be devoured by ravenous Beasts and Birds 3. Their bloud have they shed like water round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them 3. For they valued the shedding of their bloud no more then the pouring out of water which flowed in such abundance about Jerusalem that they left not men enow alive to take care of the Interment of the dead 4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours a scorn and derision to them that are round about us 4. And we that remain lead a most despicable life being not onely scorned and abused but openly derided and made the sport of the Edomites and other Nations which formerly stood in awe of us 5. How long LORD wilt thou be angry for ever shall thy jealousie burn like fire 5. And which is saddest of all we have long complained of this and find no relief but onely in our most passionate cries to Thee O Lord the effects of whose just anger and jealousie we groan under because we have forsaken Thee and been unfaithfull to our Covenant with Thee but hope it will not always last nor proceed to make an utter end of us 6. Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name 6. Pour it out rather in as full a measure and with as little pity as they did our bloud Ver. 3. upon the Babylonians who though they have conquered many Kingdoms do not acknowledge Thee at all nor ascribe their successes to thy Power but to their Idols whom they serve and honour with that worship which is due to Thee alone 7. For they have devoured Jacob and laid wast his dwelling-place 7. They have been the Instruments indeed of thy vengeance but have executed it with such cruelty that not content with the conquest of us they have sought our total extirpation having depopulated our Country and made that pleasant Land a Wilderness which Thou gavest to Jacob and his Seed for their habitation 8. O Remember not against us former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us for we are brought very low 8. O let not his vertue and the Covenant Thou madest with him be forgotten when Thou reckonest with us for the sins of our Fore-fathers the punishment of which we beseech Thee that we may bear no longer speed our deliverance Good Lord and how unworthy soever we be let thy tender compassion prevail with Thee to save us from utter ruin which is very near so few so broken and spent we are unless seasonably prevented by thy mercy 9. Help us O God of our salvation for the glory of thy name and deliver us and purge away our sins for thy names sake 9. Send us that seasonable help O God from whom alone we expect it and have heretofore very often received it for it will tend much to the honour of thy almighty Goodness which in former times was much celebrated but of late hath been exceedingly disparaged to save us now when none is able to preserve us upon that account be pleased to pass by our sins and to interpose for our deliverance lest Thou suffer together with us 10. Wherefore should the heathen say Where is their God let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the bloud of thy servants which is shed 10. While the Idolatrous Nations utter this insolent language which is exceeding grievous nay insupportable to us If their God be so great in Himself and so kind to them as they pretend why doth He not take their part and appear for their deliverance O that Thou wouldst put them to silence by taking such an open and remarkable vengeance on these blasphemous Nations for the bloud they have shed that not onely we but all the world may see Thou hast a care of us thy Servants 11. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die 11. Let the sighs and groans of those who lie in prison be as prevalent with Thee as thee prayers and magnifie thy power by preserving the lives of those whom they have condemned to die 12. And render unto our neighbours seven fold into their bosom their reproach wherewith they have reproached thee O LORD 12. And when Thou hast done with the Babylonians reckon with our neighbours also who have insulted over us and derided us or rather have spoken so reproachfully of Thee O God that they justly deserve not onely to be paid home in their kind but to be made seven times more contemptible then we have been 13. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever we will shew forth thy praise to all generations 13. So we thy people being conducted again to our Land and happily restored to live under thy Government there will never cease to give thanks unto Thee for thy benefits bestowed upon us And be carefull to transmit the memory of them to those who shall come after us that all future Generations may perpetuate thy praises PSALM LXXX To the chief-Musician upon Shoshannim Eduth A Psalm of Asaph ARGUMENT This Psalm is something of kin to the former deprecating the displeasure of the Almighty in a time of great calamity Which as all that I have met withall think was either in the captivity of Judah and Benjamin by Nebuchadnezzar or of the Ten Tribes by Salmanassar But it seems to me rather to have been penned between these two in the time of Hezekiah who had wrote a Letter you find 2 Chron. XXXI 6. to the remnant that were escaped out of the hand of the King of Assyria especially to Ephraim and Manasseh the Tribes nearest to them that they would come to the House of the Lord at Jerusalem and keep the Passover with them which summons several of them obeyed Ver. 11. 18. and kept the Feast as long again as they were wont Ver. 23. And when this was finished they all went through the Country and threw down all the High places and Altars that they found not onely in Judah but in Benjamin also Ephraim and Manasseh 2 Chron. XXXI 1. But after this happy settlement you reade there XXXII 1. that the Land was invaded by Senacherib and sorely distressed to the great discouragement no doubt of those who had joined in the Reformation which moved Asaph mentioned 2 Chron. XXIX 30. see the Argument of LXXIII Psal most earnestly to beseech God Ver. 2. of this Psalm that he would be pleased to stir up Himself before Ephraim and Manasseh as well as Benjamin who was so linkt to Judah that part of Jerusalem and of the Temple stood in that Tribe and let them see by a remarkable deliverance that their zeal for the purity of their Religion was acceptable to Him Another reason indeed there may be given which I have not omitted in my Paraphrase why these three are joined
means dost restore my strength and makest my youth and freshness return like the Eagles O that I may with fresh delight and joy be still praising Thee and be lifted up to heaven as they are when they have renewed their plumes in more vigorous love and affectionate desires and indeavours to imploy all my renewed strength in thy faithfull service 6. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed 6. Nor am I alone obliged to my gracious Lord for his singular favour to me but blessed be his name He relieves all those who suffer wrong and doth justice upon their oppressours who are too mighty for them 7. He made known his ways unto Moses his acts unto the children of Israel 7. Moses and the rest of our Forefathers are witnesses of this whom the Lord delivered in a stupendious manner out of the house of bondage 8. The LORD is mercifull and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy 8. And by other methods of his Providence towards them and dealings with them declared how bountifull his blessed nature is and how ready to forgive forbearing long when men deserve to be punished and soon releasing them from their pain when they heartily repent of their folly 9. He will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever 9. He doth not love blessed be his Name to be always chastising us for our faults And when He doth chastise us He neither loves to prolong our miseries nor to inflict them proportionable to our deserts 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities 10. No Blessed be his holy Name there is mercy even in our punishments our sufferings are never so great as our sins but we might justly suffer a great deal more then we do for our faults 11. For as the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him 11. And were we never so obedient there is not a greater disproportion between the vast circumference of the heavens and this little spot of earth then there is between his mercies towards us and our small services 12. As far as the east is from the west so far hath he removed our transgressions from us 12. To those mercies alone it is to be ascribed that we are not bemoaning our selves under innumerable miseries but He hath quite taken away his wrath from us and adored be his goodness perfectly remitted the punishment due to our manifold offences 13. Like as a father pitieth his children so the LORD pitieth them that fear him 13. O what bowels of mercy are these No father can be more indulgent and tender-hearted to his returning children then the Lord blessed be his Name is to those who so reform by his chastisements as to fear hereafter to offend Him 14. For he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are dust 14. He easily relents and takes compassion on them considering how frail he hath made them and how soon of themselves they will moulder into the dust out of which He took them 15. As for man his days are as grass as a flower of the field so he flourisheth 15. For what is man that the Almighty should contend with him He looks fresh and fair but alas is as feeble as the grass and as a flower in the field whose beauty is far greater then its strength 16. For the wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more 16. Many accidents snatch him away even in his prime Just as the biting wind to which the field flowers are exposed blasts them on a sudden and they spring up no more in the place that was adorned with them 17. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto childrens children 17. O how much doth this magnifie the wonderfull mercy of our God! who designs to be everlastingly kind blessed be his Goodness to such short-liv'd creatures as we are rewarding the faithfull services of a few years with eternal life to our selves and with many blessings to our posterity in future generations 18. To such as keep his covenant and to those that remember his commandments to doe them 18. There is no doubt of this which hath been verified in those who have sincerely kept their faith with Him and not onely promised but constantly performed the obedience they owed Him 19. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all 19. For none can hinder Thee O most mighty Lord from being as kind as Thou pleasest who art the universal Monarch the blessed and onely Potentate to whom not onely the greatest men on earth but the highest powers in heaven are subject 20. Bless the LORD ye his angels that excell in strength that doe his commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 20. Let the Angels therefore who know his greatness power and gracious Providence better then I bless his holy Name Let those mighty ones whose strength surpasses all the powers on earth and yet never dispute his sacred commands give praise unto Him with all their might and with the same chearfulness wherewith they obey his word 21. Bless ye the LORD all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that doe his pleasure 21. Let the whole company of heaven all the several hosts of those glorious creatures who have been imployed by His Majesty so many ways for our good and understand how much we are beholden to his love speak good of his Name and bless his Mercy both to themselves and unto us 22. Bless the LORD all his works in all places of his dominion bless the LORD O my soul 22. Yea let every creature throughout the wide world proclaim as well as it is able the loving kindness of the Lord let none of them be silent but all with one consent bless his holy Name And thou O my soul be sure thou never forget to make one O fail not to bear thy part in this joyfull quire that daily sing his praise PSALM CIV ARGUMENT The foregoing and the following Psalm being certainly composed by David the Greeks and from them several other ancient interpreters have ascribed this also to the same Authour For which they had this further reason that it begins as Aben Ezra observes just as the foregoing Psalm ends and celebrates the mighty power and goodness of God in the fabrick of the world as the CIII doth his benefits to himself and to the rest of the children of men As for the occasion of it we may look upon it as a probable opinion that when David thought of building a House for the Divine Service and God sent Nathan to forbid him 2 Sam. VII 5. he fell not long after into the contemplation of the Majesty of God who having built this great world as his Temple needed none of his erecting though He
give my self unto prayer 4. Who have been so far from doing them any harm that I have deserved well of them 1 Sam. XIX 4 5. and even now when they requite my kindness with indeavours to destroy me do nothing but recommend my self by prayer to thy protection refusing to make use of the opportunity I had to revenge my self upon them 1 Sam. XXIV 9 10 c. 5. And they have rewarded me evil for good and hatred for my love 5. And yet this will not mollifie them but still they are so extreamly ungratefull as to repay my kindness with new attempts to doe me mischief 1 Sam. XXVI 2. And the more affection I express with the greater hatred am I prosecuted 6. Set thou a wicked man over him and let Satan stand at his right hand 6. So implacable is his malice who is the principal Authour of the calumnies wherewith I am loaded 1 Sam. XXII 9 11. against whom therefore I implore thy justice O most righteous Judge of the world Let the worst man that can be found be appointed to hear his cause when he is accused and his most malicious Adversary plead against him 7. When he shall be judged let him be condemned and let his prayer become sin 7. When sentence is given let him be condemned to be as guilty as really he is and if he petition for a pardon let it not onely be rejected but prove an aggravation of his crimes 8. Let his days be few and let another take his office 8. Let him and the false Traitour who in future times will use the Messiah as now they do me be cut off before his time and his Office 1 Sam. XXI 7. XXII 9. wherein he behaves himself with such insufferable insolence and falshood be transferred to a better man 9. Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow 9. Let not his Fatherless Children succeed him in any thing that he hath nor his Widow have any thing left to maintain her 10. Let his children be continually vagabonds and beg let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places 10. Let them not have so much as an house wherein to put their heads but be perpetual Vagabonds supporting a miserable life by begging an Alms and seeking where to lodge because their own dwellings are laid waste and desolate 11. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath and let the stranger spoil his labour 11. Let his Creditour pretending a judgment seize on all his estate and a stranger by that means reap the fruit of all his care and labour 12. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children 12. Let no man shew the least kindness to his memory or upon that account bestow an Alms upon his Fatherless Children 13. Let his posterity be cut off and in the generation following let their name be blotted out 13. Let them rather be odious for his sake and the sooner destroyed so that they be the last of the name and in the next generation not one of that family be found 14. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembred with the LORD and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out 14. But according to the just sentence of thy Law XX. Exod. 5. let the punishments which were due long ago but thy patience moved Thee to forbear fall all upon him let him suffer for the sins of his progenitours on both side in whose wicked steps he would not cease to tread 15. Let them be before the LORD continually that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth 15. Let it be seen that their wickedness is not forgotten though committed many years ago but prosecute it with a continued vengeance till no body remember that there were such people in the world 16. Because that he remembred not to shew mercy but persecuted the poor and needy man that he might even slay the broken in heart 16. This will be but a deserved recompense of all his cruelties For as he let all benefits slip out of his mind and was ungratefull to those who had obliged him so he had no sense of that common compassion which is due to the calamitous but when he saw me in a necessitous condition destitute of Friends and dejected in spirit made no other use of it but to persecute me to the death 17. As he loved cursing so let it come unto him as he delighted not in blessing so let it be far from him 17. What can be more just then that the mischief in which he delighted and both wished and designed to others should fall upon himself and that he should never meet with the blessing of those righteous courses which he always hated and avoided 18. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment so let it come into his bowels like water and like oyl into his bones 18. His very business was to slander others every where taking a pride in the mischievous effects of his cursed lies and therefore let him feel the miserable fruit of this wickedness spreading himself like the water he drinks into every vein of him and sticking as close to him as oyl unto the bones 19. Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually 19. Let him be involved in perpetual misfortunes and miseries and never be able to shake them off Let him be hampered in straits and difficulties without any possibility of getting out 20. Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD and of them that speak evil against my soul 20. This shall most certainly be the reward which the righteous Lord will give to my malicious adversaries for all the pains they have taken by slanderous reports and calumnies to take away my life 21. But do thou for me O GOD the Lord for thy names sake because thy mercy is good deliver thou me 21. Which I commend to thy protection O Lord the Governour of all things beseeching Thee to take my part and appear for me though not for my honour yet for thy own whose kindness is so exceeding bountifull unto all that for that reason I am incouraged to hope Thou wilt deliver me to whom Thou hast engaged thy self by many promises of mercy 22. For I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me 22. Which I never needed more then now for I am so poor and forsaken of all my friends 1 Sam. XXV 8 c. that I am ready to faint away with grief and sorrow like one that is wounded at the very heart 23. I am gone like the shadow when it declineth I am tossed up and down as the locust 23. The evening shadow doth not vanish sooner then I from the place of my present abode 1 Sam. XXII 1 3 5. XXIII 13 14. which I am forced to quit on a sudden and to wander like the
our Defender 2 King XIX 19. 10. For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickedness 10. For one day spent in thy Courts is far more pleasant than a thousand in any other place and I had rather lie at the Gates of thy House then live in the most splendid condition in Idolatrous Countries 11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield the LORD will give grace and glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly 11. For though our happiness be sometimes clouded yet the Lord like the Sun will dispell the darkness of affliction and having brought us out of a disconsolate condition defend and secure us in a better 2 King XX. 6. The Lord will give those favour with others and advance them to great honour 2 Chron. XXXII 22 23. He will never be sparing of his blessings but heap them abundantly on those who sincerely doe his will in all things 2 King XVIII 5 6. XX. 3. 12. O LORD of hosts blessed is the man that trusteth in thee 12. O most mighty Lord who commandest all the host of heaven happy is that man who by his integrity preserves this hope and confidence in Thee though for the present he be restrained from the delightfull injoyment of Thee in thy Temple PSALM LXXXV To the chief Musician A Psalm for the Sons of Korah ARGUMENT It is thought by many that this Psalm was composed by some of the Sons of Korah after David's banishment from Jerusalem by his Son Absalom called a Captivity as we reaâ—… Psal XIV ult and his happy restauration to his Kingdom though not to such a settlement as they desired But it may be as well or better applied to the miraculous providence which drove Senacherib out of the Land who had taken many Captives V. Isa 13. and restored them to the happy liberty whose loss they bewailed in the Psalm foregoing Which way soever we understand it the composure is such that it might be much better used by them after their return from the Captivity of Babylon then at any other time when they were infested with many enemies who disturbed their peaceable injoyment of their Country and Religion And therefore it is possible it might be reviewed if not made in those days and delivered to the chief Master of Musick in the Temple to be sung presently after the Foundation of it was laid III. Ezr. 10 11 c. but the Work hindred from proceeding by the opposition of their enemies And so I shall interpret it 1. LORD thou hast been favourable unto thy land thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. 1. THou hast been exceeding kind unto us O Lord and we most thankfully acknowledge the favour Thou hast done us in delivering us the posterity of Jacob out of our sad Captivity and restoring us to the Land in which Thou thy self hast chosen to dwell I. Ezra 2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people thou hast covered all their sin Selah 2. Our sins kept us from it in banishment a long time but now Thou hast graciously pardoned both our Idolatry and all the other crimes for which we justly suffered 3. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath thou hast turned thy self from the fierceness of thine anger 3. Thou hast put an end to the sore punishments which in thy heavy displeasure Thou inflictedst on us and turned thy severity which like sire had almost consumed us into great clemency and mercy toward us 4. Turn us O God of our salvation and cause thine anger towards us to cease 4. Compleat good Lord our deliverance which Thou hast thus graciously begun and let not our ingratitude provoke Thee to continue this new vexation and trouble that is befaln us IV. Ezra 4 5 21 23. 5. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations 5. Which forces us to sigh and say in the anguish of our Souls will there never be an end of our miseries Is it not enough that the foregoing generation hath felt the sad effects of thine anger but it must extend it self to us also and our posterity 6. Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in thee 6. Will it not be more for thy honour not onely to preserve this feeble life which Thou hast bestowed on us but to give us a perfect recovery that thy people may have nothing to damp their joy and intire satisfaction in thy goodness to them 7. Shew us thy mercy O LORD and grant us thy salvation 7. Make us so happy good Lord and though we deserve indeed to be more miserable then we are yet let thy mercy prevail with Thee to grant us a compleat deliverance 8. I will hear what God the LORD will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints but let them not turn again to folly 8. I will wait patiently upon the Lord the Judge of the world for a gracious Answer to these Prayers hoping that He will not condemn us to further punishment but settle his people who devoutly worship Him in a prosperous tranquillity provided they return not again to their old Idolatry 9. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him that glory may dwell in our land 9. He will be so far from deserting those who fear to offend Him that I am confident the time approaches when He will finish what He hath begun to doe for us in rebuilding our Temple V. Ezra 2 8. VI. 7 8 c. and restoring our Country to its ancient dignity and splendour 10. Mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other 10. For methinks I see goodness and fidelity justice and concord which are the principal glory of a Kingdom meeting together like ancient Friends which have been long absent and embracing each other 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from heaven 11. And as Truth and Honesty with all other Vertues shall grow and flourish among us like Flowers and Herbs in the Spring after a tedious Winter so God shall faithfully fulfill his promises to us and exercise a most gracious providence over us 12. Yea the LORD shall give that which is good and our land shall yield her increase 12. Yea the Lord will doe us good beyond our expectation and reward our fruitfulness in good works with such a large and plentifull increase of the fruits of the earth as shall demonstrate the bounty of heaven to us 13. Righteousness shall go before him and shall set us in the way of his steps 13. He will govern us with great justice and mercy having his faithfull promises always before his eyes from that rule He will never swerve but stedfastly proceed by it as the constant method He will hold in his Divine Administrations PSALM
his lawfull successour in the Kingdom 2 King XXIV 20. XXV 6 7. IV. Lam. 20. 39. Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant thou hast prophaned his crown by casting it to the ground 39. Thou seemest not to regard the Covenant made with that thy faithfull Servant which Thou promisedst not to break Ver. 34. and instead of raising his Family higher then all other Kings Ver. 27. hast suffered it to lose all its Authority which together with the royal Diadem is vilely trodden under foot 40. Thou hast broken down all his hedges thou hast brought his strong holds to ruine 40. Thou hast broken down all the walls of Jerusalem 2 King XXV 10. and made all his fortified places a mere desolation 41. All that pass by the way spoil him he is a reproach to his neighbours 41. So that he hath no defence against those who have a mind to make a prey of him 2 King XXIV 2. and is now scorned and derided by those who formerly dreaded him 42. Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice 42. Thou hast made his adversaries whom Thou promisedst to depress Ver. 23. far stronger then himself they have executed all that they designed and now triumph in his ruin 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword and hast not made him to stand in the battel 43. His forces have done him no service but being shamefully routed durst never rally again to make any opposition to their enemies 44. Thou hast made his glory to cease and cast his throne down to the ground 44. Thou hast put out that splendour which we thought should have been perpetual Ver. 37 38. and hast utterly overturned his Kingdom 45. The days of his youth hast thou shortned thou hast covered him with shame Selah 45. Thou hast made a speedy end of the reign of Jehojachin who in his youth is made a slave 2 King XXIV 8 c. and suffered Zedekiah to be most disgracefully condemned as a rebel to lose his eyes and remain a prisoner all the days of his life 2 King XXV 6 7. 46. How long LORD wilt thou hide thy self for ever shall thy wrath burn like fire 46. O what a sad condition is this in which Thou seemest wholly to neglect us But O Lord wilt Thou never appear for us again and put a period to our miseries wilt Thou let thy anger burn till we be utterly consumed 47. Remember how short my time is wherefore hast thou made all men in vain 47. Our natural weakness pleads for some mercy and imboldens us to beseech Thee that since we must not onely die unavoidably but a short time will bring us to our graves Thou wilt be pleased to let us spend that little time in more ease and not live as if we were made for nothing else but onely to be miserable and to die 48. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave Selah 48. For where is the man whose constitution is so firm that he shall not yield to death For what ability have we though our enemies should not thus destroy us to defend our selves from the power of the grave 49. LORD where are thy former loving-kindnesses which thou swarest unto David in thy truth 49. Lord what a difference is there between our times and those when Thou wast so exceeding good to David And swarest most faithfully to continue to him for ever thy loving-kindness which we beseech Thee now restore unto us 50. Remember LORD the reproach of thy servants how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people 50. Shew O Lord that Thou dost not forget the scoffs and jeers whereby our enemies augment the sufferings of thy servants there is nothing I lay to heart so much as all the reproaches of many and mighty Nations 51. Wherewith thine enemies have reproached O LORD wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed 51. Who are thy enemies as well as ours and have blasphemed Thee O Lord and mockt at Thee as if our slavery were the effect of thy inability to protect us and as if there were an end of the Family and Kingdom of David thine anointed which Thou saidest should last for ever 52. Blessed be the LORD for evermore Amen and amen 52. But let them laugh on neither their scoffs nor our calamity shall hinder us from praising the Lord and speaking good of Him continually in assured hope that He will at last deliver us Let it be so we beseech Thee Let it be so as we desire and hope that we may ever praise Thee for our happy restauration The End of the THIRD Book of Psalms The Fourth BOOK OF PSALMS PSALM XC A Prayer of Moses the man of God ARGUMENT Here begins the FOVRTH Book of Psalms in this differing from the rest that as those of the first Book are most of them ascribed to David and those of the second in great part to the Sons of Korah and those of the third to Asaph so there are few of these whose Authour is certainly known and therefore I suppose were all put together in one and the same Collection The first of them indeed being made by Moses the Hebrews have entertained a conceit which Saint Hierom and Saint Hilary also follow that he was the Authour also of the Ten next immediately insuing But as there is no reason for that it will appear in due place so I can see no cause why we should fancy David or some of the Children of Moses in his time or a singer of that name as Aben Ezra conjectures to have composed this present Psalm when not onely the Title expresly gives it to that Moses who was the Man of God as their Law giver is called XXXIII Deut. 1. or that famous Prophet by whom God spake to them but the Chaldee Paraphrase and the very matter of the Psalm sufficiently shew that it was a Meditation of his when the people offended so highly against God in the Wilderness especially by murmuring at the Relation the Spies brought them of the good Land XIV Numb that He shortned their lives to seventy or eighty years at the most and suffered them not to arrive at the age of their Ancestours or of Moses Caleb and Joshua whose lives he prolonged to an hundred and twenty years Which grievous punishment Moses prays God they may lay to heart seriously and so recover his favour Ver. 12 c. who is the eternal God as he tells them in the beginning of the Psalm and had been in a particular manner kind to their Progenitours in former Generations This is the substance of the Psalm which the Collectour of this Book thought fit to place in the very beginning of it because of the great antiquity of this Psalm and the dignity of its Authour 1. LORD thou hast been our dwelling-place
in all generations 1. O Lord who sustainest and governest the whole world Thou hast been the constant Protectour of our Nation for many Ages having afforded all things necessary for the defence and security of our Forefathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob when they had no certain dwelling-place but were strangers in the Land whither we are going and supported us in the Land of Egypt where in a time of dearth Thou madest an ample provision for us as Thou hast also done hitherto in this barren desert 2. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God 2. Where though we have no Towns nor Houses we ought to think our selves safe and to trust in Thee who art the same mighty God Thou ever wast not onely before we and our Forefathers were made but before the mountains arose out of the waters and Thou commandedst the rest of the earth and this beautifull world to appear and ever wilt be whatever changes there be here without any alteration 3. Thou turnest man to destruction and sayest Return ye children of men 3. We have highly offended Thee indeed and so did our first Parents who became thereby most wretched and miserable Creatures and were doomed by Thee to return to the dust out of which they were formed as all their posterity must do whensoever Thou summonest them to obey that sentence Thou hast passed upon them 4. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night 4. And should we have a reprieve for a longer time then our first Father Adam and some of his successours had who lived near to a thousand years we should be wretched still especially when we compared our selves with Thee in whose account the longest life is as inconsiderable as one day and that when it is spent and gone nay as three or four hours which pass away in sleep 5. Thou carriest them away as with a floud they are as a sleep in the morning they are like grass which groweth up 5. But alas in these ages Thou carriest men away suddenly as a violent torrent doth those things it meets withall in its passage they vanish like a dream when we awake and are as grass which in the morning is grown higher and stronger then it was 6. In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up in the evening it is cut down and withereth 6. But how flourishing and fresh soever it then appear is cut down before night and loses all its beauty such is the frailty of man who now is in vigorous health and anon languishes and falls to the earth 7. For we are consumed by thine anger and by thy wrath are we troubled 7. This I am sure is our condition who have so provoked Thee to anger by our sins that we perish in an instant XVI Numb 35 46. and are perpetually disturbed with dreadfull apprehensions of thy heaviest displeasure XVII Numb 12 13. 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee our secret sins in the light of thy countenance 8. After many threatnings Thou hast proceeded as a righteous Judge to call us to a severe account for all our foul crimes though never so secretly committed and makest it appear by our punishments to all the world XIV Numb 20 c. that we are a perverse generation though we pretend to thy service 9. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath we spend our years as a tale that is told 9. For we constantly feel some effects or other of thine anger whereby our lives decline exceeding fast and many times before we can say what 's this is at an end 10. The days of our year are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years yet is their strength labour and sorrow for it is soon cut off and we flie away 10. We fall short of the days of our Forefathers being now all doomed to perish in the Wilderness and not to exceed commonly the age of LXX or if men be of a vigorous constitution at most of LXXX years the best part of which also is spent in toilsome travels XX. Num. 14. XXI 4. XXXI 11. II. Deut. 1 3 c. and much sorrow and vexation to see the strongest among us cut down like grass in a moment or at least making great haste unto their graves 11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger even according to thy fear so is thy wrath 11. And yet alas who is there that seriously considers and lays to heart the dreadfull effects of thy displeasure which irresistibly falls upon us XXV Num. 1 2 3 c. or with such a pious fear as it ought to excite takes any care to prevent more terrible punishments then those we have felt already 12. So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisedom 12. Lord do Thou touch us with a sense of thy judgments that we may not presume thus foolishly to offend Thee as our Fathers have done but making a just account of the shortness and uncertainty of our lives may wisely apply our selves to make the best use we can of them in repenting of our sins 13. Return O LORD how long and let it repent thee concerning thy servants 13. And then be pleased to turn thy severity into kindness towards us Let it suffice good Lord that we have indured so many and long punishments and now at last revoke or mitigate the sentence Thou hast past upon us who though very disobedient are thy servants 14. O satisfie us early with thy mercy that we may rejoice and be glad all our days 14. O let us see some appearance of thy love to us which may satisfie and chear our languishing souls like the morning light after a tedious night and instead of sighs and groans fill us with shouts of joy all the remainder of our days 15. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us and the years wherein we have seen evil 15. Compensate our past troubles with future comforts and make our happiness to equal if not exceed the misery we have suffered 16. Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children 16. Declare to all the world that Thou hast not quite forsaken us thy servants but wilt still work wonders for us and doe more glorious and magnificent things for our Children though we have sinned against Thee XX. Numb 17 18 c. XXXI 2. II. Deut. 25. III. 24. 17. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it 17. Let them inherit by the special favour of the Lord our God that lovely and pleasant Land XLIX Gen. 15. VIII Deut. 7 8 c. which He hath promised to give us and for that end direct
souls of his saints he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked 10. But do not content your selves merely with this passion of joy if you truly love the Lord hate every thing which you know is displeasing to Him so shall you have the Lord of all things for your continual keeper who preserves the lives of sincerely pious men and watches over them with such a carefull providence that when they are in the power of the wicked He will not suffer them to destroy them 11. Light is soweâ—… for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart 11. Be not discouraged though the world should frown upon you but rest assured that God designs you in due time more chearfull and happy days which if you continue faithfull and serve Him with upright hearts shall as certainly come as the corn at last springs up after it hath lain all winter in the ground 12. Rejoice in the LORD ye righteous and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness 12. Let all truly good men rely on this and rejoice in their worst estate that they serve such a gracious Lord Let them give thanks unto Him for his benefits and gratefully commemorate how kind and gracious He hath been unto them that it may be kept in perpetual remembrance PSALM XCVIII A Psalm ARGUMENT There is no Title here but onely this A Psalm to which the Greeks add of David who it is very probable was the Authour or if he was not it was made by some holy man in imitation of what David saith in the XCVI of many of whose expressions this Psalm consists upon occasion of some remarkable deliverance which God had newly granted to Israel as an earnest of future blessings especially of the coming of that great blessing the Lord Christ to give compleat Salvation to his people 1. O Sing unto the LORD a new song for he hath done marvellous things his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten him the victory 1. O Let the new and extraordinary benefits which the Lord hath bestowed upon us provoke you to sing praises unto Him with fresh devotion for He hath done stupendious things and by his Almighty goodness alone and incomparable strength hath wrought salvation for those who were as unworthy to be helped by Him as they were unable to help themselves 2. The LORD hath made known his salvation his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen 2. The Lord hath declared by the wonders He hath done how mighty He is to save and deliver He made the Gentile world apparently see that He is the just rewarder of all those who piously obey Him and will not let the wicked escape unpunished 3. He hath remembred his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God 3. He hath not forgot his ancient Covenant with our Forefathers but so faithfully performed what his mere mercy moved Him to promise 1. Luke 54 72. that all mankind have seen what our gracious God hath done and partake of his Divine benefits 4. Make a joyfull noise unto the LORD all the earth make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise 4. Let them all therefore shout for joy let them cry aloud and with strong and chearfull voices sing hymns of thanks and praise unto the Lord. 5. Sing unto the LORD with the harp with the harp and the voice of a psalm 5. Let nothing be wanting to express your joyfull sense of the goodness of the Lord but let the Harp accompany your songs let the sweet sound of the Harp I say and the sound of your voices be mixt together with your Psalms 6. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyfull noise before the LORD the King 6. And let the Trumpet also and Cornet proclaim with a louder sound the exceeding greatness of your joy while you shout with triumphant acclamations to Him and acknowledge the Lord to be your King 7. Let the sea roar and the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein 7. Let the noise of his praises be heard like thunder throughout all the habitable world both among those that live on the Sea and those that are upon the Land 8. Let the flouds clap their hands let the hills be joyfull together 8. Let high as well as low applaud their happiness and joyn together with one consent to express by all the tokens of joy the singular pleasure and satisfaction they feel in their hearts 9. Before the LORD for he cometh to judge the earth with righteousness shall he judge the world and the people with equity 9. Let them meet the Lord with forward affections who is coming to reform the earth and will govern mankind by righteous and mercifull Laws distributing to every man according to his works PSALM XCIX ARGUMENT The Greeks intitle David to this Psalm which seems to have been made upon the same occasion and to the same end with the three foregoing onely with these two differences First that from the consideration of the royal power of the Lord who had manifested himself by some notable conquests over his enemies to be the onely Monarch whose Sovereignty extends over all the world they should mix fear and trembling together with that joy and exultation to which in the former Psalm he had excited them And secondly that he doth not so plainly as in those Psalms prophesie of the Kingdom of the Lord Christ But there are many passages as Theodoret observes which may be applied to the appearing of our Saviour and the infidelity of the Jews Saint Austin and Saint Ambrose apply to him that passage upon which the Roman Church builds the lawfulness of worshipping Images Ver. 5. where the vulgar Latin reading adorate scabellum pedum ejus worship his footstool those two Fathers think there is no way to reconcile this with that command Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him onely shalt thou serve but by expounding this of the flesh of Christ which is the footstool they say which the Psalmist exhorts all men to worship so far were those holy men from allowing adoration to any thing that is not God or hath not a personal union with Him And indeed Christ was represented by the Ark which was the Divine footstool here spoken of but not to be adored no more then the Hill on which it stood concerning which the Psalmist speaks in the last Verse just as he doth of the Ark in this and therefore we ought to understand both passages alike the particle in the Hebrew being the very same before footstool and before Hill and translate them thus worship at or before or towards his footstool and holy Hill as elsewhere he speaks of worshipping towards his Temple V. 8. CXXXVIII 2. And so Menochius very honestly here expounds this passage in these words worship in his Temple turning your faces towards the Ark on which
ye servants of the LORD praise the name of the LORD 1. O Ye Ministers of the Lord and whosoever you are that love his Service praise his eternal Majesty be not remiss in this heavenly imployment but with your best affections praise the power wisedom and goodness of his eternal Providence 2. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore 2. Praise him now in this present Age and wish that those incomparable perfections of his may be celebrated with the praises of those that live in future times as long as the world shall last 3. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised 3. And not onely here in this little spot of earth but wheresoever the Sun shines and lets men see how splendid and glorious his Majesty is 4. The LORD is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens 4. For all the Nations of the earth are his and but a little parcel of his supreme Dominion which extends far beyond the Sun and Moon and Stars whose light is but a dim resemblance of the brightness of his glory 5. Who is like unto the LORD our God who dwelleth on high 5. Do not think that any of them though worshipped by other Nations as gods is comparable to that great Lord and our most gracious God whom we adore for the very place where his glorious Majesty resides is far higher then they 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth 6. And it is a great condescension in him that He will have any respect to the most illustrious of those celestial bodies though He be so gracious also as to extend his kind and carefull Providence even to us who dwell upon this earth 7. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill 7. Where among other manifest tokens of his stupendious goodness He is pleased to take special notice of those whom the world despises and to raise them out of a mean nay sordid condition to such a pitch of honour and dignity 8. That he may set him with princes even with the princes of his people 8. That at last they are advanced to sit upon a Throne and made the Governours of his own people 1 Sam. II. 8. 2 Sam. VII 8 9. compared with 1. XXIV 14. 9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyfull mother of children Praise ye the LORD 9. And which is still more strange He opens the barren womb which according to the course of nature would have brought forth nothing and makes a numerous Family spring from thence to the great joy of her that bears them 1 Sam. I. 20. II. 21. Praise the Lord in these and such like wonderfull works of his PSALM CXIV ARGUMENT As the foregoing Psalm puts them in mind of several works of the Divine Providence about particular persons so this makes a brief narration of some miraculous works wherein the Lord declared his power when He brought the whole Jewish Nation out of the Egyptian bondage 1. WHen Israel went out of Egypt the house of Jacob from a people of strange language 1. WHen our Forefathers with their whole Family were brought out of Egypt and not one of them left behind among that barbarous people who had long oppressed them 2. Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion 2. There was a most glorious appearance of God among them by that bright cloud the token of his presence which then had no other peculiar place for its sanctuary but stood over the whole Camp of Israel XIII Exod. 21. XIV Numb 14. whom He then took for his peculiar Kingdom XIX Exod. 6. 3. The sea saw it and fled Fordan was driven back 3. At which appearance the red Sea forsook its channel and left a dry path for them to march through XIV Exod. 21 24. and so did Jordan also afterwards to make way for their easie entrance into Canaan III. Josh 15 16. 4. The mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like lambs 4. All the Mountains great and small which adjoined unto Sinai trembled and leaped like so many affrighted rams or little lambs before the same most dreadfull Majesty XIX Exod. 18. 5. What ailed thee O thou sea that thou fleddest thou Jordan that thou wast driven back 5. To what else shall we ascribe that sudden ebb of the Sea and that no less strange retreat of Jordan when it overflowed all its banks 6. Ye mountains that ye skipped like rams and ye little hills like lambs 6. What made the mountains and hills leap up like affrighted rams or lambs as if they would run away from the place where they were so firmly fixed 7. Tremble thou earth at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the God of Jacob 7. But onely the glorious presence of the Divine Majesty who was then bringing his people to the rest He had promised to give them And let the whole earth be afraid and tremble before that great Lord who hath honoured us so far as peculiarly to be our God 8. Which turned the tock into a standing water the flint into a fountain of waters 8. And was so kind as to supply the necessities of our Forefathers even when they murmured against Him by a new Miracle bringing out of hard rocks as hard as flint such plenty of water as if they had been dissolved into lakes or rivers XVII Exod. 8. XX. Numb 11. PSALM CXV ARGUMENT There is great reason to think that this Psalm was made in some time of sore distress when their Pagan Enemies began to boast and brag as if their gods were too hard for the God of Israel But by whom it was made or on what particular occasion there are so many conjectures that it will be no presumption to interpose mine which is this That when Jehoshaphat saw that vast Army which we reade of 2 Chron. XX. 2. composed of several Nations coming against him and after his prayer to God for deliverance was incouraged by a Prophet to hope for it Ver. 14 15. and had by the Levites given Him thanks for this hope he or that Prophet composed this Hymn to quicken and confirm their faith in God unto which you reade he exhorted them Ver. 20. And it is likely that this was the Hymn which by common consent the Singers were appointed to use when they went out to encounter those Enemies saying not onely those words which we reade there Ver. 21. Praise the Lord for his mercy endureth for ever but these Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give glory for thy mercy and for thy truths sake c. 1. NOT unto us O LORD not unto us but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy and for thy truths sake 1. PRosper our arms O Lord and give us the victory over these
both by my Birth and by my Education and by this marvellous Deliverance whereby Thou hast rescued me from the power of death which had in a manner taken hold of me 17. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the LORD 17. I can never sure prove ungratefull to Thee unto whom I am tied by so many bonds But will always be making Thee my most thankfull solemn acknowledgments for the benefits I have received And together with those praises and thanksgivings wait upon thy Goodness for the like mercies in time to come 18. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people 18. I resolve again religiously to make good these and all other my vows wherein I stand ingaged to the Lord and that not onely in private but here at this solemnity in the face of all his people 19. In the courts of the LORD's house in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise ye the LORD 19. When they are gathered together at his House in the midst of the holy City of our God where they meet to worship Him and to doe Him honour There let them all join with me to bless and praise the great Creatour and Preserver of all things PSALM CXVII ARGUMENT This Psalm like the CX seems to be altogether Prophetical of the joy that all the world should conceive at the coming of the Messiah to give Salvation first to the Jews and then to all other Nations according to his faithfull promise Saint Paul applies the first words of it to this business Rom. XV. 11. and some of the Hebrews justifie his application confessing that this Psalm belongs to that matter The brevity of it makes it the more remarkable and easier to be remembred both by Jews and Gentiles 1. O Praise the LORD all ye nations praise him all ye people 1. LET not the praises which are due to the great Lord of all be confined to our Nation but let all people upon the face of the earth praise Him Let all mankind sing thankfull hymns unto Him 2. For his mercifull kindness is great towards us and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever Praise ye the LORD 2. For they are all concerned in his transcendent kindness which hath done mighty things for us and the Lord who changes not will never fail to perform his faithfull promises to the worlds end Therefore let us all join our praises to our common Benefactour PSALM CXVIII ARGUMENT There is nothing more probable then that David composed this Psalm after God had settled him upon the Throne of Israel as well as Judah and also subdued the Philistines who hoped to have crusht him before he grew too powerfull 2 Sam. V. 17. together with other enemies round about him who though they are not mentioned yet in all likelihood joyned with them as we may gather from Ver. 10 11. of this Psalm compared with 2 Sam. VII 1. For that it was written after he had brought the Ark to Jerusalem mentioned there Chap. VI. and placed it in the House he had prepared for it seems very plain from Ver. 19. of this Psalm Where he begins to praise God in such words as had not their compleat fulfilling till the Lord 's Christ whom the Jews rejected and said He shall not reign over us was made King of the World For to Him R. Solomon himself acknowledges those words The stone which the builders refused c. are to be applied And as the latter part of the Psalm is a Prophecy of Christ in David his Type so the former part may be accommodated to all Christians who being persecuted as Theodoret speaks and tormented and disgracefully treated by many Princes and their people by Kings and Governours got a glorious Victory over them all after they had indured a thousand deaths It seems also to have been pronounced at first in some solemn assembly of all the people met together to praise the Lord for his benefits And it is the common opinion of most Interpreters that they all had a part in this Psalm The greatest part of which was spoken by David who begins with a declaration how much he was indebted to God desiring all to assist him in his praises And then coming in a solemn procession I suppose to the Gates of the Tabernacle calls upon the Porters Verse 19. to open them to him that he might praise God in his Sanctuary which he doth in the very entrance Ver. 20 and then in the Courts of his House Ver. 21. After which all the people shout and magnifie the Divine Goodness in making him who was banished from his Country their King Ver. 22 c. And then the Priests come forth and bless both the King and people in the Name of the Lord Ver. 26 and exhort them to be thankfull Ver. 27 And then David seems to take the words out of their mouth and to declare that he will never be unmindfull of God's benefits desiring all the people also to remember them Ver. 28 29. According to which account of the Psalm I have ordered the Paraphrase 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD for he is good because his mercy endureth for ever 1. O Make your thankfull acknowledgments to the great Lord of all the world who as He is the Authour of all good and hath been exceeding bountifull unto us so will continue his kindness to all succeeding generations 2. Let Israel now say that his mercy endureth for ever 2. Let the Children of Israel who have had such long experience of his love and now see his promises fulfilled let them confess and thankfully acknowledge that his kindness continues to all generations 3. Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercy endureth for ever 3. Let the Priests and the Levites whose business it is to attend upon His service confess now and thankfully acknowledge that his kindness extends unto all ages 4. Let them now that fear the LORD say that his mercy endureth for ever 4. And let all the devout Worshippers of the Lord of whatsoever Nation they be join together with us for there is one Lord of all who dispenses various benefits to every one of us and confess now most thankfully that there is no end of his kindness 5. I called upon the LORD in distress the LORD answered me and set me in a large place 5. You may see an example of it in me who was in grievous straits and dangers 1 Sam. XXIII 26. XXVII 1. but then imploring the Divine Protection the Lord not onely delivered me but placed me in a secure estate free from all such molestation 2 Sam. V. 3. VII 1. 6. The LORD is on my side I will not fear what can man doe unto me 6. For the Lord it is evident takes my part and therefore though I have many enemies I am not afraid of them for when He is for me what disturbance can men be they
weight of my affliction support and strengthen me according to thy promise that I may never take any undue course for ease and relief 29. Remove from me the way of lying and grant me thy law graciously 29. Far be all fraud and falshood from me whereby my enemies contrive to undo me I desire not to learn any of their wicked Arts but onely beseech Thee to give me grace to observe thy Laws constantly 30. I have chosen the way of truth thy judgments have I laid before me 30. That 's the way I have resolved upon to deal truly and sincerely squaring all my actions according to thy judgments which I have laid before me as the most equal Rule of my life 31. I have stuck unto thy testimonies O LORD put me not to shame 31. And hitherto I have kept my resolution and never started from thy Testimonies Preserve me good Lord that I may not hereafter disgrace my self by doing any thing contrary to them nor be disappointed of my hope by falling into the hands of those that seek my ruin 32. I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart 32. And when Thou shalt have filled my heart with joy by freeing me from these grievous straits I will doe Thee better service and be more forward chearfully to execute all thy Commandments HE. V. 33. Teach me O LORD the way of thy statutes and I shall keep it unto the end 33. Instruct me therefore good Lord more and more in the right way of serving Thee and I will shew my self most thankfull for it by keeping exactly to it all the days of my life 34. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law yea I shall observe it with my whole heart 34. Illuminate my mind to understand the excellence of thy Law and then I shall not onely observe it but set my self to doe it with a watchfull impartial and most affectionate diligence 35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments for therein do I delight 35. Be Thou my Leader and Guide that I may not stray from the path of thy Commandments wherein I find the greatest satisfaction 36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness 36. Incline my heart always to seek its contentment in thy testimonies and suffer it not to be drawn away by the desire of worldly goods which having no measure is never satisfied 37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 37. Help me to overlook those empty honours and fading beauties which we are apt to behold with too much admiration and with lively affections and vigorous indeavours to persist in the pursuit of thy favour in the way Thou hast set before me 38. Stablish thy word unto thy servant who is devoted to thy fear 38. And at last make good thy promise to thy servant 2 Sam. V. 2. who fears to doe any thing to offend Thee though thereby he might win a Crown 39. Turn away my reproach which I fear for thy judgments are good 39. Turn from me that disgrace of which I cannot but be sometime afraid 1 Sam. XXVII 1. and must certainly suffer if I fall into my enemies hands for Thou wilt proceed I know according to thy own judgments which are all equitable mercifull and gracious 40. Behold I have longed after thy precepts quicken me in thy righteousness 40. I appeal to Thee whether I have not a great zeal for thy Precepts unto which I desire above all things to be conform'd let me not perish therefore in these troubles but in much mercy revive me according to thy faithfull promise VAV. VI. 41. Let thy mercies come also unto me O LORD even thy salvation according to thy word 41. To those infinite mercies of thine which moved Thee to make me such gracious promises I betake my self and beseech Thee to let me feel the happy effects of both in my deliverance 42. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me for I trust in thy word 42. So shall I be able to put to silence those that reproach me for my confidence in Thee which they call a vain presumption but is a humble reliance on thy own gracious promises to me 43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth for I have hoped in thy judgments 43. Which till Thou art pleased to fulfill do not so far abandon me as to let me be disheartned in asserting their truth and faithfulness which I am wont to oppose to all the threats of my enemies for my whole dependance is on this that Thou wilt not fail me but pronounce a righteous sentence for me 44. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever 44. And I for my part promise when Thou shalt be so gracious to me not to suffer my self to grow more negligent in thy service but to be more carefull then ever in the observance of thy Laws to the very end of my days 45. And I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts 45. For then I shall have no such incumbrances on me as I now have in these straits and difficulties from which when Thou freest me I will doe my duty with the greater chearfulness and joy for it is not liberty no nor a Kingdom that I seek so much as better advantages to fulfill thy Precepts 46. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed 46. Which I will not be ashamed to justifie before the greatest persons in the world to be the most excellent Rule of life and the best testimony of thy love to us and will doe it with such reasons that they shall never be able to disprove me 47. And I will delight my self in thy commandments which I have loved 47. Nor will I confute my self by leading a voluptuous life when I have liberty to doe as I list but as I have hitherto preferred thy Commandments before all other things so then will I take the highest pleasure in them 48. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved and I will meditate in thy statutes 48. Not onely in their study but shew the truth of my love to them by a diligent and zealous practice of them which shall be the end of my meditation in them ZAIN VII 49. Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 49. Be pleased therefore in due time to perform the promise which Thou hast long ago made unto thy servant 2 Sam. V. 2. and when I thought of no such thing given me an assured hope of it 1 Sam. XVI 11 12 13. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me 50. Which as it hath been the occasion of many and great troubles to me so hath comforted me under them all and even when I despaired of safety revived my spirit and restored my courage
Address thy self unto Him in his holy place and the Lord shall bestow on thee whatsoever blessings thou askest of Him yea maist thou be so happy as to see Jerusalem the Seat of Justice and Religion in a flourishing condition all thy life long 6. Yea thou shalt see thy childrens children and peace upon Israel 6. And long maist thou live to such a good old age as to see thy Childrens Children and the whole Nation all the time in a prosperous tranquillity PSALM CXXIX A Song of degrees See CXX ARGUMENT This Psalm was made when some new Calamity threatned them either by Senacherib or as Theodoret thinks by those Nations which combined to destroy the Jews as soon as they returned from the Captivity of Babylon When they were taught by Ezra or some such holy man to recount what God had done for them ever since they were a people and to denounce the divine Vengeance against those that now sought their ruine The former conjecture seems the truer because as yet he saith vers 2. their Enemies had not prevailed against them unless we expound that phrase as I have done in the Paraphrase according to the received interpretation of the Psalm that they had not quite destroyed them and made them cease to be a Nation 1. MAny a time have they afflicted me from my youth may Israel now say 1. OUR Adversaries may Israel now upon this occasion say have very often and very sorely distressed us ever since we began to be a People 2. Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth yet they have not prevailed against me 2. It is hard to number how oft or to tell into how great straits they have reduced us ever since we began to be a Nation and yet by the special favour of God they have not been able to compass their desire of our utter extirpation 3. The plowers plowed upon my back they made long their furrows 3. They have laid us sometimes exceeding low and not onely scourged us so severely that the marks of it might be seen as plainly as the furrows are which the Plough makes in the ground but long continued also our vexation and torment 4. The LORD is righteous he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked 4. But the Lord at last in much mercy hath made good his faithfull Promises and broken in pieces the power of wicked Oppressours that they might not always hold us under their yoke and thus miserably tyrannize over us 5. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion 5. And may all those that still hate us and our Religion never have better success but be shamefully defeated and forced to desist in all their attempts upon us 6. Let them be as the grass upon the house tops which withereth afore it groweth up 6. Let none of their designs ever come to maturity but be blasted like the grass upon the house-top which having no root withers of it self and needs no bodies hand to pluck it up 7. Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosome 7. And as it lies unregarded by those that reap or that carry in the fruits of the Earth so let these men and all their enterprises become contemptible and be looked upon as good for nothing 8. Neither do they which goe by say The blessing of the LORD be upon you we bless you in the Name of the LORD 8. Let all their hopes so speedily vanish that there be none to favour them nor so much as to wish prosperity to them No more then there are gathethers of such withered grass appear to whom the Passingers after the usual form II. Ruth 4. should say The Lord give you a good harvest We pray God you may reape the fruit of your labours PSALM CXXX A Song of degrees See CXX ARGUMENT Some think David made this Prayer after he had plunged himself into a very deep guilt by his sin with Bathsheba I rather think when he was persecuted by Saul and reduced to so low a condition that his heart began to sink within him For the flouds of ungodly men as he speaks XVIII Psal 4. made him afraid that he should one day perish in them 1 Sam. XXIX 1. and he complains elsewhere that he sunk in the mire where there was no standing c. LXIX Psal 2 14 15. In this condition he implores the divine Mercy with great earnestness and beseeches him to pardon his sins and the sins of all the people which made them deserve that ill government under Saul and his Flatterers It is the last but one of the VII penitential Psalms 1. OVT of the depths have I cried unto thee O LORD 1. IN the greatest straits when I can see no bottom no end of my troubles but I still sink lower and lower into them I never despair of thy mercy O Lord but cry unto Thee most earnestly to deliver me 2. LORD here my voice let thiâ—… ears be attâ—… to the voice of my supplications 2. Vouchsafe good Lord the Governour of all things to grant my Petition Do not reject it I humbly beseech Thee but give me a favourable answer when I deprecate thy displeasure 3. If thou LORD shouldest mark iniquities O Lord who shall stand 3. I do not plead any merits of mine but rather accuse my self before Thee knowing that if I were the most innocent person in the world yet if Thou Lord shouldest strictly examine my life and proceed against me according to my deserts Lord what would become of me I should certainly be condemned 4. But there is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared 4. But Thou most graciously invitest us unto thy service by thy readiness to pardon all those that are truly penitent without the hope of which we could not so much as think of becoming religious 5. I wait for the LORD my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope 5. This incourages me to wait and expect when the Lord will deliver me my Soul is earnestly bent to expect this happy time which I believe will come because I have his Promise for it on which I depend 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord more then they that watch for the morning I say more then they that watch for the morning 6. I direct my thoughts to the Lord alone for safety and relief which I implore incessantly with my early Prayers For they that watch in the Temple for the break of day I say the Priests that watch in the Temple for the break of day are not more forward then I to offer up their morning Sacrifice to the Lord. 7. Let Israel hope in the LORD for with the LORD there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption 7. In whom let all his People place their trust and confidence for the Lord is very ready to doe good and hath more ways then we can imagine to rescue those that hope in Him out of the
the Master of Musick to be sung as the VIII Psalm upon Gittith in the beginning of it upon the Feast of Trumpets And he introduces God Himself before whom they were summoned as I said by these Trumpets to appear instructing them in the end of this Solemnity and complaining of their forgetfulness of his benefits in giving them so great a deliverance out of the Egyptian slavery and of their hard heartedness in preferring their own Inventions and the miseries they brought thereby upon themselves before his Counsels and the happiness He intended for them Which happiness is expressed in the last Verse by satisfying them with honey out of the rock concerning which the learned may consult Bochartus de Sacris Animal Part. II. L. IV. c. 12. 1. SIng aloud unto God our strength make a joyfull noise unto the God of Jacob 1. SIng praises aloud unto God to whose mighty power alone we owe the Deliverance which we now Commemorate shout with the voice of triumph in honour of Him who was so good unto your Forefathers 2. Take a psalm and bring hither the timbrel the pleasant harp with the psaltery 2. Offer to Him your chearfull Hymns and to compleat the melody and express the greatness of your joy let some with Timbrils others with the pleasant Harp and others with the Psaltery celebrate the memory of his mercies 3. Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon in the time appointed on our solemn feast-day 3. And let the Priests especially X. Numb 8. take care to blow with the Trumpets at this sacred Solemnity on the first day of the seventh month the principal New Moon in the year that all the people may call to mind the Trump of God XIX Exod. 16 19. which our Fathers heard at his dreadfull appearance on Mount Sinai to give his Law unto them 4. For this was a statute for Israel and a law of the God of Jacob. 4. For thus hath the Lord decreed in that Law where the God of our Father Jacob requires this service of us XXIII Lev. 24 c. 5. This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony when he went out through the land of Egypt where I heard a language that I understood not 5. This He appointed unto the Children of Joseph as well as the rest of the Tribes of Israel for a perpetual memorial of his benefits when He going out over all the Land of Egypt XI Exod. 4. XII 23 29. and destroying all their First-born forced them to let us depart into the Wilderness where we heard to our great astonishment for we were never before acquainted with it the voice of God 6. I removed his shoulder from the burthen his hands were delivered from the pots 6. Who considering with Himself what a title He had to our service having taken off the heavy burthens which the Egyptians laid upon our backs and rid our hands of those sordid and dirty Imployments wherein they made us labour 7. Thou calledst in trouble and I delivered thee I answered thee in the secret place of thunder I proved thee at the waters of Meribah Selah 7. Admonished us to this effect saying You cryed to me by reason of your cruel servitude under Pharaoh's Task-masters II. Exodus 23. and I delivered you out of it III. 8. and again answered your prayers when you cried unto me in a new distress at the red Sea XIV Exod. 10 13. but confounded the Egyptians with Thunder and Lightning out of the cloudy Pillar XIV Exo. 24 25. LXXVII Psalm 18. After all which I might well expect you should depend upon me but presently found you full of distrust and infidelity at the waters of strife XVII Exod. 7. where I gave you a new proof of my power 8. Hear O my people and I will testifie unto thee O Israel if thou wilt hearken unto me 8. Of which if you will still enjoy the benefit then give ear O my people and I will solemnly declare my will and give a severe charge unto you O ye Israelites if you resolve to be obedient to my admonitions 9. There shall no strange god be in thee neither shalt thou worship any strange god 9. Then this is the principal thing upon which all the rest depends you shall not suffer any other Gods to be acknowledged among you but onely me XX. Exod. 3. 23. nor shall you worship the Gods of other Nations XXIII Exod. 13 24 32. 10. I am the LORD thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt open thy mouth wide and I will fill it 10. For I and I alone am the living Lord the eternal God who gave a Being to all things and who am your peculiar Benefactour having brought you out of the Egyptian Bondage XIX Exod. 4. XX. 2. And if you will be faithfull and obedient to me inlarge your desires as far as you please and I will satisfie them for all the world is mine XIX Exod. 5. XXIII 25. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me 11. But notwithstanding their seeming compliance with Him and the fair promises they made Him XIX Exod. 8. XX. 19. XXIV 3 7. He presently complained XXXII Exod. 7 8 9. as I hear Him still do at this day my people would not be obedient to me and Israel would not rest contented with me a-alone 12. So I gave them up unto their own hearts lust and they walked in their own counsels 12. So provoked by their long stubborness I took no further care of them but left them to do as they pleased saying let them follow their own inventions 13. O that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my ways 13. But it had been better for them to have adhered to me who out of my tender affection to their good still wished even when they were so refractory that my people Israel had been so wise as to have followed my directions and been led by my advice and not their own foolish imaginations 14. I should soon have subdued their enemies and turned my hand against their adversaries 14. Then I should in a short time have quelled all their enemies and by one Victory after another have quite destroyed those adversaries which since I brought them into Canaan have often miserably afflicted and oppressed them II. Judg. 2 3 14 15 19 20. III. 1 c. IV. 2. 15. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him but their time should have endured for ever 15. All that maligned their prosperity and set themselves against the design of the Lord to make them victorious over their enemies should have been so daunted that they should have dissembled their inward hatred and been forced at least to a counterfeit submission but his people should have seen blessed days and injoyed a substantial and durable happiness without any interruption 16. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat and with honey out of
strength and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted 17. For they owe not their conquests to their own valour or forces though never so great but it is Thou who givest illustrious Victories to the smallest Armies And therefore by thy favour we hope that our Empire which is now broken shall be raised again to its former splendour 18. For the LORD is our defence and the holy One of Israel is our King 18. For the Lord is still our Protectour though our Prince be taken and made unable to defend us He whom Israel adores and acknowledges infinitely to transcend all other Beings is our King and Governour 19. Then thou spakest in vision to the holy One and saidest I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people 19. Who then didst reveal thy mind in a Vision to the holy Prophet Samuel 1 Sam. XVI 1. when the Philistines defied Israel and grew terrible to them XVII 10 11 24. saying I have provided myself a valiant Champion 1 Sam. XVI 18. to be your deliverer 2 Sam. III. 18. I have designed a person of singular worth from among the common people 1 Sam. XVI 11. to be promoted to the Kingdom 20. I have found David my servant with my holy oil have I anointed him 20. I have observed David 1 Sam. XVI 1. and find him a man that will faithfully serve me Go and anoint him with the holy Oil for I intend him for the Governour of my people 21. With whom my hand shall be established mine arm also shall strengthen him 21. With whom I will always be powerfully present for his assistance 1 Sam. XVII 45 c. and never desert him as I did Saul XVIII 12 24 28. But my mighty power shall extraordinarily strengthen him in all his enterprises 1 Sam. XXX 6. 2 Sam. VIII 6 14. 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him nor the son of wickedness afflict him 22. The subtilest of his enemies shall not be able to circumvent him nor the most malicious how powerfull soever oppress him 23. And I will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him 23. But after all their vain attempts I will not onely protect him from their crafty violence but subdue all his adversaries under him and destroy those that hate him 2 Sam. VII 9. 24. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him and in my name shall his born be exalted 24. He shall ever find me not onely faithfull in my promise to him but kind above his expectation and by my powerfull assistance and his confidence in it his authority shall be highly exalted 1 Chron. XIV 17. 2 Sam. VII 9. VIII 13. 25. I will set his hand also in the sea and his right hand in the rivers 25. On one hand he shall conquer the Philistines and those that live upon the coast of the Sea 2 Sam. VIII 1. and on the other hand the Syrians as far as Tigris and Euphrates 2 Sam. VIII 9 c. X. 16 19. 26. He shall cry unto me Thou art my father my God and the rock of my salvation 26. For he shall intirely depend on me in all his distresses and fly to me for succour as a Child to his Parent saying with more then usual love and confidence Thou art my Father as well as my omnipotent God from whom alone I expect protection and deliverance 27. Also I will make him my first-born higher then the kings of the earth 27. Which I will never fail to afford him till I raise him to the prime dignity among all those whom I call my Sons and set him so high above all other Kings in the world that he shall be a most eminent Type of my Son Christ the King of kings and the Lord of lords 28. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore and my covenant shall stand fast with him 28. Nothing shall alter these kind intentions toward him but I will always have a love for him and faithfully perform my Covenant with him 29. His seed also will I make to endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven 29. Which is that his Family shall never be extinct but notwithstanding the changes which all things are subject unto here below have the royal power continued in it as long as the heavens endure 2 Sam. VII 16 28 29. I. Luke 32 33. 30. If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments 30. If his Successours indeed shall depart from the Law which I have given you by my Servant Moses and not judge my people righteously 31. If they break my statutes and keep not my commandments 31. If they prophanely neglect or corrupt my Religion and observe not the rest of the Rules of life which I have enjoined them 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes 32. Then will I execute the threatnings which are in my Law XXVI Levit. upon them and punish their transgressions with sore diseases and their Idolatries with several plagues 2 Sam. VII 14. 33. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail 33. But I will not so chastise them as never more to doe good to his Family 2 Sam. VII 25. but will still have a kindness for it and faithfully keep my promise with it 1 King XI 34 36. XV. 4. 2 King VIII 19 c. 34. My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips 34. I will not violate the Covenant I have made with David 2 Chron. XXI 7. nor retract the promise which I have solemnly passed to his Family 35. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David 35. For I have unalterably sworn by my own incommunicable excellencies that I will as soon cease to be what I am as deceive him 36. His seed shall endure for ever and his throne as the sun before me 36. His Family as I said Verse 29. shall never be quite extinct but always remain in my favour and hold the royal dignity as long as the Sun shineth 37. It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithfull witness in heaven Selah 37. The Moon may as well fall from her Orb as his Authority fall to the ground and rise no more Let that be a witness of my fidelity when you look upon it XXXIII Jer. 20 21. and conclude that after all the changes and eclipses his Kingdom may suffer it shall stand as fast as that and all the rest of the heavenly bodies 38. But thou hast cast off and abhorred thou hast been wroth with thine anointed 38. But all these promises alas so sacredly confirmed and oft repeated have not secured it from a dismal subversion For Thou hast rejected with the greatest contempt and indignation our Sovereign one of the posterity of David and
that fear thee will be glad when they see me because I have hoped in thy word 74. It will be a very great comfort and incouragement to all good men when they see me delivered out of all these troubles For thereby they will be confirmed in their belief of thy faithfulness to thy promises on which it will appear I have not vainly depended though I stay long for the performance 75. I know O LORD that thy judgements are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 75. And I am satisfied O Lord that while Thou makest me wait for the performance Thou doest nothing contrary to thy justice or to thy fidelity but that all these cross dispensations of thy Providence in the heavy afflictions which have befaln me are perfectly righteous and will onely make thy truth and faithfulness at last the more illustrious 76. Let I pray thee thy mercifull kindness be for my comfort according to thy word unto thy servant 76. O hasten that happy time when I shall see thy loving kindness turning this disconsolate into a more comfortable condition according to the promises which Thou hast made unto thy servant 1 Sam. XVI 12 13. 77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me that I may live for thy law is my delight 77. Let me feel the speedy effects of thy compassionate mercy rescuing me from those that seek my life and raising me out of this forlorn estate 1 Sam. XXIV 14. For howsoever I am represented my highest satisfaction is in obedience to thy Law 78. Let the proud be ashamed for they dealt perversly with me without a cause but I will meditate in thy precepts 78. Confound all those proud contemners of it who making no conscience of what they say have oppressed and overthrown me with lies and calumnies as if I studied to disturb the Kingdom when my onely study is to observe thy Precepts 79. Let those that fear thee turn unto me and those that have known thy testimonies 79. Let all pious men who have a due regard to thy testimonies be convinced of this and be no longer abused by these slanders but turn to my side and become my Friends 80. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes that I be not ashamed 80. And in order to it preserve me so blameless before Thee in such integrity of heart as well as life that I may not be ashamed of the hope I have that Thou and all good men will take my part CAPH XI 81. My soul fainteth for thy salvation but I hope in thy word 81. For which blessing I have now attended so many years that I am ready sometime to faint away with vehement desire to see thy long expected promise fulfilled of deliverance from all my enemies 82. Mine eyes fail for thy word saying When wilt thou comfort me 82. That joyfull sight I have looked for till I am in danger to be weary with expectation saying When will the time come of my deliverance from this disconsolate condition 83. For I am become like a bottle in the smoke yet do I not forget thy statutes 83. I hope it will not be long delayed for I am worn away and my skin like an empty leathern bag that hath hung a great while in the smoke is shrivelled up with toil and grief and yet I have never taken any unlawfull course to rid my self of all this misery 84. How many are the days of thy servant when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me 84. I leave that to Thee O Lord beseeching Thee to consider how my days spend apace in trouble and sorrow which force me to sigh and say How long must thy poor servant still lie in this calamitous condition O when wilt Thou doe me right against my persecutours 85. The proud have digged pits for me which are not after thy law 85. Who proudly contrive by all manner of frauds and treachery to take away my life directly contrary to thy Law to which they are as injurious as unto me 86. All thy commandments are faithfull they persecute me wrongfully help thou me 86. For all thy Commandments teach us to be just and true being as faithfull as those men are false and perfidious therefore make good thy promises to me and deliver me from those who persecute me with lies and forgeries 87. They had almost consumed me upon earth but I forsook not thy precepts 87. Which they have imployed so successfully that I escaped very hardly with my life when I was in the Land of Judah 1 Sam. XXIII 26. and yet for all this I stuck to thy Precepts and would not take away the life of him that sought mine when I could have easily done it 1 Sam. XXIV 6 7. 88. Quicken me after thy loving kindness so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth 88. Deal as kindly with me O Lord and not onely spare my life but raise me out of this forlorn estate wherein I lie like a man that is dead 1 Sam. XXIV 14. and I will indeavour the more carefully to observe the Testimonies which Thou hast solemnly Verse 72. given us in charge LAMED XII 89. For ever O LORD thy word is settled in heaven 89. Thou art eternal O Lord and changest not and thy promises are like thy self fixed and settled in the heavens which are a lively emblem of their constancy and unvariable truth 90. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations thou hast established the earth and it abideth 90. One generation goes and another comes but thy fidelity is still the same to all and alters no more then the earth which Thou hast firmly and immoveably established while all those creatures that live upon it pass away and perish 91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances for all are thy servants 91. All things remain to this day in the order at first appointed and never vary from the Laws which Thou hast set them for they are intirely subject to thy will and pleasure 92. Vnless thy law had been my delights I should then have perished in mine affliction 92. Which was a most comfortable Meditation in my afflicted condition when my heart would have failed me and I should have been undone if thy Laws which stand as fast as heaven and earth had not given me constant consolation 93. I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickened me 93. I will never therefore be guilty of neglecting thy Precepts which have revived me by the faithfull promises Thou hast annexed to the observance of them when I looked upon my self as a dead man that could not escape the hands of those that sought to destroy me 94. I am thine save me for I have sought thy precepts 94. And be Thou pleased still to deliver me from falling into their hands For though they have driven me from thy inheritance 1 Sam. XXVI 19. I still continue thine and serve no other God but have diligently inquired in my
who brought it out of the waters and preserves it in its just extent from being again overflowed by them for his kindness is no less immoveable and by length of time can never be impaired 7. To him that made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever 7. Witness those great Lights which never go out but always call upon us to praise and give thanks to Him who made them to illuminate the world and to be the emblems of his kindness which sends its benign influences continually upon us unto all generations 8. The Sun to rule by day for his mercy endureth for ever 8. By day the Sun exerts his power to quicken all inferiour Beings and excites us to praise Him and be thankfull to Him whose kindness thereby perpetually administers to us all necessary things and will do so to the end of the world 9. The Moon and Stars to rule by night for his mercy endureth for ever 9. And by night the Moon or the Stars supply its place and let us see how much we are bound to praise and thank Him whose kindness is so constant that in the worst condition it will never quite forsake us 10. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born for his mercy endureth for ever 10. We must needs say so and think our selves ingaged above all others to give Him thanks if we call to mind that memorable night XII Exod. 29. when He punished the Egyptians with the loss of all their first-born For his kindness still continues for ever to relieve those that are injured and to punish their insolent Oppressours 11. And brought out Israel from among them for his mercy endureth for ever 11. Let us not forget how after that stroke He brought our Forefathers out of the cruel Bondage wherein they had long held them XII Exod. 41 42. but thankfully acknowledg that wonderfull deliverance For it is an argument why we should never distrust his kindness in the sorest straits that can befall us 12. With a strong hand and with a stretched out arm for his mercy endureth for ever 12. His Power let us remember is irresistible which first by lesser then by greater signs and wonders delivered us out of their hands VI. Exod. 5 6. VII VIII c. to praise and magnify Him whose kindness is stupendiously great and will never cease to succour those who depend upon Him 13. To him which divided the red Sea into parts for his mercy endureth for ever 13. Let us therefore give thanks to him who when our Forefathers utterly despaired of safety XIV Exod. 10 11. commanded the red Sea to retire and leave a broad way for them to pass v. 21. which plainly proves that his kindness is inexhausted and alway ready to help us in the most dreadfull dangers 14. And made Israel to pass thorough the midst of it for his mercy endureth for ever 14. For he led them safely through the very midst of the Sea which rose up like a wall on either hand of them XIV Exod. 22. and will by his kindness eternally secure all those that piously confide in Him 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the red Sea for his mercy endureth for ever 15. But throw those that oppose Him headlong into destruction as He did Pharaoh and his Host in the very same place where Israel was preserved XIV Exod. 27 c. For his kindness loves to compleat his favours and perfect what He hath begun for his people 16. To him which led his people through the wilderness for his mercy endureth for ever 16. And accordingly when He had thus delivered them He led his people by the direction of a glorious Cloud through an untrodden Desert and there with our thankfull praises let it be remembred made a miraculous provision for them Exod. XVI For his endless kindness wheresoever they went still with new Benefits pursued them 17. To him which smote great Kings for his mercy endureth for ever 17. When potent Kings opposed their passage to the promised Land He utterly discomfited them to his praise be it thankfully acknowledged For his kindness was not stopt by difficulties but ever overcame them 18. And slew famous kings for his mercy endureth for ever 18. Though they were Kings famous for their prowess yet such was his for ever to be praised kindness towards us He gave us as easy and as absolute a victory over them as He had done before over Pharaoh and his Host 19. Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercy endureth for ever 19. Over Sihon King of that fierce Nation of the Amorites who were thought invincible II. Amos 9. For his kindness was mightier then they and gave us this as an earnest of future conquests over our Enemies 20. And Og the king of Bashan for his mercy endureth for ever 20. Over that huge Tyrant Og the King of Bashan III. Deut. 11. For his kindness added that as a new pledge of what He intended to doe for us when we came into Canaan 21. And gave their land for an heritage for his mercy endureth for ever 21. And gave both their Countries to be held of Him as a perpetual inheritance For his kindness doth not decay nor loves to revoke his Favours but continues to the latest Posterity 22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant for his mercy endureth for ever 22. An Inheritance they were which he setled upon us the Children of Israel as long as we continue his faithfull Servants For his kindness hath no end but delights to perpetuate his Mercies to those who are worthy of them 23. Who remembred us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever 23. Nay when for our Sins we were severely afflicted and in danger to be thrown out of this good Land into which at last He brought us Judg. II III IV c. He was pleased graciously to relieve us For his kindness pardoned our ingratitude and was as forward as ever to bestow fresh Benefits upon us 24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies for his mercy endureth for ever 24. And rescued us many a time when we cryed unto Him from the power of those that tyrannized over us For his kindness was not spent by the frequent deliverances it had given us but still granted new matter for our thanksgivings to Him 25. Who giveth food to all flesh for his mercy endureth for ever 25. Whose Bounty is not confined to us alone but supplies the wants of all mankind yea of all living Creatures For his kindness hath no bounds nor will ever cease to make a plentifull provision for them 26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven for his mercy endureth for ever 26. O raise your hearts to give Him thanks with the highest praises whose power extends it self beyond this Earth even unto the highest Heavens For his kindness is so unwearied that we may hope from thence to be ever receiving more and more of his Blessings PSALM CXXXVII
a refreshing showre 7. Hear me speedily O LORD my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like unto them that goe down into the pit 7. Do not delay it O Lord I most earnestly beseech Thee for I am not able to hold out much longer in this great extremity deny not my humble request lest I be utterly lost as I am in danger without all hope of recovery 2 Sam. XVII 16. 8. Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning for in thee do I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my soul unto thee 8. Though this night be very sad yet let me hear according to the confidence I repose in thy mercy better news and see my Affairs in a more comfortable posture in the morning 2 Sam. XVII 22 23. shew me which way I shall direct my course and provide for my safety v. 24 27. for I depend intirely upon Thee 9. Deliver me O LORD from mine enemies I flee unto thee to hide me 9. Let me not fall into the hand of my Enemies from whom I am now flying but know not whither to go but onely to Thee for shelter and protection 10. Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God thy Spirit is good lead me into the land of uprightness 10. Whose guidance I beseech as well as defence that I may doe nothing no not for my preservation but what is perfectly agreeable to thy Laws for thy favour is my security which I know is not otherways to be obtained and therefore I desire the conduct of thy good Spirit which is ready to assist those that seek it as well to lead me in the plain path of justice and piety as to suggest to me the way and means of escaping the snares of my Enemies and of coming into an honest Country where I may be free from the fear of being betrayed to them 11. Quicken me O LORD for thy Names sake for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble 11. I have nothing to move Thee to it but onely the honour it will be unto thy Majesty in respect to which I hope O Lord Thou wilt preserve me from perishing and restore me again to my Kingdome For though my straits are so great that my life is in extream danger yet nothing can hinder the performance of thy just and faithfull promise to me 12. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies and destroy all them that afflict my soul for I am thy servant 12. Thy mercy also surpasses all the malice of my Enemies whom I trust Thou wilt cut off and destroy rather then let me continue in these hazzards for I am thy Minister and though never so unworthy am appointed by Thee to govern thy people in which office I will doe Thee all faithfull service PSALM CXLIV A Psalm of David ARGUMENT The Inscription will not let us doubt that David was the Authour of this Psalm but that it was a Triumph after his victory over Goliath as the vulgar Latine hath it is asserted without ground For though some Greek Copies have such an addition to the Inscription yet Theodoret says that as he could find it in the Hebrew so it was not to be met withall in any other Interpreters no not in the LXX in the Hexaplus And it plainly appears by the second Verse that it was composed after he came to the Kingdome and not then till he had got some victories over those that opposed him Nay there are so many expressions here like to those we meet withall in the XVIII Psalm that it hath inclined some to think it was made at the same time and for the same purpose with that of which it looks like a compendium and might be intended for a short form of thanksgiving for his deliverance from all his Enemies But if the expressions be carefully examined their opinion will appear to be truer who think it was composed not after God had given him rest from all his Enemies but after those two victories over the Philistines mentioned 2 Sam. V. if not before them For as he still mentions more opposers who were unsubdued v. 7 11 so he doth not say as in the XVIII Psalm that God had cast forth lightnings and shot his arrows against them c. but desires Him here v. 5 6. that He would appear in that manner for him acknowledging that not onely his Kingdome but his Courage his Victories and Successes were all to be ascribed unto God 1. BLessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight 1. PRaised be the Lord by me and by all men else by whom I have been kept in safety as in an impregnable fortress and who hath given me both strength and skill to handle my Arms whensoever I ingaged either in single combate or in battles 2. My goodness and my fortress my high tower and my deliverer my shield and he in whom I trust who subdueth my under me 2. I ever found Him very mercifull unto me when I was in any danger for He still preserved me as in a strong hold nay set me out of the reach of the most potent Enemies either making a way for my escape when they surrounded me or protecting me in their most furious assaults upon me and as I reposed a constant trust in Him so He hath never failed my expectation but after long contests made all Israel submit themselves unto my Empire 2 Sam. V. 1 c. 3. LORD what is man that thou takest knowledge of him or the son of man that thou makest account of him 3. I am astonished O Lord at this thy wonderfull Goodness and know not what to say but onely admire that Thou shouldst take such care of so poor a thing as man is at the best especially of me a miserable wretch whom Thou hast honoured with most glorious Successes 4. Man is like to vanity his days are as a shadow that passeth away 4. Man alas is but a breath which presently vanishes what a marvel is it then that I should have strength to atchieve such things his life is exceeding short and uncertain and yet such is thy stupendious Goodness I am not onely alive notwithstanding all the hazzards through which I have run but in a little time have performed such memorable acts that the same of them will last for ever 5. Bow they heavens O LORD and come down touch the mountains and they shall smoke 5. Proceed O Lord to perfect my conquest and now that new Enemies are combined against me 2 Sam. VIII let thy Majesty appear as it hath done formerly see Psal XVIII 9. for my assistance and defence and as soon as the proudest opposers feel that Thou art present they will vanish away like smoak 6. Cast forth lightning and scatter them shoot out thine arrows and destroy them 6. Let them be dispersed by flashes of Lightning in their
such Hymns and melodious Songs shall they sing saying Hallelujah praise the Lord by whose power and might we have done all this PSALM CL. Hallelujah See CXLVI ARGUMENT Theodoret takes this also to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Song of Triumph after some Victory and the mention of the mighty acts of the Lord Ver. 2. seems to countenance this conjecture which consists well enough with what others conceive that it was at first particularly directed to the Levites by David I suppose whose office it was to praise the Lord with musical Instruments 1 Chron. XVI 4 5. and excite others to his praises not onely for Victory but for all other his benefits For if the Tradition of the Jews be true which we reade at large in Maimonides in a Treatise on that subject when the people of any place brought up their first fruits to present them to the Lord at Jerusalem according to the Law XXVI Deut. with a pipe going before them as soon as they came to the mountain of the Temple every one took his basket into his hand and sung this whole Psalm till they came to the courts of the Lord's house where the Levites met them singing the XXX Psalm And indeed it might well be used upon occasion of any exceeding great joy for it seems to be intended by the repetition of these words praise the Lord or praise Him thirteen times and by the calling for no less then ten Instruments of Musick to express the height and fulness of their joy and thankfulness to God for his benefits nor can Musick be so well imployed to any other use as this Divine and heavenly exercise of praising God by Hymns and Psalms and spiritual Songs to which the Psalmist seems to me to excite all Creatures in heaven and in earth from the highest to the lowest And with this the Collectour of these five Books of Psalms thought good to conclude the whole and not unfitly For in whatsoever condition we be as there are Psalms adapted to several purposes we should never forget to praise the Lord but after we have prayed or complained c. still end with thankfull acknowledgments to God for his goodness to us Here are several sorts of musical Instruments mentioned which I have not adventured to explain because the Hebrews themselves acknowledge they do not understand them We have no way saith Aben Ezra upon those words Ver. 5. which we translate loud Cymbals to know what these musical Instruments were there being many found in the Country of the Ismaelites i. e. Mahometans which are not among the men of Edom i. e. Christians and others among them which the wise men of Ishmael never heard of 1. PRaise ye the LORD Praise God in his sanctuary praise him in the firmament of his power 1. PRaise the mighty God ye Angelical Ministers that attend upon Him in his celestial Sanctuary Praise Him all ye inhabitants of heaven where you see the brightest demonstrations and most lasting monuments of his power 2. Praise him for his mighty acts praise him according to his excellent greatness 2. Praise Him all ye Ministers of his upon earth for the miraculous things which He hath done for our deliverance and exaltation let your praises bear some proportion to the excellence of his Majesty and the multitude of those great and magnificent acts of mercy towards us 3. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet praise him with the psaltery and harp 3. Let the Priests of the Lord X. Numb 8. praise Him with the sound of the Trumpet and let the Levites 1 Chron. XXV 6. praise Him with Psalteries and Harps 4. Praise him with the timbrel and dance praise him with stringed instruments and organs 4. Let some praise Him with the Timbrel and the Flute and others praise Him with the stringed Instruments and Organs 5. Praise him upon the loud cymbals praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals 5. Let all sort of Cymbals accompany their Psalms and Hymns in his praise both those of daily use and those that are wont to be imployed in times of the highest joy and triumph 6. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD Praise ye the LORD 6. Finally Let every man living join himself to this sacred Quire and at every breath praise the Lord the giver of life and of all good things To Him let all the world with one consent give perpetual praise THE END