Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that al that we haue we haue frō God our being birth c. and that we ought therefore continually to praise him Ver. 7. Howsoeuer men wonder at vs or despise vs so that God be on our side we néed not greatly care Verse 8. Teacheth vs to pray to God for the continuaunce and increase of his goodnesse towards vs and that not for our own profite and ease but that hee may thereby be more and more glorifyed of vs. Ver. 9. Teacheth that the more weake and feeble we are the more we stand in néede of Gods help and to craue it by prayer Ver. 10. Sheweth that the wicked consult and speake agaynst the good Ver. 11 Sheweth that the wicked make sure account of that many times which they are furthest off from Ver. 12. Teacheth that Gods presence is sufficient to strengthen his people to discomfit their enimies Ver. 13. Teacheth that to wish hurt to any much more to Gods children and to seeke the accomplishment of it are gréeuous sinnes Ver. 14. Teacheth that patience in affliction and thanksgiuing are necessary and méete for Gods children Ver. 15. teacheth vs the right vse of our mouth vz. when it is occupied in rehearsing gods goodnes Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that though to Godward we can not do so much as we should or would yet we ought to indeuour the performance of that that he shall enable vs vnto Ver. 17. teacheth that the experience of Gods mercies should bring forth in vs these two effects first continually to hang vpon him secondly to praise and publish his great power and goodnesse Ver. 18. teacheth what a care we should haue to conuay as it were Gods glorye ouer to all posterities Verse 19. Teacheth vs that none is comparable with God Ver. 20. teacheth first that all afflictions come to passe by Gods prouidence and appointment secondly that he graciously deliuereth his from their greatest daungers Ver. 21. teacheth vs to be certainly assured of Gods fauoure and goodnesse towards vs. Ver. 22. teacheth vs earnestly to praise God for his benefits and to inforce our selues thereto by all the lawfull meanes wee canne Verse 23. Teacheth vs that al our parts both inward and outward should be ready to praise the Lorde Verse 24. Teacheth vs that though the enemies of Gods people prosper a while yet their end without repentaunce will be shame and confusion of face Psalme 72 Di THis Psalm may be deuided into thrée parts In the first the prophet Dauid prayeth to God for himself and his sonne Salomon that they in their kingdome maye bee directed by him which the Lord graciously perfourming hee sheweth what good shall come to the whole land thereby from verse 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he prophesieth of the inlargemente of the kingdom by subduing many people vnto it and of the great plenty that shall be therein all which is but a figure of Christs kingdome and this reacheth from verse 9. to the end of the 17. In the third part is comprised a notable praise that the Prophet yéeldeth vnto the Lord for his power goodnesse from verse 18. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a Psalm of Salomon i. concerning him or on his behalf not as though he were the author therof Ver. 1. Giue thy iudgements i. instruct the king with the spirite of wisedome vprightnes that he may rightly gouern the people committed to him according to such lawes and ordināces as thou hast prescribed thy righteousnes i. such righteousnes as thou allowest he setteth these two words iudgements righteousnes against the tirannous abusing of kingly authoritie to the kings sonne i. the kings posterity but chiefelye Salomon Verse 2. Then vz. when thou shalt giue him these graces shal he iudge i. conducte and gouerne thy people i. the people that thou haste chosen to bée a people to thy selfe in righteousnesse i. faythfully truely and vprightly and thy poore i. such as are afflicted for thy cause or else those whome thou hast humbled and he speaketh specially of these because that for their defence Kings haue the sworde put into their hands with equity i. iust and vprighte iudgement rendring to euery one according to their behauiour Verse 3. The Mountaines i. after some the most barren places others because the lande of Iudea was ful of mountains vnderstand by mountains the whole land whatsoeuer it is the Prophets meaning is this by this similitude taken from the plentifulnesse of the earth to note that no corner or quarter of the land shall be founde voyde of Gods blessing shall bring peace i. shall yéelde or bring foorth store and plentye of all manner of blessinges for so doe the Hebrewes vse this worde as is to be séene in many places of scripture by iustice vz. rightlye administred hee meaneth that the kinges good gouernment shal be a mean to bring all prosperity vpon the whole land Ver. 4. he shall iudge vz. vprightly the poore of the people who most commonly are troden vnder féete hee shall saue i. deliuer vz. from the oppressor and cruell man the children of the néedy i. moste needie persons for the Father being néedye the childe can hardly bee riche hee meaneth that those that haue no helpe or succoure but lye as a praye to the riche of the Worlde shall be reuenged of and deliuered from the handes of their enemies and shall subdue vz. vnder his féete but yet through iustice and equitie the oppressour i. all oppressours vnderstanding by one al. Ver. 5. They i. the people so gouerned shall feare thée i. shall cary a certaine louing reuerence and obedience vnto thée and this may be referred either to God or to the king if we referre it to God then it is a sodain change of the person shewing what fruits shal come by a holy gournment to wit that the people shal imbrace Gods true religion and seruice If wee referre it to the king then he sheweth what louing and obedient people he shal haue that ruleth well but I rather allow of the first sense by reason of that which followeth in this verse as long as the sunne and moone endureth from generation to generation i. for euer and euer Ver. 6. He i. the king shall come downe vz. either personally from his kingly throne amongest his people or else in his holy and iust gouernment like the raine vpon the mowen grasse These words mowen grasse may haue a double sense and both good either that we referre it to that which is cut for hay vpon which if some raine fall presently after the cutting men say it serueth much for the increase of good smell in it or else to that that standeth which is much subiect to the heat of the sunne and parching when the other is remoued and then as the raine falleth vppon it and causeth it to growe againe as it were so a righteous gouernour after the heate of tyrannie addeth as
some lesse triall Verse 19. In the multitude of my thoughtes in my heart i. while I did secretly and within my selfe thinke vppon many thinges hee calleth these perillous and doubtfull cares which hee had in his thoughtes which no doubt woulde haue ouerwhelmed him if the comfortes of God of which he speaketh afterwards had not refreshed him thy comfortes i. those comfortes that by thy spirite I receiue from thy nature and worde haue reioyced i. haue caused to reioyce or haue made glade my soule i. my life and whole man distressed with sundry sortes of heauinesses Verse 20. Hath the throne of iniquitie i. hath vniust iudgement and sentence hee putteth a wicked place for wicked matter and iudgement pronounced out of that place fellowshippe with thée i. doest thou iudge vniustly as wicked iudges doe Sée Gene. 18.25 which forgeth wrong for a lawe i. which deuiseth frameth and performeth cruelty as though it were right and according to the lawe and iustice and marke that hee calleth it the throne of iniquitie both because vniust men sit there and vniust sentences are pronounced there the whole verse together is q.d. thou in thy dealings O Lorde hast nothing common with vniust iudgement seates with vniust iudges or vniust sentences all which doe nothing else but oppresse other men with iniurie and wrong and that many times vnder the pretence of lawe and right Ver. 21. They i. the wicked and vngodly gather them together vz. in troupes and great companies and all to take counsell against the soule of the righteous i. against the life of the good man howe they may take it away from him and spoyle him of al that he hath and condemne vz. vniustly without cause the innocent blood i. the man that hath done them no harme putting blood a part of man for man himselfe and his whole life Verse 22. But the Lorde q.d. notwithstanding the mischieuous malice of the vngodly mentioned verse 21. yea the rather for that is my refuge i. a sure place whereunto I will flée to bée preserued from mine enemies and my God i. hée that hath alwayes shewed himselfe careful for mee and gracious to mée is the rocke of my hope i. is the sure stay and foundation of the hope that I haue q.d. I assuredly staye my selfe in none but in him alone Ver. 23. And hée will reuenge them their wickednesse vz. which they haue committed against him and others meaning by this manner of speach that hée will giue them the wages and hire which is due to so great transgression and destroy them i. vtterly ouerthrow them and bring them to naught in their owne malice i. in the mischiefe and euill that they haue deuised against the good meaning that their euill deuises shall fall vpon their owne heades and they shal be taken in the mischiefes wherein they thought to intrappe the good yea the Lorde our God shall destroy them q.d. he wil certainely destroy them and that by his great and sodaine iudgements the repeating of the same words noteth nothing else but the assured perswasion of the faithfull and the certaine destruction of the wicked Verse 1. Teacheth that it is comfortable to Gods children Do. and terrible to the wicked to knowe and féele that GOD is the auenger of al iniuries and wronges Verse 2. Teacheth that wée may safely praye against the malicious and insolent enemyes of Gods trueth Verse 3. Teacheth vs not to bée dismayed though the wicked preuaile much and long neither to prescribe GOD a tyme of deliuerance but with patience to beare and by earnest praier to labour the remouing of those crosses and trials Verse 4. Describeth the proude and cruell both wordes and gestures of the vngodly Verse 5. Setteth out their cruell and outragious déedes against Gods seruants Verse 6. Sheweth that they growe to such a height and harde heartednes and cruelty that they pity not them whome nature and curtesie woulde shewe compassion to Verse 7. Sheweth not onely that the vngodly flatter themselues in their sinnes but also that they imagine that either God will not beholde their iniquity or if hee doe that hee will not greatly regarde to punish them for it Verse 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct euen those that are most desperately wicked Verse 9. Teacheth vs that nothing that we doe or speake can bee hid from Gods eyes or eare Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God is no respecter of persons and that therefore wee shoulde not flatter our selues as though hée woulde forbeare vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that man and all his deuises are nothing in respect of the Lorde Verse 12. Teacheth that Gods corrections are to Gods children seales of his blessing vppon them also that this is a singular benefite to haue Gods will and worde made manifest vnto vs. Verse 13. Sheweth two thinges first that GOD will deliuer his out of all their distresses Secondly that the wicked shall bee ouertaken in the mischiefes of their owne heartes Verse 14. Teacheth that howe slippery or inconstant soeuer man bée to man yet GOD is alwayes fast and sure to those that are his Verse 15. Teacheth that howsoeuer GOD séeme for a time to deferre the execution of full and perfect iudgement yet hee will in the ende perfourme it in déede and the godly shall reioyce therein Verse 16. Teacheth that the number of those which boldly defende Gods seruants is very smal Ver. 17. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs euery steppe that wée steppe is a steppe vnto death Verse 18. Is very comfortable teaching vs that GOD is alwayes present with his to preserue them from all euill Ver. 19. Teacheth that nothing can more gladde men in this life in the middest of their heauinesses then to haue an eye to the comfortes which GOD hath set downe in his worde Verse 20. Setteth out the vprightnesse of GOD and of all his iudgements so that though men bée neuer so corrupt yet he is alwayes iust and holy in all his workes Verse 21. Paynteth out the conspiracye and crueltye of the wicked against the godly Verse 22. Teacheth vs in the middest of all these mischiefes to hang vppon the Lorde onely by an assured and stedfast fayth Verse 23. Setteth out the certaintye of that destruction and iudgement of the vngodly with which they shalbée ouertaken from the Lorde Psalme 95. Di. THis Psalme may bée diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful to praise and serue God and this is conteyned in the two first verses and in the sixt verse In the seconde part hée sheweth the causes wherefore vz. for the gouernement of the worlde which is general and for the chusing of his Church which is particular Verse 3.4.5.7 In the thirde part the better to bring them vnto the perfourmance of this duety hée setteth before them a fearefull example and that in their owne fathers for the neglect of it from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Though this Psalme
they are without sinne that walk in his waies i. that lead a life according to such rules as he hath prescribed vnto them Immanuel readeth this verse thus who also worke no iniquitye q.d. They also are blessed who labour indeuour to the vttermost of strength and grace receaued from God to put downe iniquitie and vniust dealing either in themselues or others or both but walke vz. as much as in them lyeth in his wayes i. in the rules of life which he hath appointed them both texts are good and also both the sences but I rather allow of the latter Verse 4. Thou vz. O Lord hast commaunded vz. men or vs thy seruants to kéepe i. to indeuor and in déede what they may to performe both in thought word and déede the obedience of thy law thy precepts i. the thinges whiche thou in thy lawe haste commaunded vs diligently i. with care and conscience and continually as it were all the dayes of our life Immanuel varieth also somewhat in this verse reading it thus which vz. wayes mentioned in the latter ende of the thirde verse thou hast commaunded by thy commaundements to be greatly or diligently kept the Prophet that he might somewhat terrifie men declareth that the obseruation of the law is euen of God himselfe required and that with some seuerity to the end also that men might know that the breach therof shal not remain vnpunished Verse 5. Oh that my wayes i. my life and conuersation as verse 1 of this Psalme were directed i. might be directed that is disposed and ordred thorow thy power prouidence and goodnesse to kéepe vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart thy statutes i. the thinges that thou hast established as statutes for me to obserue and kéepe This wish of the Prophet noteth both the want of abilitie in himselfe and also the great desire he had therto Verse 6. Then should I not be confounded vz. either before thée or men when I haue respect i. regard both outwardly and inwardly vnto all thy commaundements vz. to do and performe the same He meaneth that after he shal haue learned of God and bin taught of him he wil both acknowledge and hold the same fast and so by that meanes escape shame and confusion Ver. 7. I wil praise thée vz. alone with an vpright hart i. with a sound and sincere affection voyd of hipocrisie and counterfeiting when I shal learn vz. being taught and instructed by thée the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. thy righteous iudgements vnderstanding by iudgements Gods commaundements whiche containe nothing in them but perfect righteousnesse Verse 8. I wil kéepe vz. very much or very earnestly and diligently he speaketh this not as though he were able of himself to performe them but to shew what a minde and purpose he caried with him and what a great good will he had thereto thy statutes i. thy lawes and commaundements and note that there is neuer a verse in all this Psalme but you haue in it eyther word law statute iudgement cōmaundement or some such like equiualent therto to signifie Gods word by forsake me not vz. in the middest of mine assaults temptations and infirmities ouerlong i. a long season He prayeth the Lord not only not to leaue him in temptation but also to respect his infirmity and weakenesse least he should go aside from the right way Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. that obedience to Gods law is the high way to al blessednesse Ver. 2 teacheth vs first that with knowledge there must be ioyned obedience and practised secondly that we must séeke the Lord with all our soule and affection Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods children frame not a conuersation to thēselues according to their own fantasie but according to the rule of Gods word Verse 4 teacheth vs to haue care conscience and diligence in the obseruation of Gods lawe least otherwise wee heape iudgement against our owne soule Ver. 5 teacheth vs to carry with vs both purpose and prayer that we may walk in obedience of Gods law Ver. 6 teacheth vs that obedience to God his truth is the way to auoyde shame both before God and men Ver. 7 teacheth vs first to praise God for his mercies secondly to do it sincerlye and with a sounde affection thirdly that we can neuer rightly praise God or serue him til we haue learned his law Verse 8 teacheth vs what holy purposes we should carry with vs of obedience to Gods law and how for the better informing of vs that way wée should as it were lay vowes vpon our selues thirdly that féeling our owne misery and weakenesse we should by earnest prayer haue recourse to the Lord for his mercy Beth. Di. THis is the seconde letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and serueth to sette out the seconde part of the Psalme In which the Prophet sheweth firste that GOD his worde is the onlye rule to reforme corruption by in what state soeuer verse 9. Secondlye what care and conscience hée hymselfe had to walke in the obedyence of GOD and his Lawe verse 10 11 13 14 15 16. Thirdlye hée praysed GOD for his graces and prayeth vnto him more and more to instructe him in his truth and this is contayned in the 12. verse Se. Verse 9. Wherewith i. by what mean or with what thing shall a yong man i. hée that is the sonne and seruaunte of GOD whosoeuer hée bée but hee chéefelye speaketh of yong men because affection of sinne is most raging in them redresse i. reforme it is in Hebrewe purge or make cleane his waye i. the waye that hée is naturally inclined to walke in and this hée propoundeth in the way of a question aunswering the same himselfe which is also vsuall in the scripture and namely Psalme 15 1 2 also Psalme 24 8 10 in taking héede thereto i. in diligent caring and looking to it that he fal not or stumble not in the fame according to thy word i. according to the commaundements and counsels which in thy word thou giuest to that end The Prophet here prouoketh men in good time to dispose of their life and euen speciallye then when affections begin to boyle within them Now when men will chuse vnto themselues an order of life wherein to liue there is no better counsell more readily to direct them in the right way then this to wit to haue an eye to the Lawe and to looke what is prescribed vnto them therein Ver. 10. with my whole hart i. soundly sincerely and vnfeignedly sée verse 2 of this Psalm haue I sought thée vz. O Lord and that according vnto thy worde whiche I haue in part learned and layd vp in my hart as ver 11. and which I do further desire to bée taught and instructed in verse 12. let me not wander vz. hither and thither as one that is out of his way and knoweth not whether he goeth but followeth his owne imagination and yet strayeth from the righte waye from thy commaundementes vz. which thou hast
this restoring of him to a better estate and refreshing him ouer all his miseries according to thy worde sée verse 25 of this Psalme Verse 29. Take vz. thorowe thy goodnesse and mercye from mée vz. which am so much inclyned thereto the way of lying i. the order trade and course of lying vnderstanding thereby all manner of corruption whatsoeuer agaynst GOD or man and graunt me graciously i. of thy great grace and goodnesse giue to mee thy Lawe i. the knowledge and practise of it that according to the same I maye leade my lyfe for it is not to bée doubted but that he had the Law q.d. Kéepe mée from all lying vanitie and sinne from the whiche that hée mighte bée the better preserued hée desireth to bee instructed in the doctrine of GOD his law Verse 30. I haue chosen vz. thorow the light that thou hast reuealed vnto me by the worke of thy spirite the waye of truth i. that path that leadeth into truth and well doing and thy iudgementes i. thy Lawe and commaundementes whiche hee calleth iudgementes because according to the same will he pronounce sentence haue I layde before mee vz. not onlye to looke vpon them but also as the rule of my life and behauioure Immanuell readeth this verse thus The way of truth which I chose and of thy iudgementes which I set before me making it as it were an exposition of the latter part of the other verse q.d. Graunt me graciously thy lawe which I acknowledge and take to be the way of truth c. Ver. 31. I haue cleaued vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart meaning by this Metaphor of cleauing continuing and perseuering in GOD his Lawe sticking so fast vnto it as nothing coulde remooue him from it sée Romanes 12 9. to thy testimonies O Lord i. to thy law confounde me not i. let me not bee confounded and ashamed q.d. suffer me not to slide or fall into suche infirmitie eyther of woorde or déede that my life shoulde be shamefull vnto mée and I skorned of the enemies of thy law Ver. 32. I will runne vz. chearefullye and swiftlye the waye of thy commaundementes i. that waye order and course of life whiche thy commaundementes shewe me he meaneth that he will bee prompte and ready to kéepe Gods lawe when thou shalt inlarge mine hart some expounde it thus when thou shalt haue set mée out of daunger and giuen me thereby an occasion of great reioycing I rather would expounde it thus when thou shalt haue made my vnderstanding and spirite which of it selfe is narrow and straight not able to contain or conceaue any good things capable by inlarging and opening of it to containe and conceaue thy gifts and graces sée 1. King 4 29 concerning the inlarging of Salomons hart which in my iudgemente serueth very wel to open this place Do. Verse 25 teacheth vs in distresse and affliction to call vppon GOD by earnest prayers also that one good grounde of our prayers is Gods promises made vnto vs in his word Verse 26 teacheth vs that God is nigh to the faythfull prayers of his poore seruaunts also that we are ignoraunt of Gods law till it please him in mercye to vouchsafe to teache vs. Verse 27 teacheth vs carefullye and continuallye to meditate in Gods worde Verse 28 sheweth that Gods children are many times broughte verye lowe but yet the hope that they haue in GOD his promises doeth raise them vp agayne Verse 29 teacheth vs to abhorre as all sinne generally so particularlye lying and falshood also that Gods worde rightly vsed is a great mean to vanquishe sinne by Verse 30 teacheth vs that GOD his word shoulde be sette before vs in all the particular actions of this life Verse 31 teacheth vs to perseuer and continue in the profession of Gods truth all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 32 teacheth vs to go on forward in the race that is set before vs and neuer to be weary of wel doing He. Di. IN this whole part which consisteth of earnest prayer vnto God the Prophet first beséecheth the Lord to giue him good things as amongst others the knowledge and obedience of his law Ver. 33 34 35 38 40 secondly he praieth him to giue strength to auoyd euil things Ver. 36 37 39. Se. Verse 33 Teach me vz. which of my selfe am so blind ignorant and vnapte to euery good thing O Lord vz. whom alone I feare and worship the way of thy statutes i. that order of life which thy law setteth out ver 32. he called it the way of his commaundements and I will kéepe it vz. thorow thine assistance and goodnesse for otherwise no man can do any thing that good is vnto the end vz. of my life meaning that he would obserue Gods law al his life long sée verse 112 of this Psalme afterwards Ver. 34. Giue me vnderstanding vz. of thy will reuealed in thy word and I will kéepe thy law vz. thorow thy goodnesse and assistaunce as before not onlye in my hart but in my conuersation outwardlye yea I will kéepe it with my whole hart i. soundly sincerelye and with an vnfeigned affection Meaning that in the obseruation and obedyence of Gods lawe he would auoyde all hipocrisie Verse 35. Directe mée vz. which thorow mine owne corruption am readye to runne out of the way in the path of thy commaundements i. in the waye and order of life which thy commaundements would haue me to tread for therein i. both in thy Lawe and in a conuersation according to the same is my delighte i. I take singular ioye and pleasure Verse 36. Inclyne vz. thorowe the exercises of thy worde and the working of thy spirite mine hearte i. the affections and desires of my harte vnto thy Testimonyes i. to imbrace the knowledge and practise of thy worde and not to couetousnesse i. gréedye affecting and desyring of that whiche appertayneth to an other man hee putteth one kinde of sinne which is in déede the roote of all euill for al other transgressions and vices whatsoeuer as he did before the word lying ver 29. of this Psalme Ver. 37. Turne away mine eyes by the eyes he meaneth all other senses because they are the messengers which conuey or bring things to our other senses and the windowes or gates as it were by which euil entereth into vs from regarding i. from beholding or looking vpon he prayeth against the beginning of euill which being once ouercome processe and procéeding in it néed not to be feared vanity i. vaine things with the loue whereof men may easily bee ouertaken q.d. remooue the affections of my mind from these things which men do greatly desire and delight in lest otherwise I being caryed away from thy word I imbrace vayne things with other men quicken mee i. make me not only liuely to do thy will but giue me grace to liue in it all the dayes of my life in thy way i. in thy lawe see ver 15. of this Psalme Verse 38. Stablish
me away from the obedience of thy trueth Verse 62. At midnight vz. when others are fast and sound a sleepe Sée before verse 55. This declareth his ardency and affection q.d. euen then when I shoulde take my rest as others doe will I rise vz. not onely from my sléepe but euen out of my bed to giue thanks vnto thée vz. for thy gret infinite blessings bestowed vpon me or as followeth because of thy righteous iudgementes i. because of the faithful performing of all those thinges which thou hast promised either in mercy to thy seruants or in iustice to thine enemies Verse 63. I am a companion i. I vse and frequent the company of all thē that feare thee i. serue and worshippe thee with that reuerent feare that appertayneth vnto thée and kéepe thy preceptes i. hee sheweth howe men may know whether they themselues or others feare GOD or no euen by keeping his lawe and doing the things that it requireth And the Prophet kept company with these good men both that he himselfe by them might bee confirmed and also that he might aide and confirme them Ver. 64. The earth i. the whole world it selfe and all the creatures therein conteined O Lord vz. whome I serue alone is full vz. in euery place and quarter so that a man can turne his eye or head no way but he shal sée plaine testimonies of it of thy mercy vz. towardes it and al thy creatures teach me thy statutes sée ver 26. of this Psalme he desireth that the mercy of God which is spred abroad ouer all creatures may be manifested to himward so that thereby he may profit in Gods lawe because that the spirit of vnderstanding is a principal signe of Gods fauour and grace and this petition consisteth of two partes vz. that God pitying his wretchednesse and want of knowledge woulde perfourme his promise made to him in that behalfe whereunto the better to induce God he vseth an argument taken from the abundance of Gods mercy manifested to al his creatures that is the second part or point Do. Ver. 57. Teacheth vs that séeing God hath chosen vs to bee his people wee should carry with vs a resolute perswasion to obey his lawe Ver. 58. Teacheth vs that the prayers which we make vnto God should be vnfeigned and procéed not onely from the tongue but from the heart also also that in our prayers we should make Gods mercies and promises principall proppes of our faith Ver. 59. Teacheth vs not onely to haue a carefull eye to our conuersation past and present but also it sheweth vs that the single sight therof is a good meane to bring vs to the obedience of God Ver. 60. Teacheth vs with speed to turne vnto the Lorde and not to put of from day to day as worldly men doe Verse 61. Doeth not only set out the cruel and spoyling minds that the wicked haue but sheweth also that the children of God shoulde haue such constancie in his trueth as nothing shoulde withdrawe them from it Verse 62. Teacheth vs to haue such care of Gods seruice that wee should many times break our sléepes as it were to performe that duety Ver. 63. Teacheth vs as to auoyd euil company so for the profite that maye come to our selues thereby and for the good that we may do to others to frequent good company Ver. 64. Setteth out the largenes of Gods mercy and sheweth what want of knowledge wée haue in Gods holy worde Teth Di. THis being the 9. part of the Psalme consisteth specially of these pointes first the Prophet confesseth gods great goodnes towards him and prayeth for the continuance therof Ver. 65.66.68 Secondly he declareth that euen the afflictions which they suffered in this life were through the consolation which he had in the word comfortable and profitable vnto him Ver. 67.71.72 Thirdly he setteth out the cruelty and naughtines of the wicked and his owne goodnes and yet without any boasting thereof ver 69.70 Ver. 65. O Lord vz. the only true God thou hast dealt vz. in euery thing Se. and euery way graciously i. in all fauour loue and mercy with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruant for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person according to thy worde i. according to thy promise that thou hast made and giuen mee q.d. as thou hast graciously promised mee all goodnes so hast thou graciously also and in great mercy perfourmed the same Ver. 66. Teach mée vz. who of my selfe am blinde and ignorant good iudgment and knowledge vz. out of thy holy woorde q.d. teach mee by the light of thy holy worde in sound iudgements and knowledge to discerne betwéene trueth and falshoode for I haue beléeued vz. stedfastly thy commaundementes vz. that they are good true and holy he meaneth also by this manner of speach that hee did willingly imbrace all that which was appointed in gods lawe Ver. 67. Before I was afflicted vz from thée and by thine appointment I went astray vz. from the wayes of thy commandements but nowe vz. since thy corrections were vpon mée I kéepe vz. with a sincere and good mynde vnderstanding by kéeping obseruing and obeying thy word i. the things manifested and cōmaunded in thy word Sée Hosea 5.15 Immanuel readeth it thus when I did not yet speake i. euen from my birth I am a sinner a stranger from thy lawe and the childe of wrath as Psal 51.5 I went astray i. I was a sinner against thée as before but now I kéepe vz. diligently or in my heart meaning also that he layd it vp in his mind thy word i. thy promises Thus he applieth it to original sinne whatsoeuer it is certaine it is that hee was not deliuered from that stubbornes and peruerse rebellion wherewith all mankinde is infected but by the mighty working of Gods holy worde and spirit Ver. 68. Thou vz. O Lord art good and gracious as to all so specially to thy people sée Psal 86.5 teach me thy statutes sée ver 26.64 of this Psalme and marke howe to moue the Lord to teach him in his lawe hée setteth before him Gods bounty and goodnes Ver. 69. The proude sée ver 51. of this Psalme hee meaneth by this speach the chiefe men amongest them who were puffed vp with a peruerse and vayne trust in their honours and riches haue imagined as secretly and within themselues so cunningly and finely a lye i. false and vniust accusations hee putteth one for many against mee vz. euen to take away my life if it be possible but I will kéepe vz. through thy goodnes strength and assistaunce thy precepts i. the thinges that thou hast commaunded with my whole heart i. sincerely and vnfeignedly Ver. 70. Their heart i. their minde vnderstanding is fat as grease i. is mightily fatned so that there is nothing in it as it were but fat he meaneth by fat as grease not onely that they were puffed vp with prosperitie and so made vnapt to vnderstand holy thinges
woorde more then the ancient vz. in whom wisedome vnderstanding should specially abound partly for their experience and partly for their yeres because I kept i. labored and endeuoured to kéepe with a single and sincere heart thy precepts i. thy commandements word where the Prophet saith in al these thrée verses first that he was more wise then his enemies because that with al their subtilty craft they profited nothing in diuising his destruction and that he was better learned then euen the wise and ancient he declareth that whosoeuer he bee which shall haue brought his vnderstanding in subiection to gods word he shal find wisdom inough not only to kéepe him from the snares of his enemies but also to make him excéede his teachers in iudgment Ver. 101. I haue refrained vz. through the strength that thou hast giuen me and being instructed by thy law my féet vz. from going or walking in corruption féet also may be here vsed for affections as Ecel 4.17 from euery euil way i. not only from all corrupt courses and orders of life but also from euery prouocation which might draw me on thereto that I might kéep thy word q.d. al this I did to this end that I might testifie my obedience to thy law therfore I did take diligent héede to my selfe that I did not walk in the way of sin Ver. 102. I haue not declined vz. either to the right hand or to the left from thy iudgements i. from thy law and word which he calleth iudgments because that according therto the Lord wil iudg the world for thou diddest teach me vz. to walke in the obedience thereof q.d. If thou haddest not helde me in obedience thereof I had gone astray and he meaneth no doubt by teaching a speciall kind of teaching as when God draweth his electe vnto himselfe inwardly by his spirit Verse 103. How swéete q.d. I am not able to expresse the swéetenesse of them are thy promises vz. which thou hast made vnto thy seruaunts The word which he vseth here comprehendeth the whole doctrine of Gods word the principall part whereof is the frée couenaunte and promise of saluation and that maketh our translator to turne it promise vnto my mouth i. vnto the mouth of my hart and soule for otherwise the spirituall promises yéeld but little swéetenesse vnto the bodily mouth yea more then hony to my mouth q.d. They are more swéete and pleasaunt vnto my minde then hony is to my mouth He meaneth that with his mouth he neuer tasted anye meat how good or pleasaunt soeuer it were as he felt Gods word and specially the grace of adoption swéete and comfortable to his soule Vers 104. By thy preceptes i. by thy word I haue gotten vnderstanding vz. in great measure and abundance as before verse 93. therefore I hate vz. from the bottom of my hart al the wayes of falshood i. all false deceaueable and wicked wayes whatsoeuer Verse 97 teacheth vs two things Do. first that we ought to haue a harty affection towards Gods word secondly that we should meditate in it continually or else we can neuer profite in it Verse 98 teacheth vs that in all our affaires wée should presently conferre with Gods word Verse 98 99 100 teach vs that Gods word is only our wisedome also that knowledge of it maketh vs to excell not only our enemies but all men whatsoeuer Verse 101 teacheth vs in care and conscience to striue to abstayne not only from grosse euils but from all manner of euil whatsoeuer Verse 102 teacheth vs that if God be our guide and schoolemaister we can not go astraye and that therefore we should suffer oure selues to be lead by him Verse 103 teacheth vs that only Gods word and specially his promises are comfortable and delightfull to the consciences of his Ver. 104 teacheth vs that if we be once truly enlightened with Gods word it wil make vs loth all sinne and corruption both in our selues and others Nun. THe Prophet in this xiiii part of the Psalme Di. first commendeth the worde for the light and comfort that it yéeldeth to those that are afflicted Ver. 105.111 Secondly he declareth what a great care and loue he had to kéepe Gods Lawe Verse 106 109 110 112. Thyrdly he prayeth to the Lord not only to comfort him by his word but also to accept the thinges which shall come from him verse 107 108. Verse 105. Se. Thy word vz. O Lord is a Lanthorn i. is in stéede of a Lanthorne vnto my féete i. vnto my wayes or vnto mine affections as verse 101. and a light i. standeth in stéed of a light vnto my path i. vnto my behauioure and conuersation where in I walke as in a path He meaneth that Gods lawe did lead him out and teache him what he should doe Vnder which similitude also he teacheth vs that without the light and guidance of Gods worde the world can not go else where but in darkenesse and terrible downfalles Verse 106. I haue sworne i. I haue bound my selfe vnto God and the obedience of him by an oth and will performe it vz. thorow his strength and assistaunce who at this time hath giuen me a stedfast purpose and will hereafter adde a power that I will kéepe vz. according to the measure of grace receaued from God and as mans frailty will suffer me for he bound not himselfe to kéepe the law wholy and in euery point because that is impossible to vs thy righteous iudgements i. the rules and precepts of thy worde which containe nothing else but righteousnesse and well doing Ver. 107. I am very sore afflicted vz. in the outward man by enemies troubling me and infirmities weakning me and in the inwarde man with continuall anguish of hart and dayly assaultes O Lord quicken me i. deliuer me from death and daunger whereto I am very nigh according to thy word i. according to thy promise in thy worde sée it so vsed in this Psalme sundry times and namely verse 25 81. Verse 108. O Lord I beséech thée vz. vnfaignedly and from the bottome of my hart accept vz. in good part or of thy good pleasure only fauour and allowe the trée offerings of my mouth i. my prayers and thanks giuings which I fréely and willingly offer vnto thée they are called in other places of the scripture the calues of our lippes Hosea 14 2. and in an other place the fruit of our lippes Heb. 13.15 and teach me vz. not only to know but also to perfourme thy iudgments i. thy word and the rules thereof as sundry times before in this Psalm Ver. 109. My soule i. my life for otherwise the soule cannot bee touched and it is put for life because that whatsoeuer life this life hath it hath it from the soule is continually in my hand i. is in most present daunger of death and destruction sée 1. Samuel 28.21 also Iob. 13.14 he vseth this phrase or manner of spéech because that those things
hath thrée principal partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth that Gods excellent maiesty sheweth foorth it self in the heauens generally and particularly in the sunne from ver 1. to the end of the sixt verse In the 2. he commendeth the law of God and the knowledge that may therby be attained farre beyond the consideration of the creatures frō ver 7. to the end of the 11. In the third hee earnestly prayeth to bee deliuered from his sinnes and to be kept backe from performing any thing that might displease almightie God from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psal is expounded before sée Psal 4. ver 1. Se. The heauens i. not only the heauens thēselues the most excellent workmanship therof but al the things therein contained as Sunne Moone Starres c. Declare i. plainly set out euen as it were by speach and the firmament i. the skie and al that which in our iudgement ouerspreadeth vs whereof also in the Hebrew tongue it hath the name The worke of his hands i. that hée hath made them and not so onely but the excellencie thereof also méete for so excellent a workman to whom handes are attributed for mans weaknes sake ver 2. Day vnto day i. one day that goeth before declareth the same to the day following and that not so much for the daies sake as that man by a cōtinual reuolution and successe of the daies man might bee instructed of the power and prouidence of almightie God and by day hee meaneth in this place the day artificiall which after some is counted from the Sunne rising to the Sunne setting or after other some consisteth of xii houres vttereth i. after their maner speaketh the same i. Gods glory power night vnto night he speaketh of the artificial night which wordes also proue that the word day must be vnderstood of the day artificiall teacheth knowledge vz. touching Gods power and goodnes ver 3. There is no speach nor language vz. in them meaning as men vse to speake and yet notwithstanding we vnderstand them as it were speaking vnto vs. sée Rom. 1.20 Psal 8.1.3 mend the latter part of this verse thus and yet not without these i. speach or language is their voyce vnderstood he meaneth that though they haue not mans voyce yet do they sufficiently shewe foorth Gods praise by what meanes he noteth in the next verse ver 4. Their line i. the stretching out of the heauens as a line is gone foorth through all the earth i. hath extended from one end of the world to another and their wordes he speaketh as though they did speak into the ends of the world i. vnto the furthest part thereof q.d. there is no part of the world nor people but it is ouercouered with this excellent workmanship which serueth very well for the Prophets purpose to amplifie Gods goodnes and power in them i. in the heauens or regions of the aire hath he i. God set a tabernacle i. appointed as it were a dwelling place ver 5. Which vz. sunne commeth foorth vz. at the first arising or appearing thereof aboue our Horizon as a bridegrome out of his chamber This is one similitude seruing to expresse the glory and excellency of the sunne hee resembleth the hyding of the sunne out of our sight to a secret chamber prepared for the bridegrome till it please him to make him selfe knowen and the appearing of the Sunne to the bridegrome comming out of his chamber in his glory and excellency and reioyceth like a mightie man to runne his race This is an other similitude to expresse the swiftnes of the sunne which also is noted in the beginning of ver 6. q.d. when the sunne is once vp he goeth his race with a ready chearful ioyful mind euen as a mighty strong man runneth with a chearful noble couragious mind to the gole or marke set before him in the race resembling the Sunne to a mightie strong man and the swift passage therof round about the earth to the spéedy hast of one that runneth in a race noting also by the word reioysing the readines willingnes that this dumbe creature hath as it were to performe the course set it of God ver 6. His going out i. the rising of the sun from the end of the heauens i. from the East where the sunne riseth and his compas is vnto the endes of the same by the ends of the heauens hée vnderstandeth the foure quarters of the world and all their parts q.d. the race of the sunne which he doth so swiftly performe is from the East vnto the west in which course notwithstanding he visiteth the South the North and none or else nothing hee meaneth men or any thing else whatsoeuer For there is nothing to which the heate of the sunne commeth not I meane that quickning heate which all things féele not onely the rootes of trees plants c. But al things else that be hidden as it were in the bowels of the earth as golde water stones c. ver 7. Is perfit vz. nothing may be added to it without marring of it Prouerb 30.6 Conuerting i. turning from euil to good the soule i. the whole man inward and outward but yet he speaketh of the inward because that reformation and amendment must first bee begunne there the testimony i. the lawe vsing an other terme tending to the same ende and it is called testimonie because it witnesseth to vs what God woulde haue vs to doe is sure i. true and can neuer faile and giueth wisedome vnto the simple i. it maketh them that haue little or no skill at all in knowledge many times to excéed their teachers sée Psal 119.99 and by wisedome he meaneth not worldly wisedome condemned Rom. 8.6 but the wisedome of the spirit commended there ver 8. The statuts i. the law an other terme put for the lawe declaring that God hath decréed and appointed the same for vs to walke in are right i. void of any iniustice or corrupt dealing the cōmandement one number for an other vz. the singular for the plural an other terme put for the law because God thereby commaundeth vs to the doing or leauing vndone of this or that is pure i. free from any corruption whatsoeuer vnto the eies vz. of our mindes ver 9. The feare of the Lord i. the reuerence religion and seruice of God after some but I take it to be vsed here for the law which is called the feare of the Lord because it teacheth rules and reasons howe and wherfore he should be feared is clean vz. without any spot or shew of euil and indureth for euer i. is not subiect to alteration and chaunge as mens lawes and ordinaunces are the perpetuitie whereof teacheth vs stedfastly to continue in the same all the daies of our life The iudgements i. the lawe still which is called iudgements because it conteineth and pronounceth iudgements against the breakers therof and here is a
latter for mine own part doe I incline in his temple i. in the place wher he is publikely serued doth euery man vz. of his faithful seruants speake of his glory vz. by beholding his excellency in these his workes though the vngodly wil not acknowledge the same ver 10. The Lord sitteth i. heareth sway and exerciseth a gouernment vpon the flood the singular number for the plurall meaning by floods all waters eyther in the firmament or vnder the earth King i. Ruler and gouernour ouer all things whatsoeuer ver 11. Giue strength i. indue them with might and strength to defend thēselues and to annoy their enemies blesse his people with peace i. giue them plentifull and prosperous succes in al things Out of ver 1. we learne that great men ought to worship the Lord Do. that in the glorious sanctuarie i. in the publique places of Gods assemblies yea the more great they are the more forward they should be in this because their examples may very much preuayle Out of ver 3. so forth to the 9 we learne to feare God in his workes iudgements for if his creatures as the thunder c. are so ful of power what is his own maiesty and being ver 9. It appertayneth to his children publikely to set forth his prayses ver 10. Setteth out gods eternall prouidence and continual gouernment ver 11. Containeth two things vz. a promise of plentifull blessings vnto Gods people it sheweth also further the fountayne from whence these good things flow vz. God and his goodnesse Psalme 30. IN the first part of this Psalm the Prophet not only promiseth that he himselfe wil be thankful to the Lord Di. for benefites receaued but also exhorteth other men to do the like from ver 1. the end of the 5. In the second he sheweth how sodayne the fal is from prosperitie to aduersitie beseeching the Lord graciously to prolong his daies promising for that and other graces harty thankes from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is Se. a Psalme or song of Dauid i. which Dauid did sing at the dedication of his house vz. vnto the Lord i. to holines acceptable agréeable vnto the Lord for before it had ben defiled with Absalon his wickednes as appeareth 2. Sam. 16.22 thus doe some expound it but I rather take it to be made at the dedication of the house of Ceder which he made for it was a custome prescribed by law as appeareth Deut. 20.5 that at the setting vp of new houses this order of dedication should be obserued in whiche thankfulnesse as it should séeme was yéelded to the Lord for the worke finished praier made for the cōtinuance of his goodnes ver 1. magnifie thée i. greatly praise thée exalted me i. lifted me vp set me frée frō wonderful daungers and deaths dore as it were It is a metaphor taken from them that fell into some pit or ditche and were drawne out againe Ver. 2. I cried vnto thée and thou c. q.d. So soone as I prayed thou graciously didst graunt my request restored mee vz. to my kingdome and state after some but I rather take it to health soundnesse after some great sicknesse that he had ver 3. My soule i. Me and my life who were at the graues brinke thou hast reuiued me from thē that goe down into the pit q.d. I was euen almost with them that are buried but yet thou graciously broughtst me frō their company restoredst me to life Pit is put here for the graue as psal 28.1 ver 4. Before or as Immanuel readeth at the remembrance i. when you doe remember his holines goodnes towards you for the Lord maketh himself to be had in remembrance by his works and sheweth himself praise worthy in the same therfore the Prophet woulde haue the remembrance of his holines i. of al his goodnesse bestowed vpon his childrē putting one excellent thing in god for all the rest to bee continual amongest his faythfull people ver 5. For he i. God but a while in his anger i. his anger and wrath towards his is very short but in his fauor is life i. not only lēgth of dayes here in this life but all other good things whatsoeuer maye abyde vz. with his seruaunts and children and this is an exposition of that whiche went before vz. that his wrath was and is very shorte to those that are his ver 6. In my prosperity i. when I had al things according to my minde in mine own iudgemēt séemed out of dāger I sayd i. I thought in my harte as Psal 14.1 for it is not likely that Dauid would speake these wordes with his tongue neuer be moued vz. from this prosperous state ver 7. my mountain to stād strong i. thou establishest my kingly authority by thy power madest it to stand in my iudgement as stedfast as a mountaine hidest thy face i. withdrawest thy fauor and presence I was troubled i. so soone as I perceaued it I was in maruailous anguish affection of spirit ver 8. Then i. when I was thus troubled and afflicted ver 9. In my blood i. in my life eyther alredy past or to come go down to the pit i. die and be burried sée ver 3. of this Psalme shall the dust i. man dissolued into dust sée Psal 6.5 thy truth i. thy faithfulnes and stedfastnes which thou vsest in performing thy promises ver 11. thou hast turned vz. after praier made vnto thy maiesty my sack i. sackcloth which was a signe of mourning and heauinesse putting it for heauinesse and sorrow girded me with gladnes i. compassed me in on euery side with it sée the lyke phrase Psal 18.32 meaning that he had abundance of ioy Do. Ver. 1. God is to be praised for the defence of his seruaunts the cōfusion of his foes ver 2 the Lord is nigh to the harty praiers of his seruāts ver 3. whē we are in greatest distres thē doth god most mercifully deliuer that all the glory may be giuen to him ver 4. we must prouoke others to praise god for his goodnes ver 5. containeth a difference betwéen gods wrath mercy that euen in respect of him ver 6 Men in prosperity may easily he deceaued and puffed vp in hope of assurance aboue measure ver 7. withdrawing of Gods fauour for a while maketh vs sée our wretchednes misery ver 9. Desire of life vpon earth must be referred to the aduancement of Gods glory vpon the same or else it is not right Ver. 10. in distresse we must flée to the Lord for succour only ver 11. God graciously heareth the prayers of his seruaunts and deliuereth them from all their gréefes ver 12. teacheth that we ought to be continually thankefull to God for his mercies Psalme 31. THis Psalme hath thrée principall partes Di. First he sheweth his stedfast trust in the Lord desiring the Lord in mercy to deliuer him from
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
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
many wordes here to signifie one thing whome thou remembrest no more he meaneth not that God hath no regard at al of them that are dead but that he séemeth so as it were vnto men this hee speaketh as a man grieuously afflicted as one caryed away with the vehemency of his grief and they are cut off i. they séeme to be cut off and remoued from thy hand i. from thy care and custody Restore this whole ver out of Immanuel thus I am counted among the dead I am shut out as the slaine lying in the graue whom thou remēbrest no more who are cut off by thy hand i. by thy power iudgment so the sense shal be more plain Ver. 6. Thou hast layed me in the lowest pit i. in most great dangers and extreme perils sée Psal 86.13 in darknes and in the déepe by all these woordes hee signifieth but one thing vz. greatnes of griefe and extreme anguish sée Psalm 130.1 for déepe and that darkenes is so vsed many places of scripture shew and here the proportion woulde bee considered for darke places are ful of horror feare horror and feare do by consequent ingender sorrow and grief déep waters or places are very dangerous for men in thē that they be not ouerwhelmed or drowned therin Ver. 7. Thine indignatiō i. sure testimonies signes of thy heauy wrath lieth vz. sore vpon me thou hast vexed me i. grieued me that inwardly outwardly with al thy waues i. with al thy wrath iudgments which thou hast laid vpon me ouerwhelmed me with as the waues of a great flood or sea ouerwhelme somewhat Ver. 8. Thou hast put away my acquaintance farre from me i. thou hast made mee destitute of al mans aide succor for euē they that should haue pitied my case haue through thy appointment their harts hardened against me sée Psalm 38.11 and made me to be abhorred of them i. lothed as it were hated of them Iob complaineth also of this Chap. 19. almost throughout I am shut vp vz. in dangers troubles euen as a birde in a cage so that I can not get out and can not get forth i. I sée no way as it were how to be deliuered from thē or how to escape Ver. 9. Mine eye is sorowful through my afflictiō i. my afflictions are so grieuous that the very signes therof appeare in mine eies countenance yea his very sight decayed thereby Psal 38.10 Lord I cal dayly vpon thée q.d. yet I do not for al this discourage my selfe but call vpon thee dayly i. not only one day after an other but all the day long as it were noting his importunity I stretch out mine handes vnto thée vz. as one that woulde bee glad to receiue some fauour succor from thée he putteth in these wordes the signe of prayer or a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe Verse 10. Wilt thou shewe a miracle to the dead i. to mée who am as it were dead q.d. it shall bee very straunge if thou restore mee and all this hée speaketh setting out one while the greatnes of his misery an other while the weakenes of his fayth and an other while prouoking GOD thereby to hasten his ayde otherwise that he should not come in time or shal the dead i. others that séeme to be dead by reason of our afflictions rise vz. out of the great dangers distresses wherin they are and praise thee vz. for thy deliuerance and mercy q.d. there is little or no hope that we shal so do for I do not vnderstande this of the resurrection of the dead no more then I do that Ezech. 37. which I think wel waied would serue also for the clearing of the sense of this place Verse 11. Shall thy louing kindnes vz. which thou art wont to shewe to them bee declared in the graue i. either in great distresse or extremity or else putting it for the persons vz. for them that bée at the last push meaning it of himselfe or others q.d. when I looke vppon the hugenes of my afflictions and griefes there is litle or no hope thereof or thy faithfulnes vz. which thou vsest in kéeping performing thy promises so that wee may sée the faith of Gods children is many times wonderfully shaken in destruction i. in them that are appointed to destruction are as it were at deaths dore Ver. 12. Shal thy wonderous works be known i. made manifest in the darke vz. places putting it for afflictions as before ver 6. of this Psal and thy righteousnes vz. which thou shewest towards thine when thou giuest them that which thou hast promised them in the land of obliuiō or forgetfulnes i. in the graue which he calleth the land of forgetfulnes because that they which are dead are soone forgotten and all this hee speaketh by the way of a continual metaphor as it were to expresse the greatnes of his misery afflictions not otherwise as I take it Ver. 13 But vnto thée q.d. notwithstanding all my afflictions the great combats that I haue indured betwéene faith and dispaire vnto thée vz. alone none other besides thée haue I cryed O Lorde i. powred forth mine earnest hearty supplications and earely q.d. yea and though thou shalt not heare me at the first yet I wil not leaue of prayer and earely vz. in the morning sée Psal 5.3 shall my prayer come before thée i. I wil pray vnto thée not meaning as though either God or he were tyed to that time but because hée woulde vse that time wherein he found himselfe best affected to prayer Ver. 14. Lorde why doest thou reiect my soule i. why doest thou séeme to despise and neglect me vnderstanding by soule which is a part of man the whole man and hydest thy face from me q.d. what is the cause that thou turnest thy countenaunce from mee as though thou wert angry with mee and diddest despise both mee and my prayers all this is spoken of God according to mans capacity and after the iudgement of flesh Verse 15. I am afflicted vz. greatly and on euery side the Prophet fetcheth an argument from his misery to moue the Lorde with spéede to pity and helpe him and at the poynt of death i. ready euen to dye and as it were at the last gaspe vnlesse thou ayd and strengthen me from my youth i. continually the Prophet noteth his daily griefe continual exercises I suffer thy terrors i. such punishments and troubles as thou laiest vpon me which do wonderfully pierce me with terror feare doubting of my life i. doubting what shal become of my life vz. whether I shal dye presently I know not or whether these vexations shal cōtinue longer vpon me I know not euen al the days of my life Ver. 16. Thine indignation i. thy manifold wrath and very many signes and tokens of the same for hée speaketh in the plural number go ouer me i.
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
the singular to the plural vnderstanding by this word he euery man Verse 6. In the morning i. before it bee cutte downe and the heate of the Sunne parche it it flourisheth and groweth that is the grasse prospereth and thriueth but in the euening vz. towardes the declining of the sunne at whiche time husbandmen suppose the grasse will cutte better and the mowers the heat of the daye being somewhat spent are the better able to indure labour it is cut down vz. by the mower with his sythe withereth vz. somewhat that night before the sunne set and so is more and more withered with the heate of the sunne the daye or dayes following q.d. Euen so fareth it with mans life for by this similitude he noteth the breuitie and shortnesse thereof a very vsuall thing in the scripture Isaiah 40.6 1 Pet. 1.24 Iam. 1.10.11 Ver. 7. For we are consumed by thyne anger he séemeth to allude to some great and particular iudgement layde vpon the people of which sée Num. 14. q.d. Our case by reason of thy iudgement sore vpon vs is more gréeuous then other mens cases are and by thy wrath vz. agaynste vs for our sinnes wée are troubled vz. verye sore and on euerye syde stricken as it were with greate feare Verse 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee vz. that so thou mightest remember them and punishe vs for them and vz. thou hast set our secret sinnes i. the sinnes which we our selues though not of and therefore supposed were hidden before thée in the light of thy countenaunce i. openly in thy sight and before thy face Ver. 9. For all our dayes i. al the dayes of our life are past vz. already so that they cannot be called back agayn in thine anger vz. against vs for our sinnes we have spent our yeres i. the yeares of our life are gone as a thought i. sodainly as a thought commeth into our minds and passeth away again so sodainly are our dayes passed some read as a word or a tale that is tolde whatsoeuer it be the sence commeth all to one end vz. to note the vanitie shortnesse of mans life Verse 10. The time of our life is thréescore yeares and tenne i. ordinarilye and commonlye men liue not beyonde it yea if there be one that reacheth vnto it there are a hundred which dye before and if they be of strength i. if eyther the dayes of our life or the parties themselues haue thorow Gods blessing more strength then other men haue foure skore yeares vz. at the vttermoste q.d. That is the greatest age which almost they come vnto yet their strength q.d. that strength and excellency whereof commonly they brag boast is but labor and sorrow i. conteineth nothing in it but al maner of affliction toile gréefe dayly experience of the most aged men doth sufficientlye prooue the same vnto vs for it is cut off i. that same excellent strength and force of men which they bragge of is by death thorowe Gods appoyntmente made nothing and that quicklye vz. in the twinckling of an eye or in the turning of a hande and wée vz. mortall men that were flie awaye i. wee quicklye departe oute of this world and lyfe Verse 11. Who knoweth the power of thy wrath q.d. None at all though thy hande bée heauye vppon vs or of thyne anger according to thy feare i. who standeth in awe of thyne anger so much as thou and it oughtest to be feared for so must the latter part of this verse be read oute of Immanuel As for that in the Geneua text for according to thy feare is thine anger i. men féele thine anger according to the feare that they haue conceaued of thée caryeth with it as little or no sence in regarde of the place so lesse truth because Gods iudgements doe many times lye heauie vpon those men that haue no feare of his iudgements at all Verse 12. Teache vs so to number our dayes i. make vs so to vnderstand how shorte a space we haue to liue that we may apply our harts vnto wisdome i. that we may thereby become more circumspecte and héedye howe we spende euen that shorte tyme that we haue Verse 13. Returne vz. to vs in mercye and loue i. shewe some signes of thy fauour and grace q.d. hitherto thou haste bene angrye agaynste vs nowe at the length shew some fauoure towards vs O Lorde howe long vz. wilte thou bee angrye with vs and shewe vs the testimonyes of thy wrath and bee pacifyed towardes thy seruauntes i. take pleasure gentlye and graciously to handle vs whome thou haste vouchsafed worthye of this honour to be called thy seruaunts Verse 14. Fill vs with thy mercye i. make vs féele thy goodnesse in greate abundaunce and plentifullye in the morning i. eyther in the flower of our age as ver 5. of this Psalme or else in time conuenient as sundry times before some take it to be put for continually so shall we reioyce and be glad i. so we shal not only haue occasion of reioycing and gladnesse but we wil also performe prayses vnto thée for the same al our dayes i. al the dayes of our life or so long as we liue sée Psalm 146.1 Verse 15. Comfort vz. with thy grace goodnesse and fauour vs vz. now afflicted according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs vz. in Egypt as maye appeare from Exod. 1. to the 12. chapter q.d. graunt that the comfort which we shall receiue from thée may be equall yea more with the calamities which we haue indured and according to the yeares i. let thy comfort be aunswerable to the multitude of yeares that we haue séene euill i. wherein wee haue suffered and borne affliction or punishmente For euill is vsed here as Amos 3 6. no doubte in consyderation of the weakenesse and corruption of their owne nature and of the multitude of afflictions that commonlye lye vpon them and of the hardnesse to apply Gods fauour and goodnesse towardes them the godly had néed to pray that Gods graces may rather excéed their miseries then be equal with them or like vnto them Ver. 16. More playnly the wordes would be placed thus let thy worke toward thy seruaunt bee séene i. let that which thou wilt doe for thy seruaunts for vnder one he meaneth all the rest of the people appeare and be made manifest before men vnderstanding by the worde Worke some singular protection sauegarde and delyueraunce that GOD should worke for his people and thy glorye i. and let thy glory also appeare not only vpon them or towardes them but also vpon their children i. vppon their whole race and posteritie so that there are two endes touched in this verse the one is Gods glorye the other is the sauegard of Gods people and the defence of their séede Verse 17. And let the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs first marke how he changeth the person from the second to the third next that
of thy promises in the night i. euery night by these two woordes morning and night hée meaneth continuall thankesgiuing for as his goodnes and trueth abydeth towardes vs continually so it behoueth vs to giue continuall all thankes vnto him for the same Ver. 3. Vpon an instrument of ten stringes and vpon the viole sée before Psalm 33.2 with the song vppon the harp hée meaneth that the song and the tune of the song played vpon the harpe shoulde both goe together And in this verse he speaketh not onely according to the vse that was then vnder the lawe at what times musicall instruments and songes were a part of the tutorshippe of the Iewes but meaning somewhat further vz. that men shoulde inforce themselues what in them laye to prayse the Lord earnestly by all the meanes they could Ver. 4. For thou Lorde hast made mée glad vz. both inwardly and outwardly so that both my soule and my body reioyce by thy workes i. by the contemplation and consideration of thy works in which thou settest forth thy great maiesty mercy power wisedome c. and euen thy whole selfe as it were and I will reioyce q.d. séeing thou hast giuen me so great and so good an occasion I will not faile but be glad therein in the workes of thine handes i. in the excellent things that thou thy selfe hast by thy almighty power created and made he attributeth handes to God because hée speaketh of him according to mans capacity and not that he hath any handes at all Ver. 5. O Lorde howe glorious are thy workes q.d. they are so great and ful of maiesty that no tongue is able to expresse it nor heart effectually conceiue the excellency of them and thy thoughtes are very déepe i. thy counsels purposes and manners of doing are incomprehensible and passe al vnderstanding of men The interrogation and exclamation which the Prophet vseth in this place doe sufficiently declare that God otherwise gouerneth mankynde then al mans reason is able to conceiue Verse 6. An vnwise man i. a wicked man which also he vnderstandeth by foole afterwardes the worde which hée vseth signifieth brutish as a beast meaning him that giueth himselfe ouer to his sensualitie and pleasure beastlike not regarding either Gods woorkes or his worde sée Psalm 28.5 so that wee sée what account he is of before God vz. estéemed as a bruit beast knoweth it not i. neither cōsidereth neither approueth the excellency of thy workes and iudgements and a foole i. a wicked and vngodly person as Psalm 14.1 and also generally throughout the whole booke of Prouerbs doth not vnderstande this vz. which followeth vz. that the wicked and vngodly for al their florishing state shall come to perpetual ruine and decay no they vnderstand it not though it please thée O Lorde in other mens persons to giue them dayly experience and tryall thereof Ver. 7. When the wicked growe i. increase and florish prosper and triumph as the grasse hee meaneth hereby not onely their florishing estate but withall secretly hee setteth out their quicke and flitting estate of which see before Psal 90.5.6 and al the workers of wickednes i. all they that worke wickednesse with gréedinesse delight and pleasure doe florish vz. in this worlde and here marke that if the parenthesis in the Geneua text were left out the sense woulde bee very plaine that they shal bee destroyed vz. from amongest men and that through Gods iudgements for euer yea and for euer meaning the eternall punishment that shall light vppon them Ver. 8. But thou O Lord art most high for euermore Sée the note in the Geneua Bible for the sense of this text but I rather like Immanuels translation which readeth it thus And that thou O most high art the Lorde for euermore q.d. this is an other thing beside the former which the wicked forget vz. that thou rulest and gouernest all thinges according to the good pleasure of thine owne will and power Ver. 9. For loe thine enemies O Lorde i. those that set themselues againste thée for loe thine enemies O Lorde shal perish vz. through thy mighty iudgements and this repeating of the thing twise together with that terme lo doubled do note the certaintie assurednes thereof al the workers of iniquitie sée before ver 7. of this Psal and these words all the workers of wickednes shal be destroyed vz. as things broken into pieces and shal vanish away as matters of no regarde Verse 10. But thou shalt exalt mine horne i. thou shalt not onely increase but also cause to be reuerenced my strength like the vnicornes vz. either horne or strength whose horne howe greatly it is estéemed experience teacheth for the strength of it you may sée Deut. 33.17 Num. 24.8 and I shal be annoynted he speaketh this according to the manner of the countrey wherein hee liued vnderstanding by annointing powring forth vz. of giftes and hauing also the same giftes bestowed vppon him with freshe oyle vz. whiche hath not lost his strength and power hee meaneth that hee shall not onelye inioye but bee adorned also with the graces and benefites of GOD sée Psalme 23.5 Verse 11. Mine eye also shall sée my desire vz. executed against mine enemies hee meaneth that he shoulde behold his enemies plagued and punished vnderstanding by the word enemies such as looked narrowly to his behauiour and hoped to sée destruction come vpon him the same worde is vsed Psal 5.8 when hée speaketh here of desires and wishes hee meaneth not such hasty and rash wishes as we are prouoked to through the corruption and malice of our own hartes neither as though hee desired any thing against Gods will but being throughly perswaded of the obstinate malice of the vngodly on the one side Gods iudgements ready to be powred forth vppon them on the other side for their sinnes he vttereth these spéeches and mine eares shall heare vz. by true and faithful report q.d. my hearing as well as my féeling shal be satisfied my wish vz. accomplished and performed against the wicked that rise vp against me vz. with al their force and power q.d. I shal sée them ouerthrown Ver. 12. The righteous i. he whome God accepteth as righteous and frameth to righteousnes shall florish vz. through Gods grace and goodnes towardes him like a palme trée some thinke the iust to bee compared to a palme trée for the swéetnes of the fruite which for mine owne part I sée no reason of The Rabbines and amongest the rest Abeu Ezra thinke them to be compared to palme trées for their lastingnes All knowe this and Plinie also maketh mention of it that the nature of this trée is though when weight is layd vppon it bende and bowe somewhat yet the weight being remoued it standeth vpright again and spreadeth it selfe so the faithfull notwithstanding their affliction shall when their miseries are remoued recouer newe strength and come to more force then they haue had before and shal grow vz.
i. is prepared and layde vp and yet lyeth hid as it were séede committed to the earth which shall in good time come forth sée Colossians 3.3.4 1. Cor. 12.12.1 Iohn 3.2 The Metaphor that he vseth in this place is excellent q.d. Euen as wheate or other séede cast into the earth dyeth and lyeth hidde for a certayne while before it waxe gréene and bring forth fruite so the iust suffer manye thinges before they féele ioye but theire ioye shall in good time bee made manifest and they shall haue great increase and store thereof as of one grayne cast into the grounde commeth plentie and abundaunce of Corne for the righteous i. for them whome GOD frameth to righteousnesse of life and holye conuersation and ioye this sheweth playnlye what he meant by light vz. ioye both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come for the vprighte in harte i. for them that are voyde of hypocrisie and dissymulation Sée Psalme 33 1. Verse 12. Reioyce yée vprighteous in the Lorde q.d. Let him bee the matter of your ioye that doth suche great thinges for you and giue thankes vz. vnto him onelye for his holye remembraunce these wordes maye haue a double sence eyther thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that it pleaseth him that is holye to thinke vppon and to remember you or else thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that you haue good and often occasion giuen you by his continuall graces bestowed vppon you to remember and thinke vppon him that is holye and iust and this latter I take to bee the more simple Verse 1. Teacheth vs that it is a matter of great ioye Do. to knowe that the Lorde ruleth and gouerneth all thinges Verse 2. teacheth vs what greate power and iustice is in the Lorde Verse 3. teacheth vs that the wicked and vngodly shall not escape vnpunished Verse 4. teacheth vs that the least of Gods creatures is able to terrifie all the world Verse 5 sheweth that nothing is able to withstand the Lord in his purposes and that the strongest and gretest thinges are as nothing before him Verse 6. teacheth vs that Gods goodnesse and vprightnesse are so cleare euen in his creatures as none can pretend ignoraunce Verse 7 teacheth two things first that we may pray agaynst idols and Idolaters secondlye it sheweth what greate iudgementes shall ouertake them Verse 8 teacheth the godly to reioyce euen in Gods iudgementes executed vpon the wicked Verse 9 setteth out the excellency maiestie and almightie power of God Verse 10 teacheth first that our hatred and lothing of euill must be a seale of the law of God in our harts secondlye that God hath more then a fatherly care ouer the liues of those that be his and thirdly the wicked for all their power can not doe what they would against Gods children Verse 11. teacheth that howsoeuer the good be afflicted for a time yet is abundaunce of ioy layde vp for them Verse 12 teacheth the faithfull to shew themselues alwayes thankefull to God Psalme 98 Di. THis Psalme contayneth thrée speciall parts In the first hee exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord shewing some causes that should lead them so to doe Verse 1.2.3 In the seconde he sheweth how this thanksgiuing and prayfe should be yéelded to the Lord and that is partly with the voyce and songes and partly with musicall instruments Verse 4.5.6 In the thyrde parte by exhorting dumbe creatures to yéelde thankes vnto the Lord he prouoketh men to the performaunce of that excellente and holye duetye Verse 7.8.9 Se. The Title a Psalme this hath bene expounded before and namely Psal 3. and Psalme 4 in the title Verse 1. Sing vnto the Lord a new song sée for this Psalme 96. verse 1. for hée vz. alone hath done vz. by his power and might marueylous thinges i. matters to be wondred at and farre passing the reache of man his right hand vz. alone meaning by right hand his almightye strength and power and his holy arme i. the arme of him that is holye yea holinesse it selfe vnderstanding by arme the same thing hee did by hande vz. might and strength hath gotten him i. him himselfe and in him his Church the victory vz. against all his and their enemies The Prophet meaneth that God deliuered his Church from the enemies thereof not by the meanes of man or any accustomed order but by his owne power and strength sée Psalm 44 2.3 also Isaiah 59 16. and agayne Isaiah 63.5 Ver. 2. The Lord declared vz. by the meruailous and great workes which he hath done his saluation i. his gracious deliueraunce of his Church out of al daungers and distresses and this is called his saluation because he is the only worker of it and doeth fréely bestowe the same vppon his people and his righteousnesse i. his faythfull and vprighte executing of iustice and iudgemente hath hée reuealed vz. in his mightye and marueylous workes in the sighte of the Nations i. openly not only before the Iewes but before all other Nations of the worlde Verse 3. He hath remembred i. he hath not onelye thoughte vpon but in his remembraunce performed his mercye and his truth i. his gracious goodnesse and his faythfull promises made towardes the house of Israell i. to the people of the Iewes whome hée calleth the house of Israell because they procéeded from Iaakob who was also called Israell and came from him as from one stocke or Fountayne all the endes of the earth i. all the partes and quarters of the worlde and some people inhabiting the same haue séene vz. playnly and sensibly meaning by this spéech that they haue bin made partakers of the saluations vz. mercifully promised graciously to be performed in Christ of our GOD i. of that true and euer liuing GOD whome we serue He speaketh here no doubt of the calling of the Gentiles and of those gracious promises expressed Genesis 12.3 Genesis 22.18 Verse 4. All the earth i. all people inhabiting the earth q.d. Consider this great benefyte euerye one of you and chearefullye prayse the Lorde for it sing yée lowde i. prayse him willinglye and openlye vnto the Lorde vz. who hath bestowed these greate graces vppon you crye out q.d. inforce your selfe to prayse him and reioyce vz. for the mercies which you haue receaued and sing prayses vz. continually and that to the Lorde who hath dealt so fauourablye with you as to make you of no people a people vnto himselfe The Prophet repeateth one and the selfe same thinges vnder diuers termes not only to expresse his own earnestnesse but also to declare mens dulnesse in the performaunce thereof and with all to expresse that the thinges themselues giuen from God and receaued of vs are so excellent that we can neuer be sufficient thankefull for the same Ver. 5. Sing praise vz. for the grace and blessinges receaued to the Lorde vz. who hath freely giuen the same vppon the Harpe i. vppon musicall instrumentes vnderstanding by one many or
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
cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour is the fountayne of all woe disquietnesse death c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy and to pray for the continuaunce thereof Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue and carefully to labour the performance thereof Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regarded in Gods sight Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde Psalme 105 Di. THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies shewing who they are that shoulde doe it from the first verse to the ende of the sixte In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them from the tyme of their firste calling till their comming oute of Egipt from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme declaring who made it yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8 c. that Dauid made it and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107 following al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God partly for his graces towards the Church Psalme 103 and generallye towardes all creatures Psalme 104 and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by trying and correcting them Psalme 105 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men Psalme 107. Verse 1. Prayse the Lord vz. all ye good and faythful people he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued and call vpon his name i. feare his Maiesty but specially pray vnto him putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole declare vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place his workes i. the maruaylous thinges that hée hath done among the people vz. not onely of Iudea but of the whole earth Verse 2. Sing vnto him sing prayse vnto him vz. alone the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp and also to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe and talke vz. amongest your selues openlye and euerye where of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you and your Fathers so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remembraunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs. Verse 3. Reioyce in his holye name i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his which besydes the excellencye thereof contayneth in it holinesse also lette the hearte i. the inwarde affection as well as the outwarde behauiour of them that séeke the Lorde vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde seruing of him according to his will reuealed in his worde reioyce vz. in the Lorde and bée glad euen for this that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him Verse 4. Séeke the Lorde vz. earnestlye and that euen now while hée maye bée founde as Isaiah 55.6 and his strength 1. the Arke of the Couenaunte from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61. séeke his face i. the arke of couenaunte whiche is also called Gods face because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse towards his people continually i. so long as you liue q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie Verse 5. Remember i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him his marueilous workes i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people he calleth thē maruailous because the Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē euen so that a man might easily iudge that they came from him that he hath done vz. in time heretofore and that for you your fathers his wonders i. the strange things which he hath done far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit and the iudgementes of his mouth i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others and also the law and word he hath giuen vnto you for I would referre it to both these Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh his seruaunt i. that serued GOD hee setteth before them their Fathers example the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye ye children of Iaakob i. O ye that come of Iaakob wch are his elect i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations and here he vseth another reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience Verse 7. Hée vz. alone and none other but he is the Lord our God i. he that gouerneth vs and vpon whome we our selues depend his iudgementes vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse meaning by iudgements punishments are thorow all the earth i. are made manifest in all the world though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same or else we may take iudgements for rule guiding and gouernment so you haue the word to iudge vsed Psalm 98 9. meaning that Gods gouernment was stretched thorow out all the world Verse 8. He hath alway remembred his couenaunt and promise vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts mening by remembred not only thinking vppon it but also the execution and performaunce of it that he made vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse to a thousand generations i. not only to infinite numbers of people putting a nūber certayne for an vncertayne but also to last and indure for euer Verse 9. Euen that vz. couenaunt which he made with Abraham vz. our Father sée Genesis 12 2 3 and his oth vnto Isaak sée Genesis 26.3.4 c. and hee vseth the word oth to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed betwéene God and the people Verse 10. And since vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak meaning after their death hath confirmed it vz. both
all that faile thē of any thing that is méet for thē it teacheth also that nothing is done without gods prouidēce ver 18 setteth out the hard hartednes of the wicked the miserable estate that the Godly many times are brought vnto Ver. 19 sheweth that there is a time set with God wherein he wil deliuer his out of danger cleare thē from al false slanderous accusations wch time it behoueth thē with patience to wayte for Ver. 20 sheweth that God wil make euen Princes to pity his poore seruants Verse 21 sheweth that after long humbling God wil exalt his seruants very highly the same lesson doth ver 22 deliuer Ver. 23 sheweth that God hath many wayes to bring his purposes to passe as for the deliuery of his people out of Egipt which he had promised to bring them into Egipt by the means of the famin Iosephs being there Verse 24 teacheth iij. things first that al increase is of the Lord secondly that do men what they can to hinder Gods purposes they cannot preuaile thirdly that euen thē whē men striue most against God his people then doth he make them principally to flourish Ver. 25 teacheth that gods prouidence and counsel entreth euen vnto wicked mēs harts that they cānot hate or loue the good without Gods sufferance the power that he giueth thē therto yet hée remaineth pure frō al euil holy and as it were an excellent workeman who in performing his work bringeth good out of euil light out of darknes Ver. 26 teacheth that God doth by means worke the deliuerance of his people wch should teach vs to vse means secondly it sheweth that none should take vpō them any office but they that are sent of God as was Moses Aaron Ver. 27 Teacheth men faithfully to do those things that God hath giuen them in charge to perform Ver. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 teach especially two things First that nothing is don either in heauen or earth but by the very finger power of almighty god secondly that God hath al his creatures at cōmaundement to vse thē at his pleasure for the plaguing punishing of the vngodly Besides this Ver. 30. teacheth that God in pouring forth his iudgemēts is not partial to any person sparing kings or Princes Ver. 31.34 declare that euen Gods word is his déed for when he speaketh any thing it is done as appeareth in the creation Gen. 1. Ver. 37.38 39 40 41 42 43 44 teach first that God maketh al his creatures to serue for the good of his children secondly that euery good thing they haue they haue from the Lord only But more particularly Verse 37 teacheth vs that siluer gold strength c. are the Lords gifts Ver. 38 sheweth that God can make the very name and countenances of his seruaunts feareful to them which had oppressed them Ver. 39 teacheth what a cōtinual care watchfulnes the Lord hath ouer his seruants to kéep thē frō dangers things that might annoy them Ver. 42 teacheth vs that Gods frée promises are the cause of all our goodnes blessednes both in this life the life to come Ver. 45 teacheth vs that the end wherefore God bestoweth al blessings vpon vs is that we should imploy our selues more diligently and faithfully in his seruice which if we do we shal bee sure of his graces in great abundaunce and continuance which if we do not we may for a time haue and inioy many outward things as the vngodly haue but the very hauing of them will be in the end to our great iudgement Psalme 106 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée especiall partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise God and yet considering his own weaknes the excellency of gods works he thinketh himself and others far vnméete for it and yet notwithstanding goeth forward to pray both for himself and his people from verse 1 to the ende of the 6. In the second part he doth largely resite as the singular graces and goodnes of God towardes their forefathers so their particular rebellions and iniquities multiplyed against God who had bene so good vnto thē with the iudgements also that for those sins he layd vpon them from verse 7. to the end of the 46. Now gods mercies are resited ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 22 30 31 43 44 45 46. Their sinnes ver 7 13 14 16 19 20 21 24 25 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39. Their punishments verse 15 17 18 23 26 27 29 32 40 41 42. In the third part hée prayeth the Lord to gather together the dispersion of his people by which it should séeme that this Psalm was made when they were in some captiuity eyther in Babilon or vnder Antiochus promising therefore to prayse his holye name and inuiting others to doe the like and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme The title is praise ye the Lord by this we may sée that it was a Psal appointed Se. to stir vp men to the praysing of god Sée the last verse of Psal 104. also in some measure to cōfort thēselues with the consideratiō of gods former graces Ver. 1. Praise ye vz. O ye faithful and good people the Lord vz. only and none but him because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy endureth for euer this is another cause why they shoulde prayse the Lord because his mercy towards his is perpetual neuer shal haue end Ver. 2. Who vz. amongst al his creatures can expresse i. is able eyther by thought to conceaue or by words to declare the noble actes of the Lorde i. the greate and singular workes of creation preseruation c. of all his creatures more particularly of men but most specially of his children or shewe all his prayse i. the prayse that he doth deserue for the same The Prophet vttereth not this as though he would haue vs vtterly leaue off to prayse God because we cānot thorowly sufficiently perform it but that considering on the one side our own weakenes we should earnestly pray the Lord to strengthen vs thereto and on the other side the excellency of his works shoulde indeuour what wee maye to praise him therfore knowing that he accepteth vs according to that we haue not according to that we haue not Ver. 3. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement Imman readeth it in my mind better thus that kéepe this order vz. of praising magnifying God for his graces though they cannot do that which either they would or should do righteousnes at al times i. that do continually frame their life as an euident patern and a constant and perpetuall example of the prayse of God for so I suppose righteousnesse in this place to be vsed Verse 4. Remember me vz. thy poore and vnworthy Seruaunt hee meaneth not that God doth at any time forget
be so much blood shead that the conqueror may drink as it were of a riuer of blood in the way vz. as he pursueth his enemies or else it is a similitude taken from valiaunt and mighty captains who egerly pursuing their enemies stay not vpon dainties or pleasures but content thēselues with flouds and brookes which they finde in the way as they follow the chase therfore shall he i. God the Father lift vp his head i. Christs head meaning by this phrase that he shal giue him a ful victory and aduance him to excéeding glory for this phrase or maner of spéech sée Gen. 40.13.20 Ver. 1 teacheth many things Do. first a distinction betwéen the person of the father and the person of the sonne in the godhead secondly it proueth Christ to be God equal with his father thirdly that howsoeuer christs enemies prosper for a while yet they shal al be brought down come to nothing Ver. 2 teacheth that Gods word is as it were the réede and scepter of Christs kingdom secondly that he shal rule notwithstanding al the force power of his aduersaries Verse 3 teacheth that gods people shal come willingly to Christ also that Gods people are not only a great nūber but also a holy sanctified sort Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God is certayne and sure in al his promises and purposes also it doth liuely effectually describe the eternall priesthood of our Sauiour Christ Ver. 5 teacheth that there is no power or might able to withstand the power of Christes kingdom Ver. 6 setteth out first the inlarging of the bands of Christs kingdom secondly the confusion of his malicious enemies and thirdly the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of Antichrist and all his supposes Ver. 7 describeth not only the redinesse of our sauiour Christ in pursuing the victory vpon his enemies but also how that though he be for a while debased yet he shal in the end maugre their heads rise vp to great glory Psalme 111. Di. I Suppose that this Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet promiseth to praise God for his works generally shewed from verse 1 to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth his graces goodnesse particularly towards his church and this reacheth from verse 5 to the ende of the 9. The third is a commendation of Gods feare and reason alleaged to moue men to imbrace it and this is comprehended in the last verse Se. For the Title of this Psalm sée the title of Psal 106. which is the same with this and the two next following This Psalm that which followeth was in the verses written according to the order of the Alphabet euery verse beginning in the first and second part of it with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet The Iewes suppose that the Psalmes which begin so are very excellent as Psa 25. also Psal 119. c. and I take it to be true but I suppose there may be another cause added and that is to helpe memory Ver. 1. I wil praise the Lord vz. for his graces mercies bestowed vpō me with my whole hart i. earnestly with a sincere affectiō meaning also that he would do it priuately as it were within himselfe as by the next words he noteth that he wil do it openly in the assembly and congregation of the iust q.d. yea I wil perform it not inwardly only but outwardly and openly also that in these méetings which the faythful vse wherin they assēble to offer the sacrifices of praise thanksgiuing Ver. 2. The works of the Lord i. the things that the Lord hath done are great i. conteyne in them great matter to moue mē to praise God for the same and ought to be soughte out i. should diligētly be looked vnto considered of not that the things thēselues are so hard as to note what mēs duty is in that behalf of al thē that loue them i. take delight pleasure in thē as the godly alwayes do Ver. 3. His worke i. al the creatures of God both generally and particularly euery thing that he hath don whatsoeuer it be and he shutteth them al vp as it were vnder one because with the Lord it is alone to make one or many or all is beautifull and glorious i. is ful of comlines maiesty excellency c. so that nothing can be added therto to make it more maiestical his righteousnes i. the vpright faithfull dealing which God vseth toward al his creatures indureth for euer i. is alwayes like vnto itself frée from alteration or change Ver. 4. He i. God hath made his wonderful works vz. by the excellēcy wonderfulnes of them to be had in remembraunce vz. amongst men q.d. God hath done such excellēt and notable things as are not only worthy to be remembred but suche as the remembrence thereof indéede shall neuer perish the Lord is merciful and full of compassion vz. generally towards all but especially towardes his owne seruauntes and people sée Psalme 86.5.15 Verse 5. He hath giuen vz. of his rich and large liberality a portion i. a plentiful and iust measure of mercy euē so much as he thought good to be néedful necessary vnto them the feare him i. vnto them the worship serue him acording to his wil reuealed in his word this he speaketh specially of the Iewes because they at that time were his only people he wil euer be mindful vz. not only to think vpon but also to performe of his couenant vz. made with his people he meaneth of the couenant it self of the things conteined therin Ver. 6. He hath shewed vz. in déede effect and truth to his people i. to that people whom he hath peculiarly chosen to be his own for otherwise all the people of the world are his the power of his works i. how mighty and powerful his works are who doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him in giuing vz. of his frée mercy vnto them i. vnto his own people the heritage of the heathen i. that land which the heathen did possesse and inhabit as their own inheritaunce And this he speaketh of the lande of Canaan wherein dwelte the Ammorits the Hinnits c. Ver. 7. The works of his hands i. the works that he doth putting this word works for al that cōmeth frō god whether it be words or déeds are truth i. faithfulnes mercy and that towards his children iudgment i. punishment vz towards the wicked al his statutes i. the lawes and commaundements that he hath prescribed are true i. not only faithfull but constant also durable so that they ar neuer called back of him neither cā any escape thē by shifts starting holes Ver. 8. They are established vz. in the heauen euen on earth amongst men for euer and euer i. to last and indure for euer and are done i. ordained made and ratifyed in truth and equity i. in al vprightnes so that they cannot be
proposed as the rule of my life Verse 11. I haue hid vz. as it were in a case or chest thy promise i. thy worde he putteth one part of the word for the whole in mine heart i. secretlye and within me not meaning otherwist but that he had them there to remember them to his comfort and profite In the new Testament Luke 2 18 51 it is expressed by an other phrase as where Mary is sayd to haue kepte all these sayings in hir hart and to haue pondered them there Hee meaneth that hée locked vp as it were Gods lawe in his hart for feare of Sathans embushes and assaults that I might not sinne vz. any manner of way or at any time such a minde and will he had though there wanted abilitie to perform it agaynst thée vz. O Lord Verse 12. Blessed art thou O Lord i. praysed or worthye of all prayses by reason of thy goodnesse wisedome iustice and mercy teach me vz. not only to knowe but also to doe thy statutes i. the rules that thou hast appointed for me to walke in so that nothing is or ought to bée the rule of our life but Gods ordinaunce only Verse 13. With my lippes i. with my mouth and the wordes of my mouth hee putteth one instrumente whereby the voyce is framed for all instrumentes appertaining thereto and for wordes expressed by the same haue I declared vz. openly that others also might thereby learne them all the iudgementes of thy mouth i. all thy commaundements which thou hast vttered as playnely as can bée sée iudgements put for commaundements ver 7 of this Psalme and mouth is attributed to God according to mans capacity q.d. I haue not only hidden thy lawe in my hart as ver 11. but I haue often and openly spoken of the same And this is not a vaine brag that he maketh but rather serueth to shew that he did the part of a good and faithful scholler and to make himselfe an example that others might follow him Ver. 14. I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies i. to walke according to the rules orders that thy law prescribeth as in all riches vz. that euer I had or might haue had q.d. I haue taken as great pleasure in kéeping thy statutes as euer I did in gathering great riches together Ver. 15. I will meditate vz. earnestly and continually as Psal 1.2 in thy precepts i. in thy law which thou hast giuen and commaunded as a rule of life and consider vz. déepely and diligently thy wayes i. those wayes that he had prescribed men to walke in meaning his law and commaundements sée ver 3. of this Psalme and not as though God were tied to any wayes in respecte of himselfe Verse 16. I will delight vz. all the dayes of my life and this the Prophet speaketh not as though he had strength of himselfe but assuring himselfe of the continuaunce of Gods loue towardes him in whome he shoulde bée made able to doe it in thy statutes i. in thy law and word and I will not forget i. I carry with me this minde and purpose not to forget thy word i. not only the word it selfe but the thinges layde vpon men by the same worde to bée performed and done Verse 9 teacheth Do. firste that yong men had néede to striue the subduing of euill because affections boyle most in them secondly that Gods word rightlye and reuerently vsed is an effectuall meane to ouercome iniquity Ver. 10. teacheth vs vnfeignedly to cleaue to the Lord our God also to pray the Lord to kéepe vs for otherwise we can not stand in the obedience of his truth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that euen the promises of Gods word rightly considered are good means to beat down sinne Verse 12 sheweth that till God instructe vs wee are blind and ignoraunt also that we should dayly pray for increase of knowledge and vnderstanding Verse 13 teacheth vs boldly and openly to make profession of Gods word Ver. 14 teacheth vs that Gods word should be more pleasaunte vnto vs then all worldlye Treasure Verse 15 teacheth vs not onely barelye to reade but also déepelye to consider and continuallye to meditate in Gods word Verse 16 teacheth vs first that our delight in Gods law is a good step to godlinesse secondly that forgetfulnesse of Gods word is a great meane why sinne preuaileth against many Gimel Di. THis is the third letter of the hebrew Alphabet and serueth to note out the thirde part of the Psalme which containeth thrée speciall things first the prayers that the Prophet maketh for himselfe ver 17 18 19 22 secondly Gods iudgements against the wicked verse 21. Thirdly the earnest desire which the Prophet had to walke in the obedience of Gods law Se. Verse 17. Be beneficial i. be thus mercifull vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto mée thy seruaunt that I may liue vz. here vpon the earth so long time as thou shalt sée the same to be good and conuenient and kéepe vz. vnfaignedlye and with a good hart what I maye both in thoughte worde and déede thy word vz. reuealed and made manifest vnto mée q.d. shewe thy selfe fauourable vnto me and graunt me grace to imploy the whole life that thou shalt giue mee in the seruice of thée according to thy lawe and this is the ende of our life here Verse 18. Open vz. by the mightye working and brightnesse of thy holy spirit mine eyes vz. of my mind and vnderstanding that I maye sée vz. by the eyes of fayth the wonders of thy lawe i. the secretes which are contayned therein and he calleth the doctrine and precepts of the lawe wonders or wonderfull because they excéede mans vnderstanding and reason The Prophet did well know the blindnesse which was in him and in all men naturally which hindereth them from beholding the clearenesse of Gods word and therfore beséecheth the Lord to open the eyes of his vnderstanding to deliuer him out of that great darknesse wherein he was Ver. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth vz. as all men haue bin are and shall bee during this mortall life sée Psalme 39 12 vnder the word straunger he noteth not onely the shortnesse of his life in this life but his ignoraunce and lack of knowledge q.d. I am as a poore pilgrime not knowing what waye to kéepe vnlesse thou shew it mée by thy lawe hyde not thy commaundements from me i. leaue me not to my selfe in suche sorte that I shut vp mine eyes or stoppe mine eares from the knowledge of thy lawe for God hideth his commaundementes from them whose eyes he openeth not Verse 20. Mine hart breaketh vz. within me he meaneth by this spéech that he had an earnest thirsting hungring or longing as it were after Gods law in an other place he vseth panteth and thirsteth after GOD sée Psalme 42 1 2 for the desire vz. which I haue within mée to thy iudgements vz. not only to know them but also to execute and perform
i. performe and accomplish for though Gods worde bee alwayes sure both in respect of his maiesty from whome it cōmeth and of it selfe and the things propounded in it and of vs also in respect of assured faith yet it is then most liuely confirmed vnto vs when it is performed and it declared to bee true and certaine by effect as it were thy promise vz. made to me he putteth one promise for many vsing also promises for the word it selfe conteining promises as ver 11. of this Psalm to thy seruant i. to me for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person q.d. make the effect of thy promises to come vnto me who serue thée with a good heart for though it be true that Gods promises perfourmed to others may comfort men yet nothing so much can they comfort vs as this which we féele perfourmed to our particular persons because he feareth thée it woulde rather be turned thus who feareth thée for our feare of God is not a cause why God shoulde performe his promises to vs and the Prophet meaneth by the word feare not onely a reuerent perswasion which he had in his heart of God but the effects and fruits of that reuerence that is the worship and seruing of him according to his word Ver. 39. Take away vz. of thy mercy and goodnes my rebuke i. the euil which I might commit against thy good lawe and so it might tend to my shame as though hée prayed to be kept from notorious transgressions as ver 31. of this Psalm or else thus for as much as by some sinnes and namely the sinne of adultery with Bathsheba and murther of her husband Vriah hee had purchased rebuke and shame amongst men hée beséecheth the Lord euen to remoue that that I feare vz. will not onely fall but increase vppon mee vnlesse in mercy thou cure and couer it for thy iudgements vz. which thou hast pronounced in thy word are good vz. to them that rightly vnderstand them vnderstanding by iudgements not onely the threates of the lawe but also euen those comforts which God hath pronounced in the same Ver. 40. Beholde I desire vz. earnestly and with a very good affection thy commandements i. both the knowledge and obedience of thy commandements quicken mee Sée ver 25.37 of this Psalme in thy righteousnes i. in thy woorde and lawe which is called righteousnes because it is the onely rule of that righteousnes which we ought to performe to God or man Do. Ver. 33. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord onely for light and instruction out of his holy worde also to cary with vs a holy purpose of perseuerance and continuance in the obedience of God all the dayes of our life Verse 34. Teacheth vs that the vnderstanding kéeping of gods law is a singular gift of his own bestowed vpon his children also that our obedience to god should be vnfeigned and without hipocrisie Ver. 35 Teacheth vs that vnlesse God kéepe vs in obedience wée shall continually wander out of the way also that our continual delight and pleasure should be in Gods word Ver. 36. Teacheth vs what a foule fault the sinne of couetousnes is also that there is no better meane to subdue it in our selues then care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods worde Ver. 37. Teacheth vs first to nippe off sinne in the beginning thereof secondly to labour the mortification of our earthly members and the partes of our bodyes inclined to euill and thirdly to pray for liuelines continuance in the obedience of Gods trueth Ver. 38. Teacheth vs that if wee haue by experience either in our selues or others but specially in our selues felt the trueth of gods promises perfourmed to vs wee haue not onely a notable testimony of Gods goodnes but a seale set vpon our fayth for the greater strengthning of it in the same Ver. 39. Teacheth vs to pray the remouing of shame amongst men specially if our shame shal bring with it some dishonour to God also it teacheth vs not to be shameles as many men are who are without blushing and haue gotten to thēselues harlots faces Ver. 40. Teacheth vs to haue an earnest desire both to knowe and walke in the obedience of Gods lawe This part in summe declareth what great weaknes there is in man to vnderstande loue and followe Gods lawe vnlesse he be taught and renued by the power of his spirit Vau. Di. THis is the sixt letter and noteth out the sixt part In which the Prophet specially propoundeth two thinges first he maketh prayer vnto God for the continuaunce of his mercies specially for manifesting his word vnto him with the fruites and effectes which shall follow thereof ver 41.42.43.44 Secondly hée promiseth and voweth as it were a thankefull heart to the Lord for his benefits which he wil declare openly before all men yea euen kings magistrates Ver. 45.46 By a holy and religious life towards God himselfe ver 47.48 Se. Ver. 41. And let thy louing kindnes i. thy most tender and infinite mercy come vnto mée O Lorde vz. from thée q.d. let me haue it plentifully powred forth vpon mée and make mee to féele it effectually and thy saluation i. ayde helpe yea and eternall life it selfe hée setteth louing kindnes or mercy before saluation as the cause before the effect according to thy promise vz. graciously made vnto me q.d. make mee to féele that louing kindnesse and saluation of thine which thou hast promised and I pray for Ver. 42. So i. by that meanes onely and no other shall I make answere i. bee inabled sufficiently to answere vnto my blasphemies i. vnto them that reuile and speake euill of mee q.d. I will not then dissemble any whit at all but speake euen as the thing it selfe shall require for I trust in thy worde vz. which thou hast giuen mee q.d. I perswade my selfe in the trueth of thy woorde that when I shall once sensibly féele thy mercy and goodnes I shal be wel able to answere all my gainsayers Sée Luke 21.14.15 Verse 43. And take not vz. though for my sinnes in iustice thou mightest the worde of trueth i. thy worde which only conteyneth trueth in it vtterly i. altogether or for euer Immanuel readeth this part of the verse thus But take not out of my mouth the very true word i. the word which is most true referring the word which is here translated vtterly not to the word take away as our English text doeth but to the worde of God which in déede is most true out of my mouth in this speach hee doeth not exclude the heart by which we must beginne but it is q.d. vpholde not only my heart in faith lest I bee ouerthrowne through temptations but bring to passe also that my tongue may haue full liberty so that I may praise thee amongst men without any feare so also Saint Paul prayeth the Church to pray for him that vtterance might bée giuen vnto him that he might
Isaiah 1 25. and though I know others to interprete it otherwise yet I approue this sence therefore i. because thou defendest thine as verse 114. and art a iust iudge against the wicked as ver 118 119. I loue sée ver 113 thy testimonies i. thy word which is called a testimony or testimonies because God therein testifyeth vnto vs his will Ver. 120. My flesh i. my whole man putting one part for the whole trembleth vz. excéedingly and verye much for feare of thée vz. who art such a iust iudge against the wicked and vngodly and I know gréeuous faults and offences by my selfe He speaketh not this as though he were afrayde of Gods presence as Adam was Gen. 3 10. for hee greatlye desireth that but by reason of his owne wretchednesse and weakenesse least either he had or might prouoke him to iudgement agaynste him which also may appeare by that that followeth in this verse and I am afrayd of thy iudgemēts vz. poured forth vpon the wicked meaning by iudgements punishments Verse 113 teacheth vs to hate all maner of euill and to loue all good thinges Do. and the meanes whereby we may be drawne to them Ver. 114 teacheth vs that God is a mighty defence for those that are his also that Gods worde is the ground of our hope Verse 115 teacheth vs to shake of the society and companye of wicked men who would draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 116 teacheth vs that Gods promises is the grounde of our hope and prayers Verse 117 teacheth vs that vnlesse God vphold vs we shall slyde and fal Ver. 118 teacheth vs first that the wicked for all their might and subtiltie are not able to resist God secondly that their wicked imaginations shall tend to their owne hurt Verse 119 teacheth vs that Gods iudgementes exercised vpon the wicked and his mercy towards his children should make vs the more to loue him and his word Verse 120 teacheth vs alwayes to haue a reuerence of Gods iudgements specially when we sée them threatned or executed Ain IN this xvi part which specially standeth of prayer Di. the Prophet first desireth to bee deliuered from the wicked and their mischieuous practises Verse 121 122. Secondly he prayeth for patience féeling of Gods mercy knowledge and vnderstanding of Gods lawe and a spéedye redresse of thinges amisse Verse 123 124 125 126. Thirdlye that hée mighte the better mooue God thereto he setteth out the mischéeuous rage of the wicked Gods accustomed goodnesse and his own loue and obedience to God and his word ver 126 127 128. Verse 121. Se. I haue executed iudgement and iustice i. I haue giuen my self ouer to doe vpright and good thinges and I haue not only abstayned from all iniury and wrong doing to them that persecute me but I haue done them also good leaue me not to mine oppressors i. to them that would oppresse mee and doe with me what they pleased neyther doth he here alleage his good doing as a cause why God should graunt him his request but as a testimony to his own conscience that the Lord would not doe it answere vz. to mine enemies for thy seruaunt i. for me thy seruaunt He speaketh of himselfe in the third person in that which is good i. in his good and vpright causes I suppose the Prophet alludeth here to the custome of earthly Princes courts q.d. Appeare for the defence of my good cause and pleade it and set thy selfe against mine enemies in my iust defence and let not the proude oppresse me vz. at their pleasure for this word proude sée before verse 78 and 85. Verse 123. Mine eyes haue fayled vz. euen of their sight in so much that they haue bene dazeled and dimmed and were not able to behold any thing and this hee speaketh not of bodily eyes only but euen of the eyes of his fayth and perswasion sée before Verse 82 in wayting vz. a very long time yet in care and patience for thy saluation i. for deliueraunce from thée out of all my distresses So we haue had the word saluation vsed sundry times before and namely Psalme 3 verse 8. and for thy iust promise i. for the performaunce of thy promise whiche thou hast iustly made and wilte iustlye kéepe Verse 124. Deale with thy seruaunt vz. in this his distresse and miserye and here he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person as before 122 according to thy mercy vz. manifested to him and other thy children and teache mée vz. that am blinde and ignoraunt thy statutes sée before verse 12.26.33 Verse 125. I am thy seruaunt vz. thorow thy goodnesse I am aduaunced to this honour for hée boasteth not here of his dignitye but setteth out the grace which he had receaued from God to moue him to finish that which he had begun graunt mee therefore vnderstanding vz. to guide my selfe so as thou mayst be glorifyed I my selfe comforted and others builded vp that I may know thy testimonies vz. to do and practise the same for otherwise the knowledge of thē is to little purpose Verse 126. It is time he speaketh not this as though he prescribed God a season but the rather to set out the abundance of wickednesse which did ouerflow the world q.d. If the Lord did not in time cut off sin and wicked men all would be as it were infected therewith for the Lord to work i. to declare by his work that he wil take punishment vpon the transgressors of his law for they haue destroyed i. the wicked men by their lewdnes and euil conuersation haue done what they could to ouerthrow thy word not that they are able to do it q.d. they are become so bold and fierce that they doe not only séeke my destruction but set themselues agaynst God and his word thy law i. thy word as before verse 113 and 109. Verse 127. Therefore i. because I am sure that the wicked shall not escape vnpunished It may also be taken for a reason why Dauid desyred to be instructed in the Law because of the excellency thereof loue I vz. willingly and vnfeignedly sée verse 113 thy commaundements i. thy word a part for the whole aboue gold i. more then gold yea aboue most fyne gold i. aboue all things in the world though for their excellency and beauty they be neuer so much desired Verse 128. Therefore vz. also euen because thy iudgements are poured forth vpō the wicked which also thou hast manifested by thy word I estéeme vz. I doe not only reuerence but also iudge and take all thy precepts i. al the things which thou hast commaunded in thy law most iust i. to be or that they are most iust and righteous and hate sée before ver 113 al false ways vz. how glorious soeuer they be in mans eyes or whosoeuer forged and deuised the same Do. Verse 121 teacheth vs that it is a hard thing to fall into mens handes Verse 122 teacheth vs to beséech the Lord to pleade
mutual performance of duties one of vs towards another so is the word vsed Mica 6 8. by thy testimonies i. by and in thy worde and truth i. not only sound and sincere dealing but doing of it with an vpright affection specially for though a man do the thing and do it not with the same mind that God requireth it is sinne to him For in the obedience of Gods commaundements we must carefully take héede that we tread in these thrée steps to doe the same thing that he appointeth and none other to do it with the same mind that he demaundeth it to be done and to refer it to the same end Ver. 139. My zeale i. the gréefe of my hart as before ver 136 and the anger which I did conceaue hath euen consumed me i. almost wasted me worn me away so that there is little or no hope of my life he meaneth not that he was thus cōsumed by reason of the sorrow which he conceaued for priuate iniuries but because the law of his God was trāsgressed because mine enemies who the particulars were as whether it were Saul or others it is not certain but he speaketh of thē al generally haue forgotten thy words i. wil not acknowledge it but cōtemtuously tread it vnder their féete Ver. 140. Thy word is proued most pure i. is by experience of thy seruaunts found to be most excellent as the gold and siluer is best which hath bin most fined sée Psa 12.6 thy seruant i. I thy seruaunt speaking still of himself in the third person and that same worde and may wel be turned therefore loueth it sée ver 97 113 127. Ver. 141. I am smal i. of small account and little estimation and despised vz. of all men specially of the great ones yet q.d. for all that I do not forget thy preceptes vz. but think vpon them both to know and do them sée ver 109. Ver. 142. Thy righteousnesse i. not only the righteousnesse which is in God but that which God himself requireth of men in his word is an euerlasting righteousnes vz. both because it indureth for euer and bringeth the doers of it to eternal blessednes and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before verse 109 is truth i. not only true but very truth it self which is more significant noting that there is no truth without or beside that word Ver. 143. Trouble and anguish i. abundance and great store of troubles for so much I think the two words together import are come vpon me i. haue seased and taken hold of me yet q.d. for all my gréefes are thy commandements my delight i. thy word doth not only delight and pleasure me but much comfort me Ver. 144. The righteousnesse of thy testimonies i. that righteousnesse which thou prescribest in thy word is euerlasting i. indureth and abideth for euer as before verse 142. graunt mée vnderstanding vz. thereof and I shall liue vz. a blessed certayne and assured life hereby he sheweth that to speake properlye men liue not when they are destituted of the light of God and heauenly wisedome and therefore that note in the Geneua Bible is good for the doctrin that the life of a man without the knowledge of God is nothing else but death Do. Verse 137 teacheth vs alwaies to confesse Gods iudgemēts to be righteous though perhaps it appear not so to our own reasō Ver. 138 setteth out before vs the excellency of Gods word by the things which it commandeth Ver. 139 teacheth vs to be greatly gréeued when other men transgresse gods law Ver. 140 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe from it loue and liking of it on our parts Ver. 141 teacheth vs that no aduersity should cause vs to forget God and his truth Verse 142 teacheth vs that Gods word is the only rule of righteousnesse and truth so that whatsoeuer is not according to it is to be condemned for falshood Ver. 143 teacheth vs that only Gods word can delight and comfort vs in the dayes of our trouble and anguish Ver. 144 teacheth vs that howsoeuer men liue in this life yet they liue not in déede the life of God without the knowledge of his maiesty by his word Koph Di. THis xix part standeth especially of prayer wherein the Prophet first promiseth obedience and propoundeth his earnest desire and patience verse 145 146 147 148 as arguments to moue the Lord to graunt his request Secondly he vseth reasons for that purpose taken firste from the person of God who is most merciful ver 149 ready to helpe ver 151. and most constant in his word verse 152. Secondly from the person of his aduersaries who pressed vpon him to doe him mischiefe ver 150. Thirdly from the experience whiche hée himself had had of Gods goodnesse ver 152. Se. Ver. 145. I haue cried i. earnestly and vehementlye prayed vnto the Lorde for that word crying declareth that he directed all the affections of his harte to GOD alone and that with vehemency and ardencye with my whole harte q.d. My mouth hath not onely bene nigh thée but euen my very harte and all the powers and partes thereof haue consented to the good thinges which I vttered with my wordes heare me O Lord i. graunt me my requests and petitions for otherwise it is not to be doubted but that the Prophet knew that the Lord heard him and I will kéepe thy statutes sée verse 115 and 134 of this Psal Ver. 146. I called vpon thée vz. heretofore speciallye when I was in trouble as Psal 120 1 and thou heardest me Psal 3 4. q.d. I hope thou wilt doe so now saue me i. deliuer me from daungers and distresses and I will kéepe thy testimonies this is the very same but yet in other wordes which hée spake before verse 145. Ver. 147. I preuented vz. with my prayers the morning light i. the dawning of the day or the light whiche commeth before the morning and cried i. prayed earnestly vnto thée The Prophet meaneth that he vsed to pray vnto the Lord euen before the day dawning sée before verse 55 62 for I wayted on thy word i. I stedfastly stayed my hope vpon thy promise and did patiently abide the performaunce thereof Verse 148. Mine eyes preuent the night watches i. I my selfe am more attentiue to meditate thinke vpon thy law than the night watches to kéepe their watche and ward Or else thus Euen before the night watches beginne to sette their watche doe I beginne to medytate on thy word and as they continue in the same so doe I. For the better vnderstanding of this place sée Psalme 1 2. also Psalme 130 5 6. Verse 149. Heare my voyce i. graunt the prayer which from my hart I vtter with my voyce according to thy louing kindnesse vz. shewed heretofore to others of thy Seruantes and to me as verse 132 specially when they call vpon thée O Lorde quicken me vz. in the knowledge and obedience of thy truth
and he testifyeth by this worde so often vsed in this Psalme that euen in the middest of life we are dead vnlesse we be quickened and vpholden by the power of God according to thy iudgement vz. pronounced in thy word or we may take iudgement to be put for the word it selfe which declareth vnto vs Gods goodnesse he alludeth no doubt to the office of an earthly iudge whose duty cōsisteth in these ij points to absolue and lose some and to pronounce the sentēce of condēnation vpon other some in which sence also we say in the cōmon cōfession of our fayth that Christ our sauiour shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead Ver. 150. They draw neare vz. to me euen to persecute hurte and destroy me that follow after malice i. that pursue the mischieuous and wicked attempts which they themselues in their own malice had maliciouslye and wickedly deuised against me and are far from thy law i. they care not either for the sight hearing or knowledge of it thus he giueth two properties to know the wicked by the first is that they are malicious the second which indéed is the welspring of al mischiefe they despise Gods law Ver. 151. Thou arte neare O Lord vz. to al thine euen to aid succour them in their distresses for al thy commaundements are true that word for would better be turned and and he meaneth that not only the words wherwith gods commandements are expressed but euen the very things commanded therein are iust true holy Verse 152. I vz. my selfe haue knowne vz. euen by mine own practise and experience long time i. not only of late but sundry times heretofore whiche I will neuer forget by thy testimonies i. by thy word that thou hast established them for euer i. that thou hast ordained that it should abide firm and stable for euer and euer sée ver 89 of this Psalm and verse 144. Verse 145 teacheth vs that in all our supplications praiers to the Lord Do. our hart and our words should concur consent together Verse 146 teacheth vs that the former experience of Gods goodnesse in hearing our praiers shoulde imbolden vs both to pray and to hope to receaue the like Verse 147 teacheth vs euen to breake our sléepes to giue our selues to prayer and calling vppon the name of GOD. Verse 148 teacheth vs to be continually diligente and carefull in the meditation and studye of Gods worde Verse 149 teacheth vs that Gods frée mercy is the first cause of the graunting of al our requests Ver. 150 doth liuely paynt out the nature and disposition of the wicked and vngodly Verse 151 teacheth vs that the Lord is neuer absent from those that loue and feare him Verse 152 teacheth vs that to know the assurednesse of Gods worde and to haue felt by proofe the certainty thereof are two notable proppes of our fayth and hope Resch Di. IN this part as in the former the Prophet continueth his prayers to almighty God vsing certaine arguments to induce the Lord to graunt him his requests as first his own misery affliction and gréefe verse 153 154 158. secondlye the desperate estate of the wicked and the greate heape of his enemies 155 157. Thirdlye the great loue mercy and truth of the Lord verse 156 159 160. Se. Verse 153. Behold mine affliction i. how great the affliction is which I presently indure not that the Prophet thought the Lord did not beholde it but because he would haue him by effect to declare that he did regard and consider it and deliuer me vz. out of the same for I haue not forgotten vz. as the wicked men doe verse 139 but I haue thought vpon it to doe it thy lawe i. thy worde as sundrye times before Ver. 154. Pleade my cause vz. against mine aduersaries that would oppresse me sée Psalme 35. verse 1. and verse 122 of this Psalme It is as much as if he should desire the Lord to defende him and his case and deliuer mée vz. from them that would oppresse me as ver 134 sée also for this phrase ver 153. quickē me according vnto thy word sée verse 25 of this Psal Verse 155. Saluation i. helpe and deliueraunce out of daunger as Psalm 3 8 is farre from the wicked i. they shall haue no parte or portion of it and this he speaketh specially of his aduersaries who defended an vniust cause against him because they séeke not vz. vnfeignedlye and from a good harte thy statutes i. thy worde and that to know and to do them Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercyes O Lord vz. towards thy sonnes and seruaunts Sée Psalme 86 5 13 15. quicken me according to thy iudgements sée verse 149 of this Psalme Verse 157. My persecutors and mine oppressors i. those that persecute and oppresse me are manye vz. in number and great in power yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies q.d. for all that I leaue not the loue and obedience of thy truth sée verse 110. of this Psalm Ver. 158. I saw vz. euen with mine eyes meaning that he did certainly know the naughtinesse of the wicked men the transgressors vz. of thy law for sinne is the transgression and breache of Gods lawe 1. Iohn 3 4 and was gréeued vz. with them and at them for their sinnes sake sée before verse 53 136 139. because they kepte not thy worde i. because they had no care eyther to know it or doe it Sée verse 136. Verse 159. Consider O Lorde the Prophet speaketh this not as though he doubted whether god knew it yea or no but to intreat the Lord by effects to declare the care that he had of him how I loue thy precepts i. how much I loue them sée ver 97 113 127 and sundry other places of this Psalm quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse this may stand vs in stéed of an exposition of that which was sayd before 149 156 if that bée not plaine ynough as that he should vnderstand by iudgements Gods promises and mercies in which sence also the word is vsed in sundry places of scripture Ver. 160. The beginning of thy word is truth i. thy worde hath bin true euen since the beginning and al the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. all thy iust and righteous iudgements indure for euer the Prophets purpose is in this verse to note that Gods word is most certain faithful stedfast and durable Ver. 153 teacheth vs Do. that euen our very affections are good matters to moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon vs. Verse 154 teacheth vs whether we haue mās ayd or no yet we should continually hang vpon the Lord and pray vnto him for our iust defence euery maner of way Ver. 155 teacheth vs that a very cōtempt of Gods word which the wicked vse is a seale vnto Gods children that no parte or péece of Gods fauour belongeth vnto them Ver. 156 doth notably set out the aboūdant riches infinit treasure
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
the barres of thy gates strong vz. in such sort that no enemy is able to breake them or to make any irruption into them meaning by this speach that the Church was well defended with ayde and succour from GOD yea in such sort that it néede not feare the enemies thereof because it was defended and shoulde bee deliuered from all euill and hath blessed vz. with al maner of goodnesse and namely with increase of multitude thy children within thée i. those that appertaine vnto thée whether they bée young or olde for all are the children of the Church Verse 14. Hée vz. alone setteth peace in thy borders i. keepeth thy coastes Countrey and people in all quietnesse not onely in that hee mightily driueth away all thyne enemies but also in that hee inclineth the heartes of thyne owne people to mutuall peace and so kéepeth them from tumults and rebellion and satisfieth thee vz. to the full in all abundaunce and plenty with the flowre of the wheate it is in Hebrewe with the fat of the wheate Sée Deutron 32.14 Sée also Psalme 81.16 meaning euen that part of the wheate not onely which yéelded greatest plentie but also wherein the greatest strength of nourishment consisted vnderstanding also by this particular thing whatsoeuer did appertaine to this present life and was fit for mans nourishment Verse 15. Hée i. God the Lorde sendeth foorth his commaundement vppon earth i. hée needeth no more but to commaund onely and then by a certaine secret motion and inclination which hee hath giuen vnto the earth the earth bringeth foorth the effectes thereof as wée sée by experience and his worde i. the woorde which hée vttereth runneth very swiftly vz. to be accomplished and perfourmed q.d. when hee hath declared what he woulde haue done all thinges are prest and prepared ready to obey him so that looke whatsoeuer he speaketh by his woorde and commandeth it is presently done as appeareth Psalme 33.9 and by the particular enumeration of thinges which followeth in this Psalme Ver. 16. Hée giueth i. sendeth vz. from heauen and casteth it vppon the earth snowe like wooll i. very whyte and light as wool is so that in these respectes snowe and wool may bée compared together and scattereth the hoare frost vz. in sundrie places like ashes or dust which being light of themselues and cast out are scattered hither and thither with the winde Verse 17. Hée casteth foorth his yee like morsels the Hebrewe worde that is here turned yee is diuersly interpreted by sundry men some take it as we vse to take it for water vppon the earth congealed to a hard substance other take it for frost that commeth vpon raine presently fallen but a litle before yea wee haue séene that almost at the one and the selfe same instant there hath been raine and frost other some for haile and tempest and to this latter do I incline because that the droppes of raine by very great colde in the aire are turned into hayle which seeme to bee little morsels or pieces as it were who can abide the colde thereof or rather thus who can abide his colde that is the colde which God can sende for otherwise the cold of yce or hayle is not much Ver. 18. He sendeth vz. forth his worde i. his commaundement and melteth them vz. presently q.d. he néedeth but onely speake the woorde and they are by and by molten and consumed as it were hee causeth his winde to blowe and the waters flowe i. hee bringeth speedily the winde into a warme quarter and there commeth presently a thaw of the snow frost yce haile c. and by their melting the waters are increased and flowe and swell beyonde their ordinarie and accustomed boundes The winde is called Gods both because he created it and hath it continually at his commaundement to doe with it whatsoeuer pleaseth him and by waters hee vnderstandeth both the waters of the Sea and the waters in the land Verse 19. Hée sheweth vz. plainely and manifestly so that they can not pretende ignoraunce his word i. his doctrine and certaine knowledge out of the same that they may follow him whither hee calleth them thereby vnto Iaakob i. vnto his faythfull people his statutes and his iudgementes i. his whole lawe and euery part thereof whether it consist of commaundements or punishmentes for the breath of those commaundements vnto Israell i. vnto his faithfull people Iaakob and Israel are here put both for one thing Sée Psal 14.7 Ver. 20. Hée hath not dealt so vz. mercifully and graciously with euery nation no not with any nation for vnto the people of the Iewes al that time were the oracles of God committed onely Sée Rom. 3.2 and Rom. 9.4 neither haue they i. other nations and people of the world besides the Iewes knowne his iudgments i. his word putting a part of it for the whole as sundry times in Psalm 119. True it is the Gentiles before their calling knewe him by his woorkes and that was sufficient to make them without excuse before him but by his worde hee was onely knowne to his owne people praise yee the Lord sée Psalm 106. in the ende also Psalm 113. in the ende Psal 146. in the end and the rest of the Psalmes following euen vnto the end of this booke Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable for our selues acceptable to God to bée earnest and often in praysing and thanking of him Ver. 2. Teacheth vs the continuall care and loue which God beareth towards his Church Ver. 3. Setteth out Gods pitie and loue towardes all such as are truely beaten down with their afflictions either outwarde or inwarde Verse 4. Setteth out his excéeding great power and care in the gouernement and disposing of his creatures Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that wee can not of our selues attaine to the least part of Gods wisedome Ver. 7. Sheweth howe dull wee are in praysing our God in that wee are so often prouoked vnto it and haue néede of so many both outward and inwarde things to stirre vs vp thereto Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that raine the fruitfulnes of the earth and all other such like thinges procéed from God alone Ver. 9. Teacheth vs to bee rightly perswaded of Gods prouidence who séeing he féedeth the vnreasonable beastes and rauens will not leaue vs destitute Verse 10. Teacheth vs that no outwarde thing which we haue nor can doe as of our selues can commend vs to God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that if wee will bee acceptable before God wee must striue to these two thinges vz. in hope and patience to wayce vppon him and to yéelde vnto him that seruice that in his woorde he requireth at our handes Verse 12. Teacheth vs that Gods faythful people and his Church are specially bound aboue others to prayse the Lorde Verse 13. Teacheth vs that the safetie prosperitie and multiplying of the Church commeth from God onely Ver. 14. Teacheth vs also that the peace and plenty of his people procéede from him
part of the law put for the whole it may also be called iudgments because that thereby hée sheweth what he iudgeth méete to be done are truth and therefore can not be accused of subtilty or falshood and it is more forcible in that hee sayth they are truth then if hee should say they are true because that speach noteth that nothing besides or without them is truth but méere lying ver 20. Sheweth the preciousnes of the lawe If we would desire store or profit we must preferre it before the finest golde that hath beene oftenest tried if present vse and pleasure before hony the hony combe ver 11. made circumspect vz. in his walking being taught what to do and what to flée from and here Dauid speaketh of himselfe in the third person yet so that it doth apperteine to all Gods children There is great reward vz. through Gods mercy for so doth the word rewarde import and not of our merit as the papists imagine ver 12. Who can vnderstand his faults i. knowe them as it were particularly either for the multitude of thē or because ignorantly we cōmit many things which we take to be no sinnes secret faults i. sinnes not only hidden from other men but from my selfe by reason of my ignorance and yet al knowne to thée ver 14. Wordes of my mouth i. the words I shal vtter with my mouth meditatiō of mine heart i. the things I shal meditate in my hart he wisheth that his thoughts words might be such as might be regarded before God and answerable to his profession and he speaketh nothing of déeds and works because this necessarily followeth that when the meditations thoughts of the heart together with the words be good then déeds also wil be good redéemer vz. through Christ none other speaking here not only of deliuerāce frō dangers but from sin that which sinne bringeth with it also vz. eternal death and destruction Do. Out of the sixe first verses we may learne to behold knowe the maiestie power goodnes of God in his creatures secondly that as they in their kind expresse preach these excellent things so yea much more should men that God hath created after so feareful wonderful a sort that not euery man in himself but also to be gods instrument to worke the same in others Out of the 7.8.9.10.11 We learne generally by the excellent cōmendation of gods law reuerently to estéeme it vnfeignedly imbrace it out of ver 7. Where it is called perfect wee haue an answere to the papists that accuse it of some want by bringing in vpon it their vnwritten verities and traditions and in these words conuerting the soule that ordinarily it is possible that any should repent and haue fayth without the hearing of gods word as Rom. 40.17 and in these words is sure there is a doctrine of comfort to the faithful because gods wil neuer faile them of terror to the wicked because gods iudgmēts shal assuredly ouertake them and in these words giueth wisedome vnto the simple we haue not only a notable effect of the law set forth but an argumēt to conuince the papists in this that they accuse the word of darknes as though none could profit by it but the learned sort ver 8. True ioy is to be fet from gods word as also true light of knowledge vnderstanding ver 9. Noteth the propertie of gods word the exact perfection that is in the whole in euery part therof ver 10. Teacheth in what great estimation we ought to haue the word and with what a holy hunger and thirst we should desire the worde ver 11. Teacheth two things first that wee can neuer bee truely wise but by learning gods word secondly that for our better incouragement to the doing thereof the Lord setteth great rewards before vs and indéed graciously in good time giueth vs the same ver 12. Teacheth that our sinnes are innumerable secondly that we must pray pardon of them generally particularly of these which we haue committed either of ignorance or of knowledge and yet remember them not ver 13. Teacheth vs to pray against the power and rule of sinne in vs. ver 14. That we should haue care and conscience ouer our wordes and thoughts that they might be approued before God Psalme 20. THis Psalme hath specially 2. partes In the first Di. there is a prayer for the king for whose welfare the people promise ioyfulnes and thankfulnes from ver 1. to the end of the fifth In the second they do assure themselues of Gods fauour and of their enemies ouerthrow and protesting for themselues that God shal be their aide and praying again for their king from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psas 4. ver 1. heare thée i. Se. the praier that thou makest granting thy requests of Iaakob may be here taken either for the person of the Patriarth who worshipped god with great religion which God also was present with him in al his afflictions or else it may be put for the whole people of Israel who came of Iaakob both the wayes are vsuall in the old new testament ver 2. Frō the sanctuary i. from a place in the arke so called in which God gaue visible tokens of his fauor defence out of Sion this was the place wherin the arke which was a visible token of gods aide defence was receiued he putteth the place the arke therin contained for the assured fauor aid of God Some vnderstand by sanctuary heauen by Sion the visible place of god in his church what soeuer it is the prophet meaneth nothing but aide assistance to be giuen from god ver 3. Let him remēber or as Immanuel readeth let him smel meaning by that metaphor a gracious acceptation of his sacrifices as Gene. 8.21 vz. With fauor graciously accepting al thine offrings he meaneth by offrings the exercises of religion ioyned with them as confession of sins praier c. and turne vz. by fire as it were sent frō heauen Thy burnt offrings into ashes declaring therby that he alloweth thy seruices as he did to Aaron Leuit. 9.24 to Eliah 1. king 18.38 Ver. 4. According to thy hart i. as thy hart wisheth desireth all thy purpose i. whatsoeuer thou purposest he meaneth describeth here a king that asketh nothing but by the direction of gods spirit what God himself hath prescribed ver 5. Immanuel readeth this verse as it were a continuance of the peoples praier this is a reason to moue god graciously to yéeld to their praiers In thy saluatiō i. in that thou sauest deliuerest from dangers vz. our king so haue we had saluation sundry times vsed before And set vp the banner like vnto those that triumph after a victory is gotten hee putteth the signe of ioy for ioyfulnes it selfe in the name this word is taken here as ver 1.
haue no title yet it appeareth Hebre. 4.7 Se. that Dauid was the author thereof and did write it Ver. 1. Come these are the wordes of the Prophet exhorting others with him to prayse the Lorde Sée Isaiah 2.3 let vs reioyce vz. together and that from the hearte singing prayses by which the Prophet sheweth that the outwarde seruice of God consisteth not in dead ceremonies but especially in the sacrifices of prayses and thankesgiuing vnto the Lord vz. our God let vs sing aloude i. with a cleare and high voyce euen as if it were with a trumpet vnto the rocke of our saluation i. vnto him that is the assured groundwork foundation as it were of our deliuery meaning by this spéech god who is vnto his people in stéed of a rock of defēce deliuery in which they may bée safe frō al assaults Ver. 2. Let vs come vz. quickly and chearefully before his face i. not onely into his presence for men can bée in no place but they are in his sight but also to the tabernacle of witnesse in which place the Lord gaue glorious testimonies of his presence fauor with praise i. with songs conteining his praise for the benefites which we dayly receceiue of him let vs sing loud sée ver 1. of this Psal vnto him vz. alone and to none other but him with Psalmes vz. conteining his praises our thanksgiuing for the blessings which he continually bestoweth vppon vs. Ver. 3. For the Lord vz. which we serue and who giueth vs these graces is a great God i. is the God of al power might who hath both wil and strength to do what soeuer pleaseth him a great king aboue al Gods i. hee is more mighty excellent then any thing or al the things that haue the name of god giuen vnto it whether they be Angels or idoles or magistrates to all which Gods name is attributed in one respect or other in the Scripture sée Psalm 82.1 Psal 86.8 Psal 89.6 Ioh. 10.34.35 1. Cor. 8.5 Ver. 4. In whose hand i. vnder whose power prouidence gouernment are the déepe places of the earth by this spéech he meaneth the most deepe places of the world which if he guide and gouerne then much more doth he gouerne those that are not so déepe he setteth depths against the height of the mountaines expressed in the other part of the verse meaning by both these laid together that God gouerneth al the whole worlde whether it be high or low the heights of the mountaines i. the most high moūtains are his vz. to guid gouerne thē as him liketh best q.d. God according to his good pleasure ruleth both the most secret and the most mighty thinges yea all the things of the world Ver. 5. To whom the sea belongeth vz. to bée guided and gouerned according to his will for hee made it vz. by gathering the waters together into one place sée Gene. 1.9.10 and his handes formed i. his almighty power gaue forme being to the earth the dry land i. that part of the earth which is dry and separated from the water which hée calleth drye in respect of the other ouercouered with water Verse 6. Come vz. together with me sée ver 1. of this Psalm let vs worship vz. by al the meanes we can this Lord our God and fal down the word signifieth to bowe the head to the earth as they were wont to do which receiued either a blessing or som good turne from others q.d. let vs by al meanes testifie the hūbling of vs before god which also he meaneth by the worde kneeling afterwardes put downe before the Lord our maker i. hee that hath made vs. This worde maker conteining a double argument to moue men to his worshippe and seruice the one taken from Gods excellency who is the creator and the other from our basenesse who are his workemanship made of the dust of the earth Gene. 3.19 Verse 7. For hee vz. alone and no other but hée is our God i. our vpholder maintainer and defender and therefore good cause wee haue to serue him and we are the people of his pasture i. such a people as hee with a speciall and fatherlye care nourisheth and defendeth and to whom hee giueth all sortes of blessings True it is that this worde sheepe shoulde agree better to pasture but yet the holy ghost hath vsed the worde people that hée might the better expounde the metaphor and the shéepe of his hande i. the tender ones for so are sheepe which hée guideth and gouerneth by his Fatherly prouidence and power meaning also by that worde his that GOD himselfe taketh care ouer them and committeth them not to an other To day if yée will heare his voyce vz. speaking vnto you out of his worde q.d. If yée mynde as yet to yéelde obedience vnto his trueth then harden not your heartes as followeth in the next verse for so must these two verses bée ioyned together Verse 8. Harden not your harts i. be not obstinate and setled in your sin by this word he generally meaneth al contempt offred to Gods word as vz. your fathers and ancestors did many times striuing against God and namely in Meribah this history is largely handled Num. 14. as in the day of Massah this history is put down Exod. 17. Sée also Numb 20. and conferre all these thrée chapters together for though it shoulde séeme out of Exod. 17. ver 7. that Massah and Meribah were al one place yet by comparison of the chapters and the matters together we shal find that they tempted the Lord more then once and more then in one place in the wildernesse the holy ghost obserueth these circumstances of place time persons maner of doing c. for the certaintie of the history Ver. 9. Where i. not only in the wildernes though that were a principall place but in the other places also your fathers i. your auncestors progenitors of whose stocke you come sée Psal 78.3 tempted me i. would haue more experience and triall of my power then I thought méet and good for them and proued me vz. what I could do through my power might though they had séene my worke vz. which I did before them in their sight vnderstanding by the worde worke in the singular nūber manifold works q.d. although they had had sufficient testimonies of my power might and knew wel inough what I was able to do yet they woulde not leaue off but still proue my power Ver. 10. Fourtie yeeres vz. long and together haue I contended vz. striuen by diuers punishments yea death it selfe as appeareth Numb 14.33 and yet haue nothing profited or preuailed with this generation I wil rather read that noting the rebellious people which perished in the wildernesse and vz. I haue sayde vz. by reason of their continuall wickednesse they are a people i. such a people that erre in heart i. not only without iudgement and reason but also
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
the same alway i. all the dayes of my life q.d. I fainte weare awaye and consume with a holy desire that I haue to knowe and obserue thy lawe Verse 21. Thou vz. O Lord hast destroyed vz. iustlye by thy great mighte and power the proude i. the wicked vnbeléeuing and obstinate people for vnbeléefe is the mother of pride as faith is the mother of humilitie cursed are they i. all they of what estate or condition soeuer they are that doe erre vz. in their life and conuersation and this worde of erring doeth not signifye euery offence indifferentlye but an vnbrydeled licence whiche procéedeth from the contempt of GOD sée verse 10 of this Psalme and the word wander from thy commaundements vz. which thou hast prescribed as footesteppes and paths for me to tread in Verse 22. Remoue vz. very farre and that of thy goodnesse and mercy from me vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunte shame and contempt which the wicked and vngodlye haue purposed to bring vpon me for i. because I haue kepte thy testimonies vz. in my life and conuersation q.d. suffer not the wicked to diffame and mocke mée for this that I studye to obserue thy Lawe meaning that in that respecte and for that cause only the wicked did contemne mocke and despyse him Verse 23. Princes also i. great and mightye men as Magistrates and Iudges q.d. I was scorned and contemned not onlye of the common sorte of people but of great personages did sit vz. in the place and on the seat of iudgement and did speake vz. there and that openly where they should haue vttered nothing but iustice and truth this hee alleageth as a circumstaunce to aggrauate the sinne of those Rulers agaynst me vz. in my iust cause and that with mockes and tauntes but thy seruaunt i. I thy seruaunt speaking of himselfe by chaunging the person in the thyrde person did meditate vz. notwithstanding all that they spake or sayde agaynst mée in thy statutes i. in thy lawe and worde q.d. I did couragiously neglecte the shame and contempt which they did purposely lay vppon mée And this no doubte did muche wounde him that he was mocked not onlye of the popular sorte but of the mightiest amongste them yea euen of them that sate in the iudgement seate Verse 24. Also q.d. I did not only meditate in them but I tooke also singular delight and pleasure in them thy testimonies are my delighte i. I take my only pleasure and pastime in them and my Counsellors i. they by whose counsell I gouerne my selfe Dauid speaketh here after the manner of men and namely Princes who will doe nothing without the aduise of them that are of their counsell whereby he declareth that we must not stay our selues vppon our owne vnderstanding and wit but vppon the worde of God onely Verse 17 teacheth vs that our life is giuen vs Do. and shoulde be spent in the obedience of Gods truth Verse 18 teacheth vs that in respect of apprehending Gods misteries we are of our selues blinder then béetels till GOD open the eyes of our vnderstanding Verse 19 setteth out the wretchednesse misery and ignoraunce that is in vs not only before but after regeneration Verse 20. teacheth vs to haue a holy hunger and thirste not onlye after the knoweledge but also after the practise of God his lawe Verse 21 teacheth vs that GOD cannot awaye with proude men also that disobedience to Gods lawe pulleth his curse vppon vs. Verse 22 teacheth vs to praye to bée deliuered as GOD will from shame and contempt amongst men Verse 23 teacheth vs first that it is no new thing to haue mightye men to bée enemyes to Gods children secondlye that the more they shall trouble vs by persecution reuyling or otherwise the more we should giue our selues to meditation of God his word and the exercises therein prescribed Ver. 24 teacheth vs also two thinges firste that we should take singuler delight and pleasure in GOD his word otherwise there is little hope of profiting thereby secondlye that wée should haue it in this reuerence neuer to doe any thing but to aske aduise of the word whether we may do it yea or no. Daleth Di. THis is the fourth letter and serueth to distincte the fourth parte of the Psalme which generally comprehendeth an earnest praier of the Prophet desiring God somtime to instruct him in his wayes Verse 26 27 29 somtimes he prayeth to be deliuered from gréefes and troubles wherein he was verse 25 28 31 sometimes he setteth out the purpose that he had within him of obedience to the law verse 27 30 31 32. Se. Verse 25. My soule i. my life yea I my selfe in respecte of the outward and inward man cleaueth to the dust i. is not only nigh to deaths doore as it were but is full fraught with calamities and miseries so that I am cast downe and lie prostrate vnder them quicken mée vz. thus distressed q. d. Restore me to a better state and condition of life according to thy woorde vz. whiche thou hast giuen vnto me Hée putteth the worde which is the whole for the promises which are a part thereof Verse 26. I haue declared vz. from the bottome of my hart and that vnto thée alone my wayes i. not onely my matters affayres and thoughts but all my miseries yea very harte and order of lyfe committing them as it were into thy handes and thou heardest mée vz. thus praying and declaring my gréefes vnto thée vnderstanding by hearing graunting of his requestes teache mée thy statutes i. instructe mée in thy law and learne mée to leade my life according thereto q.d. I haue heretofore declared all my thoughtes vnto thée without hypocrisie or deceate I haue also committed all my actions and affections to thy care and referred all my enterpryses to thy good will hanging wholye vppon thy prouidence and thou hast heretofore hearde mée and taughte mée doe the lyke for me nowe Verse 27. Make me vz. that am so blinde and ignoraunt to vnderstand vz. rightlye and soundlye the waye of thy preceptes i. after what sorte and order I am to liue and directe my selfe and lyfe according to those thinges that thou haste commaunded mée in thy Lawe and I will meditate vz. continuallye and with a good harte thorowe thy goodnesse in thy wonderous workes i. in those workes whiche thou haste done and bée wonderfull because they farre excéede the reache of mans witte I had rather reade in thy wonders i. in the wonders of thy lawe sée before verse 18. of this Psalme Verse 28. My soule i. my life and I my selfe as verse 25. melteth i. consumeth and weareth awaye hée vseth a word here whiche signifieth dropping q.d. Droppe by droppe as it were my life perisheth and being made thinne consumeth awaye I wéepe so much for heauinesse vz. of harte whiche I haue by reason of the outward and inward gréefes whiche I sustayne rayse mée vp vz. euen as it were from deaths dore Hée meaneth by