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
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
morning commeth some cause of reioicing 6 Howbeit I sleeping in securitie when I was in prosperitie did fullie thinke that no change could come vnto me 7 For thou ô Lord assuredlie hadst fortified my hil wonderfullie of thy singular goodnes but as soone as thou wast offended with my foolish securitie thou turnedst awaie thy face from me and I was suddenlie stricken and fel downe 8 Then I called againe vpon thee ô Lord and praied with these words 9 I beseech thee ô Lord if I be slaine and go downe into the graue what good wil come thereof can this my bodie made dust sing praise vnto thee or can it declare that thy constancie in performing of thy promises 10 O Lord heare me haue mercie vpon me ô Lord help me 11 And lo thou hast turned this my mourning into most ful ioie so that suddenlie casting awaie sackcloth I came foorth most ioifullie 12 Therefore this tongue shal neuer cease to sing thy praise but shal be wholie consecrate to set forth thy glorie ô Lord my God I wil praise thee I saie for euer PSALME XXXI The Argument Euen as there be diuers and sundrie circumstances of the calamities and afflictions whereby God doth trie and chasten his seruants so is it necessarie in the reading of the Psalmes in the which are conteined praiers framed and set downe by the holie Ghost to consider what is common to them al and what is peculiar and proper to euerie one that we may vse them aptlie to our commoditie This Psalme then was written by Dauid as it is manifest in respect of that time when he being a little before in great authoritie and dignitie and was next vnto king Saul in the kingdome was suddenlie brought into extreame miserie by the vniust hatered of the king and the enuie of certaine that stirred vp the kings rage against him by the which and such like sudden alterations an infinite number of men in other things verie constant being suddenlie stricken haue taken most vile counsels and fallen most shamefullie as it appeareth by histories But Dauid on the contrarie part confessing his double fault both that he did forget this mutabilitie and vnstablenes of the woâ—â—â— when he was in his prosperitie and that he did almost despaire when this sudden storme of aduersitie came vpon him doth praie vnto God so much the more earnestlie trusting vpon the promises which he had learned of Samuel and of his owne vpright conscience Furthermore he doth set before him those most excellent promises of God confirmed by most manifold and plaine examples whereby God doth shew himselfe then to haue most care for his seruants when things seeme in deede most desperate Finallie he giueth thankes vnto God that he may teach al the godlie by his example that such maner of praiers are heard whether it were that he was by his faith assured that it should so come to passe as he praied wherein he was nothing deceiued either that he did write this Psalme after his deliuerance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou art he ô Lord to whome I flie for refuge deliuer me I beseech thee from this horrible shame euen for that thy righteousnes whereby thou alwaies performest thy promises deliuer me 2 Heare me and make haste to deliuer me for in thee alone is al my safetie and al my defence is set in thee 3 Thou art my fort and most strong rocke of defence I saie leade me therefore and guide me through the middes of these stormie tempests not for my deseruing but for thine owne glorie sake 4 Graunt that I may escape foorth of the net that they haue laied priuilie for to take me for I trust onlie in thy power 5 I commend my soule into thy hands whome I haue alwaie to be my sauiour and mindful of thy promise 6 Thou also canst testifie againe for me that I haue hated the craftie persons and the liers and haue depended onlie vpon thee 7 Therefore do I fullie trust of thy goodnes that I shal fullie reioice therein that thou hast acknowledged and regarded me so miserable and brought into such extremitie 8 Neither hast thou suffered me to be inclosed and intrapped of mine enimies but rather hast brought me foorth into a large place at libertie 9 Therefore Lord haue mercie vpon me so cruellie vexed that not onlie my face and my bowels within me but my verie soule is consumed 10 For certainlie I can scarselie drawe my breath for sorowe I waxe old with mourning so that the verie bones being weakened al my strength faileth 11 For the multitude and the authoritie of mine enimies causeth me to be abhorred of al euen of my verie neighbours so that they that knowe me wel if I do meete them abroade they flie foorth of my sight 12 Finallie I am forgotten of al as though I were dead and I am counted more vile than anie broken earthen poâ—sheard 13 I do heare the reproches and railings that al they of power do cast out against me which make me wholie to tremble whiles they take such craftie counsels against me 14 Howbeit ô Lord I trust in thee for I haue thus concluded within my selfe that thou art my God 15 And surelie the tearme of my life it is not in their hands but in thine deliuer me therefore from the hands of mine enimies and from al that persecute me 16 Refresh me thy seruant with the brightnes of thy countenance for thy mercie sake deliuer me 17 Graunt I beseech thee ô Lord that I be not put to shame that cal vpon thee but rather that death may stop their mouthes 18 That they may cease to make lies which slander me being innocent so bitterlie proudlie and disdainefullie 19 O how manifold is that thy mercie whereof al haue had experience that feare thee whome no feare of man can driue from the true profession of thy glorious name 20 For thou hast secret places ynow wherein thou canst hide and secretlie keepe them safe from the proud bragges of the wicked farre away from the poisoned and cursed speakers and wilt preserue them in safetie in thy tabernacle 21 Therefore I praise thee ô Lord hauing experience of that thy maruellous goodnes whereby I was defended as with the most mightie walles of a strong citie 22 Yet I confesse that I being cast downe headlong with such a sudden tempest did vnaduisedlie thinke in my heart that I was vtterlie cast off from thee howbeit thou notwithstanding hast heard my praiers when I cried vnto thee 23 Wherefore al ye that feele this goodnes of the Lord being admonished by mine example loue the Lord more and more for he most constantlie preserueth them that loue him and most abundantlie rewardeth the proud doer according to his deedes 24 Be strong I saie and encourage your selues more and more whosoeuer haue setled your hope and confidence in the Lord. PSALME XXXII The Argument This most pretious Psalme doth teach the chiefe and principal article of the
onlie by his word and commandement euen that great compas of the heauens how wide and vnmeasurable so euer togither with that infinite number of starres and both the great lightes of the Sunne and the Moone wherewith he hath beautified that frame of the heauenlie firmament as with a great armie set in most comelie order was formed and made by the commandement of his eternal word and by the vnspeakeable power of his spirite also which proceedeth from him 7 Now to come vnto the creatures more neare vnto vs it is the selfe-same power that hangeth ouer vs that liquid and euer flowing element of water and heapeth it vp in it selfe and holdeth it inclosed in certaine secret gulfes and doth keepe it backe that it doth not drowne the world againe 8 Go to then let al them that dwel in the world feare and reuerence such a workemaister and tremble at his workes 9 And learne to followe the examples of those things though they want both sense and vnderstanding who yet so soone as he had spoken the word they stoode foorth and were obedient vnto him do now stil remaine at his commandement 10 It is he the same also although verie manie not onlie particular persons but also whole multitudes conspire togither outragiouslie to their own destruction and labour to bring al things to vtter confusion that yet doth ouerthrowe and breake their wicked practises and craftie counsels because he is the mainteiner and preseruer of ciuil policie and natural equitie whereby mankinde is kept in safetie 11 For it can not be that anie thing that the Lord hath determined can at anie time be made frustrate and voide but rather must alwaies and in al ages remaine stable and vnmoueable 12 But ô most blessed and happie nation to whome the Lord sheweth himselfe their God before others euen by taking a singular and peculiar care ouer them O thou trulie art an happie people if thou didst knowe thine owne blessed state whome he hath chosen to himselfe as his peculiar heritage 13 For God is not an idle beholder of the things that he hath created neither doth he suffer them to be carried at al aduentures but he doth behold al things with a watchful eie and most chieflie doth he obserue al mankind 14 And from his most hie throne he doth behold al the inhabitants of the world wheresoeuer they are placed 15 God forbid that we should thinke that he that hath created the hearts of al men and hath put into them the power of affections of reason could not consider and vnderstand what they thinke and enterprise 16 Wherefore they are doting mad how proud and mightie soeuer they be who dreame that they are able to do anie thing by their owne power seeing that al kingdomes are planted and subuerted by Gods onelie appointment 17 Wherefore their hope is deceiueable vaine who abusing the meanes giuen them by God doe depend of anie other thing than of his power alone not vnlike to the horsemen who trust to the strength of those horses which haue oftentimes ouerthrowne them 18 So then they perish through their owne fault but contrariwise them doth the Lord behold assuredlie keepe and defend which feare him and haue onelie regard vnto his mercie 19 For although al things seeme to threaten their destruction being destitute of al other helpe and sometimes both heauen and earth denie them their bodilie foode yet the Lord preserueth them safe and sound and doth minister vnto them in due season sufficientlie to passe thorough the course of their life 20 Let vs therefore earnestlie run vnto the Lord alone as he worthilie deserueth being our onelie defence and succour 21 And surelie our expectation shal not faile vs for vndoubtedlie it wil come to passe that after some sharpe assaults of these miseries he wil comfort vs with most certaine and true ioies Therfore let vs neuer cease to rest vpon the promises that he hath reuealed vnto vs and neuer faile at anie time to cal vpon his holie name 22 And thou againe ô Lord defend vs by thy mercie that we haue so oft felt from the heauens as thou commandest vs to hope and we trust that thou wilt performe PSALME XXXIIII The Argument This Psalme was written by Dauid as the title declareth for the wonderful deliuerance foorth of the hands of king Achis by dissembling madnes as is written 1. Sam. 21. And it declareth what is our dutie when we haue receiued Gods benefites that is not onlie to giue thanks vnto God and to confirme our selues in faith and hope against other temptations by such like experience but also to exhort others to doe the same by setting foorth these examples that they may belieue that these deliuerings from dangers are not special priuiledges granted to anie one man but that they are so manie preachings as it were and sermons which do appertaine both to the whole Church and to euerie membâ—r of the samâ— Howbeit the Prophet doth ad this one thing that these benefites yet do appertaine to none other but vnto them who after they be deliuered forth of dangers doe repent of their sinnes and doe feare God more seriouslie Also he admonisheth that we should ioine the deliuerance of the godlie with the destruction of the wicked that we make not God as the mockers and scorners doe onlie to see of the one side and so to be merciful that he should forget his iudgements Finallie this Psalme is so furnished with eloquent wordes and so great glistering of most graue sentences that amongest others this is wel worthie to be committed vnto memorie by al the godlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil giue thankes vnto the Lord without ceasing and I wil neuer leaue off to haue his praise in my mouth 2 I wil extol the benefits of the Lord I saie from the bottome of my heart that al the afflicted when they heare this may be thereby comforted 3 Go to then praise and magnifie the Lord together with me and let vs altogether extol and praise his name as he deserueth 4 For I haue sought the Lord and he accomplishing my desire hath deliuered mee from al that troubled me 5 Therefore shal they be bold also moued by my example to turne their eies vnto him and to make haste to run vnto him and shal not be repulsed 6 For Behold shal they saie this miserable man was heard when he called vpon the Lord who deliuered him out of al his miseries 7 And this is a sure case for like as they that feare God are assaulted of euerie side not onlie of other men but also of Sathan and his angels euen so the Lord againe doth campe about them with the inuincible armies of his Angels that they may so be preserued 8 I beseech you therefore doe not careleslie behold this great goodnes of the Lord but rather thinke vpon it againe and againe taste his most comfortable sweetnes and crie together with me O blessed is
and poore 2 Preserue the life of him that is promoted by thy benefite preserue ô my God I saie thy seruant that flieth vnto thee 3 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord crieng dailie vnto thee 4 Refresh the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee alone ô Lord my soule doth lift it selfe 5 For thou ô Lord art verelie good and merciful and vsest great clemencie and kindnes towards them that cal vpon thee 6 Giue eare vnto my praiers ô Lord and receiue the words of him that praieth vnto thee 7 Neither doe I crie without cause vnto thee but being in most extreame miserie therefore thou wilt heare me 8 For verelie amongst al those feined gods vnto whome the mad men doe attribute so much who is to be compared vnto thee ô Lord and who is able to doe like vnto thee 9 Wherefore al nations in the end shal cast awaie their false gods and shal knowledge thee their creator and reuerencing thee shal giue thee al praise 10 For thou verelie art great thou onelie art God the author and worker of maruellous works 11 Teach me ô Lord the waie that thou hast appointed that I may shew my selfe faithful and trulie obedient vnto thee and cleauing wholie vnto thee may set my mind to serue thee 12 O Lord my God I wil praise thee with my whole heart and magnifie thy name for euer 13 Seeing I haue the experience of thine infinite goodnes in my selfe and am deliuered from the lowest pit of the graue by thee 14 Thou seest doubtles how cruel and proud men do arise vp against me and how such as regard nothing lesse than thee doe labour with al power to take my life from me 15 But thou ô Lord God vpon whome onlie I do depend wholie art verelie merciful and pitiful and art not hastie vnto anger most merciful I saie and most ful of truth 16 Take care of me therefore for thine infinite mercie and helpe thy bond-seruant 17 Grant finallie that I may manifestlie knowe that thou louest me that mine enimies may be ashamed of themselues when they see that thou dost helpe and comfort me PSALME LXXXVII The Argument Manie do applie this Psalme to the time of the second temple but I had rather to attribute it to that time of the kingdome of Dauid when he set vp a tabernacle for the Arke of the Lord in that part of the citie that bare his name euen the mount Sion whilest that the temple was builded Howsoeuer it is besides the prophesie of spreading the Church of God thoughout the whole world this Psalme doth teach vs with a maruellous and diuine breuitie vnder the figure of that earthlie either temple or tabernacle either first or second that the worke of the building of the spiritual temple of God which is made of liuely stones euen the Church is altogither diuine and that the foundation thereof is onelie the good pleasure of God and that the Church is not bound to one place alone and that nothing is more stable and durable than the Church finallie that the true and euerlasting ioie doth onlie there remaine as hauing the promises both of this life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord minding to build vnto himselfe a firme and stable habitation hath chosen these hils consecrated them to himselfe 2 And he hath preferred the gates of Sion aboue al the habitations of Iacob because it so pleased him 3 Wherfore excellent things are decreed of thee ô citie of God 4 For behold saith the Lord I wil account both Aegypt and Babylon amongst my people so that they shal be no more enimies vnto thee and the verie Philistins the Tyrians and Arabians shal be numbred amongst thy citizens 5 Finallie men of al nations shal not be as aliens and strangers but they shal be the natiue citizens of Sion the which God wil establish from aboue 6 For God accounting the people wil write them al in his booke 7 There shal al sound with singers and shawmes there saith the Lord al the fountaines of my benefits shal flowe foorth PSALME LXXXVIII The Argument The Hebrue title doth testifie that the writer of this Psalme was Heman by his countrie surnamed Esrait a kinsman and fellowe of Asaph of whome most honourable mention is made 1. Chron. 6 33. and 15 4. where it is said that he was a Prophet to the king and a singer and of singular wisedome 2. Kings 4.31 So that I thinke they are deceiued who refer this Psalme to the time of Joakim the last king of Iu l◠saue one who was captiue in Babylon And it conteineth such a lamentation as there is none more lamentable and pitiful in the whole Psalmes the which the whole Church and the families and also euerie priuate man may vse both in publike and priuate miseries Therefore was this Psalme afore-time named amongst the penitentials as they called them and was sung at the publike confession of the excommunicate persons the which Psalmes afterward we haue seene to be applied foolishlie and without reason to a daily and priuate babbling without respect either of time or person THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord GOD of whome I doe wait for my deliuerance I cal for thy helpe daie and night 2 Let my praiers I beseech thee come vnto thee and giue eare vnto my crie 3 My soule is ful of miserie neither is my life far from the graue 4 For I am more like to a dead than to a liuing man by the iudgement of al that doe behold me 5 And as though I had no part with the liuing I am now counted amongst the dead and amongst them that lie in graue of whose life there is none account as those whome thy hand hath cut off at once 6 And I am cast by thee as into the lowest darke and deepe pit 7 Thy wrath lieth vpon me and thou hast ouerwhelmed me with al thy flouds 8 Thou hast put al my familiars from mee vnto whome I am so loathsome not without thy knowledge so that I keepe my selfe within my house as it were in a prison and dare not go one foot forth 9 Mine eies are consumed through sorowe yet cal I vpon thee dailie ô Lord spreading foorth my hands 10 And wil there be time to exercise thy great power when men are dead wilt thou restore them to life againe that they may giue thee praise 11 Shal they that lie in graue set foorth thy mercie there and shal they that are dead set foorth thy truth againe here 12 Shal those that lie buried in the darknes of death knowe thy woonderful workes and they whose memorie death hath blotted out from the liuing acknowledge thy righteousnes 13 Wherfore I cease not to cal vpon thee ô Lord and I doe preuent the morning light in powring foorth my praiers 14 Why dost thou refuse mine oppressed soule ô Lord why doest thou turne awaie thy face from mee 15 Ah! I am miserable and readie to
his words at al did refuse the land which ought to haue bene most deere vnto them 25 And therfore disdaining to heare God speake they stirred vp a tumult in their tents 26 Therefore he stretched out his hand worthilie against them to destroie them in the desert 27 And did scatter their posteritie amongest the nations and cast them so into diuers regions 28 For also they ioined themselues with Baal Peor that abhominable idol and did eate the sacrifices that were offered to things that had no life 29 Against the which wickednes God being most iustlie angrie did fal vpon them and strike them with a most greeuous plague 30 But Phinees rising vp with great courage did auenge that horrible fact and the Lord ceased streightwaie to strike them 31 And Phinees was counted to haue done that thing iustlie and therby did obteine the praise that should remaine to al posteritie 32 But they notwithstanding prouoked God vnto wrath at the waters which were therefore called the waters of strife to the great damage of Moses 33 For they so stirred his mind that he also spake something vnaduisedlie 34 And Moses verelie therefore died in that wildernes but they that were brought into that land of Canaan were nothing more obedient to Gods commandements than their fathers for they spared the people whome God had streightlie commanded to be slaine 35 And they mixing themselues amongest them did streightwaie learne their manners 36 And serued their idols to their most certaine destruction 37 Euen comming to this madnes that they did slaie their sonnes and their daughters vnto diuels 38 That they offered I saie the bloud of their sonnes and innocent daughters powred it foorth willinglie to the grauen images of the Canaanites and defiled the whole countrie with most cruel slaughters 39 Behold therefore their most horrible facts behold the abhominable whooredomes wherewith they of set purpose polluted themselues 40 Wherewith God being most iustlie greeued did so burne foorth in anger against this people in the end that though he had chosen them vnto himselfe before he now abhorred them 41 He deliuered them into the hands of the Gentiles and laied them open to the lust and pleasure of their enimies 42 Wherefore they were after sundrie sorts vexed by them afterward and oppressed at their pleasure 43 Notwithstanding he did deliuer them againe ofter than once by the which benefits yet it was so farre off that they did recouer anie better mind that contrariwise they following their owne lusts ceased not to prouoke him to anger whilest that they being forsaken of him consumed in that their owne wickednes 44 And who would not here haue in admiration the infinite goodnes of God For lo though he had profited nothing with them so manie ages neither by benefits nor by chastisements yet heard he their cries in their distresse 45 And remembring his couenant and of his infinite mercie suddenlie changing his mind 46 He caused that euen they which had carried them into captiuitie should haue compassion vpon them 47 Go to then ô Lord our God finish the worke that thou hast begun and gather vs at the length home vnto thee foorth of the Gentiles that we may praise thy name and set foorth thy praises for euer 48 Let euerlasting glorie be vnto thee ô Lord God of Israël O al ye people agree vnto me and saie with one mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CVII The Argument This Psalme than the which nothing can be spoken more truelie nor more eloquentlie neither yet more diuinelie doth affirme the prouidence of God both general and particular to be most iust and also most merciful bringing foorth and most elegantlie describing most goodlie examples of those things which come to passe both by sea and by land that of necessitie we must grant their causes and effects wholie to be gouerned by God either against the wicked which denie God vtterlie or remoue him from the gouernement of the world as doe the Epicures or do thinke that he doth regard the things that he hath made onlie generalie as do the Peripatetians or doe bind him to second causes as doe the Stoikes as also against the superstitious persons confessing the truth in deed but attributing to their feined gods that which belongeth to the most mightie and merciful God alone Al the which lies being worthilie condemned the Prophet doth admonish the godlie and them that are trulie wise that they should learne rather to haue the works of God in admiration and to praise both his most excellent wisedome and moderation in them than to cal them into doubtful question and to dote with the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his infinite goodnes and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same 2 O you the innumerable multitude whom God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and forth of the hands of your enimies acknowledge this thing with me 3 For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the east and the west from the north and south Ocean sea 4 How manie wandering in the waste wildernes and seeking a citie commodious to dwel in 5 Halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst 6 Crieng vnto him in their extreame miseries hath he heard and being drawne foorth of their distresse 7 Hath he brought into the right waie and led them into commodious cities 8 Let these men therefore set foorth this his great mercie before the Lord himselfe and shew foorth his maruelous workes to other men 9 Who hath refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hungrie 10 How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenes of death being chained in their mind with sorrowe and in their bodie most streightlie with iron fetters 11 And that worthilie because they did not obeie the commandements of God which are ingrauen in the minds of al men but rather folowed their owne lustes than the counsels of God 12 Notwithstanding when the Lord had tamed their fiercenes so and had brought them to this point that they could finde no helpe in anie 13 He heard them crieng vnto him in this their distresse and deliuered them from their miserie 14 And bringeth them from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenes of death breaking their fetters of iron 15 Praise ye therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his wonderful actes to other mortal men 16 Who hath broken the brasen gates and hath broken in pieces their iron barres 17 What shal I speake furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnes going in the waie of wickednes and being oppressed by manifold diseases do suffer the reward of their madnes 18 And loathing al maner of meate are at deaths dore 19 Whome notwithstanding the Lord did heare crieng vnto him in this miserie and he deliuered them out of their distresse 20 And he speaking but one word did take
awaie al the cause of their deadlie disease and restored them to health 21 Let these men therefore praise this his so great mercie before the Lord also and publish his maruelous workes before other mortal men 22 Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord I saie and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them 23 But they which go vnto the seas by ship and there continue and are occupied in the waters 24 They surelie behold the great workes of the Lord and they may see with their eies how maruelous he doth shew himselfe in the mightie surges of the sea 25 For so sonne as he speaketh the windes do rise and streightwaies stir vp horrible tempests and the seas do swel with the raging stormes 26 The mariners with their ships are now lifted vp to heauen and now rolled downe to the lowe bottomes their minds fainting for feare 27 The whirlewindes do tosse them round about they stagger here and there like dronken men so that neither their cunning nor their strength hath anie place 28 Whome yet calling vnto him in this distresse the Lord deliuereth from these miseries wherwith they were vexed 29 For he which had raised the stormes doth calme them and the raging of the flouds doth suddenlie cease 30 But they when the flouds are asswaged being ioiful are at the length brought by him into the desired hauens 31 Go to then ye also set forth so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare vnto other mortal men his maruelous workes 32 Let these men I saie praise the Lord in the mid multitude of the people standing about them yea let them praise him in the assemblie of their chiefe men 33 For he the same so oft as he pleaseth turneth the wildernes into flouds and the wel warred places into a drie wildernes 34 And he turneth the most fruiteful countries into extreame barrennesse prouoked by the sinnes of the inhabitants 35 Contrariwise he bringeth in againe springs of waters flowing abundantlie vpon the deserts and countries not inhabited for their drinesse 36 And he placeth there men that liue most miserablie before who do also build most populous cities 37 Do sowe the fields do plant vines do reape corne in abundance 38 Euen because he of his singular mercie doth both multiplie them and doth increase their cattel maruelouslie 39 And they againe so doth he change the course of things are diminished and oppressed with anguish and are broken with al kinde of calamitie and miserie 40 He also maketh the princes which were terrible to others before by taking aware al their authoritie most contemptible and despised that they knowe not whither to turne them 41 He also raiseth vp the poore and oppressed and spreadeth their families like a flocke 42 Let al them therefore which are of vpright iudgement behold marke these things and take great pleasure thereof but contrariwise let al the wicked which raile against Gods prouidence being conuicted hold their peace 43 Lo then therefore whosoeuer is desirous of true wisedome let him giue himselfe wholie to consider these things that he may atteine vnto the knowledge of the infinite mercie of the Lord. PSALME CVIII The Argument This Psalme is gathered partlie of the 7 8 9 10 11 verses of the 57. Psalme partlie of the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 verses of the 60. Psalme where ye may seeke the argument THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Being prepared with my whole heart ô God to praise thee desire to do it both with voice and instruments go to therefore my tongue 2 Go to viol and harpe awake with me in the morning 3 The nations most far off shal heare me publishing thy praises the people shal heare me singing vnto thee 4 For thy goodnes surelie hath extended it selfe vnto the verie heauens and thy truth euen vnto the clouds 5 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the heauens and shew thy glorie to the whole compas of the earth 6 That they may be deliuered whome thou louest saue them therefore by thy power and heare me 7 And doubtles it wil so come to passe God speaking vnto vs out of his sanctuarie Wherefore I wholie reioice now of the victorie for GOD wil graunt vnto mee that I shal set my kingdome in order and ouercome mine enimies Therefore I wil diuide the fieldes of the Sichemites and wil measure out the vallie of Succoth 8 I wil haue in possession my Gilead and Manasseh beyond Iordan driuing awaie the Gentiles that are about them Ephraim shal be the greatest part of mine armie I wil place the throne of iudgement in Iudah 9 But the strangers how stout soeuer shal do my seruile workes the Moabites shal hold vnder the basen to wash my feete I wil command the Idumëans to take vp my shooes being put off and cast vpon their heads I wil triumph ouer proud Palestina with ioiful acclamations as she hath triumphed ouer vs before 10 But by whose conduct shal I win so manie strong cities and what power shal I rest vpon to come into Idumëa 11 Verelie thou being our captaine and trusting vnto thy power ô my God though thou haue forsaken vs before and hast refused a long space to go before our armies 12 Therfore helpe thou vs ô Lord after the calamities of so manie yeares for the help is vaine that is hoped for of men 13 We trusting onlie vnto God shal do valiantlie he alone wil treade downe our enimies PSALME CIX The Argument This Psalme is written by Dauid with such a terrible and feareful stile as thou canst scarselie finde anie example in the whole scripture like vnto it wherefore it must be vsed in praier and also read with greate iudgement yet is there some vse thereof so that we adde these cautions Namelie first of al that we be not drawne with the spirit of vâ—ngeance or false zeale but that wee seeke rather the glorie of God onlie and that earnestlâ—e and as he himselfe commandeth then least we vse these and such like praiers vnaduisâ—dlie against certaine persons seeing that we can not easilie knowe who do sinne vnto death and we are bound to praie for the repentance and saluation of al. For otherwise that wee may make praiers indefinitelie and with the exception of the sâ—cret iudgements of God being led with the true zeale of God against the enimies who of desperate malice yeeld their seruice vnto Sathan and persecute Christ and his members cruellie with an euil conscience that he wil destroie those euil men as they deserue it is plaine hereby that Christ himselfe commandeth vs dulie to praie that his kingdome may come the which thing verelie can not come to passe but by the ouerthrowing of the kingdome of Antichrist and by destroieng al the desperate enimies of the Gospel and of the true Church Yea of such imprecations conceiued against certaine persons we haue not onelie this example and others also in the Psalmes but
before him two farre other markes that is the true and earnest restoring of the worship of God by taking away al shew of idolworship secondlie a careful defence of the godlie Then he witnesseth that he is mindful of another euerlasting kingdome promised vnto him and that he wil euer turne his eies vnto it euen in verie death and so by this hope he wil go downe comfortablie into the verie graue For he trusting vpon the power of Messiah which must die in deede but shal liue againe before he feele anie corruption in the graue so also shal he himselfe rise againe and be made partaker of his eternal blessednes Therefore this Psalme amongst others is plainelie written by the spirit of prophâ—sie For it contriueth an excellent doctrine of the original of magistrates of their authoritie and office and doth manifestlie reproue the Pharisaical doctrine of the merite of workes euen folowing faith as also it describeth Christs resurrection and his power in raising vs againe from death as Peter doth interprete it Actes 2.25 and Paule Actes 13.34 not as a Prophet but as an Euangelist And where he calleth Messiah Chasid that is as I interprete it The man vpon whome the father hath powred foorth most abundantlie al his mercie and bountie which we draw out of him alone by faith he seemeth by one word to haue conteined the summe of the doctrine of the Gospel THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PReserue me ô Lord for thou art he in whom I do trust O my soule say thus vnto the Lord. 2 Thou verelie art my Lord yet am I able to do nothing that can profit thee 3 But I do most gladlie waite how I may comfort those saincts and excellent men which are with me vpon the earth 4 Doubtles they are most miserable that seeke to anie other God be it farre from me therefore that I should be partaker of their cruel and bloudie sacrifices the which I am afraide once to name with my mouth 5 Thou ô Lord art my portion thou art my wages thou alone art vnto me al sufficient 6 And surelie a most pleasant place and a most beautiful portion of inheritance is fallen vnto me 7 I doe thanke thee ô Lord and wil giue thankes vnto thee for that thou hast giuen me this counsel and because thou doest teach me inwardlie euerie night 8 I haue thee ô Lord and wil haue thee before mine eies for so long as thou standest by me I shal not be moued 9 Therefore my heart leapeth and my tongue reioiceth yea and this same my bodie being in securitie doth not feare verie death 10 For thou wilt not leaue me in the graue because thou wilt not suffer thy most deare beloued vpon whom thou hast powred foorth al thy bountiful mercie to feele corruption 11 Thou wilt open vnto me the way to that true life for the ioie wherewith the mind can rightlie be satiate is set in the sight of thy countenance and it belongeth onlie vnto thee to graunt euerlasting ioie PSALME XVII The Argument This Psalme doth teach vs when the tyrants do persecute either the religion it selfe or the godlie professors of the same that we should yet keepe a safe conscience and praie to God for deliuerance It teacheth also that thing which Christ declareth in the parable or historie of that glutton and poore Lazarus ful of sores that is that the wicked rich men are fed in this life but in the other they shal perish howbeit on the contrarie the Sainctes are here pressed with miseries that they may learne to hope for better things which hope shal neuer deceiue them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare ô Lord that which is iust hearken vnto my crie bend thine eares vnto my praiers which I powre foorth of an vnfained heart 2 Let thy sentence be for me from thy iudgement seate and declare that thou alowest the things that are right 3 For thou thy selfe hast searched my heart in the night thou hast tried me and hast found no fault in me nor that I am otherwise minded towards them than my mouth doth testifie 4 Concerning these men I haue so behaued my selfe as thou commandest I haue carefullie auoided the path that the oppressors tread 5 Strengthen thou me therefore which walke in thy waies that in my walking I do not wander 6 I cal vpon thee heare me my God giue attentiue eare and hearken vnto my words 7 Shew foorth al that thy maruelous mercie thou that art the sauiour of them that trust in thee against such as stand vp against thy power 8 Keepe me as the apple of the eie and defend me vnder the shadowe of thy wings 9 Against those wicked men that would destroie me the enimies I saie that gape ouer me with such greedines round about 10 Fatnes couereth their eies and they speake cruellie 11 They watch our steps on euerie side hauing their eies onlie bent how they may cast vs downe to the ground 12 For he is like a Lion gaping for his praie and like a Lions whelpe lieng in waite in his den 13 But come thou foorth ô Lord that thou maist preuent him and cast him downe and preserue my life deliuered from this wicked man by thy sword 14 Deliuer me I saie by thy hand ô Lord from these mortal men these mortal men I saie that flourish so long which thinke of nothing but of this life whose life thou doest so fil euen as it were with delicates drawne out of thy store that they haue aboundance to leaue to their children and also to their posteritie 15 But I now being vniustlie oppressed of him shal once haue the ful fruition of thy countenance and when I shal awake and behold thee I shal be satisfied PSALME XVIII The Argument At what time this triumphant song was written by Dauid it appeareth by 2. Samuel 22. and by the plaine and euident title of the same when he declared after he had ouercome al his enimies and had not onlie established his kingdome in his owne countrie but farre abroade in other places that he was bent vpon this thing onlie to declare that he raigned not for his owne cause but for the glorie of God alone And we must needes graunt this that we haue no writing extant of anie Poet that flourished most in wit and eloquence to be compared with this Psalme if we do but onlie looke to the phrase But concerning the matter it selfe he so describeth those his so dangerous perils that he that readeth them shal thinke himselfe almost to behold the things with his eies And so doth he paint foorth the glorie of God in executing iudgement and his diuine Maiestie with such a high style that he that readeth it may thanke the heauens and the earth yet stil to shake And he doth so set forth his victories that we may thinke we see his triumphes before our eies And he doeth so attribute those things onlie vnto GOD that he taketh no praise at al to himselfe
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
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
both inwardlie and outwardlie There was also another chiefe end of the ceremonies that is of the outward worship that they might behold in them as in a certaine table both the guiltines of their owne sinne and also the promises of taking away sinne which should be perfourmed in Christ and so being admonished should continuallie remember their dutie againe what they did owe vnto God and what vnto their neighbours None therefore did more abuse the outward worship of the lawe than they that dreamed that they had wel done their dutie if they had diligentlie obserued those outward ceremonies neglecting their chiefe end Therefore doth the Prophet Asaph reprooue this most wicked errour which the Pharisies afterward did most stubbernlie defend in this most diuine and godlie Psalme the which thing also afterward the other Prophets did not cease to inculcate and he bringeth in God vsing most strong arguments both from his owne nature and from the condition of those things which were offered vnto him And this doctrine is to be reteined in the Church of God alwais because men commonlie stumble at this stone But chieflie it is necessarie for this our time in the which not onlie that old errour is restored whereby the sacraments are transfourmed into so manie idols by taking awaie the difference of the signes and the thing signified and the doctrine of the worthines of the worke brought into the Church but also men are come to this point that the Pharisies of our time do applie to their inuentions that thing which the holie Ghost damneth of manifest impietie in the abuse of the outward worship appointed by God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOW long ô ye hypocrites wil ye abuse the patience and long suffering of God how long wil ye despise vs that speake vnto you of the true worship of God Go to let God himselfe come forth and speake vnto you And lo behold I saie euen God that same Iehouah that is aboue al the powers and potentates of the world doth come foorth not onlie calling you but also al the inhabitants of the world from the sunne rising to the setting of the same that the whole world may be a witnes of your madnes 2 And least you should thinke that any thing here should be spoken against the ceremonies appointed by God he being about to treate of this matter setteth his glorious throne of iudgement in verie Sion the most beautiful place of the whole earth and best beloued of him it is so farre from him that he wil forsake it 3 Behold I saie that same our God commeth and wil be no longer dumbe with flames of fire going before his face which shal consume al that stand against him and with thundering tempests on euerie side that he may shew himselfe such one now in declaring the meaning of the lawe and in bringing it to the right vse as he declared himselfe of old when he gaue the lawe 4 Yea and also he citeth the heauens aboue and the verie earth beneath to be present at this his iudgement that he hath determined against you being his rebellious and stubborne people 5 Heare you therefore him that citeth you in these words by his apparitours Cal vnto me saith he these people vpon whome I haue bestowed my singular fauour and mercie aboue others and with whome I haue made this couenant of sacrifices 6 The verie heauens shal be witnesses against you of the iust deciding of this controuersie For God himselfe wil sit as iudge least you imagine that ye haue to doe with anie mortal man 7 Then said he Art not thou that people whome I haue chosen to my selfe that Israël whom I haue imbraced Wilt not thou heare me being God euen thy God I saie reasoning with thee by this authoritie 8 And I doe giue the definitiue sentence of this controuersie by these plaine wordes I haue commanded in deed lawes of sacrifices which I would haue to be offered vnto me dailie but these as they are offered of you I doe nothing at al regard neither is this the cause wherefore I expostulate with you For I behold those things dailie more than I would 9 For I praie you whome doe you thinke that I am Am I such a one as must aske bullocks out of your heards or goates out of your foldes if perhaps I neede them 10 Doe you forget that I am the Lord of al the beasts which feede in the woods and mountaines 11 And that I which haue created them do knowe al the foules and al the wild beastes which liue in the field anie-where 12 Therefore if I were hungrie why should I aske them at thy hand seeing it is plaine and euident that the whole earth and whatsoeuer is conteined therein is vnder my power alone 13 Againe what madnes is this of you doe you thinke that I doe eate the flesh of buls or drinke their bloud 14 Do you not knowe what sacrifices I require euen praises due vnto me and the paiment or your vowes 15 The calling vpon my name chieflie in aduersities from the which thou being deliuered maist giue thanks vnto me for the benefits receiued and maist testifie thy selfe in thy whole life to be desirous of my glorie 16 But ô ye wicked and vnpure men how much soeuer ye dissemble holines with the multitude of sacrifices heare with what wordes the Lord himselfe doth rebuke you Darest thou be bold to talke of mine ordinances either to make mention of my couenant 17 Which wilt not suffer thy selfe to be corrected despising al my threatnings and casting awaie my commandements behind thy backe 18 If thou see a man that stealeth that is he whose companie thou most desirest if thou knowe an adulterer thou giuest thy selfe streightwaies to be partaker of his wickednes 19 Thou speakest nothing but that which is naught thou sharpenest thy tong to forge al kind of deceit 20 Thou slanderest backbitest euen thine owne brethren the brethren I saie borne of the same mother much lesse wilt thou abstaine from hurting strangers 21 These are thine exercises these are thy maners the which wickednesses because I haue dissembled a little while through my long sufferance doest thou therefore account me to be like thee and to alow these things Nay I wil deale with thee more seuerelie and set euerie one of thy faultes before thine eies and I wil cause thee to perceiue by experience that I haue not forgotten nor put out of my memorie anie one of them 22 Knowe ye this therefore and weigh this diligentlie and earnestlie with your selues so manie of you as forget God that if I once in mine anger take you awaie there is none able to deliuer you Finallie heare ye what I at the last conclude of this matter he that offereth his heart vnto me studious and careful of my glorie it is he onlie that offereth vnto me an acceptable sacrifice he that directeth his maners after the rule of my commandements him verelie wil
I deliuer from al perils and make him partaker of euerlasting felicitie PSALME LI. The Argument This Psalme was then written of Dauid as the Hebrue title doth declare when he was most sharpelie rebuked of the Prophet Nathan for that his most horrible adulterie ioined wi h manslaughter as is witnessed 2. Sam. 12. Jt is one of the principal Psalmes of Dauid conteining a notable example of repentance which must go before remission of sinnes I saie it is notable whether thou respect the person it selfe of Dauid or else his sinne or lastlie the verie matter that is euerie part of repentance For first here is set foorth vnto vs an example of a most mightie King and of a most holie Prophet such a one who as much as anie man could had wel deserued of the Church euen to this end that we should learne that kings haue none other God than poore men haue and the higher that one is in authoritie among men the more euident and infamous is his sin for that cause he must labour the more carefullie to giue vnto other an example of repentance But now concerning him of whom here we haue to speake I knowe not whether hâ—uing consideration of the circumstances of Dauids person any monument be extant of so many heinous crimes proceeding out of one fact whereof we perceiue how great weaknes there is euen in the best most excellent men and againe we learne what exceeding mercie the most gratious and most mightie God doth shew to euerie one that do repent But if we carefullie ponder that which is the principal point I can not tel whether euer there were anie example heretofore of such a repentance For as concerning the inward acknowledging and abhorring of the sinne which they cal contrition J see not what can be required as wanting in it sith Dauid confesseth that he was guiltie of eternal damnation euen from the first moment of his conception and most exquisitelie searcheth forth al the circumstances of his offence so farre is he from seeking anie excuses to couer it and from dreaming of anie recompence for his deserts But if we consider the outward confession of the sinne which is another part of true repentance the which commonlie they confound with satisfaction what a rare example is this of so great a king and so worthie a Prophet that laieng aside al humane respect either of his roial maiestie or priuate reputation did not onlie suffer the storie of that his crime to be put in writing but euen he himselfe wrote a perpetual testimonie of his acknowledging of the fact thereby to satisfie the whole Church For the holie man knew that we must be ashamed of sinne not of repentance or turning from sinne and that a skarre that is seared or a blot that is printed in vs by sinne is not increased by such a publike confession as is made before the Church but rather is cured vp and taken awaie Dauid so farre differeth from the deintie men of our age that had rather beare anie thing than the yoke of this discipline and gouernement that though he were a king of great power yet he willinglie submitteth himselfe vnto it Finallie the commoditie of true repentance doth here also most euidentlie appeare in that God doth neuer forsake those that are truelie penitent but contrariwise turneth euen their verie sinnes both to his glorie and their amendement and comforts And there are ioined in this Psalme also two principal pointes of true religion the one of original sinne the other of the abuse of sacrifices as though the purgation of sinne consisted in that outward ceremonie whereas on the contrarie part the sacrifices that proceeded from vnpure men did not please God and therefore forgiuenes of sinnes must go before which afterwards should be sealed in the hearts of the beleeuers by the sacrifices which are made and offered by faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHat excuse shal I bring ô God what pretence shal I make None at al. I onelie beseech thee most merciful GOD to haue mercie vpon me most miserable sinner And whereas this one wickednes of mine conteineth manie sinnes that thou wouldest grant vnto me not one mercie but thy whole mercies whatsoeuer that my sinnes may be done awaie at once 2 Certeinlie this fault is so fowle and this blot sticketh so sore vnto me that I can not persuade my selfe that it can be washed awaie of thee but by great difficultie wash me therefore ô my God againe and againe and oftentimes whilest the filth of so great wickednes be vtterlie washed awaie 3 For I do not denie or lessen my fault but I detest and abhorre my most greeuous sinnes dailie set before mine eies 4 For though I haue greeuouslie offended men yet haue I chieflie to do with thee For vnto thee vnto thee haue I peculiarlie offended and though I went about to deceiue men yet could I not deceiue thee a most euident eie-witnesse and my iudge Therefore I neither desire to be iustified neither can I desire it seeing thou hast decreed most iustlie those things that thou hast pronounced against me and I confesse plainelie that nothing is faultie in thy iudgements toward me 5. Yea and though I had not committed these horrible factes who am I but a mortal man most worthie death and destruction being euen then corrupt and guiltie when my mother conceiued me and polluted with sinne euen then when she nourished me in her wombe 6 And why should I alledge the sacrifices offered vnto thee by me and such other things for thou doest onlie alow that righteousnes that resteth in the secret of the heart the which this same thing yet declareth that I wanted notwithstanding I confesse that thou hast taught me that thy wisedome not as thou hast done euerie one but as one of thy houshold priuatelie and most familiarlie 7 Wherefore I stand heere before thee the greatest of al sinners but doe that which thou onlie canst do purge me ô God with that thy true hysop al my filth shal straightwaies vanish awaie wash thou me I shal suddenlie be whiter than snowe 8 Comfort me with the testimonie of thy holie spirit which may bring vnto me that most comfortable and most ioiful message of the forgiuenes of sinnes so shalt thou suddenlie refresh the bones which thou hast worthilie broken 9 Doe not I beseech thee doe not behold my sinnes but rather rase out of thy tables at once al the wickednes that I haue committed 10 Begin againe ô God that thy verie worke which thou hadst begun in me and is left off because I haue letted it namelie the purenes of my heart of the which thou art the onelie author and creator and renew those holie motions of my heart within me 11 Ah! do not cast me awaie out of thy sight though I be worthie to perish neither spoile me at once of the gift of thy holie spirit 12 Restore vnto me rather that vnspeakable
to bring forth their wepons and armies no more than they which lie sleeping in a most deepe traunce 6 But both the chariots and the horses being striken with slumber at the rebuke of God could not remooue from their place 7 Therefore thou art verie terrible and who is able to abide thy sight so soone as thy wrath is inflamed 8 For thou hast declared thy selfe plainlie bringing things to passe by thy diuine power aboue al order of nature that thou doest reigne in heauen and causest the very earth to tremble and to quake 9 When thou didst arise to destroie the wicked and to preserue thine who were of euerie side oppressed 10 Thus the more that men do rage so much the more doth it appeare who and how great thou art and if any doe yet remaine and begin againe to rage thou wilt euen bind them as it were in one bundle and destroie them at once 11 Go to then al ve that are preserued by the maruellous power of the Lord our God standing round about this your Emperour paie vnto him the things that you vowed most worthilie bring your offerings vnto him that is so terrible with al diligence 12 For this is he that cutteth off all the courage and strength of the verie kings as a gardener doeth twist his vines and doth declare himselfe terrible to the most mightie princes of the earth for his Church sake PSALME LXXVII The Argument It may be perceiued by manie most dolorous examples and euen by the greeuous agonie of Christ himselfe how horrible the battel is of the conscience touched with the sense of Gods wrath wherevnto yet we said that euen the most holie men haue bene subiect Psalme 6. and by this Psalme as by certeine other we vnderstand the same Therefore it is worthie the marking yea and verie necessarie to knowe by what weapons those valiant champions haue also shaken off these fierie darts of Satan This Psalme therefore doth teach vs in this most dangerous temptation to applie these remedies euen continual praiers although the verie mind be vnwilling to praie and though the verie thinking of God doe terrifie vs and a meditation of the former testimonies of Gods good wil towards vs which is ioined with his vnchangeable purpose how that he neuer putteth awaie for euer him whome he hath testified to haue chosen seeing that these his gifts are without repentance and that his mercie is infinite and that he hath the most high power in ruling the course of al things and times finallie the remembrance of the maruellous works of God both in trieng and in preseruing of his Church And it is very meete for euerie man to haue such examples in good remembrance and to applie them vnto him selfe particularlie in such manner of temptations THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Haue cried vnto God I haue cried I saie and haue lift vp my voice vnto God whilest hee heard my crie 2 The more greeuouslie that I was oppressed the more earnestlie I sought the Lord so that I praied in the verie dark of the night holding vp my hands without ceasing although my verie heart refused al comfort 3 For the remembrance of God was so far awaie from pacifieng mine vnquiet mind that contrariwise nothing did trouble me so much so that I did lie wholie oppressed with sorrowe 4 Neither could mine eies take anie sleepe nor my heauie heart breath nor finallie my mouth could speake one word 5 But at the length I began to cal to memorie those excellent things which thou hast done in the former ages whereby thou hast declared that infinite mercie towards thine from the beginning 6 Then came those comfortable songs into my memorie which I heretofore haue sung of thee al the which things I reuoluing with my selfe in the night and considering continuallie in my mind 7 Verelie thinke I although it seeme that thou art vtterlie vndone yet how can it be that that God whose wil is vnchangeable should now cast thee away for euer and that he should be now vnto thee an enimie neuer to be reconciled whose fatherlie loue thou hast so often tried 8 Shal I iudge that his mercie can be cleane spent or doe his decrees and promises at the length vanish awaie by continuance of time as mortal and humane things are wont to doe 9 Shal I saie that he hath cast off that nature most readie to haue mercie and in displeasure hath shut vp his compassion which before was spread ouer al 10 Furthermore I said thus also within my selfe Verelie this thy wound is now of it owne nature deadlie but the change of things dependeth in thy hand that is in the hand of the high God 11 And here I began againe to consider how oft thou hast shewed foorth that thy wonderful power in times past by deliuering thine through extraordinarie meanes 12 I began I saie to meditate those thy mightie works and to ponder them in my mind by the examples whereof I might lift vp my mind that did lie downe prostrate 13 For it appeareth no where more euidentlie what thou art able to doe than in thy sanctuarie where in deede thou declarest thy selfe what one thou art and can anie other god make himselfe equal with thee although those false gods were such as other nations imagined them to be 14 Thy works ô God are in deede maruellous and thou hast abundantlie shewed to al people how mightie thy strength is 15 For I praie thee with what incredible power hast thou deliuered thy people out of Aegypt I meane the posteritie of Iacob and Ioseph 16 Then the verie waters ô God sawe thee present I saie they sawe thee and were astonished and euen the depths of the sea were moued when they felt thy presence 17 The cloudes powred out flouds of waters the heauens thundered horriblie thy fierie darts went euerie-where abroad 18 A terrible noise of thunder was heard throughout the circuit of heauen the world shined with glittering lightenings the earth shaked and trembled 19 Finallie the seas made passage vnto thee and thou hast opened a waie to thy people going thorough the middest of the waters leauing no steps of this passage 20 Lastlie thou hast thus lead into these pastures thy people being brought foorth as a flocke committing them to faithful pastours Moses and Aaron Wherefore then should I despaire as though thou either wouldst not or couldst not behold me PSALME LXXVIII The Argument It may be collected by this Psalme what maner of sermons the Prophets made in the Church of Jsraël when the histories were declared in their synagogues And surelie this ancient monument of the holie antiquitie is to be had in great reuerence as certaine other Psalmes also and the sermon of Stephen in the Actes of the Apostles and that sermon of Paule made at Antioch Acts. 13. And hereby we learne also with what profite we may reade the holie histories which are set forth vnto vs in this Psalme after two
his terrible wrath vpon them that there was no calamitie wherewith he did not strike Aegypt by those his wicked spirits 50 Conuerting himselfe now on this side now on that side being ful of wrath and both slaieng men and consuming their cattel with pestilence 51 And he did also kil al the first borne of Aegypt that no head of the familie did remaine aliue in the tabernacles of Cham. 52 But he lead his people like sheepe brought foorth of the folds of Aegypt euen like a heard through the midest of those wildernesses 53 He carried them I saie safelie without al feare of danger couering their enimies with the multitude of waters 54 Neither ceased he whilest that he had brought them into this land consecrate vnto him yea and placed them in this mountaine which he prepared for himselfe by his owne power alone 55 For it is he which cast out the people that resisted them out of these countries which he diuided afterward to the tribes of Israël by lot and placed them in their habitation 56 But behold againe they heaping sinne vpon sinne tempted and prouoked to wrath that high God by breaking his couenant 57 They turned awaie from him following the infidelitie of their fathers they turned themselues aside contrarie from the marke as deceitful bowes vse to doe 58 Finallie they maruellouslie prouoked him by no light error and crime but with altars built euerie-where in the high mountaines and which is the far greatest wickednes they placed there their grauen idols 59 God hearing these things was most worthilie displeased and wonderfullie loathed Israël 60 And he did willinglie forsake that tabernacle that he had set in Shilo that house I saie which he had chosen vnto himselfe amongst men 61 What should I saie more he deliuered into the hands of their enimies to be carried into captiuitie that Arke his most sure pledge of his presence and of his power euen that his honour and dignitie 62 And also he cast awaie his people and gaue them to their swords 63 The flame of his wrath consumed the flowre of their youth and the virgins being vnmaried did remaine without their mariage songs 64 Their priests did fal giuen vp to the sword and their widowes had no time to mourne their husbands 65 Notwithstanding he being mindful of his couenant was awaked with a great crie as it were a mightie man raised from a deepe sleepe after his wine 66 When his enimies did seeme to pursue him like conquerours he contrariwise did wound their hinder parts with a sore disease vnto their shame in al ages 67 Notwithstanding yet that he might mixe some seueritie with his mercie he did not returne to the tabernacle of Ioseph which he had forsaken neither did he preferre the tribe of Ephraim as he had done before 68 But he did choose the tribe of Iuda and did imbrace the mount Sion with a certain peculiar loue 69 For he determined not to haue his abode here for a while as in former time but he built vnto him a sanctuarie as a most strong tower as stable as the bodie of the earth 70 Finallie it pleased him to cal Dauid from the sheepefold whose seruice he would vse 71 And so to appoint him to feede the posteritie of Iacob euen his most deere Israël who followed the ewes with yong and led them to their pastures which was not yet the chiefe shepheard of his fathers flocke so that he could neuer reioice that he was brought to his dignitie by his owne endeuour or power and that you should honour him as a man set ouer you by God 72 In the which gouernment of your pastor there neither wanted integritie and vprightnes in taking of counsel neither wisedome in perfourming of his enterprise PSALME LXXIX The Argument There is the same argument and vse of this Psalme as of the 74. the which none of the godlie can reade without great comfort neither anie of the enimies of the Church without horrible terrour THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O God the prophane nations euen the enimies of thy name haue inuaded thine inheritance they haue polluted thy holie temple they haue ouerthrowne Ierusalem and made it an heape of stones 2 They haue cast the dead bodies of thy seruants that are slaine and whom thou hast imbraced with singular fauor to be deuoured of wild beasts 3 They haue powred out their bloud like water on euerie side and there was none found which would commit them to the burial 4 Moreouer it was so farre off that we could find anie where those that would comfort vs in so great miseries that we were exposed euen to the reproches mockings and slanders of the people round about vs. 5 O Lord wilt thou be thus angrie with vs for euer and how long shal the fire of thy wrath rage 6 Powre foorth rather thy wrath vpon a people that knowe thee not and vpon the kingdomes which worship not thy name 7 For these are they which haue deuoured thine Israëlits and haue spoiled the possession that thou hast giuen them 8 And we verelie I grant haue heaped sinne vpon sinne of old but cal not these to account we beseech thee rather hasten those thy great mercies before we vtterlie perish for we are almost wholie consumed 9 Helpe vs ô God our deliuerer neither consider what we deserue but what thy glorie requireth deliuer vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for the honour of thine owne name 10 For why shouldest thou suffer these prophane people anie longer to aske vs in derision Where is that your God Naie rather bring to passe that in our sight al these Gentiles may knowe in deed how seuere punishment thou vsest to execute for the shedding of thy seruants bloud 11 Heare the captiues laden with bonds mourning before thee which remaine of so many slaughters whome also they haue appointed to death and keepe them by that thy mightie power 12 And repaie seuen fold vpon their heads which are our cruel neighbors who cease not to reproch thee ô Lord. 13 But we are thy people and the sheepe whom thou pleasest to seede we wil celebrate thee for euer and set forth thy praise to the worlds that shal come after PSALME LXXX The Argument J iudge that this Psalme wherein the beginnings the increasings and also the calamities of the Church of Israël are most elegantlie described vnder the similitude of a vine may verie aptlie be referred to those times which either went a lâ—ttle before or followed soone after the anointing of Dauid the which Psalme Esaias Cap. 5. doth applie vnto other times and Christ after him to the verie destruction of the citie and cutting off the boughes Matth. 21 33. Marke 12 1. and Luke 20 9. and there is the same vse of this Psalme as of the former THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou shepheard of Israël and leader of the flocke of Ioseph hearken thou that sittest vpon the Cherubims shew forth who and how great thou art 2 Be
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