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
also in the writings of Paule as Galathians 5 verse 12. and 2. Timoth 4 verse 14. and in Peter Actes 8 verse 20. although he mitigate that imprecation afterward And also the olde Church did powre out these and such like praiers against Julian the Apostata the which the verie end did prooue that they were heard and surelie vnlesse sometimes we might vse them it were in vaine which is written 1. John 5 verse 16. But these things are not to bee drawne into example and as I said before wee must take great heede least either for desire of vengeance or false zeale or vnaduisedlie vsing them we sinne against either or against both the tables of the Lawe and bring vpon our owne heads the thing that we praie against others As concerning Dauid and this Psalme what bitter hatred he sustained and how cruellie he was persecuted manie yeares by Saule and â—â—s it may be vnderstanded by his owne historie yet that he did beare no priuate hatred against Saule it appeared by that that he spared â—im so oft neither is it read that he did anie thing cruâ—llie in that whole time of banishment Thereforâ— did hee â—egard the glorie of God alone and the restoring of the â—ingdome trusting vnto the promises of God Furtherâ—ore the end doth declare that Dauid did speake these â—hings wholie by the spirit of prophesie and as he was a figure of Christ himselfe as Peter doth teach vs Actes 1 verse 20. The which agree with the historie of Christes death and with the punâ—shments which the miserable Iewes do now also suffâ—r which things Dauid doth pronounce of himselfe and of his enimies in this Psalme And although it can not be certainelie determined against whome speciallie Dauid cast foorth these darts â—et I iudge their opinion to be most probable which do refer them vnto Doëg For they agree with his fact which was most horrible and the 16. verse of this Psalme doth point as it were with the finger the circumstance of that time as also the 8. verse of this Psalme doth make mention of his office and charge And although the holie scripture make no mention of Doëg afterward yet can it not bee doubted but these prophetical execrations did fal vpon him and such as we see also conceiued against him in Psalme 52. Finallie let them al knowe who folowing the example of Doëg or Judas do persecute the Church at this daie no lesse cruellie and namelie they who exercising the same hatred that they haue receiued of their Elders haue not ceased of late to stirre vp the kings by them bewitched to the most cruel murthers of most innocent man and whose crueltie is not yet satisfied let them knowe I saie although the Church do not applie these praiers preciselie against them yet both they and theirs vnlesse they repent which J rather desire doubtles haue the same and peraduenture more greeuous punishments euen in this world hanging ouer their heads as alreadie is come to passe vpon manie of them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O GOD mine onelie honour and by whoâ— iudgement I knowe I am allowed commended as innocent whome these 〈◊〉 do condemne as most wicked keepe not 〈◊〉 silence 2 For thou seest with how manie most false slaâ—ders I am assailed by wicked deceiptful and liâ—â— men 3 With how great hatred they inuade me boâ— in word and deede that I should not escape anâ— waie finallie how vnworthilie they fight againâ— me 4 For surelie they render vnto me hatred for amitie and there remaineth nothing vnto me bâ—â— onlie to flee to my praiers 5 For my benefits I saie they render iniurie and for loue hatred vnto me 6 Chieflie that most wicked man who seeing he hath abused his authoritie against the good and the godlie cast him downe againe vnder some wicked man vnto whose lust he may be subiect and cause him to haue enuious men againe at his elbowe which may let his purposes 7 Let him be drawne into the lawe and let him neuer go out but condemned and so manie petitions as he shal make to the iudge let them bring vpon him so manie penalties 8 Let his life be short and let another take his charge when he is put foorth of office 9 Let him leaue his children fatherles and his wife a widowe 10 Let his children wander from dore to dore to beg their bread al their goodes being destroied and wasted 11 Let the cruel vsurers snare him and al his substance with their most intricate snares and what soeuer he hath gotten by sore labour let it fal vnto men that pertaine nothing to him 12 Let none of them which were his welwillers before retaine constant friendship with him let no man haue compassion of his fatherles children 13 Let his kinred vtterlie perish and let him be destroied in his next posteritie 14 Let the Lord cal vnto memorie not onelie his sinnes but also the sinnes of his fathers and of his grandfathers and also let him cal to memorie the sinnes of his mothers kinred neuer to blot them out 15 Yea let them be alwaies in Gods sight whilest the remembrance of him be vtterlie abolished 16 For trulie his manners do deserue this that his punishment should be equal to his transgression as one that hath bin so far from al humanitie that he hath not onelie had no pitie on me but also hath sought me vnto death which am vexed for no deseruing of mine owne and am forsaken of them that ought not so to do and one that am vtterlie astonished 17 He delighted in cursings the which rather let them fal vpon his owne head and as he was an enimie of al humanitie so let it depart far from him 18 Yea let al kinde of calamitie ioined together with thy wrath cleaue vnto him like a garment and inuade him wholie as the drinke receiued into the bodie entreth into the bowels and the strength of oile doth pearse vnto the verie bones 19 And let him haue perpetual miserie to be couered therewith wholie as with a cloke and like a girdle wherewith he may be alwaies girded when he commeth forth 20 And let them haue this reward of their wickednes of the Lord which are mine enimies and deuise my destruction with their deadlie slanders 21 But thou againe ô Lord God grant vnto me this thing for thine owne names sake that thou wilt deliuer me for thy great mercie 22 For I am most miserable and verie poore and most deepelie wounded in my heart 23 I vanish awaie like a shadowe when the light goeth downe and I leape here and there like a grashopper 24 My knees do faile for hunger and my bodie is consumed al iuice being wasted 25 And which thing is most greeuous of al they are so far off from being touched with anie drop of mercie that contrariwise they take occasion hereof to raile against me and if peraduenture they see me they wag their head in derision 26 Helpe me ô Lord
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
his diuine worship 8 And thou ô Lord our God giuing eare vnto them hast suffered thy selfe oftentimes to be pacified by their praiers although thou diddest not leaue the sinnes of some of them vnpunished that were wicked 9 Wherefore take courage and extol the Lord our God with praises and worship at his holie hil for the Lord our God is holie PSALME C. The Argument The Hebrue title doth declare that this Psalme most short in deede but verie excellent both for the pleasantnesse of words and the grauitie of the matter was written for this cause that it should be sung in the sacrifices of thankesgiuing And it doth rehearse two most great benefites the one of the creation which is common vnto al men the other of the free adoption annexed with the perpetual protection the which vnspeakeable benefite is peculiar vnto the Church which for this cause is called the worke of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SOund out the trumpets vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Come hither with ioie to giue due worship vnto the Lord present your selues in his sight and offer praiers vnto him 3 Knowledge at the length this Iehouah to be the God This is he that hath euen made vs when we had no being of our selues and which is another peculiar benefite of him toward vs euen the far greatest of al This is he by whose mercie we are a people consecrate vnto him and the sheepe of his pastures 4 Come therfore I saie to the gates of his house to praise him enter into his courts to sing forth his praises praise ye him and publish his name 5 For the Lord is good of infinite mercie and mindful of his promises through al ages for euer PSALME CI. The Argument Dauid when he had receiued the promise of the kingdome not thinking so much of the great honour that was giuen him as of the greeuous burthen that should be laide vpon him and as it is probable beholding the faults of Saul and the disordered state of the whole kingdome he would bind both himselfe and his posteritie as it were with a solemne vow before God in this Psalme wherin al the office of a king with a maruelous breuitie is explaned though generallie yet verie exactlie First of al then he bindeth the whole office of a king to two principal vertues euen mercie and iudgement whereof the one causeth that kings be rather loued than feared and this other by the vse of scripture declareth the seueritie whereby the obstinate are brideled and kept in order and it is contrarie to that softnes which doth not onelie giue some release from the bonds of the lawe but doth vtterlie dissolue them Neither doth he treate of these vertues after the maner of the Philosophers but he wil haue them both consecrate vnto God and therefore to be applied vnto the lawes appointed by God himselfe Then comming to the vse of these vertues he doth testifie that he wil not arrogate vnto himselfe the gouernement of this kingdome promised but onelie receiue it of the hand of GOD himselfe deliuering it vnto him the which thing hee did most religiouslie afterward obserue Hee treateth first of the preparing of himselfe to performe this office secondlie of the right ordering of his owne priuate familie and thirdlie of the verie office charge and duetie of a king Wherefore in the second verse beginning the right order of gouernement at himselfe far vnlike vnto those which do nothing lesse than that they command to others he maketh a vowe that he wil giue great care to vnderstand which is the right waie beeing mindful doubtles of the words of the Lord vnto Joshua Ioshua 1. 7. and 8. and that he neuer declining from that waie declared by God he wil learne by the right gouernement of his owne familie to execute the office of a king as is conuenient Afterward treating of the verie publike charge and beginning againe at himselfe he promiseth that he wil neither take euil counsel willinglie of himselfe neither that he wil followe euil examples And whereas the Princes that haue power in their hands to satisfie their lustes do vse to inuent infinite such things either of themselues or take hold of the same most greedilie which they learne of others that are about them Dauid addeth that he wil most carefullie eschue men of corrupt manners Finallie whereas Princes are compelled of necessitie to vse the seruice of manie others by whose eies both they must see manie things and heare by their eares and stand in neede of their counsels he promiseth that he wil receiue no man whome he shal knowe to be of an euil conscience and that he wil punish euen with death the false accusers which are the poison of mankinde and that he wil by no meanes suffer the proude and the ambitious and that he wil vse the counsel and endeuour of men of fidelitie and vprightnes and wil diligentlie search for them and either neuer cal to counsel or chase far awaie the craftie and deceitful Finallie he promising that he wil be no lesse a seueare iudge against wicked men than a merciful dâ—fender and foster-father of his owne he declareth the last and chiefe end of the ciuil gouernement which was vnknowne of the Philosophers to wit that the Lord should be worshipped purelie and sincerelie in his Citie that is in his Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I being appointed king by thee after such a manner of bountifulnes as neuer was heard do consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I do bind my selfe before thee to performe them in the gouernement of the kingdome 2 First of al then vnto that time that I be set ouer the kingdome by thee whome I determined neuer to preuent I wil giue al diligence that both I may throughlie knowe the right waie appointed by thee and may obserue the same purelie in my house 3 I wil neuer set before me to do anie wicked thing I wil forsake them that are of corrupt manners neither wil I take anie such to me 4 I wil put far from me the authours of euil counsels neither wil I embrace at anie time the thing that I knowe to be euil 5 I wil destroie the slanderers and false accusers I wil not suffer the proud and the ambitious 6 I searching out on euerie side men that loue the truth wil take them to be my familiar companions and I wil not vse in doing mine affaires anie but such as are trustie and faithful 7 The subtil man wil I thrust foorth of my house neither wil I suffer those that speake deceiptfullie 8 To conclude I wil painefullie and without anie delaie worthilie punish whomesoeuer I shal vnderstand to be wicked and I wil purge the holie citie of the Lord from al wicked persons PSALME CII The Argument The Hebrew title doth insinuate and the text it selfe especiallie verse 14. and 15. doth much more euidentlie declare that this
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
as it were in a most large waie wil liue at hearts ease with a quiet minde being addicted wholie to thy commandements 46 Furthermore I wil boldlie dispute of those things which thou hast testified vnto vs euen before kings 47 And I wil delight my selfe with thy commaundements a thing that is most deare vnto me 48 I wil hold with both mine hands thy commaundements which are most ioiful vnto mee I saie and wil neuer cease to meditate thy statutes THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. VII 49 GRaunt that I may by experience perceiue that thou art mindful of those things which thou hast spoken vnto me thy seruant and hast commanded me to trust in 50 For in al my miseries this is mine onlie comfort euen thy word by the helpe whereof I being almost dead am restored to life 51 For although these arrogant men do deride me therefore yet notwithstanding I decline not from thy doctrine one iot 52 And I calling to memorie how thou hast punished such kinde of men do take great comfort thereof 53 Yet do I greatlie feare when I behold these despisers of thy doctrine which haue the same punishments hanging ouer their heads 54 Furthermore it is so far from me that I being an exile should despaire that contrariwise I am occupied in singing thy praises taking the occasion of thy statutes 55 Yea euen at midnight also setting aside al other cares beeing mindful of thy name I do watchfullie thinke how I may keepe thy doctrine 56 And this do I attribute to this cause that I labour to keepe thy commandements THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. VIII 57 LET other men gape after what things they lust I do account al my riches to be set in this ô Lord that I may obeie those things which thou hast spoken vnto vs. 58 I do powre foorth praiers before thee without anie dissimulation and as thou hast promised with thy mouth haue mercie vpon me 59 I am not of their number who haue no regard whether they walke in the right or wrong waie before thee but I haue searched carefullie what way I should keepe and I haue fastened my steps in those pathes the which thou hast testified to please thee 60 Neither haue I staied when I did knowe the matter so to be but haue streightwaies bent my selfe to obserue thy commandements 61 And although the wicked haue conspired against me and spoiled al my goodes yet do I not forget thy doctrine 62 No I do arise vp at midnight when others do soundlie sleepe and I do cal to memorie the examples of punishment which thou hast executed vpon such wicked men 63 But if I do knowe anie that feareth thee and that keepeth thy statutes I ioine him to my felowship 64 O Lord who leauest no inhabitants of the earth voide of thy benefites I desire this one thing of thee that I may learne thy statutes by thine instruction THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. IX 65 THou hast dealt faithfullie I grant with thy seruant as thou hast promised by thy word 66 Yet is there a further thing that I must desire of thee euen that thou wouldest teach me that true knowledge ioined with such a iudgement whereby I may discerne al things aright as it were by tasting a sauourie thing because I depend of thy commandements 67 Before I was tamed by thy rod I was wanton wandering to and fro but now haue I learned to obeie thy commandements 68 But againe I beseech thee which art most merciful and liberal that thou wilt teach me these same statutes 69 Surelie there is no kind of slaunder nor anie manner of deceit which these men of desperate boldnes haue not practised against me who could neuer yet bring to passe but that I endeuoured my selfe to keepe thy commandements with my whole heart 70 And they thus abusing their prosperitie and thy liberalitie became foolish and witlesse euen their senses as it were dulled with fatnes but I delight my selfe in the meditation of thy doctrine 71 I grant therefore that it was to my great commoditie that I being tamed by these miseries shuld prooue more meete to vnderstand thy statutes 72 For the doctrine which thou hast deliuered by thy mouth vnto vs is far aboue al heapes of gold and siluer THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. X. 73 THou who once hast made man and formed him with thy hands and therefore canst onlie restore him againe being vtterlie destroied of himselfe grant me vnderstanding that I may learne al thy precepts 74 For so shal it come to passe that al which feare thee shal mightilie reioice when they shal see me resting vpon thy word to haue attained this benefit of thee 75 For I haue learned by experience ô Lord that thou doest nothing vniustlie and in that thou hast dealt with me so hardlie thou hast done nothing repugnant to thy truth 76 But I beseech thee that thy mercie may be readie to comfort me the which thou hast promised to thy seruant 77 Let thine vnspeakeable mercie I saie be present that I may reuiue seeing thine onelie doctrine delighteth me 78 Let these cruel men be ashamed and frustrate of their purposes who haue dealt so frowardlie with me and that without my deseruing and I wil with so much more willing mind wholie applie my selfe to meditate thy commandements 79 So shal it come to passe that they which feare thee and which vnderstand thy testimonies wil ioine themselues to me 80 Wherefore graunt this vnto me that I may knowe and keepe thy commandements with a pure heart that I be not ashamed THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XI 81 AL my courage faileth me whilest I wait for the deliuerance promised by thy word which is deferred 82 My verie eies doe faile me whilest I lift them vp to behold those things which thou hast spoken vnto me and oftentimes I breake foorth into this voice Ah alas when wilt thou once comfort me 83 Wherefore I became like a bottle dried in the smoke through sorrowe and mourning notwithstanding yet I haue not therefore forgotten thy statutes 84 Ah! how long shal these things endure and when wilt thou once decree iust punishments against them that persecute me 85 For they haue euen digged pits to catch me the which thing thou hast plainlie forbidden in the doctrine that thou hast giuen vs. 86 But whatsoeuer they enterprise whether by force or craft the thing it selfe shal declare that it must needs be stable and true whatsoeuer thou hast commanded Onelie helpe thou me that am most vnworthilie oppressed 87 For although those men haue cast me downe to the ground and almost brought me to nought yet haue I not forsaken thy commandements 88 Restore me to life therefore for thy singular bountie that I may most carefullie obserue those things that thou hast testified by thy mouth THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XII 89 ANd why should I doubt oh Lord of the certaintie of thy promises whereas I see in that thing in the which though it be a most mightie
make stir against him PSALME CXXVIII The Argument This Psalme pertaining to the same purpose with the former euen that the people of God being againe restored should vnderstand and haue set foorth as in certaine tables what was their dutie is wholie oeconomical that is for priuate families and it doth teach two chiefe and principal precepts of the right gouernement of the familie to wit the feare of God openlie testified and diligent labour of the bodie of the which twaine the one part doth bind al the godlie without exception but this later part is so to be taken not as though bodilie labour were commanded to euerie one but that we may knowe that idlenes and slouthfulnes is forbidden vnto al not that euerie one hath strength of bodie or wit particularlie attributed vnto him whereby he may get his liuing or may vse the thing rightlie that is alreadie gotten But this also is to be obserued that al men are here spoken vnto as though they were maried because this is the ordinarie vocation from the which how vnlawful it is for a man vnaduisedlie to depart much lesse to saie that the deuelish vowes are anie where approued of sole life either in the scriptures or in the example of anie the miserable condition of them doth declare which haue transformed the world into a Sodome and Gomorrha or euen into some worse thing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THis is the right waie to leade a blessed life that a man knowe the true worship of God liue accordinglie 2 For whosoeuer thou art that dost thus although thou be in so poore estate that thou must liue vpon thy handie labour euerie daie yet God wil bring to passe that thou shalt haue a competent liuing therby and he wil grant vnto thee that thou shalt so liue wel and happilie 3 Yea he wil cause thy generation to spread also for thy wife shal be like a fruitful vine in thy house euen bringing foorth most pleasant fruit vnto thee whome thou shalt see placed in order at thy table like oliue branches 4 Behold therefore thus wil the Lord blesse al them that feare him 5 The Lord I saie wil blesse thee from the tower of Sion whosoeuer doest thus behaue thy selfe and he wil bring to passe that thou shalt see Ierusalem flourishing so long as thou doest liue 6 And thou shalt then behold both thine ofspring to be spread abroad at home and also publikelie Israël to enioie great peace and tranquillitie PSALME CXXIX The Argument The people of God being restored after so manie calamities giueth thanks vnto God for so great benefits as the onlie authour of them and promising themselues the same in time to come doth contrariwise foreshew that a certaine destruction doth hang ouer their enimies THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let Israël now say by iust cause These haue vexed me oftentimes from my verie youth 2 They haue vexed me oftentimes from my youth yet could they not ouercome me as it is plaine by experience 3 For they verelie I grant haue wounded me as it were plowing ouer me and drawing long furrowes on euerie side 4 But that most true and iust aduenger of his euen the Lord hath cut in sunder at the length al the bands of the wicked 5 Thus certainlie al the enimies of Sion being filled with shame shal turne their backs their enterprises being frustrate 6 And they shal be proud in shew and flourishing for a little time but they shal be like the herbe that groweth on the top of the houses which withereth before it come to the highest 7 The which neither anie man doth sheare by handful neither doth he laie it in order by handfuls which heapeth vp the haruest 8 Neither for the cause thereof shal the passengers at anie time crie vnto the reapers The Lord blesse you from heauen with most plentiful haruest and by the power of the Lord let your labours haue good successe PSALME CXXX The Argument The people of God being careful to retaine the possession of their countrie and citie restored yet trusting to the promises of God and his mercie whereof they had experience doe comfort themselues in this Psalme which was counted aforetime amongest the penitentials that is amongest those Psalmes which they vsed to sing when the penitent persons were publikelie reconciled vnto the assemblie of the Church the which afterward the Romanists applied foolishlie to the praiers for the dead by no more probable pretence as I thinke than because it is said in the beginning De profundis clamaui that is Out of the depth haue I called so great was the power of the spirit of errour manie yeeres THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I crie vnto thee from the deepe bottome of my heart and from the deepe gulfe wherein I am plunged 2 Heare me ô Lord that cal vpon thee and giue eare to my lowd sounding praiers 3 I grant ô God that I haue deserued al extreme punishment for what can I else saie but if thou ô Lord do marke our sinnes who is able at anie time to abide thy most iust wrath 4 But the matter standeth far otherwise for else could there be no worship of thee anie-where amongst men therefore doth thy mercie ouercome the sinnes of men For thou hast found out and deliuered vnto vs the meanes of attaining thy fauor that thou maist be acknowledged and reuerenced amongst men 5 Wherefore though I be most wicked yet wait I for the helpe of the Lord I wait assuredlie for the helpe of the Lord I saie for he hath testified by his word that he wil helpe me wherevnto I trust vndoubtedlie 6 Therefore there is no night watcher no man I saie that watcheth in the night that loketh for the dawning of the daie more desirouslie or more assuredlie than I doe looke for the comming of the Lord to helpe me 7 Go to then ô Israël wait vpon the Lord with assured hope vpon the Lord I saie most merciful and whom thou hast experienced so oft to be thy deliuerer and aduenger 8 This is he doubtles who wil deliuer Israël now also and forgiue him al his sinnes at once PSALME CXXXI The Argument This Psalme compared with the historie of Dauid wherevnto it is applied in the Hebrue title doth set foorthe plaine example of true modestie which they commonlie cal humilitie euen of that man which fearing God and despising no man doth remaine within the bounds of his calling and afterward this same Psalme is appointed to the people being returned that like as in the formeâ— Psalme they were admonished that they should not be discouraged in aduersitie so contrarâ—wise they shoâ—â—d take heed vnto themselues least they should waxe prâ—â—d in prosperitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Take thee to witnes ô Lord against the flanders of al men that I neither laboured that I should be brought vnto this dignitie nor thâ—â— I am now proud being promoted by thee therevnto nor that I haue bent mine eies to high
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
God seeing thou art iust defend mine innocencie against them and cause that they do not reioice ouer me 25 Neither let them saie vnto themselues Oh! now at length we haue whereof to reioice and triumph together saieng Lo now at length we haue deuoured him 26 But rather let them be ashamed and confounded together who take the occasion to reioice by my miseries and let them be couered with shame and confusion which lift themselues vp against me so despitefullie 27 Of the contrarie part cause them comfortablie to reioice that fauour my iust cause and when they see me preserued by thine assistance that they may iudge in their hearts and testifie openlie that thou art worthie of most great praise who hast declared in deede that thou hast a great care for the preseruation of thine 28 And I wil sing foorth both daie and night this thy mercie in sauing thine and thy iustice in the aduenging of thy selfe vpon the enimies of thy name PSALME XXXVI The Argument There is nothing that greeueth good men and them that feare God so much and that worthilie as the life of prophane and wicked men who do openlie testifie that they neither feare God nor man But the Prophet doth admonish vs when we behold these things that we may not gather hereby that God careth not for such matters but rather to rise vp into a more high consideration of the infinite goodnes of the most merciful and mightie God thereby cum towards them to whome he is not bound anie waie for neither may we measure Gods iustice nor his counsels by our smal capacitie Afterward he teacheth that the prouidence of God doth most manifestlie shine foorth in these so great confusions both because he doth preserue notwithstanding this vniuersal world which would perish in a moment if the wicked had their whole swinge and also doth defend his Church continualie the which though it be maruelouslie oppressed yet doth it neuer want abundance of present comforts so much as is necessarie and is furthermore refreshed with a sure hope of a better thing euen the euerlasting felicitie Wherefore this one thing remaineth that we flie to Gods protection who continueth to defend vs assured that they al shal fal in the end which delight in wickednes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE whole life of the wicked doth tel me in my heart that they haue cast awaie al feare of God 2 For they are so farre from being touched in their conscience with anie griefe of sinne that contrariwise they flatter themselues inuenting new and new sinnes that at the length they make themselues abhominable vnto al. 3 For al their words tend to this end that they may hurt either with fraud or force neither can they be brought once to receiue into their hearts to leade their life so that they may profite others 4 They consume the whole nightes in inuenting wickednes they continue obstinatelie in euil doing no wickednes is so great that they abhorre 5 Wherefore seeing thou ô Lord doest suffer these things so patientlie we must confesse that thy goodnes is higher than the verie heauens and that thou art most true of thy word which doest not suffer the vnworthie yea euen the breakers of thy couenant to be without the experience of thy goodnes 6 Neither is there anie cause yet why thou shouldest be counted vniust therefore because thou doest also shew thy goodnes to such maner of men for the height of thy iustice is incomprehensible and thy iudgements are more profound than the deepest gulfes of the sea that no man is able throughlie to search them and to consider them and this thy vnsearchable moderation doth shine forth not onlie in the preseruing of mankind in such a troblesome state but also in other liuing creatures 7 Howbeit there is an other thing wherein chieflie thou declarest how great and pretious thy goodnes is to wit in the saluation of those men whome thou receiuest to thy special fauour and couerest as with the shadowe of thy wings being separate from the number of other men 8 For besides those transitorie good things which thou doest not hold backe from thy verie enimies thou doest feede them with the euerlasting deinties of thy house and giuest them of thy most sweete waters to drinke abundantlie 9 For with thee alone is the spring of true life and we do attribute it to the benefite of thine onlie light that we haue anie light 10 Continue therefore to shew thy goodnes vnto the true worshippers of thy Maiestie and graunt that those which loue righteousnes may perceiue thee their reuenger and deliuerer more and more 11 Suffer not the proud to treade mee vnder their feete neither let the wicked laie hand of me to cast me downe 12 Doubtles in the due time and place that thou hast appointed they that reioice in wickednes shal fal and me thinke euen now I see euerie one of them to be throwne downe by such violence that they can neuer rise vp againe PSALME XXXVII The Argument This Psalme conteineth the same Argument with the former but more largelie treated For there be two circumstances added to wit that prophane and wicked men do not onlie rage and oppresse others without punishment but also do abound with plentie of al things and contrariwise that good men seeme most miserable And it is euident both by other Psalmes and by other Prophets and by experience that this temptation is most greeuous wherevnto we are taught thus to answere in this Psalme first to thinke as it is most true that we are deceiued when we do account the prosperitie of the wicked to be good and the afflictions of the godlie to be euil seeing that not onlie the end of these things but also the course of this present life doth declare that they are most miserable euen then when they seeme most happie and of the contrarie that these are most blessed in their greatest miserie neither wil the verie nature of God suffer the matter to go anie otherwaies Wherefore this one thing remaineth that euerie one resting in that most iust prouidence of God in that state that God hath appointed him euer calling vpon God that neuer forsaketh his wait patientlie and constantlie whiles he verelie reach foorth his hand vnto his seruants and cal the wicked to account who haue abused his goodes the which thing he wil surelie do in due time though not at our pleasure or appointment THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHen thou beholdest the prosperous state of the wicked be not offended with their prosperitie neither enuie them for it 2 For al their felicitie vanisheth away as suddenlie as the grasse cut downe by loosing his moisture doth streight waie wither 3 Rather hold thou fast thy confidence fixed vpon God alone and continue in the exercise of virtue so shalt thou passe ouer this life and safelie enioie the commodities thereof 4 Let thy pleasure be onelie in the Lord who wil neuer faile thee calling vpon
but to haue taken them of the king himself that we might acknowledge al our goodnes to proceede from his bountiful mercie that hath couered our nakednes and therfore that that is to be counted the true Catholike Church which goeth crowned amongst hâ—r felowes with the onlie righteousnes of Christ fâ—eelie imputed vnto her although also an other righteousnes begun in vs doth consequentlie fellowe this iustice and separateth the children of light from the children of darknes the which thing is by a like allegorie shadowed of Christ himselfe Matth. 11.22 These things being declared wherein almost al the mysteries of our saluation are contained the Prophet turneth his speach to the Church it selfe or rather to euerie member thereof exhorting it to studie how to approue it selfe more and more to her husband of whom she is loued so tenderlie and he also sheweth by what meanes she may do it namelie if hearing him diligentlie for faith commeth by hearing without the which we can not please God and turning vnto him that is continuallie beholding his wil in the glasse of the lawe she cast awaie al corruptions either ingendred in her nature or taken from her elders or continued and confirmed by long custome that she may learne more and more to obey this her husband alone as her head and Lord. There is annexed an exhortation which hath respect to the verie infancie of the Christian Church that first began in Iewrie for we may knowe by the verie historie it selfe how slender poore and miserable the Church was concerning the flesh consisting onlie of an hundred twentie persons and those verie poore and needie He doth therefore comfort it foreshewing that at length they of Tyre also should ioine themselues vnto them by the which name he vnderstandeth the Gentiles comprehending euen the princes themselues but yet so that he might warne vs that al the beautie of the which he spake and which is by infinite degrees more excellent than al the ornaments of al Queenes how pretious soeuer they be is inward and now in deede is not to be seene of fleshlie eies but shal in the time appointed appeare so bright and glorious in the Queene and in her whole nursserie that it shal passe al mens capacitie euen then when as the Apostle saith we shal go to meete Christ and shal be for euer with him being entred into his palace But what saist thou in the meane time shal be done Doubtles this Queene shal bring forâ—h children for her husband and al those shal be worthie and true Kings and shal reigne euerie-where like those their elders that were the ancient Patriarchs hauing brought Sathan sinne death and their owne selues into subiection Hereof it commeth to passe that this same marriage shal be perpetual and euerlasting THE PARAPHRASIS 1 MY heart so boileth within me that it must needes burst forth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical song of the King consecrated to the King himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no pen may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker 2 Doubtles thou art the most beautiful of al men an incomparable eloquence and grace of speach is in thy lips for God hath adorned thee most bountifullie with al these giftes which shal neuer be taken from thee 3 Come foorth now ô most mightie champion girded with the sword and shew that thy beautie ful of maiestie 4 Come foorth I saie and do al things prosperouslie caried vpon thy triumphant chariot euen the word as a gouernour directing it and let truth mercie iustice drawe it O how great and maruelous things do I see that thou shalt bring to passe by this thy mightie power 5 Yet shalt thou not want such ô King who shal resist thee howbeit I do see thee againe armed with sharpe arrowes wherewith thou wilt wound the hearts of thine enimies and so cast downe al people 6 For thy throne ô God is for euer and euer and as nothing is more stable than thy kingdome so is thy scepter righteousnes it selfe 7 For thou louest righteousnes and hatest what so euer is against it for ô God that our King God that is thy God hath powred foorth vpon thee al his bountie that no man is able to be compared vnto thee 8 For when thou commest foorth of thy iuorie palace a most fragrant odour of thy garments doth spread it selfe than the which nothing can be more pleasant therefore do al men run together with prease vnto thee to declare their ioie 9 Yea and the kings daughters beautified with thy giftes do come also amongst the which the Queene being present sitteth at thy right hand bearing a crowne of most pure gold 10 Heare therefore ô daughter consider diligentlie vnto what maner of husband thou art coupled learne of him alone what he requireth of thee that thou shouldest forget thine owne nation and thy fathers house and al other things when thou commest vnder the authoritie and into the familie of this husband 11 So wil it come to passe that thou shalt be more and more in his fauour to whome onlie it is meete that thou shouldest be subiect as to thy Lord. 12 And thou shalt be againe honourable euen to strange people of whome euen the most rich honouring thee shal desire thy friendship 13 But at home chieflie euen with thy husband thou shalt sit most richlie decked clothed altogether with garments broadered with gold 14 Thus shalt thou then be set before the King with such and so pretious apparel the virgins thy companions waiting and going with thee vnto the King 15 Whilest that you altogether with most great ioie and reioicing enter into the palace 16 Here shalt thou see thy children whom thou hast borne vnto thy husband flourishing and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world 17 Therefore ô King I wil praise thy name in al ages for euer and the people with me shal sing praise vnto thee world without end PSALME XLVI The Argument Jiudge that this and the 47. Psalme was written of Dauid or of the sonnes of Corah after those great victories which they had ouer so manie and so mightie enimies whereof mention is made 2. Sam. 8. And two principal commodities of such like victories are set forth vnto vs in this triumphant Psalme the one is because the glorie of God is by this meanes amplified with the care whereof the saintes are much more touched than with their owne profites whatsoeuer the other for that thereby it may be seene in deede that the Church alone is in safetie though it be most fiercelie assaulted by Sathan the world vtterlie destitute of mans aid the which thing the Prophet doth set forth with maruelous words figures ioining also therevnto a prophesie of the calling of the Gentiles THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE haue proued sufficientlie by due experience that God is our defence and strength
ioie wherwith they are indued who being deliuered by thee from the bonds of sinne and death are receiued againe into thy fauour and let thy holie spirit that true comforter graunt vnto me that I may willinglie giue my selfe henceforth wholie vnto thee 13 Then shal I teach other wicked men also by mine example that howsoeuer they haue bene turned frō thee they would returne againe vnto thee 14 O God the God of whome al my saluation dependeth deliuer me from this crime of so bloudie murther that my tong with ioie may praise thy iustice in performing thy promises with continual songs 15 Open my mouth ô Lord which my wickednes hath caused to be dumbe that I may set forth thy praise 16 For as concerning the offering of sacrifices I knowe they wil not be acceptable vnto thee offred of these vnpure hands neither that the taking awaie of sinne which I require is set in the bloud of beasts or else I would haue laden thine altar alreadie with burnt offerings 17 But behold I do offer sacrifice wherewith ô God I knowe thou art delighted euen a mind broken with the true feeling of sinne earnestlie repenting and abhorring himselfe and his sinnes the which offering I knowe wel thou wilt not despise 18 Finallie my God let not these my sinnes so much displease thee that they should hinder the course of that thy free mercie towards Sion but continue notwithstanding to build the walles of thy citie Ierusalem 19 Then surelie when I am fullie reconciled vnto thee thou wilt acceptable receiue al kind of sacrifice duelie offered vnto thee and then wil I lode thine altar with sacrifices PSALME LII The Argument That outragious crueltie which Saule did shew against the innocent priests by the counsel of Doëg the which historie is written 1. Kings 21 gaue occasion to the writing of this Psalme as the Hebrue title doth testifie For when Dauid had receiued this message it may easilie be coniectured in what sorowe he was both for his singular pietie and also because he might seeme after a sort to haue giuen the occasion to this murther therefore he comforteth himselfe with this Psalme written against that most cursed false accuser first of al threatening him with the iust iudgement of God then confirming himselfe and the whole assemblie of the godlie with the sure faith of Gods promises wherevpon the safetie of the Church resteth which then doubtles was sore striken with that slaughter of the priestes And in the end he giueth thankes vnto God because he had deliuered him from so great danger And this Psalme is now also verie profitable seeing there neuer want Princes who do persecute the godlie and speciallie the pastours of the Churches with al kind of crueltie and there hath bin alwaies a great number of flatterers which haue inflamed their rage with diuers false accusations a most heauie example of the which wickednes more cruel than that of old we haue seene of late in the kingdome of France THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT darest thou boast euen of this thy most cruel mischiefe a valiant man forsooth which hast slaine so manie vnarmed men not once resisting thee howbeit notwithstanding thou shalt neuer be able to destroie the assemblie of the godlie for whose safetie that most merciful and mightie God doth dailie watch 2 Thou art then wholie occupied in this ô mischieuous man that thou maist inuent false accusations and deuise new sleightes by the which like a sharpe rasour thou maist murther the godlie at a sudden 3 Al vprightnes is loathsome vnto thee in regard of wickednes and thou appliest thy selfe to deceit despising al iustice 4 Thou seekest out desirouslie false accusations whereby thou maist deuoure the innocent thou doest exercise thy tongue busilie to deceiue 5 And thinkest thou that thou shalt do these things vnpunished nay that most iust God wil destroie thee vtterlie he wil pul thee out I saie of this thy tabernacle in the which thou now so careleslie doest delight and he wil euen plucke thee out by the rootes 6 And then as thou hast delighted thy selfe in destroieng the innocent so they considering that God doth punish thee iustlie wil worship him in deede and feare him but they wil deride thee with these words 7 Behold this man who as though his life did not depend of the strength of God alone trusting vnto his great riches hath imagined himselfe to be safe free from al dangers by his own wickednes 8 But I whome thou chieflie couetest to destroie shal continue like a greene oliue tree in that same house of the Lord whose ministers thou hast murthered For that goodnes of God which standeth sure in al ages can not deceiue me vpon the stabilitie whereof I do rest 9 I wil praise thee vndoubtedlie ô God for euer who hast deliuered me maruelouslie from this danger and I wil waite for whatsoeuer shal come henceforth with a quiet mind whilest thou sendest helpe the which neuer wanted vnto them whome thou hast receiued into thy fauour PSALME LIII The Argument This is the same Psalme and written with the same words with the fourteenth Psalme except the last verse saue one There fetch the argument THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THat men are al so doting mad to persuade themselues that there is no God it is manifest heereby that they are also wicked al do make themselues abhominable and not one of them doth leade his life aright 2 The Lord himselfe from whome nothing is hid beholding men from heauen to see if anie would knowe him or seeke after him 3 Doth finde that al are turned awaie from him that they are altogether filthie and that there is not one at al which ordereth his life aright 4 Are not these mischieuous men altogether mad which deuoure the holie people of God as it were bread and neuer cal vpon God 5 But the time wil come when the same thing shal terrifie them which now they feare least of al. For God shal so destroie them which haue camped against his people that he wil euen breake their bones and thou shalt inwrap and folde them in shame because God wil make them vile and contemptible 6 Oh that now at the length that sauiour of Israël would come foorth but of Sion for then in deede Iacob shal reioice then shal Israël be ful of ioie when the Lord shal bring againe his captiues PSALME LIIII The Argument Dauid wrote this Psalme when his secret holdes were betraied to Saule by the Ziphims the which daunger beside the verie circumstance of the treacherie is to be seene how great it was by the 1. Sam. 23.19 And wheras he was twise betraied of the Ziphims J had rather refer this Psalme to the former betraieng And it is verie profitable to vnderstand that not onlie the Saints and such as are in chiefe fauour with God do fal into these extreame perils brought vpon them by such as should do nothing lesse but also how wonderfullie
with another but now turne thee againe vnto vs. 2 For what haue we not suffered For thou hast shaken the verie earth so that it doth euen cracke and gape therefore fil the clifts thereof and restore it being sore shaken 3 Thou hast caused vs thy people to taste most heauie things and hast made vs to drinke as it were a cup of giddinesse 4 But now againe of the contrarie such is thy mercie when thou giuest vnto vs being conuerted vnto thee thy standard and thy truth to go before vs and commandest vs to folowe our captaine and bring foorth the armie 5 Defend thy beloued and by stretching out thy right hand heare them and preserue them 6 And why should we douâ—t I praie you that this thing should so come to passe seeing God hath spoken vnto vs forth of his sanctuarie wherefore I do wholie reioice being certeine alreadie of the victorie For God wil graunt vnto me verelie that I shal compose and set my kingdome in order ouer-comming al mine enimies I wil diuide therefore the fields of the Sichemites and wil measure the vallie of Succoth 7 I shal obteine my Gilead and Manasseh beyond Iordan peaceablie the Gentiles round about being chased awaie Ephraim shal be the chiefe part of mine armie I wil place in Iudah the throne of iudgement 8 But the strangers how fierce soeuer they be shal do al seruile worke vnto me the Moabites shal hold the basen to wash my feete I wil cause the Idumites to take vp my shooes being shaken off and cast vpon their heads and thou proud Palestina prepare triumphes for me and ioiful songs as thou hast a little before triumphed ouer vs. 9 But by what captaine shal I win so many strong cities and by what power shal I be strengthened to come vnto Idumea 10 Verelie thou being my guide and trusting to thine onelie power my God although thou hast beaten vs backe hertofore and hast refused a great while to go foorth before our armies 11 Therefore be present with vs ô Lord after the miseries of so manie yeeres for that helpe is vaine which is hoped for of men 12 We trusting vnto thee ô God shal doe valiantlie he alone wil tread vnder foote al our enimies PSALME LXI The Argument Dauid being an exile declareth by this Psalme that like as there is a continual battel betwixt the world and the saints Iames. 4.4 so that the hope of the saints is nourished by a continual remembrance of former benefits for the decree of God concerning the preseruation of his is not changeable yet here be some things which do rest vpon the singular promise of God not common vnto al men as those things which Dauid doth promise to himselfe for the atteining of the kingdome and for long life trusting verelie to the word of God as is written Psal 89 11. c. and 130 11. and most fullie 2. Sam. 7. Notwithstanding so farre doe these promises belong vnto euerie one of the saints that they are sure generallie that godlines hath the promises both of this life and of the life to come and so may cast their care of particular euents of their affaires onlie vpon God Furthermore that which the Prophet promiseth vnto himselfe of the eternitie of his kingdome seeing it is referred vnto the kingdome of the Messiah which is both the sonne and the Lord of Dauid which kingdome is not of this world as it is applied by the Angel Gabriel Luke 1. it bringeth great comfort and most certeine to the Church and to euerie member thereof in al miseries how sore and extreame soeuer because that the honour of the king can not stand but in the safetie of the subiects THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare my crie ô God and giue eare vnto my praiers seeing the greatnes and multitude of my dangers do so require 2 For though I be driuen farre awaie from thy sanctuarie and doe carrie a mind oppressed with cares notwithstanding I crie vnto thee requiring that thou wouldest now take me into that high tower whither I cannot come by anie meanes but by thine onelie power 3 For hitherto thou hast bene vnto me a most safe refuge and a most sure tower against the enimie 4 Therefore I doubt not but it shal come to passe that though I be now farre absent from thy tabernacle yet at the length I shal be placed againe therein and I shal rest there vnder the defence of thy wings 5 For thou ô God hast graunted my desire and hast appointed me the king of thy holie people 6 And also thou wilt bring to passe I knowe wel that prolonging the life vnto the king whom thou hast appointed his age shal bee as it were doubled 7 Yea this his throne shal be eternal before thee but I beseech thee giue vnto him two keepers vpon whome he may onlie trust euen thy mercie and thy truth 8 I then being restored againe wil praise thy name for euer and wil paie my vowes dailie vnto thee PSALME LXII The Argument Dauid being cast from his throne by the conspiracie of his sonne and being compelled to flie with an handful of men beyond Jordan as may be gathered by the 8. verse striuing with a most greeuous temptation namelie by so great and sudden a change of things tempted either to prooue vnlawful things or to fal to desperation doth conclude that he wil notwithstanding perseuere and continue constantlie in waiting for the helpe of God and he confirmeth those that did cleaue vnto him by his example and that with so great so liuelie a courage of heart wherevnto the verie words and sentences doe answere that whosoeuer hath this Psalme in memorie it seemeth that he can be ouercome with no kind of temptation THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOwsoeuer it is and what thing soeuer and after what sort soeuer it seemeth to threaten me my heart doth rest no-where else but onlie in the power of God and his wil declared vnto me and for a ful conclusion I wil wait for deliuerance from him alone 2 Furthermore whatsoeuer commeth vnto me on the contrarie God is my fortresse my saluation my tower and I knowe this that though I be tossed long and much more and more yet shal I neuer fal 3 But yee ô wicked men wil yee neuer cease to conspire altogether against mee with vncessant fiercenes and to driue me downe whome yee account like a wal readie to fal of it owne accord or an heape of stones sliding downe 4 For these men are afraid least I be raised vp againe and therefore they are wholie occupied in this that they may vtterlie cast me downe and there is no craft which they doe not inuent against me faining friendship in their words but deuising destruction against me as appeareth in verie deed 5 But go to my seelie soule looke vp vnto God and quietlie rest in him for I doe depend wholie vpon him alone 6 Finallie with what weapon soeuer I am inuaded seeing
godlie to giue thankes and to celebrate the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD from whose mercie so manie benefites do proceede vnto vs continue to blesse vs and chiefelie do cause his pleasant countenance to shine vpon vs. 2 That his waie which he hath declared vnto his people may be knowne as far as the borders of the earth are extended and that al nations may embrace the saluation promised by him 3 Let al people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 4 Let the people be glad and reioice For the time wil be when thou shalt gouerne the whole world with most iust and righteous iudgement 5 Let the people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 6 Command the earth also to bring foorth her fruites and continue ô God our God to heape thy benefites vpon vs. 7 Continue I saie ô God to blesse vs and let al the world againe acknowledge and worship thee PSALME LXVIII The Argument Dauid being about to carrie the Arke of the couenant which was the visible testimonie of the presence of God and of his mercie into the tower of Sion when he had ordeined a solemnitie whereof he himselfe was the ringleader than the which there was neuer anie in this nation more famous which is written plainlie 1. Chron. 15. he made certaine Psalmes vndoubtedlie by diuine inspiration wherewith he inflamed both himselfe and others doubtles to praise God maruelouslie And amongst other he did write this Psalme also than the which nothing could be written more diuinelie more ful of maiestie or more eloquentlie by anie man and he repeateth and calleth to memorie the former benefites of God and addeth maruellous artificial colours rather painting it forth than writing it But we must diligentlie marke this thing further that the Prophet stood not fixed onlie in that matter which was then in hand but by diuine inspiration did insinuate mysticallie as the times did then suffer the most excellent secrets of the kingdome of heauen and therfore by that Arke is mysticallie vnderstood that the sonne of God in whome the fulnesse of the Godhead remaineth hath put vpon him our flesh by Sion is meant the tabernacle not made with mans hand by bringing in of the Arke the ascension of Christ into heauen by leading awaie of the captiues that Sathan sinne death are ouercome lastlie by the temporal blessings continuallie powred vpon Jsraël the spiritual euerlasting giftes of Christ dailie bestowed vpon the Church by the holie ministerie worke of the Gospel is here figuratiuelie described as Paule witnesseth Ephes 4 8. and almost throughout the Epistle to the Hebrues THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let God onlie arise and in a moment al his enimies shal flee awaie wandring and scattered abroade 2 For al the vngodlie must none otherwise vanish awaie at his sight and countenance than the smoake which being driuen with the winde is dispersed and the waxe that is laied before the fire is melted 3 But on the contrarie the righteous being maruelouslie refreshed by his countenance shal reioice and shal leape for gladnes 4 Go to then celebrate the Lord with songs sing vnto his name prepare the waie to him that hath long wandered in the wildernesse and comming now vnto vs praise him I saie who is eternal both in name and in deede and reioice before him 5 For he that is the father of the fatherles and the defender of the widowes hath now chosen amongst vs holie and stable habitations vnto himselfe 6 This is he that hath made fruiteful those barren persons of whome we had our beginning who hath losed vs from bonds being oppressed with most cruel bondage who hath cast out the rebels into drie and desert countries and regions 7 For thou ô God when thou wentest before the people leddest them by the horrible wildernes 8 The earth it selfe did tremble and the heauens being afraid by feeling of thy maiestie were dissolued as it were in a sweate and dropped downe when thou ô God the God of Israël didest sit presentlie vpon the top of mount Sinai 9 Furthermore thou hast not failed to water the countrie in the which thou hast placed thy people with the raine of thy large liberalitie and to refresh it when it was barren 10 Euen that thou mightest feede therein thy flocks to whome thou hast giuen it and mightest strengthen thine which else should haue perished through hunger 11 And also thou hast giuen the cause to the great multitudes of our virgins to reioice and sing of thy victories which should otherwaies haue bin vnthankeful vnlesse they had praised thee with hymnes 12 Behold the mightie euen the kings compassed about with their armies haue fled awaie they haue fled I saie and the women that vsed not to come out of the house haue diuided the spoile 13 O ye damsels ye haue liued hitherto amongst the soote of the pots euen sitting at home but now ye may come foorth shining and glittering no otherwise than the doues as white as snowe do cast foorth a certaine golden glistering as they flee in the aire 14 For when the strength of the enimies was scattered by the power of GOD a most cleare brightnes did shine vnto the earth euen like the snowe that lieth vpon the top of Salmon which dazeleth the eies of them that looke vpon it with the brightnes thereof 15 O mount Basan thou verelie art verie fat and art seene to haue manie tops of thy hilles but what canst thou do God hath not chosen thee but the mount Sion vnto himselfe 16 Why then should ye be proud why should ye lift vp the tops of your hilles for God hath chosen vnto himselfe this hil far lower than you in the which he wil dwel the Lord hath consecrated vnto himselfe this seate for euer 17 Here verelie he is caried in his chariots the which two millians both on this side and that side doe drawe and being inuironed with these armies as he did sit vpon the top of Sina of old so now he entreth the possession of this his holie place 18 Now therefore ô God thou doest verelie exalt thy selfe carrieng awaie thine enimies captiue taking the spoiles that thou maist giue to thine euen thus taming thine enimies how rebellious so euer and going vp to the tower of Sion that thou maist settle thine euerlasting habitation there 19 Wherefore euerlasting praise be vnto thee ô Lord ô God I saie our sauiour which doest heape vpon vs thy continual benefites 20 For this is that God who hath declared himselfe vnto vs to be the God our sauiour after a thousand sorts and the Lord hath approued in verie deede that deliuerance from death is set in him alone 21 Therefore so oft as neede is that same God wil breake the verie head of his enimies and wil cast downe the wicked which arrogantlie hold vp their long shagged haire 22 For he hath promised to do the same thing againe
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
being for this cause replenished with ioie and comforted with thy iudgements ô Lord wil reioice 9 Go to then ô Lord sitting vpon thy most high throne rule thou the whole earth and exalt thy selfe aboue al that is aloft anie-where 10 And ye that loue the Lord continue to hate that which is euil and doubt nothing but that he which hath freelie embraced you with so great fauour wil defend you also most mightilie and wil deliuer you from the wicked 11 And though this light of the mercie of God doth not streightwaie shine vnto the godlie let them remember that like as the seedes which are sowen in the earth do not foorthwith spring vp naie though they lie longer hid in the bowels of the earth yet they come forth more plentifullie euen so the light of righteousnes is sowen for them that loue that light whereby it shal wholie come to passe that al they that leade an vpright life are replenished with incredible ioie 12 Reioice ye therefore in the Lord so great a King ô al ye iust and magnifie the holie remembrance of him continuallie PSALME XCVIII The Argument This Psalme is the same almost with the ninetie and sixe and it conteineth the prophesie of the spreading of the kingdome of the Messiah and repeateth it againe of the which prophesie Simeon Zacharie and Marie the mother of the Lord in those their most famous hymnes are most diuine interpreters vsing almost the selfe-same words But this Psalme doth teach three things of most great importance euen in three verses One verse 1. that Christ our mediatour in this worke of our redemption hath no coadiutor at al nor partener the which heauenlie doctrine doth confute that diuelish dotage of the merits of saints as they cal them with what painted colours soeuer it be intruded and it giueth to God alone his due glorie as wel in the redemption as in the creation of man The second verse 2. that al this redemption consisteth in the iustice of Christ himselfe which verelie can not be made ours but by imputation The third verse 3. that al this benefit doth flowe foorth from the onelie free promise and truth of God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song for he hath now shewed foorth al that his maruellous power by ouercomming al his enimies by his owne right hand onelie and by his owne arme alone 2 And now in the end he setteth foorth to be seene before al nations this benefit of so great a deliuerance which was so long looked for of our fathers and now at the length is performed which did lie hid before as in a corner euen his owne iustice wherewith they being indued shal not onlie escape the damnation which their vnrighteousnes deserueth but also shal obteine the crowne of iustice promised 3 And if anie demand what hath mooued him at the length to so great bountifulnes let him knowe that al this proceedeth from hence that hee is mindful of the promise that he hath made and by the same mercie that he was moued to promise it by the same he is moued to perfourme it in deede that he might shew himselfe most bountiful in verie deede vnto al men to the vttermost borders of the earth 4 Go to then al ye inhabitants of the earth blowe vp the trumpets vnto God sound out the instruments sing a triumphant song vnto him sing praises vnto him 5 Sing vnto the Lord both with the harps and with voices by order and course 6 Go before the King Iehouah with sounding trumpets and shalmes 7 Let the sea how wide soeuer sound againe and also the whole world with the song of al the inhabitants of the earth 8 Let the verie flouds sound round about with their noise and the verie mountaines with triumphant songs 9 Before the Lord that shal vndertake the gouernement of the world and shal gouerne the people most iustlie and vprightlie PSALME XCIX The Argument This Psalme was set foorth that the people what storme soeuer should arise turning vnto God should learne to set foorth the promise of the Messiah against al terrours of whome he so plainlie speaketh as though he had bene now present at the same time commanding al men euen to behold him in the visible sacraments set before them because they were no vaine signes of his most present fauour being euen the same in signification that ours are seeing there is but one and the same Christ whether he be to be shewed or alreadie exhibited although their signes were differing from ours Furthermore he adioineth the testimonies of three most godlie men Moses Aaron and Samuel whose office was to praie vnto God for the people both that whilest that priesthood appointed of God should remaine in authoritie the people should surelie iudge that the same God should be present with them who was with them of old as also they which desired to be heard might followe the same waie of faith and godlines that they did vnto the which doctrine of the publike and ecclesiastical praiers that is to be applied which Paule writeth 1. Timoth. 2 1. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw I beseech you why should we feare the force or threatenings of anie man seeing we haue the Lord himselfe to be our King let the people fret as much as they lust yea let the earth wauer the foundations being shaken it is enough that he is with vs that inhabiteth the Cherubims 2 Verelie the Lord hath declared abundantlie the greatnes of his power in Sion and al the people nil they wil they shal be subiect to his power 3 Let vs therefore neither feare nor yet doubt but rather trusting vpon the most assured protection of God magnifie that his mightie and terrible name to the enimies for it is holie and therefore al honour is due vnto it 4 For is not this our King as he is indued with most great power so also the louer of iustice wherefore we neede to seeke none other succour besides him neither neede we to doubt but that he wil punish most sharplie al them of whome we are vniustlie oppressed For it is not possible that he should suffer their wickednes vnaduenged who is the authour of equitie it selfe hath set downe the verie rule of iustice vnto the posteritie of Iacob 5 Go to then praise ye the Lord our God and falling downe before his footestoole worship him for he is holie 6 For this cause did he consecrate Moses and Aaron of old and set Samuel also amongst them who did exercise the office of the mediator for the people the which thing whilest they did carefullie praieng vnto God they were heard of the Lord. Why then should wee doubt seeing that same priesthoode is of force but that we folowing their example should now also be heard 7 And also he did speake to those our fathers of old out of the cloudie piller vnto whome because they should keepe his commandements he prescribed the rites of
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
haue spoken in the former Psalme how that it is not expedient that the vse of this musicke should be reteined in the holie assemblies which was a portion of the Leuitical worship of the lawe and wherof this fruit at the length did arise in the daies of our fathers that the preaching of the word was changed into songs not vnderstanded of the singers themselues and at the length that graue and plaine singing of Psalmes which as I thinke hath alwaies bin in the Church hath bin turned into a vicious curiositie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye the most holie God which sitteth in that high sanctuarie praise him I saie that testifieth his infinite power and strength from that his most stable palace 2 Let the cause of his praise be vnto you that his great power declared in so manie maruelous workes 3 Let the trumpet sound out his praise let the viols and the harps sound out his glorie 4 Let the timbrels thunder him out let the fluites whistle vnto him let the virginals striken with the fingers and the organs blowne with the bellowes praise him together 5 Let the high sounding cimbals sing out his triumph let the cimbals I saie sound vnto him 6 Finallie whatsoeuer hath breath let it set forth the praise of GOD. FINIS A BRIEFE TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF EVERIE PSALME WHEREBY Euerie man may meditate in them as his mind is most affected 1 Psalme Who are blessed who are miserable 2 A prophesie of the kingdome of Christ 3 A comfort in great troubles by the mercie of God 4 He reproueth his aduersaries and staieth himselfe vpon the louing kindnes of God not vpon worldlie commodities 5 God our God and our King wil punish the wicked for his owne glorie 6 A conflict of the conscience with sinne and comfort in the end 7 We must set the defence of God against reprochful slanders 8 A thankesgiuing to God for our creation and redemption in Christ 9 A thankesgiuing for benefites receiued and comfort against imminent miseries 10 Al the enterprises of the giants and tyrants against the Church shal come to naught for the Lord wil heare the poore 11 The Lord trieth the good men and destroieth the wicked 12 Cal vpon God when al things seeme desperate and past al hope 13 The more desperate that things appeare more earnestlie must we praie 14 The corruption of the natural man chieflie vttering it selfe against the Church 15 Who shal be the inhabitants of the heauens 16 An exercise of the faithful soule 17 A complaint of the pride and crueltie of the enimies 18 Gods maruelous power in deliuering his 19 A briefe sum of al godlie knowledge with a praier for the atteining thervnto 20 The people praie for their king 21 A thankesgiuing for a victorie wherof al the praise is giuen to God 22 Of Christs agonie greuous sorowe which he suffered ouercame for vs. 23 The Lord is my shepeheard I can not want 24 God is the Lord of al but chieflie of his Church in the which we must pray that God may reigne and set forth his glorie 25 A praier for faith forgiuenes of sin direction of the holie spirit and for Gods merciful protection 26 A meditation for them that liue amongst the wicked 27 28 To the same purpose 29 A necessarie meditation of the maiestie of God 30 A thankesgiuing for deliuerance from some great danger 31 A praier in great danger 32 The blessednes of man is in the forgiuenes of sinne 33 Praise God with a pure heart 34 A thankesgiuing and other necessarie doctrine 35 Against the flatterers of the wicked and false accusers of the godlie 36 The wickednes of men the prouidence of God and his mercie 37 To the same purpose most excellentlie 38 Sin is the cause of our miseries yet put awaie by faith although temporal punishments do folowe for our amendment 39 A meditation of the shortnes of mans life and his miseries 40 Manie godlie lessons 41 A comfort of the miserable against traitors 42 An earnest desire to be in the assemblie of the Church 43 A praier for the deliuerance from the enimies to praise God 44 An earnest praier for helpe in present miseries by the consideration of former mercies 45 The mariage song of Salomon 46 A thankesgiuing for some great deliuerance of the Church 47 An ernest exhortation to praise God 48 God is chieflie to be praised for the defence of his Church 49 Outward felicitie worldlie honor is nothing 50 The worship of God is spiritual and the outward ceremonial hypocrisie is detestable 51 A most earnest praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes 52 53 The crooked nature crueltie and punishment of the wicked with comfort to the godlie in the end of them both 54 The saints being in great dangers powre forth their praier and doubt nothing of their deliuerance 55 56 57 Against traiterous enimies with hope of deliuerance 58 Against wicked iudges he appealeth to Gods iudgement 59 Against his cruel aduersaries with comfort in the end 60 Though the Church be afflicted yet shal it be comforted againe 61 A zealous praier with great faith and confidence 62 By the example of Dauid we may confirme our faith in troubles 63 To the same purpose we must onelie looke vnto God in troubles 64 Against the wicked with the godlie 65 66 A praise thanksgiuing vnto God for the preseruation of the Church 67 A praier for spiritual and temporal blessings 68 The great mercie of God toward his people 69 The complaint and anguish of Dauid as a figure of Christ 70 For the deliuerance of the Church or anie particular member 71 For comfort constancie in the old age when feigned friends doe faile 72 A praier conteining the sum of godlie gouernement 73 God is alwaies fauorable to the godlie euen in their miserie but the vngodlie shal perish 74 A feruent praier against the spoilers of the Church 75 God is the author of al iust policie the dutie of magistrates 76 God is knowne by preseruing his Church and destruction of the enimie 77 Comfortable considerations in the trouble of conscience 78 The maruelous works of God both in trieng and preseruing his Church and punishing of his enimies 79 Against the oppressers of the Church who fight against God 80 A lamentation for the oppression of the Church 81 An exhortation to praise God for his benefits and a reproch of their ingratitude 82 A necessarie admonition to al that are in authoritie 83 A praier against the enimies of the Church 84 The great zeale of Dauid to be in the holie assemblies 85 In the midst of miserie we must hope for mercie 86 A feruent praier for deliuerance forth of miserie that the name of God may be glorified 87 That the Church after the captiuitie should be restored to such glorie that euerie man should count himselfe happie that is accepted as a member thereof 88 A most doleful lamentation 89 Another
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