding it to the former thus whereas hée had in the other set foorth Gods graces to the Church hee doeth in this set foorth Gods goodnes to all creatures Verse 1. My soule prayse thou the Lorde Sée Psalm 103.1 O Lorde my GOD i. the onely true God whome I thy poore seruant worshippe thou art exceeding great vz. in maiesty power glory c. as may appeare by that which followeth thou art clothed with glory and honour i. thou art compassed about on euery side with it and haste it in great abundaunce and all this as many other things in this Psalme are spoken of GOD according to mans capacity Verse 2. Which couereth himselfe with light as with a garment i. his honour and glorye doth greatly appeare euen in the creation of the light so that though GOD be inuisible in respect of his owne nature yet his glorye is sufficiently manifested and shining foorth throughout the worlde and spreadeth out the heauens like a curtaine i. layeth them abroade so that they may euidentlye bée séene as a thing spred out by heauens he vnderstandeth the firmament which also hath his name in the Hebrewe tongue of stretching out or ouerspreading it shoulde séeme that in this ver hee meaneth that which is expressed Genesis 1.3.6 And marke howe in this verse and the rest following hée sodaynely chaungeth the person Verse 3. Which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters i. whose gouernement stretcheth euen vnto the verye deapthes of the waters The speach is somewhat darke but it is vttered to bring men into the greater admiration meaning that wee néede not to ascende so high as heauen to finde GOD out for if we looke belowe wée shall finde liuely portraitures of his glorye and maketh the cloudes his chariotes hee meaneth that GOD the gouernour of the world turneth the cloudes windes c. according to his good pleasure euen as easily as the cocheman doeth his chariot and walketh vz. as a ruler and gouernour vppon the winges of the wynde hée meaneth that hee gouerneth also the wyndes Sée Psalm 18.10.11 Also Isaiah 19.1 Verse 4. Which maketh the spirites his messengers i. hée vseth the windes and fire as messengers ministers and executioners of his will and iudgements so that in respect of their obedience they haue euen the name of Angels as it were giuen vnto them and a flaming fire his ministers i. hée sendeth forth thundringes lightninges and such other like straunge thinges in the ayre both to terrifie men and to perfourme whatsoeuer hee appointeth them The Apostle Hebrewes 1.7 applieth this to Angels and ministring spirits Ver. 5. Hée set the earth vppon her foundations i. by his vertue and power hée hath made it firme stable and sure euen as a frame set vppon a good foundation standeth fast so that it shall neuer moue vz. ordinarilye and in a continuall course otherwise this place letteth not but that through Gods speciall appoyntment there may bée terrible and fearefull earthquakes And that worde neuer must bée vnderstoode so long as the world indureth and also hauing respect vnto other creatures which by reason of their owne lightnesse and Gods appointment are caried hither and thither whereas the earth remayneth firme and sure Verse 6. Thou vz. O Lorde obserue the sodaine chaunge of the person coueredst it vz. the earth with the déepe vz. waters This may bée vnderstoode either of that which is spoken Genesis 1.2 or of the generall flood at both which times all the earth was ouercouered with waters as with a garment i. euery where and in euery place the waters will stande vz. euen at this day aboue the mountaines vz. vnlesse they were kept through thy power and prouidence within the boundes and borders which thou hast set them Verse 7. But at thy rebuke q.d. euen at thy bare worde and angry countenance only they flée vz. backewarde euen as though they were discomfited so that wee sée they can not rage whither they woulde and by that meanes they are in stéed of an ornament and beautifying vnto the earth some and that not amisse neyther referre it to the parting of the waters from the drie lande mentioned Genesis 1.6 at the voyce of thy thunder by rebuke before and thunder in this place hee meaneth nothing but that commaundement of GOD by which hee represseth the raging of the Seas they haste awaye vz. into the places that thou hast appointed them Verse 8. And the mountaines ascende i. appeare and shewe foorth themselues after the departure of the waters and the valleis descende i. are made manifest also to the place which thou hast established for them i. they lye and are setled in those places which thou hast appointed them Though this sense carry with it some probabilitye yet by reason of that which goeth before spoken of the waters and floods and by reason of that which followeth in the next verse spoken of them also I woulde this verse wholly restored out of Immanuel thus They vz. the waters went vppe by the hilles and went downe through the valleis in to the place which thou haddest establisted for them q.d. thou haddest no sooner spoken the woorde but they made a way for themselues euen through thicke and thinne as wée woulde saye sparing nothing till they came to the place that thou haddest appointed and set for them so that neither the high mountaines coulde hinder them nor the lowe valleyes conteine but of necessitie to that place they must goe which thou haddest set for them Verse 9. Thou vz. O Lorde onely and none but thou hast set vz. by thy almightye woorde and commaundement as Iob. 38.10 them i. all waters either of Seas or otherwise a bond i. a certaine compasse and course which they shall not passe vz. though they doe what they can and rage neuer so sore Sée Iob. 38.10.11 also Ieremie 5.22 They i. the waters generallye shall not returne vz. by any strengthe they haue of themselues or otherwise to couer the earth vz. as they haue doone heretofore Genesis 1. verse 2.6.9 or else as they did in the time of the flood Genesis 7.19 c. it may well bee referred to bothe to the former because GOD by creation hath set them an ordinarie course and to the latter because hée hath promised hee will neuer destroye the worlde with water againe Genesis 9.15 Verse 10. Hée i. GOD and marke the sodaine chaunge of
aduāced Ioseph Israel i. Iaakob al his people for he putteth the principal man of the familye for the whole came to Egipt vz. not only to sée Ioseph but also to tary abide there sée Gen. 46.1 c. Iaakob i. he and his posterity was a stranger i. dwelt soiorned as a stranger in the land of Ham i. in Egipt which is called the land of Ham because they came of Ham Noahs secōd son as appeareth Gen. 10.6 sée before Psal 78 51. ver 27. of this Psal Ver. 24. And for this word read where then the sence wil be more plaine he i. God increased vz. thorow his especial blessing his people vz. of Israel excéedingly vz. into an infinit multitude number in respect of them wch went down into Egipt and made them stronger vz. both in power might then their oppressors i. then the Egyptians who oppressed them by reason of their multitude increasing of thē stood in feare of thē sée for this Exod. 1.7 8 c. Ver. 25. He vz. God turned their harts i. the harts of the posterity of the king and the people of Egipt as appeareth also Exod. 1.8 c. to that his people wheras their predecessors loued fauored the and to deale craftily he meaneth by this spéech the subtil wicked cruel deuises that the Egiptians had to kéepe the people of Israel vnder mentioned Exod. 1. ver 8 10 11 c. with his seruants i. with those whom the Lord had chosen called to serue him These spéeches in outward shew séeme to make god the author and cause of sinne but we must note that the Prophet meaneth not any such thing thereby but to declare that in that the Egiptians hated and dealt cruelly with the children of Israel it was not don without Gods prouidēce counsel yet so that the roote séed of malice corruption and cruelty was wholy in the Egyptians and that no péece of fault could therfore be ascribed to God Ver. 26. Then i. when the Egiptians did deale so wickedly and cruelly agaynst his people sent he vz. of mercy and goodnes pittying their misery Moses his seruaunt i. that excellent man whom he had appoynted to serue his turne in the deliuery of his people and Aaron whom he had chosen vz. to go with Moses and to be his mouth in that great busines sée for this matter Exod. chapt 3 4 thorowout Ver. 27. They i. Moses Aaron shewed vz. by the power that God had giuen them and according to his commaundement among them i the Egiptians and the Israelits both but chéefely the Egiptians the message of his signes euident demonstrations and proofes that the signs and wonders wch they wrought they did by his power not otherwise and wonders i. wonderful things meaning that they did them a particular resitall wherof followeth in the next verses in the land of Ham i. in Egipt sée before verse 23 of this Psalme Verse 28. Hée i. God true it is that it may be referred to Moses or God but I rather vnderstand it of God without whom Moses could do nothing and by whom alone Moses was inabled to do that which he did sent darkenesse vz. amongst the Egyptians and made it darke i. made the whole land darke so that nothing in it could behold any light sée this story Exod. 10.21 where you shall finde it to bee one of the last plagues though here the Psalmist reckon it vp first by which we sée that the holy Ghost is not greatly curious of order and they i. as some think Moses and Aaron othersome vnderstand it of the signs and wonders were not disobediēt to his cōmission i. they did perform those things which he had enioined and laid vpon thē It is not much material whether we refer it to the men or to the signes but I had rather refer it to the wonders themselues q.d. They did readily performe that which god had enioyned they were not vneffectual but were performed euen as Moses had sayd Ver. 29. Hee i. God by the ministery of his seruant Moses turned their waters i. the waters of the Egiptians into blood so that they could not drink thē and slew their fish vz. which were in the waters sée Exod. 7 20 21 Ver. 30. Their lād i. Egipt brought forth frogs vz. in great abūdance and multitude and that by gods specyal appointmēt euē in their kings chambers q.d. there was no place frée from thē Kings is here a word of the plurall number whiche we must not vnderstande as though Egypt had many Kinges for wee knowe it had but one but he meaneth thereby eyther the King and the Nobles of his kingdome who ioyned with him were as it were little Kinges or else the Kinges children who were nourished and brought vp in the hope of the kingdome Sée this more largely set out Exodus 8 verse 5 6 c. Ver. 31. Hee spake q.d. The Lord made not much adoe to plague Egypt for euen as soone as hee spake any thing it was performed and there came vz. immediately being sente from God swarmes of Flyes i. wonderfull abundaunce so that men could not say it was naturall and the word which we turne swarmes of Flies doth in déede signifye troupes of all sortes of creatures which serued also to make the myracle so much the more straunge and lice vz. hee sente and that in greate store and aboundaunce in all their quarters i. in all the quarters of the land of Egypt sée Exodus 8 verse 17 c. vnto the end of the chapeer Verse 32. he gaue them haile for raine i. wheras by reason of the drouth of the country they did much desire rain the Lord gaue them in stéed therof terrible fearful hail and flames of fire vz. sent frō heauen in their land i made manifest in the land wherin they dwelt sée Exod. 9 23 24 c. Ver. 33. He smote their vines also their fig trées vz. with that haile thunder lightning c. sent from heauen and brake down vz. euen to péeces the trées in their coasts i. the trées that were in al the coasts and quarters of their country fée Exod. 9 25. Ver. 34. He spake i. so soone as he spake sée verse 31 of this Psalme and the grashoppers came vz. in great number sent from him caterpillers innumerable vz. to destroy the fruit that the Grashoppers had left Ver. 35. And did eate vp vz. the grashoppers caterpillers did euen consume and deuour al the gras i. al the gréen and flourishing things that were sprouted forth in their land i. in the land of Egipt and deuoured the fruit of their ground i. did also consume and wast the fruit that their ground yéelded sée Exod. 10 13 14 c. Ver. 36. Hée smote also vz. in his wrath and anger and that not with pain and sicknesse only but euen with death all the first born in the land
open vnto him euen as though the Sacrifices were already present and ready that I may go into them vz. willingly chearefully and gladly and praise the Lord vz. with all my hart for his graces bestowed vpon me Ver. 20. This is the gate of the Lord q.d. seing that these gates belong vnto the Lord it is very méete they should be opened to his seruaunts the righteous shal enter into it vz. there to prayse the Lord and to pray vnto him Ver. 21. I vz. the people of Israell and Iudah the holy Ghost speaketh of them all as though they were but one because they all make but one body and here beginneth the third part of the Psalme will praise vz. with my whole hart and continuallye thée vz. O Lord for thou hast heard me i. granted my praiers and requests made vnto thée and hast ben my deliueraunce i. him that hath deliuered me out of al trouble Verse 22. The stone vz. which God himselfe had appointed as méete for the building to stay vphold and bind together the whole kingdome whiche vz. stone also the builders refused i. the principal gouernors both in the church and in the Kingdome in Saules time and in the dayes of Ishboseth if wee respect Dauid but if we respect Christ then the Priests Pharises and all the rest who by duty should haue built vp the Church and not destroyd it is vz. now thorow Gods appointment the head of the corner i. the chéefe stone in the building not only because it is sette in the most excellentest place of the whole building but also because it doth sustayne the whole waight of the house In this verse referred to Dauid the people shew how that though the greate men stood agaynst him yet God exalted him to the kingdome maugre all their deuises which as it followeth in the next verse was a wonderfull thing But it is truly accomplished in our Sauiour Christ as appeareth Matt. 21.41 Act. 4.11 who is indéede the true corner stone Ephe. 2 20. in whome all the building coupled together groweth vnto a holy Temple in the Lord Ver. 23. This vz. exaltation of the chéefe corner stone so contemptuouslye reiected of the greate men of the world was the Lords doing vz. only and that in mercy towardes vs miserable men whether wee respect Dauid as the figure and so apply it to the people of the Iewes or else referre it to Christ as the truth and substaunce and it is meruaylous in our eyes i. we déeme it and take it to be a wōderfull thing far beyond the reach of our wit and reason and yet we know and beléeue the same to be faithfully performed Ver. 24. This is the day vz. in which the Lord sheweth by effect that he is gracious towards vs in giuing vs so good a King which the Lord hath made vz. for our comforte and good let vs reioyce vz. before the Lord and be glad in it vz. for the graces which hée hath bestowed vpon vs. Verse 25. O Lord I pray thée vz. euen for thy owne names sake and for thy mercy sake and the word I is to be taken here as verse 21 of this Psalme saue now vz. our King thy seruaunt vnderstanding by the word sauing not only deliueraunce from daunger but aid and succoure to ouercome al our enemies and that word now importeth a present supplye without delay not that they prescribe God a time but to the ende the enemies might be quickly ouerthrowne O Lord I pray thée now vz. at this present wherein good occasion is offred giue prosperity vz. to our King and to vs in his ministery These be the prayers of the people wishing good vnto their King and themselues sée for this purpose Psalme 20. thorowout Verse 26. Blessed be he vz. with all kind of graces both outward and inward that commeth vz. to rule and gouerne amongst vs in the name of the Lorde i. by power and authoritie giuen him from the Lord q.d. That thrusteth not in himselfe but taketh the kingdome vpon him by the commandement and appointment of God Sée this applyed to our Sauiour Christ Mat. 21 9 We vz. which are the Lords Priests and wayt vpon the Altar haue blessed you vz. both King and people vnderstanding by blessing praying for them and wishing them all good which was a part of the Priests office as appeareth Deutron 10.8 Num. 6 23 c. out of the house of the Lord he noteth the place frō whence this blessing was pronounced vz. euen in that place where God was serued and in which place both Priests and people were assembled to worship him and these are the Priests words and prayers Verse 27. The Lord vz. which hath done these things for Dauid and vs is mighty vz. aboue all both in heauen and in earth and hath giuen vs vz. thorow his great mercy goodnesse light i. prosperity and al kinde of gladnes for so much do the Hebrewes comprehend vnder the word light sée Esth 8 16. binde the sacrifice vz. of praise and thanksgiuing which you offer to the Lord putting one number for an other and vnderstanding by one many as may appeare because he addeth with cords for many cords néed not for the tying of one sacrifice but hee meaneth that they should bind and bring al their sacrifices together and haue them in a readinesse as it were presentlye to offer them vp to the Lord vnto the hornes of the Altar he meaneth by this spéech that they shoulde bring them together and fill as it were the whole court of the Lord for further then that place it was not lawfull for the people to goe so that he meaneth by bringing them to the hornes of the Altar nothing else but presenting them before the Lord that as nigh as they might by warrāt of the law go so that Dauid minding to ioin the outward ceremonies of the law with the inwarde affection and seruice of the hart exhorteth euery one to prepare to present that which is necessarye to offer vp to God for the sacrifice of thanksgiuing The hebrew word whiche is here turnd sacrifice doth properly signify a sacrifice offred on some feast day the word that is translated cords signifieth a cord made of many thréeds or ropes put together and hath his name as it should séeme of the thicknes of it Ver. 28 Thou art my God i. he that alone hath mightily deliuered me from mine enemies These be Dauids words vttered either in his own name or in the Priests name concluding the Psalm with thanksgiuing as he had before taken vpon him that person both of the people Priests ver 21. ver 26. of this Psalme I wil praise thée vz. for thy goodnes mercy power manifested vnto me euen my God q.d. Though thou art a God vnto al yet by particular experience I haue found thée so chéefely vnto me therfore I wil exalt thée vz. amongst men with praise thanksgiuing Ver. 29.
felt is the speciall matter of comfort to al his children Ver. 77. Teacheth vs that wee can not liue no not in this life much lesse in the life to come without Gods great mercy Ver. 78. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the wicked also what the nature of the wirked is vz. to vse force and flattery against Gods Saintes to worke them hurt if they can thereby lastly that serious meditation in Gods lawe is a singular comfort agaynst the assaultes of our enemies Ver. 79. Teacheth vs to pray for them that bee shrunke away euen as for our selues also that there is no right worshippe of God without the knowledge of his woorde Ver. 80. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly against the sinne of hypocrisie and dissimulation Caph. Di. THe Prophet in this eleuenth part maketh hearty prayer to the Lorde for helpe and deliuery first because of the miserable estate wherein hee himselfe was in respect of his owne person verse 81.82.83.88 Secondly in respecte of the great outrage and cruelty of his enemies verse 84.85.86.87 Se. Verse 81. My soule faynteth i. my life is euen as it were consumed for thy saluation i. with looking for helpe and deliueraunce from thée yet q.d. notwithstanding all this great distresse wherein I am I doe wayte vz. in hope and patience for thy worde i. for the accomplishment of those thinges which thou in thy worde hast promised q.d. I haue in great patience waited for deliuerance from thée and wil waite for it still for by fainting hee vnderstandeth a certaine patience whose force though it séeme to be vtterly lost yet doeth it not altogether forsake them in whome it is who séeme notwithstanding to bee dead but putteth into their heartes secret gronings yea such as men cannot well expresse Ver. 82. Mine eies i. the power strength and sight of mine eies faile i. decayeth and waxeth dimme for otherwise hée had his eyes still for thy promise i. with looking for the accomplishment of thy promise so long thou séemest to mée to deferre and put it off saying i. in so much that I burst foorth into this speach and saide when wilt thou comfort mee vz. distressed and afflicted on euery side such a sore conflict and battaile had Dauid within himselfe Verse 83. For I am like a bottle vz. made of beastes skinnes in the smoke i. hanged vp in the smoke hee meaneth that through griefe and misery hée was wrinkled withered dryed away and consumed as it were yet do I not forget thy statutes q.d. my miseries driue me not into a forgetfulnes of thée and thy word but make mee more to remember thée it Verse 84. Howe many are the dayes vz. of affliction and trouble of thy seruaunt i. which thy seruaunt shall indure Sée Psalme 116.2 in the Prophetes also we shal read this phrase the dayes of Egipt the dayes of Babilon c. when wilt thou execute iudgement i. when wilt thou punish on them that persecute me vz. without a cause Verse 85. The proude Sée before ver 51.69.78 haue digged pits for me i. haue secretly and by ambushes as it were sought my death and destruction Sée Psalm 7.15 which vz. craftie and subtil kinde of dealing is not after thy lawe i. consenteth not with the trueth of thy woorde but directly fighteth against it and this hee addeth to moue the Lorde the rather to execute iustice Immanuel referreth it to the persons thus The proude who conforme not themselues to thy lawe i. will not bee ruled after thy woorde nor order their life according to it haue digged pittes for mee but me thinketh the other sence is as playne Verse 86. All thy commaundements i. they all generally and euery one of them particularly are true i. most true yea trueth it selfe and in all trueth and vprightnesse enioyned men to obserue them they i. the proude and wicked men persecute mée falsely i. not only without a cause on my part but lyingly and slanderously in respect of themselues helpe mée vz. thus distressed and deliuer mee from these bloody and cruell men Verse 87. They had almost consumed me vz. through their wicked deuises and cruell practises vppon the earth i. liuing here vppon the earth with them Immanuel readeth it better thus cast downe vppon the earth i. being very much humbled and afflicted q.d. my miserie coulde not moue them to pity mee but the more weake I was the more cruell they were against mée but vz. for all that I forsooke not thy statutes i. I ceased not to beléeue thy woorde and to walke in obedience of it Verse 88. Quicken mee i. recreate and refresh mée ouer all my troubles and as it were call mée backe from death to life according to thy louing kindenes vz. which thou wast wont to shewe to thy seruaunts and hast heretofore declared vnto mee so shall I kéepe vz. diligently and carefully the testimonie of thy mouth i. thy woorde and lawe which is thus named to set out the authoritie that it hath in it selfe and shoulde haue amongest men Sée ver 13. of this Psalme Ver. 81. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer the faith hope Do. and patience of Gods children bee for a time darkened yet is is neuer vtterly quenched or put out Ver. 82. Teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a lowe ebbe and doth for a long while withholde his aide yet doeth he not altogether for euer forsake them it sheweth also what great conflicts the godly haue in their troubles Ver. 83. Teacheth vs that no misery shoulde make vs to forget Gods word nay rather the more our miseries are the more should we meditate therin because in it only is sound comfort to be found Ver. 84. Teacheth vs that euen Gods children do many times desire to know those things which the Lord hath not particularly reuealed vnto them in his word Ver. 85. Teachech vs that the wicked are both cruel and crafty Ver. 86. Teacheth vs that the more egerly men molest vs the more earnestly we should call vpon God for his helpe Ver. 87. Teacheth vs two things first that the vngodly are without bowels of pity and compassion secondly that we should be so rooted in the loue and knowledge of God and his trueth as nothing shoulde pull vs away therefrom Ver. 88. Teacheth vs that wee can performe nothing obediently to God till it please him to giue vs the grace and strength Lamed Di. IN this part the Prophet maketh plaine proofe of the certainety continuance and truth of Gods word first by the very works of creation ver 89.90.91 secondly by his owne particular experience and practise ver 92.93.94 and so on to the end of this part Se. Ver 89. O Lorde thy woorde indureth for euer in heauen q.d. euen the very heauens can be witnesse of the continuance and constancie of thy worde séeing that they in the strength of thy word continue and abide much more shall thy word it selfe indure Some expound it thus the Prophet affirmeth
Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that if God take not part with his children defend them they shal easily be ouerthrown Ver. 2 teacheth the selfsame thing and sheweth further that men are many times to men wolues and deuourers though happely not in action because by god they are restrained therfrom yet in affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs that when God his children are in the greatest dangers he is most nigh to deliuer them also that the wrath of man neuer worketh the righteousnes of God Verse 4. and 5. Declare and set out the rage and crueltie of the wicked and vngodly men Ver. 6. Teacheth vs first Gods mercy in deliuering his from al their dangers and feares secondly our duty that we ought by al maner of meanes to shew our selues thankful vnto him for the same Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked ioyne to their power and crueltie craft and subtiltie but it sheweth further that there is no wisedome strength or policy that can preuaile against the Lorde and his people whome hee will succour Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that God alone is hee whom his people must trust to for helpe and succour Psalme 125 Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two parts in the first the prophet propoūdeth doctrine shewing in what assurance the faithful are which do trust in the Lord. ver 1.2.3 In the second he maketh his prayer for them that bee good and sheweth what punishments shall ouertake the wicked and what prosperitie shal be to the faithful holy people ver 4.5 The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Se. They that trust vz. assuredly and stedfastly in the Lorde vz. onely ioyning none other neither in heauen nor in earth with him shalbée vz. stedfast and vnmoueable as mount Sion i. as the rocke whereuppon the Church is builded yea and as the Church it selfe against which no stormes nor tempests no nor the gates of hell shall preuayle Sée Matth. 7.24 Matth. 16.18 which can not bee remooued vz. though the worlde and wicked men doe what they can against it but remaineth vz. stedfast and sure for euer i. continually nowe we must knowe that the stedfastnes of the Church and euery particular member therof hangeth not of themselues but of Gods eternall loue towards them and Christs earnest prayers for them as when hee sayth to Peter Luke 22.32 I haue prayed for thée that thy fayth fayle not Verse 2. As the mountaines are about Ierusalem vz. to strengthen and defende them from the force of their enemies so is the Lorde about his people vz. on euery side of them to saue them from the violence of men from hencefoorth and for euer i. hee is presently their defence and will bee so continually so that by this similitude taken from the mountaines compassing Ierusalem The Prophet setteth out the sure and secret defence of GOD towardes euery particular one of his Church and this wée sée playnely set out Psalme 5.12 also Psalme 34.7 also Psalme 91. throughout also Psalme 121. throughoute Zachari 2.5 Verse 3. For in this verse hée preuenteth an obiection which might bee made thus doe we not sée the Church many tymes afflicted notwithstanding this large promise yeas sayth hée but it continueth not long yea the very calamities them selues make the defence of the godly more famous and notable the rodde vz. of gouernement and authoritie meaning thereby the Scepter putting the signe of gouernement for gouernement it selfe of the wicked vz. men of this worlde in the Hebrewe text hee vseth the woorde wickednesse putting the thing for the men giuen thereto and so the Geneua text yéeldeth the sense shall not rest vz. longe but shal bee quickely remooued and so the good deliuered as 1 Corinth 10.13 on the lot of the righteous i. vppon the Church and inheritance of the godly people which hee calleth the lot of the righteous because GOD hath as it were giuen the same vnto them by lot as it were for an inheritance lest the righteous put foorth their hande vnto wickednesse i. doe commit wickednesse and sinne eyther by murmuring against GOD or by falling to the impieties of their persecutours and so hee sheweth a reason why affliction lyeth not long vppon Gods children and for this cause as it shoulde séeme did the Lorde commaund them to bée flayne that inhabited Canaan leste the people shoulde followe theire fashions the summe of all is q.d. though the Lorde appoynt his to bee afflicted for a tyme by very wicked people yet hee will not leaue them for euer for the wicked shall not alwayes haue power and authoritie ouer the godly So that this thirde verse is as it were a correction of the other q.d. Gods protection lettteth not but that his should be waked by crosses and tribulations to the end that the righteous being tryed by temptation should not giue themselues ouer to licenciousnes in sin which he expresseth by stretching out their handes their hands I say which before were subiected to the obedience of Gods will vnderstanding by hands their whole man putting a part for the whole Verse 4. Doe well O Lorde i. blesse and pursue continually with thy fauour Sée Psalme 119.17 vnto those that be good i. vnto such as thou hast made good vnto thy selfe by thy worde and the working of thy spirite for otherwise there is none good no not one as Psalme 14.1.3 and true i. found and vpright both to thy maiesty and to men in their hearts i. in their affections hee putteth the seate of affections for affections them selues Verse 5. But those that turne aside i. hypocrites which haue a place in the Churche and liue in it though they bée not of it and by turning a side hée meaneth going stray from the right way which God hath sanctified in his worde by their crooked wayes i. by deuises and imaginations of their owne for all that man deuiseth without God is crooked and peruerse Immanuel readeth it thus but those that set their mindes vppon their own crooked waies which in my iudgement is more playne shall the Lorde vz. himselfe in his great iustice and iudgement leade vz. out of his Church foorth vnto iudgement meaning that he shall pull them out from the godly and then pronounce sentence of condemnation agaynst them and giue them their portion euen eternal iudgment Matth. 21.41 Matth. 25.32 Luke 12.46 with the workers of iniquities i. with all others that haue giuen ouer themselues with gréedines to commit sinne sée Matth. 7.21.22.23 but peace i. al maner of blessednes and prosperity as Psalm 122.6.7 shal bee vz. continually vppon Israel i. vppon Gods Church and people Sée Psalme 124.1 and by Israel hee meaneth not onely them that came of Abraham according to the fleshe but those that are Abrahams children by fayth So that he sheweth that the peace of the Church shall procéed from this that the wicked shal bee driuen out of it Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs what stedfastnes Gods people haue as who can neuer fal away
vnfaignedly and from his hart Ver. 3. I wil not enter vz. willingly and gladly into the tabernacle of my house i. into any part of the house or the house it self which I haue caused to be newlye builded sée 2. Samuel 5 9 also 1 Chronicles 15 1. nor come vpon my pallet or bedde vz. whiche are set and made in my new house to lye down vpon them or take my rest there Verse 4. Nor suffer mine eyes to sléepe vz. verye muche specially in that house which I haue newly made nor my eye liddes to slumber q.d. I will bee continually watchfull and carefull for to build God a house The Prophet meaneth not in al this that he was so proude as to think that either by oth or vow he could prescribe God a law neither yet that he was so rash as to promise that he would dwel openly in the ayre not sléepe neither daye nor night till the arke were brought to a place whiche hee woulde prepare for it which could not be very quickly done for that had but after a sort to haue killed himself but this he meaneth that he made religion conscience of it to goe into his new house vnlesse he had prepared a place for Gods arke to rest in also q.d. I must not be more carefull for my selfe either in respect of pleasure or profit or both then I am for God and his seruice Ver. 5. Vntill I finde out i. vntill I shal by searching find out a place i. a fit méet and conuenient place for otherwise there were places ynow for the Lord vz. to dwell and rest in not that God is tied to any place for the heauen of heauens can not contain him but he meaneth the Ark which is called the Lord himself because it was a most manifest testimonie of his maiesty and power an habitation i. a place to rest dwel in that it may no longer bee caried from place to place as it hath bin for the mighty God of Iaakob i. for that great God whom Iaakob worshipped or else for him that saued and deliuered Iaakob frō many daungers as before ver 2. Ver. 6. Lo we i. both I and others heard of it i. not of the place but of the arke in Ephrathah i. that it was Ephrathah I take this rather as Immanuell doth to be the name of the countrie wherein the tribe of Ephraim dwelt then of any one particular place yet so that it should note Shilo in the Tribe of Ephraim where the Arke of the Lord was kept from the dayes of Iehoushua vntill the death of Helie the Priest at what time it was taken by the Philistines sée 1 Samuel chapiters 1 2 3 and 4. and found it i. the Arke in the fieldes of the Forrest or as Immanuel turneth it as it is in the hebrew text in the fields of Iahar i. in the citie of Iahar which was situate both in a plain and woody place and therfore is turned here in the fields of the forrest in which respect also it hath seuerall names for of the woodes it is called Kiriah Iearim that is the citie of woods and of the playn or fielde it is called Baal or Baalah or Kiriah in Baalah and sometimes Bala of Iuda that is plaine place for the sence of this place sée 1. Sam. 7 1 c. and for the citie it self sée Iehosh 15.60 where it is reckoned vp among the cities alotted to the tribe of Iudah hath two names I know other men giue other sences but methinketh this is most plain Ver. 7. We wil enter vz. cherefully gladlye into his tabernacles i. into the places where this arke shall rest he himself be religiously serued which in Psal 100. ver 4. are called his gates his courts and worship vz. him before his footestoole i. before the ark of the couenaunt which is so called to put the faithfull in mind that they must not stay in the beholding of the ark only as though god wer inclosed therin but that they must lift vp their harts to heauen to worship God there with all reuerence as though GOD stretched his féete from the heauen to the earth that hée might lifte vs vp to heauen Now he must be sought to in Christ who is the verye Arke of Couenaunte in déede Verse 8. Arise vz. now at the earnest prayer of thy people O Lord this is to be referred both to God himselfe and to the Arke also as may appeare by that which followeth in the Vers Sée the word Lord also put for Arke verse 5 of this Psalme to come into thy rest i. into the place of thy rest because that before the Arke stayed not long in one place as maye appeare by the continuall concourse of the stories thou and the Arke of thy strength i. both thou thy selfe and the visible sacrament as it were of thy strength and power and he calleth it the ark of Gods strength because that in and from the Arke the Lord did plainly declare his maiesty power c Ver. 9 Let thy Priests i. the Priests which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe to bée the administers of holy things be clothed i. compassed about on euery side let it cleaue stick fast to thē as apparel doth to the body with righteousnes vz. both outward inward q.d. Let thē that are sanctified to this gret office be more and more sanctified let thy saints i. thy people whom thou hast sanctified to thy self reioyce vz. greatly that for this because the Ark shal stay in one place not flit as heretofore it hath done so that here he praieth both for Priests people Ver. 10. For thy seruaunt Dauids sake i. for him those promises which thou hast made to him others vnderstād by Dauid christ the sonne of Dauid who also in the Prophets is called by that name as Hosea 3 5 in the letter the first sence is most playn he speaking of himself in the third person in the doctrine the other is very true refuse not the face of thine annointed i. of me whom thou haste appointed to be King vnderstāding by not refusing his face the graunting of him his requests for here he prayeth the Lord to be merciful to his priests and people not to reiect the prayers which the king maketh for thē Ver. 11. The Lord vz. himself hath sworn in truth i. hath truly iustly sworn to perform whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto Dauid i. vnto me speaking stil of himself in the third person will not shrinke from it i. will not at any hand or by any meanes go back from his word sée Psa 110.4 and note that God sweareth not for any inconstancy in his word but for the strengthening of our fayth of the fruit of thy body i. some one or other of thy children sée Psal 127 3 wil I set vpon thy throne i. I will establishe them as thy lawfull heyres in thy kingdome after
2. Teacheth vs particularly to stirre vp both priests and people to that duety when we find them slacke Verse 3. Teacheth vs that the Lords continual goodnes towards vs should draw vs on to praise his name Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen his gracious election particularly aboue the rest should be a singular argument of our prayse and thankesgiuing Ver. 5. Teacheth vs the particular experience which wee or any of vs haue had of Gods power should be a notable proppe to our fayth Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that nothing can withstand his purpose and power Ver. 7. Teacheth that euen all naturall thinges are guided and gouerned by him and his appoyntment Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that the Lorde in executing his iudgements vpon the wicked respecteth no mans person Ver. 9. Doeth the same thing teaching vs further that Gods iudgements are so plain and manifest as the wicked are not able to alledge either ignorance or excuse against them for themselues Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that though God vse meanes for the performance of his counsels yet the accomplishment and glory of them belongeth to him alone It teacheth also further which thing also Verse 11. Doeth that there is no power wisedome counsel multitudes or authoritie able to hinder though neuer so litle the Lord in his workes Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that they haue right to lande and inheritance to whom it pleaseth the Lord to giue the same because he is the Lorde of the whole earth Verse 13. Teacheth vs that God in all ages leaueth notable spectacles of his power to al people to the ende that thereby they might bee drawne vnto him Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that though the Lorde bee angry with his people for a while yet he wil turne to them in euerlasting loue Ver. 15.16.17 Set out vnto vs the horrible vanity and great abuse of idoles Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that the idole the idole maker and al such also as serue them are not onely beastly and blockish before men but shall before god in good time come to shame and confusion Ver. 19.20 Teach vs that it is méete for al the faithful but specially for the Lords ministers as guides vnto the rest to praise the Lord for his great goodnes Ver. 21 teacheth them to performe that seruice to him euen in the publike assemblies of his saints Psalme 136. IN this Psalme the Prophet doeth exhort all the faithfull people Di. to praise God first for the excellency of his nature and singular maiesty ver 1.2.3.26 secondly for his workes of creation and prouidence generally and particularly ver 4.5.6.7.8.9.25 Thirdly for his great iudgements vpon the enemies of his people ver 10.15.17.18.19.20 and fourthly for his excéeding fauour towards his owne seruants ver 11.12.13.14.16.21.22.23.24 This Psalme hath no title as many such wee haue had heretofore Se. as Psal 104.105 and sundry such like Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord vz. O yée faythfull people because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy vz. which is the first course of all his goodnes indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue end This sentence is repeated in euery verse of this Psalme not as idle superfluous or vaine but to shewe that Gods goodnes is the fountaine both of al our praises and al his works which doctrine because it ought to be perpetual therefore did the Leuites sing this Psalme or some other of the same argument or matter dayly in the olde Church of the Iewes as appeareth 1. Chron. 16.41 and it séemeth also to shewe how much we should continue in the acknowledging of gods graces Ver. 2. Praise ye the God of gods i. he that is aboue all that haue any diuine or heauenly offices whether they be men as magistrates or Angels or any other thing which hath the name of God giuen vnto it sée Deut. 10.17 for his mercy vz. towardes all but specially towards his owne people indureth for euer all this is expounded before Ver 3. Praise ye the Lord of Lords i. he that hath the fulnes and perfection of rule and authority in him for whatsoeuer other men haue they haue it from him because it pleaseth him to bestow the same vppon them sée 1. Tim. 6.15 Reuelat. 17.14 for his mercy indureth for euer this is expounded before and therfore we shal not néede to repeate it againe Ver. 4. Which vz. God our Lorde onely i. by himselfe alone and his owne power none ioyning with him as assistant doth great wonders vz. euen as we our selues know and can report Ver. 5. Which by his wisedome i. most wisely and with great vnderstanding yea wich such wisedome and prouidence as is wonderfull Sée Prouerb 3.19 wee may vnderstande also by wisdom his eternal sonne sée Pro. 8. from ver 22. to the ende of the 31. made vz. in the beginning as Gene. 1.1 the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined for so large doe I take the worde to be here as Psal 124.8 Ver. 6. Which hath stretched out the earth i. the continent and firme land vpon the waters sée Psal 24.2 hee meaneth that God hath caused the waters to withdraw themselues from of the earth to the end it might be a place for men to dwell therein sée Gene. 1.9 Ver. 7. Which made great lights vz. two as Gene. 1.16 of which he speaketh afterwards particularly and they are called great because they are in our iudgments in déed greater then the other Ver. 8. As vz. for example the sunne to rule the day i. to shine in it and to make it light whereas otherwise it woulde be all darknes Verse 9. The moone and the starres to gouerne the night i. to shyne and shewe forth themselues in that season Verse 10. Which smote vz. with his plagues Egypt i. the lande and the people inhabiting it with their first borne i. all their first borne from man to beast Sée Psalme 135.8 Verse 11. And brought out Israell vz. who was kept in captiuity and thraldome putting Israel for the Israelites from among them i. quite and cleane out of their company and land this history is written in the 13. chapt of Exod. Ver. 12. With a mighty hand i. with such great power as the Egiptians coulde no way resist and stretched out arme i. with singular fauour and proâ—ection ouer his owne and great iudgements vppon the wicked for the arme serueth both for defence and for striking Ver. 13. Which diuided the red Sea into two parts vz. that his people might passe through it Sée Exod. 14.22 Verse 14. And made Israell i. the Israelites hee speaketh thus of them all as though they were but one man because they were but one body to passe through their iddest of it i. of the waters so diuided Verse 15. And ouerthrewe vz. by his almighty power Pharaoh vz. who was king of Egypt and his hoste i. the people which hee had gathered together to pursue the Israelites in their flight yea hée so destroyed them that
of my life as long as I haue any being vz. either in this life or in eternall life for the action of prayse and thanksgiuing to God shal not cease then I will sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto my God i. vnto him whom I serue and whom I haue founde by particular experience to haue bene a singular God to mee Ver. 3. Put not your trust i. haue not any confidence or affiance in them as though that without God or against him they were able to helpe you in princes vz. how litle or how great soeuer they be in authority nor in the sonne of man i. in any man whatsoeuer and this he doeth to the end that God may haue his whole gloryâ—â—ecting and abolishing all peruerse hopes specially those which we haue in great personages for there is none helpe in them i. he or they altogether are not able of themselues to helpe either themselues or other distressed and this is one reason why they shoulde not trust in men Verse 4. His breath departeth i. euen his soule and vitall spirite that is hee dieth and so the hope which men repose in him or them perisheth and hée returneth to his earth vz. out of which he was taken as Gene. 3.19 and this must bée vnderstoode in respect of his body then vz. when hee dieth his thoughtes perish i. all that hee thought vppon and deuised in his imagination come to nothing and this is an other reason taken from the vanity of mans life Verse 5. Blessed is he i. he is in a good and blessed state that hath the GOD of Iaakob for his helpe i. that hath the true GOD to helpe and deliuer him in all assayes Sée Psalme 144.15 whose hope is in the Lorde his GOD i. that putteth his trust onely in that true god howsoeuer men do destitute forsake or faile him Ver. 6. Which made heauen and earth sée Psalme 124.8 also Psalme 121.2 the Sea and all that therein is i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth in the same Sée Psalm 8.8 which kéepeth his fidelitie for euer i. which doth faithfully and continually performe whatsoeuer he hath promised Ver. 7. Which executeth iustice vz. vpon the wicked and vngodly and that woorde Iustice sheweth that God doeth them no iniurie when hee punisheth them for the oppressed i. on the behalf of the oppressed q.d. when they are oppressed and none able to deliuer them then doeth God take vppon him the defence of their iust cause against the oppressours which giueth bread to the hungrie i. foode and sustenance to them that want it the Lorde loseth the prisoners vz. out of their prison and bondage as he did Ioseph by bowing rulers heartes to set them at libertie Sée Psalm 105.20 Verse 8. The Lorde giueth sight to the blinde the Lorde raiseth vp the crooked i. hée healeth all diseases yea though they be neuer so harde and incurable howe true this is the whole body of the Scripture declareth and specially the miracles of our Sauiour Christ in the newe testament and by crooked he meaneth them that bee broken and bowed as it were together with afflictions and infirmities the Lorde loueth the righteous i. pursueth them especially with his fauour séeming after a sorte to restraine that to the godly which hée had generally spoken before Ver. 9. The Lorde keepeth vz. safe and sounde and free from hurt and daunger the strangers vz. which are tossed from one place to an other and haue as it were no body to comfort them hee relieueth the fatherlesse and widowe i. hee comforteth them in their distresse and heauinesse vnder these three hee comprehendeth all them that bee destitute of ayd and defence or haue no means to come by the same of these see Exodus 22.22.23.24 but hee ouerthroweth vz. in his iust iudgement the way of the wicked i. all his deuises woordes and workes Sée Psalme 1.6 Ver. 10. The Lorde vz. our God which we serue shall raigne for euer vz. do his Enemies against him and his what so euer they can O Sion he speaketh to Sion that is to the Church because God speciallie raigneth for the preseruation thereof thy GOD vz. whom thou seruest endureth from generation to generation i. ruleth and raigneth for euer and euer as Psalme 145.13 Prayse yee the Lord sée Psalme 106. in the end Do. Ver. 1. teacheth vs that our praysing of God should procéed from the harte Ver. 2. teacheth vs that we should continue in it and neuer be wearie of well doing Ver. 3. teacheth vs earnestlie to fight against that naturall corruption which is in vs that is to trust in others besides the Lord. Ver. 4. setteth out the breuitie and brittlenesse of mans life Ver. 5. teacheth vs that how soeuer wée be forsaken of men yet we are in good case if we trust in the Lorde Ver. 6. teacheth vs to prayse God first for the workes of creation secondlie for his mercifull promising and faythfull performinge of that which he hath promised Ver. 7. teacheth vs that how soeuer men deale vniustlie one with an other yet God alwayes executeth Iustice Secondlie it teacheth vs that he doth not for euer forget the pore afflicted estate of his people Thirdlie that we ought to prayse him for his prouidence towardes the poore and néedie and his pitie towardes the prisoners Verse 8. teacheth vs that many times in matters past mens reache the Lord worketh most mightilie to the end that all the glorie might be geuen to him Ver. 9. teacheth vs that these whom men commonlie make least account of GOD most highlie regardeth and estéemeth it setteth out also the vnlikelie rewarde of the wicked and of the godlie Verse 10. teacheth vs that it is a singular comfort to the Church and to euerie member thereof to knowe that GOD is the King thereof and his Kingdome and gouerment shall endure for euer Psalme 147. THis Psalme standinge chieflie in exhorting men to the prayse of GOD Di. may be deuided into thrée partes First he prouoketh men to prayse God speciallie for his Graces and goodnesse towardes his Church from Verse 1. to the ende of the sixt In the second he exhorteth men to prayse him speciallie for his prouidence to all creatures and namely towardes Men. from Verse 7. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde he prouoketh them to prayse him for his might power and goodnesse towardes all but chiefly towardes his Church from Verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title as many other before going haue none Ver. 1. Prayse ye the Lord vz. for his mercy and goodnesse for it is good i. profitable and comfortable euen to vs sée Psalme 92.1 To singe vz. prayses and thankes giuings vnto our god i. vnto him who hath testified by infinit tokens his great care and loue towardes vs and we agayne on the other side do serue and worship for it vz. prayse and thankes giuinges is a pleasaunt thing i. is an acceptable thing euen vnto
all This he speaketh according to the law then in force sée Psalme 33 2. and not to tie vs to the vse of the same euen vppon the Harpe he repeateth the same thing agayne d.q. vse all the meanes you maye the better to prouoke you to performe that dutie with a singing voyce d.q. ioyne to your Musicall instrumentes songes expressed and vttered with your owne voyces because that without them the sounde of the Harpe or any other musicall instrument is to little or no purpose Verse 6. With shalmes and sounds of Trumpets he addeth other instruments vnderstanding as was before noted the vse of all musicall instruments allowed by the Lord to his people sing loude i. blowe them vp chearefully and couragiously and make them to giue a loude noyse or sounde for I rather referre this to the musicall Instrumentes then to mens voyces before the Lorde the King i. before the Lorde whome we serue who is King and ruler ouer all the Worlde Verse 7. Let the Sea roare vz. in token of ioy and thankefulnesse and all that therein is sée Psalme 96. verse 11. the World q.d. Let the Worlde i. the frame of the worlde as the heauens earth c. reioyce and be glad also and they i. all creatures whatsoeuer that dwell therein i. haue their liuing being and continuaunce or aboade in the same Verse 8. Lette the floudes vz. of the earth he meaneth by this worde eyther the standing water or the running riuers whiche are different from the sea clappe their handes vz. for ioye and gladnesse meaning by the signe of gladnesse the thing it selfe and not that flouds haue handes and let the Mountaynes i. the greate and huge hils reioyce together i. testifye also their ioyfulnesse and gladnesse with the rest of the creatures In that he ascribeth this reioysing to dumbe and insensible creatures it is q.d. Let euery one inforce himselfe as muche as he can or will and yet he shall neuer yéelde prayses sufficientlye aunswering the greatnesse of Gods grace Verse 9 Before the Lorde for the sence of this whole verse sée before Psalme 96.13 where you shall fynde it almost worde for word De. Verse 1 teacheth vs to be thankefull to God for his greate workes and power also that the Lord alone without any helpe or ayde of man is hee that defendeth his Church Verse 2 teacheth that God doth his workes openly not only to the end that no man might pretend ignoraunce thereof but also that therby euery man might be prouoked to prayse him Verse 3 sheweth that God in déede is euer as good as his worde whether it be in respecte of particular persons or generall persons Verse 4 teacheth vs to inforce our selues by all the meanes we can to prayse the Lord. Verse 5.6 deliuer the same doctrine vnto vs. Verse 7.8 teach vs euen by the example of insensible creatures to be stirred vp to performe the same Ver. 9. teacheth that Gods iustice and iudgement is alwayes vpright howsoeuer corrupt mans is Psalme 99 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse God for the greatnesse of his excellency and power and for his singular graces and goodnesse bestowed vpon them from verse 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he expresseth Gods loue towardes their fathers and auncestors for which also he prouoketh theÌ„ to worship and praise the Lord from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title Verse 1. The Lord raigneth sée Psal 93. ver 1. and he meaneth specially amongst his people the people of the Iewes let the people vz. which border round about them other their enemies though they be neuer so far of tremble vz. euen for feare of this Lord who wil defend his own and punish them he vz. that ruleth and gouerneth al thing according to his good pleasure sitteth betwéen the Cherubins this is a description of god q.d. euen that God which hath shewed himself familiarly to Israel he it is that ruleth beareth the sway sée Exod. 25.22 let the earth be moued i. treÌ„ble and be afrayd as it were at his presence q.d. Let al creatures hauing life or without life striken with his presence and Maiestie yield him singular reuerence and honour Ver. 2. The Lord is great i. hath declared himself to be mightye and strong in al places but specially in Sion i. amongst his own people amongst whom he hath shewed the greatest testimonies of his power putting Sion the principall place of their abode for the people themselues he is high aboue all the people vz. of the world he meaneth not by this that he ruleth and gouerneth them for â—â—eir saluation but that he is exalted ouer them to scatter their counsels and to beate downe and ouerthrow their enterprises Verse 3. They i. the faythfull and godly people shall prayse vz. both in word and déede thy great and fearefull name i. thy Maiestye and power whiche is full of mighte and feare for it is holy and therefore méete to bee praysed and magnifyed Verse 4. And the Kinges power q.d. yea they shal praise the power of the great and mighty King that loueth iudgement i. that not onely liketh and alloweth but also executeth vpright iudgement and marke that after he had as it were set vp God in his seat he speaketh of the maner of his gouernment affirming that God is in such sort mighty and strong that yet notwithstanding hee hath not a tyrannous force with him but that his power is ioyned with his iustice and vprightnes for thou vz. O Lord a sodain change of the person from the third to the second hast prepared equitie i. hast appointed and established amongst thy people a good and vpright forme of gouernment which is a verye good rule to liue well and righteously one with another thou hast executed vz. faythfully and with all vprightnesse iudgemente and iustice i. true iudgement sound iustice in Iaakob i amongst the people of Israel who discended froÌ„ Iaakob meaning no doubt further vnder these terms a iust holy gouernment of the Church and people of God Verse 5. Exalt vz. with your songes of praise and thanksgiuing the Lord our God i. the Lord whom we his people serue who is indéede the only true God Iohn 17.3 and fall downe vz. before him and that in token of true reuerence and worship sée Psalme 95.6 before his footstoole the Chaldean paraphrase expoundeth it thus before his footestoole i. in his Temple others thus Before his Footestoole i. before the Arke of Couenaunt whiche is therefore as they suppose called God his Footestoole because the Iewes shoulde not staye too muche vppon the outward signe but shoulde lifte vp their harte to Heauen that they might there beholde the incomprehensible glory of God I would expounde it thus Before his Footestoole i. fall downe euen vnto the grounde or pauement of the Temple vpon which GOD
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
and earth This verse and the verses following conteine and answere to the blasphemous scorning of the aduersaries conteined ver 3. and in this answere the true GOD is manifestly set out ver 4. and further it is declared that the false may not onely not be compared with him but not with men no not so much as with the smallest creature liuing ver 4.5.6.7 and therefore that men shoulde no more feare the worshippers of idoles then the idoles themselues ver 8. so that here he opposeth the assurance of fayth against the blasphemies of vnbeléeuers and declareth that God hath an infinite power and such a one as can not bee limited in so much that all the worlde being vnder his gouernement hée fréely executeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him no man being able to let him therein yea that he is not onely aboue all lets and hinderaunces but also that he vseth the same to serue to the furtherance of his purposes and therefore hée addeth that hee doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Their idoles i. the idoles of the heathen ver 2. of this Psal and which they serue as siluer and golde i are made of siluer and gold q.d. that is the best they can bee made of the worke of mens handes i. they are such woorkes as mens handes haue made Verse 5. They haue a mouth i. the proportion and similitude of a mouth and speake not i. can not speake therewith they haue eyes i. a shewe and likenes of eyes and sée not i. can not sée therewith and after the same sort must you vnderstande all that is sayd of them ver 6.7 The faithful do hereby declare that it is an absurd thing for men demaund of idoles that which they want or to put any trust in them séeing that they haue neither mouing féeling nor any other sense And in these verses hée maketh an opposition betwéene the true God and the false gods which are nothing but dead idoles and haue no power at all in these verses is conteined also a laying of that iustly vpon these false gods which the idolaters vntruely did charge the true God withall and the argumentes are taken first of the effect because their idoles were nothing but terrors and such as did trouble mens myndes with grieuous superstition from whence also they séeme in Hebrewe to haue their names and not comforting and sauing any as God doeth all his continually Secondly of the matter because that though they bee very precious yet they are earthly thinges and without life but God is the author of life and dwelleth in heauen thirdly of their beginning because mens handes made them whereas God is eternall and vncreated who also by his very word made al things lastly because they are idle and vnprofitable and not indued with any power of life but rather vaine shadowes of liuing thinges whereas the Lorde doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him And by this meanes hee beateth downe the vayne confidence and pride of the wicked who bragged of the helpe of their gods to whome they themselues gaue a beginning and though they bee made of golde and siluer vnderstanding thereby any other precious matter whatsoeuer yet so it is the value of the matter causeth not that the idoles should bée more excellent if they might be compared with GOD. Verse 8. They that make them i. the caruers grauers painters c. are like vnto them i. brutish as it were and insensible q.d. they are no more able to resist thée and thy power then those dead images are able to resist a liuing man neither are they able more to hurt thy people then a blocke or a stocke of it selfe can hurt a liuing creature so are i. in the like case and condition also are all vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee that trust in them vz. either litle or much and here they shewe one cause wherefore God hateth idoles vz. because the honour due to him alone is giuen to thē Ver. 9. O Israel now he speaketh to the faithfull and exhorteth them to trust in God onely q.d. But thou O Israel séeing thou hast had proofe of the alsufficiency of God and of the vanity of idoles trust thou in the Lorde vz. alone ioyne no other with him for hee is their helpe i. of the faithfull and of those that truste in him q.d. he alwayes helpeth them and their shield vz. in the day of distresse meaning vnder this terme shielde his protecting and defending of them Sée Psal 18.2 Ver. 10. O house of Aaron i. O ye priests and Leuites which were ioyned vnto the priests for their ease he speaketh specially vnto these because they should shew the way vnto others trust ye in the Lord vz. also that ye in féeling the same your selues may the better teach and perswade other men to imbrace it for he is their helpe and their shield sée ver 9. of this Psal Ver. 11. Yée vz. of what nation soeuer ye be and are now come to the knowledge of God that feare the Lord i. worship him and serue him according to his word trust in the Lord for he is their helpe and their shield sée ver 9.10 of this Psalme Ver. 12. The Lord vz. himselfe hath beene mindfull i. by effect and déede hath declared his care and remembraunce of vs vz. being in distresse and that by reason of the couenant which he made with vs hee will blesse vz. vs al of what state or condition so euer we be vnderstanding by blessing all maner of prosperity whatsoeuer hée will blesse the house of Israell i. all the race and posterity of Israel nowe hée applieth that particularly which hée spake before generally hée will blesse the house of Aaron i. the Priestes and Leuites as before verse 10. Ver. 13. Hée will blesse them that feare the Lorde i. such as worship and serue him as before verse 11. Marke also howe he speaketh of God in the thirde person And this often repeating of the woorde blessing serueth not onely to note the continuall course of Gods graces vpon his children but also to expresse the certaintie and assurednes thereof both small and greate i. as well those that are vile and contemptible in the world as those that are in greatest estimation and regard the reason of it is because GOD respecteth no mans person Verse 14. The Lorde will increase vz. through his great goodnesse and mercy his graces towardes you vz. which are his people hée meaneth that he will giue them a dayly supply of new benefites and greater then they haue had before towardes you and towards your children hée noteth in these woordes the largenesse of Gods blessing to be bestowed vppon the godly and their godly posterity Verse 15. Yée are the blessed of the Lorde i. you are such as the Lorde himselfe hath not onely promised bur perfourmed great blessinges vnto and therefore you néede not doubt or feare which made vz. by the worde of his power in the beginning and