thou hast shewed in former time vnto our Fathers which vz. also thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy truth i. which faythfully and truely thou promisedst and that by an oth adioyned to thy promise to performe to him and his séede see verse 35 of this Psalme In the other two verses vz. verse 47.48 he tooke argumentes from the vanitie of men and their life to moue the Lorde to pittie them In this verse he taketh an argument from the faythfulnesse which GOD vseth towards his seruaunts to induce him therto and in the two nexte verses vz. 50 51. he taketh an argument from the person of their enemies Verse 50. Remember O Lord i. earnestly thinke vpon that thou mayst also redresse it the rebuke of thy seruaunts i. the tauntes and rebukes wherewith thy seruaunts are laded by their enimies sée Psalm 123.4 which I beare in my bosome i. which I suffer most quietly patiently louing them as it were and making so much of them as though I fostred them in my bosome because I know they come from thée of al the mightie people i. which al the mighty people cast vpon me so the Prophet sheweth who were his enemies vz. not only the meaner sort but the most mighty of all Ver. 51. Thyne enemies vz. and ours for thy sake haue reproched thée O Lord vz. because thou hast not holpen vs saying where is now their god Psal 79.10 because they haue reproched i. blasphemed and spoken euil of with taunts rebukes the footesteps of thine annointed i. the good conuersation and behauiour of him whom thou hast appointed to be King if you referre it to Dauid If to Christe then it hath this sence that they speake euill of the doctrine and profession of Christ vpbraiding them also that wayted for his comming Vnderstanding by footesteps the féete themselues because with our féete we make our steps and by féete comming as Isaiah 52.7 Ver. 52. Praysed be the Lord for euermore this is a conclusion with thanksgiuing which in all places and in prosperitye and aduersitie the faythfull vse to giue to the Lord as Iob 1 21. So be it euen so bee it this is a consent yeelded to the same thankes giuing and the doubling maketh both for the earnestnesse and certaintie of it Sée Psalme 72.19 Ver. 1 teacheth that it behoueth Gods saints continually to praise god for his Do. mercy also that their thanksgiuing must not be inward in the hart onlye but outward also in the mouth Verse 2. teacheth that the true taste and féeling of Gods mercy and truth are two principall proppes to our consciences Verse 3 teacheth Gods goodnesse and mercy who for the further strengthening of our fayth and not for any inconstancy in him maketh an oth for the performaunce of his promises Verse 4. teacheth that Kinges and their posterity can not indure without the Lord vphold them and blesse them Verse 5. teacheth men euen by the example of heauenly creatures to prayse the Lord. Verse 6 teacheth that none neither in heauen nor earth is any way matchable with God Ver. 7 is a notable place against inuocation or prayer to Saynts Verse 8 sheweth that it is no small comfort to the consciences of Gods children rightly to consider his great power Verse 9. teacheth that Gods power and prouidence beareth a sway in the stilling of the sea and waues thereof which otherwise séeme to goe by naturall course Verse 10 teacheth vs that the ouerthrow of Gods enemies is not from man but from the Lorde himselfe and his mightye power Verse 11 sheweth that God is Lord ouer all things and that the firmity or stayednesse which the world hath it hath it not of it selfe but from the Lorde who in his power and prouidence vpholdeth the same Verse 12 proueth that God created the earth and that therefore it is not eternall as Philosophie affirmeth also although all the earth belong to the Lord as ouer which he hath a generall care yet specially that part which the faythfull inhabite Verse 13 setteth out Gods mightie strength and power which is so great as none is able to resist Verse 14 setteth out Gods iustice mercy and truth as matters not only of great comfort to his seruaunts but of great instruction also to teache them to striue to the lyke in their behauiour and dealings Verse 15 teacheth first that only Gods people are indéede blessed secondly that there is no matter of mirth or ioy but in the Lord only thirdly that Gods frée fauour and mercy is the onely vpholder of our bodily and spirituall life Verse 16 teacheth that the faythfull neuer reioyce in themselues but in the Lord and in his strength and in the faythfull accomplishment of his promises Ver. 17. teacheth that all the glory strength and power that the godly haue is from the Lord only Ver. 18. teacheth that neyther King nor people nor weapons c. are any thing without the Lord. Verse 19 teacheth that Gods word in the mouth of his ministers is a good both warrante and comforte to those that are his also that it is the Lorde that rayseth vp one and pulleth downe an other Verse 20 teacheth vs that he is in déede approued whom the Lord approueth howe much soeuer otherwise he be reiected of men Verse 21 teacheth that all the strength and power that Princes haue they haue it from the Lorde alone Verse 22 sheweth Gods care ouer his children and how mightily he will defend them it teacheth also that the wicked cannot doe what they list Ver. 23 teacheth that the ouerthrow of the vngodly is from the Lord whatsoeuer instruments he vseth to the performance thereof Verse 24. teacheth that Gods truth mercy and power are the proppes of all common wealths and kingdomes Ver. 25. teacheth that it is the Lord alone who inlargeth kingdoms Ver. 26 teacheth not only how earnest Gods children should be in their prayers but also with what a particular apprehension féeling of his mercy and power they ought to repaire vnto him Ver. 27. teacheth that meane men and high men are so much as God accounteth of them indéede and no more Ver. 28 teacheth that Gods mercy the stedfastnesse of his couenaunt be singular comforts to the consciences of his seruaunts Ver. 29. teacheth that God will be the God of the faythfull and of their séede after them Ver. 30.31 doe euidently declare what sinne is vz. the breache of the law and not obseruing Gods commaundements Ver. 32. teacheth that God wil chastice his for their sins to the end that therby they may come to amendment Verse 33 teacheth that God in the middest of his punishmentes remembreth his mercy toward his secondly that God will neuer vtterly forsake those that are his howsoeuer it pleaseth him to afflict them for a time Verse 34. sheweth that God is frée from all chaunge or shadow of turning Iames 1.17 which is a singular comfort to the afflicted foule Verse 35 expresseth Gods loue towardes vs
soeuer either in heauen or in earth And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD vz. for his gracious and large gouernement Verse 20. Prayse the Lorde yée his Angels Angels are sayde to bée Gods not onelye because hée created them but also because hee vseth them at his pleasure in the execution of his will that excell in strength vz. all other creatures vnderstanding also by strengthe whatsoeuer is excellent in them so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23 that doe his commaundemente i. the thinges hée commaundeth you in obeying the voyce of his woorde q.d. you are so readye in obeying that so soone as the Lorde speaketh you are readye to doe it Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures because the Lorde hath them at commaundement as a Captayne hath his armed men and Souldiers to vse them as pleaseth him some onelye to Angels but I allowe rather the former reason by that which is written Genesis 2.1 Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure i. what pleaseth him before hee called his creatures hostes for the multitude of them Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts because hée hath them at commaundemente Verse 22. Prayse the Lorde vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse all yée his woorkes i. all his creatures of what order or condition so euer yée bée in all places of his dominion i. euerye where because hee ruleth euerye where and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen and in earth my soule prayse thou the Lorde hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it and therefore Sée verse 1. of this Psalme And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last also Psalme 147. verse 1. and last Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last Verse 1. Teacheth vs first to inforce our selues Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man Verse 2. Teacheth also two thinges the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings of almightie GOD Secondly that they rightly thought vppon are strong arguments to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4 He teacheth vs for what causes and graces wée shoulde bee thankefull vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings they teach also that all the graces which wee haue wee receiue onely from the Lorde but yet let vs somewhat more particularly consider them Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely which ouerthroweth mans merites thirdly that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them originall actual c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ and as for actuall sinnes committed after baptisme men must satisfie for them Lastly it teacheth that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured no though wée vse all meanes vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke Verse 4. Teacheth first that the issues of life and death are in Gods owne hande Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely and not by his owne strength or any thing in him Thirdly that the Lorde is not skant or pinching in his goodnesse but plentifullye powreth it foorth vppon those that are his Verse 5. Teacheth vs that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is Secondly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age and maketh them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye as in the dayes of their youth Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye yet the Lorde will deale vprightly which is a great comfort vnto his children Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye Verse 9. Teacheth vs that this is no small comfort that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come Verse 11. Teacheth vs that Gods mercye is infinyte and incomprehensible Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD towardes his sonnes and seruauntes Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16 Vnder the similitude of the grasse flowre wind c. doe set foorth not onely the shortnes but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life Verse 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde practise and obedience also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde and his commaundementes to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome which is comfortable to the godly because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience to the voyce and worde of the Lorde Verse 21.22 Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde much more man that excellent creature not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created but also because hée hath receiued infinite numbers of benefites aboue the rest Ver. 22. And these woordes in all places of his dominion teach Gods children neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme with the same sentence that hee did beginne it hee doeth not onely shewe howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is but also howe dull men are thereto and that maketh him in this Psalme to double and treble that sentence that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety Psalme 104 THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry matters and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided Di. Notwithstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and others to praise God for his power from ver 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of God towardes his
i. performe and accomplish for though Gods worde bee alwayes sure both in respect of his maiesty from whome it cōmeth and of it selfe and the things propounded in it and of vs also in respect of assured faith yet it is then most liuely confirmed vnto vs when it is performed and it declared to bee true and certaine by effect as it were thy promise vz. made to me he putteth one promise for many vsing also promises for the word it selfe conteining promises as ver 11. of this Psalm to thy seruant i. to me for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person q.d. make the effect of thy promises to come vnto me who serue thée with a good heart for though it be true that Gods promises perfourmed to others may comfort men yet nothing so much can they comfort vs as this which we féele perfourmed to our particular persons because he feareth thée it woulde rather be turned thus who feareth thée for our feare of God is not a cause why God shoulde performe his promises to vs and the Prophet meaneth by the word feare not onely a reuerent perswasion which he had in his heart of God but the effects and fruits of that reuerence that is the worship and seruing of him according to his word Ver. 39. Take away vz. of thy mercy and goodnes my rebuke i. the euil which I might commit against thy good lawe and so it might tend to my shame as though hée prayed to be kept from notorious transgressions as ver 31. of this Psalm or else thus for as much as by some sinnes and namely the sinne of adultery with Bathsheba and murther of her husband Vriah hee had purchased rebuke and shame amongst men hée beséecheth the Lord euen to remoue that that I feare vz. will not onely fall but increase vppon mee vnlesse in mercy thou cure and couer it for thy iudgements vz. which thou hast pronounced in thy word are good vz. to them that rightly vnderstand them vnderstanding by iudgements not onely the threates of the lawe but also euen those comforts which God hath pronounced in the same Ver. 40. Beholde I desire vz. earnestly and with a very good affection thy commandements i. both the knowledge and obedience of thy commandements quicken mee Sée ver 25.37 of this Psalme in thy righteousnes i. in thy woorde and lawe which is called righteousnes because it is the onely rule of that righteousnes which we ought to performe to God or man Do. Ver. 33. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord onely for light and instruction out of his holy worde also to cary with vs a holy purpose of perseuerance and continuance in the obedience of God all the dayes of our life Verse 34. Teacheth vs that the vnderstanding kéeping of gods law is a singular gift of his own bestowed vpon his children also that our obedience to god should be vnfeigned and without hipocrisie Ver. 35 Teacheth vs that vnlesse God kéepe vs in obedience wée shall continually wander out of the way also that our continual delight and pleasure should be in Gods word Ver. 36. Teacheth vs what a foule fault the sinne of couetousnes is also that there is no better meane to subdue it in our selues then care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods worde Ver. 37. Teacheth vs first to nippe off sinne in the beginning thereof secondly to labour the mortification of our earthly members and the partes of our bodyes inclined to euill and thirdly to pray for liuelines continuance in the obedience of Gods trueth Ver. 38. Teacheth vs that if wee haue by experience either in our selues or others but specially in our selues felt the trueth of gods promises perfourmed to vs wee haue not onely a notable testimony of Gods goodnes but a seale set vpon our fayth for the greater strengthning of it in the same Ver. 39. Teacheth vs to pray the remouing of shame amongst men specially if our shame shal bring with it some dishonour to God also it teacheth vs not to be shameles as many men are who are without blushing and haue gotten to thēselues harlots faces Ver. 40. Teacheth vs to haue an earnest desire both to knowe and walke in the obedience of Gods lawe This part in summe declareth what great weaknes there is in man to vnderstande loue and followe Gods lawe vnlesse he be taught and renued by the power of his spirit Vau. Di. THis is the sixt letter and noteth out the sixt part In which the Prophet specially propoundeth two thinges first he maketh prayer vnto God for the continuaunce of his mercies specially for manifesting his word vnto him with the fruites and effectes which shall follow thereof ver 41.42.43.44 Secondly hée promiseth and voweth as it were a thankefull heart to the Lord for his benefits which he wil declare openly before all men yea euen kings magistrates Ver. 45.46 By a holy and religious life towards God himselfe ver 47.48 Se. Ver. 41. And let thy louing kindnes i. thy most tender and infinite mercy come vnto mée O Lorde vz. from thée q.d. let me haue it plentifully powred forth vpon mée and make mee to féele it effectually and thy saluation i. ayde helpe yea and eternall life it selfe hée setteth louing kindnes or mercy before saluation as the cause before the effect according to thy promise vz. graciously made vnto me q.d. make mee to féele that louing kindnesse and saluation of thine which thou hast promised and I pray for Ver. 42. So i. by that meanes onely and no other shall I make answere i. bee inabled sufficiently to answere vnto my blasphemies i. vnto them that reuile and speake euill of mee q.d. I will not then dissemble any whit at all but speake euen as the thing it selfe shall require for I trust in thy worde vz. which thou hast giuen mee q.d. I perswade my selfe in the trueth of thy woorde that when I shall once sensibly féele thy mercy and goodnes I shal be wel able to answere all my gainsayers Sée Luke 21.14.15 Verse 43. And take not vz. though for my sinnes in iustice thou mightest the worde of trueth i. thy worde which only conteyneth trueth in it vtterly i. altogether or for euer Immanuel readeth this part of the verse thus But take not out of my mouth the very true word i. the word which is most true referring the word which is here translated vtterly not to the word take away as our English text doeth but to the worde of God which in déede is most true out of my mouth in this speach hee doeth not exclude the heart by which we must beginne but it is q.d. vpholde not only my heart in faith lest I bee ouerthrowne through temptations but bring to passe also that my tongue may haue full liberty so that I may praise thee amongst men without any feare so also Saint Paul prayeth the Church to pray for him that vtterance might bée giuen vnto him that he might
al my dangers Verse 8. The Lorde vz. whose purpose and power none is able to withstand will performe vz. graciously and in good time his worke i. the worke that hee hath begunne in me towardes me i. vpon me and for my cause q.d. hee will procéede 〈◊〉 declare that hee hath care ouer my saluatioon and will bring to perfection that which hee hath begunne Sée Philip. 1.6 O Lorde thy mercy vz. towardes all but chiefely towardes thy children indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue ende for though that in the life to come wee shall not sinne no more then the Angels in heauen doe nowe yet as they stand now so must wee then by his only mercy in Christ forsake not the woorkes of thine handes i. leaue not mee in myne affliction and the good thinges that thou hast begunne in mee Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to prayse the Lorde for his mercies Do. yea that wée shoulde not bée ashamed to doe it before men of might and countenaunce Verse 2. Teacheth vs that Gods continuall grace towardes vs and the faythfull accomplishment of his promises shoulde alwaies prouoke vs to bee thankefull vnto him Verse 3. Teacheth vs that GOD is nigh to the earnest supplications and prayers of his seruauntes Verse 4. Teacheth vs that it is the duety euen of Kinges to serue the Lorde euen as well as the meanest of the people and that the hearing of Gods woorde is a good meane for mens conuersion Verse 5. Teacheth vs to take singular delight in the meditation and speach of Gods workes and worde Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God considereth the conuersation both of the good and the bad but to diuers endes and effectes Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when Gods children are in the greatest distresse that euen then they should assuredly beleeue that God will worke most comfortably for their deliueraunce Verse 8. Teacheth vs that GOD beginneth nothing in his children but hee doeth accomplishe and make the same perfect and yet that it is our duety notwithstanding to vse continuall and hearty prayers vnto him for the performance thereof Psalme 139 Di. I Doe suppose that this Psalme may rightly bee diuided into foure partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde did thorowly know him and al his waies both inward and outward and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seconde hée declareth that nothing neither in heauen nor in earth nor in places vnder the earth is able to hyde him from this great presence and exact knowledge of God from verse 7. to the ende of the 12. In the thirde parte hee setteth out certaine reasons thereof taken from mans creation concluding with the excellency of Gods workes and wayes from ver 13. to the ende of the 18. and in the fourth part hee prayeth earnestly agaynst the wicked desiring the Lorde more and more to try him that in the ende hee may bee founde fit for him from ver 19. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to him that excelleth a Psalm of Dauid sée this expounded before Psalme 4. in the title Sée also the title of Psalme 14. Ver. 1. O Lorde vz. who alone art the searcher of the heartes and reynes thou hast tried vz. by sundry and many meanes mée vz. whome men speake so much euill of and knowne mee vz. thorowly both inwardly and outwardly so that my thoughtes wordes and déedes are open in thy sight and that which hee speaketh here generally hee vttereth in the next verses more particularly And this Dauid doth appealing to the iudgement of God and making him witnesse of his heart because hee sawe that hee was vniustly accused of his enemies Verse 2. Thou knowest vz. thorowly as before verse 1. my sitting and my rising i. whether I sit downe or ryse vp or doe any thing else it is naked before thée vnderstanding also by these two al the actions of the whole life of a man thou vnderstandest i. knowest and perceiuest my thought i. both it and the thinges that in it I thinke vppon a farre off i. long before it bee brought to effect yea long before it come into my minde or I haue conceiued any thing in my selfe Verse 3. Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe i. thou art alwayes with mée whether I iourney trauayle or lye still and are accustomed i. well acquainted and as it were familiar with all my wayes i. with the conuersation and actions of my whole lyfe Verse 4. For there is not a woorde in my tongue i. I am not about to speake any thing at all hée putteth the instrument of speach and woordes conceiued and ready to bée vttered for woordes vttered already as it were but loe thou knowest it wholly O Lorde vz. euen before I speake it so that neither it nor any part of it can bee hidden from thée Verse 5. Thou holdest mée straite vz. by thy almighty power behinde and before i. on euery side as aboue and belowe on the right hande and on the left q.d. thy power and presence enuironeth mée on all sides so that I can neither thinke doe nor speake any thing but thou séest it and knowest it and layest thyne hande vppon mee i. thy power q.d. euen as though thou haddest arrested mee and made mee thy prisoner thou kéepest mée in such sort that I can not goe out of thy sight nor doe any thing but thou knowest it yea and guidest and gouernest mee also Verse 6. Thy knowledge i. the knowledge of thy maiesty and of thy wonderfull and excellent woorkes is to wonderfull i. ouer high and marueilous for mee vz. to reach vnto it it is so high i. excellent and exquisite that I can not atteine vnto it vz. by any wit or industrie that I haue q.d. I am not able to comprehende of my selfe or by any thing that is within mée or without mee to knowe thée and thy great woorkes because they are farre beyonde the reach of my reason capacitie and vnderstanding Verse 7. Whither i. into what place of heauen and earth shall I goe from thy spirite vz. to hyde mee from thy knowledge and vnderstanding because men conceiue and vnderstande thinges by the spirite which is a facultie and power of the inwarde man hee speaketh thus of God not meaning it of the holy Ghost which is the thirde person of the godheade q.d. I knowe not whither to goe but thou wilt alwayes perceiue and vnderstande where I am whither shall I flie from thy presence q.d. I knowe not whither to get mee from thy sight as may appeare by the particular enumeration following Verse 8. If I ascende i. goe vp into heauen vz. which is thy seate and dwelling house as it were thou art there i. I shall certainelye finde thee there if I lye downe in hell i. in the graue as wee haue had it sundrye tymes in this booke of Psalmes q.d. if I should rest in the graue and lower partes of the earth as men
diuision The thing propounded generally is godly life Ver. 2. but particularlye to auoyde slaundering lying inconstancye vsurye briberye c. verse 3.4.5 which done he sheweth what blessings belong to those that walke after that sort Se. This Psalmes Title is easie Ver. 1. In thy Tabernacle i. in the visible Church q.d. who shall be accounted a visible member thereof In thyne holy mountayne i. in Heauen Psalme 3.4 Ver. 2. He that walketh vprightly it is vsuall in scripture to haue walking put for conuersation it is as much then q.d. he that leadeth an vpright life worketh righteousnes i. doth the thing that is right in his hart as he hath it in his hart so hee maketh his mouth and tongue the instruments to expres it Ver. 3. He that slaundereth not this is one particular of truth from the harte with his tongue that is he that maketh not his tongue the instrumente to vtter the slaunder hee hath within him whereby wée sée that there is a double slaunder one inwarde in the mynde and not expressed the other inwarde and besydes that vttered with the mouth nor doth euill this expoundeth righteousnesse verse 2. meaning that a man must doe no manner of iniurye whatsoeuer to his neighbour I take this worde Neighbour to bée vsed here generallye for any as Exod. 20. in the tenth commaundement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. as also our Sauiour séemeth to meane Luke 10.29 30. c. nor receaueth a false report c. we must not only not slaunder our selues but wee must not admit a slaunder broughte vnto vs by other Ver. 4. In whose eyes i. before whome and in whose iudgement a vile person i. a wicked man is contemned i. a little or nothing set by and regarded he that sweareth i. he that hath with an oth promised a thing lawfull to his own hinderance i. and yet it falleth out in the end to be hurtfull to him in respect of his wealth and substaunce and chaÌ„geth not vz. that which he hath promised though he lose neuer so muche by it ver 5. he that giueth not his monye to vsury i. he that without anye profite at all to himselfe helpeth an other man by the vse of his monye nor taketh reward vz. of them which haue an vniust cause hée séemeth to speak specially of Iudges against the innocent i. that thereby the innocentes cause may be ouerthrowne and iudgement though wrongfullye pronounced against him shall neuer be moued i. he shall be stedfastly rooted in the church in this life and after the course of this life ended be made a citizen for euer of the Heauenly Ierusalem Ver. 2. Teacheth that godly life and vpright dealing be very excellente fruites it teacheth also vnfaynedly to speake the truth touching all men and matters as time and occasion shall serue ver 3. Teacheth vs to auoyd slaundering iniury or wrong doing and acceptation of false tales and reports ver 4. Teacheth that we should not much regarde vngodlye men though they be neuer so highly aduaunced in this world and on the other side that we should loue reuerence the godly though they be neuer so pore and contemptible at teacheth further that honest promises lawfull othes touching things of this life should be performed though the performance therof should much impaire our wealth ver 5. Teacheth that vsury and bribery must be shunned of all the godly and the better to incourage vs to the performance of these holy duties the Lord in mercy setteth before vs a promise of this life present and of the life to come which godlines hath alwais annexed vnto it as a coÌ„panion that cannot be sundered froÌ„ it sée 1. Tim. 4.8 Psalme 16. THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts In the fâ—â—ste is contayned a prayer that the Prophet maketh to â—â—â—d Di. in which prayer he layeth not forth his workes but cleaueth only to God and his goodnesse from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the seconde he yéeldeth thankes to the Lorde for the aboundaunce of goodnesse and mercy which hee continuallye receyued from him from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is Michtan of Dauid and differeth from any Title wee haue had yet I take it to be q.d. a Psalme that Dauid made to bee sung after a certayne tune named Michtan commonlye knowne amongst the Iewishe songes for the excellency of it wherevpon also it should séeme to bee named as though it were as excellent as gold Ver. 2. thou art my Lord i. I acknowledge none for Lord vnto me but thée alone my weldoing extendeth not to thée i. thou art nothing profited thereby in respect of thy selfe sée Iob 35.6.7.8 Ver. 3. That are in the earth i. that are liuing amongst men whereby we may learne also that it cannot profit them that are departed and to the excellent vz. in vertue and goodnesse all my delight is in them expound this by Psalme 15.4 Ver. 4. Offerings of blood the Prophet alludeth as I take it to the idolatrous manner of the Gentiles who made their children passe through the fyre to their idols which he calleth offrings of blood or bloody offrings because mans blood was shed therein make meÌ„tion of their names with my lips sée Exo. 23.13 Eph. 5.3 noting by this maner of spéech his detestation of idols and Idolatrie vnderstanding by lips his spéeche and talke ver 5. The Lorde is the portion of my inheritaunce he had sayd before he would haue no fellowship with the Idolaters neyther idols now he sheweth to whom he will cleaue vz. to the Lorde who is a portion euen as it were of inheritaunce alotted vnto him and one that filleth him with goodnesse for so I take the word Cup to be vsed here sée Psal 23.5 thou shalt mayntaine my lot q.d. thou alone for in thée doe I truste and not in my selfe or any other for if it were in vs to be vpholden it could not be mayntayned shalt mayntaine i. vphold and kéepe sure my lot i. the portion which is come to mee by lot as it were he putteth lot for the thing that fell to him by lot as in the next verse he putteth the word lines for that that fell to him by the measuring of the lines or cordes Touching lots and lines or cordes sée Deut. 32.9 Prouerb 16.33 ver 6. in pleasaunte places both for pleasure and profite a fayre heritage i. fine and excellent vnderstanding by these spéeches portion inheritaunce cuppe lines heritage c. all one thing as it were vz. assuraunce of Gods goodnesse towards him for things appertayning to this life and the life to come ver 7. Hath giuen me councell i. instructed and taught me what was right vz. by his holye spirit my reines i. my inward affections as Psalme 7.9 reformed by the mighty working of Gods spirit teach me vz. to thinke vpon nothing as it were but goodnesse in the night when commonly we are prone to euill and
their bettering but to their confusion yea to the confusion of their posterity as hee noteth in the next verse the fire vz. sent from heauen as vpon Sodom and Gomorrah or else by fire vnderstande most vehement afflictions which is vsuall also in the Scriptures ver 10. Their fruite i. their children and posterity from the children of men i. from amongst men and their posterity so that when other men and their féed shal florish these wicked ones and their posterity shal decay ver 11. Against thee hee meaneth chiefly God but with al Gods anointed in setting themselues against whom they set themselues against God But they shall not preuaile vz. in their mischieuous intents imaginations for they deale against him that wil ouertake them in their owne euil ver 12. And the strings of the bow vz. with arrows in thē the bow being already bēt sée Psal 7.12 c. ver 13. Be thou exalted O Lorde in thy strength i. shewe thy dignitie and power in helping the king performe some thing that may set out thy might and strength that we may haue occasion to prayse thy power and iustly to say that thou onely art mighty and powerfull Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth wherein kinges shoulde specially glory vz. in Gods strength and not in their owne ver 2.3 c. Declare not only gods goodnes to magistrates but teach them that the more they haue receiued the more carefully they should walke in the obedience of his will ver 3. Teacheth that God doth vs much good before we aske any good thing of him which expresseth his wonderfull mercy ver 4. Teacheth that God sundry times giueth more to his children then they demaund ver 5. Teacheth both wherein the true glory of kings and kingdomes consisteth and also from whom it commeth ver 6. Declareth wherein kinges should take their greatest delight and pleasure vz. in Gods fauour sée Psalm 4.6.7 Ver. 7. Sheweth that the way to haue kinges surely setled in their seate is to trust in God onely and his mercy ver 8. Declareth that none of Gods enemies though they neuer so closely hide themselues shal escape Gods power and iudgements ver 9.10 Declare Gods horrible punishments vpon the wicked and their posterity the Lord punishing the sinnes of vngodly fathers vnto the third and fourth generation ver 11. Teacheth the pride of wicked mens heartes who dare oppose themselues against God it sheweth also that all the counsels and purposes of the wicked shalbée frustrate ver 12. Sheweth that the vngodly shal not escape vnpunished ver 13. Teacheth vs by praier to commend Gods cause and his owne glory into his owne hands which when he hath once made manifest it teacheth vs further to praise him therefore Psalme 22. IT should appeare that when Dauid made this Psalme Di. hee was in wonderfull perplexitie and distresse which maketh him so confused in his wordes sometimes complaining that hee was forsaken sometimes setting out his owne misery sometimes praying for deliuerance sometimes describing the naughtines of wicked men sometimes incouraging himselfe and others to thankfulnes c. So that hardly it can be wel deuided notwithstanding me thinketh it comprehendeth those parts first he setteth out his owne miserie and describeth at large the wicked mens dealing against him from ver 1. vnto the .8 In the second hee praieth deliuerance promising himselfe and prouoking others to prayse the Lord for that his mercy from ver 19. to the end of the Psalme Some thing is in this title which is not in others going before Se. as vppon Aijeleth Hashahar which though some thinke to be the beginning of some cōmon tune according to which this Psalme was song and may well stand so wherof somewhat hath béen said in the title of Psal 7. Yet I take it otherwise interpreting the Hebrew words in or at the dauning of the day notwithstanding I know some interpret thē the hind of the morning at which time it may appeare that the priests and Leuits did sing Psalmes sée 1. Chron. 9.33 also 1. Chron. 23.29.30 And compare these two places together ver 1. My God my God diuers parts of this Psalme are applyed to Christ in the newe Testament and namely amongst the rest the first part of this verse in that hee sayth my God c. he declareth his faith why hast thou forsaken mee not that God doth euer forsake his but that it seemeth vnto thē when aide is delaied Christ vseth the same words but he vttereth it in respect of the weaknes of his humanity yet without sinne from mine health he meaneth it not so much of any bodily sicknes he was in as that God seemed to be far off from deliuering him frō his particular griefs wherof he speaketh in this Psalm the words of my roaring i. from words that I vtter with wonderful outcries by reason of the great griefe I am in ver 2. I cry i. I pray earnestly both day night yea I cease not but thou hearest not i. grantest not my petitions so forth in the rest of the verse ver 3. But thou art holy vz. in al thy waies and works remaining alwaies like vnto thy self q. d though my praiers be not heard yet thou art good the fault is in me not in thée The praises of Israel i. the place where the people of Israel sing prayses vnto thée meaning either Sion or some other place where the arke and Tabernacle was ver 5. Called vpon thée i. in faith prayed vnto thée meaning that séeing so often as they called vpon him trusted in him they were heard deliuered he marueiled much why he calling vpō him trusting in him should not be graciously heard likewise ver 6. But I am a worme i. I am accounted as a thing of no value or price not a man vz. in the iudgment of the wicked he meaneth by these two spéeches that he was cast down below al men as it were cut off from the number of beasts so much wēt they about to debase him a shame of men i. one whome men are ashamed of to behold and the contempt of the people i. such a one as al the people and the basest amongst them contemne and despise sée Iob. 30.9.10 c. Ver. 7. By making a mowe and nodding the head the Prophet vnderstandeth all the gestures that the vngodly vse in scoffing and deriding gods people sée Mat. 27.39 Ver. 8. Are the wordes of the wicked q.d. where is the God vpon which he stayed himselfe let him saue him i. deliuer him out of our handes seeing hée loueth him i. séeing God beareth a good wil towards him as hee sayth q.d. hée thinketh God loueth him but because he doeth not deliuer him he loueth him not at all Satan hath no dart more deadly then this when hee goeth about by himselfe and his instruments to spoile vs of the hope wee haue in god turning al gods promises into mockerie ver 9. But thou c.
latter for mine own part doe I incline in his temple i. in the place wher he is publikely serued doth euery man vz. of his faithful seruants speake of his glory vz. by beholding his excellency in these his workes though the vngodly wil not acknowledge the same ver 10. The Lord sitteth i. heareth sway and exerciseth a gouernment vpon the flood the singular number for the plurall meaning by floods all waters eyther in the firmament or vnder the earth King i. Ruler and gouernour ouer all things whatsoeuer ver 11. Giue strength i. indue them with might and strength to defend thēselues and to annoy their enemies blesse his people with peace i. giue them plentifull and prosperous succes in al things Out of ver 1. we learne that great men ought to worship the Lord Do. that in the glorious sanctuarie i. in the publique places of Gods assemblies yea the more great they are the more forward they should be in this because their examples may very much preuayle Out of ver 3. so forth to the 9 we learne to feare God in his workes iudgements for if his creatures as the thunder c. are so ful of power what is his own maiesty and being ver 9. It appertayneth to his children publikely to set forth his prayses ver 10. Setteth out gods eternall prouidence and continual gouernment ver 11. Containeth two things vz. a promise of plentifull blessings vnto Gods people it sheweth also further the fountayne from whence these good things flow vz. God and his goodnesse Psalme 30. IN the first part of this Psalm the Prophet not only promiseth that he himselfe wil be thankful to the Lord Di. for benefites receaued but also exhorteth other men to do the like from ver 1. the end of the 5. In the second he sheweth how sodayne the fal is from prosperitie to aduersitie beseeching the Lord graciously to prolong his daies promising for that and other graces harty thankes from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is Se. a Psalme or song of Dauid i. which Dauid did sing at the dedication of his house vz. vnto the Lord i. to holines acceptable agréeable vnto the Lord for before it had ben defiled with Absalon his wickednes as appeareth 2. Sam. 16.22 thus doe some expound it but I rather take it to be made at the dedication of the house of Ceder which he made for it was a custome prescribed by law as appeareth Deut. 20.5 that at the setting vp of new houses this order of dedication should be obserued in whiche thankfulnesse as it should séeme was yéelded to the Lord for the worke finished praier made for the cōtinuance of his goodnes ver 1. magnifie thée i. greatly praise thée exalted me i. lifted me vp set me frée frō wonderful daungers and deaths dore as it were It is a metaphor taken from them that fell into some pit or ditche and were drawne out againe Ver. 2. I cried vnto thée and thou c. q.d. So soone as I prayed thou graciously didst graunt my request restored mee vz. to my kingdome and state after some but I rather take it to health soundnesse after some great sicknesse that he had ver 3. My soule i. Me and my life who were at the graues brinke thou hast reuiued me from thē that goe down into the pit q.d. I was euen almost with them that are buried but yet thou graciously broughtst me frō their company restoredst me to life Pit is put here for the graue as psal 28.1 ver 4. Before or as Immanuel readeth at the remembrance i. when you doe remember his holines goodnes towards you for the Lord maketh himself to be had in remembrance by his works and sheweth himself praise worthy in the same therfore the Prophet woulde haue the remembrance of his holines i. of al his goodnesse bestowed vpon his childrē putting one excellent thing in god for all the rest to bee continual amongest his faythfull people ver 5. For he i. God but a while in his anger i. his anger and wrath towards his is very short but in his fauor is life i. not only lēgth of dayes here in this life but all other good things whatsoeuer maye abyde vz. with his seruaunts and children and this is an exposition of that whiche went before vz. that his wrath was and is very shorte to those that are his ver 6. In my prosperity i. when I had al things according to my minde in mine own iudgemēt séemed out of dāger I sayd i. I thought in my harte as Psal 14.1 for it is not likely that Dauid would speake these wordes with his tongue neuer be moued vz. from this prosperous state ver 7. my mountain to stād strong i. thou establishest my kingly authority by thy power madest it to stand in my iudgement as stedfast as a mountaine hidest thy face i. withdrawest thy fauor and presence I was troubled i. so soone as I perceaued it I was in maruailous anguish affection of spirit ver 8. Then i. when I was thus troubled and afflicted ver 9. In my blood i. in my life eyther alredy past or to come go down to the pit i. die and be burried sée ver 3. of this Psalme shall the dust i. man dissolued into dust sée Psal 6.5 thy truth i. thy faithfulnes and stedfastnes which thou vsest in performing thy promises ver 11. thou hast turned vz. after praier made vnto thy maiesty my sack i. sackcloth which was a signe of mourning and heauinesse putting it for heauinesse and sorrow girded me with gladnes i. compassed me in on euery side with it sée the lyke phrase Psal 18.32 meaning that he had abundance of ioy Do. Ver. 1. God is to be praised for the defence of his seruaunts the cōfusion of his foes ver 2 the Lord is nigh to the harty praiers of his seruāts ver 3. whē we are in greatest distres thē doth god most mercifully deliuer that all the glory may be giuen to him ver 4. we must prouoke others to praise god for his goodnes ver 5. containeth a difference betwéen gods wrath mercy that euen in respect of him ver 6 Men in prosperity may easily he deceaued and puffed vp in hope of assurance aboue measure ver 7. withdrawing of Gods fauour for a while maketh vs sée our wretchednes misery ver 9. Desire of life vpon earth must be referred to the aduancement of Gods glory vpon the same or else it is not right Ver. 10. in distresse we must flée to the Lord for succour only ver 11. God graciously heareth the prayers of his seruaunts and deliuereth them from all their gréefes ver 12. teacheth that we ought to be continually thankefull to God for his mercies Psalme 31. THis Psalme hath thrée principall partes Di. First he sheweth his stedfast trust in the Lord desiring the Lord in mercy to deliuer him from
a straunger another reason brought to moue God to mercy taken from his miserable estate sée 1. Chron. 29.5 Psal 119.19 where you shall haue almost the same wordes as all my Fathers he meaneth of the faythfull and godly The sence of this verse is q.d. Hearken O Lord vnto my prayers by which I pray thée that I may be deliuered from this great gréefe wherein I am I aske this at thy hands not that I am very desirous of this life but because I féele my selfe vnable of my selfe to abide such torments for I am with thée or before thée or thou being witnesse of the matter a straunger on the earth neither doe I acknowledge my countrie to be here wherein I follow my Fathers Abraham Isaac Iaakob c. who because they tended towards thée were not taken with this Worlde wherein they were conuersant but vsed themselues as straungers in another countrie hauing alwayes a minde to their home Ver. 13. From me i. from plaguing me so gréeuously my strength vz. decayed and as it were consumed thorow gréefe and vexation before I go hence vz. out of this world meaning before I dye and be not vz. aliue here on the earth amongst men Do. Ver. 1. It is good to striue to the brideling of our spéech speciallye in the presence of the wicked who will insult ouer vs if we slippe in our wordes Ver. 2. It is a hard matter to abstaine from extremities for if we are not too muche giuen to babling we be ouerflow tongued to good thinges Ver. 3. Impaciencye must be fought vgainst ver 4. Curiositie striuing to know that which doth not appertain to vs must be brideled ver 5.6 Describe the vanity shortnes of mans life and the vncertainty of his actions ver 7. God only is to be trusted vnto Ver. 8. Prayer for deliueraunce from sinne punishments due thereto would be often made Ver. 9. We should be well content with whatsoeuer God doeth Ver. 10. We are not able to indure the least of Gods punishments ver 11. Setteth out two things Gods iustice in correcting and mans sinne that pulleth correction and punishment from God Ver. 12. God in tyme of greatest affliction must be most earnestly and hartily called vpon Ver 13. If God with-holde not his wrath we shall all be consumed for our sinnes Psalme 40. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth what great mercies the Lord had shewed to him and what he will doe for them that trust in him from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the second he sheweth the infinitenesse of Gods workes and his owne readinesse to serue the Lorde shewing howe he had published Gods goodnes and mercy from ver 5. to the end of the tenth In the third part he prayeth for his owne deliueraunce wishing also as the ouerthrow of the vngodly so the prosperity of the good and faithful ones from ver 11. to the end of the Chapter The title is expounded before ver 1. For the Lord i. for him Se. and for help frō him inclined to me i. shewed himself fauourable as they do that bow towards one Ver. 2. Horrible pit i. pit full of feare and horror meaning by that spéech most fearefull and great daungers mirie clay by these wordes he noteth both the greatnesse of his daunger and the continuance therein by the name claye which is both weighty and also wil cleaue fast to sée Psalme 69.2 Set my féete vpon the Rock i. hath placed me where I may be safe from al iniurie meaning a most safe place ordered my goings vz. in such sorte that I am sure from stumbling or falling Verse 3. Hath put into my mouth i. hath giuen mee an occasion a new song of praise i. newly to sing a song of praise vnto him or take new song for a singular and exquisite song sée Psalme 33.3 Many shall sée it i. many shall know the benefites that God hath bestowed on me and feare vz. God the giuer thereof Ver. 4. Maketh the Lord his trust i. that trusteth in him regardeth not i. maketh little or no account of sée Psalme 15.4 as thorow their force to be brought to feare them more then God the proude vz. those that boast themselues of the things they haue turne aside vz. from the truth to lies i. lying imaginations as before Psalme 4.2 Verse 5. He ascrybeth to Gods workes not only wonderfulnes but innumerablenesse in respecte of man count in order no nor yet out of order because they are incomprehensible and infinit to thée vz. or before thée that art the only dealer therein thy thoughts this the Prophet attributeth to God that thereby he might the more easily set out Gods wonderfull affection and loue towardes vs and ouer vs. Ver. 6. Sacrifice and offring betwéene these two words I make this difference that Sacrifice respecteth sinne offrings and the other voluntarye and fréewill offrings meaning by these two all other kinds whatsoeuer thou diddest not desire vz. in respect of obedience as 1. Samuel 15.22 for otherwise God regardeth them as parts and péeces of his seruice which he himselfe prescribed but when hipocrites by cold ceremonies would thinke to appease god without true godlinesse then doth the Lord reiect them as Psalme 50.8.9 c. for mine eares hast thou prepared or as Immanuel readeth hast thou boare◠through If you take the Geneua Text there the note is good if you followe Immanuel then he meaneth acceptation and taking of him to be his faithfull seruaunt this is applyed to Christ Heb. 10.5 Verse 7. Then sayde I lo I come vz. readilye and willingly when I vnderstoode thy will in the roales of thy booke i. in the law and this he speaketh according to the Iewes both in time heretofore and at this day who writ in parchment or paper and afterwardes role them vp because they will longer last roaled then folded written of mee i. concerning mée Verse 8. Thy Lawe is within my harte i. I doe earnestlye and from the bottome of my hart reuerence imbrace and loue thy lawe sée Philip. 1.8 Verse 9. Thy righteousnesse i. howe iust and good thou art in the performaunce of thy promises Refrayne my lippes vz. from declaring that O Lord thou knowest vz. that this is true that I speake and that I vtter it from my hart Verse 10. Is verye well expounded in the Geneua note Verse 11. He beséecheth the Lord to shewe his mercye and truth towards him and to make him by effects to féele the same Verse 12. Conteyneth a reason why the Lord should shew him mercy because hee is in suche great affliction haue compassed mée vz. on euery side within and without my sinnes i. both my sinnes and the punishmentes that lye vppon mée for the same sée Psalme 32.4 Psalme 38.2.3.4 and hée meaneth by that whiche followeth that they pressed him so downe that hée was not able to lift vp his heade or as a man
and his people or else speaking it according to the present affection and féeling of the flesh resting notwithstanding resolued howsoeuer his fayth were shaken for a time yet that god wil graciously performe his promises These words also which is to be marked are verified in Dauid and Christ in Christ because God for a season forsooke him as may appeare when he cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 and in Dauid when it séemed vnto him that Gods promise shoulde take no place and that God had as it were vnsayd the same and when he was driuen out of his kingdome by Abshalon his sonne sée Psalme 3. thorowe out and abhorred i. loathed and despised him as it were thou hast bene angrye which thing also thou hast declared by effects as appeareth in the verses following with thine annoynted i. with the King whome thou thy selfe hast annoynted and chosen to that roome sée Psalme 18 5 Verse 39. Thou hast broken i. it séemeth vnto vs so in the eye of flesh and to our enimies the couenant of thy seruaunt i. the couenaunt which thou haste made with thy seruaunt and it is called his couenaunt not because he made it or was the chéefe in it but because he was one to whome and with whome it was made and profaned his crowne i. brought it to great dishonour and contempt specially among the prophane people as the Gentiles c. and by crowne he meaneth his kingly dignitie casting it on the ground i. ouerthrowing it taking it as it were from his head setting it vpon the ground whether he spake it of Dauids abiection by the hand of his sonne Abshalon or of the renting of the kingdome in the dayes of Rehoboan or of their captiuity vnder Salmanazder and Nebuchadnezar it is not certayne I suppose that without any iniury to Gods spirite a man may well apply it to them all Verse 40. Thou hast broken downe vz. and that vnto the ground all his walles i. al the walles of his kingdome meaning by walls not onely all the strong places thereof but all the instrumentes and meanes that he had eyther for his owne defence or for the annoyaunce of his enemies for to those two endes doe walles serue thou hast layd his fortresses in ruine i. thou hast vtterly ruinated and destroyed and as a man would saye made euen with the ground all his strong holds Verse 41. All that go by the way q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened that euen way faring men can easily spoyle them there néedes no souldiers or men ofwarre to doe it spoile him vz. and his people meaning that they take away from them euen what they list sée Psal 80.12 he i. he his people kingdome and all is a rebuke i. is such a one as his neighbours that is those that are round about him rebuke contemne and despise sée Psalme 79. verse 4. Verse 42. Thou hast set vp the right hand of his enemies i. thou hast aduanced their power and strength so that they are not onely become more mightie then he and his but in that mighte haue also preuayled agaynste them and made all his aduersaries to reioyce vz. because of the victorye they haue atchieued and the ouerthrowe that is layde vppon the others Verse 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sworde i. thou haste blunted it in such sorte that it could not wound and hurte his aduersaries meaning by this manner of spéeche that euen the verye meanes they had of weapons as swordes speares c. to defende themselues and to annoy their enemies were vtterly vnprofitable vnto them and haste not made him i. him and his people to stand vz. stedfastly and in the face of the enemies and agaynst them but to flée and fall before them in the battaile i. at what time the enemies and they came to ioyne battail together Ver. 44 Thou hast caused his dignity i. the great honour and aduauncement that thou hast layde vpon him to decay vz. in the presence of men and in the sight of his aduersaries and cast his throne i. his maiesty and Kingly gouernmente sée verse 36 of this Psalme to the ground i. rased it and layde it flatte with the earth as it were sée verse 39 of this Psalm Verse 45. The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned this the Prophet speaketh of the king and the state of the kingdome both together meaning that the Lord hath broughte both the king and the kingdome to a very poore and weake estate before eyther of them came to their perfection as it were as if a man shoulde before he came to the flowre of his age or his ripe yeares and couered him with shame i. hast altogether made him a reproche and shame for the worde couering and what it importeth sée Psalme 44.19 Verse 46. Lorde the Prophet ioyning this prayer with his complaynts sheweth that howsoeuer his fayth was shaken yet he did not despayre of the truth of Gods promises how long wilte thou hide thy selfe vz. from vs meaning by hyding of himselfe shewing them no signe of fauour and grace for euer q.d. Wilt thou doe this for euer shall thy wrath vz. agaynste vs our King Lande and people burne like fyre vz. to consume vs quite and cleane who are as it were but stubble before fire in respecte of thée and thy wrath Verse 47. Remember of what time I am i. thinke how shorte the time of my life is and this is an argumente taken from his owne estate to moue the Lord to pittie him and his Wherefore shouldest thou create in vayne i. to little or no purpose at all all the children of men i. all men and their posteritie In these wordes hee vseth an other Argumente to mooue GOD to compassion taken euen from the ende of his creation And this hee speaketh because that if in this life wée féele not some taste of Gods goodnesse it should séeme that he had in vayne created vs séeing that this is one end of our creation euen in this lyfe to féele and fynde his liberalitie towardes vs. Verse 48. What man liueth vz. at this presence or shall liue hereafter that shall not see death i. taste of Death or dye q.d. There is no man but hee must passe that waye sée Hebrues 9.27 shall he deliuer his soule i. his bodye and lyfe soule put for body as Psalme 16.10 from the hand of the graue i. from the power of Death putting the graue whiche followeth death for Death it selfe q.d. Both the one vz. to liue and not to die and the other vz. to bee fréede from the force of death is vtterlye impossible sée Psalme 49. almoste thorow ouâ—e and all this is q.d. Séeing mans lyfe is so shorte if thou doe not in good time shewe thy selfe a Father towardes them thou shalte haue no more occasion to make them féele thy fauoure in this lyfe Verse 49. Lorde where are thy former mercies vz. whiche
themselues had deuised to themselues meaning also by whoring that they followed it earnestly and with delight Ver. 40. Therefore vz. for their great grieuous sinnes was the wrath of the Lorde kindled vz. very hote meaning by kindling the preparing of it against his people i. against that people that hée had chosen to bee his owne and hée abhorred i. lothed and hated as it were and that for their sinnes sake his owne inheritance i. both the land the people whome hee tooke for an inheritaunce vnto himselfe Ver. 41. And he gaue them vz. for their great sinnes committed against him into the lande of the Heathen i. into their power and possession and they that hated them i. the geÌ„tiles who could at no hand away with them because they came to enioye their lande were Lordes ouer them i. ruled them at their owne pleasure sée for this speach Isaiah 26.13 and for the truth of the matter the whole booke of Iudges and namely chap. 2.14 Ver. 42. Their enemies also oppressed thm vz. sore and hardly and many times and they were humbled i. subiected and that sundry tymes vnder their hand i. vnto their power and authority Ver. 43. Many a time did hée vz. God deliuer them vz. out of the hande and power of their enemies but vz. notwithstanding these great graces they prouoked him vz. to wrath against them and that sundry times also by their counsels i. by those things which they themselues had grauely and as it were in counsel concluded and resolued vppon to perfourme therefore they were brought downe vz. from that high state of liberty and fréedome wherein God had set them to miserable captiuity and bondage by their iniquity vz. committed against his maiesty Ver. 44. Yet hee sawe q.d. notwithstanding these grieuous sinnes of theirs he did not onely behold them afflicted but pitied them when they were in affliction i. in any trouble and hee hearde their cry i. granted them al things they prayed for when they prayed which was a sure token of compassion towardes them Verse 45. And hée remembred his couenant vz. which hee had made with their Fathers and them the Prophet in these two verses noteth two meanes whereby God was moued to doe good to this people the one was his frée mercy and the other was his gracious couenant towardes them i. for their good and on their behalfe and repented vz. of the punishmentes that hee had purposed to bring vppon them meaning hereby that God after a sort chaunged as it were his purpose not that God is subiect to alteration or chaunge but because pardoning both the fault and the punishment hée séemeth vnto vs to chaunge and this manner of speach is applied to the weakenes of our capacity Sée Gene. 6.6 according to the multitude of his mercies q.d. euen as hee is inclined to shewe abundance of fauour so he shewed them the riches of his grace Ver. 46. And gaue them fauour i. made them to finde fauour Sée Gene. 45.14 in the sight of all them that led them captiues the Lorde who hath the disposing of all mens heartes so inclined their heartes to his people Ver. 47. Saue vs O Lorde our God i. deliuer vs and set vs frée from the daungers and distresses wherein wée are and gather vs from among the Heathen whose captiues we are for our sinnes and amongest whome we heare and sée things tending much to thy dishonour and the griefe of our soules and marke the Prophets zeale and loue towardes the people though hée were king and the gouernement well established yet because that by the confusion that was in the dayes of the Iudges and Saul many people were out of their owne countrey hée prayeth the Lorde as for himselfe to reduce and bring them backe agayne that we may prayse thy holy name i. thy maiesty power goodnesse c. which is full also of all holinesse and glorye in thy prayse i. reioyce and boast as it were of this that wee haue him for our GOD who alone is worthy all prayse and glorye Verse 48. Blessed i. praysed bée the Lord GOD of Israell i. hée that is the defender of the people of Israel who are called Israell because they came of Iaakob otherwise called Israell for euer and euer and let all the people say so bee it i. let all young and olde one and other acknowledge that hée alone is woorthye prayse and giue their frée and willing consent vnto it for so much hee meaneth by so bée it prayse yée the Lorde Sée Psalme 104. and 105. in the ende Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the greatnesse of Gods goodnes Do. and the continuaunce of his mercies shoulde prouoke vs earnestly and continually to praise the Lorde Verse 2. Teacheth first that Gods graces and woorkes are infinite Secondly that though wée can not so sufficiently prayse him as wee shoulde yet wée shoulde not for all that leaue off to doe that which hée hath giuen vs grace to doe Verse 3. Teacheth vs to deale well and to continue in well doing and that so wee shall in the end atteine true blessednesse Ver. 4. Teacheth vs in distresse to cal vpon the Lord. Ver. 4. and 5. Teach vs to set before vs Gods mercies towardes his children that wee may assure our selues in hope to receiue the like Ver. 6. Teacheth vs humbly vnfeignedly fully confesse to our sins Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that forgetfulnes of Gods graces is the high way to all rebellion and sinne it teacheth vs also that forefathers are not always to be followed Verse 8 teacheth that though the sinnes of his children be very great yet they doe not alwayes set or hinder the riuers of his mercies towards them Ver. 9. Teacheth first that for the benefite of his children he will make things go contrary to their natural course Secondly that when his children in mens eyes séeme to bée in the greatest daungers hée will lead them as safely as though they were in none at all Ver. 10. Sheweth that al maner of deliuerances come from the Lord onely and his power Ver. 11. Teacheth that the same things that God maketh to giue place to his childreÌ„ shall serue to the vtter destruction of his and their enemies Ver. 12. Teacheth vs alwayes to beléeue the trueth of Gods worde yea though wee sée no meane how it can be performed secondly that wée should continually prayse God for his mercies Ver. 13. Teacheth that it is a very easie thing to fall into sinne it teacheth also that forgetfulnes of gods graces is as it were the nurse mother of many other transgressions also that we should tary the Lordes leasure for the accomplishing of that which hée hath appoynted vs. Ver. 14. Teacheth that lust or concupiscence is sinne also also that we should not tempt or try the Lord Ver. 15. Teacheth that God bestowing hâ—â— benefits vpon the wicked doth many times with all lay punishments vpon them Ver. 16. Teacheth vs to loue and reuerence the
euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same the heauen and the earth vz. and al thinges therein conteined q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing séeing that he who blesseth you is the author preseruer gouernor of heauen al things therin of the earth al things therin which also he hath giuen to vs as verse following Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens i. the most high heauens are the Lords i. apperteine and belong vnto him as the special place of his delight and dwelling and yet we must not so vnderstand it as God were tyed to any one certaine place for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth but he hath giuen vz. of his large liberality and goodnes the earth vz. wherein men dwel to the sonnes of men i. to men and their séede after them that they should inhabite and vse it so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God and stirred vp thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity Verse 17. The dead prayse not the Lord the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church the whole order and course of the worlde shoulde bee turned vpside downe for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue if there were not a people to call vpon God whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world and so with al there is set out the end wherefore men are placed in the world vz. to prayse serue God q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise sée Psal 6.5 whether they that go downe into the place of silence i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them sée for this speach Psal 94.17 sée also Isaiah 38.18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one the selfesame thing Ver. 18. But we vz. which shal liue and be deliuered from our distresses wil prayse the Lord vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him from hencefoorth and for euer i. continually and alwaies prayse ye the Lord sée Psal 104. and Psal 105. in the very end Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confidence in our selues to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people when his own people are discomfited or disgraced Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles themselues and of al such as either make or worship them Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a whoring after idols to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers preachers of Gods word to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god there must be ioyned faith in God and his word or else it is nothing Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that God neuer forgetteth his children and merciful couenant made with them also that the godly shal haue from the Lord both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly and their posterity after them Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor shal not nor can not want any thing that is good Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life we shold vse them wel and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs to set forth his glory and praise Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things first that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies for euen to the ende haue we our life giuen and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like Psalme 116. THis Psalme as I take it may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side his loue fayth towards the Lord and on the other side Gods mercy and goodnes towards him from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde for that continuall heape of benefites which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes both before it Se. and after it haue not sée Psal 114.115.117.118 c. Ver. 1. I loue vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly the Lord vz. only and alone and none either with him or besides him and vnder the word of loue the Prophet sheweth that there was nothing without god that either could like him or please him because hee hath heard i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted my voyce vz. sent forth vnto him and my prayers vz. which I made vnto him vnder these words voice and prayers the Prophet meaneth such prayers as he powred forth vnto the Lord not only with his heart but also with his mouth and words Ver. 2. For he hath inclined his eare vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee this is spoken of God according to mans capacity vnto mée vz. being in distresse and when I prayed vnto him as followeth when I did call vppon him vz. for helpe and ayde by earnest and hearty prayers in my dayes i. in the tyme of my affliction as may appeare by the next verse following sée Psal 137.7 also Lament 1.21 and by the woorde dayes hée noteth that hee had continuaunce and length of trouble Ver. 3. When the snares of death compassed mee vz. on euery side and rounde about so that there was almost no hope of escaping no more then of a bird or wild beast taken in a snare or grin by this manner of speach hée meaneth that euen then when hee was ready to dye the Lord in mercy looked vppon him Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6 also Psalm 18.4.5 and the griefes of the graue i. great and extreme griefes which brought me almost to the graue made me as it were ready to bee put into it caught
his seruants and haue beene comforted vz. excéedingly specially in the inward man by the sight and beholding thereof Verse 53. Feare vz. of heart and trembling meaning thereby also great feare is come vppon me i. hath taken strong holde vppon mee for the wicked i. because of these great iudgments which shall fall vpon the wicked that forsake thy lawe i. that breake and transgresse thy lawe in their wordes thoughts and déedes others I knowe giue other senses but methinketh this is plaine and right vz. that the prophet considering Gods horrible iudgmēts against the wicked was as it were seased and striken with a very great feare Ver. 54. Thy statutes i. thy worde and lawe haue béene my songes i. as some interpret it haue giuen me occasions to write songs I woulde rather expound it thus haue giuen me pleasure ioy and contentment because men greatly reioyce and content themselues in musicke in the house of my pilgrimage some thinke that he meaneth his banishment when he was persecuted by his enemies and fled from the face of Saul Abshalon or others in which distresse he wandered vp and downe and yet because he was long in it hee did count it as it were the house of his dwelling I rather thinke that hee vnderstandeth hereby the whole course and race of his life both that time and all other times for the Prophet had not then comforte only but al the dayes of his life so that in the house or place of his pilgrimage is as much as if he should say in whatsoeuer place of the world I am haue béen or shal be yea al the days of my life and this the rather because the godly haue alwayes estéemed their liues for a pilgrimage as Gene. 47.9 Psal 39.12 also ver 19. of this Psal Sée also Heb. 11.9.10 Ver. 55. I haue remembred sée ver 52. of this Psalme thy name i. thy maiesty goodnes and power as Psal 20.1 O Lord vz. whom I serue in the night vz. when others sléepe q.d. euen then doe I watch and remember thée when others take their rest and haue kept thy lawe vz. with a good and sincere heart Ver. 56. This I had i. al these graces were giuen me from thy goodnes only because I kept i. indeuored what in mee lay to kéepe performe thy precepts i. thy law and commandements he bosteth not here of any merit of his owne but saith that God in working a special deliuerance did yéeld a notable testimony to that goodnes which was in him Immanuel redeth this verse thus This is a comfort vnto me that I kéepe thy cōmandements q.d. euen the litle or slender obedience that I yéelde to thy lawe doeth much comfort me Do. Ver. 49. Teacheth vs that Gods promises made vs in his worde ought to be special grounds of our perswasions touching his mercies towards vs. ver 50. Teacheth vs that Gods promises are speciall comforts vnto vs in the time of our distresses Ver. 51. Declareth what is the nature of the vngodly vz to scoffe continually at gods religion the professers therof also that no contēpt or ignominie in this life should draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 52. Teacheth Gods children to receiue comfort not only in his mercyes practised towards them but also in his punishments powred forth vppon the wicked Ver. 53. Teacheth vs that we should not only be grieued when we sée gods law broken but to be striken with feare of those iudgments that from God shal fal vpon the wicked ver 54. teacheth vs that nothing should minister more ioy contentment to vs in this life then gods word Ver. 55. teacheth vs continually to meditate on gods power goodnes maiesty c. also that wee shoulde many times forbeare euen our ordinary rest and sléepe to the ende wee might performe that duty Ver. 56. Teacheth vs that God giueth continual blessings to them that haue care and conscience to obserue his lawes Cheth Di. AL that the prophet speaketh in this eight part of the Psalme may be referred either vnto God before whom he powreth forth earnest supplications for the assistance of his grace in the obedience of his word ver 57.58.64 or else vnto himselfe wherin he declared what care he had of obedience to gods law and to obserue al the meanes that might cause him to grow therein neglecting also all things that might hinder him therein and this is conteined in ver 59.60.61.62.63 Ver. 57. O Lord thou art my portion vz. alone q.d. I haue none that I hang or depend vpon but thée alone Sée Psalme 73.25 I haue determined vz. with my selfe and that altogether whatsoeuer come of to kéepe vz. in my life and conuersation thy wordes i. the worde that thou hast giuen me as the rule of my life the meaning is q.d. séeing that thou O Lorde art mine inheritance and hast in mercy chosen me to thy selfe I haue fully concluded with my selfe to kéepe thy law Ver. 58. I vz. being priuy to mine owne weakenesse wretchednes made my supplication in thy presence i. prayed before thée and to thée it may be vnderstood euen of some solemne prayer that the Prophet made before the arke with my whole heart i. vnfeignedly and without wandering affections those setting my heart earnestly vpon things that I vttered with my mouth be merciful vnto me vz. thus distressed as I am according to thy promise vz. made and giuen to me and other thy seruants also that call vpon thée sée ver 49. of this Psalme q.d. performe thy promise made vnto me by thy word in Christ and not in respect of my infirmity Ver. 59. I haue considered vz. diligently and carefully my waies i. the maner and order of my life heretofore and turned vz. from those corrupt and naughty pathes of wickednes my féete i. not my féete onely but mine affections also sée Eccle. 4.17 into thy testimonies i. into the way kéeping of thy law q.d. I haue vewed my life past and I do also wel consider my conuersation present and now the thing that I wholy purpose is this to giue my selfe to the vttermost of my power to kéepe thy commandements ver 60. I made hast vz. after the beholding of the former things delaied not i. nothing hindered me q.d. I made spéed in déede for so much doth this doubled spéech meane for such a doubled speach sée Psal 118.17 to kéepe vz. sincerely soundly without hipocrisie thy commandements i. the things which thou haddest commanded Ver. 61. The hands of the wicked i. the great troupes companies of vngodly men by this phrase hée noteth the multitudes of his enemies haue robbed me i. haue taken from that by fraude violence all that euer I had but vz. for all that I haue not forgotten thy law i. the things prescribed in thy law and the comforts therin conteined q.d. neither their flattery nor their fraude nor any thing that they coulde do against me could draw
neither hee himselfe imagined neither should we imagine any fleshly thing of God Ver. 2. Beholde euen as the eies of seruants looke vz. earnestly and attentiuely vnto the hand of their misteris i. vnto their power aide and helpe not doubting of their faithfulnes succour and defence neither yet looking for aide from others besides their misteris and as the eyes of a maide vz. looke and wayte vpon the hande of her maistresse i. the power helpe and succour of her whom God hath placed ouer her as before in this verse so our eyes vz. both of our bodyes and of our mindes as ver 1. of this Psalme wait vz. with patience continuance vpon the Lorde vz. only our God i. whom we serue and worshippe vntill hee haue mercy vpon i. vntil he shewe by effect that hee wil take pitie vpon vs and deliuer vs out of our griefs the woord vntil in this place meaneth not as though that then they would leaue of to trust in him but it noteth continuance and perpetuity of tyme sée Psalm 110.1 and many other places Ver. 3. Haue mercy vpon vs vz. that are so greatly distressed and afflicted O Lorde haue mercy vpon vs this doubling of their prayer noteth both their great earnestnes and also their great néede wherein they were for wee haue suffered vz. a long while together to much contempt vz. from the proud and wealthy men of the world as may appeare by the next woordes following Verse 4. Our soule i. euen our whole life is filled to full vz. in our iudgements if thou O Lord thinke it so also of the mocking of the wealthy i. with the mockes and taunts which the rich men of the world vomit out against vs and he speaketh thus because that many times riches ingender fearcenes and pride of heart and of the dispitfulnes of the proude i. with that despite and hatred which the proude vse against vs. Do. Verse 1. Teacheth in all extremities whether men sticke to vs or forsake vs to hang vppon the Lorde our God onely Verse 2. Teacheth vs by a notable similitude neuer to leaue off either trust in God or prayer vnto him til such tyme as hée graciously looke vppon vs and graunt vs our petitions Verse 3. Teacheth vs to bee earnest in prayer with the Lorde our God Ver. 4. Setteth out the naughty nature of the wicked men of the worlde who can doe nothing else but mocke and disdayne the sonnes and seruants of the most high God Psalme 124 THe Prophet in this Psalme specially propoundeth two things Di. first in what case he and the rest of the godly should haue béene through the rage of the wicked had not the Lorde taken their part ver 1.2.3.4.5 secondly hee prayseth the Lorde for setting him and others frée from the great dangers wherin they were and so concludeth the Psalme in the commendation of Gods grace and power ver 6.7.8 The title is expounded before Psalme 122. in the title thereof Ver. 1. Se. If the Lorde vz. by his almightie power and presence had not béene on our side i. had not taken our partes may Israel nowe say vz. very iustly and truely hee putteth this worde Israel for the people of God as Galat. 6.16 Verse 2. If the Lorde had not béene on our side by this repetition of one and the selfe same thing hee noteth both the greatnes of the daunger wherein they were and the excellency of the benefite which God did bestow vpon them in deliuering them from the same and it may stand vs in stéede of a bridle to keepe vs occupied in the meditation of Gods deliueraunces to the end we forget them not when men vz. casting all feare of God and loue of his people aside rose vp vz. in their rage and madnes against vs vz. to destroy vs. Ver. 3. They had then swallowed vs vp quicke i. without all doubt they had destroyed vs and by these woordes swallowing vp quicke they signifie both the barbarous crueltie of the enemie and also their owne weakenes to resist so mightie enemies and here marke that very likely it is that Dauid made this Psalme in his owne name and the name of the Church when their wrath was kindled against vs i. when they were set on a rage presently as it were to destroy vs. Ver. 4. Then the waters i. the great abundaunce of their wrath and fury and the daungerous estate of affliction wherein wee were Sée Psalm 69.1 had drowned vs i. had ouerwhelmed vs and quite and cleane destroyed vs and the streame vz. of their rage had gone ouer our soule i. had persed euen vnto the inward man and had doubtles taken away our life Verse 5. Then had the swelling waters gone ouer our soule hée repeateth the same thing againe both to set out the cruelty of the enemies and the desperate estate as it were wherein they themselues were that by this meanes Gods mercie might bee the more magnified who had graciously deliuered them from the same and in that they compare the forces of their enemies to great riuers streames waters and such like they therby declare that the enemies had more outwarde force then the Churche had and they doe it also to this ende that declaring it in his liuely colours other men might bee made the better to féele it Ver. 6. Praysed be the Lord vz. continually for this his great goodnes mercy towards vs which hath not giuen vs vz. vp that is deliuered vs or made vs which in his iustice for our sinnes he might haue done as a pray i. to be spoyled and deuoured vnto their téeth i. vnto their cruelty and rage hée compareth the enemies here to wild beastes that with their téeth teare in sunder such things as they get to pray vpon Ver. 7. Our soule i. our life and we our selues as sundry times before and namely Psal 120.2.6 is escaped i. is graciously deliuered and so by that meanes hath escaped their barbarous cruelty euen as a birde vz. taken in a foulers snare or grinne and yet notwithstanding is by some mean or other deliuered escaped thence out of the foulers snare i. out of that snare which the foulers lay for it or for thē the snare vz. which our enemies prepared and layd for vs and this word sheweth that the wicked did ioyne to their force and violence treason and subtiltie and that yet notwithstanding Gods people yea though they were voyd of counsell and of force were miraculously preserued by Gods owne hande is broken vz. through the might and power of our God and wee are deliuered vz. through his goodnes out of al those dangers Ver. 8. Our helpe i. the help and succour which we looke for and must haue is i. standeth onely and is no where else to be found but in the name of the Lorde i. in his might power maiesty goodnes c. as Psa 20.1 which hath made heauen and earth this is expounded before Psal 121. ver 2. Do.
from grace because whom the Lorde loueth he loueth for euer Verse 2. Teacheth vs that God compasseth his seruants so on euery side that no euil can come vnto them further then hee himselfe wil. Sée Iob. 1.10 Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be afflicted yet our afflictions are but momentary and indure but for a short space Sée Psalme 30.5 also 2. Corinth 4.17 Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for the continuance of gods fauour vpon our brethren euen as towardes our selues Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer hypocrites florish in the Church for a while yet the Lorde will plague them in the end also it teacheth vs that howsoeuer he punisheth the wicked yet hee will graciously blesse his owne Psalme 126. THis Psalme may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the faithful declare how strange a thing their deliueraunce out of Babilon was confessing it to be done onely by God for which they declare their ioy Ver. 1.2.3 In the seconde they pray the Lord to performe the worke which he had begun prophecying euen by the spirit of prophecy the ful accomplishment and performance thereof ver 4.5.6 The title A song of degrées this is expounded before Psalm 120. Se. in the title or Psalme of Dauid this is not in the Hebrew text and therfore would bee left out for this Psalme seemeth not to bée made by Dauid or in Dauids tyme but in the dayes of Cyrus who published a proclamation for the returne of the Iewes into their countrey at the which diuers of the godly reioycing together penned also this Psalme Verse 1. When the Lord vz. of his great goodnes and mercy brought againe vz. out of Babylon whither they were taryed captiues for their sinne and thus they ascribe all the worke of deliueraunce wholy to the Lorde the captiuity i. the captiues he putteth the thing for the persons as wée haue noted out before Psalme 125.3 out of the Hebrewe text of Sion i. of the Church of the Iewes hée meaneth all the people by the place which was of greatest excellenty amongest them to witte Sion whereuppon the temple was builded in which God was worshipped wée were vz. in our owne iudgement and estimation like them that dreame vz. that dreame of excellent things and yet haue theâ—â— not not but that they were deliuered but the wonderfulnes of the deliuerance was so great and so incomprehensible to all mens vnderstanding that it séemed almost impossible to bee performed q.d. wée coulde hardly perswade our selues of it til wée saw the Gentiles speake of our great deliueraunce and 〈◊〉 help vs forwarde with ayde towardes our owne Countrey sée Ezra 1. through out Verse 2. Then when wee knewe that God had done this great worke for vs was our mouth filled with laughter i. wee had a plentifull and large occasion giuen vs of reioycing because the countenance and face are specially occupied in laughing and the mouth is a part thereof hee putteth a part for the whole yea euen for the whole man if you will and our tongue with ioy i. wee had great occasion also to speake ioyfull words q.d. wee had occasion giuen vs not onely to bée merry in countenaunce whereas before in our captiuity wee hanged downe our heades but also we expressed the ioy of our heartes by our woordes then vz. when they also sawe it sayde they amongest the heathen i. diuers and many of the heathen amongst whome wee were captiues and prisoners the Lorde vz. their God whom they worshippe and serue hath done vz. through his great strength and power great thinges i. excellent yea and wonderfull thinges for them i. for their sake and euen for their particular persons also They meane that the miracle of their deliueraunce was so great that the Gentiles themselues did euen perceiue it and confesse it Verse 3. The Lorde vz. our GOD for these are the woordes of the faythfull answering as it were the heathen that confessed GOD to bee the worker of their deliueraunce q.d. wée confesse it also with you the Lorde hath done great thinges all this is expounded before verse 2. for vs though wee bee his poore and vnworthy seruauntes so all serueth for the magnifiyng of Gods might and mercy Verse 4. O Lorde bring agayne vz. through thy almighty power and that out of Babylon into the lande of Iudah our captiuity i. our brethren and friendes which yet remayne captiues Sée ver 1. of this Psal as vz. thou many tymes bryngest the riuers i. abundaunce of waters in the South i. into the South putting the South Countrey for dry and barren places because of the continuall and ardent heate of the sunne in that quarter which parcheth all their grasse come c. and dryeth vp as it were all their riuers and waters and nâ—ce that in this place the Prophet compareth Gods fauour in the deliueraunce of his people with the riuers of water and the people themselues in captiuity with a barren and drye lande from whome none could turne away Gods fauour if it pleased him to water them therewith So that in this verse the Church prayeth the Lorde to stretch out his hande to the faythfull which remayned yet in Babylon and to helpe them from thence for albeit it was a very harde matter that the remnaunt dispersed shoulde bee gathered together into one body yet they stayed themselues vppon the power of GOD who coulde as easily do that as cause riuers of waters to runne through the South Countryes Verse 5. They that sowe in teares this is an other allegory as it were or similitude in which the people caryed into captiuity are compared to néedy husbandmen who cast into the grounde for séede euen that which was left them for the sustentation of lyfe shall vz. in good tyme reape with ioy q.d. their sorrowe shal bee recompensed with gladnes in this other part of the similitude hee compareth the people returning out of captiuity to reapers or husbandmen which are glad for the abundaunt haruest which they finde the meaning of altogether is that the Iewes who were heauy and sad when they were caryed captiues into Babylon shal bee ioyfull when they shall haue reaped that is to say obteyned the fruite of their hope that is a glorious deliueraunce And this similitude declareth that such as were vphelde by the promise of God albeit that in extreme famine or neede they did cast séede into the grounde euen as it were at all aduenture yet that they were notwithstanding nourished and felt in their heartes the hope of that returne which GOD had promised them Verse 6. They this word may either bee referred to the néedy husbandman that hauing by some meane or other gotten séede are wont to sowe it with griefe or else to the people in captiuitie who went thither with heauinesse of heart and abundaunce of teares I referre it rather to the people went vz. out of their owne lande into Chaldea being caryed captiues weeping i. sorrowfull
Gods own example to haue a singular care to preserue a lawful and ordinary ministerie as without the which the Church can not be Ver. 17 teacheth vs that the prosperity of al Kings and kingdomes commeth from Gods blessing only Ver. 18 teacheth vs that such as rise vp against lawful magistrates shal neuer prosper but come to decay Psalme 133. Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme doth only commend brotherly loue and vnitie amongst the saints and seruaunts of God In the first verse he commendeth it simplye of it selfe euen of the goodnesse and excellency that is in it In the two other verses he commendeth it by two singular similitudes and comparisons which would be well weighed Se. The Title is expounded before Psal 120. and also Psal 122. in their titles Verse 1 Behold q.d. Let it be well considered and weighed how good i. profitable and necessary as Psal 92.1 and how comely i. pleasaunt and excellente q.d. If eyther profit or pleasure can allure you to the imbracing of it you haue both brethren i. not only natural brethren but the sonnes of God and members of his Church and partakers of the selfsame doctrine and life in Christ to dwel euen together vz. not only in one house but specially to be of one affection and consent and to practise fellowship amongst themselues euen as God himselfe dwelleth in them and with them Verse 2. It i. brotherly loue and mutuall consent is like vz. in excellency and swéete sauour to the precious oyntment vz. which was appointed for the priests to annoynt them withall sée Exod. 30 22 23 c. vpon the head i. powred vpon the head of the high Priest that runneth down vpon the beard by this and that which followeth he noteth as I take it the plentie and abundaunce of it euen vnto Aarons bearde vz. who was the high Priest and for whose annointing this Oyle was speciallye made which vz. oyle went downe on the border or rather vnto the border such plenty and abundance there was of it of his garments i. Aarons garments of which you may read Exod. 28 2 3 c. The meaning is q.d. as it is pleasaunt and delightfull to haue Aaron wholy annointed with that holy oyle and all his garments as it is a swéete smelling fauour to all that are round about him so very pleasaunt is the body and fellowship of those that agrée and méete together in Gods name whom God assuredly beautifyeth with his owne presence and the most swéete smelling gifts of his spirit meaning also that mē shal be vtterly without fauour vnles they be perfumed with the odour of peace brotherly vnity grounded in the word of God Ver. 3. And vz. it is For this is another comparison or similitude that he vseth to expresse the excellencye of this spéech by In the former he commendeth it for the swéetnes pleasauntnesse of it in this he commendeth it for the fruit and profit which commeth by it as the dew of Hermon i. as the moisture that falleth from heauen vpon that great hil of Hermon Of one hill of this name which Hermon the Sidonians cal Shirion and the Amorits cal it Shenir we read Deut. 3 9 and Iohoshua 13 5 and this name is giuen sometimes to other hils and mountaines of the lande of Iudah Some are of this opinion that there be two mountains of this name the one very nigh to Gelboe Iordan the other is much more high and standeth nigh to the country of Trachenitis and they gather it because Dauid sayth Psal 42.6 from the land of Iordan and Hermonim vsing a nowne plurall diminutiue as it should séeme Othersome say thus these high moūtayns are a part of Libanus from thence stretch themselues southward seperate the Land of Bashan frō the nether Sirra they compasse the land of Galile on the northside towards the east We must likewise note that there is another mountaine named Hemon in the frountirs of the tribe of Issachar at the foote wherof is the towne named Naim sée also what is said before Psa 89 12 whatsoeuer it be this sēce I would giue q.d. as the dew wet that falleth down from heauen vpon Hermon descēdeth frō thēce into the plain of Bashan maketh that plain countrey fertill so doth brotherly loue bring with it great fruit profite which falleth vpon the mountayns of Sion this place is ill translated séemeth to carry with it this sence as though the dew wet of Hemon should come from thens to the moūtaines of Sion which hath in it no sence at all wherfore we must either mend the trāslation or else supply somwhat thus as the dew wch falleth vz. frō heauen this being indéed another similitude to expres the same thing 1. brotherlye cōcord vpō the mountains of Sion he speaketh of mountains in the plurall nūber because there were many mountains therabout as psal 125 2 q.d. as the dew and moisture falling vpō those moūtains also maketh thē fruitful so doth brotherly vnity concord make thē thorow Gods blessing amōgst whom it is sincerely obserued fruitful plentiful in good works towards God in him and for him towards men and one of them towards another for this is a reason why they shal become fruitful to wit because the lord hath so promised appointed there vz. where brethren dwel consent together as ver 1. or we may saye that he putteth the place for the persons the Lord vz. himself who can not bée deceaued neither wil deceaue appointed vz. to pour forth vpon them that from himself the blessing i. singular blessings both concerning this lyfe as peace and quietnes and life for euer i. not only long life here but also eternal life for brotherly loue is a sure seale thereof as 1 Ioh. 3.14 Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. that brotherly loue carieth with it both pleasure and profit and therfore is to be imbraced Ver. 2 teacheth vs that brotherly loue is not only pleasaunt to them that religiously estéeme and kéepe it but to others which are about them as swéet perfumes ointments are not only to persons vsing them but to others nigh them Ver. 3 teacheth vs that vnfeigned loue hath the promises both of this life and of that to come Psalme 134 IN this Psalme the Prophet doth first exhort both Priestes and people to prayse the Lord for his mercies ver 1.2 Di. Secondly he prayeth for the whole Church and the fauour of God vpon the particular members of it ver 3. Se. The Title is expounded be forme Psal 120. Ver. 1. Behold q.d. séeing O holy Church thy body is so knit together in Christe and aboundeth with so manye blessinges as is declared in the other Psalm go to and prayse the Lord praise ye the Lord vz. for his infinit mercies and great loue all ye seruauntes of the Lorde i. of what state or condition soeuer ye bée whether ye be Priestes or
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
path after them in the sea if the sea be calme as a ship or boate doeth sée Iob. 41.23 The 9. ver is expounded ver 1. of this Psalme Ver. 1. The glory of God in his creatures rightly considered Do. should strike an astonishment into vs on the one side and inforce vs on the other side to be thankefull vnto him that maketh his power and prouidence appeare so clearely in them ver 2. Gods power and prouidence seene in his creatures serueth for a double end vz. For the comfort of his children and the terror and confusion of the wicked vers 4. Serueth to humble man and to beat him downe For if he bée compared with other creatures there is no such excellency and durablenes in him as in them neither yet such as hee himselfe imagineth to bee in himselfe vers 5.6.7.8 Setteth foorth the graces and blessings that God hath bestowed vpon man not to the ende that man thereby should waxe proude and swell aboue measure but inforce him 1. to thankfulnes to the giuer 2. to a right vse of them in himselfe and for others 3. the more and more to humble him sée 1. Corin. 4.7 A worde or two touching this matter let man consider what excellencie he hath lost through Adams fall and bewaile his misery and let him on the other side well weigh the grace bestowed vppon him in Christ and bee ioyfull and thankefull for mercy knowing this that if the creatures bee not nowe subiected vnto vs it is by reason of the body and relickes of sinne which yet remaine in vs and that therefore if we would haue a conquest ouer the creatures we must beginne first to get a victory vpon sinne or else wee shall neuer profit that way if any man will obiect and say that many creatures are subdued to many people that are without a god in the world and which notwithstanding remaine in their sinne I answere that Gods dispensing in mercy with our iniquitie or other mens is no impeachment to the truth of this doctrine nay rather it shoulde the more further vs not only in thankfulnes to him for his goodnes but in valiancy and courage to combate against iniquity and that vnto blood because we haue in mercy without any striuing or blow stricken on our side halfe a victory as it were gotten vnto vs the rest no doubt he wil graciously supply that hath begunne this specially if there be a willing mind but al this belongeth to the faithful who are in deede heires of the world and to none other Psalme 9. Di. THis Psalme hath foure parts In the first he prayseth the Lorde and sheweth the causes of that his thankes giuing From ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second hee scorneth his enemies declaring God to bee iust in punishing the wicked and deliuering his owne children From ver 6. to the end of the 10. In the third he exhorteth others to praise the Lord for his iustice toward the good and bad making a particular praier that he might be deliuered from the hands of his enemies From ver 11. to the end of the 14. In the 4. and last part hee sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the wicked and his fauour to the faithful praying the Lord to rise vp against the vngodly From ver 15. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath these words Muth labben which I take to be the beginning of a tune according to which this Psalme was to be sung ver 1. I will speake of i. declare abroad and publish al i. a very great number as Psal 3.7 ver 2. In thee or for thée q.d. for the victory and other goodnesses that thou hast giuen mee I will sing foorth thy praise I wil sing praise to thy name i. I wil praise thy power and maiesty Name is vsed here as Psal 8.1.9 O most high God is so called because he is higher then al thinges or creatures whatsoeuer ver 3. Are turned back i. are discomfited they shal fal and perish at thy presence q.d. They shal not be able to stand before thée much lesse to withstand thée ver 4. For thou hast c. In the third verse he shewed one reason why he would praise the Lord vz. because his enemies were confounded nowe in this verse hee sheweth an other vz. because God maintained his right and iust cause thou art set on the throne vz. to doe the office of an vpright iudge ver 5. Heathen put for the Philistines or some other enemies of Gods people he said that God did rebuke them i. with his terrible countenance or word so cast thē down that they were easily destroied thou hast destroyed the wicked i. some one notorious wicked man among them or other that was their captaine and ring leader as Goliah was amongst the Philistines for the woord wicked is of the singular number though we can not so easilie discerne it in our tongue Thou hast put out i. destroied and cast down to the ground their name i. Their power authoritie glory and what so euer was excellent in them and he meaneth this of those people that come out to warre against gods people who notwithstanding their force were ouerthrowne and destroyed ver 6. Must bée amended thus O enemie he speaketh to one principall meaning all the rest are destructions come to an ende for euer Hast thou rooted out the cities by these speches he derideth the enemies who thought to haue made such a destruction in the land that they shoulde not haue néeded to haue destroyed it againe and therefore they purposed vtterly to haue defaced and destroyed al the cities which the Prophet vnderstandeth by this terme rooting out q.d. is it come to passe as you supposed nay the contrary is fallen out which hee noteth in the next wordes of this verse their memoriall is perished with them i. both them selues are destroyed and all remembrance of them is vanished away from amongst men Ver. 7. But the Lord. q.d. though men fayle yet hee remaineth sure shall sit or after some which I rather allowe indureth Meaning that hee is eternall and shall neuer decay as the enemies doe hee hath prepared his throne for iudgement q.d. hee is alwaies ready to execute iustice putting the throne whereupon hee sitteth for iustice and vpright iudgement pronounced therefrom verse 8. Mend thus that hee may iudge i. That he may performe whatsoeuer hee hath iudged the worlde i. All the people of the world in righteousnesse i. Vprightly and the people with equitie This is a repetition expounding as it were that which went before ver 10. and they that knowe thy name i. Such as haue had experience of thy mercy and power hast not failed them vz. of that thou promisedst and they hoped for that seeke thee vz. vnfeignedly and from a good heart verse 11. Which dwelleth in Sion These wordes make me thinke that this Psalme was not made presently vppon the slaughter of Goliah because the arke was
which â—ason the vngodly vse as most conuenient to commit their mischiefe in Iob 24.13.15.16 c Verse 8. I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee q.d. I sieldome or neuer tooke any thing in hande but I behelde the Lorde that I might doe all things according to his good pleasure hee is at my right hande i. he is present with me and that on the better side as it were to holde me vp that I slip not I shall not slide i. perishe and fall awaye for euer because I haue so good a prop to leaue vpon Ver. 9. Doth in manye words note that he was in very good state sometimes speaking of the parts of his bodye as harte and tongue sometimes speaking of the whole vnder the worde of fleshe Ver. 10. Soule put for body as appeareth Leuit. 21.2 in the Hebrew and to sée put for to trie and féele a metaphor taken from one of the sences and applyed to the other This Dauid speaketh of himself in an assured hope that he had of the generall resurrection And Acts. 2.25.26.27 also acts 13.35 it is applyed to our Sauiour Christ to proue him to be a conqueror of death to be truly and indéede risen agayne because death could not keepe him downe and to be the author of that resurrection that al the godly shall haue in which respect also he is called the first fruits of them that slept 1. Cor. 15.20 Ver. 11. The path of life i. the way whereby in this life I may so walke that in the end I shall come to eternall life it is a metaphor taken from trauaylers who iorneying in straunge countries vnlesse they haue a guide cannot tell whether they goe in thy presence i. with thée and where thou thy selfe art in goodnesse and mercy and at thy righte hand sée Mat. 25.33 pleasures he vseth the plurall number to note the great plenty and aboundaunce of them for euermore i. that shall neuer perish Ver. 1. Do. Trust and hope in God is the ground of our prayers to his Maiestie Roman 10.14 Ver. 2. A notable place agaynst merits and confidence in mans workes Ver. 3. Teacheth that we must doe wel to the houshold of faith and that while they liue with vs for otherwise it will not profit them it teacheth also that we should delighte in the company of Gods saynts Ver. 4. teacheth that Idolatrers shall not escape vnpunished also what detestation Gods children should haue of Idols and Idolatrie Ver. 5.6 declare Gods mercy and goodnesse to his children Ver. 7. Teacheth thankfulnesse to God for his inlightning of vs by his spirit ver 8. sheweth that we shoulde doe nothing but alwayes as in Gods presence and that if the Lord be on our side we néede not care who be agaynst vs. ver 10. is a playne testimony of the resurrection ver 11. Teacheth vs vnfainedly to imbrace the Lord in whome is such fulnes and aboundaunce of all good things Psalme 17 Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall partes First the Prophet maketh his earnest prayer vnto God beséeching him graciouslye to heare him and to deliuer him from the vngodly from verse 1. to the ende of the eyght Secondly he describeth the cruelty pryde and other wickednesses of the vngodly as reasons to moue the Lord to pitie his case from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme De. The title of this Psalme is playne and easie ver 1. crie put for vehemente and earnest prayer of lippes vnfayned or as Immanuel readeth withoute deceitfull lips both commeth to one sence as I take it vz. the Prophet meaneth that his prayers were vttered with wordes for lippes are here put for wordes expressed with the lippes voyde of faigning or subtiltie q. d. My wordes truely expressed my gréefe and were indéede the liuelye image of my minde wordes and hart consenting together ver 2. My sentence i. the sentence and iudgement that thou shalt pronounce on my behalfe for thy presence i. from thée q.d. make it now manifest and let thyne eyes beholde equitie i. declare now by thy iudgements that thou regardest equity whiche I yea with many wicked men haue doubted of because thou hast ben so long before thou hast come to punish the vngodlye ver 3. Proued and visited i. examined and sifted mine hart i. my inward thoughtes whiche are in the hart in the night in which God is wont to stir vp and to put men in minde of his will after that they are called from other affayres sée Iob. 4.3.14 Iob 33.15.16 thou hast tryed me vz. by many tribulations and is a metaphor taken from tryall of metals by fire and foundest nothing vz. euill in me or spoken by me to wit agaynst Saule or some other his enemies in which respect he called his cause a righteous cause verse 1. of this Psalme The latter part of this verse correct thus that which I thinke doth not go beyonde my mouth or as it is in Hebrue I thought adde here and my thought for verbes in the Hebrue tongue doe manye times comprehende their verball nownes passed not my mouth q.d. there was no difference betwéene my mouth and my hart I did without deceit vtter with my mouth what I had in my minde Ver. 4. concerning the workes of men i. which men are wont to doe adde here for the more playne sence this is that I haue to saye by the wordes of thy lippes i by the wordes or thorowe the wordes that thou hast vttered and made manifest I kept me i. through goodnes and strength from thée I did abstayne from the paths i. from the behauiours conditions and manners of doings of the cruell man i. that he vseth ver 5. Stay som read staying but I rather like of the first the Prophet making a prayer for himselfe considering his own weakenesse rather then noting the manner howe My steppes i. my thoughts wordes and déedes in thy paths i. in those wayes and maners which thou hast prescribed by thy word that my féete he goeth out in his metaphor vnderstanding by féete his conuersation inward and outward slide not i. go not astray or slip awry from the rule of righteousnesse that thou hast prescribed ver 6. I haue called i. prayde vnto incline thine eare eare ascribed to God as other partes and members of a mans body are not that he hath such but because our weake capacitie vnder such spéeches might haue some little light of knowledge touching his incoÌ„prehensible maiesty ver 7. he procéedeth in his prayer vsing the word mercies in the plurall number not to the largenes abundaunce thereof sée Psal 16.11 and he calleth them maruailous because they so séeme as in déede they are also vnto men Sauiour i. deliuerer from daungers 1. Timoth. 4.10 he meaneth that God doth vse to saue them that put their trust in him to saue theÌ„ I say from such as resist thy right hand i. from such as sette themselues though in vayne against thy maiestie and power Immanuel readeth this
part of the law put for the whole it may also be called iudgments because that thereby hée sheweth what he iudgeth méete to be done are truth and therefore can not be accused of subtilty or falshood and it is more forcible in that hee sayth they are truth then if hee should say they are true because that speach noteth that nothing besides or without them is truth but méere lying ver 20. Sheweth the preciousnes of the lawe If we would desire store or profit we must preferre it before the finest golde that hath beene oftenest tried if present vse and pleasure before hony the hony combe ver 11. made circumspect vz. in his walking being taught what to do and what to flée from and here Dauid speaketh of himselfe in the third person yet so that it doth apperteine to all Gods children There is great reward vz. through Gods mercy for so doth the word rewarde import and not of our merit as the papists imagine ver 12. Who can vnderstand his faults i. knowe them as it were particularly either for the multitude of thē or because ignorantly we cōmit many things which we take to be no sinnes secret faults i. sinnes not only hidden from other men but from my selfe by reason of my ignorance and yet al knowne to thée ver 14. Wordes of my mouth i. the words I shal vtter with my mouth meditatiō of mine heart i. the things I shal meditate in my hart he wisheth that his thoughts words might be such as might be regarded before God and answerable to his profession and he speaketh nothing of déeds and works because this necessarily followeth that when the meditations thoughts of the heart together with the words be good then déeds also wil be good redéemer vz. through Christ none other speaking here not only of deliuerāce frō dangers but from sin that which sinne bringeth with it also vz. eternal death and destruction Do. Out of the sixe first verses we may learne to behold knowe the maiestie power goodnes of God in his creatures secondly that as they in their kind expresse preach these excellent things so yea much more should men that God hath created after so feareful wonderful a sort that not euery man in himself but also to be gods instrument to worke the same in others Out of the 7.8.9.10.11 We learne generally by the excellent cōmendation of gods law reuerently to estéeme it vnfeignedly imbrace it out of ver 7. Where it is called perfect wee haue an answere to the papists that accuse it of some want by bringing in vpon it their vnwritten verities and traditions and in these words conuerting the soule that ordinarily it is possible that any should repent and haue fayth without the hearing of gods word as Rom. 40.17 and in these words is sure there is a doctrine of comfort to the faithful because gods wil neuer faile them of terror to the wicked because gods iudgmēts shal assuredly ouertake them and in these words giueth wisedome vnto the simple we haue not only a notable effect of the law set forth but an argumēt to conuince the papists in this that they accuse the word of darknes as though none could profit by it but the learned sort ver 8. True ioy is to be fet from gods word as also true light of knowledge vnderstanding ver 9. Noteth the propertie of gods word the exact perfection that is in the whole in euery part therof ver 10. Teacheth in what great estimation we ought to haue the word and with what a holy hunger and thirst we should desire the worde ver 11. Teacheth two things first that wee can neuer bee truely wise but by learning gods word secondly that for our better incouragement to the doing thereof the Lord setteth great rewards before vs and indéed graciously in good time giueth vs the same ver 12. Teacheth that our sinnes are innumerable secondly that we must pray pardon of them generally particularly of these which we haue committed either of ignorance or of knowledge and yet remember them not ver 13. Teacheth vs to pray against the power and rule of sinne in vs. ver 14. That we should haue care and conscience ouer our wordes and thoughts that they might be approued before God Psalme 20. THis Psalme hath specially 2. partes In the first Di. there is a prayer for the king for whose welfare the people promise ioyfulnes and thankfulnes from ver 1. to the end of the fifth In the second they do assure themselues of Gods fauour and of their enemies ouerthrow and protesting for themselues that God shal be their aide and praying again for their king from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psas 4. ver 1. heare thée i. Se. the praier that thou makest granting thy requests of Iaakob may be here taken either for the person of the Patriarth who worshipped god with great religion which God also was present with him in al his afflictions or else it may be put for the whole people of Israel who came of Iaakob both the wayes are vsuall in the old new testament ver 2. Frō the sanctuary i. from a place in the arke so called in which God gaue visible tokens of his fauor defence out of Sion this was the place wherin the arke which was a visible token of gods aide defence was receiued he putteth the place the arke therin contained for the assured fauor aid of God Some vnderstand by sanctuary heauen by Sion the visible place of god in his church what soeuer it is the prophet meaneth nothing but aide assistance to be giuen from god ver 3. Let him remēber or as Immanuel readeth let him smel meaning by that metaphor a gracious acceptation of his sacrifices as Gene. 8.21 vz. With fauor graciously accepting al thine offrings he meaneth by offrings the exercises of religion ioyned with them as confession of sins praier c. and turne vz. by fire as it were sent frō heauen Thy burnt offrings into ashes declaring therby that he alloweth thy seruices as he did to Aaron Leuit. 9.24 to Eliah 1. king 18.38 Ver. 4. According to thy hart i. as thy hart wisheth desireth all thy purpose i. whatsoeuer thou purposest he meaneth describeth here a king that asketh nothing but by the direction of gods spirit what God himself hath prescribed ver 5. Immanuel readeth this verse as it were a continuance of the peoples praier this is a reason to moue god graciously to yéeld to their praiers In thy saluatiō i. in that thou sauest deliuerest from dangers vz. our king so haue we had saluation sundry times vsed before And set vp the banner like vnto those that triumph after a victory is gotten hee putteth the signe of ioy for ioyfulnes it selfe in the name this word is taken here as ver 1.
third person whereas in the beginning of this verse he had spoken of him in the second ver 26. The poore shal eate he regardeth the maner that the people had in banqueting at their sacrifices of which you may sée an example 1. Sam. 1. In Helkanah and his familie in these sacrifices hée promiseth to exerceise his charitie towards his godly brethren whom hee vnderstandeth here by poore shewing that his offrings shal be so plentiful that euery one shal be satisfied they that séeke after the Lord vz. of a single hart to serue and worship him your heart he chaungeth the person shal liue for euer q.d. the hearts that had beene before as it were dead through afflictions shall through manifestation of Gods grace and goodnes be marueilously remoued ver 27. is a prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles q.d. this grace shall stretch not to the Iewes only but to the Gentiles who beholding the wonderful works that God hath done for his people shal come to true religion which they neuer tasted of al the ends of the world i. the people dwelling in the vttermost coasts of the earth putting the places conteining for the partes conteined shall remember themselues vz. howe long they haue béene in blindnes and superstition and where he speaketh of al he meaneth of a very great nūber turne to the Lord vz. from their dead Idols as S. Paul 1. Thes 1.9 Ver. 28. For the kingdome q.d. it can not be but that the gentiles shal come to the Lorde for he that hath the kingdome in his owne hande will drawe them to his worship and seruice ver 29. The Prophet declareth that of al states some shall come to worship God with him and be partaker of those sacrifices which hee would offer to the Lord by them that be fat in the earth he meaneth the rich mightie men shal eat vz. of the sacrifices worship vz. God by giuing him thanks al they that go downe into the dust i. such as are through affliction so humbled that there séemeth to be little oddes betwéene them the graue in the 15. ver of this Psalm he called it dust of death shal bow before him i. serue and worship him in his sight the outward signe of worship put for worship it selfe euen he that can not quicken his owne soule first marke the chaunging of the number from the plural to the singular next vnderstand by soule life as before ver 20. in this Psalm thirdly by quickning of the soule vnderstand him that being at deaths dore as it were is not able to prolong his life one minute of an houre q.d. euen those that séeme to be as it were dead and not able to do any thing for themselues shal through god be restored againe come to worship him with the rest of the faithful ver 30. their séed i. the godlies posterity for a generation or rather as Immanuel readeth it in euery generation meaning that these shal be alwaies called and counted the séed of God and a people whom he wil alwaies take care of and delight in ver 31. They shal come i. the fathers and their posterity and shall declare i. set out as it were from hand to hand deliuer ouer his righteousnes i. the faithfulnes that hee vseth in the defence of his wherof Dauids deliuerance gaue certaine proofe for by deliuering him out of dangers violences he shewed himselfe iust vnto a people that shal be borne i. vnto their posterity and stocke because he hath done it i. declared his righteousnes and faithfulnes in deliuering and preseruing of mée Ver. 1. Gods children are many times in their afflictions Do. brought almost to dispaire ver 2. God doth not alwaies immediatly heare euen the heartie praiers of his seruants ver 3. Sheweth that though God do not alwaies heare the praiers of his seruants yet he alwaies remaineth holy and iust ver 4. Good fathers are in good things to be followed also trust in God to be deliuered out of danger through him as a notable meane to obteine it for God neuer destituteth his ver 5. Praier is necessary and méete in the time of affliction ver 6. Gods children are wonderfully abased in the sight of wicked men ver 7. It is no new thing that the children of God are made scoffing stocks to the people ver 8. The vngodly do not only despite gods children but euen his owne holy maiestie ver 9.10 Teach vs to hang continualy vpon God in whom wée liue moue and haue our being ver 11. The more that troubles increase the more néed we haue to be earnest with God ver 12.13 Set out the rage and cruelty of the wicked ver 14.15 Describe the pitiful state of gods children ver 19. In all our distresses we must haue recourse to the Lord. ver 22.23 Teach not onely to bée thankful our selues but also to stirre vp others thereto ver 24. Setteth out Gods wonderful mercy that neuer refuseth his no not in their greatest misery ver 27. Is a prophecie of the vocation of the Gentiles ver 29. God hath of al sorts and conditions some that feare him ver 31. Teacheth care for posterity Psalme 23. THis Psalme hath two parts first he doth darkly Di. as it were in an alegorie declare gods goodnes and mercy towards him from ver 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second hee declareth the same thing nore plainly assuring himselfe of gods goodnes likewise in time to come from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme This title is expounded before Psalme 4. Ver. 1. Se. My shepheard vnder this similitude he mindeth to set out the great care that God had ouer him I shal not want vz. any thing that he séeth to bee good or néedfull for me ver 2. Hee maketh mee to rest the Prophet proceedeth in this metaphor shewing Gods care ouer him noting thrée things to expresse it by first the swéete and quiet rest hee giueth vnto his as Psal 127.2 secondly plentifulnes of food vnderstood by these words gréene pastures and thirdly cōmodiousnes of place to drinke at to refresh himselfe ment by these words the stil waters vz. void of dangers yet hauing certaine cold aire comming from them to refresh ver 3. He restoreth my soule i. he bringeth my life which through weakenes was as it were at deaths dore backe againe paths of righteousnes i. in righteous waies vpright conuersation for his names sake i. for his goodnes and mercy sake ver 4. Though I shoulde walke vz. either through ignoraunce or weakenes through the valley of the shadowe of death i. through most manifold manifest dangers so that I were very nigh to death I will feare no euil vz. that can come vnto me for thou art with me vz. by thy power and presence to defend and comfort me thy rod and thy staffe he putteth the instruments that shepheards did vse hauing care ouer their flockes for the care that
God had ouer him and he ioyned the rod and staffe together because some shepheards vsed a rod and some a staffe but God vsed both q.d. the care that thou hast ouer mee which farre exceedeth the care of a most watchful and diligent shepheard causeth me that in the greatest dangers I neither doubt nor dispaire but am wōderfully comforted I make this difference betwéene rod and staffe that rod is put for some smal wandes wherwith shepheards vse to driue their shéepe and now then strike them and yet hurt them not and staffe is put for shepheards staffe that hath his hooke vpon it by which he catcheth and ruleth thē that sometimes would go astray ver 5. By table vnderstand al necessary things for norishment to be set vpon the table which is a vsual Metonymia by annointing his head with oile and the running ouer of his cup vnderstand abundance of al things not only seruing for necessity but pleasure he alludeth to the custome of those countries and times wherein he liued which was not only to vse oile for finenes cōlines sake as Mat. 6.17 2. Sam. 12.20 but also at feasts banquets as Luk. 7.36.37.38 For which cause also they that mourned absteined from annointing with oile as 2. Sam. 14.2 Ver. 6. Doubtles this noteth the prophets great assurance of Gods goodnes kindenes and mercy vz. from God shall follow me i. be present with me and vpon mee a long season i. all the daies of my life as in this very verse before in the house of the Lorde i. in the place where the tabernacle is and God himselfe worshipped from which to be banished what a great griefe it was sée Psal 84.1.2 c. and yet this hindereth not but that it may be vnderstood also of eternal life Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth this that if we be rightly perswaded of gods goodnes prouidence we shal want nothing that is good méete for vs. ver 2. Sheweth that God is he alone that giueth vs rest plenty deliueraunce from daungers ver 3. Declareth first that God hath the issues of life and death in his owne hands secōdly that he is the author of al wel doing in vs and thirdly that he bestoweth these graces vpon vs for his owne mercies sake only ver 4. Assured faith and confidence in gods goodnes almightie prouidence surmounteth al the difficulties of this life whatsoeuer ver 5. God giueth vnto his cildren many times plenty of all thinges not only for necessity but also for pleasure Ver. 6. declareth that it is no presumption to be fully assured of the continuaunce of Gods grace and fauour towards vs it teacheth vs also what delight we should haue in the seruice of God Psalme 24. THis Psalme hath two principall partes Di. In the first the Prophet declareth that though all the people of the worlde bee vnder Gods gouernment yet those only whome hee frameth to goodnesse are his speciall and peculiar ones from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second parte he prepareth this people to submit themselues willingly to God and his holy ordinances from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. he declareth that God is Lord of al thinges whatsoeuer and yet notwithstanding God only hath chosen some certayn people to be particular vnto himself which noteth not only his vnspeakeable good will towards them but setteth out their obedience towardes him Ver. 2. Founded it vz. the earth or the world vpon the seas i. he hath placed it aboue them as may appeare Gen. 1.9 Exod. 20.4 and so must the latter part of this verse also be vnderstood by which meanes also the earth or world is become habitable Ver. 3. mountayne of the Lord i. Sion where the ark was and is called the the Lords mountayne because it pleased him there to dwel some vnderstand it of the mountayne Moriah in which the Temple was builded by Solomon and this is not amisse also in his holye place i. eyther the Court of the Tabernacle or the Temple when it was built but I rather encline to the first sence Ver. 4. innocent hands i. hands that haue not ben giuen to bloodshead or any hurt sée Isaiah 1.15 and a pure hart i. a hart purged from manifold corruptions by these markes he discerneth the true Israelites from false and counterfait sée Psal 12.2 hath not lift vp his minde i. hath not gaped after or attentiuely set his affection vpon it séemeth to bee a borrowed spéeche taken from such as lift vp their eyes that they may diligently beholde a thing sée Psal 123.1.2 vanitie i. vayne and vnprofitable thinges or else as it is also many times vsed in Scripture for wickednes and wicked thinges nor sworne deceitfully he meaneth eyther in respect of himself vz. not taking an oth without an vpright reuerent and sincere mind or else which I rather allow of in respect of others vz. to deceaue them as it were vnder pretēce and religion of an oth Ver. 5. Blessings put for a great and wonderful blessing for such a force the word séemeth to carry with it and righteousnesse some take it for mercy and so doth the Gréeke text reade it in this place I suppose that by righteousnes the holy Ghost meaneth in this place the fruit or reward of righteousnesse or else gods benefits and goodnesses by which the Lord proueth himselfe faythfull and righteous saluation this worde is taken here not only for deliueraunce from daungers as often times before but for eternal life also which God graciously bestoweth vpon those that are his ver 6. this is the generation i. those are the men and persons for generation is here taken for men that seeke him vz. with their harts and vnfaignedly that they may worship him séeke thy face i. haue an earnest desire to behold thy louing countenance this is Iaakob such kind of pepole are true Iaakob and true Israelits for Iaakob is not here put for the name of the Patriarch or for those only that discended of him according to the flesh but for those that followed his faith obedience ver 7. Lift vp your heads ye gates in this sence the Prophet speaketh to the gates of the place into which the ark should enter whether it were the temple or some other place it is not certayne but he biddeth the gates lift vp their heads meaning by heads the vppermost posts of the gates that went ouer from one side to the other he calleth these gates euerlasting dores not that they should or could continue for euer but for a long season meaning by the spéech the stabilitie of the place or temple wherinto the arke should be brought In doctrine the faythful are hereby admonished to prepare thēselues to receaue Christ that he may dwel in their harts by faith their bodies being the tēple of the holy spirit king of glory i. a most glorious and renowned king speaking it of
the Lord who shewed his glory and presence from betwéen the Cherubins in the arke ver 8. who is this c. the demaund or question of the faithful people the Lord strong and mightye this is an aunswere to the former question whereby for the strengthening of their faith they are admonished that God armed with inuincible power commeth to defend his people and to beat downe his enemies ver 10. The Lord of hostes i. he whom al hosts both heauenly and earthly do obay and therfore most strong mighty euen in battaile i. not only in warlike strength but in the very pinch and brunt of battaile Do. Ver. 1. describeth the largenesse of Gods gouernment so that nothing is exempted therfrom for though he speake only of the earth and thinges contayned therein yet he mindeth not to exclude the heauenly creatures Ver. 2. Setteth out Gods power and prouidence Ver. 3. Teacheth men to haue regarde to ioine themselues to his church in this life and to haue a speciall care of etexnal life Ver. 4 Teacheth the brideling of our hands the reformation of our harts the subduing of the vaine and wicked affections of our minds and to take héed that we abuse not an othe so that to sweare is not forbidden as the Anabaptists imagine but to sweare deceitfully and wrongfully ver 5. setteth out gods goodnes plentifully rewarding the holy indeuours of his children ver 6. Teacheth that care and zeale to worship God must be in his children ver 7.9 Teacheth men to be prepared to receaue the Lord when he commeth to them ver 8. and 10. is a particular description of Gods power and glory which serueth for comfort to his children because he will deliuer them and for terror to his enemies because he will punish them Psalme 25. IN this Psalme Di. the Prophets prayers are wonderfullye intermedled and therefore it canne be hardlye well diuided Sometimes he prayeth deliuerance frō his enimies shewing what fruit shall come thereby to him and others ver 1.2.3.15.16.17.18.19.20.21 sometimes he prayeth the Lorde to instruct and teach him and others also in the right way shewing how God dealeth with his children ver 4.5.6.8.9.10.12.13.14 and sometimes he confesseth his sinnes praying pardon for them and shutteth vp this Psalme with a prayer for the Church ver 7.11 18.22 The title is expounded before Ver. 1. My soule i. Se. hart and all that is within me his words shewing that in the outward he gaue himselfe to the Lordes seruice and this spéech proueth that his inward man was ioined therewith ver 2. Let me not be confounded vz. by receiuing a repulse at thy hands ver 3. mend thus yea let none that trust in thée be confounded and ioyne it to the former thus q.d. I pray not only for my self but for the rest of the faithfull that transgresse vz. against me in resisting my kingdom that without any cause on my behalf giuen them and so doth the Chaldee paraphrase expoūd it ver 4 shew me thy ways vz. by or in which thou wouldst haue me to walk meaning by waies the order of life which God himself prescribeth the same he meaneth by his paths as we haue had it before ver 5. Lead me forth vz. without daunger of mine enimies in thy truth i. as thou hast promised to shielde mee from them and teach me vz. the same thy truth teaching me to finde it and féele it by experience the God of my saluation i. such a one as I fynd a present helpe to saue me frō and in al dangers all the day i. continually with an vnwearied constancy Ver. 6. Remember thy tender mercies that I maye féele them now as thou hast shewed them always hertofore ver 7. The sins of my youth i. those that I did commit in my youth nor my rebellions vz agaynste thy maiestie euen for thy goodnesse sake q.d. though my sinnes deserue the withdrawing of thy fauor yet think vpon thy mercy and not vppon my iniquities ver 8. Gracious righteous i. merciful to penitent persons and vprighte in the execution of his iudgements Dauid vseth these termes to strike vp himself therby to praier sinners i. all one and other for none are without sin in the way or rather the way for so it is in the Hebrue text meaning a conuersation the God himselfe alloweth of for so it is ver 9. though al do not imbrace it ver 9. in iudgement i. with a thorow iudgement meaning therby aduisedly rightly it séemeth to be a metaphor taken from them that guide others shew thē the way ver 10. paths of the Lord sée ver 4. of this Psalm are mercy and truth i. are most mercifull faithful because that in thē God giueth testimony vnto thē of his mercy truth meaning by truth gods faithfulnesse in performing that which he promiseth his couenant his testimonies i. his Law which is called his couenaunt because that thereby God maketh a couenaunt or bargayne as it were with vs that we should kéepe his law for testimonies sée Psalme 19.7 Verse 11. For thy names sake i. for thy glory and mercies sake least otherwise by my iniquity thy glory might be called into question Verse 12. The way sée verse 4. of this Psalme Verse 13. His soule i. his whole man a part put for the whole Ver. 14. Secrete of the Lorde i. the law of the Lord which is called secret because we cannot vnderstande it of oure selues without light from him Ver. 15. Mine eyes vz. not of my body only but of my fayth and soule are euer toward the Lord i. are earnestly lifted vp and stedfastly fixed vpon him as Psalme 123. ver 1.2 my féete i. me my selfe a part for the whole out of the net i. out of the snares and daungers that myne enemies haue layde to catche me in Ver. 16. Turne thy face i. thy fauourable and louing countenaunce for I am desolate i. vtterlye destitute of helpe vnlesse thou helpe as Psal 22.11.20 and poore i. maruailously afflicted and so haue you this worde sundry times vsed in the Booke of Psalmes Ver. 17. The sorrowes of my harte i. The gréefes and sorrowes that touche and possesse of my harte are inlarged i. multiplied to a wonderfull numbers so that I am hardly able to thinke vpon them with my hart ver 19. with cruell hatred i. with hatred that will neuer be appeased but by committing some crueltye agaynst me ver 20. Soule put for whole man as ver 13. before in this Psalm ver 22. Israell put for the faithfull Israelites and Gods church as Psalme 14 7. Psal 125.5 Psal 131.3 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that prayer must ve made to GOD onlye Verse 2. that seruice cannot bee performed but by trust in God ver 4. We are ignoraunt euen the best of vs in Gods worde till the Lorde lighten and teache vs. ver 5. We must continuallye hang vppon GOD by an assured fayth ver 6. Gods mercye is the onely
woulde saye to beholde the Heauens then the heares of myne heade i. they are innumerable my harte i. my courage witte counsell c. hath fayled me i. hath hene as it were consumed vz. by earnest thinking vppon them Verse 13. Let it please thée Hée flieth to Gods good will sée Psalme 38.21.22 Ver. 14. Let them bée c. Sée Psalme 35. 4. and 26. where you haue almost the same words Verse 15. For a rewarde i. as a méete and iust punishmente of their shame i. of their filthye and shamefull life sée Psalme 28.4 Aha Aha sée Psalme 35.21 Verse 16. That séeke thée vz. with a sincere and vprighte harte and that to serue thée in thee i. for thée and for the gracious deliueraunces that thou bestowest vppon them that loue thy saluation i. like and reioyce in thy sauing health and deliueraunces saye alwayes i. haue alwayes an occasion to say the Lorde be praysed vz. for the continuall mercy and goodnes which hée hath shewed vnto vs. Ver. 17. Though I be poore and néedy i. destitute of all mans ayde thinketh on me vz. to doe me good or else prouideth for me my matters thou art my helper and my deliuerer q.d. I néed not be proud when I doe any thing well for I doe it by thy helpe who art wont to deliuer me from troubles Do. Ver. 1. Patient abiding the Lords leasure is neuer vnrecompenced Ver. 2. God sheweth himself then most nigh to his children when they are in the greatest daunger Verse 3. By graces bestowed vppon his children GOD deliuereth two doctrines the one that those that haue receiued them shoulde prayse him the other that those that haue not receiued them should learne thereby to reuerence him and put their trust in the truth of his promises Verse 4. GOD onely must be trusted vnto as for proude and deceitfull persons they are to be abhorred Verse 5. Gods workes are past our reache Verse 6. God preferreth obedience speciallye in the harte before outwarde Ceremonies Verse 7. Teacheth vs chearefully when wée knowe Gods worde to obaye the same Verse 8. Teacheth vs to reuerence the law and worde of God aboue all Verse 9.10 To set forth Gods goodnesse righteousnesse truth to the vttermost of our powers Ver. 11. Continually to pray for the féeling of Gods mercy and truth Verse 12. Describeth the gréeuousnesse of sinne and the horrible effectes of the same Verse 13.14.15.16 We learne to make prayer as for our selues so for others and yet withall to pray against the malicious and obstinate enimies of Gods truth Verse 17. God reiecteth none for his pouerty or néede but the more he is in distresse the readier is the Lord to helpe him if hée be his Psalme 41. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. Firste Dauid declareth what good estate they are in that pitie the afflicted and néedye in their calamities and distresse from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde hee describeth the mischieuous mindes of his enimies agaynst him and the practises of his counterfeyted friends from verse 5. to the ende of the ninth In the third he prayeth vnto the Lord for deliueraunce and assuring as it were himselfe thereof he concludeth with thankesgiuing from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Verse 2. Se. Kéepe him vz. from the violēce and rage of his enemies preserue him aliue vz. euen here vppon the earth from many daungers hee shall bee blessed vppon the earth i. hée shall haue abundaunce of blessinges powred forth vpon him in this life and thou vz. O God a sodayne chaunge of the person vnto the will vz. that they shoulde doe with him what they list sée Psalme 27.12 Ver. 3. Vpon the bed of sorrowe i. when being sorrowful and gréeued hee doth for verye weakenesse kéepe his bedde putting the place wherevpon the heauy harted partye lyeth for the partie himselfe and his wonderfull gréefe thou hast turned a chaunge of the person as before ver 2. of the time by turning he meaneth changed all his bedde i. all the gréefe hee had vppon his bedde in his sicknesse i. in the time of his sicknesse The Prophet meaneth that God either had or would for the Prophets vse to speake sundry times of things that are to come as though they were alredy done restore him from sicknes to health from gréefe of mynde and body to soūdnes both of body soule ver 4. Therfore I sayd vz. because I saw thy goodnes towards others my soule i. me my self both in body soule a part for the whole Verse 5. Speake euill of mee i. Wish euill to me as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse They desired his death and his name i. not only his glory but his remembraunce perish vz. from amongst men Verse 6. He come a sodain chaunge of the number putting one eyther for some excellent one amongest them or for many to sée me vz. when I am sicke he speaketh lyes because he hath one thing in his mouth and another thing in his hart see Psalme 35.15 his hart heapeth iniquitie within him i. he carrieth an innumerable number of mischiefs in his hart againste mée which he declareth to his mates so soone as he is departed from me and laboreth to put the same in execution commeth forth vz. from the place where he had bin with me he telleth it vz. to his companions Verse 7. Whisper together i. hold their secret counsels and conspire against me for by whispering he meaneth their secret spéeches and practises myne hurt i. the hurt they will doe me Ver. 8. A mischiefe i. some great affliction punishment or disease sent from God which his enemies called a mischiefe prophanelye as prophane men sometimes call it vengeaunce Acts 28.4 hath light vpon him and taken such hold that he that lieth vz. gréeuously sicke vpon his bed and in it shall no more rise vz. out of his bed because they supposed hee shoulde dye of that disease Ver. 9. My familiar friend this may be vnderstood eyther of Absolon or Achitophel as 2. Sam. 15. or some other trustye one which did eate of my bread i. that came to my table and did eate of the best vittails I had there hath lifted vp the héele agaynst me by héele we vnderstande the whole man a part being put for the whole The meaning of the Prophet is that not onelye he whosoeuer he was did set himselfe against him but that also hee did it despightfully and contemptuously for to lift vp the héele or foote to the ende to trample vnder féete or to spurne argueth contempt despight and crueltye This by our Sauiour is applyed to Iudas Iohn 13.18 Verse 10. Rayse me vp vz. to my former strength and glory so shal I reward them vz. according to my kingly calling and office rendring vnto them that they haue deserued Ver. 11. He vseth the present tense for the future which is vsuall
heart prayseth the Lord doth yéeld him most excellent honour disposeth his way arighte i. rightly and holily ordreth his life will I i. God himselfe speaking of himselfe or else his seruaunt and Prophet shew the saluation of God i. If wée referre it to God he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person but if we referre it to the Prophet and take it to be his wordes hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed which he shall receaue indéede from God who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons both the sences come almost to one Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes but comfortable to his seruaunts Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation that passeth betwéene them and their God Verse 6 It is comfortable to consider that God who is iustice it selfe shall iudge Verse 7 When God speaketh all ought to heare Verse 8.9 God regardeth not outwarde seruices when inward is wanting Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods and at his commaundement Verse 11. If he know the creatures then men likewise Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man Verse 13. God being a spirit néedeth not outward nurriture Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing is acceptable to God Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer if we could rightly consider of it Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde be two grieuous sinnes Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse and of communicating with other men in their sinnes Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse ver 20. To speake euil of or to slander any much more our nighest kinred is a horrible sinne Verse 21. Gods mercy long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked not of it selfe but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it Verse 22. Gods iudgemeÌ„ts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty Psalme 51. THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges Di. the firste is an humble confession of sinnes with an earnest crauing pardon for the same desiring notwithstanding his sinne the continuaunce of Gods fauour towards him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehended an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church and â—â—is is in the two last verses of the Psalme The Title to him that excelleth Se. a Psalme of Dauid this hath bene expouÌ„ded before when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him for the better vnderstanding of this read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout after hee had gone in to Bathsheba the scripture speaketh chastly purely of a filthy facte in other places it is expressed by knowing hir in our spéech we say after he had had her company or lain with her Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes and he doubleth as it were the same matter in other wordes that hee might more effectually declare his affection he runneth only to Gods mercye and because his sinnes were many and infinite he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses away myne iniquities vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes for such a metaphor he séemeth to vse here meaning the vtter remouing of them Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing the Prophet alludeth to the outwarde purifyings and cleansings of the law yet so that he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing without the Lord performed that inwardly wch was signified by these outward signs that is frée pardon ful forgiuenes of al his transgressions Ver. 3. For I know i. féele sensibly within my self but yet so that I do withal confes it is euer before me i. is continually in my remeÌ„braunce and the very thought of it doth continually vex me and by iniquitye sinne in the singuler number he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome adulterye but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertayning therto whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Against thée against thée only c Dauid noteth by this maner of spéech that he did so cuÌ„ningly couer his sinne from mens eyes that none saw it for the time til it was reuealed but God alone so that we see Against thée doth not only note that his sinne was directly agaynste God which also he meaneth by doubling the words against thée agaynst thée but also that it was naked before him as appeareth by that which followeth when he addeth this word only he meaneth not that he had not offeÌ„ded against men also for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain but because God was he whose law both in respect of the first and second table was broken whom it did most especially touch that thou mayst be iust i. declared to be iust for otherwise god is alwayes iust though the manifestation thereof appeare not and pure i. sound and vpright when thou iudgest vz. others for God is always iust but it then specially appeareth wheÌ„ he eyther pronouÌ„ceth senteÌ„ce against some or executeth iudgements vpon them Ver. 5. Behold q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther but al other from the time of my being vntill this present houre he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne but yet so that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow and in sinne hath my mother conceyued me these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents was in that sinne conceaued i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe and brought forth in the same for so largely do I take the word of conceauing the beginning of a thing being put for the grouth procéeding and continuance of the same thing Ver. 6. Thou louest truth i. vprightnes soundnes a sincere good wil to follow thée in the inward affections meaning that God specially respecteth the hart yet so that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto haste thou taught me wisedome i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne because
that contrary to the knowledge and truth that God had manifested vnto him he had cōmitted gros iniquities Ver. 7. Purge me with Hysop no doubt hee alludeth to the ceremonies purifications of the law among which Hisope was greatly vsed as Leuit. 14.6.7 Leuit. 19.18 yet so that he would haue the truth also signifyed by these outward things and he putteth purging and Hisope and washing which were outward parts of the legal puristings for a thorow whole cleansing as ver 2. and I shall be cleane q.d. otherwise I cannot bee cleane vnlesse thou O Lord performe it indéede whiter then snow Sée Isaiah 1.16.18 for the vnderstanding of this Verse Verse 8. Make me to heare i. eyther to féele one sence being put for another a thing vsuall in Scripture or else by some one of thy Prophets or other make me to know my sinnes to bée forgiuen as Nathan pronounced the same vnto him 2. Samuel 12.13 ioye and gladnesse i. that comfortable and ioyfull message touching the frée and full pardon of my sinnes that maye make me ioyfull and glad indéede that the bones i. I my selfe both body and soule he putteth a part for the whole which thou hast broken vz. by the horror of thy gréeuous iudgementes agaynste mee for my sinne sée Psalme 38.3 may reioyce i. haue matter of reioycing ministred vnto them and performe that ioy indéede whilst that they inioye their former féelings Verse 9. Hide thy face from my sinnes i. bury them as it were in perpetuall forgetfulnesse for we doe not easily forget those things that be continually in our sight put away sée before verse 1. of this Psalme all mine iniquities one and other for so long as any sinne presseth vs the conscience can hardly be quiet Verse 10. Create in me a cleane hart he prayeth because the heart is the seat of the affections and naturallye it is inclyned to all filthinesse euery day sée Matth. 15.19 Gen. 6.5 Gen. 8.21 That God woulde reforme it taking away that filthinesse and planting goodnesse in it which he calleth creation a right spirite i. a minde frée from all hipocrisie and abhorring crooked wayes some read a stedfast spirite meaning a spirite and mynde so well stayed as might not in tyme afterward be remoued from his obedience Ver. 11. Cast me not awaye from thy presence hee vseth here a metaphor taken from Kings who will not vouchsafe such to beholde them as they hate or lyke not of thy holy spirite i. the effectes and workes of thy holy spirite for neyther doth the spirite substantiallye dwell in men as some haue dreamed neyther is the pledge of the spirite so taken awaye as some haue imagined though it be hidden sometimes vnder the ashes of corruption Verse 12. Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation i. make me to féele agayne that vnspeakeable comfort of saluation that I was wont to feere so that it séemeth that Dauid was almost at the dore of dispayre with the féeling of his sinnes the iudgements of God agaynst him for the same establish me i. make me strong and stedfast with thy frée spirite the spirite of God is called frée in diuers respects as because it is Gods effectuall instrument to set vs frée from the bondage of sinne for where the spirite of the Lord is there is fréedome 2. Corinthians 3.17 because also thereby god worketh in vs fréenesse and readinesse to the doing of those thinges which he commaundeth and lastly because it maketh vs fréelye and boldly to professe that we are Gods children as Rom. 8.15.16 some reade principall or princelike spirite meaning thereby a moste excellent spirit suche as Kings and Princes haue néede of that they may know how to guide them selues in their offices Verse 13. Thy wayes i. thy mercies louing kindnes which are called Gods wayes because he alwayes sheweth them to true penitent sinners q.d. If thou wilt pardon me my sinnes I will be thy instrumente to teach thē that shall come to the like féeling of their transgressiōs thy wonderfull mercy and goodnesse and sinners shall be vz. by that meanes conuerted vnto thée vz. from whom they haue gone astray he meaneth that hee will take paynes to winne men to god but that the profit thereof shall redounde to gods owne glory Verse 14. From blood he meaneth not only from the sinne committed in shedding Vriahs blood and others with him as 2. Sam. 11.17 but also the punishments that by that sinne he had drawne vpon himselfe whereof sée Genesis 9.5.6 God of my saluation sée Psalme 18.46 my tongue shall sing ioyfully i. chearefully and aloude prayse thy righteousnesse i. thy goodnesse faythfulnesse and truth which thou promisest and performest to thē that craue pardon and forgiuenesse Verse 15. He prayeth the Lord not onely to giue him an occasion but also to inable him to thankfulnesse and then he will performe it Verse 16. Must be vnderstoode by the way of comparison and not supplye for yet in his time sacrifices were to be vsed and that by the prescript of gods law sée Psalme 50.8.9 c. Isaiah 1.11.12 c. Verse 17. The sacrifices of God i. such as he principally alloweth and accepteth a contrite spirit i. a spirite brused and broken as it were with the feeling of the sinne committed and the acknowledgement of his owne weakenesse and vnworthinesse which as I take it the Apostle calleth godly sorrow 2. Cor. 7.10.11 Thou wilt not despise i. thou wilt graciously and mercifully accept for not refusing or despising with god is gracious accepting Verse 18. Be fauourable i. notwithstanding my sinne continue gracious and heape vp benefits vpon benefits vnto Sion i. vnto thy church and people he putteth the place where Gods people dwelt and the exercises of his religion were vsed for gods people and Churche sée Psalme 48.11 for thy good pleasure i. for thyne own goodnesse sake and not for any thing in them or me for there is nothing in vs that can procure that build the wals of Ierusalem i. not onely defend thy church by thy mighty power and prouidēce but giue it all the meanes whereby it may resist the assaults of thine enemies as walles to a citie are a good defence to saue them from the violences and outrages of their enemies Verse 19. Sacrifices of righteousnesse sée Psal 4.5 q.d. When sacrifices and burnt offrings shall be referred to a right ende God will allow and like of them then shall they i. thy people offer Calues vppon thine altar i. sacrifices of prayses and thanksgiuing vnderstanding no doubte by Calues euen the instruments of their lippes to prayse God withall sée Hosea 14.2 also Heb. 13.15 Verse 1. When we are touched with the féeling of our sinnes Do. Gods mercy is the only medicine that we must looke to for the curing of our sore Ver. 2. We must pray for pardon and full forgiuenesse of our sinnes or else it is nothing as also verse 9. of this Psalme Verse
3. Confession of our sinnes and the sight of them are good meanes to bring vs to repentaunce for them and forgiuenesse of them Verse 4. God onely is iust in all his wayes and wordes how vile soeuer men be Verse 5. Proueth originall sinne and yet not by imitation as the Pelagians imagine but by naturall corruption from our parents before we could follow them Verse 6. God specially regardeth the inward parts as the harte and minde Verse 7. Vnlesse God take away our sinnes we can neuer be purged Verse 8. When we are afflicted with heauinesse it is good to praye that we may féele spirituall comfort Verse 9. We are not able to indure Gods presence much lesse his iustice for our sinnes Verse 10. God is he alone that must alter and chaunge the corruptions of our mindes Verse 11. To be banished out of Gods fauour and to want the effects of the spirite is extreme miserye Verse 12. Vnlesse God vphold vs we shall easily fall Verse 13. Our féelings of Gods mercies should be referred to other mens profits and Gods glory Verse 14. We ought to pray for deliueraunce from sinne and the punishments due thereto Verse 15. All the members of our bodies should bée referred to Gods glorye but yet we can not performe that vnlesse hee giue vs strength and grace Ver. 16. God regardeth not outward seruices only but the inward and the outward must be both ioyned together Ver. 17. Godly gréefe of hart for sinne is an acceptable sacrifice to God Ver. 18. We must praye for the Church and the prosperity thereof Verse 19. It becommeth Gods children after he hath heard their prayers and graunted them their requests outwardly to shew themselues thankfull Psalme 52. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the prophet by péecemeale as it were describeth the corruption and malice of his aduersaries and this is comprehended in the foure first verses In the second he sheweth Gods iudgemēts agaynst the vngodlye and his fauour to his children with the fruit the godly shall reape thereby from verse 5. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth Se. A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction this hath ben expounded before Psal 4. also Psal 32. that which followeth in the title declareth the occasion wherefore Dauid made this Psalm for the more ample vnderstanding wherof sée 1. Sam. 21. from verse 1. to the 9. and Doeg is here called an Edomite not that I thinke he was so by nation or birth but because he had vpon some one occasiō or other dwelt in Edom. Ver. 1. Why boastest thou thy selfe c. q.d. there is no cause why thou shouldst so doe if eyther thou consider thy selfe or the matter that thou art about to commit or God himselfe whose goodnesse continueth towards his children for euer though he doe for a time giue them ouer to the vngodlies lust so that all thy laboure is but lost though thou bragge neuer so much therof for neyther art thou able to assault God though thou be neuer so mighty neyther to hinder the course of his goodnesse towards his children Ver. 2. Thy tongue imagineth mischiefe he attributeth imagination to the tongue which is proper to the mind meaning therby expressing q.d. thou doest by thy wordes bewray what mind thou haddest whē thou wast with Ahimelech like a sharpe rasor vz. in cutting that déepely q.d. thou woundest cuttest with thy tongue as a rasor doth hee meaneth the slaughter cōmitted 1. Sam. 22.16 that cutteth deceitfully as missing the beard and striking the throat that is not vsed where it should be and where it should not be vsed there to be of great force Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise and somewhat more plainly in my iudgement Verse 3. Euill i. not onely euill in affection but in acte meaning speciallye the murther committed at Nob and lyes vz. in falslye accusing Ahimelech sée 1. Samuell 22.7.8.9 c. Ver. 4. Thou louest i. allowest and vsest all wordes that may destroy i. suche spéeches as by the vttering of them maye bring hurte and destruction to others Verse 5. So i. as thou hast delighted to destroy others vz. the Priests of Nob so shall God take pleasure in thy ouerthrowe although for a while he deferre to punish thy trayterous and crafty dealing destroye thée O Doeg although thou thinkest thy selfe to be very high and sure yet shalte thou be cast downe for euer i. continually and that so that thou shalt haue no hope of rising agayne hee shall take thée vz. awaye from amongst men so that thou shalt not hurt any more and plucke thée vz. by strong hande whether thou wilt yea or no out of thy Tabernacle i. the place of thy dwelling and aboad and all that thou haddest to mayntayne the same whiche thou madest account of as though it had bene perpetuall meaning that he would take awaye from him Saules seruice and whatsoeuer else he had to trust in roote thée i. not only thine owne person but thy remembraunce and posteritie out of the lande of the liuing i. out of the world and from the face of the earth Verse 6. Shall sée it i. the punishment that God shall lay vpon thée and such wicked ones as thou art and shall feare vz. God and his iudgementes but yet with a reuerence and loue also of his maiestie from which shall spring sincere seruice and shall laugh i. inwardly and outwardly reioyce at him i. Doeg and such wicked men not so much for that they are ouerthrowne as because thereby it pleaseth God to manifest the care he hath for his children the iudgements he executeth vpon the wicked Verse 7. Behold the man q.d. they shall poynt at him as it were with the finger and will other men to looke vppon the heauye iudgementes that God hath executed agaynst him that tooke not God for his strength i. that did not put his trust for his strength and all other thinges in God only but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches Sée Luke 12.15.16 c. 1. Timothie 6.7 and put his strength i. trusted that his strength shoulde appeare in his malice vz. whiche hee practised agaynste Ahimelech and the rest of the Priestes at Nob. Verse 8. But I Dauid expresseth the hope that he and other faythfull haue howsoeuer the wicked be destroyed and that though the wicked trust in vncertaintie of riches yet he and they still hang vpon the Lord continuallye lyke a gréene Oliue Trée i. alwayes freshe and flourishing and yéelding fruite for the Oliue is very fruitfull and neuer wanteth gréene Leaues in the house of GOD i. in his Church and Congregation from whiche though Dauid were at this present banished yet in a sure hope he perswadeth himselfe hee shall in good time returne thither and bring forth much fruite for I trusted in the mercye of GOD this is a reason why he shoulde continue and florish for euer and euer expounde this by
putting the whole word for a part thereof and wil not feare vz. because I trust in him sée Psal 3.6 What flesh can do vnto mee i. any man whatsoeuer as appeareth ver 11. of this Psal and he calleth his enemies flesh as it were in conteÌ„pt that he might put his aduersaries in remeÌ„braÌ„ce of their pride who forgetting themselues did thrust in themselues into such foolish enterprises Ver. 5. Mine own words grieue me dayly q. .d. besides my enemies which much trouble mee I féele the want of Gods fauour in my affaires which doth also much grieue me he vseth words for thoughts purposes speaches déeds according to the propriety of his owne tongue which vseth it many times so generally al their thoughts i. they do nothing else in a maner but thinke deuise how to destroy me worke me mischiefe Ver. 6. They gather together vz. to conspire and take counsell against me and kéepe theÌ„selues close that their méetings practises conclusions may not be known or disclosed and by this speach he meaneth also their subtilties which they vsed secretly to intrap him sée Psal 10.8.9.10 They marke my steps some expound it thus they follow me so nigh that they are as it were at my héeles but I take this to be the simple sense they prie into my life and conuersation to sée whether they can find any thing in it blame worthie and so haue you the words vsed in sundry places 1. Pet. 2.21 Heb. 12.13 they wayte for my soule soule is here put for life as in sundry places before and when hee sayth they wayte for it hee noteth their diligence and labour to kil him and to take his life from him Ver. 7. They shal escape vz. thy iudgments by iniquitie vz. which they commit the Prophet meaneth that the wicked perswade themselues not only that they shall escape vnpunished for their wickednes but also that God will blesse them for it Sée Iohn 16.2 Cast these people down vz. from the height of pride and cruelty that they practise against thine in thine anger i. at that time which thou shalt thinke méete to declare thy wrath against them Ver. 8. Thou hast counted my wandrings i. thou knowest that all my life hath béen nothing else but a continuall flight hither and thither as though I were a vagabond I neuer being assured in any certaine place nor hauing any setled rest al my life long as it were this he alleageth to strengthen his faith that as God before had had care ouer him so he would continually after that time put my teares into thy bottle i. suffer them not to fall in vaine vppon the earth and to bee like water spilt vppon the grounde and this is spoken according to man By teares hee vnderstandeth not onely his wéeping but also that great heape of afflictions that did make him shed his teares and by bottle speaking after the manner of men who reserue precious things sundry times in such manner of vessels hee meaneth Gods continuall remembraunce or as hee sayth afterwardes in this verse register so that altogether come to this much q.d. Beholde somewhat more nighly the afflictions that I indure to the ende that thou mayest take pity vppon mee and haue mee in continuall remembraunce suffer not my teares to fall to the grounde but esteeme of them I pray thee as of a precious thing are they not in thy register q.d. yes certainely they are for by such demaundings they vse most certainely to affirme as wee haue sundry times noted before hee meaneth that the remembrance of the teares of the faithfull shall neuer bee blotted out before God Ver. 9. When I cry i. when I pray earnestly as Psalm 22.2 Psal 30.2.8 shall turne backe vz. as though they were discomfited in the day of battaile hee meaneth that they shall haue no force or power to doe him any hurt but that in the strength of God hee shall bee able to wound them this I knowe i. this I am fully perswaded of sée the word knowe so vsed 2. Corin. 5.1 for God is with mee i. taketh my part sée Psal 54.4 Psal 55.18 and this hée putteth downe as an assured reason of his perswasion Ver 10. Is the same both in wordes and sense with the first part of verse 4. in this Psalme Ver. 11. Is the same with the latter part of that verse and hee repeateth the same woordes that hee might expresse the force of the trust that hee had in God and in his promises The sense is thus much q.d. although it may séeme to men that GOD doth abuse mée withdrawing his ayde from mée and kéeping mee in suspense yet I will neuer cease to trust in his promise which shall bee strong inough to vpholde mee in all mine afflictions Verse 12. Thy vowes i. the vowes that I haue vowed vnto thee which are called Gods vowes because they did of duety afterwards belong vnto him are vpon me vz. not onely because I haue vowed the same but because it parteineth vnto me to performe them and that vppon paine of thy displeasure and wrath I will render praises vnto thée hee sheweth that hee will not be vnthankfull for the benefite receiued from God q.d. I bounde my self vnto thée by the vowes that I made when I was in danger which now I will pay vnto thée because thou hast deliuered mee the particularities of which deliueraunce hee expresseth in the next verse Ver. 13. My soule from death i. my body and life which was in the danger of death and as it were at deaths doore by reason of the rage of our enemies my féete from falling i. thou hast stayed mee vpright so that notwithstanding all the grinnes snares of the enemies I haue not fallen or stumbled that I may walke before God i. not onely lead a holy vpright and vertuous life but also commit my selfe and my affaires to Gods prouidence and protection Sée Gene. 17.1 Psalm â—â—6 8.9 and marke howe he changeth the person from the second to the third in the light of the liuing i. in this life which is called the light of the liuing because they here inioy it Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs two thinges first to runne to Gods mercy by earnest prayer in our distresses Secondly what is the outragious and cruell nature of the wicked which thing also ver 2. doeth set out vnto vs. Ver. 3. Teacheth that assured trust and confidence in God is a ready way to ouercome all feare Ver. 4. Teacheth two things first that Gods promises are and ought to be the matter of our mirth secondly that if we be fully perswaded thereof wee neede not greatly feare what flesh and blood can do against vs. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs to be moued much and to learne to make our profit by it when God crosseth vs in our purposes and attempts and the latter part of that ver and Ver. 6. Do marueilously paint out the mischieuous imaginations close conspiracies narrow markings and
and the raine also conteined in the cloudes which hee expresseth afterwards by the worde dropping meaning the falling of the raine out of the cloudes which also make the grounde fruitefull which he expresseth vnder the worde fatnes for raine fatteneth the earth as it were In a worde this is the sense that in what place and on what side soeuer it pleaseth the Lorde to walke there hee manifesteth his blessinges and bestoweth great fertilitie and plentifulnes of all thinges sée Prouerb 3.20 Ver. 12. They i. thy steps meaning as before clouds and raine in them droppe i. fal downe vppon the pastures of the wildernes i. vpon the places that are not tilled and manured where nothing growes but wildnes as it were q.d. not onely fruitfull places as furrowes valleis and such like but also barren places as wildernesses mountaines c. shal be made plentifull and the hilles vz. which by reason of their height are in summer parched away with heate and in winter killed with cold shal be compassed with gladnes i. shal be replenished with abundaunce of fruite that shall make mens hearts and bodies glad as Psal 4.7 Psalm 104.14.15 Ver. 13. The pastures are clad with sheepe the metaphor of clothing expresseth the great plenty and store vz. that as a garment couereth the whole body so shall shéepe and other cattel for by one sort he vnderstandeth the rest couer the pastures the valleies shal be also couered with corne vz. in such sort that a man shal behold no void place and this metaphor setteth out the abundance of corne that shal be in the land therefore they i. other men speaking of them indefinitely or else the valleis and corne thereon the plenty wherof maketh men glad as we say the fields laugh whē through their goodly shew they make mens eyes ioyful showte for ioy and sing i. conceiue and expresse abundance of ioy but I rather referre this in mine owne iudgement to men then to other creatures Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that praises and thankesgiuing are due to God in the publike assemblies of his Saints Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods readines to graunt his childrens requests shoulde prouoke vs to earnest and often prayer Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy surmounteth all our iniquities that in the multitude thereof he will do away al our sinnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour is the best blessing that can come vnto vs in this life Ver. 5. Declareth that God hath iudgement and power in his owne handes for his childrens defence and the wickeds punishment Ver. 6.7 Sheweth that God by his power gouerneth all thinges in heauen and earth Ver. 8. Gods iudgements executed vpon some do many times strike terror and feare into others Ver. 9.10.11.12.13 Teach two things first that abundance of all earthly benefites procéed from the Lords blessing which instructeth his to hang vpon him secōdly that he performeth these blessings by ordinary meanes which also teacheth vs to vse holy and lawful meanes Psalme 66 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth al men to praise the Lord to consider al his works specially his power against the wicked from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hee declareth that howsoeuer God afflicteth his for a time yet in the ende hee will be gratious vnto them for which hee promiseth thanksgiuing and praise from ver 8. to the ende of the 15. In the third hee frameth his speach to all the faithful declaring what great things God had done for them to the end that in his example they might be comforted from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psal 4. and Psal 48. in the title Se. Some and that of the Hebrewe writers suppose that this Psalme was made by some others rather then Dauid because his name is not here expressed but for this matter sée Psal 45. in the title Likely it is that this Psalme was written and that by Dauid himselfe when God had deliuered the Israelites from the cruell tyrannie of the Philistines and him from his manifold persecutions Ver. 3. Reioyce in God i. be thankefull vnto him and that with great gladnes for his benefits all ye inhabitants of the earth q.d. there is none of you all but you haue great occasion giuen you from him so to do Ver. 2. Sing foorth i. publish aloude that others may heare the glory of his name i. either the glory which is due vnto his maiesty or else his glorious name but I like the first best make his praise glorious i. let all your thankesgiuings tend to this end that his name and praises due thereto may bee glorious continually q.d. adde praise to praise and neuer cease praysing Ver. 3. Say vnto God i. confesse in his presence not that our speaking vnto him doeth make him any whit the more glorious but because that others hearing vs speake of his power goodnes in his sight may haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty striken vnto the how terrible i. reuerend and feareful vz. to the good who beare a louing feare towards thée and to the wicked who feare him for punishment and not for loue in thy workes i. in euery thing that thou doest through the greatnes of thy power vz. exercised heretofore against the godly whereof also thou hast reserued store with thy selfe for them that shall walke in such steppes shall thine enemies i. those that any maner of way set themselues against thée shalbée in subiection vnto thée i. shal forge and faine a subiection to thy maiesty but chuse them whether they will doe it vnfeignedly or no into subiection they shall bée brought for none is able to resist thy power Ver. 4. All the worlde i. all the inhabitants of the world as ver 1. of this Psalme putting all for a very great number shall worshippe thée vz. as thou hast prescribed meaning that they shoulde imbrace his religion and seruice and sing vnto thée i. prayse thee for thy mercy and trueth euen sing of thy name hee noteth what shal be the argument or matter of their song that is Gods maiesty power goodnes c. as Psal 20.2 Ver. 5. Come vz. with mee hee speaketh euen vnto the best sort of people who haue neede to be prouoked to this good thing and behold i. déepely consider with all your vnderstanding and eies both of your bodies minds he is terrible i. reuerend feareful and wonderful in his doings towards the sonnes of men vz. either for their defence or for their punishment The proofe of this plainely appeareth in the gouernement of all creatures whatsoeuer particularly in that hee vpholdeth and maintaineth the estate of men Ver. 6. Hee hath turned the sea i. the red sea into dry land so that this people passed through the same when they came out of Egipt sée Exod. 14.21 They i. his own people of Israel passe i. passed one time
image or shadow see Psal 39.6 Verse 21. Verily my heart was vexed vz. within me and I was pricked in my reines i. in my most secret thoughtes as in this sentence God searcheth the heart and reines the Prophet sheweth what griefe hee had in himselfe for that he had taken vpon him so to discourse against Gods prouidence as it were Ver. 22. So foolish was I and ignoraunt vz. in iudging so yea I was as a beast i. without vnderstanding q.d. all beastes can conceiue nothing of thée no more coulde I in that matter before thée i. in thy presence sight and iudgement so that these two verses are as it were an humble confession of his former sinne Ver. 23. Yet I was alwaye with thee q.d. notwithstanding my rash and corrupt iudgement thou diddest not forsake me but euen then when I was in danger altogether to go astray thou calledst me back and restrained mee Thou haste holden mee by my righte hande i. thou hast held me vp and bene a proppe vnto me that I haue not fallen in the consideration of the slippery estate of this life Ver. 24. Thou wilt guide mee vz. hereafter though I haue fallen heretofore by thy counsell according to thy will reuersed in thy worde and wilt not suffer mee to follow the imagination of my owne heart as I haue done heretofore and afterwardes vz. after that thou hast instructed me and taught me according to thy word receiue mee to glory he meaneth by glory here not only eternal life but also all the blessinges that God giueth vnto his in this life whether it be health wealth wisdom c. which the Lord giueth them sometimes here in this worlde that they might in them haue a tast as it were of the felicity to come Ver. 25. Vttered by the way of an interrogation carrieth with it this sense that the Prophet sought all his ioy contentment in God alone and in no creature whatsoeuer earthly or heauenly Ver. 26. My flesh faileth and my heart also i. my outward men haue béene and are many times wonderfully afflicted so that I haue failed and fallen so lowe that in mans iudgment I am many times past recouery but God is the strength of my heart i. he that inwardly strengtheneth me and he putteth the inwarde part for the whole not only because it is the more excellent but also because if that be couragious that outward mā can not faile my portion i. the portiō assigned to me wherwith I wil be cōtent al the daies of my life Ver. 27. Withdraw themselues from thee i. from thy gouernement and walke not in the obedience of thy wayes shall perish vz. not only from amongest men but also eternally thou destroyest vz. in thy iust iudgement that go a whoring from thee i. that put not their whole trust in thee and hang not altogether vpon thee whereby wée sée that not onely grosse idolatrie is spiritual fornication but also to withdraw the least part of our assurance that can be from God Ver. 28. It is good i. most pleasant and profitable for mee to drawe neere to God vz. by faith assured perswasiō hanging continually vpon him as may plainly appeare by the words following in this verse that I may declare i. publish and set abroad amongst men and that both by word and déede all thy works he meaneth by al a very great number because otherwise it is impossible to comprehend them and by workes he meaneth specially the iudgements that God executeth vpon the earth Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that Gods goodnes towardes his people is more then flesh can estéeme of it Ver. 2. Sheweth how weake euen the best men are in thē selues Ver. 3. Sheweth that it is no small temptation to the godly to sée the wicked highly aduanced and themselues depressed and kept vnder Ver. 4. 5. teach not onely in what a prosperous estate the wicked many times are in this life but also that we should count no man blessed for his outward felicity Ver. 6.7.8.9 Teach first the disposition and nature of the vngodly describing their wicked qualities secondly they shewe how that Gods forbearaunce and long suffering and mercy is abused by them to the increase of their transgressions Thirdly that for as much as they abuse their power their witte their wealth their vtterance and all that they haue against God themselues and other men that therefore we should learne to vse all his blessings in what quantitie soeuer they be bestowed vpon vs to his glory our owne comfort and the profit of our brethren Ver. 10. Teacheth that Gods people haue abundance of plagues in this life but yet that they should not fal away from God therfore Ver. 11. Teacheth howe farre Gods children slide when they are left for a while vnto themselues euen to the denial of his prouidence Ver. 12. Sheweth the continuall prosperity of the vngodly Ver. 13.14 Shew how farre mans presumptiō breaketh forth when he followeth his own reason Ver. 15. Teacheth vs humble and vnfeigned confession of our sinnes Ver. 16. sheweth howe vnable wee are of our selues to behold Gods dealing and doinges towardes men Ver. 17. Sheweth that the frequenting of publike assemblies and the righte vse of Churche exercises are very good meanes to worke light and knowledge in vs. Verse 18. Teach that the wickeds seate is ticklish and vncertaine Ver. 19. 20. Teach not only the sodaine destruction of the wicked but also that those iudgements are sent vpon them from God Ver. 21. Declarrth that euen the godly men haue their affections though not so right as they shuld Ver. 22. Sheweth what blindnes is in vs til God inlighten vs. Ver. 23. God is the onely vpholder of all his children Ver. 24. Teacheth that without God guide vs we go out of the way to eternal destruction Ver. 25. Teacheth Gods children to hang vpon him alone Ver. 26. Teacheth that when al things quaile yet God alone must be stuck to Ver. 27. Conteineth Gods great iudgements against the wicked and vngodly Ver. 28. Teacheth that howsoeuer other men fall away yet it behoueth Gods children to hang alwaies vpon him Psalme 74 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the faithfull doe as it were debate the matter with God of their affliction layd vpon them by the cruell and vngodly dealing of the enemies and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 9. In the seconde part they pray against the enemies of the Church assuring themselues by these particular examples both of his mercy towards the good and his iustice towards the wicked which he had declared before that they should bee deliuered and the enemies plagued and this reacheth from ver 10. to the end of the 17. In the third part is conteined the faithfuls prayer which they make for themselues and against their enemies grounding the same vppon Gods goodnes towards them and his iudgements towards the wicked and this reacheth
name of the Father for his séede and posterity or else Ioseph the whole man for a parte of him vz. his bones which they brought with them at their comming out of Egipt but I like the former better Immanuel and others expounde it otherwise but in my opinion not so rightly Verse 16. The waters vz. of the redde sea and Iordan as appeareth in Exodus and Iosua saw thée O God i. did féele thy maiestie and power in turning the courses of them for otherwise man can not see or féele God much lesse the waters and he repeateth the same agayne for the more certayntie of the matter and were afrayde vz. at thy presence which he gathereth because they were diuided and fled as a man woulde saye backward yea the depths vz of the waters and he allegeth these wordes to expresse the greatnesse of Gods power for though it fall out that the vpper partes of the water is many times troubled yet the depths sieldome or neuer but this was done to the end the people might passe vppon the drie grounde Verse 17. The cloudes vz. in the firmament poured out water vz. in greate abundaunce for that doth the worde of pouring out note sée Eccle. 11.3 he meaneth that God had al creatures ready at his commaundemente to execute his will for the sauegard of his and the punishment of the vngodly the heauens i. the Firmament and the regions of the ayre aboue vs gaue a sounde vz. of thunder and lightning and winde and stormie tempest thine arrowes i. thy thunderboltes and other meanes to manifest thy wrath vppon thy enemies went abroad i. did flie abroad in euery place striking feare into them Sée Exod. 14.24.25 Verse 18. The voice i. the sound or noise of thy thunder i. of the thunder that thou sendest forth was round about vz. all thine enemies or else he meaneth euery quarter and region of the ayre the lightnings vz. which came from thee lightened the world i. they were so greate and many that they might haue bene séene all the world ouer the earth i. this frame of the world trembled and shooke for feare of thy presence Al this is nothing else but an excellent description of Gods eternall maiestie and power Ver. 19. Thy way is in the sea some expound it thus Thy way i. the way that thou preparedst for thy people of Israel is in the sea i. in the red sea ascribing that vnto God because he was the author of it which did belong to the Israelites Some thus thy way i. thy counsels is in the sea i. in darke vnsearchable places known vnto none but to thée alone making it the same with ver 13. of this Psalm but I like the former better by reason of that whiche followeth in the last verse of this Psal thy paths vz. by which thou cariedst thy people all the rest is wel expounded in the note of Geneua Bible Ver. 20. Thou didst lead vz. out of Egipt and thorow the wildernes towards the land of promise thy people as shéepe i. tenderly softly and louingly for shéepe may not be hurried by the hand i. by the labour diligence ministery of these two excellent personages Moses and Aaron And al this the Prophet alleageth that he might raise vp his hope and comfort himself in the middest of those great assaults Verse 1 teacheth that God is nigh to them that earnestly cal vpon him Do. Ver. 2 teacheth that the more afflictions and miseries increase vpon vs the more earnest we should be with the Lord by prayer Ver. 3 sheweth that we thorow our own corruption and sathans malice vse that in the time of prayer as a mean to draw vs back from earnestnesse of prayer which shoulde make vs more carefully to think vpon God I meane our gréefs and afflictions Ver. 4 teacheth that nothing commeth to Gods children but by the speciall not only sufferance but appointment and prouidence of God Ver. 5 sheweth that Gods goodnes declared before should comfort those that are in affliction now Ver. 6 teacheth good men in the time of their heauinesses to cōfort themselues in the consideratiō of these good thinges that thorowe Gods goodnesse they haue felt in themselues Ver. 7.8.9 shew the great conflict that the godly many times haue wreastling mightily betwixt fayth and dispayre Verse 10 teacheth vs that Gods power and the true tast thereof is a good proppe to our faith Verse 11.12 teache vs to record Gods workes for the strengthening of our hope and to speake of them with delight and pleasure Verse 13. teacheth that God alone is the only God Verse 14. that whatsoeuer God doth he doth it for the good of his children or the punishing of his aduersaries Verse 15 sheweth that God careth for his people euen when they be in their greatest distresse Verse 16 17 18 19 teache that God hath all his creatures at his commaundement for the manifesting of his glory and grace towards his and for the declaring of his iustice towards the vngodly which is comfortable to know that the whole course of nature shall stand on our side Ver. 20. teacheth Gods loue and care towards his people which then also most manifestly appeareth when he prouideth for them good Magistrates and Ministers Psalme 78. Di. THe Psalme it selfe is very large and as it were a summary recitall of all the fiue Bookes of Moses and therefore cannot easily be diuided Notwithstanding methinketh it speciallye propoundeth these pointes following first an Exordium or entraunce into the matter the Prophet labouring thereby to make the people attentiue taken partly from the excellencie of the matter and partly from his and their own experience and this is conteyned in the eyght first verses Secondly he rehearseth the great rebellion of this people and of their forefathers vpō whom God had bestowed such great and wonderfull graces as vpon none the like and this is comprehended in verse 8 9 10 11 17 18 19 20 22 32 34 35 36 37 40 41 42 56 57 58. Thirdelye hee setteth out Gods great mercy notwithstanding their manifolde wickednesses and rebellion against him and this is comprised in verse 12 13 14 15 16 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 38 39 52 53 54 55 68 69 70 71 72. Lastly he largely declareth the excéeding great iustice of GOD againste sinne and vngodlinesse which he sheweth by executing the same partly vpon his owne people as appeareth verse 21 30 31 33 59 60 61 62 63 64 67 and partlye vppon his and their enimies as appeareth also verse 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 6◠66. which may teach all men to driue away the vayne imagination that they haue of Gods mercy only neuer looking into the execution of his iustice and iudgements against the world for sinne Se. The title hath bin sundry times expounded before sée the same Title Psalme 73 also Psalme 50. Verse 1. Heare vz. both with your outward eares and inward vnderstanding my doctrine i.
bée séene and glorious in beholding as these places palaces that are builde on high hilles and mountaines like the earth which he stablished for euer vnderstande and like the earth for this is an other similitude expressing the firmitie and continuance of the Church which shal indure vppon the earth vnto the comming of Christ and afterwardes for euer and euer in heauen Verse 70. Hée chose Dauid also his seruant after that he had spoken of the Arke religion and seruice of God hee commeth to speake of the kingdome and politique gouernement for these two things were principal signes of Gods goodnes and grace and tooke him from the shéepefoldes i. from a poore and meane estate for hee was no better then a shéephearde as it were Ver. 71. Euen from behind the ewes with young i. as hee followed the ewes either ready to eane or hauing eaned all ready for the worde I take it may be referred to both to féede his people in Iaakob i. to rule and gouerne his people Iaakob vz. those that came of Iaakob his inheritaunce in Israel i. the Israelits which were his inheritance I knowe these words in Iaakob and in Israel may haue an other sense as though hee put the names of the father of the people inhabiting the place for the place it selfe but mee thinketh the other is more simple Verse 72. So hée fed them i. ruled and gouerned them according to the simplicity of his heart i. as he was of a single mind so hée gouerned iustly and holyly and guided them i. went in and out before them exercising holy and lawfull gouernement ouer them by the discretion of his hands i. by most iust rule and gouernement for the worde hande is in many places of Scripture by metonimia put for worke rule and gouernement because kinges in their handes did vse to beare their Scepter a signe and seale of their gouernement All this serueth to shewe that Dauid did not vnaduisedly handle the thinges that hee was to passe through but did that which apperteined to his office through wisedome aduisedly also and with iudgement Verse 1. Teacheth vs to bring attentiue eares with vs Do. to the exercises of the worde Ver. 2. That the more darke and high the thinges are that are propounded the more diligent should we be in hearing and meditating thereof and not discouraged as many men are with the hardnesse Ver. 3. Teacheth that the workes and worde of GOD which either wee our selues haue tryed or other in trueth haue tolde vs of should bée great grounds of strength to our consciences and perswasions Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care for posterity that the worde and works of God may in trueth and sinceritie continue with vs and our séede for euer Ver. 5. Sheweth that Gods word bestowed vpon any people is no small signe or token of his fauour or loue towardes them Ver. 6. Sheweth that God giueth his word to the end that the people present and they that should come after might be instructed in sound knowledge of his truth Ver. 7. Teacheth that Gods word is ordeined to two especiall purposes the one is to increase hope in the heartes of his children and the other is to worke obedience Verse 8. Teacheth that fathers are not alwayes to bee followed and therefore that they say nothing that say they will treade in the steppes of their fathers Verse 9. Teacheth that weapon and armour are nothing where GOD his strength and fauour is not ioyned with them Verse 10. Teacheth that disobedience and rebellion against GOD is a grieuous sinne Verse 11. Teacheth vs howe fowle a sinne forgetfulnes of Gods goodnes is Verse 12.13.14.15.16 Setteth out Gods great loue towardes his people who maketh thinges against nature to prouide for them rather then they shoulde bee hurt or want any thing that were good and all this hée doeth to the ende that they might haue their fayth stedfastly stayed vppon him and his goodnes Verse 17. Teacheth that sinne against GOD after benefites receiued is very horrible and monstrous Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euill motions of the heart are sinne Verse 19. Teacheth that there can no greater dishonour bee offered to God then to call his power and will into question Verse 20. Sheweth howe the wicked peruert those things that God doth for them so the increase of their distrust and infidelitie Ver. 21. Teacheth two thinges first that the Lorde séeth the thoughts of the hearts heareth the words of mens mouthes conceiued or spoken against him secondly that sinne shall neuer bee vnpunished Verse 22. Teacheth that distrust in God is a most heinous and grieuous offence Verse 23.24.25.26.27.28.29 Expresse Gods great loue in giuing the people whatsoeuer they desired and that in wonderfull plenty and abundaunce to the ende that by that meanes he might bring them to amendment Ver. 30. Teacheth that the wicked are not drawne to repentance by Gods benefites but rather goe on forward more and more in their sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth that the abuse of Gods goodnes and mercy shall neuer bee left vnpunished also that God respecteth no persons in the execution of his iustice but hee that hath offended of what countenance soeuer he be shall smart for it Ver. 32. Teacheth that there are a sort of people so setled in their sinnes that no graces of God will pul thē out of them Ver. 33. Teacheth that hasty and sodaine destruction oftentimes ouertaketh the wicked Ver. 34. Liuely painteth out the nature of hypocrites their counterfeite repentance so doth verse 35.36.37 Ver. 36. Teacheth that the abuse of mens mouthes and tongues must be answered to the Lorde Verse 37. Sheweth that God specially regardeth an vpright heart Ver. 38. Doeth wonderfully commend the riches of Gods grace and goodnes Ver. 39. Doth marueilously set out the vanity and frailtie of man in all his glory Ver. 40. Teacheth howe the vngodly cease not sinning but procéede from one iniquitie to another Ver. 41. Teacheth that to set god his bounds is a grieuous transgression Ver. 42. Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of gods benefits towardes his children or of his iustice vpon his and their enemies is a grieuous transgression In that description of gods wrath executed vpon the wicked Egiptians and comprehended Ver. 43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50.51 Wee may learne many thinges first that the enemies of gods people shall neuer escape vnpunished which also expresseth gods iustice against persecutours Secondly wee sée the mightie power of the Lorde who wil arme the least of his creatures with such might as all the Monarchies in the worlde shall not bee able to resist Thirdly in that there are so diuers and sundry punishments reckoned vp we learn that the Lord hath all his creatures at commandement to vse them for the manifesting of his glory either in the maintenance of his seruants or for the punishing of the wicked Ver. 52.53 Do not only expresse gods great loue towards his children but also they teach howe that in
what a one thou wast not that GOD was ignoraunt of it before at the waters of Meribah Sée Exodus 15 22 23 c. Psalme 95 8. Verse 8. Heare vz. me speaking vnto thée by my word and law manifested vnto thée O my people i. the people whome I haue so tenderlye loued and I will protest vnto thée i. I will not only open my will vnto thée but also make a solemn contracte with thée to the ende that my wordes maye haue the greater weighte and authoritie if thou wilte hearken vnto mée vz. speakinge vnto thée in my Lawe then lette this bee fulfilled that followeth Verse 9. Let there bée no straunge God in thée i. let there be no idols or images in all thy Lande hee calleth them straunge Gods because straungers from the couenaunte i. other people besides the Iewes did worship them and hee calleth them Gods not because they were so but because the Idolaters supposed them to be so or that there was a certayne Deitye inclosed within them Sée 1. Corinth 8. ver 5.6 neyther worship thou anye straunge God q.d. bee contente with mée alone I expound this verse thus that in the first parte hee forbiddeth the occasion of idolatrie which are images idols c. and in the second he forbiddeth the thing it selfe Ver. 10. For I am the Lord thy God here hee sheweth a reason of the former verse q.d. there is no other but I and I am God alone sée Isaiah 45 verse 5. and hee laboureth in this parte of the verse not onelye to proue himselfe to be the true God but also to strengthen their fayth first by Gods eternity noted in these words I am the Lord secondly by the couenant which he made with thē noted in these words Thy God thirdly by the workes which he did for thē noted in these words Which brought thée out of the Land of Egipt vnderstanding by one singular worke all the rest of the graces that God had at any time bestowed vpon them open thy mouth wide i. largely and abundauntly aske euen whatsoeuer thou wilte according to my will standing fast in my seruice and religion The Hebrewes vnderstande by this speech boldnesse trust liberty and importunity in prayer and not amisse and I will fill i. I will giue thée whatsoeuer thou shalt aske sée Ioh. 15. ver 16. and besides put songes of prayse into thy mouth for benefits receaued Verse 11. But my people would not heare my voyce i. would not obey the thinges that by my word I commaunded them Whereby we sée that to heare and not to perform is as much as in contempt not to heare at all and Israel would none of me vz. in déede and truth though they made a shew as though they reuerenced and loued me alone the truth of this appeareth in Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Deutronom and the Booke of Iudges Verse 12. So I gaue thē vp q.d. séeing nothing I could doe for them or to them coulde reclaime them or bring them to goodnesse I layd the bridle as it were in their own necks and let them run their full swinge to wickednesse vnto the hardnesse of their harte i. vnto all licentiousnesse and iniquity that their harde hartes setled in sinne could deuise and they haue walked i. their conuersation hath bin in their own counsels i. according to their owne deuises and imaginations and not according to my prescript and rule Verse 13. O that my people had hearkened vnto me i. had obeyed my voyce and lawes giuen vnto them and this God speaketh after the maner of men testifying what a great loue he had to them and how acceptable their obedience should haue bin sée Deutron 5. verse 29. Deut. 32.29 Isaiah 48.18 and Israell had walked in my wayes i. had ordred his conuersation according to my commaundements which he calleth wayes because they are as pathes or beaten wayes that we are to treade in all the dayes of our life neuer being weary of going in them Verse 14. I would soone i. very quickly q.d. then my power should haue sodaynly appeared to their comfort but specially for iudgement vpon the wicked haue humbled i. cast downe and ouerthrowne it is a metaphor taken from thē that in humblenesse throw themselues down at others féete meaning that God in iudgement would haue brought them very low their enimies i. al their enemies of what state condition or multitude soeuer they had ben and turned vz. from mine own people vnto their aduersaries mine hand i. my power and might executing iudgement and vengeaunce q.d. My power and fierce wrath should haue lighted vpon their enemies and not vpon them Verse 15. The haters of the Lord i. the wicked and vngodly people which sundry times oppressed them as appeareth in the booke of Iudges shoulde haue bin subiect vz. eyther willinglye or constreinedly chuse them whether it is true that the worde signifyeth a counterfeit subiection by which he noteth the hipocrisie of the enemies vnto him i. to the people of God speaking of them all in one person as it were of whiche sée verse 6 7 of this Psalme and their time i. the time of their prosperity and florishing and marke here the sodaine chaunge of the number and here he speaketh of the people of God should haue moured for euer i. cōtinued and abode in that state continually according to Gods promise made vnto them Ver. 16. And God marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the first to the third God speaking of himself in the third person would haue fed them i. nourished and maintained his people with the fat of Wheate i. with the best and picked wheat for you shall haue the worde fat and fatnesse so vsed sundrye times in scripture vnderstanding by wheat also not onely corne but also whatsoeuer else was necessary for the maintainaunce of lyfe sée Deutronom 32. verse 14. and with honie out of the Rock would I haue satisfied thée q.d. rather than they shoulde haue wanted I woulde haue made barren places such as Rockes are plentifull and that euen with things not onlye for profite but for delight and pleasure noting by this maner of spéeche that they shoulde haue had all thinges both pleasaunt and profitable for the maintaynaunce of their lyfe if their naughtinesse hadde not stopped the course of his goodnesse and mercy Ver. 1.2.3 teach that we should not be only thankefull to God Do. but that the sacrifice of thanks giuing which we wil render vnto him must be yéelded coragiously chearfully because the Lorde requireth at our handes both the thing it selfe the maner of the performance of it Ver. 4 teacheth that Gods commaundment is the only ground warrant vnto vs that the seruices which we render vnto him are acceptable in his sight Ver. 5. teacheth first that Gods reuealing of his will word to any people is a plain testimonye of his grace and fauour also that Gods accounteth the afflictions of his people as his
annointed i. of him that was by thy commaundement annoynted king 1. Samuel 16.12.13 Verse 10. For a day i. one day only no more and this verse comprehendeth a reason of his prayers in thy Courts sée verse 2. of this Psalm putting Courts also for the places of publike méetings and assemblies is better i. is more swéete comfortable and profitable to me then a thousand vz. dayes otherwhere yea though the place it selfe were neuer so delightfull and pleasaunt I had rather be a dore kéeper i. I woulde preferre the basest place and calling in the Churche in the house of my God i. in the place where my God who is the only true God is serued then to dwell in the tabernacles i. in the most pleasaunt and gorgeous houses of wickednes i. wherein wickednesse is practised and professed or it may be that hee putteth wickednesse for wicked men whatsoeuer it be he meaneth that he had rather be of the meanest account in the Church of God amongst good men then to be in the highest roome out of the church where nothing raigneth but prophanenesse and corruption Verse 11. For the Lord God is the sunne and shielde he meaneth that God is the only author of all excellent good things and the deliuerer from all euill for euen as the sunne by his heat and brightnesse quickeneth maintaineth and maketh the creatures ioyfull so the gracious countenaunce of the Lord filleth mens harts with ioy and gladnesse and as a shield is an instrument to put backe darts and daungers so it is he alone that defendeth vs in all distresses sée before verse 9. of this Psalme the Lord wil vz. in his owne good time and when it pleaseth him giue grace i. shew fauour and mercy to me and others that are now cast downe and glory i. he will aduance me to that honour and estimation which he hath prepared for me hee meaneth the kingdome and no good thing will hee withhold from them i. he will giue them all good and necessary thinges for his glorye and their comforte that walke vprightly i. lead a holy and vpright life voyde of hipocrisie and being that indéede that they would séeme to be sée Genesis 17.1 Verse 12. O Lorde of hostes i. O God of al might and power who haste all creatures in thy hands as armies to commaund blessed is the man q.d. certainly howsoeuer it goeth with other men of wit wealth c. hee is in good case that trusteth vz. alwayes in thée vz. alone I take it that the Prophet comforteth himselfe by this spéeche that though it were a great gréefe vnto him in respecte of bodily presence to be absent from the exercises of holye assemblies yet this was his comforte that in soule spirite and fayth he did communicate with the Church and behelde the Lorde who was worshipped amongste them Sée Psalme 2.2.12 Ver. 1.2 Do. teach Gods children how much they ought to estéeme of the publike exercises of the Church which are Gods effectuall instruments meanes to nourish and beget vs to the hope of a better thorow his especial blessing Ver. 3 sheweth that absence from holy assemblies should pinch vs to the hart howsoeuer little account men of the world make of them Ver. 4 teacheth two things the firste is that though worldly men iudge such as serue God miserable and wretched yet they are indéede truely blessed the seconde sheweth the duetie of them that professe God that they shold be continually occupied in his seruice Ver. 5. teacheth that true blessednesse belongeth to true beléeuers only and that to such as expresse their fayth by the fruites thereof vz. by purpose of harte to wel doing and practise thereof so farforth as God shal inable them Ver. 6. teacheth vs that no want or weather should hinder vs from the exercises of God Ver. 7. teacheth that God wil furnish those that are his with all abilitie to performe his will Ver. 8. teacheth vs in the time of our sorrowes to haue our recourse to God by earnest prayer Ver. 9 teacheth vs in our prayers and supplications to looke to the mercies of God also to present our prayers vnto him in the mediation of Christ Iesus only who is that in truth to vs that Dauid was in figure Ver. 10. teacheth vs to prefer godlines and godlie mens company before all the pleasures and profits of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 11. teacheth vs Gods prouidence towards his seruaunts whiche appeareth in this that he will comfort and defend them in danger that he wil exalt them to dignitie after distresse and that he will mercifully minister vnto them all thinges necessary It teacheth vs also our dutie in care and conscience without hipocrisie to walke before him all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 12 teacheth vs that sure trust and confidence in God only maketh vs blessed Psalme 85 THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the faithful reckon vp gods mercies of old as good grounds of their praiers which they should and did make for their presence deliueraunce from verse 1. to the end of the seuenth In the second is comprehended as it were a prophesie or an assured perswasion that the faythful had of their deliueraunce from Antiochus his tyranny at which time it should séeme that this Psalme was made and this reacheth from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title hath ben sundry times expounded before and namely Psalme 4. and Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1 Lord thou hast bin vz. in times past and therefore we hope thou wilt be now fauourable i. haste shewed mercye euerye waye so that they make his frée loue and mercy towards them the cause of all their goodnesse vnto thy Land i. vnto thy people inhabiting the land of Canaan which he calleth Gods land because GOD had chosen it and appoynted it especially for them Thou vz. alone and none but thou hast broughte againe vz. out of Egipt or else out of Babilon for it may be vnderstoode of eyther of them but speciallye in my iudgement of Babilon as which was the greater matter sée Ierem. 16. verse 14.15 the captiuity of Iaakob i. suche of Iaakobs posteritye as were Captiues putting the thing wherein they were held for the persons as Psalme 84 10. Wickednesse put for wicked men Verse 2. Thou hast forgiuen vz. fréelye and of thine owne accorde without anye merite or deserte of theirs at all the iniquitie i. the sinnes and transgressions vnderstanding by one manye whiche they had committed agaynste him of thy people i. of those whome thou chosest to bee a peculiar people vnto thy selfe and couered vz. from thy iudgement all their sinnes whatsoeuer whensoeuer wheresoeuer or howsoeuer committed for concerning of sinnes sée Psalme 32.1 Verse 3. Thou hast withdrawne vz. from thy people all thine anger vz. whiche they had pulled vppon them iustly by their sinnes and thou in mercye haste eyther vtterly withholden it or else laying some
seruauntes doeth not onely manifest his owne glory but also prouoketh them thereby to bée thankefull vnto him Verse 7. Teacheth that Gods mercy is the cause of all goodnes to vs warde and namely of our deliueraunces from daunger Verse 8. Teacheth first in diligence and patience to wayte the Lordes good will secondly to stay our selues vppon Gods mercy and goodnes towardes vs Thirdly that the name Saint may bee giuen to them that bée liuing which the Papists deny appropriating it onely to the dead fourthly that Gods mercy and goodnesse shewed vnto his people ought to bée an effectuall meane to restrayne them from former folly and sinne Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the ready way to bée assured to haue GOD on our side is to haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty in our heartes and sincere fruites of the same feare in our conuersation Verse 10. Teacheth that the chiefe cause of the reconciliation betwéene God and man and of peace in mens consciences and of faythfull dealing towardes men is Gods great goodnes and mercy and the faithfull perfourmaunce of his promises to vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that it becommeth Gods children euen by the example of their heauenly father who sheweth himselfe most righteous in his promises towardes them to deale faithfully and vprightlye one with an other Verse 12. Teacheth that not onely all good thinges come from GOD as Iames 1.17 but that they are bestowed vppon all and namely vpon his children of his meere liberality onely Verse 13. Teacheth that where God beareth sway there all iustice shall manifestly appeare and bee openly practised Psalme 86. I Suppose that this Psalme of Dauid full of very earnest affections and prayers may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first hee desireth the Lorde to haue mercy vppon and to deliuer him from all his afflictions sometymes alleadging his owne misery and sometymes Gods mercy and might to induce him thereto and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hee prayeth for light and knowledge desiring also deliueraunce from his distresses alleadging as reasons to moue the Lorde thereto the fearcenes of his enemies Gods owne mercy and his thankefulnes to bee perfourmed to the Lorde from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. a prayer of Dauid i. a prayer that Dauid made in the time of some grieuous affliction that hée was in the holy Ghost leauing the same in recorde for vs to see it or the like Verse 1 Incline thine eare O Lorde vz. vnto my prayers and supplications which I make before thée and this is spoken of god according to men who if they bee disposed to graunt suites and requestes wil as a token thereof be ready to hearken to the suppliaunts voyce heare me i. graunt me such thinges as I praying vnto thee doe according to thy wil aske at thy hands for otherwise it is not to be denyed but that god continually heareth and séeth al thinges for I am poore i. miserable and in great distresse and néedy i. stand in néede of thy fauour and ayde hee alleadgeth his afflictions weaknes and misery to the end therby to moue god the more to fauour him for this is proper to his nature to succor the miserable Hosea 14.3 Ver. 2. Preserue thou my soule i. kéepe thou â—ay life whole man either from the rage of mine enemies or from the sharpnes of these afflictions for I am merciful vz. not only towards them that be in miserie but euen to my very enemies and he speaketh thus not as though hee would clayme somewhat for his dignity or worthines but to make his enemies more hatefull as it were to God because they persecuted him that alwaies behaued himself curteously towards them and therefore they had the lesse cause to persecute him Immanuel readeth it thus for I am hée whome thou pursuest with goodnes i. I am he whom thou tenderly louest and therefore hope that thou wilt defende and kéepe me euen as the apple of thine eye both the senses are good my God Dauid speaketh not this as though god were his god onely but to testifie the particular apprehension that hee had in his perswasion of GOD and his goodnes saue thou thy seruaunt i. deliuer him from his present dangers distresses and afflictions that trusteth in thée vz. alone and in none other but thée Ver. 3. Bée mercifull vnto me vz. that am thus distressed and compassed in on euery side out of which I can not get vnlesse thou shew great mercy for I cry vpon thée i. I do earnestly call and pray vnto thee continually i. dayly and without ceasing setting out here two thinges in his praiers the one is earnestnes and vehemency vnderstood by crying the other is perseueraunce ment by the worde continually Verse 4. Reioyce i. giue an occasion of ioy vnto mee by kéeping mée from mine enemies by deliuering mée from the heauines wherein I am and by graunting my requestes the soule i. the whole man but specially the inward and mortal part sore afflicted with continuall assaults striken into heauines and sorrow of thy seruant i. of me whom thou hast vouchsaued to call to this honour to make thy seruaunt and marke here how hee speaketh of him selfe in the third person presently chaunging in the other part of this verse to the first for vnto thée O Lord vz. alone and to no other but thée do I lift vp my soule i. I pray thy helpe and that not with mouth only but also with my heart Ver. 5. For thou Lord art good vz. to all and therefore much more to thine owne seruants and sonnes and merciful vz. to those that turne vnto thée after they haue strayed from thee meaning that God pardoneth them their sinnes and transgressions and of great kindnes i. of wonderful and vnspeakable mercy vnto al them vz. of what condition or state soeuer they be that cal vpon thée i. that pray vnto thee vz. alone and that in spirite and trueth Ver. 6. Giue eare O Lorde vz. I beséech thee and not as though Dauid commanded God vnto my prayer i. vnto my prayer which now I make vnto thée and hearken to the voice i. yéeld to the words of my supplications i. which I vse in my supplication meaning by all this the graunting of his requests it séemeth to be the same almost with ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. In the day of my trouble i. at what soeuer time I shalbée in my trouble affliction or miserie I will call vppon thée i. I will pray vnto thee onely Immanuel readeth it in the present tense I cal vpon thée q.d. nowe that I am in trouble I pray vnto thée and in déed it better agreeth with the circumstance of the place and person for thou hearest me i. I knowe that thou either doest graunt or wilt graunt me my request wherby the Prophet sheweth what a stedfast perswasion he had in God and the word of his
trueth Verse 8. Among the Gods vz. of the Gentiles and which they worship as Gods but yet are not so there is none like thée O Lorde vz. in any respect hee sheweth that the Gentiles gods are false and counterfeit because they haue no testimony of their might and power Sée Psalm 115.2.3.4 c. Sée also against the vanity of them Isaiah 44. almost throughout and there is none vz. amongest either them or amongst all the creatures in the worlde no all the creatures set together that can doe like thy workes i. can do such workes as thou hast done and dayly doest for all that they doe they do by thee as in whom they liue moue and haue their being whereas thou doest that of thy selfe only whatsoeuer pleaseth thée both in heauen in earth Ver. 9. All nations vz. of the earth whom thou hast made vz. by thy mighty power for without thée they were not neither can be shal come vz. either willingly or by constraint and worship i. either truely or hipocritically serue thée before thée i. in thy presence at thy presence and in the assembly of thy Saints and shal glorifie thy name i. shall either soundly or else for fashion sake acknowledge thy might maiesty and power for so is name taken here as Psal 20.1 Some vnderstande this of the calling of the Gentiles I wil not greatly contend but methinketh it were better to bée vnderstood of a constremed and counterfeit confession such as you shal sée in Abimilech Gene. 20. throughout and in Pharaohs Exod. 9.27 and in some other chapiters of that booke Ver. 10. For thou art great vz. aboue all and declarest that greatnes and excellency of thine by many thinges but specially by thy works and doest vz. dayly and continually wonderous things i. matter farre beyond the reach and compasse of mans wit and reason and therefore very wonderful thou art God alone q.d. though many haue the name of God yet in déede both the thing and the name doth only belong to thée Verse 11. Teach me q.d. I am blind and ignoraunt and therefore humbly craue thy instruction thy way O Lord i. the way that thou thy selfe hast prescribed and is the onely way and manner to liue well and vprightly and I will vz. through thy goodnes assistaunce and strength for otherwise I can doe nothing of my selfe walke i. frame and fashion my conuersation in thy trueth i. according to that rule of trueth and righteousnes which thou thy selfe hast prescribed in thy worde knit vz. fast and sure mine heart i. the affection and perswasion of my heart vnto thée vz. and the trueth of thy promises q.d. bring to passe that my heart being fréed from all feare and care of my enemies it may rest wholly in thy feare This manner of speach declareth that mans heart is distracted and as it were diuided into sundry partes till God haue driuen it to himselfe and helde it fast in his obedience wherefore by this worde hee meaneth that euen they that are wel affected are yet notwithstanding subiect to so many stūblings that they should quickly vanish and bee spilt as water were it not that god strēgtened them with constancy that I may fear thy name i. beare a louing reuerence to thy maiesty and trueth Ver. 12. I wil praise thée O Lord my god vz. when thou shalt haue taught me thy trueth and deliuered mee from mine enemies with al my heart i. vnfeignedly and not outwardly in wordes onely but also inwardly in deed and trueth yea I wil glorifie thy name i. set foorth the praise of thy maiesty might and power for euer i. both in this life and in the world to come or else it may be taken for continually Verse 13. For great is thy mercy towardes me i. thou hast and doest by effect declare the riches of thy goodnes towardes mee and thou hast deliuered my soule i. thou hast set my life or whole man frée for otherwise nothing can touch the soule from the lowest graue i. from most great deepe and extreme dangers it is a metaphor as they that are buried séeme in mans iudgement past hope of life and yet God notwithstanding will rayse them vp againe so when Dauid seemed to be past all recouery by reason of his distresses then did the Lorde most mightily deliuer him Ver. 14. O God the proude vz. persons of the worlde who are not prouoked by any wrong I haue done them but only by their owne pride for so much I suppose the Hebrewe word importeth are risen against mee vz. with great force multitude and counsel thinking to destroy me and the assemblies i. great troupes and multitudes of violent men the Hebrewe worde in déede importeth them that trust in their owne strength who are sayd to bée mighty or violent because with a certaine violent outrage they trouble all and labour to destroy euery thing experience teacheth the trueth of this for we sée that there is no measure kept where pride and violence or outrage preuaileth haue sought vz. very diligently my soule i. my life to wit that they might take it from me sée Matth. 2.20 and haue not set thée vz. who séest and knowest all wickednes and wilt in good time punish the same before them hee meaneth that they had no feare or regarde of God at all but supposed that God did not behold them which is a manifest token of extreme licenciousnes and impiety Ver. 15. But thou O Lorde art a pitiful God and merciful vz. to them that turne to thée and cal vpon thee in truth slowe to anger vz. against any though neuer so wicked looking by long suffering for their amendment and great in kindnes i. of wonderfull great kindnes and loue specially to thy seruants and trueth he meaneth by trueth the faithful accomplishment of all Gods promises and this verse is a certaine description of the nature of God and séemeth to be taken out of Exod. 34.6 Ver. 16. Turne vz. thy fauourable and louing countenance vnto me vz. which am distressed on euery side hee prayeth that hee may in this his misery féele Gods goodnes and mercy and haue mercy vpon me i. make thy mercy appeare towardes me in deliuering mee from the power of these violent men giue thy strength by this spéech he meaneth not to craue all the strength and power of God but to intreate the Lord to giue him strength and ability to passe through al the brunts hee should indure vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto him whome thou hast chosen to be thy seruant true it is the worde importeth slaue or bond seruant which word the Prophet also vseth to moue the Lorde to mercy and saue i. deliuer from daunger and distresse the sonne of thy handmayd i. such a one as hath béene begotten of faithful parents and brought vp in the couenaunt and is as it were a houshold seruant of the Church Sée Psalm 116.16 Verse 17. Shew a token of thy goodnes towards mee
who sweareth for the further strengthening of our fayth in the truth of his promises Verse 36 Teacheth vs that posteritie and the continuaunce thereof is a speciall blessing from the Lord the same thing doth verse 37. teach Ver. 38 39 40 shew that no affliction commeth to Gods children without his special prouidence and appointment which is comfortable to consider not only because he that doth chastise vs is our father but also our enemies can go no further then he hath appoynted them Ver. 41 teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a low ebbe and yet graciouslye afterwards deliuereth them out of al their feare Ver. 42. teacheth that the wicked and vngodly can not doe what they list nor go beyond the bonds which god hath set them Ver. 43. teacheth that al munition and ayde of men is vaine vnlesse it please God to blesse them and giue them force Ver. 44 teacheth that it is God alone that pulleth downe and setteth vp Ver. 45. teacheth that the dayes of our life are in Gods hands to be disposed of as pleaseth him Ver. 46. Teacheth vs in the middest of our greatest heauinesse to haue recourse to God by prayer and to craue the remouing of his rods Ver. 47. teacheth the vanity and shortnes of mans life Ver. 48 teacheth that death spareth none but that all must tast therof Verse 49 teacheth vs to thinke vppon Gods former graces that they may assure our consciēces of mercy to be afterwards shewed Ver. 50 teacheth vs in our afflictiō to repaire vnto God also that not the meanest sort of the people only but the chéefest are enemies to Gods faynts Ver. 52 teacheth vs that the iniuries and opprobries offred to Gods people are as done against his own maiesty and person Ver. 52. teacheth vs in all estates and at al times to be continually thankfull to God and also to yéeld both to thanksgiuing and prayer an earnest consent Psalme 90 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée partes the firste is an Exordium or a beginning whiche setteth out the care and good will of God towardes his people from all eternity and this is comprised in the two first verses The second part very excellently paynteth out Gods great prouidence and gouernment and our frayle and miserable condition from ver 3. to the end of the 11. In the third is contayned a prayer for grace and comforte in all heauinesses and distresses of this life whatsoeuer from verse 12. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a prayer of Moses i. a prayer whiche Moses made vnto God for himselfe and the people at that time as it should séeme that the spies came backe againe and the people murmured agaynst God for which thinges sake the Lord threatned them that they shoulde not enter into the lande of promise sée Num. 13.14 thorowout the man of God i. not onely an excellent man but a Prophet and one called to some publike office sée Deut. 33.1 also 1. Kings 18.24 Verse 1. Lord thou vz. alone and no other hast bin at al times heretofore and specially all the while of our trauaile in the greate and huge wildernesse our habitation i. thou art he alone vnder whose defence we dwel safe and sound see Deut. 33.27 and this hee speaketh of himselfe and of the people that were with him and of all their auncestors gone before them comprehending them vnder that terme our from generation to generation i. euen from the beginning of the world vnto this present time and in this verse he setteth oute the wonderfull gouernment and grace of God towards his people as in the nexte verse the eternall purpose and counsel of God procéeding from the pleasure of his good wil and this he doth specially for two causes the one is that he might publish Gods glory in setting out his mercy the other that he might by laying forth former mercies moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon them now in that distresse Ver. 2. Before the mountaines were made vz. by thy almightye power and word and before thou haddest formed the earth and the world vz. for men to dwell in vnderstanding by forming not only the fashioning of it but euen the very creating of it sée Gen. 1 1 2 and these two sentences layde together be as much q.d. before the world or any part or péece of it were made euē from euerlasting to euerlasting i. frō al eternity and so for euer here after thou art our God i. thou arte hee that hast chosen vs to bee a people to thy selfe and that will wée take also as an argumente to instructe vs to hang vppon thée Verse 3. Thou turnest man i. thou causest man to returne and that by thy worde onlye to destruction i. to Death whiche is called destruction not because it destroyeth in déede but because it séemeth vnto vs to destroye Othersome vnderstande by destruction dust and power and the dissolution of the body both sences are good agayne thou sayest i. also thou doest but speake the word only and then it is done returne vz. in respect of your body into the earth out of which it was taken Genesis 3.19 and in respect of your soule to God who gaue it Eccle. 12.7 ye sonnes of men i. ye mortall creatures for this word expresseth the miserable and fraile condition of men and in these wordes he sheweth how brittle frayle and short mans life is he compareth the course of our life to a race in a Tilt or Turney wher we quicklye runne to the ende of the race as it were and then returne backe agayn Ver. 4. For a thousand yeres vz. of mans life q.d. though it were possible for a man to liue a thousande yeares in thy sight i. before thée and in respect of thée are as yesterdaye when it is past i. yea they are soone passed ouer in respecte of thée as one daye onelye in respecte of vs or else as Saynte Peter expoundeth it in his second Epistle Chapter 3 verse 8 that a thousand yeares are with the Lorde as one daye or as a Watche in the night i. of verye shorte continuaunce for a watche in the night was but thrée houres long the people of the Iewes in olde time diuiding the night into foure Watches and appoynting also to euerye watche thrée howers Matth. 14.35 Luke 12.38 Verse 5. Thou haste ouerflowed them vz. by thy iudgementes sodaynlye taking them awaye oute of this life as a floude ouerwhelmeth all or men beware For this Metaphor of the ouerflowing of them noteth two thinges the one is the mighty hande and power of GOD the other is the sodayne ende of mans lyfe and the vanitie thereof they are as a sléepe or as a dreame that one hath sléeping which passeth awaye and is quite and cleane forgotten in the morning i. when man is in his force and strength hée groweth like the grasse i. hee is flourishing and lustie and marke the sodayne chaunge of the number from
speaketh Roman 8.19.20.21.22 verses Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shal be imployed I answere that for as much as GOD in his worde hath not reueiled that it is more then curiositie to aske the same and they shal bee changed i. they shall certainely and without fayle bée chaunged for so much doeth the doubling of the worde chaunge import Verse 27. But thou art the same i. alwayes one and the selfe same without any shadowe of chaunging q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable yet thou the creator art alwayes vnchaungeable and thy yeeres i. the time of thy essence and beeing shall not fayle vz. for euer and euer q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting and so shalt continue Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes i. thy godly ones and their godly posterity shall continue vz. stedfast and sure alwayes safe vnder thy almighty defence whatsoeuer great alteration shal bee in heauen or earth and their séede i. their race and posteritie shall stande fast vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer in thy sight i. before thée hée meaneth that GOD will care for and preserue for euer the godly Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests Do. Verse 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children then to perceiue God any long time absent Ver. 3.4.5 Do declare what great affliction the godly are in for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them for the same Verse 6.7 Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men Verse 8. Noteth two things the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things first howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and indignation of the Lorde Secondly that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing is not by fortune as they say but from the Lorde onely Verse 11. Setteth out the shortnesse and troublesomnesse of mans life Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assured trust that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges first to delyte more euen in the verye ruines of the Church then in the palaces of the vngodly secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs that Gods fauour shewed to his Church shalbée matter of sufficient terrour to the wicked and vngodly Ver. 17. Is comfortable shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity that both Gods mercy towards them and his iudgements vpon the wicked might be conueyed to their children Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth contrary to the imagination of them who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his and namely when they are in the greatest distresse Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares specially to this end that they might publish his prayse for the same in the Church Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be for the seruice and glory of god Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life but yet so that that life may bée referred to Gods glory Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth Verse 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature which shoulde instruct vs so to vse the worlde as though wee vsed it not and no otherwise but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is yet the creator is altogether vnchaungeable Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly their continuaunce Psalme 103. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord and this is conteyned in the two first verses In the seconde hee sheweth causes for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde as for the forgiuenesse of their sinnes for their deliuery from daunger and the continuall course of his mercies from ver 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord for the largenes of his goodnes from ver 20. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme hath beene expounded before in others of the lyke inscription Ver. 1. My soule hee exhorteth the soule to this great worke because if that be ready the other cannot be much backward and the word soule is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions prayse thou the Lord vz. for his great mercies and all that is within me as my thought my hart and all the powers both of the one and the other and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde as Psal 51.17 Ioh. 4.23 prayse his holy name i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his maiesty power goodnes c. name is here vsed as Psalm 20.3 Ver. 2. My soule praise thou the Lord this is expounded before ver 1. and forget not vz. through negligence or otherwise but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power al his benefites i. not onely all but any one of them as possible thou canst and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the blessings which afterwardes he reckoneth vp Ver. 3. Which vz. alone forgiueth thée fréely vz. and of his owne mercy onely without any merites or deserts of thyne at all all thine iniquity vz. committed either against God or man either of ignoraunce or of knowledge and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes which are nothing else but the effects of that reconciliation and healeth vz. of his great goodnes his mighty power all thine infirmities vz. bodily or spirituall outwarde or inward Ver. 4. Which vz. alone as before ver 3. redéemeth vz. by his great and mighty power thy life i. thy whole man both body and soule putting a part for the whole from the graue i. from death and destruction Sée Psalm 16.10 putting that which followeth death for death it selfe and crowneth
all that faile thē of any thing that is méet for thē it teacheth also that nothing is done without gods prouidēce ver 18 setteth out the hard hartednes of the wicked the miserable estate that the Godly many times are brought vnto Ver. 19 sheweth that there is a time set with God wherein he wil deliuer his out of danger cleare thē from al false slanderous accusations wch time it behoueth thē with patience to wayte for Ver. 20 sheweth that God wil make euen Princes to pity his poore seruants Verse 21 sheweth that after long humbling God wil exalt his seruants very highly the same lesson doth ver 22 deliuer Ver. 23 sheweth that God hath many wayes to bring his purposes to passe as for the deliuery of his people out of Egipt which he had promised to bring them into Egipt by the means of the famin Iosephs being there Verse 24 teacheth iij. things first that al increase is of the Lord secondly that do men what they can to hinder Gods purposes they cannot preuaile thirdly that euen thē whē men striue most against God his people then doth he make them principally to flourish Ver. 25 teacheth that gods prouidence and counsel entreth euen vnto wicked mēs harts that they cānot hate or loue the good without Gods sufferance the power that he giueth thē therto yet hée remaineth pure frō al euil holy and as it were an excellent workeman who in performing his work bringeth good out of euil light out of darknes Ver. 26 teacheth that God doth by means worke the deliuerance of his people wch should teach vs to vse means secondly it sheweth that none should take vpō them any office but they that are sent of God as was Moses Aaron Ver. 27 Teacheth men faithfully to do those things that God hath giuen them in charge to perform Ver. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 teach especially two things First that nothing is don either in heauen or earth but by the very finger power of almighty god secondly that God hath al his creatures at cōmaundement to vse thē at his pleasure for the plaguing punishing of the vngodly Besides this Ver. 30. teacheth that God in pouring forth his iudgemēts is not partial to any person sparing kings or Princes Ver. 31.34 declare that euen Gods word is his déed for when he speaketh any thing it is done as appeareth in the creation Gen. 1. Ver. 37.38 39 40 41 42 43 44 teach first that God maketh al his creatures to serue for the good of his children secondly that euery good thing they haue they haue from the Lord only But more particularly Verse 37 teacheth vs that siluer gold strength c. are the Lords gifts Ver. 38 sheweth that God can make the very name and countenances of his seruaunts feareful to them which had oppressed them Ver. 39 teacheth what a cōtinual care watchfulnes the Lord hath ouer his seruants to kéep thē frō dangers things that might annoy them Ver. 42 teacheth vs that Gods frée promises are the cause of all our goodnes blessednes both in this life the life to come Ver. 45 teacheth vs that the end wherefore God bestoweth al blessings vpon vs is that we should imploy our selues more diligently and faithfully in his seruice which if we do we shal bee sure of his graces in great abundaunce and continuance which if we do not we may for a time haue and inioy many outward things as the vngodly haue but the very hauing of them will be in the end to our great iudgement Psalme 106 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée especiall partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise God and yet considering his own weaknes the excellency of gods works he thinketh himself and others far vnméete for it and yet notwithstanding goeth forward to pray both for himself and his people from verse 1 to the ende of the 6. In the second part he doth largely resite as the singular graces and goodnes of God towardes their forefathers so their particular rebellions and iniquities multiplyed against God who had bene so good vnto thē with the iudgements also that for those sins he layd vpon them from verse 7. to the end of the 46. Now gods mercies are resited ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 22 30 31 43 44 45 46. Their sinnes ver 7 13 14 16 19 20 21 24 25 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39. Their punishments verse 15 17 18 23 26 27 29 32 40 41 42. In the third part hée prayeth the Lord to gather together the dispersion of his people by which it should séeme that this Psalm was made when they were in some captiuity eyther in Babilon or vnder Antiochus promising therefore to prayse his holye name and inuiting others to doe the like and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme The title is praise ye the Lord by this we may sée that it was a Psal appointed Se. to stir vp men to the praysing of god Sée the last verse of Psal 104. also in some measure to cōfort thēselues with the consideratiō of gods former graces Ver. 1. Praise ye vz. O ye faithful and good people the Lord vz. only and none but him because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy endureth for euer this is another cause why they shoulde prayse the Lord because his mercy towards his is perpetual neuer shal haue end Ver. 2. Who vz. amongst al his creatures can expresse i. is able eyther by thought to conceaue or by words to declare the noble actes of the Lorde i. the greate and singular workes of creation preseruation c. of all his creatures more particularly of men but most specially of his children or shewe all his prayse i. the prayse that he doth deserue for the same The Prophet vttereth not this as though he would haue vs vtterly leaue off to prayse God because we cānot thorowly sufficiently perform it but that considering on the one side our own weakenes we should earnestly pray the Lord to strengthen vs thereto and on the other side the excellency of his works shoulde indeuour what wee maye to praise him therfore knowing that he accepteth vs according to that we haue not according to that we haue not Ver. 3. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement Imman readeth it in my mind better thus that kéepe this order vz. of praising magnifying God for his graces though they cannot do that which either they would or should do righteousnes at al times i. that do continually frame their life as an euident patern and a constant and perpetuall example of the prayse of God for so I suppose righteousnesse in this place to be vsed Verse 4. Remember me vz. thy poore and vnworthy Seruaunt hee meaneth not that God doth at any time forget
open his mouth boldly Ephes 6.19 and if we read as it is in the English text vtterly it declareth that hee had not such a great boldenesse to speake as were to bee wished for I wayte vz. with diligence and patience for thy iudgments vz. to bee executed vppon the wicked in iustice and vppon thy children in mercy the worde iudgementes being vsed here for the promises which God hath made conteining either the punishments of the vngodly or his mercies to his children Sée verse 39. of this Psalme Verse 44. So vz. by this meanes when thou shalt continue with mée the woorde of trueth shall I alway keepe vz. through thy goodnes and strength thy lawe vz. which thou hast prescribed for mee to walke in for euer and euer the Prophet meaneth that through Gods strength hée shall continue in the knowledge and practise of Gods woorde all the dayes of his life Verse 45. And I vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunt will walke vz. through thy mercy and goodnesse meaning by walking that hee woulde liue and bée conuersaunt amongest men at libertye i. in playne and easie wayes or in great and broade wayes or as a man woulde say in the kinges high way which Saint Iames chapter 2.8 calleth the royall lawe meaning also that he would walke without feare of daunger as they doe most commonly which are in a kingly or broad way for I séeke vz. with an vnfeigned heart and continually thy preceptes i. the vnderstanding of them and obedience to them Ver. 46. I will speake also vz. fréely boldly and plainely of thy testimonies i. of thy lawe and the pointes and matters therein propounded before kinges i. mighty men of the earth and magistrates q.d. I will doe it in deede and that not only before inferiour persons and in their sight and hearing but euen before them who for their greatnes are wont to stoppe vp other mens mouthes and command thē silence Surely it is a good token that men haue well profited in Gods word when men are armed against all terrors of men and will not bee ashamed vz. to speake of it fréely and boldly Verse 47. And my delight shal be vz. continually and all the daies of my life in thy commandements i. in thy lawe by which thou hast commanded mee what I should do and what I should leaue vndone which I haue loued vz. not in words onely but in déede and trueth and with an vnfeigned loue Ver. 48. Mine hands also will I lift vp vnto thy commandements q.d. I will stretch out my handes that I may readily receiue turne ouer and search out thy commaundements and this similitude declareth the earnestnes of his desire because that looke whatsoeuer we desire to haue we do straine our selues to take it and lay holde of it by stretching out our hands which I haue loued sée ver 47. and I will meditate in thy statutes sée ver 23.27 of this Psalme Do. Ver. 41. Teacheth vs that Gods promise is a sure grounde vnto vs of his loue and our saluation Ver. 42. Teacheth vs that grounded perswasion out of the word maketh vs bold to speake euen in the face of our aduersaries Ver. 43. Teacheth vs that there can no greater punishment be laid vpon vs in this life then to lacke Gods word also that we should in all cases with patience tary the Lords leasure Ver. 44. Teacheth vs to indeuour what in vs lyeth continually to keepe Gods lawe Verse 45. Teacheth vs that he walketh simply and surely that walketh according to the prescript rule of Gods worde Ver. 46. Teacheth vs that no feare of men nor shame of our selues should cause vs to conceale or kéepe backe anye part of Gods trueth Ver. 47. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue and continually to delight in the lawe and word of GOD. Ver. 48. Teacheth vs with earnestnes and readines to labour to apprehende Gods trueth and to holde it fast when wée haue obteyned it also to vse not only hearing and reading of Gods word but dayly meditation therein Zain Di. THe Prophet in this vii part doth first pray vnto God that hee might in himselfe effectually féele the accomplishment of Gods promises and this conteyned ver 49. Secondly he sheweth what great comfort and consolation he had in the word of God and by the keeping thereof and this is ver 50.52.54.55.56 Lastly hee shewed that no scornes of the wicked woulde turne him away from God and his truth and that he recompensed that euil of theirs with this good fearing greatly the great iudgements which for the contempt of God and his trueth should fal vpon them ver 51.53 Se. Ver. 49. Remember i. declare by effect that thou doest remember Sée Gen. 8.1 the promise made i. the promise which thou hast made to thy seruaunt i. to me thy seruant he speaketh of himselfe in the third person wherein i. in which promise thou hast caused mee to trust vz. not onely because thou hast made and giuen me the same promise but also hast commaunded mee to take sure hold thereof The Prophet here desireth God in déede to perfourme that which he had promised him whereby hee sheweth that though God séemed to be farre off yet he would stay himselfe vpon his worde Ver. 50. It i. thy promise made vnto me is my comfort i. doth greatly comfort me in my trouble i. when I am in any trouble whatsoeuer when I thinke of it this is as it were the speach of his heart receiuing singular comfort by meditations in Gods promises for thy promise vz. made vnto me in thy word hath quickened me i. hath not onely strengthened and confirmed mee at all times but euen then when I séemed to be nigh vnto death or as it were dead already it did after a sort restore me to life Ver. 51. The proude vz. men of the worlde meaning thereby the wicked and vngodly whome hee calleth proude because they did despise God himselfe and treade vnder foote as it were all his holy doctrine haue had me excéedingly in derision i. haue scoffed and ieared at me not onely very much but also continually for that word excéedingly noteth also that day by day and one day after an other they did assault him with newe and fresh combats of scoffes and taunts yet q.d. for all that they haue done I haue not declined i. gone aside or astray from thy law vz. which thou hast prescribed for me to walke in q.d. no floutes or taunts of men could pull mee from the obedience of thy trueth Ver. 52. I remēbred i. I called to mynd in my meditations and déepely thought vpon thy iudgements i. such examples as wherby thou shewedst thy selfe to be iudge of the world of old i. which thou diddest and madest manifest in former ages hee meaneth that he thought vppon such iudgements as God in former times had declared vnto the worlde for iudgements read ver 43. of this Psalme vnderstanding thereby Gods punishments vppon the wicked and his mercy towards
felt is the speciall matter of comfort to al his children Ver. 77. Teacheth vs that wee can not liue no not in this life much lesse in the life to come without Gods great mercy Ver. 78. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the wicked also what the nature of the wirked is vz. to vse force and flattery against Gods Saintes to worke them hurt if they can thereby lastly that serious meditation in Gods lawe is a singular comfort agaynst the assaultes of our enemies Ver. 79. Teacheth vs to pray for them that bee shrunke away euen as for our selues also that there is no right worshippe of God without the knowledge of his woorde Ver. 80. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly against the sinne of hypocrisie and dissimulation Caph. Di. THe Prophet in this eleuenth part maketh hearty prayer to the Lorde for helpe and deliuery first because of the miserable estate wherein hee himselfe was in respect of his owne person verse 81.82.83.88 Secondly in respecte of the great outrage and cruelty of his enemies verse 84.85.86.87 Se. Verse 81. My soule faynteth i. my life is euen as it were consumed for thy saluation i. with looking for helpe and deliueraunce from thée yet q.d. notwithstanding all this great distresse wherein I am I doe wayte vz. in hope and patience for thy worde i. for the accomplishment of those thinges which thou in thy worde hast promised q.d. I haue in great patience waited for deliuerance from thée and wil waite for it still for by fainting hee vnderstandeth a certaine patience whose force though it séeme to be vtterly lost yet doeth it not altogether forsake them in whome it is who séeme notwithstanding to bee dead but putteth into their heartes secret gronings yea such as men cannot well expresse Ver. 82. Mine eies i. the power strength and sight of mine eies faile i. decayeth and waxeth dimme for otherwise hée had his eyes still for thy promise i. with looking for the accomplishment of thy promise so long thou séemest to mée to deferre and put it off saying i. in so much that I burst foorth into this speach and saide when wilt thou comfort mee vz. distressed and afflicted on euery side such a sore conflict and battaile had Dauid within himselfe Verse 83. For I am like a bottle vz. made of beastes skinnes in the smoke i. hanged vp in the smoke hee meaneth that through griefe and misery hée was wrinkled withered dryed away and consumed as it were yet do I not forget thy statutes q.d. my miseries driue me not into a forgetfulnes of thée and thy word but make mee more to remember thée it Verse 84. Howe many are the dayes vz. of affliction and trouble of thy seruaunt i. which thy seruaunt shall indure Sée Psalme 116.2 in the Prophetes also we shal read this phrase the dayes of Egipt the dayes of Babilon c. when wilt thou execute iudgement i. when wilt thou punish on them that persecute me vz. without a cause Verse 85. The proude Sée before ver 51.69.78 haue digged pits for me i. haue secretly and by ambushes as it were sought my death and destruction Sée Psalm 7.15 which vz. craftie and subtil kinde of dealing is not after thy lawe i. consenteth not with the trueth of thy woorde but directly fighteth against it and this hee addeth to moue the Lorde the rather to execute iustice Immanuel referreth it to the persons thus The proude who conforme not themselues to thy lawe i. will not bee ruled after thy woorde nor order their life according to it haue digged pittes for mee but me thinketh the other sence is as playne Verse 86. All thy commaundements i. they all generally and euery one of them particularly are true i. most true yea trueth it selfe and in all trueth and vprightnesse enioyned men to obserue them they i. the proude and wicked men persecute mée falsely i. not only without a cause on my part but lyingly and slanderously in respect of themselues helpe mée vz. thus distressed and deliuer mee from these bloody and cruell men Verse 87. They had almost consumed me vz. through their wicked deuises and cruell practises vppon the earth i. liuing here vppon the earth with them Immanuel readeth it better thus cast downe vppon the earth i. being very much humbled and afflicted q.d. my miserie coulde not moue them to pity mee but the more weake I was the more cruell they were against mée but vz. for all that I forsooke not thy statutes i. I ceased not to beléeue thy woorde and to walke in obedience of it Verse 88. Quicken mee i. recreate and refresh mée ouer all my troubles and as it were call mée backe from death to life according to thy louing kindenes vz. which thou wast wont to shewe to thy seruaunts and hast heretofore declared vnto mee so shall I kéepe vz. diligently and carefully the testimonie of thy mouth i. thy woorde and lawe which is thus named to set out the authoritie that it hath in it selfe and shoulde haue amongest men Sée ver 13. of this Psalme Ver. 81. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer the faith hope Do. and patience of Gods children bee for a time darkened yet is is neuer vtterly quenched or put out Ver. 82. Teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a lowe ebbe and doth for a long while withholde his aide yet doeth he not altogether for euer forsake them it sheweth also what great conflicts the godly haue in their troubles Ver. 83. Teacheth vs that no misery shoulde make vs to forget Gods word nay rather the more our miseries are the more should we meditate therin because in it only is sound comfort to be found Ver. 84. Teacheth vs that euen Gods children do many times desire to know those things which the Lord hath not particularly reuealed vnto them in his word Ver. 85. Teachech vs that the wicked are both cruel and crafty Ver. 86. Teacheth vs that the more egerly men molest vs the more earnestly we should call vpon God for his helpe Ver. 87. Teacheth vs two things first that the vngodly are without bowels of pity and compassion secondly that we should be so rooted in the loue and knowledge of God and his trueth as nothing shoulde pull vs away therefrom Ver. 88. Teacheth vs that wee can performe nothing obediently to God till it please him to giue vs the grace and strength Lamed Di. IN this part the Prophet maketh plaine proofe of the certainety continuance and truth of Gods word first by the very works of creation ver 89.90.91 secondly by his owne particular experience and practise ver 92.93.94 and so on to the end of this part Se. Ver 89. O Lorde thy woorde indureth for euer in heauen q.d. euen the very heauens can be witnesse of the continuance and constancie of thy worde séeing that they in the strength of thy word continue and abide much more shall thy word it selfe indure Some expound it thus the Prophet affirmeth
17. How deare i. how precious yea incomprehensible to my iudgement or to al mens iudgement whatsoeuer therefore vz. for the causes aboue rehearsed are thy thoughts vnto me i. are the meditations which I my selfe haue concerning thée and thy great workes howe great is the summe of them i. both of thy workes and of the thoughts and meditations which I haue of them q.d. they are so many as they are able to ouerwhelme al the vnderstanding of men that they are not able to count them much lesse to comprehend them sée Psa 40.5 Verse 18 If I should count them i. go about or indeuour to count them they are moe then the sand q.d. I might as well number the sand of the sea whiche is infinite and innumerable sée for this spéech 1. Samuel 13.5 2. Sam. 17.11 Psal 78.27 when I awake vz from my sléepe and naturall rest I am still with thée i. I doe continually meditate of thy wonderfull workes and wisedome q.d. Except it be when I sléepe I spend little or no time otherwise then in the meditation of thy maiesty and workes Verse 19. Oh that thou wouldest stay vz. in thy iust iudgements O God the wicked and bloody men i. mē that giue themselues ouer to wickednesse and murther q.d. Then should I muche reioyce to haue this my wish and prayer performed and I and others should be instructed to turne from their wayes and not to follow them to whome I saye vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart depart ye from me sée Psa 6.8 Immanuel readeth this verse farre otherwise giueth a contrary sence but I sée no reason or ground for it for the place of the 2. Chron. 30.18.19 hath no such thing in it Ver. 20. Which vz. wicked bloody men speake wickedly of thée i. doe openly shew both by wordes and déedes withoute any maner of hipocrisie or counterfeiting a full contempt both of thée thine and that of hatred agaynst both and being thine enemies i. opposing and setting thēselues agaynst shée and thine are lifted vp i. aduaunce themselues and are swelled in pride as though that in the loftines of their harts they would doe whatsoeuer pleased them vpon the earth but all this is in vayne i. to no purpose for downe they shall be cast and haue terrible falles Immanuel readeth this latter part thus who doe vainly extoll i. not only without a cause but also proudly presumptuously set vp fauour and allow of thine enemies of which sée Rom. 1.32 Ver. 21. Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thée q.d. thou knowest that I do it for that I take to be the force of the interrogation and doe not I earnestly cōtend with those that rise vp against thée i. doe I not striue as it were for lyfe and death agaynst those that are thine enemies for this phrase rising vp agaynst one sée Psal 3 1. Ver. 22. I hate them with an vnfeigned hatred i. not as men who séeme to hate and yet to loue but I doe vnfainedlye and with a round hart as they were mine vtter enemies vz. yea and more to if it be possible for a man to hate more He sheweth that he had gods glory in such regard that he would not haue any familiaritie with the contemners of God Ver. 23. Trie me O God vz. thorowly and know mine heart i. not that hee doubted whether God knew it yea or no but to declare that he did willingly subiect him selfe to Gods triall proue me and know my thoughts this repetition doubling séemeth not only to note his earnestnesse in prayer but also the vnfeignednesse of his hart sincerely submitting it selfe to the examination and tryall of God and all is q.d. thou art a witnesse of all my matters and I am thy seruaunt therefore if néede be behold I am ready to indure thy trials sée Psal 26 1 2. c. Neyther doth he here boast as though he were without sinne but assureth himselfe that God will accepte his godlinesse and indeuour although that thorow infirmitie he fall sundry times Ver. 24. And consider vz. thorowly and narrowly if there be any way of wickednesse in me i. whether I follow an vngodly and rebellious kind of life against thée yea or nay for it is one thing to fall of infirmitie and another thing to sinne rebelliously Paul Rom. 7 expresseth it by sinne dwelling in vs sinne reigning in vs and lead me vz. thorow thy goodnesse and mercy in the way vz. of thy commaundements i. in a godly and holy conuersation for euer i. continually He prayeth vnto God that he may be constant in his obedience and that he may finish the course of his life in his faith and feare Verse 1. teacheth vs that God is the searcher of the hart and raines Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the Lord doth not only know but also dispose of al the affairs of our life also that he looketh euen vnto our thoughts and that therefore wée should striue euen to a reformation of them likewise Verse 3 teacheth vs that God is the protector and defender of those that be his in euery thing that they take in hand Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God regardeth euen our words and that therefore we should labour to make them approued vnto him Ver. 5 teacheth vs that we can doe nothing without God Verse 6 teacheth vs that we cannot of our selues attaine to the knowledge of God and his maiestie Verse 7 8 9 10 11 12 teach vs that nothing nor no place can hide vs from the presence and power of God neither heauen nor hell nor the sea nor the darkenesse nor any thing else whatsoeuer They teach further that it is a very vaine and false perswasion for a man to thinke that by going or flying he canne escape from God They shew also that God by his power and prouidence is euery where Verse 10 doth specially teach vs this that whatsoeuer we purpose yet wee can goe no whither but thither whither the Lord will haue vs to goe Verse 13 teacheth vs that God preserueth and kéepeth vs euen before we be borne or else should we neuer behold this light Verse 14 teacheth vs but euen to looke into our selues and our creation and we shall finde great occasion offred vs thereby to be thankful to God Verse 15. setteth out Gods prouidence as to whole man generallye so euen to the particular partes and members of his body Verse 16 teacheth that God alone worketh in all in our conception creation c. Verse 17 teacheth vs reuerently to estéeme of Gods wayes and of his workes and not to let them passe with so slight a consideration as commonlye men doe Ver. 18 teacheth vs that Gods workes are infinite and we not able to comprehend them no not any one of them in such sort as we should and as the excellency of them requireth it teacheth vs also in the meditation and beholding of them that thereby wee may more and
forefathers and me He putteth time for the things done in the time he meaneth that by former examples trials he strengthened himself in the faith against the bitter assaults which he suffred I meditate vz. carefully and continually in all thy workes i. in all that thou hast wrought yea I meditate i. I doe diligentlye and déepely think vpon in the works of thine hands i. in those excellent workes which by thy power and prouidence thou hast performed Verse 6. I stretch forth mine hands vnto thée i. I doe earnestlye and hartilye pray vnto thée he putteth the signe for the thing signified as Psalme 141 2. to declare that we must euen as it were lift vp our selues vnto God my soule i. I my selfe but chéefely my inward man desireth after thée i. longeth sore after thée sée Psalme 42 1 2 also Psalme 84 2 as the thirstye lande vz. doth desire water rayne or dew He vnderstandeth by thirstie lande the earth which is dried and chopped for lack of water gaping gréedily as it were to receaue the moysture or raine that shal fal from heauen sée also Psal 63.1 Ver. 7. Heare me i. graunt the requests which I make vnto thée speedily O Lorde i. quickly and in good time not that he prescribeth god a season but expresseth rather his great misery q.d. vnlesse thou quickly helpe it is like in maÌ„s iudgment that I shal be destroyed for my spirit fayleth i. I faint euen in the inward man and this is a reason of his prayer taken from his own person the misery that he was in hide not thy face from me i. shew not thy selfe angry against me as men many times do who wil not vouchsafe to looke vpon theÌ„ with whom they are displeased else vz. if thou hide thy face I shal be like vnto theÌ„ that go down into the pit i. there wil be no difference betwéene me those that are dead Ver. 8. Let me heare thy louing kindnesse i. make me to know féele and perceiue thy mercy in the morning i. in good time and spéedily for in thée is my trust i. I depend and hang only vpon thée and shew me the way that I should walke in i. direct not only the order and conuersation of my life but euen my very steppes also from daunger for I lift vp my soule vnto thée i. I do both trust in thée cal vpon thée from the hart Ver. 9. Deliuer me O Lord from mine enemies i. from the power and rage of them who séeke nothing else but to destroy me for I hid me with thée i. I did hang vpon thy prouideÌ„ce and protection only sée Psal 31.5.6 Ver 10. Teach me to doe thy will i. to do the thing which thou willest commaundest in thy word for thou arte my God i. thou art he alone whom I wil serue worship let thy good spirit i. thy blessed and holy spirit which is called good because it is Gods effectuall instrumente to lead vs into all goodnesse leade me vz. which am so often and continuallye straying and wandering from good thinges vnto the land of righteousnesse i. guide me not only in this life to righteousnesse of life but to that same eternall life wherein righteousnesse shall dwell for euer sée 2. Peter 3.13 Ver. 11. Quicken me O Lord i. cause me to passe safe and sound thorow this danger wherein I séeme to be as it were in death for thy names sake i. that I others may praise thy name as Psal 142.7 and for thy righteousnesse i. for thy righteous and faythful accomplishment of thy promises bring my soule i. me and my life out of trouble i. out of this trouble wherein it presently is and vnder which it wil quaile if thou assist me not Ver. 12. And for thy mercy sake vz. toward me thy seruaunt slay mine enemies i. destroy them by what meanes or wayes soeuer thou shalt think good and destroy vz. in thy iustice and iudgements against the wicked al them vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be whether it be Saul as the chéefest or his complices that oppresse my soule i. me and would faine take away my life from me for I am thy seruaunt i. I am such a one as whom thou in mercy hast vouchsaued worthy of this honour to commit some part of thy seruice into his hands sée 1. Timoth. 1.12 13. so that he boasteth not here of his merits but magnifieth the grace of God from whom this goodnesse came Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. first in our distresses to run vnto God by earnest and harty prayers secondly to ground our prayers vpon the righteousnesse truth and faythfulnes of our God Ver. 2 teacheth vs two things first to pray the Lord to remoue al things that might hinder the course of his mercy toward vs secondly it is a strong place to ouerthrow al imagination of mans righteousnes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that God suffereth and appointeth the wicked many times to preuaile very far against the godly Ver. 4 is a notable place to proue that euen gods children in their troubles haue their affections against that blockish dotage of the stoâ—ks Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the consideratioÌ„ of Gods goodnesse in former times should minister no smal comfort vnto vs in the time of our present heauines Ver. 6 teacheth vs to hunger and thirst after the Lord and to bee earnest with him in our supplications vnto his maiesty Ver. 7 teacheth vs that the more our miseries grow increase vpon vs the more earnest and often we should be with the Lord our God in prayer Ver. 8 teacheth vs that there is nothing more comfortable then plentifully and in good time to féele Gods mercy Ver. 9 teacheth vs in all distresses to commend our selues to Gods power and prouideÌ„ce as to a most sure rock and tower of defence Ver. 10 is a notable place againste fréewill because we are blind til God teach vs and we can do nothing without the assistance of his holy spirit Ver. 11 teacheth vs that vnlesse God set vs frée from trouble we can neuer be deliuered Ver. 12 teacheth vs that we may safelye praye agaynste the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche and people Psalme 144 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts In the first he prayseth God for his goodnesse and confesseth his own vnworthines and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde he prayeth to GOD for the ouerthrowe of his enemies whose corruption he toucheth and for his owne deliueraunce and this reacheth from the fifte verse to the ende of the eleuenth In the thirde he sheweth what fruite shall redound thereby both to GOD and his people vz. he shall be praysed and they shall bée comforted from verse 12 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title A Psalme of Dauid vz. which he made after his comming to the kingdome when he had obtayned diuers victories and yet notwithstanding his enemies were very
he promised and perfourmed vnto him So that this worde séemeth to comprehende the argument or the whole matter of the Psalme this Psalme is written in the order of the Alphabet euery verse beginning with the letters as they are in order in the Hebrewe Alphabet one onely being omitted and that is the letter Nun in the 14. verse which beginneth with Samech the next letter in the Alphabet such Psalmes we haue had before Psal 25. which beginneth euery verse so two or thrée onely excepted such also are Psalm 111. and 112. which beginne euery verse of it and the seconde part of it which two letters of the Hebrewe Alphabet in order Ver. 1. O my God i. he whome onely I worship and king i. whom I serue whose subiect I am I wil extol thée vz. in my songes and thankesgiuinges and that aboue all whatsoeuer and will blesse i. prayse thy name i thy maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually Ver. 2 I wil blesse thée i. praise thée as before ver 1. dayly i. euery day q.d. no day shall passe ouer my head but I will spend it or some part of it in magnifiyng of thee and prayse thy name for euer and euer sée before ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 3. Great is the Lorde vz. in power and goodnes towardes all but chiefely towardes his owne and most worthy to be praised vz. for those excellent things that be in him and the great workes that he doth dayly and his greatnesse is incomprehensible vz. of vs men for though after regeneration wee doe looke into it by fayth yet it is but in some measure for we knowe in part and prophecie in part 1. Corinth 13.9 and though it bée sayde that in the life to come we shall see him as he is 1. Iohn 3.2 yet he meaneth not that there wee shalbée able to attaine to the full apprehension of Gods eternall maiestye because he dwelleth in light that no man can come vnto 1. Tim. 6.16 and that which is finite as we shal bee after the resurrection though wee shall haue glorified bodies can not comprehend that which is infinite as God is alwayes but that wee shall haue a farre greater measure in that life then wee haue had in this Ver. 4. Generation shall prayse thy workes vnto generation i. the prayse and excellencie of thy great workes shal be magnified in al ages both because thou doest continue thy great workes in euery age and giuest men care and conscience to publish the same to their posteritie and declare thy power i. the generations shall preach and set out the greatnes of thy power and the excellency thereof Immanuel referreth it to Gods workes both senses are true Ver. 5. I will meditate vz. déepely and diligently of the beautie i. not onely of the comelinesse but also of the excellency of thy glorious maiestye i. of thy maiesty which is full of wonderfull glory and thy wonderfull workes i. I will meditate of thy workes also which are rather to bee wondered at then comprehended Ver. 6. And they i. men and specially thy people shall speake vz. openly and plainely meaning that they shall declare and set abroade of the power vz. which is great and excéeding of thy fearefull acts i. of those iudgments which thou exercisest vppon the contemners of thy maiestie which should strike feare into al mens hearts and I wil declare vz. fréely and openly thy greatnes i. thy excellency maiesty and power Sée ver 3. of this Psal Ver. 7. They i. men shall breake out i. playnely and with open mouth into the mention i. euen to the making mention of thy gret goodnes vz. towards all but specially towardes thy people and shall sing aloude i. speake openlye and playnely of thy righteousnesse i. of thy faithfull and iust dealing towards all Ver. 8. The Lorde is gracious and merciful this séemeth to be the speciall matter of their song and praysing and it séemeth to bee taken out of Exod. 34.6 sée also Psalme 86.5.15 slowe to anger i. not easily moued to punish and of great mercy vz. towardes those that drawe me vnto him Ver. 9. The Lorde is good to all vz. his creatures and namely men but chiefely amongst them to his chosen people and his mercies i. the abundaunt plenty of his mercie for so much I suppose the word in the plurall number importeth are ouer all his woorkes i. there is none of his woorkes but it sheweth vnto others and findeth in it selfe very large testimonies of Gods mercy and goodnes They then do not rightly vnderstand the place that from hence would gather that Gods mercy excéedeth all his works though that is to be confessed to bee true But this is the true and naturall meaning thereof that though it be so that by meanes of sinne all the worlde bee wrapped vp vnder the curse yet the mercy of God passeth through al his creatures and entereth euen vnto the very bruit beastes as ver 15.16 of this Psalme Ver. 10. Al thy workes vz. which thou hast created and the noble deedes which thou hast done prayse thée O Lorde vz. in their kinde that is doe set foorth thy prayses vnto men and doe put in to their mouthes as it were an occasion to prayse thee and thy Saintes i. those whome thou hast made holy vnto thy selfe Sée Psalme 16.3 also 30.4 also 132.9 blesse thee i. prayse thée as ver 1.2 of this Psal Ver. 11. They i. both thy workes and people shewe vz. out and that sensiblie and plainely the glory of thy kingdome i. the excellency of thy rule and gouernement meaning also that Gods woorkes and the prayses of his people shoote all at this marke vz. to bring the worlde in subiection to his obedience and speake of thy power i. set it foorth very plainely howe the creatures perfourme this Sée Psalme 19.1.2 c. also Roman 1.19.20 c. Verse 12. To cause his power i. Gods power for hée sodainely chaungeth the person from the seconde to the thirde to be knowne In these wordes hee noteth the ende why God vseth his creatures and mens praises vz. that other men thereby may be drawne to see approue and confesse his goodnes and power to the sonnes of men i. to all ages and posterities and the glorious renowne of his kingdome sée ver 11. of this Psalme Ver. 13. Thy kingdome i. the gouernement which thou exercisest ouer all is an euerlasting kingdome i. shall neuer haue ende and thy dominion vz. which thou hast indureth throughout all ages i. shall neuer decay Ver. 14. The Lorde vz. himself vpholdeth vz. by his mercy all that fall vz. into any daunger or distresse Sée Prouerb 24.16.17 and yet wée must restraine that general terme to such as the Lord knoweth in his goodnes are méete to be vpholden and staied without which goodnes of his none is raised vp or maintained and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall q.d. whether they bee entering into
onely and not from any policie or deuise of man whatsoeuer Ver. 15. Sheweth that the Lorde can by his worde doe watsoeuer pleaseth himselfe Ver. 16.17.18 Teach vs that howsoeuer God vse secondarie causes in the accomplishment of his wil yet it is his power only that directeth disposeth of al things see to this end Iob. 37. throughout Ver. 19. Teacheth vs that gods word is the most singular iewel and blessing that God can giue vs in this life Ver. 20. teacheth vs that God wil haue mercy vpon whomsoeuer he wil haue mercie and he wil shew compassion to whomsoeuer he wil shewe compassion as for the other he wil harden psalme 148 THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first Di. the Prophet exhorteth al the heauenly creatures to praise and glorifie God from ver 1. to the end of 6. In the second he stirreth vp earthly creatures to the performance of that great duety and al this he doth that hee might the better prouoke men therunto from ver 7. to the end of the 12. In the thirde hee exhorteth them al together to prayse the name of the Lorde shewing certaine notable causes wherefore they should do it and this is comprehended in the two last verses of the Psalme The title Prayse ye the Lord Sée before Psal 106. also 111. also 112. Se. also 113. also 146. also 135. and 149. 150. Verse 1. Prayse yee the Lorde from the heauen q.d. al ye things that are in the heauens and haue your abiding there magnifie the Lord and extol him for his goodnes praise ye him in the high places i. ye that are in the heauens haue your dwelling places as it were there and the heauens are called high places because they are high aboue vs and note that in this verse he speaketh generally vnto them al meaning them parcularly as it were one after another in the verses folowing ver 2. Praise ye him all yee his angels hee speaketh this not as though the Angels did not their duetie in that behalfe but because he woulde haue them to shewe men the way as it were to praise God and they are called Gods angels both because he created them and also because they are alwaies ready to execute his commandements praise him al his armies or hostes this is a general word and is to bee referred to all the heauenly creatures as Gene. 2.1 which are called Gods armies and hostes because he vseth their ministery and seruice either in the defence of his children or in the ouerthrow of his and their enemies yet notwithstanding it may very wel be applied to Angels especially as who are the chiefe and principall instruments which he vseth in those cases Verse 3. Prayse ye him sunne and moone he directeth his speach to the insensible creatures though they haue no vnderstanding because they glorifie their creator in doing their duty and kéeping the order which he hath set them and because Gods glory shineth forth in them and they do as it were with a loud cleare voyce publish and set foorth his prayses sée Psal 19.1 and Psal 145.11 all this hee doeth to shewe that it should be great vnkindnes if men should degenerate from the end of their creation prayse ye him al bright starres i. all starres for there is no starre but he hath brightnes and light in him to shine vppon the earth as Gene. 1.16.17 Ver. 4. Prayse ye him heauen of heauens i. not onely the circles and spheres wherein the planets are as it were in diuers seates dwelling houses as the Philosophers affirme but euen the very true heauēs the place of eternal ioy prepared for the elect sée for this phrase 1. King 8.27 and waters i. raine that bée aboue the heauen i. are in the cloudes aboue the firmament and are there vpholde by his almightie power Sée Genesis 1.7 so heauen in this place is put for the aire or the nethermost region of the aire aboue which the cloudes conteining the raine are Ver. 5. Let them vz. altogether and euery one of them prayse the name of the Lorde i. celebrate and set forth his maiesty power goodnes c. for hee commaunded i. hee spake the worde onely and they i. all and euery one of them were created vz. immediatly and presently as Psalme 33.6.9 Verse 6. And hee hath established them vz. by the strength and power of the same word whereby hee created them for euer and euer i. to all perpetuitie and this must chiefely be vnderstoode of the Angels and ministring spirites he hath made an ordinaunce i. he hath set a decrée or decréed by which they are lead to do the office wherunto they are appointed which shal not passe i. which shall not vanish or fléete away or rather thus which they shal not passe i. which they shal not transgresse or goe beyonde doe what they can Verse 7. Prayse yee the Lorde from the earth i. yee earthly thinges as from the heauen verse 1. was heauenlye thinges and this is a general terme comprehending the particulars expressed afterwardes ye Dragons the Hebrewe worde properly signifieth great fishes such as are Whales but yet it may bee applied generally to all great beastes whether they liue in the lande or in the waters and all depthes i. all déepe places or rather by the signe metonomia all thinges conteyned in the déepe places as whether they be in the bottome of the sea or in the caues of the earth Ver. 8. Fire i. lightning and haile i. which cōmonly commeth with stormes of thunder and lightning snow and vapours vz. in the ayre which are drawn vp thither by the power attractiue of the sunne stormie wind which vz. wind or else all of them together but I rather refer it to the wind execute his word i. obey his commaundement after their maner and fashion the accomplishment whereof we sée Exod. 14.25 And this he sayeth because alterations come not by fortune or chaunce but are guided and gouerned by Gods secret will Verse 9 Mountaines and all hils by this particular enumeration he declareth this to be his meaning that he would haue no creatures excepted though he do not reckon them vp all fruitfull trees i. trées that beare fruit for the nourishment of man and beast which thing many trées doe not being replenished only with boughes and leaues and all Cedars vz. how high and tall soeuer they be meaning that if the best were not excepted thē the worst should not Verse 10. Beasts and all cattel vz. of what kind or forme so euer they be the particulars whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes créeping things vz. as wormes snakes serpents and such like which créepe or craule vnderstanding also by those the very fishes as may appeare Gen. 1.20 feathered foules i. euery thing that hath winges and flieth Ver. 11. Kings of the earth i. al maner of rulers and men of mighte by what title or name soeuer they are called and
thing that the faythfull must cleaue vnto verse 7. Our sinnes must bée confessed and pardon thereof earnestly prayde for verse 8. God calleth all to repentaunce and amendment ver 9. In those in whome God beginneth good things he will go forward with them vnto the end ver 10. God is gracious and faythfull vnto those that walke in the obedience of his law ver 11. The greater our sinnes be the more néede we haue of mercye and to come to the Lord by prayer for the healing thereof ver 12. God will adde blessing vpon blessing and knowledge vpon knowledge to those that loue and feare him ver 13. Yea the Lord will heape all manner of temporall blessings vpon him ver 14. is the same which verse 12. ver 15. We must continuallye wayte vpon the Lord and be certainly assured that he will deliuer vs from danger ver 16. The more we are destitute of all worldly helpes the more néede haue we to come to the Lord and to learne to hang vpon him alone verse 18. Prayer for remission of all sinnes is commended vnto vs Sée Hosea 14.2 ver 22. We should faythfully remember in our Prayers the state of Gods Church Psalme 26. THis Psalme hath two principal partes In the first Di. he setteth out his innocency towards Saule declaring that he was so farre off from working wickednesse that he coulde not abyde wicked mens company from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second part he setteth out his loue to Gods workes word promising thanks for Gods goodnes towards him from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. Iudge me i. take knowledge of my cause and declare thy selfe to be my defender agaynst the slaunders of mine enimies in mine innocency i. innocently and without doing hurt vz. to Saule or these my enimies that pursue me without cause as Psal 7.5 Psal 15.3 not slide vz. from that stedfast hope that I haue that God will defend me and my iust cause Ver. 2. Proue me vz. to know my innocency and that I am vniustly accused q.d. I desired thée before to be my iudge and now I willinglye offer the same and trie me vz. whether there be any malice in me towards Saule sée Psal 7.8 Psal 17.3 examine vz. euen as goldsmiths doe their moste fine Golde for it is a metaphor taken from them my reines and my hart i. my inward affections and thoughts as Psal 7.9 Ver. 3. Mine eyes vz. of my minde and soule haue I walked in thy truth i. lead such a conuersation as thy truth requireth meaning by truth Gods word because it alone comprehēdeth all truth Ver. 4. with vayne persons i. wicked and vngodly men whiche is a good place also to proue vanity to be taken sometimes for wickednesse as before Psal 24.4 Ver. 5. of the euill vz. men meaning such as accustome themselues to worke euill and to hurt others ver 6. I will wash my handes in innocency i. I will indeuour to liue most vprightly and purelye towardes thée and before men sée Iob. 9.30 and compasse thine altar i. offer aboundāce of sacrifices vnto thée giuing here two excellent testimonies of his vprighte dealing one good behauiour towards men and the other sincere seruice of God ver 7. that I may declare vz. thy goodnesse towards me and my obedience towards thée ver 8. The habitation of thy house i. euen the very place where thy arke resteth which séemeth to be as it were thy house because of thy continuall abode and presence there meaning that if he loued the place so wel he loued the people and the exercises better and the Lord best of all and the place where thy honor dwelleth this is nothing but a repetition of that which goeth before meaning by Gods honour his arke before which he was honoured vnlesse we would expound it thus that we should by place vnderstand the Arke and by honor Gods maiestie and honour manifested there ver 9. gather not my soule with the sinners i. when thou punishest the vngodly destroy not me with them vnderstanding by sinners notorious sinners as before psa 1.5 with the bloody men i. them that giue themselues to crueltie murther bloodshed sée Psal 5.6 Ver. 10. In whose handes is wickednesse q.d. whatsoeuer they doe is wickednesse and their right hand is full of bribes i. they are most ready for the right hande is commonlye more nimble then the other for their owne gayne sake by bribery or otherwise to commit all naughtinesse ver 11. I will walke i. behaue my selfe in my innocency i. innocentlye without hurt sée ver 1. of this Psalme redéeme me vz. from those slaunderous spéeches and dangers that I séeme subiect vnto ver 12. amend thus my foote standing vpon playne ground i. when I shall be brought to a more sure safe condition for in plaine ground there is sure footing in the congregations vz. of thy people and saints assembled to praise thée Do. Ver. 1. Whosoeuer trusteth in the Lord shal not be confounded ver 3. Gods goodnesse toward vs should restrain vs from doing euil to others ver 4.5 Euil company is perilous and therefore would be auoyded as Psal 1.1 Ver. 6. Good dealing towards men and zealous seruice of God must continuallye bée professed practised by his children ver 8. The place where God is serued and the exexcises of his religion must be carefully frequēted ver 9. It is a good way to shun the punishments which light vpon the vngodly to auoyde their company and naughtinesse ver 10. is a liuely description of the peruersenesse and naughtines of vngodly people ver 12. instructeth vs to bee thankfull to God and that openly before men for his benefits bestowed vpon vs. Psalme 27. Di. THis Psalme hath two special parts In the first part the Prophet setteth out the strong fayth and confidence that hée had in God assuring himselfe that God would deliuer him out of all his dangers from ver 1. to the end of the sixt In the second part he prayeth the Lord still to shewe himselfe fauourable and gracious vnto him in deliuering him frō the force and power of all his enemies from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title is expounded already Ver. 1. my light i. he from whome alone I haue in al things good successe and felicity and my saluation i. hee that deliuereth me from al daungers vsing light and saluation the things themselues for deliuerance from afflictions which in the scriptures are many times ment by darknes and al sorts of dangers whom shal I feare q.d. none for by such interrogations the Hebrues doe wonderfully deny the strength of my life i. the vpholder maintainer therof bringing good things to it and putting euil things back frō it for that is the vse of strength in the body ver 2. Came vpon me vz. with violent cruel minds to eat vp my flesh i. most