THE PSALMES OF Dauid TRVLY OPENED AND explaned by Paraphrasis according to the right sense of euerie Psalme With large and ample Arguments before euerie Psalme declaring the true vse thereof TO THE WHICH IS ADDED A briefe Table shewing wherevnto euery Psalme is particularly to be applied according to the direction of M. BEZA and TREMELLIVS Set foorth in Latine by that excellent learned man THEODORE BEZA And faithfully translated into English by ANTHONIE GILBIE And by him newlie purged from sundrie faultes escaped in the first print and supplied with the principal pointes of euerie Psalme summarilie set downe in a Table at the end of the booke PSALME 22 5. Our father 's called vpon thee and were deliuered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Printed by Henrie Denham 1581 Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTVOVS LADIE THE LADIE KAtherine Countesse of Huntingdon mine especial good Ladie Grace and peace in Iesus Christ our Sauiour al sufficient RIGHT honorable my singular good Ladie I can write no pleasant thinges the which the great states much desire neither anie eloquent termes which this world doth require but as your honour doth know my rude simplicitie yet through Gods great mercie alwaies grounded vpon his infallible veritie it pleaseth your honour to giue me leaue sometimes to write vnto you And now hauing gathered some profite my selfe by a booke of that excellent man Theodore Beza written in Latine and dedicate to my most honorable Lord so am I bold to put foorth some part of the same into English which I thought most expedient for you and to present it to your honour with this short preface The which though it be short and rude yet do I beseech your honour to consider it as a preparatiue to moue your godlie mind to the more diligent meditation of these Arguments of the Psalmes which are verie profitable and to this Paraphrasis which is a briefe and a plaine declaration of the meaning of the holie Ghost who did endite the Psalmes and set them foorth by his secretaries Dauid and others as shal appeare in their places First then I beseech your Honour to consider the state of our time and compare it with former times that we may see what is like to come vpon vs vnles we do watch and pray and bring foorth the fruites of vnfeigned repentance We do reade in the histories of the Kings of Iudah who were the deare people of God how that after the death of Manasses that idolatrous and cruel King who had brought in idolatrie againe after that his father Hezekias had reformed religion Amon reigned but two yeares when God in mercie stirred vp good Iosias who restored the religion and brought it againe to ful perfection and made a couenant betwixt the Lord and the people and al the people stoode to the couenant 2. Kings 23 3. the which true religion was continued 31. yeares euen al the time of Iosias yet is it written in the 2. Kings 23. verses 25 26 27. Like vnto Iosias was there no King before him that turned to the Lord with al his heart and with al his soule with al his might according to al the lawe of Moses neither after him arose there anie like him Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fearcenes of his great wrath wherewith he was angrie against Iudah because of al the prouocations wherewith Manasses had prouoked him Therfore the Lord said I wil put Iuda also out of my sight as I haue sent away Israël and wil cast off this Citie Ierusalem which I haue chosen and the house whereof I haue said My name shal be there Againe 2. Kings 24.3 Surelie by the commandement of the Lord came this vpon Iudah that he might put them out of his sight for the sinnes of Manasses according to al that he did and for the innocent bloud that he shedde for he filled Ierusalem with innocent bloud therefore the Lord would not pardon it The which terrible words and threatnings against Gods chosen people when I read them they cause me to tremble and feare for our state here in England And I do earnestlie request your honour and al that feare God diligentlie to meditate these and such like places of the holie histories which I omit for breuitie sake For besides that our religion is not yet brought to ful perfection in these 22. yeares the which thing I feare wil be laid to our charge the horrible sinnes of former times are not yet purged with true teares of repentance For manie do yet carie their idols in their hearts manie do waite for the occasion to shew the like crueltie that they did before few do feele how horriblie they did offend Gods sacred maiestie in erecting of idols contrarie to Gods holie commandement especialie in kneeling downe and worshipping that wafer cake the vilest and weakest idol that euer was imagined vpon the earth both for the smalnes of the substance and the huge heapes of errours therein maintained The most part make that their reuolting vnto Antichrist and renouncing of the Gospel of Christ in Q. Maries time but a laughing matter Two or three or none do worthily lament their fal with Peter Wherefore I can not but feare I saie least the like punishment wil come vpon vs for the like sinnes committed in the daies of Q. Marie for al our outward shew of religion as came vppon Iudah for their former sinnes committed in the time of Manasses Therefore haue we great cause to praie vnto the Lord our God to be merciful vnto vs to our Queene and Countrie that so by earnest praiers either we may turne awaie his fearce wrath from vs altogither or at the least with our Hezekias our gratious Queene I meane to obteine that it come not in our daies To this purpose is this Booke of the Psalmes most necessarie for euerie Christian not to reade them for fashion and custome onlie either in a knowne or vnknowne language which were to take the name of God in vaine but to meditate them in their hearts and so by earnest and continual inuocation and hartie praiers to moue the Lord our God to mercies as his holie seruants haue by the like meanes alwaies found mercie before vs. For whereas al other scriptures do teach vs what God saith vnto vs these praiers of the saints do teach vs what we shal saie vnto God and how we must prepare our selues to appeare before his maiestie both in prosperitie and aduersitie and therefore are they dailie to be vsed with great reuerence and humilitie And surelie these Arguments this Paraphrasis of the psalmes set forth of late by that great learned man Beza do so liuelie paint forth the zealous and feruent praiers which both the whole Church generalie and the saints of God particularlie haue vsed from time to time that we haue great cause to praise God that hath giuen vs such patternes and examples at this present
his couenant that he hath made with vs as the singular testimonie of his mercie 11 I beseech thee ô Lord therefore for thy great mercie and for the honour of thy holie name forgiue me my sinnes the which I acknowledge to be great and manifold 12 O how happie is he that feareth the Lord for he wil teach him the waie that he ought to walke 13 His mind enioieth a continual rest a blessing shal alwaie followe him wherof his posteritie shal be partakers 14 These are they to whome the Lord doth reueale his counsels which are otherwaies hid from vs euen that his couenant I saie to them that feare him 15 Wherefore I haue mine eies alwaies bent vpon the Lord alone for he in the end wil rid my feete foorth of these nets 16 O looke vpon me and haue mercie vpon me for I am verie miserable and forsaken of al. 17 Sorowes oppresse my heart on euerie side deliuer me from these miseries 18 Behold how miserablie I am vexed and tormented and put awaie my sinnes which are the verie cause of al these miseries 19 Behold how manie do hate me and how bitter hatred they beare against me 20 Defend me and keepe me from shame for in thee onlie do I trust 21 Graunt that I may be preserued safe in simplicitie and integritie the which I do waite for of thee 22 Finalie ô God deliuer thou Israël out of al troubles PSALME XXVI The Argument It is a verie hard thing in the Court to retaine true religion and vprightnes of life and conuersation chiefelie when wicked men do reigne there flatterers do rage partlie by open violence partlie by false accusations and an other sort doth sing in their eares that they must frame their wits to serue al turnes and purposes euen as the fish called Polypus doth change himselfe into the colour of the stone whereunto he cleaueth so that some do altogither leaue their vocations prouiding for their owne commodities to the great damage of the common wealth others do by little and little fal to the Courtlie maners like the rest And some there be who for the wicked life of certaine others do either absteine from the holie assemblies or gather vnto them-selues apart priuate conuenticles as did the Catharians and the Nouatians and manie Monkes that went into solitarie places and the Anabaptistes of our time But Dauid contrariwise though his state was no better in the Court of Saul yet doth he perseuere in his place and vocation and doth the more diligentlie frequent the holie assemblies that were polluted with no idolatrie whiles he is driuen from them by violence neither when he is driuen thence doth he repent of his constancie but being alwaies one man he doth commit his cause vnto God and stil continueth to abhorre the counsels and the examples of the wicked and plainelie testifieth that he wil make a true profession of his faith and that he wil liue an vpright life resting vpon the promises of the most merciful and most mightie God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O LORD iudge thou my cause for surelie according to my power I haue endeuored my selfe to walke vprightlie and I setling al my confidence in thee ô Lord am minded to continue without wauering 2 Thou ô Lord prooue me and trie me and search the secret of my heart 3 Surelie mine eâ—es are alwaie bent vpon thy goodnes and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life 4 I haue carefullie auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitful dealers 5 I hate the assemblie of euil men neither do I accompanie the wicked 6 I do present my selfe before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from al wickednes 7 That I may openlie set foorth thy praise and celebrate thy wonderful workes 8 For there is nothing that I loue more dearelie than that temple wherein thou hast set thy seate euen the house of thy Maiestie 9 Wrap me not in I beseech thee with these wicked persons neither account me with these cruel men 10 Who do speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are ful of bribes 11 But I haue walked vprightlie to my power therefore haue mercie vpon me and deliuer me 12 That I do stand vpright in the waie I do attribute it to thee ô Lord and wil magnifie thy name in the publike congregations PSALME XXVII The Argument Whether we saie that Dauid did write this Psalme when he was now deliuered or when he was in the middest of his daungers it is no great matter But here are opened vnto vs euen when al things seeme most desperate three liuelie and neuer failing fountaines whence we may drawe assured comfort One is to take hold of the power of God by true faith and oppose it against al the bragges of the enimies The second a continual desire alwaie of the glorie of God keeping euermore a safe conscience and vsing diligentlie the meanes whereby our faâ—th may be confirmed that is to saie the hearing of the word preached and the vse of the sacraments if so be that we may haue thâ—m if not yet must we haue a continual meditation of them The third is earnest praier wâ—th faith and patience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord seeing thy wil doth manifestlie appeare like a most bright light vnto me in this so great darkenes to deliuer me whome shal I feare seeing my life standeth vpon the strength of the Lord of whom shal I be afraid 2 I speake of experience for so oft as those wicked tyrants mine enimies did runne vpon me as though they would deuour me with their teeth they fel downe voide of their purpose 3 Hereafter therefore though the enimies come foorth with their armies set in araie against me yet wil I stand without al feare yea though they enter into battel against me I wil hereof take the occasion of more confidence 4 Neither do I yet herein prouide for mine owne priuate commoditie but I beg and craue this one thing of the Lord that I may dwel in the house of the Lord and leade my life with him euen to spend my whole life in beholding the beautie of the Lord and to meditate in his holie temple 5 For there trulie vnder the roose of his house wil I lie hid when anie storme commeth in the secret place of his pauilion shal I be hid whilest that I be set vpon an high and safe rocke 6 Yea euen now alreadie like a conquerour I mount vp listing mine head aboue mine enimies that compas me about wherefore I wil offer sacrifice ioifullie in his tabernacle and I wil sing and praise the Lord. 7 Receiue therefore ô Lord the voice of my crie haue mercie vpon me and heare me 8 My heart doth continualie meditate that same thy commandement Seeke ye my face that is euen as I now open my selfe wherfore I do obeie thee
and the slaughter of his people I therefore rather suppose that it was written of Dauid and euen in those times that were betwixt the death of Saule and the annointing of Dauid in Hebron For the Philistins being at that time conquerours and ciuil war being raised vp though Dauid behaued himselfe verie moderatelie yet it is manifest that the affaires of the Jsraëlites were verie sore vexed and no doubt manie captiues were caried awaie from sundrie places and sold and yet the historie doth not record that anie thing was then changed in religion But the circumstance of this time doth maruelouslie commend Dauids faith and his mind for the establishing of the kingdome of God not thinking of himselfe alone but inditing these praiers for the whole Church And as concerning the matter it selfe this Psalme teacheth vs that which we ought especiallie to knowe that is to saie that the Crosse is annexed with the doctrine of Christ crucified not for the trial of this or that man alone but also of the whole bodie of the Church as the 22. verse of this Psalme is recited of the Apostle Rom. 8.35 Although then that to suffer for righteousnes sake is a sure testimonie of our conformitie and likenes with the sonne of God for the which Christ commandeth vs to reioice yet seeing we are not iron hearted but the same Christ doth bid vs to suffer together in the priuate afflictions of our brethren and much more in the publike calamities of the Church it is needeful that our faith should then chieflie be kindled to praier by powring out sobs and sighes into the bosome of our father of the which praier this Psalme ministreth vnto vs a most notable example For it is an other thing to murmur against God as vniust and deceiueable as they vse to do which receiue the promises of God after a sort for their owne commoditie than to do as he doth not as one particular man but as the whole Church declaring and acknowledging the benefites of God alreadie receiued that we may determine though these inferiour things be changed yet God wil alwaies remaine like himselfe constant and that we so complaine both of the crueltie of the enimies and of these alterations that we stil remaining in faith take occasion thereby to praie so much more earnestlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis our present most miserable estate calleth into our remembrance ô God those former times of the which we haue heard of our elders for they haue declared vnto vs how manie and how great things thou hast done for our sakes of old 2 To wit that thou hast driuen out by thine owne hand the people which possessed this countrie that thou mightest place them heere and moreouer also that thou hast broken and consumed al that remained of those nations that this stocke or linage of our elders should spread far and wide 3 For surelie there was no cause why they should ascribe the atteining and winning of this countrie to their owne weapons or wherefore they should imagine that they haue resisted so manie and so mightie people by their owne power naie al this praise is thine because it so pleased thee of thine onlie mercie to strengthen vs by thine arme and thy right hand stretched out by the brightnes of thy countenance 4 Neither did thy mercie cease heere for it failed not to gouerne vs afterward and oh that thou wouldest continue to deliuer vs as al things are obedient at thy commandement 5 For of old it is plaine that we did driue awaie our enimies neither did anie rise against vs whom we haue not repulsed by calling vpon thy name 6 For neither by the trusting in our owne bowe or sword haue we obteined so manie victories 7 But thou thy selfe hast deliuered vs from our enimies and hast put them to shame 8 And we ô Lord dailie praise thee therefore and set foorth these thine innumerable benefits 9 But now ô God what alteration of our state and sudden change is this now doest thou reiect vs whome thou diddest defend now doest thou shame vs who diddest before fil our enimies with shame and confusion now doest thou forsake vs who before wast our captaine to go before our armies 10 Heereof now it commeth that we that haue so oft chased awaie our enimies whilest thou wast our captaine haue now fled from our enimies folowing vpon vs and haue bin exposed to their lust and spoile 11 Thou giuest vs vp then vnto them to be deuoured like sheepe they drawe vs into bondage and scatter vs amongst them 12 Thus hast thou sold thy people for most vile price and without anie chapman to increase the price thou hast sold them to anie that would buie them 13 Thus hast thou giuen occasion to our enimies to raile and ieast vpon vs so that of euerie side we could heare nothing of those people that dwel about vs but scoffings and reproches 14 To conclude we are a common talke vnto al men and we are mocked of the prophane nations which wag their heads at vs. 15 Neither is this for one daie but no daie passeth wherein we do not behold these things so that we dare scarselie looke vp for shame 16 Whilest on the one side reproches and railings are increased and of the other side our most cruel enimies gape ouer vs. 17 Notwithstanding yet though we be striken with so manie and great miseries we are not vnmindful of thee neither do we forsake the couenant that thou hast made with vs. 18 We haue not turned awaie our heart and loue from thee to anie other neither hath anie crueltie drawne vs awaie from the worshipping of thee as thou hast appointed vs. 19 Although thou hast cast vs awaie as it were into wildernesses ful of dragons hast ouerwhelmed vs as with the shadowe of death 20 But if it be otherwaies and that we haue forgotten thy name ô our God and are knowne to haue worshipped anie strange or feined God 21 Thou ô God that beholdest the verie secrets of the heart go to cal vs to accomptes for this wickednes 22 Therefore for thy sake alone are we killed euerie daie neither are we in anie better condition than sheepe appointed of butchers to the slaughter 23 Now then ô Lord rise vp at the length for how shal we saie that it commeth to passe that in so great miserie of thy people thou seemest to sleepe awake ô Lord neither put vs away for euer 24 Shouldest thou turne awaie thy face from vs that are thine shouldest thou haue no regard of this our miserie and oppression 25 Surelie we are cast downe vpon the earth by the burthen of our miseries and lie downe flat cleauing to the earth 26 Come forth therfore and helpe vs and for thy singular mercie redeeme vs. PSALME XLV The Argument This whole Psalme is altogether allegorical and hath the selfe-same argument that the song of Salomon hath but I cannot consent vnto those which thinke
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
10 But the innocents whome these men without cause laboured to oppresse shal more ioifullie praise the name of God and shal flie vnto him more boldlie hereafter al I saie that be of good conscience shal take occasion of a certaine holie boasting and glorieng hereby PSALME LXV The Argument This Psalme or hymne written to the praise of God first teacheth vs that his benefites are neuer anie where rightlie knowledged and praised but onlie in his holie congregations Then he biddeth vs to marke three special things and to praise God for them One and that for the greatest that God doth gather a Church vnto himselfe in the which he wil be praised where he heareth them that do praie where he doth forgiue sinne the which finallie he neuer ceasseth to blesse with the multitude of his benefites and most mightilie to defend Secondlie that he doth mainteine the societie of mâ—n by appointing and preseruing the policies and gouernements in the midst of so great hurlieburlies Thirdlie that he doth minister from heauen al things that are necessarie for this life so abundantlie and liberallie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou certeinlie art onlie he to whome once vttering thy pleasure al men must worthily yeeld but this praise ô God is giuen vnto thee in the onlie mount of Sion where onlie vowes are paied vnto thee aright 2 And thou againe there doest despise the praiers of none that flie vnto thee 3 There doest thou purge the sinnes wherewith else we being vtterlie ouerwhelmed durst not lift vp our faces before thee 4 O blessed is he therefore whome so euer thou so fauourest that thou commandest him to come vnto thee and whome thou feedest abundantlie with those true good things of thy house and most holie palace after thou hast receiued him into the number of thy houshold seruants 5 For although no men seeme to be more in danger yet experience it selfe doth declare that none are more sure whiles that thou in verie deede dost declare thy selfe terrible to al their enimies for the perfourmance of thy promise so oft as they cal vpon thee so that euen to the vtmost coastes of the earth and the farthest part of the sea the same of thy name being spread al men are compelled to looke vp vnto thee 6 Thou art he by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth these mountaines which we see and the kingdomes also and the policies whereby mankind is preserued 7 And like as thou doest calme the stormes of the sea and the sounding tempests so also thou doest breake and bridle the fiercenes of the raging multitude 8 By these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced do tremble and keepe silence and thus peace being restored thou causest that men againe do leade their life both daie and night in comfortable peace and tranquillitie 9 For thou takest care of the earth euen from the heauens watering it and making it fruiteful with plentious showres which are thy verie gift wherwith it being soupled and prepared doth reteine the seede committed vnto it 10 Afterward thou waterest the sorrowes of the fields thou breakest the clots thou mollifiest the ground with mild and timelie showres sent downe from aboue thou cherishest and bringest forth the seede with their buds 11 Finallie thus thou crownest the earth most bountifullie with al kinde of fruites yearelie the fatnes dropping downe from aboue from thy steps which waie soeuer thou walkest 12 Yea and the pastures of the wildernes doest thou cherish with dew and thou fillest the high hilles also with gladnes 13 So are the pastures clad with sheepe the vallies are clothed with corne finallie al places do sound together with ioiful shoutes and songs PSALME LXVI The Argument This Psalme and also certaine other do seeme to be written for the perpetual vse of the Church although they haue some priuate occasion partlie to renew the memorie of so manie old deliuerances and partlie to giue thankes vnto God so oft as anie occasion doth offer it selfe either priuatelie or publikelie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye inhabitants of the earth sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song 2 Praise his name with songs praise him with glorie and maiestie 3 Saie in his presence O how terrible and feareful doest thou shew thy selfe in verie deede for euen thine enimies ouercome by the greatnes of thy power are compelled to acknowledge thee and to dissemble at the least that they feare thee 4 Therfore shal al the earth worship thee it shal sing praises vnto thee and celebrate thy name 5 Go to come hither al you behold the things that God hath done and with how great miracles he hath declared himselfe terrible to mortal men 6 This is he that dried vp the sea in a moment and made the floud passable vnto our feete for the which benefit we his people euen at this daie do reioice 7 This is the almightie Lord of the whole world beholding from heauen al the nations scattered throughout the world not suffering them that forsake him to exalt themselues at their pleasure 8 O praise the Lord ô ye tribes and kindreds consecrate vnto him sound forth his glorie far and wide 9 For he hath restored our life when it was lost and he onlie hath staied that we should not fal with sliding steps 10 For thou wouldest not haue vs to be lost ô God but onlie hast tried vs and fined vs as the siluer put in the fornace 11 Thou hast snared vs and cast vs bound with chaines into most streight distresse 12 Thou hast suffered that our enimies hauing ouercome vs did abuse vs with reproches and scoffes as though we had bin beastes we haue tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water but thou afterward hast sent comfort and refreshed vs. 13 Wherefore I am present in thy house with offerings to performe my vowes 14 Which I haue fullie vowed in my miserie and spoken them with my mouth 15 Therefore haue I determined to offer vnto thee fat offerings euen the fat of rams and bullockes and goates 16 And you also al others that feare God come hither I praie you with me and giue eare vnto me rehearsing the benefits bestowed by him vpon me 17 I haue called for his helpe with my mouth and haue praised him with my tongue 18 And that with a mind free from al euil imagination for else he would not haue heard me 19 Therefore the Lord hath heard me and gaue eare vnto my praier 20 Praise then be vnto God who refused not my praiers neither did withdrawe his mercie from me PSALME LXVII The Argument The Prophet doth attribute vnto the onlie mercie of God both the spiritual blessings which are peculiar vnto the Church and also the corporal whereof he desireth the continuance and also doth prophesie the spreading of the Church that should be vnder Messiâ—h and so exhorteth al the
it be by death or by anie other meanes that he wil câ—l them to an accounts of al their words and deedes euen as he doth al other mortal men Afterward he condemneth another thing wherein they fault and faile most commonlie to wit the parcialitie and fauouring one person more than another Finallie because the Prophets had oft preached this to men that would not heare them the Prophet praieth that that righteous King would come to put an end to this disorder the which thing also we did see came to passe when the political gouernement of the Iewes ceased and was abolished Now in our times and especiallie after the preaching of the Gospel is restored whereas we see these euils to growe aboue measure so that in manie places there is no regard at al either of Gods law or the law of man what must we now rather desire than that that last daie should speedilie come wherein the Lord may restore al things as it is promised vnto vs by the mouth of Peter Actes 3 21. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 YOV sit indeede I confesse in a higher place aboue other men that are your subiects but I the most high God am present in that your assemblie who haue not debarred my selfe of mine authoritie ouer you neither am I present as an idle beholder but as your Iudge also 2 I praie you then how long shal I suffer you thus to abuse this authoritie giuen vnto you by me vnder certaine lawes and conditions and to exercise iudgements not by right and equitie but as you fauour the wicked partie 3 But I haue placed you in this seate vpon this condition and giuen it vnto you in plaine commandement that you should relieue them that are spoiled by violence that you should defend the fatherles and mainteine the poore against the iniuries of the rich 4 That you should deliuer I saie the miserable and the poore from the hands of the wicked 5 But what hath it auailed to haue spoken these things vnto you I do see that you do care for nothing lesse than to knowe what is your dutie and therefore are more vnwilling to do your dutie Wherefore al things are out of order and none otherwise confounded together than if al men were in most extreame darkenes so that the verie foundations of the earth are moued foorth of their places For what can remaine safe amongst men when the difference of right and wrong is taken awaie 6 Heare therefore ye kings and magistrates who are so negligent what sentence is giuen vpon you You are honoured in deede with that name wherby mine authoritie ouer al men is declared and I haue embraced you with special fauour as a father his children 7 Howbeit I haue not exempted you from my power and authoritie Therefore you are kings I saie but mortal euen as other men you shal die ô ye princes and you shal stand at my iudgement seate as euerie most vile and poore man to giue account of al things 8 O God arise and seeing thou art the onelie Lorde by ful right and authoritie of al men thou thy selfe gouerne the empires and the kingdoms PSALME LXXXIII The Argument This Psalme seemeth then to be made when Dauid had begunne to reigne and had great warres against manie nations whereof mention is made 2. Sam. 8. 1. Chron. 18. And it declareth that there shal neuer want neither foreine nor domestical enimies vnto the Church and by what weapons they are chieflie ouercome the which doctrine how necessarie it is to our times especiallie would God that al to whome it belongeth would consider THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to now come foorth ô God neither keepe silence stil ô God 2 For those that are rather thine enimies than ours conspiring together were neuer more outragious neither did they euer rage with more furie 3 They did neuer take more craftie counsels and that against thy people I saie euen them whome thou hast receiued to protection flieng vnder thine onlie shadowe of defence 4 Neither do they deuise anie light assault against vs but exciting and stirring vp one another Come saie they and let vs destroie these men al at once that we may abolish the name and al memorie of the people of Israël 5 Thus then with one accord haue they made a solemne league against thee 6 The Edomites I saie comming foorth of their tabernacles the Ismaëlites Moabites Agarens 7 Gebalites Ammonites Amalekites Palestines and Tyrians 8 And also the Assyrians confederate with the sonnes of Lot 9 But thou ô God so deale with these as thou diddest with the Midianites of old and with Sisara and Iabin at the brooke of Kison 10 Whome thou diddest destroie at the citie of Endor and madest their lands to be dunghils 11 Do so to their princes as thou didst in old time to Oreb and Zecb and also to Zeba and Salmuna the ringleaders of thine enimies 12 Who euen as these men had the same purpose euen to driue thee awaie and to occupie thy place 13 Whurle them awaie therefore like a ball and tosse them like stubble before the winde 14 And like as the fire burning vp some great wood and the flame consuming the tops of the mountaines 15 So fal thou vpon them with a great storme and pursue them and terrifie them with thy whirlewinde 16 Ouerwhelme them with infamie and shame that they may be compelled against their willes to aske Who is this so mightie a Lord 17 Cause them to be ashamed and to tremble seeing their purposes more and more disappointed and let them perish miserablie in the end 18 That al men may vnderstand that thou art both in name and in deede the onelie Lord which rulest from heauen far and broade throughout al the earth PSALME LXXXIIII The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this notable Psalme and of the 42. For the Prophet doth bewaâ—le and lament his miserable condition that for the rage of his enimies he could not go with others into the house of the Lord and there enioie the commodities of the outward holie ministerie The which thing he doth testifie to be more deare vnto him than al other most excellent commodities so far was he from following their example who being conuersant in the verie bosome of the Church do despise the holie assemblies and the vse of the sacraments or else do willinglie go into such places where they can not come together to the true worship of God And in my iudgement this Psalme was written by Dauid himselfe and after was deliuered to the Korites to be sung chiefelie in the solemne feast of the tabernacles that the zeale and desire of the people assembling together might be stirred vp by this notable example oftentimes repeated either that it was written of the Korites themselues of whome as it is verie probable some did ioine themselues vnto Dauid after the Priestes were slaine by Saule and were partakers of his calamities as was Nathan and
being for this cause replenished with ioie and comforted with thy iudgements ô Lord wil reioice 9 Go to then ô Lord sitting vpon thy most high throne rule thou the whole earth and exalt thy selfe aboue al that is aloft anie-where 10 And ye that loue the Lord continue to hate that which is euil and doubt nothing but that he which hath freelie embraced you with so great fauour wil defend you also most mightilie and wil deliuer you from the wicked 11 And though this light of the mercie of God doth not streightwaie shine vnto the godlie let them remember that like as the seedes which are sowen in the earth do not foorthwith spring vp naie though they lie longer hid in the bowels of the earth yet they come forth more plentifullie euen so the light of righteousnes is sowen for them that loue that light whereby it shal wholie come to passe that al they that leade an vpright life are replenished with incredible ioie 12 Reioice ye therefore in the Lord so great a King ô al ye iust and magnifie the holie remembrance of him continuallie PSALME XCVIII The Argument This Psalme is the same almost with the ninetie and sixe and it conteineth the prophesie of the spreading of the kingdome of the Messiah and repeateth it againe of the which prophesie Simeon Zacharie and Marie the mother of the Lord in those their most famous hymnes are most diuine interpreters vsing almost the selfe-same words But this Psalme doth teach three things of most great importance euen in three verses One verse 1. that Christ our mediatour in this worke of our redemption hath no coadiutor at al nor partener the which heauenlie doctrine doth confute that diuelish dotage of the merits of saints as they cal them with what painted colours soeuer it be intruded and it giueth to God alone his due glorie as wel in the redemption as in the creation of man The second verse 2. that al this redemption consisteth in the iustice of Christ himselfe which verelie can not be made ours but by imputation The third verse 3. that al this benefit doth flowe foorth from the onelie free promise and truth of God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song for he hath now shewed foorth al that his maruellous power by ouercomming al his enimies by his owne right hand onelie and by his owne arme alone 2 And now in the end he setteth foorth to be seene before al nations this benefit of so great a deliuerance which was so long looked for of our fathers and now at the length is performed which did lie hid before as in a corner euen his owne iustice wherewith they being indued shal not onlie escape the damnation which their vnrighteousnes deserueth but also shal obteine the crowne of iustice promised 3 And if anie demand what hath mooued him at the length to so great bountifulnes let him knowe that al this proceedeth from hence that hee is mindful of the promise that he hath made and by the same mercie that he was moued to promise it by the same he is moued to perfourme it in deede that he might shew himselfe most bountiful in verie deede vnto al men to the vttermost borders of the earth 4 Go to then al ye inhabitants of the earth blowe vp the trumpets vnto God sound out the instruments sing a triumphant song vnto him sing praises vnto him 5 Sing vnto the Lord both with the harps and with voices by order and course 6 Go before the King Iehouah with sounding trumpets and shalmes 7 Let the sea how wide soeuer sound againe and also the whole world with the song of al the inhabitants of the earth 8 Let the verie flouds sound round about with their noise and the verie mountaines with triumphant songs 9 Before the Lord that shal vndertake the gouernement of the world and shal gouerne the people most iustlie and vprightlie PSALME XCIX The Argument This Psalme was set foorth that the people what storme soeuer should arise turning vnto God should learne to set foorth the promise of the Messiah against al terrours of whome he so plainlie speaketh as though he had bene now present at the same time commanding al men euen to behold him in the visible sacraments set before them because they were no vaine signes of his most present fauour being euen the same in signification that ours are seeing there is but one and the same Christ whether he be to be shewed or alreadie exhibited although their signes were differing from ours Furthermore he adioineth the testimonies of three most godlie men Moses Aaron and Samuel whose office was to praie vnto God for the people both that whilest that priesthood appointed of God should remaine in authoritie the people should surelie iudge that the same God should be present with them who was with them of old as also they which desired to be heard might followe the same waie of faith and godlines that they did vnto the which doctrine of the publike and ecclesiastical praiers that is to be applied which Paule writeth 1. Timoth. 2 1. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw I beseech you why should we feare the force or threatenings of anie man seeing we haue the Lord himselfe to be our King let the people fret as much as they lust yea let the earth wauer the foundations being shaken it is enough that he is with vs that inhabiteth the Cherubims 2 Verelie the Lord hath declared abundantlie the greatnes of his power in Sion and al the people nil they wil they shal be subiect to his power 3 Let vs therefore neither feare nor yet doubt but rather trusting vpon the most assured protection of God magnifie that his mightie and terrible name to the enimies for it is holie and therefore al honour is due vnto it 4 For is not this our King as he is indued with most great power so also the louer of iustice wherefore we neede to seeke none other succour besides him neither neede we to doubt but that he wil punish most sharplie al them of whome we are vniustlie oppressed For it is not possible that he should suffer their wickednes vnaduenged who is the authour of equitie it selfe hath set downe the verie rule of iustice vnto the posteritie of Iacob 5 Go to then praise ye the Lord our God and falling downe before his footestoole worship him for he is holie 6 For this cause did he consecrate Moses and Aaron of old and set Samuel also amongst them who did exercise the office of the mediator for the people the which thing whilest they did carefullie praieng vnto God they were heard of the Lord. Why then should wee doubt seeing that same priesthoode is of force but that we folowing their example should now also be heard 7 And also he did speake to those our fathers of old out of the cloudie piller vnto whome because they should keepe his commandements he prescribed the rites of
themselues to vnrighteousnes which folowe the waie that he sheweth 4 For neither hast thou ô Lord commanded anie thing vnaduisedlie either as things that we should onlie vnderstand or idlie consider but thou hast commanded that they should be obserued and kept with al diligence 5 And would to God that my manners might so be ordered by thy gouernement that I might most constantlie perseuere in keeping most carefullie thy statutes 6 For then shal al things go wel with me when I shal turne the eies of my mind vnto al thy commandements 7 For then verelie shal I onlie worship thee rightlie and purelie when I do not folowe this or that manner of worship but shal learne thy most iust lawes 8 Therefore am I fullie purposed to keepe thy statutes and thou neuer forsake me when I am in distresse THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. II. 9 I Praie you by what meanes can the youth which of it selfe is headie to al kinde of vice purelie and holilie direct his manners euen if he obserue diligentlie those things which thou hast spoken vnto vs. 10 I certainelie do seeke thee with my whole heart and thou which hast wrought this wil in me staie me furthermore least I being drawne awaie with anie euil affection do wander from thy precepts 11 I do beare thy word that is laide vp in my heart like a pretious treasure least I offend thee in anie matter 12 But except thou thy selfe ô Lord that art greater than al praise hadst bin my maister and instructer trulie I should nothing haue preuailed therefore teach thou me thy statutes 13 Then euen I speaking openlie wil shew forth the lawes that are set downe by thy most holie mouth 14 I take much more pleasure of this one thing that I may keepe that waie which thou hast testified to please thee than if I had attained al the treasures of al men 15 Therefore wil I meditate thy commaundements continuallie and wil applie my whole mind to obserue thy waies 16 I wil delight my mind I saie in thy statutes neither wil I at anie time forget thy words THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. III. 17 BVT thou ô Lord continue to embrace me againe thy most bound seruant with the same fauour that I ouercomming al difficulties may remaine to obserue those things which thou hast spoken vnto vs. 18 Roll awaie that vaile which taketh awaie from the eies of my mind al the vse of the true light that I may behold those vndoubted wonderful secrets which do shine foorth of that thy heauenlie doctrine 19 For I am a stranger in the earth striuing to go to another place euen to that better heauenlie life wherefore I beseech thee hide not from mee thy precepts which verelie leade vs thither 20 For I am so inflamed wholie with great desire of knowing and keeping thy lawes both in prosperitie and aduersitie that this zeale consumeth me 21 Thou vsest to rebuke to destroie the haughtie persons and such as stubbornlie striue against thee and they are worthilie appointed to destruction whosoeuer refuse thy precepts 22 But these notwithstanding vse to reproch me with al kind of contumelie but thou remoue these things far from me because I do folowe thy wil that thou hast testified vnto vs. 23 For euen the princes and the great men also assembling themselues together do take counsel against me and slander me but I giue my selfe wholie to meditate thy statutes whilest they thus deale with me 24 These are my delightes these are the men whose counsel I vse THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. IIII. 25 YEt I confesse that I can not be but tormented most greeuouslie with so manie vndeserued iniuries so that I may seeme now without life and fastened to the graue but restore thou life vnto me like as thou doest promise this thing by thy word whereof onlie I aske counsel and comfort 26 For I do vse to open al mine affaires vnto thee and thou didst neuer faile me asking counsel of thee therefore teach me thy statutes more and more 27 Grant I saie that I may dailie knowe in these difficulties what waie is agreeable to thy commandements and that I may rest in the consideration of that maruelous wisedome which shineth foorth in them 28 For it is necessarie so to do for I wholie melt awaie for sorowe raise me now vp therfore that am fallen downe as thou hast promised by thy word 29 Remoue thou far from me whatsoeuer things may drawe me awaie from truth and right and rather graunt thou me that I may hold the waie prescribed by thy doctrine 30 For I haue chosen this as the true waie and I do prefer this before al other things 31 O Lord I endeuour my selfe I saie to cleaue fast vnto those things which are approoued by thy testimonie of the which my purpose grant I beseech thee that I do neuer repent 32 And I being drawne foorth of these streightes by thee as it were into a most broade place wil finish the whole course of my life by the direction of thy precepts THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. V. 33 TEach me ô Lord the order of life set foorth in thy decrees of the which I was not able of my selfe once to thinke that I may keepe it to the ende 34 Graunt that I may thoroughlie knowe thy doctrine the which I may obserue and keepe with al my heart 35 Direct me also that am entred into the waie of these thy precepts for there is nothing wherein I more delight 36 I beseech thee to turne my minde from filthie lucre which of it selfe would run a contrarie waie and incline it to embrace those things which thou testifiest to please thee 37 Keepe backe mine eies also that they be not deceiued by the enticing shew of most vaine things but rather bring me into the true life following thee my guide 38 And establish vnto thy seruant in deede that which thou hast promised in word to them that feare thee 39 Turne awaie that reproch which I do not feare without cause for thy lawes are good and therefore it were wickednes to condemne the loue of them in me 40 Behold I desire nothing more than thy commandements and keepe thou mee safe against al dangers for the mercie that thou hast promised THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. VI. 41 GRaunt ô Lord that I may proue by experience also that thy manifold mercie and deliuer me as thou hast spoken 42 That I may haue what to answere them who do therefore reproch me because I do depend vpon thy word 43 Suffer not I beseech thee that I being ouercome with their iniuries or with impatience should speake anie other thing but that thy word neither suffer that I being destitute thereof should vtterlie be dumbe For I do waite whilest thou execute such punishment vpon these wicked men as thy lawes do threaten 44 And whatsoeuer they do deuise against me I wil keepe the doctrine which thou hast giuen vs alwaie and for euer 45 Wherefore I going
as thou art accustomed to doe to those that loue thy name 133 Direct me that I set not one step out of the waie of thy words and that no affection striuing against thy wil doe rule ouer me 134 Defend and deliuer me from the crafts and false accusations of the wicked that I being deliuered from them may applie my selfe to keepe thy commandements 135 Command the light of that thy countenance to shine vnto thy seruant and teach mee thy statutes 136 Mine eies verelie did swim with teares when I beheld the contempt of thy doctrine THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVIII 137 THou art iust ô Lord doubtles and whatsoeuer thou decreest is right 138 And thou hast commanded worthilie that those thinges which thou hast testified vnto vs should be knowen and obserued as most iust and as the most perfect rule of truth 139 Wherefore I am wholie consumed being inflamed with the loue of thee because I see thy words despised of mine aduersaries 140 For verelie there is nothing more pure than thy words wherefore I euen thy seruant doe embrace them with an incredible loue and desire 141 So that though I see my selfe to be counted vile and abiect of these men therefore yet wil I not cast awaie the studie of thy commandements 142 For that onlie rule of iustice taught by thee is euerlasting and the same is most true and most stable wheras other both decrees and lawes which mans wisedome doth set downe are subiect vnto change and at length euen do come to naught 143 And I haue tried this by experience getting not onelie great comfort but also delectation thereby when I was in most great miseries and anguish 144 That is the fountaine of euerlasting goodnes that it hath pleased thee to testifie vnto vs by thy voice but grant thou that I may vnderstand it more and more that I may so liue the true life THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIX 145 O Lord heare me crieng vpon thee with my whole heart and that am bent to keepe thy statutes 146 Preserue me I saie calling for thy helpe and thinking on nothing more than of those things which thou hast testified vnto vs to be kept 147 Thou knowest that I am accustomed to preuent the verie twilight in the morning with my lowd praiers euen because I trusted to thy word 148 Neither do anie watchmen doubtles so carefullie keepe their watch as I am diligent in meditating thy words 149 Heare my words therefore ô Lord of thy singular mercie and as thou hast promised to do in thy lawes restore me that am without life 150 Thou seest how neere they assault me which are continuallie giuen to wickednes and are departed most far from thy doctrine 151 But I knowe wel that thou cleauest more nere vnto me for it must needes be that the verie truth remaine stable which thou hast ioined both to thy threatenings and to the promises in thy precepts 152 And I haue alreadie tried in deede that they are so ordeined by thee that they can neuer be ouerthrowne THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XX. 153 REgard I beseech thee how sore I am oppressed and deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught vs 154 Euen thou vnto whome I appeale from the most wicked iudgements of other men pleade my cause and be my iudge and as thou shalt determine of my right by the prescript rule of thy word deliuer me and preserue me 155 For they are in greater danger than I for saluation is further remooued from none more than from these wicked men which refuse thy statutes 156 Yet do not I trust in anie righteousnes of mine to desire thy helpe but whereas it is most euident that thou art most merciful ô Lord keepe thou me I beseech thee after thy woonted manner 157 For although they be verie manie and mightie of whom I am oppressed and driuen to extreme necessities yet haue not I declined frō those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 158 Naie I neuer conceiued more griefe of anie thing than when I did perceiue these men to despise thy words so stubbornelie and impudentlie 159 Haue regard of me therefore vnto whom thy commandements haue alwaie bene most deere and of thy singular goodnes saue me that doe perish 160 This is the chiefe thing in thy word that it is infallible and it is the vnchangeable rule of thy iustice for euer THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXI 161 AL the most mightie do persecute me though I haue deserued no such thing but I had rather to tremble at thy words than at their threatenings and to feare to offend thee rather than them 162 And though I might seeme to get great gaine by the denieng of thee yet the ioie that I receiue of thy words is better vnto me than anie praie how rich soeuer 163 I hate and abhorre deceits and I embrace thy doctrine 164 Yea I am so far off from folowing their example that contrariwise I beholding the excellent iudgements of thy iustice seuen times a daie do celebrate thy praises 165 Certainlie most great tranquillitie and true securitie safe from al casualtie do come vnto those men onelie which are occupied in the studie of thy doctrine 166 Therefore ô Lord I cherish within my selfe the hope of deliuerance which wil come vnto me from thee being in the meane season bent to keepe thy commandements 167 For I am determined to embrace with most great loue those things which thou hast testified vnto vs and to keepe them most diligentlie 168 And how sincerelie I doe this that is how without al hypocrisie I applie my selfe to thy commandements and to al things that thou hast testified vnto vs it is best knowne vnto thee who being my witnes and priuie to my doings I doe whatsoeuer I doe THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXII 169 LET my cries come vnto thee ô Lord and graunt vnto me the vnderstanding of thy word 170 Let my praiers I saie come vnto thee and deliuer me as thou hast promised to doe by thy word 171 Then I being deliuered and being taught thy statutes wil powre foorth thy praises out of my mouth flowing as it were from a most abundant spring 172 And I sounding foorth thy words with my tongue wil publish far and neere that there is nothing more iust than thy precepts 173 But go to helpe thou me with thy hand who haue preferred thy commandements before al other things 174 For of thee alone ô Lord I wholie depend and I seeke comfort at thine onelie doctrine 175 Commaund therefore my life to be prolonged that I being receiued into thy defence that art a most iust deliuerer may sing euerlasting praises vnto thee 176 Ah alas as thou seest I doe run wandering to and fro like a sheepe going far astraie from the flocke lieng open to al dangers but thou ô most merciful pastor seeke vp thy poore seruant which doth not forget thy precepts and when thou hast found him restore him againe PSALME
earnestlie meditate THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Doe render vnto thee ô Lord mine onelie strength the praise of al these victories by most worthie right For I doe attribute it vnto thee that these my hands haue fought so valiantlie and that my fingers haue handled my sword so cunninglie 2 For thou art hee by whose benefit I remaine aliue thou art my defence my tower my sauiour my shield my refuge finallie thou art he who onlie hast subdued al this people vnto me 3 For I praie thee what maner a thing is man that most miserable of al liuing things and most ful of calamities wherefore shouldst thou regard him what haue mortal men borne of those that are mortal in themselues that thou shouldst take care of them 4 Certainlie he himselfe is most like a thing of naught and his life is like a shadowe that passeth awaie most swiftlie 5 Be present therefore with me ô Lord without whose helpe I perish and come foorth terriblie from thy heauenlie tower and testifie thy presence with the tempests following thee and command the tops of the clouds being striken to cast foorth stormie whirlewinds 6 Let thunderbolts followe whereby thou maiest cast downe their troups let lightnings come thicke glistering like darts wherewith thou maiest disorder their whole armies 7 Finallie stretch foorth thy hand and deliuer me from these whirlepooles euen from the hands of these strangers 8 I doe cal them strangers because that although they be counted in thy familie yet do they nothing appertaine vnto thee seeing their mouth is ful of falshood and their hands are defiled with a thousand deceits 9 But euen these also thou wilt driue awaie therfore I wil sing a new song vnto thee both with my voice and with mine instruments 10 Vnto thee I saie which art the reuenger of roial dignitie and the defender of Dauid thy seruant euen now readie to be slaine with the sword of his aduersaries 11 Wherefore deliuer me and defend me out of the hands of these strangers whose mouth is ful of falshood and their hands are ful of deceit 12 For thus least I be thought to respect onelie mine owne commoditie our sonnes also shal be like the faire plants which growe vp speedilie at the verie beginning and our daughters being of a tal and comlie stature shal be like vnto pillers cunninglie polished or carued wherewith the entries of palaces are sustained 13 In our storehouses al kind of prouision shal abound manie millians of our cattel shal plentifullie fil our streets 14 Our heards shal be seene to be of a strong and wel knit bodie there shal no-where be anie inuasion of enimies which should neede to be repulsed with armies there shal no crie be heard throughout the cities 15 O happie people to whom thou shalt giue this thing ô blessed is that people which acknowledgeth the Lord to be his God and whome the Lord likewise acknowledgeth for his people PSALME CXLV The Argument Euen this one Psalme is most worthie that al men should choose also as a squire and rule how to giue true praise vnto God for nothing can be spoken either more grauelie or more honourablie both of the wisedome mercie iustice and power of God testified in al his works and especiallie of his singular and excellent benefits toward his Church so that this Psalme verely is a perfect example of that same reasonable worship of God which doth continue in the Church alone THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O My God my King I wil highlie extol thee and celebrate thy name for euer and euer 2 I wil consecrate al the daies of my life to set forth thy glorie and wil amplifie thy name with songs that neuer shal haue end 3 For thou art great ô Lord and no praise is sufficient for thee neither can anie man attaine to thy greatnes 4 For thy wonderful works endure not for one generation and age alone but as one age succeedeth another so likewise must some men commit the memorial of them vnto others vnles they wil be negligent in doing their dutie 5 Wherefore truelie be it far from me that anie thing should be of greater authoritie with me than that I should carefullie thinke that the brightnes of thy Maiestie which shineth vnto vs in the verie dailie vse of things and that thy deedes are greater than can be comprehended by the admiration or by the capacitie of al men 6 And doubtles though verie manie be most blockish and wonderful thanklesse yet can there neuer be wanting some which shal euen against their wils confesse at the least thy terrible power but admit that other be silent yet wil I neuer cease to declare thy greatnes 7 But God forbid that I alone should labour to doe this my dutie for verelie there wil be alwaies some assemblie which wil by al meanes testifie the remembrance of thy peculiar goodnes and thy most vndoubted promises 8 Namelie that thou art most merciful and most readie to exceeding mercie and of whome a man may almost doubt whether he be more slowe to wrath or more prone to pardon 9 For is there anie thing ô Lord void of thy goodnes naie what is there in this whole world anie-where which doth not testifie thy clemencie euen in this point that thou doest suffer so manie ages this world that is defiled so sundrie waies 10 Therefore ô Lord thou hast created nothing nothing was done of thee since the world was first made which doth not euen of it selfe set foorth thy glorie but onelie thy chosen people doe acknowledge thee and giue vnto thee due and conuenient praise 11 For these alone do knowe declare by experience what thy dominion is and what is thy power 12 That is to saie the publishers of thy most valiant acts committing the glorie of thy kingdome to their posteritie 13 For indeed thy kingdome is not limited in any bounds of time for that it alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from al eternitie 14 And how iust and moderate this thy rule is hereof it is euident ô Lord because thou dost staie vp euerie one how vnworthie soeuer which else should fal and also liftest vp those that are alreadie fallen downe 15 And what maner of benefit is this of thine which is common to al that the life of al liuing creatures is attributed to thee their creator and preseruer and thou againe giuest them nourishment in their due and conuenient time 16 For whatsoeuer hath life liueth not by anie other means than herevpon that thou bestowest vpon euerie one as it were willinglie reaching foorth thine hand compelled by thine alone liberalitie 17 Neither doth both thy iustice and thy most bountious liberalitie lesse appeare in gouerning those things which thou hast made and directing them what waie soeuer thou wilt to the end appointed by thee 18 Yet thou manifesting thy selfe principalie and with a certaine peculiar testimonie of thy fauour in defending them carefulie which worship and reuerence thee with an
abide 18 And he also againe so soone as he commandeth doth melt the things that are frosen and the waters streightwaie flowe foorth againe as though their bands were losed 19 And these things verelie do testifie most plainelie both his infinite goodnes and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefite which he bestowed vpon his Israël when he deliuered vnto him the doctrine of saluation and the rule to leade his life both godlie and honestlie 20 Neither is there any nation vnder heauen with whome he hath so dealt but he hath left other men without this most true and most iust doctrine PSALME CXLVIII The Argument The scope and end of this Psalme most ful of maiestie euen written with a heauenlie feruencie is whereas there be extant so manie most cleare witnesses of Gods wisedome of his power and goodnes as there be things created to cal vpon al those things high lowe and of the middle sort to set foorth the praise of God with common consent For though manie of them are without both vnderstanding and sense yet they al after their maner although they be silent are said to sound foorth the glorie of God though men which haue reason and for whose cause they are made ought properlie both in their owne name and in their name to do this dutie and chieflie the godlie ought to set foorth continuallie that incomparable benefite whereby they are chosen into the felowship of the sonne of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let them found forth the praises of the Lord euen from the most high heauens 2 O al ye holie spirits the apparitors of his Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go ye before others in this his praise 3 Thou Sunne and Moone and al ye Starres shining in the heauens shewe forth the praise of your Maker 4 O ye most high spheares of the heauens praise ye him ye vawts of waters which hang on high 5 Let al these things I saie praise the Lord for they began to haue their being by his onlie commandement 6 And they are placed by his appointment in the same place and order where they stand most stable and they are set in order with certaine spaces and bounds which they can not passe ouer by anie meanes though they would 7 And let the earthlie things againe answer vnto the heauenlie and the creeping wormes in the hollowe holes of the earth and also the depths of waters 8 And ye flames of lightnings also hailes snowes vapours lifted vp whirlewinds and other tempests which al haue your being and are moued by his commandement 9 Mountaines and al hils trees laden with fruits the Cedars mounting vp with such maruelous height 10 Ye wild beasts also and ye that be tame whatsoeuer creepeth vpon the ground and whatsoeuer fleeth through the aire 11 But chieflie both the kings and their people subiect vnto them the princes and the gouernours of the earth 12 Yong men and old yong maides also and children 13 Praise ye the name of the Lord for he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the very earth more high than the heauens 14 But this becommeth chieflie the people whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others therefore it becommeth those that haue receiued such benefits of God to set forth his praises euen the posteritie of Israël the which people God hath chosen to be his owne familie and houshold PSALME CXLIX The Argument The interpretation of this Psalme seemeth to be more plaine and more agreeable to the holie historie if it be applied vnto the kingdome of Dauid rather than to the last times of the captiuitie of Babylon Wherefore in ny iudgement the people recouering themselues from so manie miseries which they had suffered both in the times of the iudges and of Saule himselfe both the religion of God being first restored and also the policie set in good order is taught by this Psalme to giue thankes vnto God and not to abuse his so great benefits Wherein Dauid himselfe giueth them example acknowledging the Lord God to be the King together with them And as concerning the musical instruments here named it was a part of the seruice of the lawe which is abolished notwithstanding no man vnlesse such a one as is worthie to be counted amongst beastes can denie but that there is a great power both of musicke when it is sung and also in instruments to moue mens minds yet the examples both of the former Church and the horrible abuses that streightwaies followed do teach sufficientlie how vnprofitable it is to bring in such musicke and instruments into the Church of Christ as hath bin of late And a prophesie is also added which the verie end did confirme so manie victories being granted vnto Dauid and the bounds of his kingdome being spread euen vnto Euphrates that then the promise was fulfilled at the length which was made vnto Abraham as concerning the figure for it can not be doubted but that these things were the figures of the kingdome of Christ and of his spiritual victories and of that horrible iudgement which shal be most fullie in the end at the last daie and which now and then God executeth vpon al the rebellious THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to al ye that haue receiued benefites of the Lord sing vnto him a new and excellent song being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths 2 Euen thou ô Israël delight thy selfe in setting forth his praises whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed O ye citizens of Sion reioice ye trusting in the Lord your King Gouernor which belongeth to none other nation vnder heauen 3 Set foorth his praises far and wide not onelie priuatelie but also publikelie not onlie with voice but also with fluites and timbrels and with al kind of musical instruments 4 Euen because it hath pleased the Lord of his infinite mercie to consecrate this people vnto himselfe and as the matter it selfe maketh it manifest when they seemed vtterlie to be lost to make them honourable and of most high dignitie 5 Wherefore these glorious people vpon whom he hath bestowed so manie benefites do now reioice and shal reioice hereafter and with great quietnes shal sing a triumph 6 Praising the Lord indeede with their exclamations cries but armed with double edged swords in their hands 7 Wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the people 8 And also may drawe their kings nobles bound in chaines and iron setters 9 Euen to execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by the Lord and this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of al them whome God hath receiued to his fauour PSALME CL. The Argument Jt is probable that the holie singing men of the temple did stir vp one another with this Psalme ful of maruelous zeale We
neede not speake manie words it of it selfe being plentifullie garnished with most heauenlie sentences as with most precious margarites and furnished with al things necessarie either for instruction touching this present life or for a preparation to the world to come is sufficientlie able to commend it selfe to the godlie Reader onelie this I saie that whereas there be two special kinds of explaning the Scriptures one in long Commentaries another by Paraphrasis that is by giuing the ful sense and meaning of the holie Ghost in other words as briefelie as may be this later is verie ancient as we may see by that most ancient Chalde Paraphrast who seemeth to haue written before anie of the Hebrew Rabbines and most safe to certifie the consciences when euerie thing appeareth plainelie to answere the verie text and original and must needes be most profitable because it giueth that matter in few words which manie times can not be learned by long Commentaries Therefore I do exhort you good Christian Readers deepelie to consider and thankefullie to receiue this Paraphrasis of that great and godlie learned man THEODORE BEZA as a most profitable Booke for the vnderstanding of the Psalmes So shal both your owne knowledge reaped of the labours of others be much augmented and manie to take the like paines wil be encouraged when they shal perceiue a godlie commoditie arising to counteruaile and recompence their trauel emploied for the increase of the kingdome of Christ whome I beseech to direct al his poore flocke in the whole time of their pilgrimage to cleaue vnto him their shepeheard and safe keeper and that he would send it comfort sufficient to strengthen the hearts of his children against al the miseries and calamities that may befal Amen THE PSALMES DIGESTED INTO A briefe Table and brought to certaine principal heades according to the direction of M. Beza The general matter of this whole Booke of PSALMES concerneth Doctrine onelie as Psalme 1.14.15.19.24.29.32.36.37.45.49.50.53.73.77.87.90.95.107.110.125.127.133.134 Doctrine Political as Psalme 72.101 Ecclesiastical as Psalme 78. Domestical as Psalme 128. Prophesie as Psalme 2.117 Doctrine and Prophesie as Psalme 40.97.98 Praier as Psalme 3.5.6.7.12.13.17.20.25.26.28.31..35.38.43.44.51.54.55.56.57.59.70.71.74.79.80.83.84.85.86.88.89.109.115.119.120.123.130.132.140.141.142.143 Prophesie and Praier as Psalme 22.69 Consolation as Psalme 4.11.27.39.42.52.58.93.94.99.102.106.112.121.122.131.137.139 Praier and Consolation as Psalme 10. Thankesgiuing as Psalme 8.9.21.23.30.67.75.76.81.82.92.100.103.104.105.111.113.114.116.118.124.126.129.135.136.144.145.146.147.148.149.150 Doctrine and thankesgiuing as Psalme 34. Thankesgiuing prophesie as Psa 16.18.96 Victories or Triumphes as Psalme 46.48 The residue of the Psalmes which be not particularlie applied to anie of the former heads by BEZA haue this relation by TREMELLIVS to Doctrine 62.91 Praier and Doctrine 63.64 Praier 60.61.108 Praier and Praise 41.138 Praise 65. Thankesgiuing and Praise 66. ✚ AWAY FRO ME YE WICKED FOR I WIL KEPE THE COMMANDEMENTS OF MY GOD. Psal 119 verse ii5 THE PSALMES OF the princelie Prophet Dauid as they are set foorth by that most excellent man of this age Theodore Beza PSALME I. The Argument This Psalme is a declaration of mans chiefe felicitie whereof these be the principal pointes 1 That they go farre astraie from the marke of true blessednes as manie as go the waie that men commonlie walke because men are euil of their owne nature and of euil become wicked and at the length they grow to be contemners of the Lord himselfe 2 That we must learne that right waie of God alone and that out of the doctrine which he hath giuen vs wherein we ought to meditate daie and night 3 That verie manie and mightie stormes and tempests do assaile him which is entred into this waie but he is like a goodlie faire tree planted by the riuer of waters which being watered with continual moistnes is alwaies greene and bringeth foorth fruit in due season and al things turne to his commoditie 4 On the contrarie part that the wicked are like vnto chaffe which euen the least blast of wind scattereth abroade 5 That then this difference shal truelie appeare when God sitting on his iudgement seate shal giue vnto the iust eternal blisse and felicitie but as for other they shal not be able to abide the sight of the Iudge neither shal they stand in the assemblie of the righteous 6 That it standeth for a certaintie that God is iust and therefore aloweth the manners of the godlie but the waie of the wicked bringeth them to euerlasting destruction THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BLESSED is the man that neither asketh counsel of euil men for the framing of his life nor standeth in that waie that is vsed of the wicked nor sitteth with those that deride the Lord. 2 But whos 's whole delight is fixed in the lawe of the Lord the which he considereth in his mind day and night 3 Such one is like to a tree planted by the riuer of waters which beareth fruit in due season and neuer fadeth or corrupteth and whatsoeuer hee doth hath a prosperous end and successe 4 The wicked are in a far other case being like to chaffe which the wind driueth here and there 5 For neither the vngodlie shal be able to stand before God the Iudge nor the wicked in the assemblie of the righteous 6 For God approoueth and aloweth the life of good men but the life of the vngodlie leadeth them to perdition PSALME II. The Argument This Psalme vndoubtedlie is a prophesie of Christ vnder the figure of Dauid as the Apostles do expound the same Actes 4 15. and 5 33. and Hebr. 1 5. and 5 5. declaring and prophesieng that like as Dauid after manie and long battels at the length atteined the kingdome promised the borders thereof being farre abroade dilated euen so is Christ verie God and verie man appointed by his father to be the king of the whole world Yet shal al sorts of men high and lowe conspire and band themselues together to hinder that decree but in a moment they shal be ouercome and he shal be crowned in the verie citie of Ierusalem euen vpon the throne of his crosse and shal arise againe and ouercome death and shal spread the borders of his Empire to the vttermost coastes of the world Wherefore they shal al perish who so euer shal not willinglie come vnder his obedience and they shal be most blessed who shal embrace him with due reuerence This Psalme then doth apperteine to euerie member of the Church in as much as al the godlie must be conformed to Christ their head THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHY doe the heathen rage and the people mutter vaine things 2 Why doe the Kings and earthlie Lords assemble and the Princes consult against the Lord and against the King that he hath appointed 3 Let vs breake their bonds saie they and shake off their yoke 4 But he that inhabiteth the heauens derideth them the Lord I saie wil mocke them and deride them 5 Then in his wrath wil he cal vnto them and terrifie them in great rage 6 For I shal
he saie haue annointed this my King to reigne vpon my holie mount Sion 7 And the King shal saie againe I wil declare what the Lord hath decreed of me when he thus spake Thou art my sonne indeede this daie haue I begotten thee 8 Aske of me and I wil giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the ends of the earth for thy possession 9 Thou shalt breake them with an iron scepter and crush them into peeces like potsheards 10 Now therefore be wise ô ye Kings be learned ô ye Iudges of the earth 11 Worship the Lord and do him reuerence and reioice in him with feare and trembling 12 Worship this his sonne least he be angrie and ye suddenlie perish euen when his wrath shal flame foorth ô then shal they be blessed that trust in him PSALME III. The Argument This third Psalme was made by Dauid when by the sudden conspiracie of his sonne Absalom being driuen foorth of his citie and kingdome he seemeth vtterlie vndone and he teacheth by his example that euen then when God doth punish our sinnes yet we must cal vpon him with earnestnes and faithful confidence euen in our most extreame daungers resting partlie vpon his power partlie vpō his loue declared vnto vs in the Gospel THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOW manie do vexe and trouble mee ô Lord how manie do rise vp against me 2 How manie do saie of me His God can not helpe him 3 But thou Lord art my shield on euerie side my glorie and the lifter vp of my head 4 I called vpon the Lord and he heard me out of his holie hil 5 I lie downe therefore and take my rest and awake againe for the Lord defendeth me 6 Though manie thousands be assembled and compasse me round about I wil not be afraid 7 Come foorth ô Lord saue me ô God doubtles thou hast smitten al mine enimies vpō their iawes and hast broken their teeth 8 It is the Lord that deliuereth his people and this is now thy people that feeleth thy blessing and mercie PSALME IIII. The Argument This Psalme doth teach the whole Church euerie member of the same that when the wicked do rage we ought not onlie not to despaire or be discouraged but rather boldlie to reproue our aduersaries resting vpon the power of God whereof we haue had so oft experience and trusting to the goodnes of our cause and chieflie to the most assured promises of the life to come vpon the which we must alwaies haue our eies bent and neuer depend vpon the transitorie commodities of this world THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ANswere me when I crie and cal ô Lord the iudge of mine innocencie O thou that hast brought mee so oft out of distresse haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers 2 O ye sonnes of men how long wil you labour to distaine mine honour reioicing in vanitie and take counsel of things that shal neuer come to effect 3 For be ye sure that it hath pleased God to exalt me aboue others and to embrace me with his special grace and fauour The Lord wil heare me when that I cal vpon him 4 Tremble ye therefore and sinne no more ponder these things in your minds and meditate the same with your selues in your beds 5 And worship the Lord with due worship and trust in the Lord. 6 Manie do saie How shal we growe vnto wealth and riches But we desire ô Lord that the light of thy countenance may shine vnto vs. 7 For far greater is this inward ioie which thou giuest vnto me than is theirs when their vintage and haruest are most plentious 8 I wil therefore quietlie lie downe and take my rest for thou onlie ô Lord doest keepe me in saftie PSALME V. The Argument This Psalme is also a praier and teacheth these rules of praier when anie is vniustlie afflicted That is to saie that we must praie earnestlie and set this against al doubt of Gods good wil towards vs or of his power that he is our God and our King and our impatience is to be bridled with this consideration that the nature of God can not suffer the wicked vnpunished wherefore the more cruel that the enimies appeare the more neare and more certaine is their destruction Finallie that we ought not herein to consider the punishment of our enimies neither our owne commodities but onelie the glorie of God in our praiers as he for this cause wil not faile to blesse vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare what I saie ô Lord vnderstand mine inward meditation 2 Giue care vnto my crie my King and my God for thou art he to whome I doe present my praiers 3 Heare my voice earelie in the morning for dailie in the morning wil I prepare my selfe to praie vnto thee and as out of a watch tower wait for thee 4 For thou art not he ô GOD which delightest in wickednes neither wilt thou alow anie wicked person 5 The proud shal not stand in thy presence thou hatest al them that are giuen to wickednes 6 Thou destroiest al liers and abhorrest ô Lord al the cruel and deceitful persons 7 Wherefore I trusting in the greatnes of thy goodnes wil enter into thy palace and I wil worship thee in thy holie place with feare 8 Therefore thou ô merciful deliuerer of al thine rid me that am oppressed from mine enimies and make streight the waie wherein I may walke safelie before thee 9 For none of them doth speake anie thing sincerelie and vprightlie they haue a thousand fetches in their hearts to doe hurt their throte is like an open sepulchre their tongue with faire words doth onlie flatter 10 Condemne them ô Lord and cause them to faile of their purposes cast them downe for the multitude of their wickednes and their rebellion against thee 11 Then shal they al reioice that flie vnto thee for succour and in that thou doest defend them they shal triumph for euer and al that feare thy name shal praise thee with ioie 12 Because thou hast shewed thy fauour to the innocent ô Lord and hast defended him with the shield of thy mercie PSALME VI. The Argument This Psalme conteineth a praier of a diuers argument from the former For before was described the conflict of the godlie vexed vniustlie by men onlie but here is an example set foorth of a man so sore oppressed of his enimies that he wresteleth principallie with sinne and death and with the verie sense and feeling of Gods wrath the which battel is far the greatest and most dangerous And these things are chieflie to be noted in this Psalme that the fruit of sinne is most bitter wounding most greeuouslie both soule and bodie and that the remnants of sinne doe stil remaine in the verie saints for the which God doth chastise them sometimes most seuerelie and that there is no remedie left but this onlie against this incurable wound that is the free mercie of God in Christ and that the saints are brought
and to confirme them against imminent calamities which wil assured he fal vpon al them that vex the Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil praise the Lord with my whole heart and I wil shew foorth al his maruelous workes 2 I wil be ioiful and reioice in thee I wil sing vnto thy name ô God most high 3 For that mine enimies are turned backe are fallen downe and perish at thy presence 4 For thou hast mainteined the right of my cause and sitting vpon thy throne of iudgement thou hast declared thy selfe to be a iust iudge 5 Thou hast rebuked the multitude of the heathen and thou hast destroied them for euer 6 O enimie the destructions that thou diddest threaten doe no where appeare thou saiest forsooth that thou wilt destroie cities and the memorie of the inhabitants shal together be abolished with them 7 But the Lord hath an euerlasting dominion and sitteth alwaies to giue vnto euerie man his due right 8 It is he onlie that ruleth the whole world righteouslie and gouerneth the people with equitie 9 He is an high tower to the oppressed and a safe refuge to the afflicted 10 Wherfore al that knowe thy name wil trust in thee for thou neuer forsakest ô Lord them that seeke vnto thee 11 Sing praises to the Lord which dwelleth in Zion declare vnto the people his worthie actes 12 For he maketh inquisition for bloudshead and murther neuer vnmindful of his people neither forgetteth he the crie of the oppressed 13 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord ô thou that hast deliuered me from deaths doore see what violence mine enimies do vse against me 14 That I maie shew foorth al thy praise and entering into Zion may with ioie declare that thou art my sauiour 15 The multitude of the enimies are drowned in the selfe-same ditch which they haue digged for me and they are snarled in the selfe-same snares the which they haue hid for me 16 The Lord is knowne by executing his iudgement by catching the wicked in their owne wiles and crafts 17 The wicked shal fal backward into hel and al they that forget God 18 Neither shal the poore be alwaies forgotten neither the hope of them that are oppressed shal faile them for euer 19 Rise vp ô Lord let not mortal men preuaile let these wicked people be punished by thine appointment 20 Cast them downe ô Lord let them al knowe that they be but men mortal PSALME X. The Argument The crueltie of the enimies of the Church is liuelie painted foorth in this Psalme and their carelesse securitie and they are described to be much like the Giants called of the Poets Cyclops yet al their enterprises in the end shal come to naught because God wil neuer forsake his Church nor suffer them to go vnpunished THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHY departest thou far off ô Lord and why withdrawest thou thy selfe when most need is in the time of troble and calamitie 2 The wicked with crueltie doth rage against the good cause them to be snared in their owne craftie counsels 3 For the wicked delighteth in his owne lustes and the couetous man doth therein count himselfe blessed and contemneth God himselfe 4 He walketh with a proud countenance and careth for nothing and thinketh alwaie that there is no God 5 Al things fal out prosperouslie vnto him he putteth awaie thy iudgements farre from his sight he casteth downe his aduersaries as with his onelie breath 6 He thinketh in his heart alwaie that he shal neuer be moued neither suffer anie aduersitie 7 His mouth is ful of cursing griefe and iniurie doe lie vnder his tongue 8 He lieth in waite in the villages to kil the innocent in secret places with glieng eies he watcheth for the succourlesse 9 He lieth in waite in secret as the Lion doth in his denne he lieth in waite I saie that he may spoile the poore drawen into his net 10 He crowcheth lieth downe so that heapes of the poore fal as a praie into hi◠teeth nailes 11 He imagineth with himselfe that God forgetteth these things and doth not behold them or at the least doth not alwaies marke them 12 Rise vp ô Lorde lift vp thine hand ô most mightie and forget not the poore 13 For whie should the wicked aduaunce himselfe against God persuading himselfe that thou wilt neuer cal these things to accompts 14 But thou surelie doest behold these things thou doest obserue if anie man hurt or vexe an other that thou maist apprehend him and set him before thy iudgement seate the poore do rest vpon thee and thou hast taken vpon thee to defend the fatherles 15 Breake thou the power of this malicious and wicked person search out his wickednes that he being destroied suddenlie be seene no more 16 God the eternal King wil cast downe and destroie the wicked out of his land 17 O Lord thou hearest the desires of the poore thou comfortest their heart thou bendest thine eare vnto them 18 Deliuer the fatherles and the oppressed least these earthlie wretches do exercise a continual tyrannie ouer them PSALME XI The Argument The Prophet doeth heere teach that the godlie are in this world like vnto birds which are compelled to wander to and fro without certaine habitation for the foulers snares yet are not they to be heard which thinke that a man should leaue his calling either imagining that things are lead by fortune or that the godlie otherwaies should perish For the end wil declare it selfe that al and euerie particular thing is gouerned by Gods prouidence who wil neuer forsake them that trust in him neither wil suffer them vnpunished that dispise him And it seemeth that Dauid made this Psalme when the courtiers laboured vnder the colour of friendship to driue him out of the Court as though otherwaies he should be slaine by Saul the which thing he counted not meete to do vnlesse he were constrained by extreme necessitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 IN the Lord put I my trust how saie yee then as men careful for my life Flee awaie into your mountaines 2 For lo saie ye the wicked haue bent their bowe and haue laid their arrowes vpon their string to shoote at those priuilie that are of vpright heart 3 And whereas the verie foundations are shaken what can the righteous do 4 The Lord sitteth in his holie temple the Lords throne is in the heauens his eies doe behold al things and he trieth mortal men with his eie lids 5 The Lord trieth both the good and the bad and he vtterlie hateth and abhorreth him that is giuen to wickednes 6 He wil raine vpon the wicked coles fire and brimstone and stormie tempests this is their portion appointed 7 For the iust God loueth righteousnes and he alwaies beholdeth them that do right PSALME XII The Argument When the Church is sometime brought into this extremitie that al men may be bold to doe al things either by force or by craft so that al things may
seeme desperate this Psalme doth teach vs notwithstanding to cal vpon God with assured confidence For seeing that both his wil and his promises are most certaine we must needes conclude that he doth heare the sighings of them that are his whome he wil comfort in due time and likewise that he wel knoweth the wickednes of the wicked which he wil auenge at his good time THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HElpe ô Lord our sauiour for there is not a godlie man left and the faithful are failed from among the children of men 2 They speake deceitfullie euerie one to another euen though he be his friend flattering with their wordes with double and deceitful hearts 3 Cut off ô Lord these flattering tongues boasting themselues so proudlie 4 They saie We can bring to passe what we wil with our tongues we may speake what we list who is Lord ouer vs 5 But the Lord now at the length saith I wil rise vp for these so pitifullie oppressed and for the mourning of the miserable and I wil set in safetie those that they haue snared 6 The words of the Lord are pure words euen as the siluer tried and fined seuen fold 7 Therefore ô Lord keepe them euerie one and preserue them for euer from this wicked kind of men 8 For the wicked do wander on euerie side when the worst men are exalted into the highest place of honour PSALME XIII The Argument The Prophet doth teach vs the more desperate that the state of the Church is in this world the more earnestlie must we praie vnto God and beleeue in him more stedfastlie for that the praiers of the Saints shal neuer be made in vaine THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOw long ô Lord wilt thou forget me how long wilt thou turne thy face from me 2 How long shal I carefullie consult with my selfe and torment my soule how long shal mine enimie gape ouer my head 3 Behold me and heare me ô my God restore lightes vnto mine eies that I sleepe not in death 4 Least mine enimie saie that he hath ouercome me and they that oppresse me reioice that I am fallen 5 But I trust in thy mercie assured that this my heart at the length being deliuered by thee shal be replenished with ioie and I wil praise thee ô Lord of whose louing kindnes I haue had so good experience PSALME XIIII The Argument This Psalme setteth forth a most sorowful description of the natural man or of the man not regenerate as Paule himselfe doth interprete it Rom. 3.10 The which corruption both of the vnderstanding and of the wil doth chiefelie vtter it selfe in that deadlie hatered which hath bin from the beginning whereby the world doth persecute the Church Howbeit the Prophet biddeth the true Jsraël to be of good courage resting vpon the hope of the comming of the Messiah Wherefore we ought much more to be of good comfort seeing that Christ is come alreadie and hath fulfilled the whole mysterie of our saluation whose latter comming yet we do looke for with the old fathers when at the length we shal be brought home into our owne true vndoubted countrie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THAT men are so doting mad to persuade themselues that there is no God it is manifest heereby that they are al so wicked al doe make themselues abhominable and not one of them doth leade his life aright 2 The Lord himselfe from whome nothing is hid beholding men from heauen to see if anie would knowe him or seeke after him 3 Doth find that al are turned away from him that they are altogither filthie and that there is not one at al which ordereth his life aright 4 Are not these mischieuous men altogither mad which deuoure the holie people of God as it were bread and neuer cal vpon God 5 But the time wil come when they shal be as feareful as they are now careles For God doth defend the generation of the iust 6 You make a mocke at the counsel of the poore whome you oppresse but the Lord is their refuge 7 Oh that now at the length that sauiour of Israël would come foorth out of Zion for then in deed Iacob should reioice then shal Israël be ful of ioie when the Lord shal bring againe his captiues PSALME XV. The Argument The Prophet hauing declared in the former Psalme the manifest and apparant enimies of the Church now he sheweth who those be that are iudged of God the true Citizens or inhabitants of the Church or of the eternal kingdome of heauen and such as shal neuer be cast out opposing them against hypocrites who though they be conuersant in the verie bosome of the Church and that sometime also they haue authoritie and gouernement in the same yet are they not of the Church howsoeuer they both deceiue themselues with a false opinion of godlinesse and other with a lieng shew of religion He teacheth therefore that the true worshippers of God are not discerned by those things that are common to good and euil men that is to saie by the obseruation of the outward worship but by those things that are onlie proper to good men that is to saie by an vpright mind to God and an vpright dealing towards men without al dissimulation both the which they must testifie with an holie and iust life Finalie he teacheth certaine precepts of an holie and iust life after this sort that a man must be farre from al theft and deceit that he may slander no man to abhorre from hurting anie man to hate false accusations to detest the wicked to ioine himselfe with those that feare GOD to set more by his oth than by al the world neuer to seeke gaine by the damage of an other to exercise iudgement incorruptlie finalie he addeth a sure and euident promise that they shal neuer be forsaken of God but shal haue euerlasting felicitie with him who so euer doe keepe this course of life THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Pray thee ô Lord which of so manie as beare a roome in thy tabernacle shal remaine for euer in thy holie hil 2 He that walketh with an vpright heart and worketh righteousnes without al deceit 3 Which slandereth not with his tongue which neither hurteth his neighbour by open violence nor by craft 4 Who abhorreth the wicked and maketh much of them that feare GOD who wil rather willinglie suffer damage than to breake his promise 5 Which doth not lend his monie to the hinderance of an other neither condemneth the innocent being corrupt by reward 6 Who so euer thus doth behaue himselfe he shal enioie most certaine and vnchangeable blisse and felicitie PSALME XVI The Argument Dauid in this Psalme being as it were rauished in spirit acknowledgeth the kingdome which he enioied to be giuen him of God without his deseruing by whose 〈◊〉 helpe he was able to rule and gouerne it orderlie and rightlie Furthermore whereas men for the most part are wont to abuse such dominion vnto riot he setteth
Lord and they shal testifie vnto their posteritie that shal be borne after them that he onelie is the authour of this maruellous worke PSALME XXIII The Argument Dauid of a shepeheard being made a most mightie king contrarie to the errour of the Epicures which do dreame that al that they haue commâ—th vnto thâ—m either by fortune or by thâ—ir owne industrie and so abuse al the good things that they haue vnto al filthines doth attribute al those things to the liberalitie of God alone vsing two similitudes one of a shepeheard that prouideth for his flocke with great carefulnes the which similitude is most apt for Dauid being once a shepeheard and it also admonisheth the kings that they ought to be the shepeheards and feeders of the people The other similitude is taken from them that keepe good hospitalitie which most liberallie receiue those trauelers that come vnto them the which thing also doth admonish vs of our state and sheweth how al things are sanctified vnto vs by the word of God and thankesgiuing whatsoeuer the Lord ministreth vnto vs for the vse of this life Last of al it teacheth vs that we ought to rise from those transitorie benefites to those euerlasting and heauenlie blessings seeing that godlines hath the promises both of this present life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord is my shepeheard I neede not to feare anie famine 2 He lodgeth me in greene pastures and leadeth me to the pleasant riuers of waters 3 He restoreth me to life being ouertyred and doeth leade me in a plaine and pleasant waie deseruing thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie 4 Therefore though I should go by most darke and dreadful vallies of death I wil feare none euil trusting vpon the rod and shepeheards hooke of my shepeheard 5 Thou in the verie sight of mine enimies doest prepare a deintie table for me thou doest annoint my head with oile and giuest me a ful cup. 6 And surelie thy goodnes and mercie shal followe me to cause me to dwel in thy house al the daies of my life PSALME XXIIII The Argument This most sweete Psalme doth teach vs that as God is the creator of al things so is he the Lord of al howbeit that he hath chosen vnto himselfe out of the multitude of men some certaine persons whome onlie he accounteth for his subiects and whome alone he hath appointed to euerlasting blisse Furthermore he declareth who these are and by what workes the true members of the Church may be knowne that we may vnderstand that they are not al of the Church who are outwardlie conuersant in the Church But because there was but one certaine nation as yet comprehended vnder the couenant the Israëlites I meane and there was but one place certaine in the which the Church was bound to assemble that holie mountaine I meane in the which the Temple was then to be builded therefore doth Dauid chieflie make mention hereof and doth treate by the spirit of prophesie of the magnificent building of the Temple Yet doeth he exhort the people that they should not onlie regard the outward building and the outward rites and sacrifices but that they should chieflie giue their hearts vnto him that promised to dwel in the Temple And this same doctrine doth euen now at this daie declare the true vse of the sacraments and doth much more appertaine vnto vs vnto whome the truth is plainelie reuealed al the shadowes of the lawe being abolished than it did to the old fathers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD is the Lord of the earth and of al things therin conteined euen of the whole world I saie and of al that dwel therein 2 For it is he that built the earth vpon the sea placed it to appeare aboue the flouds as we see 3 Howbeit he hath chosen vnto himselfe a certaine mountaine into the which loe who shal ascend and who shal stand in that place consecrate vnto him 4 Euen he whose hands are not polluted with wickednes that is of a pure heart which gapeth not for vaine things neither sweareth deceitfullie 5 Such a man shal receiue blessings of the Lord abundantlie and in the end shal find him a sauiour as he that can not lie hath promised 6 And this is thy true seede ô Iakob euen the generation of men that seeke God and present themselues before thee ô Lord. 7 O ye gates lift vp your postes mount vp I saie ye eternal gates that the King of glorie may enter 8 Who is this glorious king That same Lord strong and valiant that mightie warriour 9 Lift vp your head postes ô ye gates mount vp I saie you gates that this King of glorie may enter 10 Who is this glorious King The Lord of hoastes he is this King of glorie PSALME XXV The Argument This Psalme teacheth a forme of praier dailie to be vsed of the whole Church and of euerie one of the saintes of God wherein three things are requested euen by faith regarding the promises alreadie made vnto vs and confirming it selfe by the experience of former benefites The first is the free forgiuenesse of sinne The second that we may be gouerned by the holie Ghost in the whole course of our life that remaineth The third a defence from the iniuries of our enimies the which three do answere to the petitions of the Lords praier wherein we require to haue our sinnes forgiuen and that we be not led into temptation and to be deliuered from euil THE PARAPHRASIS 1 VNTO thee ô Lord I lift vp my whole heart 2 O my God my hope is onlie fixed in thee let me not be repulsed I beseech thee and put to shame and so be derided of mine enimies 3 And surelie thou wilt not suffer them that depend vpon thee to be put to shame but rather must these faithles persons that persecute the innocent be brought to shame 4 Graunt ô Lord that I may vnderstand in these so great perplexities and extremities what way thou appointest thine to walke and teach me thy pathes 5 Guide my steps in thy truth and teach me continualie for thou art he ô my God of whom I do looke faithfullie for my deliuerance 6 Be mindful ô Lord of thy mercies which thou hast shewed so oft to thy seruants and of thy manifold goodnes which thou hast declared in al ages 7 Contrariwise ô Lord forget al the follie of my youth and al my trespasses and remember me ô Lord of thy sinâ—ular mercie and goodnes 8 And why should not I thus hope seeing the Lord is merciful and true in his promises therfore doth he cal againe into the way the sinners that go astraie 9 He also after they be humbled made meete to learne doth teach them gentlie and meekelie and declareth how louinglie he vseth to gouerne his 10 Which waie so euer the Lord doth leade his his mercie appeareth as also how constantlie he keepeth his promise to them that keepe
ô Lord and I do seeke thy face 9 Turne not away ô Lord neither reiect thy seruant in thine anger thou wilt yet helpe me leaue me not neither forsake me ô my sauiour 10 Though I be destitute of al mans helpe yea euen forsaken of my verie parents yet thou ô Lord wilt succour me 11 Teach me the waie that I should walke and make plaine the path-way vnto me against whom so manie enimies do lie in wait 12 Giue me not vp to the lust of mine enimies for they are risen vp against me which are not ashamed to lie or to commit anie wickednes 13 Yet I trust that I shal be safe and comfortablie enioie the Lords benefites 14 Go to Dauid waite vpon the Lord with a couragious and constant heart waite vpon the Lord I saie PSALME XXVIII The Argument Dauid in this Psalme susteining the person not of a priuate man but of a publike euen of a king appointed by God himselfe praieth for himselfe and for Gods people with such confidence although he could not liue safelie no not as a priuate person in the kingdome of Saul that he giueth thankes for his petition graunted alreadie And he addeth certaine praiers vndoutedlie by the spirit of prophesie against al such as persecute the Church not by ignorance or sudden affection but of set purpose and obstinate malice Wherevnto appertaine those things that are written 1. Sam. 23.17 and 24.21 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Call vpon thee ô Lord my defence be not deafe at my crie for if thou keepe silence I shal differ nothing from them that die and are laied in the earth 2 Heare my praiers therefore whilest I may crie and regard me that stretch vp my hands to that thy most holie sanctuarie 3 Count not me ô Lord amongest these wicked men who reioice in wickednes who wil offer in words al duties of friendship and to be at commandement but in their hearts they haue most wicked deuises 4 Giue vnto them their worthie reward euen that which their wicked deedes deserue recompence them I saie according to their desert 5 For seeing they hinder the worke that thou hast determined to bring to passe both willinglie and wittinglie certainelie thou wilt destroie them ô Lord much lesse wilt thou increase them with thy blessings 6 I giue thankes therefore vnto the Lord which hath heard my praiers 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield this is he in whom my heart doth rest hauing experience of his support he for ful conclusion comforteth my heart him wil I praise 8 The Lord strengtheneth his seruants neither wil thine annointed trust to anie other 9 Deliuer thy people ô God and declare thy fauour towards them whom thou hast chosen peculiarlie to be thine feede them and extoll them vp for euer PSALME XXIX The Argument Whereas no men commonlie vse to be more proud and to shew themselues in the end despisers of the verie maiestie of God than they to whome God hath made others subiect to be gouerned by them so that they chalenge vnto themselues to be honoured as gods and suppose that they may do what they lust vnto others this Psalme teacheth Kings and Princes peculiarlie by the comparison of their power how great soeuer it be with that infinite power of GOD which doth vtter it selfe in the terrible thunders and other tempestes and their effects to remember rather how farre they are abased vnder his power and of whome and vpon what condition they haue receiued their authoritie rather than to be proud that they are aboue a few mortal men for a little season Againe seeing that the kings them-selues are oftentimes sotted and demented by the flatterie of the people he admonisheth them that be of God that they be content to obey their magistrates as Gods ministers yet that they learne to depend onlie of God and to wait for al good things from him THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Ye kings and al ye of power giue place vnto the Lord giue vnto the Lord I saie the honour of al glorie and power 2 Giue vnto the Lord the maiestie and glorie due vnto his name and fal downe and worship him in that his most beautiful temple 3 This is that Lord whose voice thundering foorth of the midst of the waters doth witnesse himselfe with such a lowd sounding voice to be the verie God of glorie euen by that voice I saie which breaketh foorth of the midst of the clouds driuen by tempests 4 The voice of the Lord is verie mightie the voice of the Lord is ful of maiestie 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the most high Ceders of Libanus 6 And he plucketh them vp by the rootes and causeth them to skip like a wanton bullocke and he causeth those most mightie mountaines to tremble and to shake 7 The voice of the Lord doth cast foorth fire striken out of the verie clouds 8 The voice of the Lord doth shake the horrible wildernes and the high rockes of the Arabians 9 The voice of the Lord causeth the hindes to cast their calues and maketh the woods bare by casting downe their trees with terrible noise the godlie in the meane season praising him in his temple 10 By him commeth the horrible flouds of waters but â—o that he sitteth as gouernour ouer them for the Lord is King for euer 11 This is he that giueth power to his people euen the Lord that blesseth his people with continual benefites PSALME XXX The Argument Jt is verie probable that Dauid made this Psalme when Abshalom and Sheba were slaine and he returned into the citie as it is declared 2. Sam. 20. when he would purge his house and as it were consecrate it a new vnto God that was polluted by the incest of his sonne and other wickednes wherein there appeareth some ceremonie to haue bin vsed as appeareth by the historie of Nehemia in dedicating the walles of the citie and by dedicating the house Deut. 20 5. And he giueth great thankes therefore vnto God to whose onlie mercie he doth giue the praise of this his restoring to his kingdome so sudden euen done as it were in a moment And he doth also confesse that it came to passe by his owne foolish securitie that GOD did breake off the continuance of publike peace and other his benefites THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil magnifie thee ô Lord my deliuerer which hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me 2 I haue cried vnto thee ô Lord my God and thou hast saued me that was readie to die 3 Thou hast deliuered me ô Lord from the verie graue and hast restored life vnto me who should else haue gone downe into the pit 4 Sing with me vnto the Lord al ye that are receiued to his mercie and celebrate his memorie with perpetual praise 5 For in one moment doth his anger end but his fauour endureth to the end of our life so that if we go to bed in the euening with sorowe in the
Christian faith as the Apostle doth testifie and interprete it Rom. 4.6 that is to saie that al our blessednes doth consist in the free forgiuenes of our sinnes For al other religions do deceiue men in this point chiefelie that they teach them to seeke saluation at their owne righteousnes which can no where be found But in the Gospel onlie Christ that our onlie mediator is declared vnto vs to be made righteousnes of God his Father The Prophet doth also teach in thâ—â— Psalme that this doctrine doth not bring in a foolish and careles securitie as the Papistes do falselie slaunder it as though the free imputation of the iustice of Christ should abolish the care and endeuour to do good workes For he contrariwise doth declare that the spirit of regeneration is alwaies annexed with the gift of righteousnes by imputation which is receiued by faith which doth kindle in the hearts of them that are iustified an earnest loathing of sinne hope true obedience and other vertues Whereof this followeth that the conscience being pacified doth enioie a true and perpetual ioie what stormes soeuer do arise Therfore this Psalme doth differ from the first because it sheweth the chiefe effectes whereby a man may be knowne to be blessed but thâ—â— doth declare the cause of that blessednes and also of the effects and by this consideration may Paule and Iames be reconciled THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BLessed is that man verilie whome being oppressed with the burthen of his sinne the Lord doth raise vp and whose offences are couered by Gods mercie 2 That man I saie verilie is blessed to whome the Lord doth not impute that which he hath done amisse and whose heart is free from falshood and hypocrisie 3 I do speake by experience for by dulling mine owne conscience and deceiuing my selfe at the length I came to this point that I did fal downe consuming whole daies in mourning in vaine and al my strength was wasted 4 For the weight of thy hand did oppresse me day and night more and more so that I being as it were burnt vp with the heate of the Sunne did lie parched and as it were without life 5 At the length therefore ô Lord I fullie determined with my selfe to confesse my selfe willinglie and plainlie guiltie before thee and to declare my sinnes and disclose al my wickednes without anie dissimulation the which thing so soone as I had done thou hast forgiuen me al mine offence 6 So must al they do whome thou receiuest to thy fauour euen to aske forgiuenes of thee taking the oportunitie of time when thou maiest be found for so shal it be that the flouds of great waters although they rage yet shal they neuer come neare them 7 Thou therefore art my refuge vnder the which I being hid do feare none euil that I being safe vnder thy defence may praise thee my Sauiour 8 Come hither therefore whosoeuer desirest to be blessed I wil teach thee what waie thou oughtest to walke and I wil direct thee faithfullie and neuer remoue mine eie from thee 9 Take heede ye be not like horses and mules beastes without reason striking with the heeles whose mouthes your selues do vse to bridle with bittes and snaffles least they rage against you 10 So are they in danger of infinite punishments whosoeuer go on in their sinnes contrariwise al they that turne to the Lord are compassed about with his goodnes on euerie side 11 Wherefore be glad and reioice in the Lord al ye righteous al ye I saie that loue righteousnes sing forth his praises PSALME XXXIII The Argument Nothing can be spoken more notablie than this Psalme wherein we are admonished to consecrate our whole life to the singing and setting forth the praises of God the which thing if men were persuaded to doe nothing were more happie vpon earth than mans life as by the contempt of the which doctrine it commeth to passe that nothing is more miserable than it But chieflie the order of this Psalme is maruelous for first it teacheth that sacrifices of praiers are not acceptable vnto God except the puritie of the heart do go before the word of the mouth to the which end also the lawes of outward purifiengs tended it addeth afterward that God is to be praised not for fashion sake but seriouslie and earnestlie then it bringeth most weightie reasons as wherwith almost the verie stones ought to be moued much lesse that men for whose sakes al this whole world was made should not do their dutie Wherefore it setteth forth in the beginning the wonderful wisedome and gratious goodnes of God which appeareth three manner of waies in the workemanship of the world namelie both in the creation thereof and also in the order of euerie part thereof and lastlie in such a maruelous gouerning of it so that al creatures especiallie man that is endued with reason and vnderstanding ought almost to tremble when he considereth these things Furthermore it goeth to a peculiar consideration of the prouidence and bountie of God in the presâ—ruation of mankind For although troublesome men do infinite waies seeke to destroie and ouerthrowe themselues yet God continueth to defend them hindering and bringing to naught the endeuours and practises of those that are seditious And the prophet doth ioine also some sentences against the madnes of those men which sticke in secondarie causes and against the doting follie of others who dreame that al things are carried about by fortune to the which things they binde the prouidence and mightie power of God But the third place is especialie to be noted wherein he speaketh of that peculiar loue wherewith he doth most mightilie pres rue through his mercie his Church most desperatelie assaulted by mightie and most cruel enimies against al calamities that do inuade them and againe he expresseth in few words which is the true Church that God wil neuer forsake that is to saie euen the assemblie of those which worship him truelie and boast of no merites of their owne but possessing their owne soules in hope and silence do looke to his mercie alone THE PARAPHRASIS 1 YOV that loue righteousnes magnifie the Lord for it is meete that he be praised altogither of them that loue iustice and goodnes 2 Praise ye the Lord therefore and sing vnto him with al kind of instruments 3 Sing hymnes I saie and psalmes one after another and testifie your ioie with most cheareful and lowd voices 4 For this most beautiful order of the whole world made and appointed by his word and ordinance whereof euerie part doth manifestlie testifie how great both his power and constancie is doth require the same of you 5 Againe I beseech you consider what iust and due order and moderation is manifestlie to be seene in his gouernement of the world so that the whole earth is ful and doth abound with his goodnes and bountie 6 Furthermore that al these things began to appeare and haue their being of nothing
that man that trusteth in the Lordes protection 9 Feare ye the Lord therfore so manie as he hath separate and consecrate to himselfe for nothing shal be wanting to them that feare the Lord. 10 Behold I praie you the lions and al such beasts as liue by rauening crueltie how oft they die being destitute of their praie this is the resemblance of the wicked which seeke riches and power by the oppression spoile of the poore alwaies greedie whilest they perish miserablie But of the contrarie part vnto them that feare God there wanteth nothing that is for their commoditie 11 Come hither my children heare you me and I wil teach you the right rule of godlie life 12 Is there anie that desireth that most blessed life heaped vp with al true felicitie 13 First of al regard that thou abuse not thy tong to hurt anie man or to deceiue anie 14 So abstaine from euil that thou doe that thing which is good Be thou careful to keepe true peace and concord so that though it seeme to flee from thee thou stil doe pursue it And though whilest thou followest this waie thou must sustaine manie battels yet be not discouraged 15 For the Lord with open eies watcheth ouer them that loue iustice and hath attentiue eares vnto their cries 16 Contrariwise he beholdeth them with a terrible countenance whosoeuer reioice in wickednes that he may roote them out and the remembrance of them altogether 17 Wherefore the iust doe crie I grant and not without cause but the Lord heareth them and deliuereth them forth of al miseries 18 For euen then when they seeme to be brought to the greatest extremities he is most neare vnto them to comfort their heauie hearts 19 Finallie they that would liue iustlie are subiect to manie miseries but the Lord deliuereth them out of al. 20 And though the enimies do seeme to be readie to breake their verie bones in pieces yet the Lord wil not suffer the least of them to be broken 21 But their owne wickednes shal destroie the wicked and al they shal perish that hate the iust 22 For the Lord doth redeeme the soules of his seruants neither shal anie of them that flee vnto him be condemned or perish PSALME XXXV The Argument This Psalme doth minister a goodlie example of praiers both for the whole Church and for euerie member of the same against such as flatter good men and counterfet friendship when they are in prosperitie but when there commeth anie change of their state they doe kindle the vniust wrath of Kings and Princes with their slanderous accusations and so do inflame their rage whereof they are readie to be the executioners Wherefore the Prophet teacheth the godlie to flee vnto God in these difficulties who both hath sufficient power to destroie these wicked flattering courtiers and also a readie mind to preserue his Howbeit least we abuse these praiers first of al we must take heede that we maintaine a iust cause secondlie that we carrie a mind not willing to aduenge our owne priuate iniurie but desirous to restore and set forth Gods glorie finallie that we lash not foorth anie word by the motion of the flâ—sh but by the guiding of Gods holie spirit THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEfend mine innocencie ô Lord against theÌ„ that oppresse me with slanders and set thy power against them that fight against me 2 Arise ô Lord to helpe me bring foorth al that aromur whereby I may sustaine their rage 3 Set vpon them ô Lord both by casting thy darts a farre off and also encounter with them hand to hand that persecute me Graunt that this poore soule may heare thee bearing it witnes that thou art the sauiour thereof 4 Cause them I saie that seeke my death to be destitute of their purpose and to be ashamed euen those that imagine so much mischiefe against mee to be put to shame and not bring their matters to passe 5 Send thine Angel downe from heauen that may driue them to and fro euen as we see the chaffe driuen with the whirle-wind 6 Cause that whither soeuer they go they may be doubtful as men wandering in darkenes and stumbling in slipperie places feareful careful whiles thine Angels doe pursue them 7 For without anie cause haue they laid wait for me and haue digged as it were a pit in the which they would catch me and kil me 8 Let him rather fal at vnawares and let him be cast downe and snared in the same net that he hath laid for me 9 But I ô Lord being preserued by thee reioicing with an holie ioie wil praise thee my deliuerer 10 And my verie bones ô Lord wil crie that there is none like vnto thee who doest deliuer the afflicted from them that oppresse them by violence and settest at libertie the poore and miserable from the rage of the tyrants 11 The same doe stand vp as witnesses against me which offer me this violence and they laie such things vnto my charge as neuer came into my mind 12 And whereas I haue deserued wel at their hands they do me euil for good and are readie to take my life from me vnles thou do stop them 13 Yet when I did see them in distresse I changed my garment I pined my selfe with fasting and bowed me downe and praied for them 14 Finallie I went so heauilie and with sorowful countenance testified I my griefe none otherwaies than if they had bin my neare kinsfolke or if I should haue mourned for mine owne mother 15 But they contrariwise when they did see me stagger they tooke counsel together against me they conspired I say against me suspecting no such thing euen the most vile men make none end of railing against me with open mouth 16 They haue ioined themselues to iesters and parasites and they haue al whet their teeth against me 17 O Lord how long wilt thou behold this when wilt thou correct them deliuer me from them that rage so fearcelie against me and deliuer this soule wanting al succor from these most cruel lions 18 Deliuer me I saie that I may set foorth thy praise in the assemblie of al thy people and in the audience of them al. 19 Suffer not I beseech thee that these faithles and vngrate persons reioice that they haue ouercome me either that they which hate me without cause with glieng eies deride me 20 For they are inflamed with a deadlie hatred and though the earth open vnderneath and threaten ruine yet thinke they of nothing but how with most craftie words they may hurt euerie one 21 Wherefore they gape and laugh saieng Ah! ah We see now at the length that we haue so long desired 22 Thou seest both me and them also ô Lord do not I praie thee passe these things ouer in silence ô Lord neither depart thou far from me 23 But rather awake and come foorth to deliuer me ô Lord my God and defend my iust cause 24 O Lord my
iudge of the world and punish the proud as they deserue 3 For how long ô Lord shal the wicked how long shal the wicked reioice 4 If thou behold their words they powre out what they list tauntingly and the most wicked men do threaten cruelie and boast themselues proudlie 5 But in their deedes ô Lord they oppresse thy chosen people and waste the heritage consecrated vnto thee 6 It is so farre awaie that they should helpe the widowes straungers and fatherlesse as the verie lawes of nature do require and thy lawes do command that they euen kil them most cruellie 7 Yea and which is the greatest of al wickednes these are their words whereby they inflame themselues to al mischiefe God seeth none of these things the God of Iacob knoweth not these things 8 O ye most foolish and most mad of al men when wil ye once waxe wise 9 Is he deafe which hath ioined the eares vnto mans head framed so cunninglie is he blind who hath made the eies with such a maruellous workemanship 10 He that spared not whole nations wil not he reprooue you doth he vnderstand nothing which giueth the power of vnderstanding vnto men 11 Yes verelie he doth not onelie knowe what they saie and doe but also the Lord fullie knoweth what men doe thinke and is not ignorant how vaine and foolish their thoughts are 12 What then shal we doe in so great a disorder of al things surelie we must knowe this of thee O blessed is the man therefore ô Lord whome thou teachest by the doctrine that thou hast deliuered vnto vs 13 That he hauing receiued of thee a quiet and peaceable mind in the midst of these tumults waiteth whilest the wicked may be perceiued to haue digged a pit for themselues wherin they are fallen 14 For it cannot be possible by anie meanes that the Lord should cast awaie his people and that he should forsake them whome he hath chosen to be his peculiar heritage 15 Therefore it is of necessitie that this so disordered a state of the world which seemeth to be vtterlie void of iustice should be restored at the last into that ancient most right order that they may followe God with great cheerefulnes whosoeuer delight in righteousnes 16 And that al men may euen now knowe that the Lord doth not faile his and that the saints are established by his power alone Who amongst al mortal men hath holpen me being assaulted by these most wicked enimies who hath taken my part against the wicked 17 Verelie the Lord alone who vnles he had bene present with me verie death streightwaies would haue put me to silence 18 But when I thought with my selfe that I was now ouerthrowne thy goodnes ô Lord hath staied me that I did not fal 19 And when I was vtterlie amazed and my mind distracted into diuers parts thou hast comforted me with maruellous consolations 20 For what hath the tyrannical domination agreable with thee adioining authoritie to most wicked lawes 21 Conspiring against the godlie and abusing the colour of the lawe to condemne the innocent 22 But go to let these men rage as they list for a space and let them tread vnder foote al the lawes both of God and man the Lord shal be vnto me a most safe fortresse and I wil flie to the rocke of my God 23 For he wil repaie vnto the wicked that which their wickednes deserueth and their owne malice shal destroie shal destroie them I saie ô Lord our God PSALME XCV The Argument Jt may he that the Church of Israël whilest their temple did stand did begin their continual morning sacrifice with this Psalme by whose example the latine Church when they set in order in old time the holie Church seruice did begin the morning praiers and the memorie of those that departed godlie which were afterward most filthilie polluted with idolatrie and this Psalme was so vsed not vnworthilie for it containeth a doctrine amongst others most necessarie namely the knowledge of that last end for the which men are created and vnto the which as vnto a marke al the actions both of the bodie and of the mind must be bent and it hath a most sweet exhortation adioined Now this end is the glorie of God both because the infinite maiestie of the most mightie Creator of al things and most wise gouernour doth require it and also for the infinite and singular benefites bestowed by him vpon those men who being chosen out of the number of the residue he hath consecrated to himselfe But because many of those same which wil be counted in the Church either vse negligentlie to regard these things or else vtterlie to despise them there is added a rehearsal of a most famous storie wherein is set forth a notable example of the vnthankful mind of men and of the most seuere iudgement of God As for the meaning of the last verse how these things pertaine to the time of the new testament search in the Epistle to the Heb. 4. Chap. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 COme ye al that we may celebrate the praises of the Lord together and let vs sing altogether a song of triumph vnto him that is the onelie rocke of our saluation 2 Let vs make haste to praise him openlie and to sing Psalmes vnto him 3 For God is a great Lord doubtles and a King far aboue al emperours how great soeuer 4 For he hath in his power as the Lord of al both the lowe secret parts of the earth and the high tops of the mountaines 5 And also he hath ful authoritie ouer the whole sea as he that hath euen created it like as he hath made the masse of the earth also by his power 6 Come therefore that we may fal downe and worship him and kneele downe before the Lord our maker 7 For he is not onlie our God as he is of others but after a peculiar maner as he that hath chosen vs whome he wil feede as his sheepe and lead by the hand as his flocke 8 Therefore so oft as you shal heare his voice and so long as he speaketh vnto you take heede least you stubbornelie striue against his voice as it did fal out of old in those places which thereof had their name Meribah and Massah 9 Of the which matter heare the words of God himselfe rebuking you There saith he your fathers although they had so oft beholden with their eies what I was able to do yet ceased they not to tempt me and to trie my power 10 Wherefore I being greeued after so manie sorts fortie yeeres long by this kind of men haue in the end thus determined with my selfe Seeing that this people is wilfulie mad and wil not knowe me although it hath bene admonished so oft both with words and deedes 11 I sweare in my wrath if euer they shal set one foote to take possession of that rest which I had promised vnto them PSALME XCVI The Argument This
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
his diuine worship 8 And thou ô Lord our God giuing eare vnto them hast suffered thy selfe oftentimes to be pacified by their praiers although thou diddest not leaue the sinnes of some of them vnpunished that were wicked 9 Wherefore take courage and extol the Lord our God with praises and worship at his holie hil for the Lord our God is holie PSALME C. The Argument The Hebrue title doth declare that this Psalme most short in deede but verie excellent both for the pleasantnesse of words and the grauitie of the matter was written for this cause that it should be sung in the sacrifices of thankesgiuing And it doth rehearse two most great benefites the one of the creation which is common vnto al men the other of the free adoption annexed with the perpetual protection the which vnspeakeable benefite is peculiar vnto the Church which for this cause is called the worke of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SOund out the trumpets vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Come hither with ioie to giue due worship vnto the Lord present your selues in his sight and offer praiers vnto him 3 Knowledge at the length this Iehouah to be the God This is he that hath euen made vs when we had no being of our selues and which is another peculiar benefite of him toward vs euen the far greatest of al This is he by whose mercie we are a people consecrate vnto him and the sheepe of his pastures 4 Come therfore I saie to the gates of his house to praise him enter into his courts to sing forth his praises praise ye him and publish his name 5 For the Lord is good of infinite mercie and mindful of his promises through al ages for euer PSALME CI. The Argument Dauid when he had receiued the promise of the kingdome not thinking so much of the great honour that was giuen him as of the greeuous burthen that should be laide vpon him and as it is probable beholding the faults of Saul and the disordered state of the whole kingdome he would bind both himselfe and his posteritie as it were with a solemne vow before God in this Psalme wherin al the office of a king with a maruelous breuitie is explaned though generallie yet verie exactlie First of al then he bindeth the whole office of a king to two principal vertues euen mercie and iudgement whereof the one causeth that kings be rather loued than feared and this other by the vse of scripture declareth the seueritie whereby the obstinate are brideled and kept in order and it is contrarie to that softnes which doth not onelie giue some release from the bonds of the lawe but doth vtterlie dissolue them Neither doth he treate of these vertues after the maner of the Philosophers but he wil haue them both consecrate vnto God and therefore to be applied vnto the lawes appointed by God himselfe Then comming to the vse of these vertues he doth testifie that he wil not arrogate vnto himselfe the gouernement of this kingdome promised but onelie receiue it of the hand of GOD himselfe deliuering it vnto him the which thing hee did most religiouslie afterward obserue Hee treateth first of the preparing of himselfe to performe this office secondlie of the right ordering of his owne priuate familie and thirdlie of the verie office charge and duetie of a king Wherefore in the second verse beginning the right order of gouernement at himselfe far vnlike vnto those which do nothing lesse than that they command to others he maketh a vowe that he wil giue great care to vnderstand which is the right waie beeing mindful doubtles of the words of the Lord vnto Joshua Ioshua 1. 7. and 8. and that he neuer declining from that waie declared by God he wil learne by the right gouernement of his owne familie to execute the office of a king as is conuenient Afterward treating of the verie publike charge and beginning againe at himselfe he promiseth that he wil neither take euil counsel willinglie of himselfe neither that he wil followe euil examples And whereas the Princes that haue power in their hands to satisfie their lustes do vse to inuent infinite such things either of themselues or take hold of the same most greedilie which they learne of others that are about them Dauid addeth that he wil most carefullie eschue men of corrupt manners Finallie whereas Princes are compelled of necessitie to vse the seruice of manie others by whose eies both they must see manie things and heare by their eares and stand in neede of their counsels he promiseth that he wil receiue no man whome he shal knowe to be of an euil conscience and that he wil punish euen with death the false accusers which are the poison of mankinde and that he wil by no meanes suffer the proude and the ambitious and that he wil vse the counsel and endeuour of men of fidelitie and vprightnes and wil diligentlie search for them and either neuer cal to counsel or chase far awaie the craftie and deceitful Finallie he promising that he wil be no lesse a seueare iudge against wicked men than a merciful dâ—fender and foster-father of his owne he declareth the last and chiefe end of the ciuil gouernement which was vnknowne of the Philosophers to wit that the Lord should be worshipped purelie and sincerelie in his Citie that is in his Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I being appointed king by thee after such a manner of bountifulnes as neuer was heard do consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I do bind my selfe before thee to performe them in the gouernement of the kingdome 2 First of al then vnto that time that I be set ouer the kingdome by thee whome I determined neuer to preuent I wil giue al diligence that both I may throughlie knowe the right waie appointed by thee and may obserue the same purelie in my house 3 I wil neuer set before me to do anie wicked thing I wil forsake them that are of corrupt manners neither wil I take anie such to me 4 I wil put far from me the authours of euil counsels neither wil I embrace at anie time the thing that I knowe to be euil 5 I wil destroie the slanderers and false accusers I wil not suffer the proud and the ambitious 6 I searching out on euerie side men that loue the truth wil take them to be my familiar companions and I wil not vse in doing mine affaires anie but such as are trustie and faithful 7 The subtil man wil I thrust foorth of my house neither wil I suffer those that speake deceiptfullie 8 To conclude I wil painefullie and without anie delaie worthilie punish whomesoeuer I shal vnderstand to be wicked and I wil purge the holie citie of the Lord from al wicked persons PSALME CII The Argument The Hebrew title doth insinuate and the text it selfe especiallie verse 14. and 15. doth much more euidentlie declare that this
commeth vpon vs and then verelie the wild reuening beasts creepe foorth of their dens 21 Euen the young lions searching their praie with roring and requiring their meate as it were of God himselfe who hath kept them shut vp in the daie time for mans sake 22 But when the light returneth againe at the sun rising they get themselues into their dens againe as it were by a signe giuen from the heauen 23 So that man may returne vnto his labors which he had lest off and continue his trauel safelie vnto the euening 24 How maruellous therefore are thy works ô Lord how wiselie hast thou made al things with what and how great riches hast thou filled the earth 25 And this wide sea how large is it and how in numerable fishes are there how manie liuing creatures both of smal bodies and of monstrous greatnes doe swim therein 26 The ships also do run there through the seas and those huge beasts created of thee doe leape to and fro through the midst of the flouds as though they would plaie 27 And al these things as they haue receiued life of thee so also they wait for meate of thee wherewith they are nourished in their due time 28 Therefore thou giuest it vnto them and they receiue it and when thou openest thine hands they are satisfied 29 But if at anie time thou withdrawe thy selfe from them they stand euen astonished whilest that thou calling againe that liuelie strength which thou hadst giuen them they die at the length and returne to their dust 30 Yet for al this the kinds of things doe not decaie but whilest thou doest shew foorth that thy power which createth and preserueth al things thou causest that one of thy creatures comming into the place of another the verie face and furniture of the earth is renewed 31 Therefore euerlasting praise be giuen to the Lord and let the Lord continue to take his delight in his owne works 32 He is great I saie and verie mightie at whose angrie countenance the earth it selfe doth shake and tremble and by whome the mountaines being touched doe cast out smoke and flame 33 And as concerning me I wil consume al my life in praising him and so long as I shal remaine aliue I wil praise that my God 34 And would to God that my songs might be so acceptable vnto him as I with glad and cheereful mind doe celebrate his so manie and so great benefits 35 And contrariwise would to God that al the wicked that are stubborne against him might vtterlie be destroied But thou my soule praise thou the Lord and al ye others praise ye God PSALME CV The Argument Jt is euident by 1. Chron. 16. that the author of this Psalme was Dauid and that it was indited for Asaph to be sung when the Arke of the Lord was carried into the citie and there is the same vse of this as of the two former but the argument is diuers in this point that he doth celebrate two peculiar benefits of the Israëlites namelie the free adoption of that people and the bringing in of the same into the land promised Now seeing we haue a couenant more excellent than the former and our true Joshua is gone before into the verie heauen we may wel perceiue besides that now also the rehearsal of those old histories is most ioiful and most profitable so haue we so manie examples both of Gods mercie and truth whereby we may confirme our faith resting vpon the same foundations and are bound also much more than our fathers to celebrate these benefits and to continue in setting foorth the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord cal vpon him and in the hearing of the people shew foorth his works 2 Sing vnto him praise him set foorth his maruellous acts 3 Glorie in his holie name you also that seeke the Lord reioice 4 Come ye vnto the Lord and diligentlie seeke this visible signe and pledge of his power and excellencie namelie this Arke 5 Cal to mind how manie and how great miracles and wonders he hath wrought for your sakes finallie what punishments he hath executed is iudgement of your enimies 6 For we are the children of Abraham his seruant and the ofspring of Iacob whome he hath choses to himselfe 7 And the Lord againe is the gouernour in deed and Lord ouer al the earth but he is our God by a peculiar right 8 Namelie for that he is mindful of that his couenant and word which shal be of force for euer by his commandement 9 Of that couenant I saie which he made first with Abraham and after with Isaac which was confirmed with a solemne oth 10 And further established with Iacob or Israël in these plaine words to stand for an vnchangeable and euerlasting decree 11 I wil giue you this land of Canaan as a possession by right of inheritance measured out by me 12 And that which he promised most freelie he hath perfourmed also most faithfullie For though they were verie few in number and of no strength and liued in that land as strangers 13 And changing their seates oftentimes wandering from nation to nation and remoued from one kingdome to another 14 Yet was it so farre off that he would suffer anie violence to be done vnto them by anie man that he also rebuked kings for their sakes 15 And hath written this decree as it were in these few words Let none touch mine annointed consecrate priests let no man hurt my prophets 16 But afterward he sent a famine vpon the earth as it were called by him and he did breake al the strength of bread that they might al seeme to be readie to perish streightwaies 17 But he sent a man before them when they should go into Aegypt long before by a most maruellous meane farre from al mans wisedome who should prepare them a place to soiourne in euen Ioseph who was first sold as a slaue in Aegypt 18 But afterward he was bound with iron fetters no lesse chained in mind than in bodie 19 Whilest at the last at the time appointed mention was made of him vnto the king and the wisedome which the Lord gaue vnto him did declare what maner of man and how excellent he was 20 Then therefore the king and lord of the Aegyptians did not onelie send messengers and loose him from his bonds 21 But also made him the steward of his court and so appointed the gouernement of al his affaires vnto him 22 Also an absolute authoritie was giuen vnto him ouer al the great princes of Aegypt that he should gouerne the verie magistrates of Aegypt by his wisedome and counsel 23 Therefore came Israël at length into Aegypt and Iacob did soiourne in the countrie of Cham. 24 And the Lord increased his familie there maruellouslie so that they became feareful for this cause vnto the Aegyptians that hated them 25 For God did change their minds against his people that they began to hate
citie whom soone after at the persuasion of the priestes and elders they refused with so great outrage And the same state that was then of the head must be now also of the members so that it is no maruel though the godlie professors of the truth be reiected as blasphemers and Heretikes euen of those which would be counted the chiefe builders of the Church and at length also to be deliuered vp to Pilates to be crucified but yet againe that corner stone can neuer be ouerthrowne nor yet the building that is lud vpon it can by anie force policie or subtiltie be destroied THE PARAPHRASIS 1 OH acknowledge and declare ye openlie that the Lord is good for his bountious goodnes is for euer 2 Let Israël now confesse this thing for his bountious goodnes is for euer 3 Let the stocke of Aaron now confesse this that his louing kindnes is perpetual 4 Let al the sincere worshippers of the Lord now confesse this that his louing kindnes is perpetual 5 I doubtles being a notable example of his vnspeakable bountie haue not ceased as ye knowe to cal vpon him in my greatest extremitie and he as ye your selues see hauing heard me hath exalted me into this most large roome 6 Wherefore I hauing experience that the Lord worketh for me and that he is so neere at hand vnto me God forbid that I should feare the power or the threats of anie man 7 For the Lord himselfe is the chiefe leader of those that helpe me so that I can not doubt at al but that I shal see with these mine eies those enimies which remaine iustlie punished of him 8 Oh! how far better is it to trust in the Lord than in man 9 How far better is it to trust in the Lord than in anie men how excellent soeuer they be 10 Behold manie nations compasse me about but I calling vpon the Lord shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 11 They compasse me in I saie they beset mee round about but calling vpon the Lord I shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 12 Mine enimies in great multitudes compasse me like swarmes of bees but I shal forthwith stifle them as though they were cast into the fire and calling vpon the Lord I shal most vndoubtedlie destroie them 13 For in deede before the most cruel enimie did so sore thrust at me that I seemed euen now readie to fal but as I was falling the Lord supported me 14 Therefore I account him mine onlie strength I knowledge him to be my sauiour and praise him in my song 15 Hereof come those voices of those that sing and reioice together with me out of their tabernacles Now doubtles the Lord hath aduanced the power of his most strong right hand 16 The Lord hath now exalted that his right hand Now the Lord hath shewed forth the power of his most strong right hand 17 Behold me then that am yet aliue and about to set forth the workes of God 18 For though he hath striken me verie sore yet hath he spared my life 19 I praie thee therefore let that gate now at the length be open vnto me which onlie the louers of righteousnes must go vnto that I being entred thither may praise the Lord. 20 For it is consecrate vnto the Lord therefore is it open to the iust alone 21 Here wil I praise thee ô Lord because thou giuing eare hast deliuered me 22 For the stone which the verie chiefe builden haue so stubbornlie as yet reiected as nothing fit is not onlie now counted in the building but euen as a principal it vpholdeth the whole weight of the verie building 23 Verelie it is a worke of God in deede which maketh al the beholders thereof to be amazed 24 Go to them seeing the Lord hath commanded this most ioiful daie to shine vnto vs let vs passe it wholie in mirth becomming Saints 25 I beseech thee ô Lord preserue the King that is giuen vs from heauen I praie thee I saie I praie thee ô LORD giue the King al prosperitie 26 Let him haue prosperitie and blisse that commeth to gouerne vs in the name and commandement of GOD we wish prosperitie to you also that are the neerer inhabitants of the house of the Lord. 27 Iehouah is the onelie God who shineth vnto vs bind ye the lambe with cords that is brought to the hornes of the altar 28 Thou art my God I wil praise thee thou art my God I wil sing thy praises most lowd 29 Confesse that the Lord is exceeding good for his bountious goodnes is euerlasting PSALME CXIX The Argument This is the principal end of this Psalme which the longer it is the more excellent it is and it is written with two and twentie Octonaries that is euerie part hauing eight verses whereof euerie one beginneth at one particular letter of the Hebrue alphabet that men might be entised to the careful studie of the heauenlie doctrine And the whole treatise is set foorth partlie generallie of absolute and certaine positions or sentences and partlie of special and more particular considerations the Prophet setting downe himselfe for example to them that he teacheth and mixing praiers complaintes comforts and thankesgiuings throughout the Psalme And the whole doctrine may be brought to these foure principal heads 1 That those things are signified by the name of the heauenlie doctrine which are reuealed of God himselfe and comprehended in the holie scriptures whether we vnderstand that part which commandeth that which wee ought to do and forbiddeth the contrarie the name of the Lawe beeing taken in a more streight signification or whether we vnderstand that other part wherein it is taught what wee must beleeue to saluation the which we call the Gospel 2 That this doctrine is declared from heauen not that wee should comprehend it in our vnderstanding onelie but that euerie one should folowe it with an earnest care without fainting as the rule of his whole life 3 That we may be both willing and able to embrace and folowe it wee must of necessitie praie for the spirit of God which may both driue awaie darkenes from our vnderstanding and amend our affections that are wholie corrupted 4 Though the world beeing terrified partlie with the feare of dangers partlie with the greatnes of calamities and partlie also deceiued with a fained shew of profit doth rather go some other waie yet they onelie do wiselie which sticke vnto that waie which is set downe in the word of God what difficulties so euer do offer themselues in this life so that at the last they shal haue the fruition of true and euerlasting life THE PARAPHRASIS Octonarie I. 1 O Blessed are they that are of an vpright and blamelesse life who walke after the rule of the doctrine prescribed by the Lord 2 Blessed are they I saie who do obserue that which he hath testified to please him who do seeke him sincerelie and carefullie 3 Doubtles they are not giuen to wickednes neither bend
slumber much lesse wil he be so deepe in sleepe that he wil suffer you to be oppressed 5 Therefore let this be as a thing certainelie determined vnto thee and be thou confirmed with this onelie hope in al distresse that the Lord is thy keeper that the Lord is a shadowe for thee against al stormes and that he is present by thee and wil neuer faile thee 6 And as he was present of old when thou returnedst out of Aegypt so now also that he wil be present with thee against the heate of the sunne in the daie time and against the noisome humours which the moone vseth to raise in the night time 7 Finallie the Lord wil preserue thee safe against al discommodities he I saie wil defend thy life 8 And to conclude which waie so euer thou shalt go he wil be with thee when thou goest forth into one place and wil be with thee when thou goest into another place neither in this iournie onlie but for euer he wil guide and gouerne thee PSALME CXXII The Argument The people of God are brought in in this Psalme reioising one with another for the reedifieng of the citie which either was streightwaies to be begunne or else alreadie begun and therevnto drawing this Psalme written by Dauid aforetimes when as that citie which should be both the sanctuarie of God and also the head of the kingdome was first builded And verelie this was the double dignitie of that citie so yet that the sanctuarie was manifestlie preferred before the ciuil policie seeing this was a benefite generallie common vnto the Church of God euen with manie prophane people but the other was a proper and peculiar blessing vnto the Church Onelie would to God that the cities and states to whome that is giuen from God aboue in our memorie would acknowledge and carefullie keepe both these giftes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Happie and ioiful tidings the house of the Lord shal be sanctified into the which we shal go 2 We wil go to visit thee and wil stand in thy porches ô Ierusalem 3 Neither shalt thou now seeme like a village dispearsed thy houses being scattered here and there but built vp with houses ioined one to another like a citie 4 But especiallie that that people which is holie vnto God might assemble together by tribes after the manner appointed of God to celebrate the name of the God of Israël 5 Furthermore because that the tribunal seates I meane the tribunal seates are there placed of God for Dauid and his posteritie to minister iustice to euerie one 6 Wherefore seeing the safetie of the whole people seemeth to consist in the preseruation of this citie go to let vs praie for Ierusalem and for the safetie and welfare of al them that loue and fauour it 7 Be thou at peace within and without and filled with al maner of good things on euerie side round about thy towers 8 Neither do I powre foorth these praiers for thy safetie without cause seeing the preseruation of al the families of our nation is set in thee 9 Finallie seeing the Lord our God hath set his house in thee that his pure worship might be exercised there I wil labour to preserue and to amplifie thee with as great care as is possible PSALME CXXIII The Argument The weake people of God is brought in in this Psalme praieng most earnestlie vnto the most mightie and merciful God against the infinite iniuries of the mightie gouernours of the countries about them the which historie is abundantlie written in Ezra Nehemiah and would God that the Church would vse the same counsel and remedie in these our times most like vnto theirs THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough al things are contrarie vnto me in the earth yet wil I not despaire but I do lift vp the eies both of my minde and bodie vnto thee that sittest in the heauens 2 For vnto whome should the seruants rather flee than vnto the helpe of their maisters and to whome should the handmaidens rather turne to desire aide than at the hand of their mistresse euen so do we cast our eies and looke vnto the Lord our God and wil not cease before he haue compassion vpon vs. 3 Go to yet ô Lord haue mercie I saie haue mercie vpon vs for trulie nothing can be imagined more contemptible than we 4 And wee are filled inough and more than inough with the scoffes and reproches of these mightie men that are most proud PSALME CXXIIII The Argument Like as in the former Psalme the people as it were fainting vnder the burthen did lament sigh euen so now they are brought in reioising giuing God thankes being erected in faith both for that they had receiued a more comfortable message from the kings of the Persians and also that they had escaped the conspiracies of their enimies by the praiâ—rs wisedome and fortitude of Ezra Nehemiah we haue sâ—ne manie such like examples of the goodnes of God in this our age how miserable soeuer our posteritie doubtles in their time shal see the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LEt Israël now confesse and franklie publish that without the Lord who was present with vs that were destitute of al mans aide 2 Without the Lord who was present with vs that else were vtterlie lost when men rose vp so speedilie against vs 3 Doubtles they had swalowed vs vp quicke their rage was so furiouslie kindled against vs 4 I saie they had alreadie ouerthrowne vs like most violent waters and would as it were haue caried vs quite awaie beeing ouerwhelmed with the vehement force of a swift streame 5 The most tempestuous stormes would euen then haue couered vs that were cast downe 6 Praised be the Lord that hath forbidden letted that these sauage and cruel beastes taking vs in their pawes and tearing vs with their most fierce teeth do not deuoure vs. 7 Verelie our life is saued like a bird that is deliuered from the net of these foulers trulie their snares are broken and we are deliuered 8 And we must attribute this whole benefit to the bountie of the Lord alone who is the maker both of heauen and earth PSALME CXXV The Argument The citie being now at the length repaired and the policie againe established the people againe is taught vpon what foundation they ought to rest hereafter by an argument drawne of the situation of the citie which was a figure both of the power of God and of his fauour alreadie declared which would moue him that he should mitigate euen his seueritie with most moderate correction But this is added that this thing belongeth to them onlie which testifie their religion in deede whereas al other shal suffer iust punishment none other waies than the heathen Gentiles although they did dwel in the middest of the citie of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AS vnmoueable as we behold the verie hil of Sion to stand through his great and heauie masse so certaine do assure
make stir against him PSALME CXXVIII The Argument This Psalme pertaining to the same purpose with the former euen that the people of God being againe restored should vnderstand and haue set foorth as in certaine tables what was their dutie is wholie oeconomical that is for priuate families and it doth teach two chiefe and principal precepts of the right gouernement of the familie to wit the feare of God openlie testified and diligent labour of the bodie of the which twaine the one part doth bind al the godlie without exception but this later part is so to be taken not as though bodilie labour were commanded to euerie one but that we may knowe that idlenes and slouthfulnes is forbidden vnto al not that euerie one hath strength of bodie or wit particularlie attributed vnto him whereby he may get his liuing or may vse the thing rightlie that is alreadie gotten But this also is to be obserued that al men are here spoken vnto as though they were maried because this is the ordinarie vocation from the which how vnlawful it is for a man vnaduisedlie to depart much lesse to saie that the deuelish vowes are anie where approued of sole life either in the scriptures or in the example of anie the miserable condition of them doth declare which haue transformed the world into a Sodome and Gomorrha or euen into some worse thing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis is the right waie to leade a blessed life that a man knowe the true worship of God liue accordinglie 2 For whosoeuer thou art that dost thus although thou be in so poore estate that thou must liue vpon thy handie labour euerie daie yet God wil bring to passe that thou shalt haue a competent liuing therby and he wil grant vnto thee that thou shalt so liue wel and happilie 3 Yea he wil cause thy generation to spread also for thy wife shal be like a fruitful vine in thy house euen bringing foorth most pleasant fruit vnto thee whome thou shalt see placed in order at thy table like oliue branches 4 Behold therefore thus wil the Lord blesse al them that feare him 5 The Lord I saie wil blesse thee from the tower of Sion whosoeuer doest thus behaue thy selfe and he wil bring to passe that thou shalt see Ierusalem flourishing so long as thou doest liue 6 And thou shalt then behold both thine ofspring to be spread abroad at home and also publikelie Israël to enioie great peace and tranquillitie PSALME CXXIX The Argument The people of God being restored after so manie calamities giueth thanks vnto God for so great benefits as the onlie authour of them and promising themselues the same in time to come doth contrariwise foreshew that a certaine destruction doth hang ouer their enimies THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let Israël now say by iust cause These haue vexed me oftentimes from my verie youth 2 They haue vexed me oftentimes from my youth yet could they not ouercome me as it is plaine by experience 3 For they verelie I grant haue wounded me as it were plowing ouer me and drawing long furrowes on euerie side 4 But that most true and iust aduenger of his euen the Lord hath cut in sunder at the length al the bands of the wicked 5 Thus certainlie al the enimies of Sion being filled with shame shal turne their backs their enterprises being frustrate 6 And they shal be proud in shew and flourishing for a little time but they shal be like the herbe that groweth on the top of the houses which withereth before it come to the highest 7 The which neither anie man doth sheare by handful neither doth he laie it in order by handfuls which heapeth vp the haruest 8 Neither for the cause thereof shal the passengers at anie time crie vnto the reapers The Lord blesse you from heauen with most plentiful haruest and by the power of the Lord let your labours haue good successe PSALME CXXX The Argument The people of God being careful to retaine the possession of their countrie and citie restored yet trusting to the promises of God and his mercie whereof they had experience doe comfort themselues in this Psalme which was counted aforetime amongest the penitentials that is amongest those Psalmes which they vsed to sing when the penitent persons were publikelie reconciled vnto the assemblie of the Church the which afterward the Romanists applied foolishlie to the praiers for the dead by no more probable pretence as I thinke than because it is said in the beginning De profundis clamaui that is Out of the depth haue I called so great was the power of the spirit of errour manie yeeres THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I crie vnto thee from the deepe bottome of my heart and from the deepe gulfe wherein I am plunged 2 Heare me ô Lord that cal vpon thee and giue eare to my lowd sounding praiers 3 I grant ô God that I haue deserued al extreme punishment for what can I else saie but if thou ô Lord do marke our sinnes who is able at anie time to abide thy most iust wrath 4 But the matter standeth far otherwise for else could there be no worship of thee anie-where amongst men therefore doth thy mercie ouercome the sinnes of men For thou hast found out and deliuered vnto vs the meanes of attaining thy fauor that thou maist be acknowledged and reuerenced amongst men 5 Wherefore though I be most wicked yet wait I for the helpe of the Lord I wait assuredlie for the helpe of the Lord I saie for he hath testified by his word that he wil helpe me wherevnto I trust vndoubtedlie 6 Therefore there is no night watcher no man I saie that watcheth in the night that loketh for the dawning of the daie more desirouslie or more assuredlie than I doe looke for the comming of the Lord to helpe me 7 Go to then ô Israël wait vpon the Lord with assured hope vpon the Lord I saie most merciful and whom thou hast experienced so oft to be thy deliuerer and aduenger 8 This is he doubtles who wil deliuer Israël now also and forgiue him al his sinnes at once PSALME CXXXI The Argument This Psalme compared with the historie of Dauid wherevnto it is applied in the Hebrue title doth set foorthe plaine example of true modestie which they commonlie cal humilitie euen of that man which fearing God and despising no man doth remaine within the bounds of his calling and afterward this same Psalme is appointed to the people being returned that like as in the formeâ— Psalme they were admonished that they should not be discouraged in aduersitie so contrarâ—wise they shoâ—â—d take heed vnto themselues least they should waxe prâ—â—d in prosperitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Take thee to witnes ô Lord against the flanders of al men that I neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor thâ—â— I am now proud being promoted by thee therevnto nor that I haue bent mine eies to high
of the natural loue and affection not of common friendship whereof the prophane writers haue spoken manie things also verie wel but of that holie charitie whereof the holie Ghost onelie is the authour which ioineth al the godlie vnto one heauenlie father in Christ the first born among manie brethren The which knot also not euerie kind of commoditie in regard wherof the poëts did adorne peace with maruellous epithetons so that they counted it as a goddesse but al the benefits of God both of this life and of the life to come do folowe it being euen powred downe vpon vs from him foorth of whose fulnes they are deriued downe vnto the vnder members cleauing vnto him Wherefore this charitie or loue is worthilie cōpared with the heauenlie dew that we may acknowledge it to be giuen vs from heauen and that freelie and also with the holie ointment of Aaron running downe from the head vnto the hem of his garment because that Aaron was a figure of Christ our eternal Priest that ointment did signifie the holie spirit powred foorth without measure vpon our head that is vpon Christ himselfe thereby sanctifieng his vnder members that is the whole Church by whose sweete smel also we are acceptable to our heauenlie father according to that saieng Ioh. 14 21. He that loueth me shal be loued of my father and I wil loue him c. Iohn 1 16. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BEhold how beautiful and happie this change of our state is to wit because we see that brethren which before were at dissention both in bodies and minds are now most friendlie ioined in hearts Wherefore I would haue you continuallie to consider and marke that there is nothing either more profitable or more pleasant than your brotherlie amitie For besides that God would haue vs to be borne of one and the same father Abraham the which reason is of no smal moment he hath further called and chosen vs out into his familie by the same his holie spirit 2 Wherefore this brotherlie vnitie is plainlie like that sweete balme so pretious which being powred vpon the head of the high priest and vpon his beard did flowe downe euen to the hem of his holie garment 3 And we may compare it with that most sweet and most fruitful dew which falleth on the mountaines both of Hermon and Sion For where this concord is of force there at the commandement of God from heauen al commodities flowe downe and remaine for euer PSALME CXXXIIII The Argument After the manifold speeches pertaining vnto the people at the length a verie good end is made vnto that matter by an exhortation directed vnto the priestes and Leuites seeing the worship of God is the whole summe belonging vnto the Church Therefore the Leuites are admonished for what cause they are placed in the Church not that they should exercise dumbe ceremonies but that they should bestowe whole daies nights for the saluation of the people that is in teaching declaring the praises of God and in praieng THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LO ye blessed companie whom the Lord hath peculiarlie chosen out of the rest of the people and whose ministerie he vseth whilest yee appeare in his house before him daie and night first execute your office diligentlie in Gods sight carefullie labouring to set foorth his praises 2 Praie vnto the Lord I saie lifting vp your hands vnto his sanctuarie and praise him which is the principal part of his worship and the verie end of these ceremonies 3 Then commend the whole assemblie of the people vnto God sending them awaie after they haue sincerelie offered their sacrifices and haue bene instructed with holie doctrine praieng that the Lord who is the Creator of heauen and earth would enrich them al out of Sion with al kind of blessings PSALME CXXXV The Argument The Prophet doth chiefly exhort the priests and the Leuites also in this Psalme as in the former publikelie to set foorth the praise of God vnto whome yet he wil haue the people to ioine as to their ringleaders And the arguments of praise are taken partlie of the general works wherein God setteth foorth both his infinite power and goodnes euen as it were to be groped or handeled of al men partlie of his special benefits that are bestowed on his owne people and he adioineth an antithesis of the idols at large And we ought to confirme our selues at this daie stil with the same testimonie and to giue thanks vnto God dailie now for them also seeing there hath bene alwaies and is stil one and the same Church as there is one God and one faith although the couenant be diuers in the manner and forme of reuelation which God hath made with his THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye that are peculiarlie appointed to the ministerie of the Lord praise ye praise ye the Lord as he hath shewed himselfe in deede worthilie to be acknowledged 2 You I saie which are appointed to stand and to appeare euen in the house of the Lord and vnto whome the keeping of these courts of the Lord is committed 3 Praise God who is verie good and praise his name than the which nothing is more pleasant 4 For he hath of his onlie goodnes chosen Iacob to himselfe as his most chiefe treasure 5 And to speake no more of these special testimonies of his fauour why should not I affirme that thing which is most plaine and euident that the Lord euen our God is verie great although foolish men imagine to themselues gods he is mightier than al their gods although we should graunt that there were such as they doe dreame 6 For seeing that these men suppose that there are manie gods surelie they can make none of these almightie and some doe make them idle beholders of things others do bind them to inferiour causes others faine that most vile things and most wicked things are done openlie by them but the Lord as he hath created the heauen the earth the sea and al the depths thereof so also he vseth them at his pleasure 7 By whose commandements the clouds rising from the vttermost parts of the earth doe minister the matter of the firie flames and of the raines which burst foorth thence together and which bringeth foorth the winds out of his store 8 And least anie man should limit this infinite power of the Lord within the bounds of natural causes this is he which destroied in one night al the first borne both of men and beasts in Aegypt the which thing certainlie can not be attributed to the order of nature 9 He also ouerthrew Pharao in Aegypt and al the Aegyptians ouer dutiful-seruants to their king with signes and wonders whereof there is not one which doth not declare the infinite power of the Lord aboue al order of nature 10 Yea and not Pharao onlie and the Aegyptians but he also miserablie slue manie other nations and their most mightie kings 11 As Sehon king of the Amorites and
Og the king of Basan and al the kingdoms of Canaan 12 Whose countries giuen to them before he deliuered to be possessed of Israël 13 Wherefore doubtles ô Lord thou hast gotten vnto thy selfe a name of perpetual praise neither shal the remembrance of thee be extinguished for euer 14 And thou wilt chieflie more and more set forth thy glorie in the preseruation of thy people and in thy louing kindnes that is so prone and readie to pardon thy seruants 15 But euen these most gorgious and pretious images which the senseles nations do worship are nothing else but gold siluer made by the workmanship of man in this or that forme 16 They haue a mouth and yet are dumbe they haue eies but they see nothing therewith 17 They haue eares but can not heare and haue a nose but wanting breath 18 And verelie in this point the workemen and worshippers of them differ nothing from them 19 But ye the stocke of Israël praise the Lord ye the familie of Aaron go before others in praising the Lord. 20 Ye Leuites praise the Lord as manie as professe his worship praise the Lord. 21 Let the euerlasting inhabitants of Ierusalem sound foorth the praises of the Lord out of Sion PSALME CXXXVI The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this most magnificent Psalme as of the other but the benefites of God both toward the whole mankind and especiallie bestowed vpon his Church are heere more plainelie set forth and euerie where there is a singular verse often repeated partlie that we should certainlie iudge these benefites onlie to come of the most liberal bountie of God partlie that we should iudge not onelie that al things generallie but also euen particularlie euerie thing is as a testimonie and pledge of Gods fauour and mercie to our saluation although this his liberalitie turne to the destruction of the wicked And it appeareth by 1. Chro. 7. that Dauid was the authour of this song the which was sung with most great solemnitie both in their high feasts and in their triumphant victories euer repeating this singular verse by course as also the historie of Iehosaphat doth declare 2. Chron. 20. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his great goodnes for his mercie endureth for euer 2 Praise the God of gods for his mercie endureth for euer 3 Praise the Lord of lords for his mercie endureth for euer 4 Who by his onlie power bringeth to passe maruelous things because his mercy endureth for euer 5 Who hath created the heauens by his infinite wisedome for his mercie endureth for euer 6 Who hath commanded the earth to stand vp aboue the bankes of the waters being appointed to susteine and giue nourishment to the beasts of the earth and the soules of the aire for his mercie endureth for euer 7 Who hath created those two great lights for his mercie endureth for euer 8 The Sunne to rule the daie for his mercie endureth for euer 9 The Moone and the Starres to rule in the night for his mercie endureth for euer 10 Who smote Aegypt slaieng their first borne for his mercie endureth for euer 11 And deliuered Israël from thence for his mercie endureth for euer 12 And that with a strong force and as it were by lifting vp his arme on high for his mercie endureth for euer 13 Who did part in sunder the Rushie sea which is called the red sea that it should lie open vnto the people passing to and fro by multitudes for his mercie endureth for euer 14 And led Israël through the middest thereof for his mercie endureth for euer 15 And drowned Pharao and al his armies in the same for his mercie endureth for euer 16 Who led his people by the waste wildernes for his mercie endureth for euer 17 Who stroke great kings with plagues for his mercie endureth for euer 18 Who slue mightie kings for his mercie endureth for euer 19 Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for euer 20 And Og the king of Basan for his mercie endureth for euer 21 And gaue their dominion to be possessed by others for his mercie endureth for euer 22 Euen to be possessed by Israël his seruant for his mercie endureth for euer 23 Who when we were oppressed was mindful of vs for his mercie endureth for euer 24 And deliuered vs from our enimies for his mercie endureth for euer 25 Who giueth foode to al liuing creatures for his mercie endureth for euer 26 Praise ye God the Lord of heauen for his mercie endureth for euer PSALME CXXXVII The Argument The holie Ghost would haue this excellent Psalme to be extant which no doubt was made by the Leuites the fingers in the time of the captiuitie that he might teach vs verie notable things and necessarie to our comfort to wit that there is a time of silence vnder the crosse when the power of darkenes hath his time notwithstanding that we must retaine alwaies our constancie not onelie in faith but also in zeale least we betraie the truth with our silence or forsake our dutie for feare of men The dogs verelie are vnworthie to haue anie holie thing offered to them but this same thing is not to be dissembled that they are dogs when it standeth vpon the glorie of God and that the oppressors of the Church shal neuer carie awaie their wickednes vnpunished and chieflie they which do inflame the crueltie of the mightie men against the innocent THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE being caried awaie vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in vs the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most doleful silence euen with aboundance of teares both our sinne and our sorowe at the floud of Euphrates being mindful of Sion 2 And though we caried our harpes euen to be our comfort in so great calamitie yet seeing that it seemed vnto vs that we should rather mourne than sing in that time and place we did hang them vpon the sallowe trees making no noise in the sight of the Babylonians 3 When they themselues which had drawne vs awaie into this most miserable captiuitie outrageouslie mocking our miserie did require of vs that we should delight them with our songs and take againe into our hands the harps that we had hanged vp speaking these words Come off sing vnto vs those tunes of your Sion 4 But we did not agree vnto them bearing most heauilie this their derision as breaking out into the reproch of the Lord himselfe For with what countenance or with what conscience could we abandon the holie praises of the Lord to be derided of those wicked enimies 5 But be it far awaie and God forbid ô Ierusalem that though we be far separate from thee we should forget thee but let rather euerie one of our right hands forget al plaieng of instruments 6 Let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it being vnmindful of thee
haue spoken in the former Psalme how that it is not expedient that the vse of this musicke should be reteined in the holie assemblies which was a portion of the Leuitical worship of the lawe and wherof this fruit at the length did arise in the daies of our fathers that the preaching of the word was changed into songs not vnderstanded of the singers themselues and at the length that graue and plaine singing of Psalmes which as I thinke hath alwaies bin in the Church hath bin turned into a vicious curiositie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye the most holie God which sitteth in that high sanctuarie praise him I saie that testifieth his infinite power and strength from that his most stable palace 2 Let the cause of his praise be vnto you that his great power declared in so manie maruelous workes 3 Let the trumpet sound out his praise let the viols and the harps sound out his glorie 4 Let the timbrels thunder him out let the fluites whistle vnto him let the virginals striken with the fingers and the organs blowne with the bellowes praise him together 5 Let the high sounding cimbals sing out his triumph let the cimbals I saie sound vnto him 6 Finallie whatsoeuer hath breath let it set forth the praise of GOD. FINIS A BRIEFE TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF EVERIE PSALME WHEREBY Euerie man may meditate in them as his mind is most affected 1 Psalme Who are blessed who are miserable 2 A prophesie of the kingdome of Christ 3 A comfort in great troubles by the mercie of God 4 He reproueth his aduersaries and staieth himselfe vpon the louing kindnes of God not vpon worldlie commodities 5 God our God and our King wil punish the wicked for his owne glorie 6 A conflict of the conscience with sinne and comfort in the end 7 We must set the defence of God against reprochful slanders 8 A thankesgiuing to God for our creation and redemption in Christ 9 A thankesgiuing for benefites receiued and comfort against imminent miseries 10 Al the enterprises of the giants and tyrants against the Church shal come to naught for the Lord wil heare the poore 11 The Lord trieth the good men and destroieth the wicked 12 Cal vpon God when al things seeme desperate and past al hope 13 The more desperate that things appeare more earnestlie must we praie 14 The corruption of the natural man chieflie vttering it selfe against the Church 15 Who shal be the inhabitants of the heauens 16 An exercise of the faithful soule 17 A complaint of the pride and crueltie of the enimies 18 Gods maruelous power in deliuering his 19 A briefe sum of al godlie knowledge with a praier for the atteining thervnto 20 The people praie for their king 21 A thankesgiuing for a victorie wherof al the praise is giuen to God 22 Of Christs agonie greuous sorowe which he suffered ouercame for vs. 23 The Lord is my shepeheard I can not want 24 God is the Lord of al but chieflie of his Church in the which we must pray that God may reigne and set forth his glorie 25 A praier for faith forgiuenes of sin direction of the holie spirit and for Gods merciful protection 26 A meditation for them that liue amongst the wicked 27 28 To the same purpose 29 A necessarie meditation of the maiestie of God 30 A thankesgiuing for deliuerance from some great danger 31 A praier in great danger 32 The blessednes of man is in the forgiuenes of sinne 33 Praise God with a pure heart 34 A thankesgiuing and other necessarie doctrine 35 Against the flatterers of the wicked and false accusers of the godlie 36 The wickednes of men the prouidence of God and his mercie 37 To the same purpose most excellentlie 38 Sin is the cause of our miseries yet put awaie by faith although temporal punishments do folowe for our amendment 39 A meditation of the shortnes of mans life and his miseries 40 Manie godlie lessons 41 A comfort of the miserable against traitors 42 An earnest desire to be in the assemblie of the Church 43 A praier for the deliuerance from the enimies to praise God 44 An earnest praier for helpe in present miseries by the consideration of former mercies 45 The mariage song of Salomon 46 A thankesgiuing for some great deliuerance of the Church 47 An ernest exhortation to praise God 48 God is chieflie to be praised for the defence of his Church 49 Outward felicitie worldlie honor is nothing 50 The worship of God is spiritual and the outward ceremonial hypocrisie is detestable 51 A most earnest praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes 52 53 The crooked nature crueltie and punishment of the wicked with comfort to the godlie in the end of them both 54 The saints being in great dangers powre forth their praier and doubt nothing of their deliuerance 55 56 57 Against traiterous enimies with hope of deliuerance 58 Against wicked iudges he appealeth to Gods iudgement 59 Against his cruel aduersaries with comfort in the end 60 Though the Church be afflicted yet shal it be comforted againe 61 A zealous praier with great faith and confidence 62 By the example of Dauid we may confirme our faith in troubles 63 To the same purpose we must onelie looke vnto God in troubles 64 Against the wicked with the godlie 65 66 A praise thanksgiuing vnto God for the preseruation of the Church 67 A praier for spiritual and temporal blessings 68 The great mercie of God toward his people 69 The complaint and anguish of Dauid as a figure of Christ 70 For the deliuerance of the Church or anie particular member 71 For comfort constancie in the old age when feigned friends doe faile 72 A praier conteining the sum of godlie gouernement 73 God is alwaies fauorable to the godlie euen in their miserie but the vngodlie shal perish 74 A feruent praier against the spoilers of the Church 75 God is the author of al iust policie the dutie of magistrates 76 God is knowne by preseruing his Church and destruction of the enimie 77 Comfortable considerations in the trouble of conscience 78 The maruelous works of God both in trieng and preseruing his Church and punishing of his enimies 79 Against the oppressers of the Church who fight against God 80 A lamentation for the oppression of the Church 81 An exhortation to praise God for his benefits and a reproch of their ingratitude 82 A necessarie admonition to al that are in authoritie 83 A praier against the enimies of the Church 84 The great zeale of Dauid to be in the holie assemblies 85 In the midst of miserie we must hope for mercie 86 A feruent praier for deliuerance forth of miserie that the name of God may be glorified 87 That the Church after the captiuitie should be restored to such glorie that euerie man should count himselfe happie that is accepted as a member thereof 88 A most doleful lamentation 89 Another
greeuous lamentation with great consolation in the end 90 An excellent praier of Moses 91 An assurance vnto him that putteth his trust in God 92 An exhortation to praise God with a comparison betwixt the wicked and the iust 93 The power of God and his promises 94 Against tyrants with a comfort to the afflicted 95 The praise of God and a terror to the vnthankeful 96 An exhortation to praise God chieflie for Christs comming 97 Christ dreadful to the rebels but ioiful to the iust 98 An exhortation to praise God for his power mercie and truth and for saluation in Christ 99 To the same purpose 100 To praise the Lord for his creation redemption and perpetual protection 101 How a king should gouerne 102 A lamentation a consolation a prophesie of the dignitie of the Church a song of triumph 103 An excellent thankesgiuing both for corporal and spiritual blessings 104 105 To the same purpose 106 A thankesgiuing for Gods mercies with a declaration of the stubbornesse of the people and a praier for ful deliuerance 107 To praise God for his maruelous and woonderful prouidence in al maner of things 108 Dauid praiseth God with great confidence 109 A most terrible imprecation against the enimies 110 An epitome of the Gospel 111 A thankesgiuing and declaration what is true wisedome 112 They that feare God are blessed al other shal perish 113 God worketh aboue nature in his Church 114 Of the deliuerance from Aegypt a figure of our spiritual deliuerance 115 A praier for deliuerance for the onlie honor of the true God who is compared with their fained Gods 116 Dauid protesteth that he wil giue thankes and acknowledgeth that he can render nothing else for Gods great benefites 117 118 To praise the Lord for his mercies in Christ 119 A long and most feruent praier for the true meditation and exercise in Gods holie word 120 A praier against slanders and a lamentation for his long abode amongst the wicked 121 The Lord must onlie be looked to in troubles 122 Dauid reioiceth and praieth for the prosperitie of the Church 123 Like the 121. 124 The power of God onelie deliuereth from dangers 125 The assurance of the godlie in their afflictions 126 The people that were so wonderfullie deliuered praie for them that remained in captiuitie so should we doe 127 The whole state of the world both in publike and priuate dependeth vpon Gods onlie prouidence 128 They are onelie blessed that feare the Lord. 129 The Church oft afflicted but by the Lord deliuered 130 The faithful crie vnto the Lord in their miseries they confesse their sins and are deliuered 131 Man may not exalt himselfe but wait vpon the Lord. 132 The people praie for the posteritie of Dauid and for the building of the temple that is both for their spiritual King the Messiah and for religion 133 A commendation of brotherlie loue and concord 134 135 136 A thankesgiuing to the Lord for the benefites bestowed vpon his Church 137 There is a time of silence vnder the crosse so that neither faith nor zeale decaie 138 Dauid praiseth God for things past and assureth himselfe against troubles to come 139 A most excellent Psalme dailie to be meditated 140 The state of the godlie in this world and the staie of their faith 141 Dauid praieth for the brideling of his tongue and that he ioine not with the wicked but that iust men may admonish him 142 An earnest praier with great confidence 143 An earnest praier for remission of sinnes the cause of miserie 144 He praiseth God with great humilitie 145 He praiseth God for his wisedome mercie power and iustice and for his benefites toward his Church The other foure Psalms are exhortations also to praise God chieflie for his mercies toward his Church And whereas musical instruments are named they were agreeable to that ceremonial time but now al ceremonies being ceased we must worship in spirit and truth and so sing Psalmes with the voice as our heart may be most stirred vp to praise and magnifie the Lord our GOD. FINIS 1581 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater Noster Rowe at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis