crafty crueltie of the wicked which may teach the godly two things specially first in all holy wisedome to labour the preuenting of these mischiefes that are meant against them secondly to striue to liue a holy and an vpright life because the eies of the wicked are continually vpon them Ver. 7. Sheweth vs howe the wicked flatter themselues in their sinne Ver. 8. Expresseth the great care that God hath ouer his children and how dearely he accompteth euery thing that is done to them or commeth from them Ver. 9. Setteth out the force and effect of feruent prayer Ver. 10.11 Are the same with ver 4. of this Psalme Ver. 12. Teacheth vs in care and conscience to performe the holy promises we haue made vnto God specially those that concerne praise and thanksgiuing Ver. 13. Teacheth two things first that it is God alone that vpholdeth his children and deliuereth them from all dangers and distresses secondly that he doeth this to this end that by holy life and godly conuersation we should glorifie him before men Psalme 57 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet calleth vppon the Lord assuring himselfe that God will graciously heare his prayers and deliuer him from ver 1. to the end of the third In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was and the craft and cruelty of his enemies praying deliuerance therfrom from ver 4. to the end of the 6. In the third part he sheweth his readines and inforceth himselfe to yéeld thankes to the Lord for his mercy goodnes towards him from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth sée Psal 4. Destroy not In these words is declared the summe of those petitions which are conteined in Psalmes that haue such titles as this is as Psal 58. also Psal 59. It should appeare that Dauid was in some wonderfull feare of death and destruction and therfore praieth the Lord not to destroy him i. not onely not to suffer the wicked to destroy him but also because he alone had al power in his hands not to lay hands vpon him himself A Psal of Dauid on Michtam sée Psal 56 in the title whē he fled from Saul the history hereof is put down at large 1. Sam. 22.1 1. Sam. 24.1.2.3 c. In the caue or rather into the caue He meaneth either Adullam or else an other caue in En-gedi for which sée the places before noted so that in this title wee may sée the occasion of the writing and making of this Psalme vz. Dauids great daunger and affliction Ver. 1. Haue mercy vppon mee O God haue mercy vpon mee this is a most vehement request which also may appeare by the doubling of the words by the which also he sheweth that he was in very great danger for my soule trusteth in thée this word soule importeth that he trusted in God with all his heart which is the part that God especially regardeth and in the shadowe of thy winges i. thy sauegarde prouidence and protection it is a metaphor borrowed from chickens who lye close vnder the hennes wings till the kyte be passed ouer sée Psal 17.8 Wil I trust vz. because I haue heretofore found it good the Prophet meaneth that he had trusted did and would continually trust in Gods almighty protection onely till these afflictions ouerpasse It appeareth that Dauid had more troubles then one yea that hee had as it were flouds of them which maketh him here to resēble his afflictions to a storme or tēpest not meaning by the word til that when the tempest was appeased hee woulde then cease to trust in God but that hee would both then and for euer hang vppon him so haue you the word till vsed Psal 110. ver 1. Ver. 2. I will call i. I will pray vnto the most high God the Prophet addeth this to strengthen his fayth because he whom he would inuocate had all power in his hand and hée strengtheneth himselfe also by that which followeth vz. that god doth faithfully performe his promises made him for God neuer vseth to leaue a worke vnperfite that hee hath begunne but alwaies continueth his benefits and goodnes towards those that are his Ver. 3. Hee will sende from heauen vz. either one or many Angels rather thē I shoulde want helpe and succour and saue mée i. deliuer mee from the reproofe hee meaneth by this worde all that either closely or openly coulde be done or sayd against him of him i. not onely of Saul though he be the chiefe but of those that take part with him against mee that woulde swallow mee sée Psalm 56.1 God will sende his mercy and his trueth this may serue to expound by the way of addition these wordes hee wil send from heauen in the beginning of this verse or else wee may expound them thus hee wil sende vz. vnto mee making mee féele by experience that which I haue had heretofore but in perswasion his mercy and his trueth by mercy hee meaneth the manifestation of his goodwill and grace towardes him and by trueth hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in keeping his promises Verse 4. My soule i. my whole life and body is amonge Lions i. greedy and cruell persons sée Psalm 35.17 Hée meaneth his enemies whome hee resembleth to Lions because they were full of rage and cruelty meaning also by this manner of speach and those that followe in this verse that hee was in wonderfull daunger I lye among the children of men i. such as haue nothing more then that corruption which they haue brought from their fathers which is nothing else but al maner of naughtines and cruelty that are set on fire vz. against mee and that through the malice and mischiefe of their owne heartes without any cause on my part giuen whose téeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword by téeth and tongue which are the instruments wherby men speake he vnderstandeth the false and hateful accusations that Sauls flatterers made against him and in that he resembleth them to speares arrowes and swordes hee meaneth that they were sharpe kéene and persing euen to the wounding of him sée Psal 120.4 also Psalm 55.21 also Psal 59.7 Ver. 5. Exalt thy selfe O God aboue the heauen hee prouoketh the Lorde as it were by prayer to declare his power q.d. shewe thy might and power which is farre aboue the heauens here vppon the earth in ouerthrowing and confounding mine enemies and let thy glory bee vz. made manifest and appeare vpon all the earth i. all the earth ouer to the ende that thy glory may bee extolled and magnified amongst men which can hardly be if I be oppressed for that should be with the dishonour of thy name Ver. 6. They vz. the wicked and vngodly my deadly enemies haue layd a net for my steppes i. haue either narowly watched me in my conuersation as before Psal 56.6 or else
ouerthrowe me vers 10. Lette them fall from their councels i. lette them dislike that which they had counselled and purposed before cast them out vz. eyther from thy selfe or from the inheritance of thy children vers 11. Couer thou them i. defend them and keepe them safe from the face of their enemies that loue thy name i. that feare thy maiestie and vnfeignedly professe thy religion vers 12. Blesse put for doing al maner of good to one righteous see Psalme 1.5.6 put for such as striue to righteousnes and are so accounted though not so in deed of themselues but by means of another vz. Iesus Christ Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth that Gods children many times vse words in their praiers many times not So did Moses and Anna the mother of Samuel vers 2. Gods children should striue to earnestnes in prayer should pray vnto none but to him alone vers 3. Teacheth that we should breake our sleeps in the morning to the end we might pray to the Lord. vers 4. Teacheth that seeing God cannot away with wickednes his children should abhor it likewise the same doth vers 5. In vers 6. are comprehended iudgements against the vngodly namely against lyers cruel persons and deceitful men vers 7. Teacheth that we may not appeare before God in the trust of our own merits but of his mercies onely also that with reuerence we should repayre to the places of Gods seruice and reuerently also there behaue our selues vers 8. Teacheth that vnlesse God guide vs we shal go out of the way also that we should pray for an holy life and that to this ende that the mouthes of the enemies may be stopped from euill speach vers 9. Is a liuely description of the vngodlies qualities as that they are inconstant that they imagine mischiefe that they are giuen to crueltie to flatterie vers 10. We learn that it is lawfull to pray against the enemies of the Church as that their counsels deuises may be scattered c. verse 11. We learne that the faithfull may reioyce at the ouerthrow of Gods enemies verse 12. We learn in what assurednes they are whome the Lord defendeth Psalme 6. 1 THis Psalme consisteth of three principall partes Di. In the first is comprehended the Prophets praiers with reasons that hee alledgeth to induce the Lorde to take pitie vpon him frō vers 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he setteth out the greatnes of his griefe shewing that if God should take him away by death he should lacke occasion to praise him among men as he was wont to doe from vers 5. to the end of the 7. In the third he doth not onely sharpely rebuke his enemies but also foretelleth their destruction frō vers 8 to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath a title as sundry others haue Se. but it is the same with the 4. and therefore looke backe to that sauing that he addeth here vpon the eight tune which was a tune well knowne among the Iewes and was sung with a very cleare and high voyce see 1. Chron. 15.21 vers 1. Anger and wrath attributed to God not that they bee in him but that it so seemeth to men when hee correcteth them and this vers is shortly vttered something seeming as it were to want which is an ordinarie matter to those that are diseased Adde therfore this neither chastise me in thy wrath vz. least I should be consumed and brought to nothing Sée Iere. 10.24 ver 2. I am weake vz. with my sicknes q.d. I am wonderfully weakned through my sicknes but restore me my former forces my bones are vexed i. full of griefe and ache by the abating of my flesh through sicknes and by continuall lying vers 3. Wilt thou delay vz. to send helpe and reliefe vers 4. returne q.d. as it seemed to me thou hast departed away from mee but nowe returne at the length deliuer my soule vz. from present death as may appeare in the next vers following vsing also the word soule which is a part of man for the whole vers 5. in death i. among dead bodies there is no remembrance of thee because the body hath nothing without the soule in the graue who shall praise thee i. what dead bodie put into the graue shall praise thee q.d. none shall or can Verse 6. I faint rather then I fainted because al the rest is read in the present tense meaning by fainting not onely a long vse of his mourning but a wearisomnes yea a consuming and wearing away with the vse thereof I cause my bed euery night to swimme and water my couch vpon which I lie in the day time for ease refreshing for that difference I make betweene bed and couch with my teares these exceeding speaches doe nothing else but note the greatnes of Dauids mourning and the bitternes and sharpnes of his disease vers 7. mine eie is dimmed i. the clearnes and good sight it had is taken from it partly through continual mourning and partly through despite or freting and wrath rather which he caried towardes his enemies that reioyced at his sicknes and sank in or after some waxed olde I take it to be but a repetition of that which went before vers 8. Depart from me c. q.d. You may now go your way for that which you looked for vz. my death you shal not haue at this present for the Lord hath hearde the voyce of my weeping i. Graciously granted me that which with teares I asked of him vers 9. Wil receiue my prayer The Prophet assureth himselfe euen for the time to come as well as for the time past or present vers 10. Is here red as a prophecie or fortelling of the ruine of his enemies others read it as a wish and a praier against his enemies thus let al mine enemies c. There is no hardnes in it in respect of the sense they shal be turned backe as those that haue suffered a repulse Do. not able to looke their foes in their face Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to run vnto the Lord by praier to preuent his iudgements ver 2. Teacheth vs to do that but yet always hauing recourse to his mercy onely it teacheth such that the more we are afflicted the more need wee haue to come to God specially if we be touched in soule or conscience as verse 3. vers 8.9 expresseth Gods readines in yeelding to the supplications of his seruants vers 10. conteineth iudgements against the wicked and vngodly Psalme 7. THis Psalme consisteth principally of three partes Di. In the first part he praieth for deliuerance from his enemies setting out his innocencie and vpright dealing towards them from vers 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he praieth against his enemies declaring what good shall come to his children by the ouerthrow of the wicked From vers 6. vnto the ende of the 10. In the 3. hee pronounceth Gods iudgements against the vngodly which
by benefites past hee assureth himselfe of deliuerance from dangers present and in time to come diddest draw me out of the wombe he meaneth that by Gods speciall power and goodnes he was borne thou gauest me hope vz. that thou wouldest nourish and defend me at my mothers breasts i. when I did sucke and could not defend or helpe my selfe ver 10. I was cast vppon thée i. committed vnto thy prouidence and protection from the wombe i. so soone as I was borne came into the world not denying also but that by his goones hee was preserued continually before thou art my God vz. that doest defend nourish succour me ver 11. Be not farre c. q.d. séeing I haue heretofore receiued so many benefites from thée do not now depart from mee yea I so much the more earnestly craue thy helpe and presence nowe first because affliction is nigh secondly because there is none that can help me but thou ver 12. Many this word noteth the multitude of his enemies yong this word noteth their lustines courage bulles this word is wel expounded in the Geneua note i. are before and behind and on euery side by which we may sée that his troubles were great and almost impossible for him to escape out of them mightie this woorde noteth their force and power bulles of Bashan This is the name of the countrie which did apperteine to the people of the Iewes and was full of pastures whereof mention is made at large Deut. 3.1.2 c. And by bulles of Bashan hee meaneth very fat and mighty ones such as Bashan did féede sée Deut. 32.14 ver 13. They gape vpon me c. q.d. they come vpon me with open mouth to deuoure me euen as a deuouring roaring Lion doth for his pray sée Amos. 3.4 1. Pet. 5.8 ver 14. Amend thus I am powred out like water he meaneth by this maner of speach that he is as it were almost past al recouery as of whom no more account is to be made then of water spilt vpon the ground my bones are out of ioynt in this verse hee doeth by large maner of speaches declare the greatnes of the feare griefe he was in as he did before Psa 6.6 Mine heart is like waxe i. soft and tender it is molten in the middest of my bowels hee now sheweth in what respect his hart is like wax by these words he describeth his fainthartednes ver 15. My strength i. my naturall moisture whereby life strength is maintained is dried vp like a potsheard i. is woÌ„derfully decaied and there is almost no more moysture left in mee then in a potsheard and my tongue cleaueth to my iawes i. I am brought very lowe and weake so that I can not wagge my tongue in my mouth as it were into the dust of death by these wordes he meaneth the graue the earth of it which is so called because none are there laid but dead folkes His purpose is to declare that through the vehemency of his afflictions all hope of his life in a maner was taken away ver 16. For dogges before ver 12.13 He compared his enemies to bulles and Lions now he resembleth them to dogs for their snarling at him and biting of him and the assembly i. great troupes multitudes they pearced my hands and my féete this is spoken of Dauid in respect of the daungers his enemies kept him in as though he had had no féet to flée away nor hands to defend him selfe but in Christ it was most truly performed indéed as appeareth Ioh. 20.25 Where mention is made of nailes ver 17. I may tel al my bones i. I am so fallen away with griefe and anguish that I haue nothing left but skinne and bone Yet they behold me and looke vpon me vz. with great pleasure ioy whereas if they had any compassion they should pity my case ver 18. They part my garments among them If we referre it to Dauid then he meaneth by garments other things that he possessed noting that they dealt with him his goods as they that in some victory had goteen a pray but if we referre it to Christ then is it to be vnderstood of his ordinary apparell and garments in déed as appeareth Ioh. 19.23.24 And cast lottes both to auoide contention that euery one might know his share and portion ver 19. Farre off vz. from me lest I be swallowed vp and drowned ver 20. My soule i. my life as wee haue often times had it before from the sword i. from peril of violent cruel death vnderstanding by the instrument that the wicked vseth to execute his rage and wrath by the thing it selfe From the power of the dogge i. of mine enemies and wicked men sée ver 16. Of this Psalme the singular number put for the plural ver 21. Lions mouth sée ver 13. of this Psalme and answere me i. graciously here me and graunt my request from the hornes of the Vnicornes i. from the present and perilous daungers of mine aduersaries It is Dauids maner as sufficiently appeareth in this Psalme to resemble his enemies to beasts Vnicornes are very wild beasts and as some write of them wil hardly or not at al be tamed ver 22. Thy name i. thy vertue power grace as Psal 20.1.5.7 Vnto my brethren i. to the Israelites that are of the same nation and religion with me sée Rom. 9.3 In the middest of the congregation i. openly before thy people assembled to praise thée ver 23. Séed of Iaakob put for posterity and when hee saith séed of Israel hee meaneth the same thing for Iaakob was called Iaakob and Israel If you referre it to Dauids time then it belongeth to the Iewes If to Christ and his time then to all the faithfull ver 24. The affliction of the poore i. the trouble and anguish that he was in the prophet meaneth that God did not lesse regard the good people for their pouertie and affliction as commonly men do but rather made the greater account of them hid his face vz. as men are wont to do who for lothsomnes as they say but in nisenes in déed can not behold those that are in affliction he called i. praied he heard i. accepted him and his prayers ver â—5 My praise shal be of thée i. thou art and shalt be the cause of my foundation of my praises by reason of the wonderful mercies that I haue receiued from thee In the great congregation i. when the greatest multitude shal méet to prayse thee he noteth that he wil do it publikely as before ver 22. My vowes they were wont when they were in any danger to vowe a peace offring to the Lord to be performed after their deliuerance out of it so did Iephte which was done to testifie their thankfull mindes for the benefites receiued before them i. in their sight that feare him i. worship and serue him meaning God of whom he speaketh now in the
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
haue laide snares in my way to trappe me as I go that I may thereby fall into their daunger and this latter I rather allowe of and my soule i. my life and body as sundry times before is pressed down vz. with their cruelty and mine owne misery the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach the great daunger that hee was in They haue digged a pit before me i. they haue craftely deuised wayes and meanes to intrappe mee and that in the way as I should walke for I thinke that by laying of nets digging of pits the Prophet meaneth to note their subtilty and are fallē into the middest of it i. the mischiefe and hurt which they had prepared against mee is light vpon their owne heads sée Psal 7.15.16 Ver. 7. My heart is prepared O God my heart is prepared by doubling the speach the Prophet noteth not onely how ready he was but also howe resolute a purpose he carried with him to praise God and when he speaketh of the heart hee setteth it against hypocrites who haue nothing in their hart but all in their mouthes sée ver 1. of this Psalme I will sing vz. thy prayses and by singing he meaneth that he would publish them aloud with his tongue as well as haue them in his heart and giue prayse vz. to thee that art worthy all praise Verse 8. Awake my tongue hee stirreth vp the partes and members of his body to a certain liuelines and praysing the Lord sée Psalm 16.9 Awake viall and harp the better to inforce himself to this great duety he addeth certaine musicall instruments sée Psal 32.2 also Psal 43.4 I will awake earely vz. in the morning q. d. I will not be sluggish to praise GOD yea I will breake my sleepe rather then fayle that duety Ver. 9. The Prophet meaneth that hee will spreade abroade the prayses of God in all places and to all persons among whomsoeuer hee shall come and no doubt but in spirite hee did foresée the vocation of the gentiles who were to bee called to the knowledge of God Ver. 10. For thy mercy is great vnto the heauens and thy trueth vnto the cloudes i. thy goodnes and faithfulnes fulfil the whole worlde so that all people in euery place vnder heauen knowe thee to be mercifull and true in thy promises Ver. 11. Is the same with ver 5. both in wordes and meaning in which the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to declare his power not onely in the country of Iudea but also to exercise his iudgement throughout the whole world in succouring the innocent and in punishing the wicked Ver. 1. Teacheth vs in all our prayers to cleaue to Gods mercy Do. and not to our merits it instructeth vs also in our distresses and at all other times to hang vpon his great power and wonderful prouidence Ver. 2. Gods power Gods promise are two very good grounds of our prayers Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to bee assured to obtaine those things that wee shall aske according to his will Ver. 4. Setteth out the cruelty outrage and wonderful bitternes both of word and heart that the wicked haue Ver. 5. Teacheth vs to pray for the manifestation of Gods iustice and glory Ver. 6. Describeth the mischieuous subtilty of the wicked against the vngodly into which notwithstanding through Gods iust iudgement they themselues do fal Ver. 7. Teacheth to bee ready and willing to praise God Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to inforce al the parts and members of our body thereto and to vse al holy meanes either inwarde or outward wherby we may be prouoked to the performance of that duty Ver. 9. Teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to do it in euery place and before all persons that other men may be drawne by our examples to do the like Ver. 10. Declareth for what causes wee shoulde praise God vz. for his mercy and for his faythfulnes Ver. 11. Is the same with verse 5. of this Psalme both in sense doctrine Psalme 58. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first hee declareth that the wicked are not onely frée from al goodnes but replenished on the other side with all maner of corruption and vngodlines and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the fift In the second he maketh an earnest praier against the wicked shewing that in their ouerthrow the godly shall haue an occasion of mirth giuen them and other men shal be instructed in the iustice and righteousnes of God and this reacheth from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 57. Ver. 1. Is it true vz. that yee pretend and speake that yee speake iustly and deale vprightly q.d. no. For by such interrogations they doe certainely deny the thing O congregation hee speaketh no doubt of Sauls counsellers and courtiers against whom he inueigheth here speake ye iustly vz. concerning me my causes or do ye not rather for Sauls pleasure flatter him and flaunder me O sonnes of men sée this expounded before Psal 4.2 Iudge ye vprightly vz. of me and my matters q.d. no. The sense of this verse together is this much Hee directeth this speach to his enemies who were of Sauls court and counsell as if he should say thus I make you iudges whether vnder the shadowe of assembling your selues to consult for the common wealth and for a good iust matter you go not about to oppresse me that am innocent guiltlesse Ver. 2. Yea rather q.d. yee are so farre from that that yee execute the contrary in your heart i. secretly and priuily your handes execute cruelty the Prophet chargeth them with two thinges here first diuising of wickednes then practising and performing of the same by hand he meaneth not only the power they had to worke wickednes but that they thēselues with their owne hands were the executioners of the cruelty they had deuised sée Micah 2.1 vppon the earth i. vpon the people inhabiting the earth meaning also by this manner of speach that their cruelty was manifest as being séene and felt of men Ver. 3. The wicked in this verse the other following he setteth out the cause why Sauls courtiers commit al these things first by reason of the natural corruptiō which is in them maketh them to goe astray from God secondly because they carry with thē a fetled purpose to al maner of euil and wil not be reclaimed from it by any meanes Are straungers vz. from God and godlines as with whom they haue no maner of acquaintance at al frō the wombe vz. of their mother euen from the belly vz. of their mother haue they erred to wit from the right way of holines goodnes q.d. it is not to bee marueiled at that they are so wicked for it is no new thing because they haue had it euē from their birth Ver. 4. Their poison i. the malice of their harts and the mischieuous wordes that they vtter like the
it were life vnto the people and as the shewers vz. falling from heauen that water the earth after some great drought By these similitudes hee sheweth howe acceptable good gouernment should be to the people Ver. 7. In his daies i. in his yeres and while he reigneth sée Isaiah 1.1 The righteous shal florish i. good men and of vpright conscience shal be aduanced for such as he is himselfe wil he labour to haue in authority and abundance of peace i. of all good things and blessings as ver 3. of this Psalme shal be vz. vppon the people of his land so long as the moone indureth i. for euer as ver 5.17 of this Psalme also Psal 89.37 and this must be referred as many other things also in this Psalm to Iesus Christ Ver. 8 From sea to sea i. from from the red sea vnto the sea of Syria or Palestina which is an arme of the Mediterraneum Sea sée Exod. 23.31 Deutron 11.24 sée also Numb 34. from ver 2. to the end of the 12. and from the riuer vz. of Euphrates or Perah sée Deutron 11.24 vnto the endes of the lande vz. of promise or Canaan which reacheth to the great wildernes towards the mountaine of Lebanon Ver. 9. They that dwel in the wildernes i. those that dwel Southward from Ierusalem and were furthest of from the land of Canaan meaning also barbarous vntamed and wilde people shall knéele before him vz. in token of reuerence and subiection as though hee were their owne naturall Prince or king and his enemies vz. though they bee neuer so stoute shall licke the dust by this manner of speach hee meaneth a most lowly subiection q.d. they shall not onely fall downe before him flat vpon the earth after the manner of the Easterne people but shal as a man would say as much debase themselues as possible can be in token of trustines reuerence and obedience Ver. 10. The kings of Tarshish i. those that rule in Cicilia putting the chiefe Citie of the Country for the whole country and of the Issles vz. which lye along the sea coast from Cicilia to Grecia as Cyprus Candie and others which are compassed in with the Mediterranium sea shal bring presents vz. in token of homage and obedience sée Psal 45.12 the accōplishment of this sée 1. king 4.21.34 also 1. king 10.25 the kings i. the rulers and magistrates as before of Sheba i. Arabia felix putting Sheba whiche was but a parte of it for the whole from this Countrey it séemeth that the Quéene came who is mencioned 1. king 10. in the beginning of the Chapter and Seba i. as some expounde it Ethiopia but I take it to be some other Countrey as may appare Isaiah 43.3 These Countries séeme to haue their names of two of the sonnes of Cush who came of Ham as appeareth Gene. 10.7 whatsoeuer it is the Prophet myndeth nothing else but vnder the kingdome of Salomon to set out the inlarging of Christes kingdome shall bring giftes i. giftes in signe of honour that they owe testifying their subiection for so much the Hebrewe worde importeth Ver. 11. Yea q.d. that in one worde I may shut vp the matter all Kinges shall worshippe him all nations shall feare him if wée vnderstande this of Salomon then it must haue this sense many kings and nations specially of those that bee about him shall yéelde him homage and obedience but if wee referre it to Christ then it comprehendeth the inlargement of his kingdome by mightie men and nobles and the calling of the Gentiles of which sée Psalm 2.8 Isaiah 49.23 Verse 12. For hee shall deliuer the poore vz. from him that oppresseth him when hee cryeth vz. vnto him i. when hee prayeth earnestly vnto him for helpe and him that hath no helper vz. amongest men q.d. there is none so helplesse but God will bee an helper vnto him if he hang vpon him only Ver. 13. Hée shalbée merciful i. not only in compassion but in actiō shal preserue the soules i. the liues and bodies from the rage and cruelty of harde hearted men Verse 14. He shall redéeme i. deliuer and set frée their soules i. them themselues putting a part of a mā for the whole man from deceite and violence vz of the cut-throates that liue amongest men Vnder these two wordes hée comprehendeth all manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer or howsoeuer performed by deceit hée meaneth al those that are craftily and closely wrought and by violence all those that are perfourmed with open force and deare i. precious and of great regarde shall their blood bee i. their life as Genesis 9.5.6 or else by blood hée meaneth that blood of theirs which the vngodly spill in tormenting them in his sight i. before him and in his iudgement howsoeuer base and contemptible men estéeme it Verse 15. Yea hee shall liue some referre this word hée to the poore whome the King shall redeeme but I rather to the King the Prophet meaning by this speach that hée shall liue a long and a prosperous raigne and vnto him i. vnto the king shall they i. the poore that are redéemed from deceite and violence giue of the gold of Sheba i. of precious and costly golde as being farre fet Sheba being a place farre distant from the lande of promise whatsoeuer it is hée meaneth that the people shall willingly perfourme with all the power that they haue the duetie and obedience which they owe him which was in times past signified by giuing of giftes as may appeare 1. Samuel 10.27 pray for him i. for his health and welfare and for the good of the whole kingdome and dayly blesse him i. prayse and commend him as in déede hée iustly deserueth for his vpright gouernment Verse 16. An handfull of corne i. a small portion no more then a man can holde in his hande shalbée sowen in the earth within the compasse of the lande of promise if wee referre it to Salomon euen in the toppe of the mountaines which are very vnméete places by reason of their great drought in Summer and of their great colde in winter and the fruit thereof i. of the corne sowen shall shake like the trées of Lebanon i. shall growe vp into great height and abundaunce and shalbée so florishing that they shall russell and make a noise as it were the trées of the forest of Lebanon Sée Psalme 29.5 hee meaneth that there shalbée nothing so small amongest Gods people but through Gods blessing it shall multiply to much and bring foorth abundaunce and the children shall florish out of the Citie i. men shal bee as plentifull both within and without the Citie al the land through euen as the grasse of the earth i. in great store and abundaunce Verse 17. His name i. his maiesty renowne and glory shalbée for euer i. last a great season if wee referre it to Salomon but it shalbée eternall if wée referre it to Christ and so must the wordes following bee likewise expounded sée
is not one prophet more vz. amōgst vs to instruct vs to teach vs according to the law and in an ordinary ministry for so I would take the word prophet in this place nor any vz. extraordinarily stirred vp that knoweth vz. to tell vs howe long vz. this calamitie and misery of ours shall indure Ver. 10. reproch thée this is ment not only because the wicked vttered reproches against God himselfe but also because he succoured not his people against their rage whose dishonour did after a sort redounde also to him blaspheme thy name i. speak euil of thy maiesty power as though thou either couldest not or wouldest not helpe vs for euer i. a long time or continually or as it were without ceasing Ver. 11 Why withdrawest thou thine hande i. why withholdest thou thy power from deliuering vs and plaguing thy enemies euen thy right hand i. thy power ful of might strength to both effects he speaketh this of God according to men whose right hands are commonly more strong then the left draw it out of thy bosome i. declare by effectes that thou hast care ouer vs and power to destroy them it is a metaphor taken from slothful sluggish persōs as appeareth Prouerb 19.24 also 26.16 and consume them vz. by thy iustice iudgment Ver. 12. Euen I would rather read but or yet q.d. notwithstāding these gret distresses dangers I rest my self vpon him that neuer wil faile me God is my king i. one that careth for me receiueth me into his protection so that I shal not néede to feare deliuerance and marke the sodaine change of the number the faithful speaking in the person of one because al the rest were of that assured perswasion of old i. al time heretofore therfore hee wil not destitute vs now working saluation i. deliuerance out of danger and that for his people in the middest of the earth i. openly and in the sight of all the people of the world putting the earth conteining the people for the people conteined Ver. 13. Thou diddest deuide the sea i. the red Sea when the people came out of Egipt Exod. 14.21 thou brakest the heades i. diddest ouerthrow the power yea diddest take away the life of the Dragons or Whales hee meaneth by this speach Pharaohs men whome for their courage and cruelty hee compareth to great Dragons or Whales in the waters vz. of the redde Sea Ver. 14. Thou brakest the head i. ouerthrewest the power as before verse 13. of Liuiathan in pieces what this beast was Sée Iob. 40.20 also 41. throughout Sée for the better vnderstanding of this place Isaiah 27. verse 1. c. also Ezech. 29.3 from whence you shal haue great light and gauest him to bee meate Immanuel readeth this part of the text farre better thus thou gauest meate to the people passing through the wildernesse vnderstanding it of manna and quailes of which sée Exod. 16. and Numbers 11. and this agréeth better with that that goeth before ver 12. when they sayd god had beene their king of old not onely in punishing their enemies but in shewing grace and fauor to thē also with that which foloweth where other particular benefits are rehearsed Ver. 15. Thou breakest vp i. thou causedst to breake vp and that out of the ground a harde mountaine the fountaine and riuer i. abundance of water euen as plentiful as any fountaine or riuer could be sée Exod. 17. ver 1.2 c. also Numbers 20◠2 c. thou driest vp mighty riuers as the redde Sea spoken of before and the flood Iordan as Ioshua 3.14 c. into which riuer also many other riuers runne or flowe and therefore hee speaketh heere in the plurall number Verse 16. The daye is thyne both because he created it and gouerneth it according to his good pleasure and the night is thine i. at thy disposition and appointment as before in this verse thou hast prepared the light vz. of the night as the moone and starres sée Gene 1.14 c. and here by the word preparing he vnderstandeth both creating appointing and gouerning and the sunne vz. for the day as the other for the night and he expressedly nameth this because it is the principall instrument whereby light is communicated to men Verse 17. Thou hast set al the borders of the earth this may bée vnderstoode either of the listes of seuerall Countries or kingdomes because GOD hath appointed to men such portion of grounde as he knoweth to be sufficient for them or else of all the borders of the whole worlde as though God had appointed how much should be earth howe much water or Sea and this I rather incline vnto by reason of that which is written Gene. 1. verse 9.10 thou hast made Summer and Winter i. not onely created then but appointed them for these distinct times and seasons Sée Gene. 1.14 Ver. 18. Remember this q.d. though thou shouldest forget thy olde mercies and our great miseries yet at the least thinke vpon the blasphemies of thine enemies hath approched the Lord the thirde person put for the second q.d. reproched thée O Lorde which was done in that Gods children were cast downe into sclaunder and contempt and the foolish people i. the wicked and vngodly as Psalm 14.1 blasphemed thy name sée ver 10. of this Psal Ver. 19. Giue not the soule i. deliuer not ouer the life for otherwise the wicked can not touch the body vnlesse the Lord appoint and permit the same as for the soule in déed they can no maner of way come nigh it Matth. 10.28.29 c. of thy turtle doue i. of thy Church which is compared to a turtle or doue because it is smal weak simple méeke as a turtle or doue is sée Cantic cap. 2.14 cap. 5.3 cap. 6.8 so also Mat. 10.16 vnto the beast vz. which séeketh to deuour it take it away by beasts he vnderstandeth men of beastly conditions altogether giuē to rauening and spoile and by one he meaneth many and forget not i. séeme not to forget for God in déed neuer forgetteth his the congregation of thy poore i. the company and multitude of them that though they bée afflicted from thée yet suffer notwithstanding for thy cause for euer i. for a long season as we haue had the worde sundry times before Ver. 20. Consider thy couenant vz. which thou hast made with our fathers and vs q.d. the enemies suppose that thou thinkest not vpon it because thou giuest vs ouer to their lust and our owne faith is wonderfully shaken because we are so afflicted on euery side for the darke places of the earth are full of the habitations of the cruell Immanuel readeth this place farre better thus for the darke places of the earth are ful vz. of the outrage cruelty of the wicked q.d. there is no place so darke and secret but the rage and tyrannie of these wicked men will fetch men out of it they are very
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
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.
iudgementes ouertake you as are mentioned verse 5. and 9. of this Psalme be wise and learned not that they were withoute wit and learning but because they wanted godly wisedome hee exhorteth them to looke for that Ver. 11. Serue the Lord q.d. Giue vnto him his true honor and worship which hitherto you haue kept backe from him in feare or after others with reuerence both come almost to one ende if wee reade Feare he meaneth the feare of his children which are loth to offende him not so much for feare of punishment as for lothsomnesse on their parte of loue to displease his Maiestie If we reade reuerence then hee noteth with what inward perswasions and outward behauiour we should performe his seruice to his Maiestie vz. not so lightly and vnreuerently as commonlye we doe and reioyce vz. because he hath set suche a king ouer you with trembling vz. at his iudgements which he setteth before them to kéepe them the better in awe and to with-holde them from manifolde mischiefes Ver. 12. Kisse the sonne vz. not only in signe of homage subiectiō but also as a sure pledge of that faithfulnes trust which you wil perform towards him And by Sonne he vnderstandeth either Dauid or Christ least he be angrie and then those punishments fal vppon you mentioned before ver 9. and ye perish q. d least ye also should perish The Prophet putteth downe two reasons to induce men to yéelde to Christ 1. least they prouoke him to wrath 2. least they themselues perish and that in the waye i. before they come to their iournies end meaning thereby the full accomplishment of their purposes practises which no doubt shal be a great gréefe When his wrath shall sodaynly burne others read if his wrath shall burne though neuer so little if you follow the first reading the sence is thus vz. hee noteth not only the time wherein the vngodly shall perish but the maner how and suddainly If you allow the other then this is the meaning q.d. it is good for you to take héede how you prouoke agaynste youre selues God and his iudgements for if his wrath bée neuer so little kindled bée yée sure it will be your destruction this latter I better like of as more agréeing with the circūstance of the place blessed are all that trust in him this is a graue sentence shutting vp the whole Psalme into which the Prophet sodainly entreth not only because of the déepe consideration of Gods iudgements pronounced before agaynst the wicked but also thereby to shew that the godlye are not without hope Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth that the people do many times oppose thēselues against God his ordinance Ver. 2. sheweth that the kings mighty men doe it likewise by which we may learn also that it is not good to hang vpon the multytude for their number nor vpon the mightye for their great countenaunce Ver. 4. Teacheth that God will frustrate the wicked of their hope and mischieuous purposes Ver. 5. as also 9. declareth that the vngodlye shall not escape vnpunished Ver. 7. Teacheth vs not onlye faythfully to declare but also humbly to stand vppon the giftes and calling that God hath bestowed vpon vs. Ver. 8. Declareth Gods liberalitie who giueth to his childrē rich and plentifull gifts ver 9. Noteth the vtter ruine and destruction of the vngodly ver 10. Setteth out Gods mercy in calling men yea euen the highest that others by their examples may be brought therto also to repentāce and amendment and teacheth them likewise to account of the time and not to put off from day to day ver 11. Teacheth that God alone must be worshipped and what maner of seruice it is that he requireth at our hands ver 12. Teacheth obedience to Christ euen as to God the Father by which wee sée that he is God and that there is a distinction of persons it declareth also what iudgement shall fall vpon the vngodly for their sinnes and what graces shall be giuen to the faythfull Psalme 3. THis Psalme hath a large Title Di. which doth not onlye comprehend the Authors name but the time when and the occasion wherefore he did write it is the argument as a man would say of the whole Psalme it may be diuided into thrée parts In the first Dauid declareth what great daungers hee was in by reasons of the multitude of his aduersants and this is in the two first verses in the seconde are comprehended comforts which Dauid gathered vnto him by consideration of Gods present ayde and of the wonderfull consolation which he had by experience felte before from the thyrde verse to the ende of the sixte In the thirde parte hee maketh his prayer vnto GOD for his deliueraunce foretelling as it were Gods iudgements vppon his enemies and his fauour to his children and that is in the two last verses ver 1. Se. is vttered by an interrogation by which the Prophet noteth the wonderfull number of his aduersaries as though hée had bin left almost alone and all the people had gone after Absolon Ver. 2. To my soule mend it thus of my soule i. of me my selfe and my whole lyfe a part put for the whole person There is no help for him in God i. the Lord will not deliuer him for they supposed when they saw him flée from the face of his sonne Absolon on the one side and Absolons power on the other side that God had forsaken him and that he could looke for no helpe of God such a one was Schemei 2. Samuel 16.7.8 Ver. 3. Art a Buckler i. a sure defence from the force of my enemies For me or after some about me by which he noteth in what assuraunce he was vnder the shadow and safegarde of the Almighty My glory i. who how base soeuer I am now must and wil restore me to my former glory And the lifter vp of my heade to lift vp the head is to make one that was very sad and throwne downe with gréefe ioifull and chearefull by exalting of him to giue him matter of mirth sée Genesis 40.13.20 Luke 21.28 he meaneth then by these thrée spéeches that he was to him without weapon a shield or Buckler i. a sure defence and to him contemned glory and renowne and to him cast downe an Author of ioy and raysing vp agayne Verse 4. I did call or after some crye whiche I better like i. I did earnestly pray heard or after some answered i. yéelded and graunted me my request out of his holy mountayne we heard the same before Psalme 2.6 By holy mountayne he meaneth the propitiatorie or mercy seate which was vpon the Arke placed in Mount Sion whiche was sayd to be holy because God the author of holines appeared there and by reason of the holy exercises obserued in that place for God had promised that he would heare his people out of the mercy seate from betwéene the Cherubines when faythfully they should call vpon him or else
being once manifested hee promiseth to yeelde heartie thankes vnto the Lord from vers 11. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is Shigaion of Dauid Se. that is a Psalme of Dauid sung according to the tune of an ordinary song the beginning whereof was Shigaion which is also in vse with vs to haue latter songs song according to the tune of other songs made before them concerning the woordes I take it to be more large then accusation and that it is to be stretched to deedes practised against him for this is vsuall among the Hebrewes by words to vnderstand deeds also Cushe some take it for Saul I rather think that he meaneth some stranger of Ethiopia for Cushe is the Hebrewe name for Ethiopia whom Saul had gotten to his court and made great account of yea so much that hee rebuked him as it were in his owne stocke and familie which he meaneth by these words The sone of Iemini which man for hatred against Dauid and flatterie toward Saul both falsly accused him villanously practised all maner of mischiefe against him vers 2. Least hee the Prophet noteth one speciall man amongst those all that hee had touched vers 1. Deuoure my soule i. Me my selfe sée Psalm 3.2 Psal 6.4 Like a Lion i. crueltie and subtiltie as Iob. 39.1.2 Psal 10.9 His crueltie also being noted by tearing him in peeces and his subtilty in taking him at such a time as there is none to succour him ver 3. This thing vz. wherwith he was charged i. the affecting of the kingdome sée Psalm 131. Or the taking away of Sauls life from which hee was free as 1. Samuel 24.5 2. Samuel 26. par totum any wickednes vz. in this behalfe wherewith I am charged and not otherwise for Dauid was a sinner some read it thus if this iniquitie hauing respect to that whereof he was accused which is good I better allow of In mine hands these words may haue a double sense in my hands that is in my facts and deeds performed by my hands or else in my hands i. in my selfe putting a part of man for the whole vers 4. euill put for mischiefe or a shrewd turne that had peace with me i. that seemed friendly vnto me or wished me or did me any good yea q.d. I haue been so far from that that I haue set him frée from danger that vexed me or after some that did enemy like pursue me which I better allow meaning Saul without cause i. no cause on my part giuen to himward not in these wordes respecting his sinnes against God verse 5. My soule see verse 2. of this Psalme tread my life c. as a most vile and contemptible thing and lay mine honour in the dust i. let him so put out my glory honour that there may be no more remembrance of it in the posteritie to come so that honour here is vsed for the remembrance of his honour and glory yea and for himselfe also verse 6. Arise O Lord in thy wrath i. shewe thy selfe angrie against this people and lift vp thy selfe i. shew thy selfe high and mightie against or after some because of the rage of mine enemies according to the double reading there is a double sense If you take the first reading the mening is this shewe thy selfe mightie in beating downe the rage and cruell attempts of mine enemies If you take the latter then this is the meaning let the cruelties and rages of mine enemies moue thee to defend me by thy might q.d. if thou lay not to thy hand I shall vtterly be destroyed and this latter I do approue awake for me i. not only be careful but take pains on my behalfe by bringing me to the kingdom that thou hast promised me verse 7. He noteth what good shall come by the ouerthrowe of his enemies and the establishing of him in the kingdome vz. that the whole land shall stand about him with reuerence at his iustice as the people doe iudges when they are to pronounce a sentence returne on high hee alludeth to the place wherein iudges were wont to sitte to giue sentence and was higher then where the people stoode q.d. thou hast seemed to come downe from the bench as it were and to haue no care of iudgement but goe vp once again and declare thy power vers 8. The Lord shal iudge or after some iudgeth all cōmeth to one purpose for the Prophets drift is here to lay down this as a preamble that seeing the Lord eyther shal or doth iudge it would please him amongst other causes to take knowledge of his according to my righteousnes vz. in this cause and behalfe see verse 3.4 of this Psalme that is in me q.d. so pronounce giue sentence vers 9. correct thus Oh let the malice of the wicked i. that mischiefe that the wicked haue diuised intended fayle and neuer come to any effect or purpose that thou mayst stablish the righteous because the ouerthrow of the one is the strengthning of the other euen as thou O iust God art the trier of the heartes and reines he putteth these two words for thoughts and affections or lustes q.d. thou alone searchest seest mens harts inward thoughts which seeing it belongeth vnto thee alone I doubt not but thou seest what difference there is betweene me and my enemies vers 10. My defence is in God q.d. I trust for helpe from none but frō him vers 11. must be amended thus God I say the iust iudge q.d. vpon him alone doe I hang that is iust in all his iudgements yea the strong God that troubleth thē euery day i. layeth continually some iudgement or other vpon the wicked to see whether by that means they wil come to amendment verse 12. and 13. is diuersly read according thereto hath diuers senses if we take it as it is here then it hath this meaning except he turne i. except that wicked person whether it were Saul or any other it skilleth not much vnlesse we take it thus that vnder one the Prophet mindeth to note many except I say he or they turne i. alter their purpose and repente them of their euill he i. the enemie or els God if you referre it to the enemie he meaneth that he hath prepared him al the weapons that possibly he could to hurt Dauid if you referre it to God then he meaneth by these weapons that Gods iudgments are readie to preuent the wicked frō doyng their mischiefe which I rather allow of because it is sayd verse 13. He will ordeine his arrowes for them that persecute me If we reade it as Immanuel readeth it then thus it must be vnderstand and read if he vz. the wicked and vngodly be not conuerted i. chaunged from his purpose amended he may whet his sword he may bend his bow and direct it vz. as though he did ayme to hit and getting vnto himselfe deadlye weapons hee may
verse otherwise but I like this sence as well as his Ver. 8. As the apple of my eye i. most dearely and tenderly as men are wont to doe the apples of their eye who cannot abide that any thing should touch it hide mee vnder the shadow of thy winges an other similitude to the same purpose q.d. deliuer me with such diligence from present perill as the hens are wont to doe their yong ones vnder their winges when the Kite houereth ouer them or lieth in wait for them The scripture in sundrye places attributeth winges to God that therby it might declare Gods great care to saue and defend the godly such a similitude Christ vseth Math. 23.37 Ver. 9. for my soule i. for my life vz. that they might take it away from me ver 10. They are inclosed in their owne fat i. they are monstrously fat by reason they liue in al plesures and delights q.d. They abound in all delights therefore they spare not to speake proudly which he addeth in this verse describing in this and so on in the rest the maners of the vngodly Ver. 11. They i. the vngodly and wicked enemies haue cōpassed vs i. me Dauid the people that are with mee in our steps i. in our iornies or as we were iornying q. d. In all our iornying they haue most diligently obserued me mine many times haue in the mean while beset vs about they haue set their eyes i. they are earnestly and diligentlye bent as one that fixeth his eyes vppon one to marke him or to know him agayne to bring downe vz. me and mine to the ground i. to destroy and ouerthrow vs as townes and castles rased and made euen with the ground ver 12. He noteth first their crueltie vnder these wordes gréedye of pray next vnder these words lurking in secret places their subtelty craft sée Psalme 10.9 Ver 13. Vp Lord q.d. thou hast deferred a long while vp now and take weapon into thy hand as a notable defender disappoint him vz. of the crueltye he purposeth he speaketh of one as the principal meaning notwithstanding others ioyned with him in the mischiefe cast him down vz. to the ground see ver 11. in these words to bring downe to the grounde deliuer my soule i. my life as before ver 9. of this Psalme with thy sworde i. with thy might and power sée Iob 40.14 Ver. 14. from men vz. deliuer my soule as ver 13. by thine handes i. by thy power and might vsing hande here as he vsed the word sword before from men ad these words I mean for the more playne sence of the world i. worldly men all whose delighte is in things of this life who haue their portion in this life and not in the other which shall be reuealed to Gods sonnes whose bellies i. whose desires and appetites thou fillest with thy hidden treasures i. giuest them great abundaunce of outwarde benefites and blessinges which are called Gods hidden treasures not because they are not séene but because they are not so wel perceyued and vsed of the vngodlye as were méete their children this serueth to amplifie the aboundance of outward blessings that the wicked haue hauing not only more then ynough for themselues but to leaue mountains of mony as it were to their posterity whether sonnes daughters neuewes or any other kindred for so I take the worde children to be vsed in this place ver 15. in righteousnesse i. hauing a good and righteous cause on my side Psalm 4.1 and Gods face is here taken for a more playne and manifest knowledge of Gods mercy then he had set before in the time of his affliction with thine image i. with so much of thy goodnes and grace as it shall please thée in my deliuerance to make knowne vnto me Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth earnestnes in prayer ver 3. that we should kéepe our selues from wicked thoughts and wicked words expressing these thoughts ver 4. Gods word is a notable meane to kéepe vs from wickednesse ver 5. we shall fall vnles the Lord vphold vs. ver 6. He that prayeth to God must bée well assured of the truth of his promises ver 7. If God helpe vs not the enemies rage wil ouercome vs. ver 10. aboundaunce of wealth and pleasure maketh the vngodly proud against God and his people ver 11. setteth out the mischieuous mind of the vngodly ver 12. expresseth their crueltie and craft ver 13. teacheth vs in the time of our afflictions to haue recourse to God by prayer ver 14. sheweth that outward blessings are as well bestowed vpon the wicked as the good and that therefore there is no certaine iudgements to be giuen of gods fauour by these outward things ver 15. Howsoeuer wicked men set their minde on worldly wealth that our delight and pleasure should be onlye in the Lord and his fauour Psalme 18. Di. THis Psalme handleth diuers matters but principally 3. In the first part the Prophet promiseth thankes giuing for benefites receaued and describeth Gods wrath and power from ver 1. to the end of the 15. In the secōd part he reciteth sundry particular graces bestowed vpon him and excellent matters that the Lord inabled him to performe frō ver 16. to the end of the 45. In the third part he yéeldeth praise and thankes vnto the Lord promising neuer to forget these benefits and to publish them continually amongst the people from verse 46. to the end of the Psalme The title is easie these words which spake put for which sung Se. In the day i. at the time from the hand i. from the violent power and raging might and so it is vsed immediatly following of al his enimies he meaneth of the mighty and of the greatest number of thē for Dauid was neuer without enemies this title summarily cōprehendeth the occasion of the making of this Psalm ver 2. My rock this spéech calling God a rock is a metaphor taken from séeking refuge for men are wont for feare of their enemies to go to the rocks or mountayns Mat. 24.16 my fortresse another metaphor meaning that in and by God he might be kept as safely yea more safely from his enemies then in or by the strongest hold in the world my shield another Metaphor because he did as a shield ouershadow and defend him the horne of my saluation saluation here is put for deliuerance and horn put for strēgth or strong meates Another metaphor for euen as horned beasts doe defend themselues with their hornes so Dauid vsed Gods helpe and defence as it were a horne Ver. 3. worthy to be praysed vz. of me and all others that for his wonderful goodnes bestowed vpō vs ver 4. Sorrows of deth i. most gréeuous deadly sorrowes which are therfore called the sorrows of deth because they brought him almost to deaths dore the floods of wickednes i. gret multituds either of wicked deuises or of wicked mē for so I take wickednes to be vsed
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
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
his enemies for which he promiseth thankfulnesse from ver 1. to the end of the eight in the second part hée setteth out his poore and miserable state desiring the Lorde in mercy to deliuer him from the proude and cruell men frō ver 9. to the end of the 18. Thirdly he declareth Gods wonderfull goodnesse towards his seruaunts whom he exhorteth to put their trust in him and to loue him continually from ver 19. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Ver. 1. be confounded vz. Se. by or among my enimies which I shall be if thou forsake me in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous promise which is then declared to be righteous when it is performed ver 2. a strong rock i. in stéede of a strong rock and high sée Psa 27.5 and an house of defence i. in stéede of such a one and as sure to saue mee i. to defend and deliuer me vz. from the forces of mine enimies ver 3. Rock and fortres sée Psal 18.2 for thy names sake i. for thy own glory honor direct me and guide me vz. going before me and shewing me the way ver 4 For thou art my strength q.d. Without thée I can doe nothing neither truste I in any thing but in thée alone ver 5. Into thine hand i. into thy mighty power and protection I commend my spirit i. life body soule and all that I haue thou hast redéemed vz. out of distresse and bondage wherin I haue bin heretofore God of truth i. most true and faythful God in performing that which thou hast promised ver 6. I haue hated i. wonderfully disliked loathed that giue thēselues i. that take delight pleasure and trust in deceitful vanities he meaneth hy vanities any thing that may cal men frō trust in God he calleth them deceitfull because that though for a time they may féede vs with glorious oftentation yet in fine they wil deceaue vs ver 7. in thy mercy a sodain chaunging of the person thou hast séene vz. euen vnto this daye ver 8. hast not shut vp i. giuen me ouer in the hand i. power and might sée psal 27.12 my féete sée Psalme 25.15 He meaneth that the Lorde had brought to passe that he might fréely without feare go in and out sée Psal 18.19 Ver. 9. Mine eye my soule and my belly are consumed with gréefe he meaneth by this not onely that his sorrow had continued a long while but also wrought wōderful effects in him vz. brought dimnes to his eyes as psal 6.7 weaknes to his stomack for I take the word soule to be vsed here for the power part of life which desireth foode sée Psal 38.10 Psal 102.4 and by belly he meaneth that parte whiche should concoct meat noting that he neither had appetite to eat nor strength to concoct and digest by reason of his great gréefe Ver. 10. he noteth what great gréefe he sustained in respect of himself his own body ver 11 he sheweth what he indured from others I was a reproch i. I was scorned of all and forsaken of them and a feare i. I was a feare meaning that al his acquaintance were afrayde so much as to looke vpon him Ver. 12. I am forgotten as a dead man out of minde he meanrth not that they did not thinke vpon him for all their imagination was how to worke him mischiefe but this he was euen as a dead man who hath no familiaritie nor acquaintance with those that are alyue and of whome he could receiue neyther pleasure nor profite like a broken vessell i. of which or of whom there is no regard had because it is estéemed vnprofitable Ver. 13. Feare was on euery side vz. of me he meaneth that he was as it were beset with feare Ver. 15. My times i. the dayes and yeres of my life are in thine hand i. are gouerned by thy power and prouidence which is great comfort to me because they cannot destroy me though they conspire agaynste me hand of my enimies i. power force Ver. 16. Make thy face to shine i. shew thy self fauorable vnto as Psal 4.6 saue me i. deliuer me out of these dangers ver 17. and the latter part amend thus let the wicked be cut off whē they are going down into the graue i. when they are redy to die let them not be restored to life and health againe as sundrie men are but let them then dy and perish ver 18. Lips put for mouth yea and for the liers themselues a part for the whole ver 19. Layd vp vz. as a most excellēt and rich treasure euen before the sonnes of men these wordes may haue diuers sences If you referre it to these wordes Done to them meaning the godly then they must be vnderstoode thus that God openly and in the sight of mē had poured forth great blessings vpon them If you refer it to these words That trust in thée then it may haue this sence that the godly make more account of God then of the greatest and mightiest in the world for so had we these words vsed before Psal 4.2 Lastly referring it to these wordes That trust in thée it maye haue this sence that Gods children are not afrayde or ashamed to put their trust in God and to serue him The first and the last I best like of Ver. 20. Priuily vz. in respect of men and yet openly to God for he sayth afterwards in thy presence But by hiding them priuily he meaneth nothing but sure kéeping and defence and by presence he vnderstandeth Gods fauour and loue from the pryde i. from the effects that mens pride bring forth though it be neuer so great as braulings contentions bloodshead c. in thy tabernacle sée Psal 27.5 from the strife of tongues i. from brauling and quarrellers wordes which prouoke strife as Prouerb 15.1 Ver. 21. In a strong citie amend thus placing me as it were in a defenced citie wherby he meaneth that God had set him safe and sound from his enimies as they that are in a most strong and safe citie that can not bee surprised Ver. 22. in my hast i. when I was moued to hastines thorowe the trouble of my spirite I am cast out of thy sight i. thou madest no more accoūt of me then of one that was in thy dissauour Ver. 23. The faythfull vz. those that trust vnto him and hold fast their fayth giuen them Ver. 1. Those that trust in God shal neuer be confounded Ver. 2. Do. God is only the defence of his seruants Ver. 3. Gods own goodnesse is the only cause wherfore he doth vs good Ver. 4. The wicked priuily imagine mischiefe against the godly Ver. 5. Féeling of gods goodnesse in time heretofore should perswade vs that we shal féele it hereafter Ver. 6. We must trust in nothing but in the Lord only ver 7. It is no small comfort to Gods children that God hath an eye ouer them and their
afflictions ver 8. God alone preserueth his children from the rage of their enimies and if they come into thraldome setteth them at liberty when it pleaseth him ver 9. the afflictions of Gods children in this life are very long in respecte of time and gréeuous in respecte of greatnes ver 11.12 It is no newe thing that those whiche should most loue men do many times eyther for feare or flattery of others make lesse account of them ver 13. Greate men are many times enemies to Gods children also Gods children haue their passions of feare when they are in dangers ver 14. It is a singular thing to haue fayth in the hart and true confession of God his goodnes in mouth ver 15. God hath numbred our dayes and neyther can we passe them nor our enemies abridge thē ver 16. Gods fauour and mercy the only cause of deliuerance from dangers in this life and of eternal saluation also ver 17. that wee maye sometimes pray against the vngodly and ver 18. likewise ver 19. Setteth oute Gods vnspeakeable goodnes towards those that are his ver 20. It is God alone that kéepeth his children safe from the outragious déedes and wordes of the vngodly ver 21. Thankes must be giuen to God for benefits receaued ver 22 Many of Gods children in hast both thinke and speake that they should not as Psal 30.6 Ver. 23. We must prouoke others as wel as our selues to praise the Lord there is also contained the vnlikely reward of the faythful the wicked ver 24. There is none that trusteth so much in God but he hath néede of continual incouragement thereto Psalme 32. THis Psalme hath thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet reckoneth vp their blessednesse that are fully assured of the ful forgiuenesse of al their sinnes and this is in the two first verses In the second he sheweth what gréefe both of body and soule he was in til such time as by sincere confession of his sinnes he felt that great benefit declaring also what profit came to him and others thereby ver 3.4.5.6.7 In the third be exorteth all to liue godly shewing that they that liue otherwise haue iust occasiō of sorrow the godly of spiritual reioising ver 8.9.10.11 The title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction vz. Se. to al sorts of men but chiefly the faithful ver 1. forgiuē i. so takē away that they are not any more thought vpon Ier. 31.33.34 is couered so that not so much as prints or steps much lesse the filthinesse of sinne appeare ver 2. imputeth not i. calleth not his sinne or iniquitie into an account but burieth the same in perpetual forgetfulnes and in whose spirit i. soule and inward man there is no guile i. subteltie he meaneth by this spéech such men as did of a sincere mind turn vnto God truly loue him which hipocrits do not though they make a shew thereof ver 3. whē I held my tongue from humble sincere confession of my sinnes my bones i. my strength which indéed consisteth in the bones for the bones vphold the body it selfe and strengthen al the parts therof I consumed i. wasted and weare away or when I roared amend it thus in my roaring i. when I was caryed away with the féeling of some present aduersitie though not with true touch of my sinne I cried roared like a wild beast rather then poured forth gronings and complaynts beseeming a man ver 4. For thine hand i. thy iudgement mighty power is heauy vpon me i. in a manner presseth me downe day and night i. continually and without any ceasing almost and my moysture i. the naturall moysture of my body whereby life is mayntained is turned into the drought of Summer i. as in the time of summer when the sunne is most hot the moysture of the earth is dryed vp so fareth it with me meaning that Gods iudgements and his own gréefs had wrought that effect in him ver 5. I acknowledged i. confessed hid I as Adam Iob 31.33 as my natural corruptiō would teach me for I thought vz. thus with my self against my self q.d. Yea though it be against my selfe the punishment he meaneth both the punishment and the sinne it selfe for he respecteth the first verse of this Psalme where hée affirmeth not only sinnes to be forgiuen but that it was wel with such mē and they were blessed in deede ver 6. When thou mayst be found which is specially the time of néed as Psal 50.15 and marke that he sayth in the beginning of this verse therfore q.d. Because thou hast shewed thy selfe so mercifull to others namely to me the godly shall repair vnto thée by praier great waters i. manifold dangers as psal 18.16 psal 69.1 him i. the faithfull godly man by one vnderstanding all the rest Ver. 7 Thou art this is the spéeche that the godly shall vse when they praye vnto the Lorde my secrete place vz. into whiche I will withdrawe my selfe to be sure and safe from mine enemies sée Psal 18.45 with ioyfull deliueraunce i. thou doest bestowe deliueraunces vpon me which are ioyfull vnto me and minister matter of greate mirth vnto others also Verse 8. in the way sée psalme 25.8 He meaneth an vpright way and godly life I will guide thée with mine eye i. I will not onelye teache thée but also ouerlooke or ouersée thée that thou mayst profite in goodnesse Verse 9. He noteth that rebellious persons agaynst God bee as bruite beasts sée Isaiah 1.3 and deuoyd of all heauenly vnderstanding be yee not c. i. Be ye not dul brutish as beasts he nameth some whom they had the greatest vse and experience of doest binde i. rule and gouerne come nere thee vz. with their mouth to hurt harme thée the Prophet meaneth that hee woulde haue them diligentlye to applye themselues to the consideration of Gods gouernmente and to profite thereby least otherwise going forwarde in their rebellion against God they inforce him to vse the bridle of his might to tame their fearcenes ver 10. Many sorrowes i. plagues and punishmentes sent from God which are called sorrowes because they make those vppon whome they light sorrowfull mercie vz. from God shall compasse him vz. on euery side noting thereby the abundance thereof ver 11. In the Lorde vz. because hee is your strength and helper vpright in heart vz. towardes God and man Ver. 1.2 Teach that true felicitie in this life Do. consisteth specially in these two partes vz. forgiuenes of sinnes and sanctification towardes God man ver 3. Sheweth that cloaking or close kéeping of sinne bringeth foorth better fruites ver 5. Teacheth humble and vnfeigned confession thereof forgiuenes alwaies following it ver 6. Teacheth the faithfull alwaies to haue recourse to God by praier also that God sundry times deliuereth his children from manifold dangers ver 7. God is al in al vnto his seruants ver 8. Euery faithfull man should haue
care and conscience diligently to instruct others ver 9. Beware of stubbornes in sinne for besides that it maketh men brutish it draweth Gods iudgement vpon them ver 10. The vnlikely rewarde of the wicked and the vngodly from the Lord. ver 11. Exhortation yea euen to those that haue made good procéedings in godlines is very necessary Psalme 33 THis Psalme hath two special parts Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth good people to be thankful shewing sundry causes that shoulde moue them thereto as his power prouidence faithful performaunce of his promises and such like from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the seconde hee sheweth that all thinges in respect of God bee as nothing shewing what a fatherly care that great God hath continually ouer his children and praying also the continuance and increase thereof from ver 12. to the end of the Psal This Psalme hath no title such a one is Psalm 10. Ver. 1. Se. In the Lorde sée Psal 32.11 it becommeth this is a reason to induce praises to God set from their duty vpright men sée Psal 32.11 to be thankeful vz. to God for all his benefits ver 2. instruments of tenne strings the proper name of this instrument is not expressed but it should séeme to be very melodious by reason of the number of strings ver 3. A new song i. not a common song but a very rare and exquisite one chearefully for such countenances the Lord loueth in his seruice ver 4. Al his workes i. whatsoeuer he doth are faithful i. true firme in respect of him from whom they come and profitable vnto vs. ver 5 He loueth i. he so fauoureth that he performeth righteousnes and iudgment I make this difference in this place betwéene these two termes that righteousnes should be referred to the good people vnderstanding thereby faythfull performance of all his promises made to them and iudgement to the vngodly meaning the punishments that he will powre forth vppon them and yet which I thinke also wil not be a misse for this place in consideration that iudgement consisteth of two partes vz. of acquiting and clearing the intent and of condemning the guilty it may be referred to the faithful also is full i. hath wonderfull plenty of the testimonies and tokens of Gods mercy ver 6. Worde of the Lord i. his commandement or effectuall speach as Psal 148.5 Heauens i. not onely heauens but the earth and al creatures whatsoeuer some creatures or a part of the workemanship for the whole and al the host of them if you referre it to the heauens alone he meaneth Sunne Moone Starres c. but if you referre it to the whole worke of creation hee meaneth then all the seuerall creatures the breath of his mouth i. by his word only sée Iob. 15.30 ver 7. He gathereth i. he hath sundred them appointed them their place as appeareth Gene. 1.9 and euer since hath as it were kept them in that compasse and so wil do of all which hee speaketh in the present tense the depth i. the waters that séeme to haue no bottome in his treasures i. hee hath shut vp the depths to be kept in a certaine place euen as it were his treasures or amongst other his treasures ver 8. Al the earth i. al the people of the earth by Metonymia ver 9. He spake c. q.d. he did with a becke as a man would say create al things sée ver 6. of this Psalm It was done i. al the worke of his creation and it stood vz. firme sure and vnmoueable ver 11. the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer he hath purposed and decreed stand vz. sure and stedfast yea neuer to be ouerthrowne the thoughts of his heart the prophet speaketh herof God according to men and as they are able to conceiue of him ver 12. Blessed is that nation q.d. seeing it is so that man can do nothing and God is all in all O blessed are that people that hath the Lord for their God that is for their iudge and gouernor ver 13. All the children of men i. all men whatsoeuer and not only their persons but their deeds and workes as ver 15. ver 14. from the habitation of his dwelling i. from heauen as 1. king 8.30.43 ver 15. He fashioneth i. he not only made but now directeth and disposeth their harts and the thoughts of the same ver 16. Is not saued i. deliuered from danger or getteth the victory by the multitude of an host i. by an host consisting of very many people deliuered vz. from the danger and power of his enemies by great strength vz. of himselfe or others for him teaching that all is done and gouerned by the Lord. ver 17. A horse is a vaine helpe q.d. a horse can not helpe And we may vnderstand by horse al aide succour that man can haue deliuer any vz. that rideth vpon him by his great strength i. by any thing that is in him courage swiftnes c. sée Iob. 39.22.23 c. ver 18. The eye of the Lord i. his fauourable countenance and goodnes is yea and shal be continually ver 19. Their soules i. their liues from death i. from all manner of daunger and destruction that might bring death with it and to preserue i. féede and norish them aliue as he did Elijah by rauens in famine i. in the tyme when other people shall be oppressed with great want ver 20. Our soule i. our whole life and being our inward and our outward man wayteth for the Lord i. patiently taryeth the Lord and his leasure q.d. séeing God doth thus and thus for his children as he had declared before ver 18.19 This is it that we do and will do al the daies of our life trust in him with patience Our helpe i. he that helpeth vs and our shield sée Psal 3.30 Psal 11.2 Ver. 28. Our heart a principal part for God specially regardeth the heart put for the whole man q.d. we will reioyce c. in his holy name i. in his vertue power and grace as Psal 29.1 And God is called holye because there is nothing in him but holines nay hée can not away with wickednes Psal 5.4.5 Ver. 22. As wee trust in thee vz. that thou wilt shewe vs mercy not meaning that they woulde haue no more mercy shewed them then they had trust Ver. 1. The consideration of the duety we owe to God Do. should stirre vs vp to thankfulnes ver 3. God loueth chearfulnes in all the exercises that are to bee performed towardes him ver 4. Whatsoeuer God doeth is righteous good and therefore they are to blame that will dislike of his doings ver 5. God giueth plentiful testimonies of his mercy to the ende hee might thereby prouoke men to continual thankfulnes ver 6. Confirmeth this article of our faith God is the maker of heauen and earth ver 7. Gods prouidence guideth al his creatures and namely and particularly the Seas and great
liue peaceably with al men as Rom. 12.18 And followe after it vz. if thou sée it going away q.d. vse all the meanes thou canst to entertaine and vphold it yea pursue it and that with egernes rather then lose it or depart from it ver 15. Hee speaketh of God according to man vnderstanding by eies fauor and goodnes and by eares the ready inclination in God to heare the prayers of his vppon the righteous vz. for their good that so he may graciously prouide for them their cry i. their earnest prayer ver 17. sée ver 6. of this Psal Ver. 18. the Lord is neere vz. by his maiesty power and helpe either in respect of himself or else by his creatures which he hath at commandement by contrite heart and afflicted in spirite the Prophet meaneth all one thing vz. them that be ouerwhelmed with euil and as it were in extremity so that they are in a manner killed as it were with the greatnes of their calamity and are at the point of yéelding vp their life in whō notwithstanding these afflictions worke that they are not of a lofty minde either against God or man but humble rather and lowly sée Psal 51. ver 17. Saue such i. deliuer them out of their dangers and in fine bring them to eternal blessednes ver 20. Hée kéepeth all his bones i. God defendeth his in part and in whole for by bones which are a part of man he meaneth the whole man not one of them is broken vz. without Gods will as Mat. 10.29.30 Meaning by broken hurt or perished howe litle soeuer it bee ver 21. But malice or mischiefe rather that they haue done against God and his children or as Immanuel readeth affliction vz. sent from the Lord which I very wel like of for as he had shewed in the other verse Gods care ouer his so here hee sheweth his iudgements against the wicked and so it is an amplification by the cōtrary ver 22. Redéemeth i. from death and al dangers the soules i. the liues Do. Ver. 1. Because Gods goodnes is continuall our thankes should be continuall ver 2. Gods goodnes towards vs and our thankfulnes to God should bée meanes to draw on others to a spiritual ioy ver 3. It is good to exhort one an other to holy duties and to ioy all together in the exercises of Gods seruice ver 4. God graciously heareth his childrens prayers and mercifully deliuereth them out of their daungers ver 5.6 Gods mercy to some one of his children should be not only a spurre to prouoke the rest to came to the Lord but an argument of assured hope that they shall obteine and receiue deliueraunce at Gods hands ver 7. The vnspeakeable goodnes of God appeareth in that that not onely hee himselfe watcheth ouer vs which is all in all but for the strengthning of our faith giueth vs a gard of Angels ver 8. Trust in God is the meane to true blessednes ver 9. All good thinges belong to those that sincerely serue the Lord. ver 10. Gods children are many degrées in better case then the wicked and vngodly ver 11. Wee are to teach others according to the measure of giftes that wee haue receiued ver 13. The tongue lippes and wordes must bee rightly gouerned and all subtilty must bee auoyded ver 14. All euill must bee shunned and all good performed and namely a peaceable and quiet conuersation must bee pursued ver 15.18 Expresse Gods careful prouidence and watching ouer his children ver 16.21 Set out his iudgements against the vngodly ver 17 God graciously heareth the praiers of his seruantes ver 19. Though this be the portion of Gods children to suffer many afflictions yet they néed not to be discouraged for God standeth by them to deliuer them out of all ver 20. Expresseth Gods prouidence ouer his ver 22. The way to auoyd al dangers is stedfast trust in the Lord. Psalme 35 Di. THis Psalme specially propoundeth two things first the prayer that the Prophet made against his enemies declaring what good shall come thereby both to himselfe and others ver 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.17.18.19.22.23.24.25.26.27.28 Secondly a discription of the malicious and harde hearted nature of the wicked men who neither for the misery that the Prophet was in nor for the kindnes hee had shewed them would pity his case but proceeded notwithstanding to al maner of outrage against him ver 11.12.13.14.15.16.20.21 Se. The title is expounded before ver 1. He prayeth the Lord to defend him and his cause against those that pursued him euen to death as it were ver 2. Lay hand vppon thy shielde hee speaketh to God as though hee were a mighty warrier or captaine for mine helpe i. to defend and helpe me ver 3. Stop the way i. let myne enemies that they rush not in vppon me to doe mee outrage Say vnto my soule i. make me to féele inwardly by the mighty working of thy grace saluation sée Psal 3.8 Ver. 4. After my soule i. life vz. to take it away let them be turned backe as men that are discomfited in the battaile and haue an ouerthrowe Hee continueth in his metaphor taken from warre and vsed before ver 2.3 Ver. 5. As chaffe sée Psalm 1.4 Hee meaneth that hee woulde haue them flée and bée like to chaffe which can remaine in no place safe and steadie by reason of the wynde The Angel sée Psal 34.7 For as God vseth his Angels in the defence of his seruauntes so hee doeth exercise his iudgements against the wicked by their ministery scatter them i. their persons and their mischieuous practises ver 6. Let their way vz. wherein they shoulde walke and by which they would thinke to escape bee darke so that they may not sée which way safly to flée and slippery that they may not quickely and with speede flie away thinking to escape the Angel of the Lorde sée ver 5. of this Psalme persecute them i. pursue them with grieuous punishments from thée for persecute is not here taken in the il part as vsing a tyrannie against them ver 7. Without cause vz. on my behalfe the pit vz. which they dig to make me fal into And their nets vz. which they laid to snare and catch me withal sée Psal 7.15 Psal 10.9 for me i. to catch mee in for my soule i. life vz. that they might take it away ver 8. Vppon him either it is the singular number for the plural this being a sodain change of the number or else by one that was chiefe amongst them hee vnderstandeth all the rest into the same destruction sée Psal 7.15.16 Ver. 9. My soule i. my heart and mynde and all that is within mee Psal 103.1 In his saluation i. in the deliuerance that hee worketh for me and mine sée Psal 3.8 Ver. 10. All my bones a part of the body for the whole as Psal 34.20 He had sayd before that in the inward man now hee sayth that in the outward man also hee will be ioyful in
the Lord and the great deliueraunces that hee hath wrought for him Psalm 18.50 Ver. 11. Cruell witnesses i. such as exercised al crueltie did rise vp vz. against mee they asked of mee vz. by the way of demaund and questioning hee meaneth that they did as it were examine and worlde haue had him to haue confessed such thinges as he neuer knewe much lesse did ver 12. For good vz. which I did to them to haue spoyled my soule q.d. so farre their euill towardes me extended that they went about to take away my life ver 13. Yet I vz. behaued my selfe otherwise when they were sicke i. in some grieuous calamitie one kind vz. of sicknes put for many clothed with sacke vz. in token of heauines and mourning for them sée Psalm 30.11 Gen. 37.34 I humbled my soule i. I afflicted my life by abstinence from meates c. Now fasting is called humbling not because that euery one that fasted was humbled but because it was an outward testimony of that that either was or shoulde haue beene within and my prayer was turned c. amen◠it thus and my prayer returned into my bosome q.d. I did wish so well to them that I would gladly haue my prayer to come to my selfe so that if I wished them any euill I did as it were pray that the same might fal vppon mine owne head ver 14. As to my friend or as to my brother i. I did al dueties of curtesie to them in their aduersity so that my dearest friend or brother coulde not well haue looked for any more I humbled my selfe i. afflicted my felf with mourning yea mourning as one that bewayleth his mother i. my mourning was so earnest and vehement as his is that is wont to bewaile the death of his mother which we know by natural experience to be very much ver 15. The abiects i. the ofscouring of the common people sée Iob. 30.1.2.9 I knew not i. I did not so much as thinke of it til it was performed and ceased not i. without ceasing ver 16. With the false scoffers vnderstand the worde that goeth before vz. they gathered themselues together or assembled themselues with the false scoffers c. gnashing their téeth against mee i. raging against mee through most vehement anger shewing that their anger by gnashing their téeth for he putteth the signe of great heat and anger for anger it selfe ver 17. Behold this vz. and lettest thou this their wickednes alone vnpunished my soule i. mee my selfe or my whole man from their tumult vz. which they raise vp against me vnderstanding by tumult such things as fal out commonly in tumults as bloodshead murther c. my desolate soule sée Psa 22.20 From the Lions i. from cruell and rauenous men Psal 34.10 Psal 22.21 Ver. 18. Great congregation sée Psal 22.25 Ver. 19. Vniustly vz. in respect of any thing that I haue done against them winke with the eye as men sometimes do when they reioyce in some thing Hee meaneth that hee woulde not haue them made glad by any euil that should come vnto him without a cause sée ver 7. of this Psal ver 20. Imagine vz. first in their hearts afterwards expresse them with their mouthes deceitful words i. words to cloake and color their deceite quiet of the land Dauid speaketh this of himselfe and those that tooke his part who were charged to be rebels disturbers of the peace but he sheweth that they were otherwise and by quiet he vnderstandeth quiet people that would haue bin glad to haue liued peaceably quietly ver 21. They gaped on mee with their mouthes i. they did not onely speake against mee with an open mouth that all men might heare them but also made mockes at me with their gapings and mowings sée Iob. 16.10 Psal 22.7 Isaiah 57.4 Aha Aha these are wordes of reioycing for the hauing of that they desired One eye eye put for eyes vnlesse we would say that al the wicked are so ioyned together that they séeme to haue but one eye heart head c. hath séene vz. his ruine and destruction and the euils which wee hoped and wished shoulde come vpon him such supplies you shall sée made though in an other sense psal 54.7 Psal 59.10 Psal 118.7 And in sundry others ver 22. Séene it vz. their iniury and outragious malice against mee keepe not silence q.d. séeing thou art a iudge sit not still but prepare thy selfe to exercise iudgement against them This and that that followeth ver 23.24 Are spoken of God according to man ver 24. Reioyce ouer me vz. by reason of some calamities and afflictions that thou shalt lay vppon mee sée Psal 30.1 Ver. 25. O our soule reioyce vz. because we haue that wee desired Ver. 27. Loue my righteousnesse i. fauour and beare good will to my righteous cause sée Psalm 4.1 Which loueth i. liketh of and furthereth by wonderfull meanes the prosperitie i. the prosperous estate in all respectes Ver. 28. Shall vtter i. speake of thy righteousnes vz. which thou shewest to thine in defending them and to the vngodly in plaguing them for their wickednes euery day i. continually and without ceasing as it were Ver. 1. When men deale vniustly it is good to go to the Lord for our defence Do. who is the God of all righteousnes ver 2.3 If God be on our side wee neede not care who be against vs. ver 4.5.6 Teacheth that we may pray against the enemies of Gods church as also ver 19. Ver. 7. Sheweth that such is the corruption of the godlies nature that though they haue no cause to work mischief yet they must do it Ver. 9. We may reioyce in the ouerthrow of Gods enemies and in the deliuerance of his people Ver. 10. Gods power onely worketh deliuerance and that then when things séeme to bee most desperate Ver. 11. Cruell and false witnesses are neuer wanting to accuse Gods saintes Ver. 12. It is the nature of the wicked to requite good with euill Ver. 13.14 Gods children spare not to do good to al yea to the vngodly ver 15.16 Shew that it is no new thing that the wicked of all sortes consent and agree together against the good Ver. 17. God sometimes deferreth the punishment of the vngodly that he may in the end pay them to the full Ver. 18. Gods benefites require at our hands thankfulnes Ver. 20. The hypocrisie of the vngodly is set out Ver. 22. God séeth all things euery where Ver. 23.24 Deliuereth the same doctrin that ver 1. of this Psal doth Ver. 25. The enemies of God will reioyce in the destruction of the good when they haue performed it Ver. 26. Is the same almost word for word with ver 4. Ver. 27. The godly should reioyce in one anothers prosperity and praise the Lord for it Ver. 28. And that not in heart but in mouth also and that not once only but continually as it were Psalme 36 THis Psalme may bee deuided into
vz appoynted or made readie for the slaughter Verse 23. Vp why sléepest thou in these verses following they praye God to haue pitie vpon them and to giue them succoure when God for a time giueth vs ouer to the lust of the wicked hee séemeth to sléepe as it were not that hée doth so as appeareth Psalme 121.4 but it is spoken of God after the maner of men Ver. 24. Thy face as those are wont to do that loath to behold any in great calamitie and affliction and by face he meaneth fauour and goodnesse forgettest i. makest as though thou hadst no care or regarde of our miserie and affliction and of vs that are oppressed therewith Ver. 25. For our soule i. the whole man but chéefely the life is beaten downe vnto the dust i. is in wonderfull daunger and almost past hope of recouery as they are that are returning into dust out of which they were taken our bellye cleaueth vnto the ground vz. like those that are ouerthrowne by their enimies in fight and are so cast down flat euen vppon their faces that there is no hope as it were of their rising againe because they séeme to be as a man would say glued to the earth Ver. 26. For our succour i. to helpe and succour vs and redéeme vs vz. from the bondage and captiuity wherein we are Ver. 1. It is good for Ancestors to declare to their posterity and for the posterity to marke Gods works diligently declared vnto them shewing out either his power or his mercy Ver. 2. Declareth that God is al in all either in the ouerthrow of his enemies or in the vpholding of his children Ver. 3. It is not any worldly force or meanes though they may be vsed but yet without trust in them but God alone that performeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Wée must pray for the Church Ver. 5. Gods power is the Buckler that the faythful haue to trust to for their owne defence for the discomfiture of their enimies Ver. 6. Trust must not be reposed in any outward thing Verse 7. God alone is the worker of our deliueraunces Ver. 8. And he onely must bee praysed therefore and that continually Ver. 9. God many times leaueth his children for a while to the end that he may come to them agayne in greater mercye also if God guide not the armie all is nothing Ver. 10. Fainthartednesse on the one side and courage and stomacke on the other side is from God Ver. 11.12.13.14 tende all to one end vz. to set out the poore and miserable estate wherein Gods people are many times Ver. 15.16 Teacheth vs that it is no small gréefe to Gods children to heare the wordes and to sée and féele the déedes of the vngodly Ver. 17. teacheth that though there be sinne in Gods children why they should be punished yet God doeth not alwayes punishe them for their sinne Ver. 18. and 19. Teache vs that no affliction should make vs shrinke or fall away from God but rather that our afflictions should draw vs more nigh vnto him Ver. 20.21 Teach that we should not haue recourse for succour to any but to God alone If we doe that God beholdeth that and all other our wickednes in good time to punish it Ver. 22. It is good to suffer for wel doing Ver 23.24 Teach vs not only to pray to God in our miseries but to be earnest with him not to leaue off til we haue obtained Ver. 25. Sheweth that the more our miseries are the more néede we haue to repaire to God yea euen then when they séeme to be past hope of recouery Ver. 26. In our prayers we must only looke vpon Gods mercy and nothing at all in our selues Psalme 45. Di. THis Psalme maye be deuided into two especiall partes In the first is set out the beautye strength glorye power Iustice magnificence and mariage of Salomon from Verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde is contained an admonition to Salomons wife with great promises to bée performed if she kéepe the matters propounded to her from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is to him that excelleth this is expounded before on Shoshannim whiche was an Instrument amongest the Iewes and had sixe stringes vpon it for the worde is deriued from another Hebrue worde which signifyeth sixe as Kimcho sheweth a Song of loue this is well expounded in the Geneua Bible all that followeth in the Title is expounded before Psal 32. and Psal 42 This one thing I woulde haue noted though Dauids name bee not here expressed yet it is very likely that hee was the Author thereof In déede it is not put downe before many Psalmes and namely Psal 2. and Psal 66. and yet the holy ghost Acts. 4.25 ascribeth it to Dauid Ver. 1. Wil vtter forth vz. by the instrument of my tongue and penne A good matter i. an excellent and profitable thing excellent in respect of the party whom it treateth of and profitable in regard of the people whom he shall rule ouer in my works i. in these verses following which he calleth woorkes in the plurall number not for the greatnes but for the exquisitnes of them My tongue is as the pen of a swift writer he meaneth that his tongue shal be most swift q.d. I wil most readily vtter these things that I haue in my mind and my tongue shall no lesse readily expresse the prayses of the king then hee that is most skilfull in writing writeth with a pen. Ver. 2. Thou art fairer here he beginneth to praise Salomon and in these wordes hee praiseth him for his beautie and comlinesse which he sayth was more excellent in him then in any other person whatsoeuer for so much he meaneth by children of men grace i. words that obteine grace and fauour from men is powred in thy lippes i. is plentifull and as it were ouerflowing in thy mouth and in these wordes he commendeth his eloquence blessed thée vz. with abundance of excellent giftes for euer this must be vnderstood of Salomon but it must haue his true verification in Christ and that that I put down here must be vnderstood throughout the whole Psalm Ver. 3 gird thy sword i. take vnto thée thy authority hee putteth the signe of authority as the Apostle also doth Rom. 13. for authority it selfe for kings obteine great praise if they rightly vse the sword and when hee sayth vpon thy thigh hée alludeth to the fashion that was common among the Iewes then and is at this day vsed among the Turkes who hang their swoordes so that it lyeth vpon the thigh and hangeth not on the side as ours doe which thing also we our selues performe though not in swordes yet in skeanes hangers wood-kniues c. To wit thy worship and thy glory here hee more plainely sheweth what hee ment by swoord vz. his great and excellent authority which hee should make more famous by vsing it well Ver. 4. Amende
hée will perfourme it Ver. â— So precious i. so deare yea so harde a matter as in deede it can not bee perfourmed of men to Godwarde of their soule i. of their liues hee meaneth that they shoulde liue longer vppon the earth and the continuaunce thereof for euer amend thus yea it ceaseth i. purchase of a longer life ceaseth for euer so that it is a deare thing nay I affirme it to bée an impossible thing which shall neuer bee perfourmed and all this 8. verse must bée read by a Parenthisis Verse 9. That hee may liue still vz. amongst men vppon the earth for euer i. a very long time and so haue his dayes prolonged and not sée not come vnto or try or féele sée Psalm 16.10 The graue i. death hee putteth that which insueth death vz. buriall in the graue for death it selfe wée may well turne the worde corruption the graue being so called in the Hebrewe tongue because it corrupteth that which is put into it Ver. 10. For this word for read although and so ioyne this 10. and 11. verse together hee séeth i. euery man may and doeth sée for the Prophet vseth the word hée for the whole state of men though it séeme to note but some particular person that wise men dye c. i. that all without difference and respect of persons yéelde to death yea though their state and condition haue béene neuer so farre differing from others and leaue their riches vz. behind them on the earth for others vz. to possesse Ver. 11. Yet they thinke q.d. all this notwithstanding they are of this perswasioÌ„ their houses and their habitations betwéene these two words I make this difference that vnder houses the Prophet mindeth to comprehend that couerture that kéepeth theÌ„ from heate cold storme raine c. Whether they be castles towres mansioÌ„ houses or such like vnder habitations not only these houses themselues but the demeanes reuenues or liuing belonging thereto which afterward in this verse hee calleth lands saying that they cal them by their own names to the ende that both they may make famous and continue their name Ver. 12. Shall not continue vz. long howsoeuer he think to make his name sure he is like beasts sée Ecclesi 3.19 that die by this speach he meaneth not only that they die as beasts but also be vnprofitable and serue to no vse but to be cast forth as beastes that dye not being killed no man regardeth to any purpose but it goeth to carrion Ver. 13. This their way i. this their maner of dealing and behauiour vttereth their foolishnes i. bewrayeth that they haue no heauenly wisdome at al how wise soeuer they be taken among men yet their posterity q.d. notwithstanding their folly appeare they that succéed them as heires for generally I take the word posterity delite in their talke or rather approue and allowe it vnderstanding also by talke not onely the wordes that procéeded from them but the actes also they did for many times mens déeds doe speake The Prophet meaneth that these men doe both allowe of and with delight followe the words and déedes of their predecessors touching hauing abundance of riches building houses c. Ver. 14. Like shéepe they lie in graue the Prophet meaneth by this speach not only that they die but that they die in great numbers and troupes as it were euen like flockes of shéepe in the fields so are these men laide in graues vsing one graue for many as one number for an other death deuoureth them q.d. howe braue and glorious so euer they bee yet death shall take hold of theÌ„ as of a pray ready to be consumed and they shal not escape the righteous i. good and godly people who are so accounted not that they are so of theÌ„selues shal haue domination ouer theÌ„ I take the mind of the Prophet to be thus the wicked the vngodly during the time of their life did exercise a tyrannie ouer the good but when it commeth to passe that the vngodly are once dead then they shal not onely bee deliuered from their crueltie but then it appeareth that they haue as a man woulde say gotten the victory against them and be as it were Lordes ouer them and whereas hee addeth in the morning I take his meaning to be thus q.d. very sodainely the godly shal preuaile when neither he himselfe nor the wicked thinketh of it so that he that ouernight as a man would say was Lorde ouer the righteous shall in the morning become as it were his vassal and he that was a seruaunt ouernight shall in the morning bee a Lorde or ruler their beauty i. their glory brauery force and whatsoeuer was excellent in them shall come to nothing from their house sée Ver. 11. of this Psalme to graue i. the house appointed for all the liuing Iob. 30.23 Ver. 15. But God in the other verse hee shewed what was the end of the wicked nowe he sheweth what their end shal be that trust in god confessing in deed that hee was subiect to bodyly death as others were but for all that that God would preserue him in a better life my soule i. my whole man from the power of the graue the body entring into it til the generall resurrection at what time it shal be yéelded vp againe and the soule comming into it and in this place the Prophet taketh vpon him the person of all the faithfull for hee will receiue me vz. to himselfe as Eccle. 12.7 And as appeareth also in the person of one of the theeues that was crucified with our Sauiour Luke 23.42.43 Ver. 16. Bee not thou afraid vz. either of thine owne poore estate or of the other mans florishing as though that thereby hee should ouercome thée or that thou therby shouldest be drawn from God or godlines the glory of his house i. the renowne of that rase and stocke from whence he came together with the beauty of his building great rents and reuenues c. are increased for so large I take the word to signifie Ver. 17. Hée shall take nothing away common experience sheweth the truth of this Iob hath well well declared it chap. 1.21 Neither shal his pompe i. glory riches wealth or whatsoeuer else as may appeare by two examples Luk. 12.16.17 c. also Luk. 16.19.20 c. Descend after him vz. in to the graue Ver. 18. He reioyced himselfe i. gaue himself to al maner of pleasures neglecting or forgetting God for so much doe the Hebrewes vnderstand by this phrase of blessing their own soules which is here turned reioycing them selues sée Deut. â—9 19 And men besides that the wicked deceiue themselues the world vpholdeth them in their folly praysing and approuing their wicked life as though it were good such kind of people the holy ghost reproueth Rom. 1.32 Praise thée a sodame chaunge of the person from the 3. to the 2. when thou makest much of thy selfe i. so feedest thy selfe in al
verse sixe of Psalme 23. Verse 9. I will alway prayse thée Dauid promiseth thankfulnes for that thou hast done this he sheweth a cause why he will be thankefull and marke the manner of spéeche he speaketh as the Prophets also do oftentimes of a thing that should be done as though it were alreadye done because of the certaintie of it I will hope in thy name i. I will trust in and patiently wayte for thy vertue power and grace as Psalme 20.1 so that here he promiseth patience because it is good i. is found to be gracious fauourable and redy to helpe afflicted ones before thy saynts i. euen in the verye sighte iudgement and experience of thine owne people For this word Saynts sée before Psal 50.5 also Psal 16.3 The vngodly reioyce and glory in their sinne and shame Do. also Gods kindnes continueth for euer towards those that feare him Ver. 2.3.4 sheweth how that the vngodly vse all the meanes they can of words déeds c. to worke mischiefe and hurt by Verse 5. setteth out Gods iudgements against the wicked and that the hope of the vngodly shall perish Verse 6. Gods iudgements vpon the wicked strike two contrary passions as it were into the hartes of his children vz. feare and ioyfulnes Ver. 7. sheweth how vaine a thing it is to trust in any thing saue in God alone and to take pleasure and delighte in vngraciousnesse Verse 8. describeth the flourishing estate of the faythful Ver. 9. Teacheth praysing of God and patience Psalme 53. THis Psalme is the same not only in matter but in wordes almoste with Psalme 14. and therefore that that hath bene sayde there must be looked vpon agayne where it varieth something shall bée put down In the title are these words on Mahalath which I take rather to be an instrument then a tune and such an instrument as was made to go with blowing or breath by the reason of the hollownesse of it all the rest of the title hath ben expounded before Psal 42. and else where Se. Verse 1. For the word Worke in Psalme 14. here is put downe Wickednesse seuerall wordes tending all to one end vz. to set out the naughtinesse of these wicked men Verse 3. For all are gone out of the waye Psalme 14. there is read Here euery one is gone backe vz. from the obedyence of God and his commaundementes whereof they séemed to make some profession Verse 5. differeth almost altogether from Psalme 14. the Prophet declaring what great iudgement the Lorde bringeth vppon the wicked though neuer so stoute and couragious noting that though they feared GOD no whit at al yea and they themselues were greatlye feared of men yet when they thoughte least of it and no cause of feare appeared the Lorde stirred vp the terrours and prickes of their owne consciences to trouble them scattered the bones vz. being firste broken as it were in péeces By this manner of spéeche the Prophet meaneth that the Lorde by his iudgementes entereth and pierseth euen into their inward parts and breaketh and weakeneth all their force and strength whatsoeuer and you so shal haue the word bones vsed for strength before Psalme 32.3 of him that besieged thée the Prophet speaketh of Gods people as of one person because of the vnitye that is or oughte to be amongst them and of their fellowlike suffering So also hee speaketh of the wicked as of one man by reason of the consent that is in them to doe mischiefe vnderstanding also by the worde besieging all the mischieuous attemptes deuices and procéedings of the vngodly thou hast put them to confusion this may be referred eyther to the Churche as that the Churche had gotten victorye agaynst the wicked because GOD woulde haue it so or else to Christ the heade of the Church or GOD the Father speaking to him and of him in the first place in the seconde person and in the latter place speaking of him in the thirde person I woulde rather referre it to the Churche All the rest sée before Psalme 14. Psalme 54. Di. THis Psalme though it be short hath yet notwithstanding 3. parts In the first the Prophet prayeth deliuerance from his enemies shewing the cause that moueth him so to doe from verse 1. to the end of the third In the second he declareth what mercy God wil shew to him and what iustice he will execute vpon his enemies and this is in the two next verses vz. 4.5 In the thirde he promiseth hartye thanksgiuing vnto the Lord and sheweth the cause thereof and this is conteyned verse 6.7 Se The title to him that excelleth on Neginoth sée this expoūded Psal 4. in the title A Psal of Dauid to giue instruction sée this expounded Psal 32. in the title when the Ziphims i. diuers of the people that dwelt in Ziph for the expounding of this and all that followeth in this Title Sée 1. Samuel 23. verse 14 15 16 17 18 19 c. also 1. Samuel 26. verse 1.2 c. Is not Dauid amongest vs This demaunding doth more certainly affirme q. d. certaynelye and withoute all doubte hée is in our countrye and therefore we come to tell it thée Verse 1. Saue me i. deliuer me and set me frée from these daungers wherin I am so haue we had this word vsed sundry times before and so haue you it afterwardes Psalme 69.1 by thy name or else for thy names sake i. for thy strength vertue power and graces sake as sundrye times before and namelye Psalme 20.1 and by thy power q.d. myne enymyes are stronge and I am weake therefore I come vnto thée that arte stronger than all Iudge me i. defende my righte pleade my cause and sette mee frée from the force and subtelties of mine enemies Verse 2. Heare my prayer i. shewe by effect that thou hast or wilte graunte my request for otherwise Dauid doubted not but that the Lorde hearde him praying vnto the wordes of my mouth i. vnto the prayer whiche I vtter with my mouth for prayer speciallye is a lifting vp of the harte vnto GOD though wordes sundrye times bee not vsed or hearde before men as Exodus 14.15 Also 1. Samuel 1. Verse 10.11.12.13 Verse 3. For strangers i. the Ziphims and others taking part with Saule who although they were Israelites according to the flesh and outward profession yet by their déedes declared themselues to be straungers from God his religion and all humanity for very humanity it selfe would haue taught thē to haue bin so farre off from deliuering the afflicted into Tyrauntes handes that they should rather haue pittyed him are risen vp agaynst vz. both with bodily violence and with their tongues to doe me euill and tyraunts i. men not onely of great might but also of great crueltye like vnto wilde beastes séeke my soule i. diligently searche after my life to destroy it Sée Matth. 2.20 Soule is put here for life as in other places before and also verse 4. of this Psalme they
haue not set God before them q.d. all this outrage against me springeth from this fountain to wit that they neglect God as he is manifested and reuealed vnto them in his word neyther take they counsell of him but preferre their owne iudgements and deuises in all their attempts whatsoeuer Verse 4. Beholde GOD is mine helper q.d. notwithstandinge all this see howe graciouslye GOD helpeth and succoureth mee is with them i. taketh their parte and is on their side as Romanes 8.31 For otherwise GOD by his presence is with all his creatures and no doubte he meaneth not only those that fledde away with him but euen Ionathan and suche others as euen in Saules Courte fauoured him and his cause that vpholde my soule i. that beare mée good affection haue care ouer my safegarde and take my parte and ayd and helpe me so farre forth as GOD inableth them Soule is here put for lyfe as before in the thyrde Verse not that men are able to vpholde eyther their owne lyues or other mens otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same Verse 5. He shall reward euill i. God by pouring forth his iudgements vpon them shal in a iust measure recompence them the mischiefe that they haue deuised and done agaynst me for euill here is put for euil of punishment as sundry times before oh cut them off vz. eyther from amongst men rooting them out of the lande of the liuing or else from power and means to performe their mischiefs by in thy truth i. according as thou truely hast promised so make me effectually to féele the performance therof we haue had the same phrase sundry times before Verse 6. Then will I sacrifice vz. the sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing fréely i. not onelye with free and chearefull courage but with greate liberalitie also So that he promiseth to shew himselfe after his deliueraunce euery manner of way thankfull to God I will prayse thy name i. goodnesse strength power c. as before verse 1. of this Psalme because it is good i. mercifull almighty c. for so much doth the word God comprehend in this place Verse 7. For he hath deliuered me this is the reason why he will giue hartye thankes to the Lord vz. because God hath set him frée from wonderfull daungers and troubles for so much I take it he meaneth by all troubles and not that he should not indure any moe afterwards And mine eye hath séene i. I haue not only in my vnderstanding perceaued but with these bodily eyes of mine for he putteth one for both I haue beheld poured forth vpon my enimies the iustice and iudgements of God which I prayd for or desired mighte fall vpon them which also we may doe to wit holily reioyce in the execution of Gods iustice vpon the wicked so that our eyes be pure from all naughty affections and our minds clensed from desire of reuenge Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs not only in our distresses to pray vnto God alone but for the strengthening of our fayth to haue recourse to his goodnesse and power Verse 2. Teacheth vs in prayer to vse both hart and voyce Ver. 3. Doth not only set out the cruelty of the vngodly agaynste the good but also noteth the fountayne of all wickednesse that is the neglect and contempt of God and his will reuealed in his word Verse 4. instructeth the faythfull to assure themselues of Gods present ayde who is mercifull not only to them but also to all those that take their partes and therefore wee sée it is not good to destitute Gods seruaunts vnlesse we will pluck God vpon our owne backes Verse 5. setteth out Gods iustice against the wicked of which sée Psal 18.26 it teacheth also to make Gods faithful promises the grounds of al our supplications and prayers Verse 6. Teacheth vs both to giue God thankes for his mercies and also the maner how we should yield it that is willingly chearefully fréely and plentifully Verse 7. sheweth that it is God alone that must set vs frée from all daungers whatsoeuer the doctrine of the latter part of this verse is put down in the sence Psalme 55. THis Psalme I take it may well bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet maketh his prayer vnto the Lorde shewing also what great causes he had to moue him thereto and this from verse 1. to the ende of the 8. In the seconde he prayeth agaynst his enimies describing their mischieuous malice hipocrisie and other vices from verse 9. to the ende of the 15. In the third he returneth agayne to his prayers both for himselfe and agaynst his enimies concluding with a comfortable exhortation to the faythfull with a terrible denouncing of Gods iudgements against the wicked and this reacheth from verse 16. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 4. and Psalme 32. Se. in the Titles thereof Some there be that thinke Dauid made this Psalme when hee was afflicted with the Rebellion of his sonne Abshalon Othersome vnderstand it of that great and wonderfull daunger wherein hée was in the Citie Keilah whether Saule came to besiege him whereof sée more at large 1. Samuell 23.1.2 c. And to this doe I rather enclyne Verse 1. Heare my prayer sée Psalme 54.2 hyde not thy selfe i. turne not thy selfe away he séemeth to speake after the manner of men who sometimes if they be not disposed to graunt a request will not speake with the parties that sue vnto them but séeme to hyde themselues from presence spéech from my supplication true it is that in scriptures prayers and supplications are many times vsed for one and the selfe same and it may be that they are so taken here but yet you shall sée them sundry times seuered as Ephe. 6.18 Philip 4.6 1. Tim. 2.1 where by supplicatiō the Apostle meaneth requests made to God for deliuerance from those things which trouble vs and by prayers requests which are made for benefits Ver. 2. Harken vnto me i. the praiers that I make before thée as Psal 54.2 and aunswere me i. graunt me my request for those whom we louingly aunswere we séeme in some sort to graunt vnto I mourne i. I am sorrowful and heauy harted and make a noyse he meaneth that by violence and vehemency of his affliction hee was as it were inforced sometimes to heauinesse of heart mournful bewailings sometimes again into most pitiful outcries Ver. 3. For the voice i. for the hard gréeuous threats which are vttered with the voice of the enemy i. Saule vnderstāding notwithstāding vnder him as the principal all those that cleaue to him in these outragious words déeds against him for the vexation of the wicked vz. which they do against me and not wch they thēselues suffer for here the vexatiō of the wicked is vsed actiuely vz. for the oppression wherewith they did afflict the innocent because they i. the enimies and wicked
12. Myne enemy i. mine open enemy or one that I had giuen any good cause vnto to bee mine enemy for otherwise no doubt hee or they whosoeuer they were that put this in practise against Dauid were his foes and here note that though hee seeme to speake but of one yet no doubt hee meaneth more or else vnder one most singular in that craft of dissimulation hee vnderstandeth others for hee meaneth here that by secret deuises which hee coulde not preuent hee was vnder the pretence of friendshippe almost cast away did not diffame mee sée verse 3. of this Psalme for I could haue borne it vz. better then I doe nowe because I looke for nothing from mine enemie but enemy like dealing Exalt himselfe against mee i. set himselfe against mee by worde or deede All this the Prophet speaketh by the way of comparison not denying but that his foes did defame him and oppose themselues against him but if that were compared with the hypocriticall dealings of his counterfeit friends it would appeare to bee nothing as a man would say and this wee call a denyall by the way of comparison I would haue hid me from him i. I woulde haue kept my selfe close and safe from him and his cruelties Verse 13. Hee sheweth who it was that wrought him this iniurie my companion i. my equall and of the selfesame state and condition that I my selfe was of by which wee see that this Psalme was made before hée came to the kingdome for when hee was exalted thither once none was equall vnto him my guyde vz. in matters of counsell and affaires that I had to doe and my familiar i. my deare and tender friend He meaneth no doubt some whom hee had in great regarde and estimation Ver. 14. Which delighted in consulting together q.d. with whom I tooke wonderfull pleasure to conferre of many matters and namely of the exercises of Gods religion which I suppose the Prophet meaneth by going into the house of God as companions consulting as it were together howe they might prepare themselues to his seruice behaue themselues therein Ver. 15. Let death sease vpon them vz. not onely sodainely and or euer they beware for so much the Hebrewe worde in a metaphor séemeth to import but let it take such holde of them that it may neuer leaue till it haue taken them away from amongest men Let them goe downe quicke into the graue as Korah Dathan and Abiram did Numb 16.31 Hee meaneth that hee woulde haue them dye of some sodaine death no disease or sickenesse going before it for wickednes i. all manner of vngodlinesse sée before Psalm 36.1 In their dwellinges i. in their congregations assemblies and fellowshippes putting the places where such wicked persons did méete for their méetings euen in the middest of them i. they norish it within them and haue it alwayes in their company Ver. 16. I will call vnto God i. earnestly pray vnto him will saue mee i. deliuer mee from these cruelties and daungers as Psalm 54.1 Verse 17. Euening and morning and at noone will I pray i. I will bee importunate and neuer cease till I haue obteined from hence and out of Daniel 6.10 wee may gather that in those dayes the faythfull set themselues certaine houres to pray in thereby the better to awake their sluggishnes And make a noyse i. I will bee feruent and earnest in it for many haue prayed long and yet haue wanted feruency and hee will heare my voyce i. graunt the petitions and prayers that I shall powre foorth before him wherein wee see howe hee assureth him selfe of Gods goodwill and mercy Verse 18. My soule i. my life as sundry times before in peace i. safely and soundly and with great quietnes from the battaile that was against mee i. from the great conflictes and daungers wherein I shoulde haue béene snared because they were layde and prepared against mee for many were with mee q.d. though to sée too wee were but fewe yet wee had Gods Angels with vs to dismay our enemies and to comfort vs as 2. Kinges 6.16 Ver. 19. God shall heare vz. mee and my prayers and afflict them i. whereas hee shewed mercy to mee hee shall afflict them and punish them euen hee that reigneth of olde i. hee which in nature counsell and iudgement is eternall and alwayes like to himselfe which thing the Prophet expresseth to giue the wicked to vnderstande that there is no starting holes to hyde them in from GOD because they haue no chaunges vz. from wealth honour and credit to pouerty disgrace and misery but alwayes they goe forwarde in abundance of these outwarde blessinges therefore they feare not GOD i. they neither reuerence him nor his iudgements but abusing his mercye runne riot to all wickednes and so in this verse hee putteth them out for their harde hartednes in vngodlynes Ver. 20. Hee layeth his hand first marke the sodaine chaunge of the number before he spake of them in the plurall nowe of them in the singular next note that by laying of handes vppon others hee meaneth exercising of violence towardes others yea and this outragious discurtesie is aggrauated by howe much it was practised towards them that were at peace with him i. not only such as liued quietly with him but also loued him and so by that meanes hee brake his couenaunt vz. which he had made with him all this Dauid speaketh principally of Saul and himselfe and of the couenant that passed betweene them Sée 1. Samuel 24. from verse 17. to the ende of the Chapter Verse 21. The woordes of his mouth were softer then butter i. hee made shewe in his woordes of nothing but gentlenesse and mildenesse yet warre was in his heart i. inwardly hee imagineth nothing but mischiefe and destruction for so is the woorde warre vsed here vz. put for thinges that commonly followe warres his woordes were more gentle then Oyle this I take to be but the same thing repeated in an other metaphor in summe the Prophet toucheth him here for his peruerse hipocrisie and wooluish mind as it were against him Verse 22. Cast thy burden vppon the Lorde q.d. if there bee any thing that troubleth thee or that thou thy selfe standest in neede for so much I thinke hée meaneth by the worde burden commit all the care thereof into Gods hands and power staying thy self altogether vpon his prouidence and he shall nourish thée i. vndoubtedly thou shalt not want for God wil play the part of a good Father whereunto in deede the Prophet in this place resembleth him giuing vnto euery one of his in measure and as hee shall sée to bee necessary for them for so much doeth the worde import hee will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer vz. into the wicked mans power that he should vse him as hée himselfe lusteth Verse 23. Shalt bring them downe vz. from the wealth credit and authority that nowe they are in and this hee speaketh of the vngodly and
procéedeth from imagination in the mynd to execution in act and déede Ver. 3. Plainely prooueth original sinne and noteth the procéedings that the wicked make in vngodlines so that from their birth vnto their death there is nothing but sinne corruption Ver. 4.5 Teacheth vs first that the wicked are giuen to all manner of lying slaundering and backbiting secondly that they are so setled in their sinne that they are almost past hope of recouery Verse 6.7.8.9 Teacheth that wee may pray against the obstinate enemies of Gods Church and trueth that the Lord God woulde if hée sée it so good shortly confounde and spéedely ouerthrowe them which condition would bee vnderstood in al such prayers of Dauid though hee were excellently indued with the spirit of prophecy Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgements vppon the wicked is a matter of great comfort to the godly Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgementes vppon the wicked is likewise a matter of great instruction to other people wringing from them a sincere confession acknowledgement of Gods mercy towardes the good and of his iustice towardes the other it teacheth also that the godly shall loose nothing by this that they haue lead a religious and holy life before men in this life sée Isaiah 3.10 Psalme 59 THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet prayeth deliueraunce from his enemies shewing that their craft cruelty and proud bragges made him thus earnest with God from ver 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he declareth that God notwithstanding all their trecheries will deliuer him vpon which ground hee prayeth and prophecieth against him promising to yéeld thankefulnes to the Lord for that goodnes from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme The title for the most part is expounded before Psalm 57. Se. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him sée for this 1. Samuel 19. from verse 11. to the ende of the 17. where it appeareth howe Michal his wife saued him from those that Saul sent to slay him Ver. 1.2 Hee prayeth to bee deliuered from his enemies which were ready as it were to ouerwhelme him by their wicked attempts cruell practises and mischieuous subtilties who did nothing else as a man would say but seeke his destruction Verse 3. They haue layd wayte vz. both secretly and openly for my soule i. for my life as sundry times before that they might take it away the mighty men q.d. no smal ones and therefore the greater danger am I in but such as haue wille and power to performe what they lift vnlesse thou preuent nor for mine offence nor for my sinne vz. to themward for I haue not done them any maner of euil which also may appeare by the next verse following O Lord q.d. euen as thou that searchest al heartes knowest Ver. 4. They runne and prepare themselues by these wordes the Prophet meaneth that they vsed al their diligence and spared no cost labour or paines to destroy him yea they were so diligent that they thought vppon nothing else almost but to execute their wicked enterprise without a fault on my part vz. towards them as before ver 3. Arise therefore here hee calleth vpon God whom he imagineth to be a sléepe as it were and all this is spoken according to man q.d. shewe thy power and might as hee doeth that is waked out of his sléepe to assist mee i. to stand by me and to strengthen me against such a number of cruel enemies as I haue and behold vz. not only my wretchednes and weakenes but also the outrages and mischieuous matters that they imagine and doe against me Ver. 5. Euē thou O Lorde of hostes hee more plainely describeth the God whom he called vpon for succour and in these termes Lorde of hostes hee comprehendeth his power as who hath infinite armies of all sorts of creatures in his handes to punish the wicked by and to defend the good and by these wordes O God of Israel he setteth out his mercy ioyning both together for the further strēgthening of his fayth awake i. declare thy power as before verse 4. and shewe thy selfe no lesse diligent to succour mee then they are to hurt mee to visite i. to punish and correct as Exod. 20.5 All the heathen by heathen he meaneth the hypocriticall and counterfeit Israelites who did as grieuously persecute Dauid for Sauls pleasure as people estraunged from God woulde haue done and when hee sayth all hee meaneth the greatest number expressing also vnder that terme the great multitude of his enemies which were so many in number as though they had béen whole swarmes of the Gentiles cōming together and bee not mercifull i. shewe no manner of fauour at all that transgresse maliciously i. of set purpose and as it were for the satisfiyng of their owne mischieuous myndes hée mindeth not here to speake of any but of the reprobate whose iniquitie was altogether desperate which as it should seeme hee did knowe through the spirit of prophecy Here wee must take héede that wee bee not ouer hasty to iudge in this behalfe Verse 6. They runne to and fro i. they cease not to goe and come so that they may execute their enterprises and this manner of speach noteth their rage in the euening q.d. if they can doe no euill in the day they will not cease to imploy the night thereto as being in déede a most conuenient tyme to woorke mischiefe in and this setteth out their diligence in committing euil they barke like dogges i. they pursue mee egarly and that with open mouth it is a metaphor taken from dogges vsed in hunting who sundry times followe their game barking and opening their mouthes wide as though they were ready to deuour their pray in which respect hee also compareth them here to raging hungry dogs and goe about the city vz. lest I might escape any maner of way and this noteth their diligence sée Psalm 55.10 Ver. 7. Behold they bragge in their talke i. they boast openly of that which they haue wickedly deuised and consulted on yea they vomit out and discouer all their wicked attempts without hyding or dissembling any thing so great is their impudency and shamelesnes and swordes are in their lippes i. the woordes that they speake are cruell for they speake of nothing but murthering throatcutting and spoyling sée Psalm 55.21 for who say they doth heare vz. our woordes or else perceiue our déeds and attempts and this they say amongst themselues meaning that neither God nor men do perceiue them And here he teacheth the outragious blockishnes that raigneth in the wicked when they perswade themselues that God regardeth not their wickednesses for being in possession fréedome to execute their wicked counsels they haue no shame of men nor feare of God Ver. 8. Sée expounded before Psal 2.4 for the word heathen sée ver 5. of this
i. praye vnto thée he vseth the sign of prayer for prayer it selfe 141.2 Also 1. Timothie 2.8 in thy name i. as some expound it calling vpon thy name me thinketh this is better that for as much as Gods name is in scripture vsed for Gods goodnesse and mercye it should rather be expounded thus in thy name i. cleauing to thy goodnesse and mercy Verse 5. My soule shall be satisfyed q.d. though nowe I bee in greate miserye yet when thou shalt haue heard my prayers I shall bee filled both inwardly and outwardly for I take the soule to be put here for the whole man as Psalme 42.2 as with marrow and fatnesse i. as though I had a heape or abundaunce of all swéet and good things sée Psal 4.6.7 and my mouth shall prayse thée i. set out and shew forth thy prayse as Psalme 51.15 with ioyfull lippes i. with lippes that shal be glad and ready to perform that duety Ver. 6. when I remember thée in my bed i. thinke vpon thee and thy goodnesse being thereby prouoked to call vpon thée and that as I lie vpon my bed in the night watches this is spoken according to the maner of the people thē who diuided the night into certaine watches as Mat. 14.35 Mark 13.35 Verse 7. Because thou hast bin my helper vz. at al assaies and in all distresses therefore vnder the shadow of thy winges will I reioyce i. being vnder thy protection I will be glad and alwayes trust in thée sée Psal 57.1 and other places Verse 8. My soule i. I my selfe both body and soule cleaueth vnto thée vz. euen as if it were glued and by this manner of spéeche hee expresseth the assured hope and confidence that he had in god for thy right hand i. thy great might and power as we haue had it sundry times before vpholdeth me vz. in all distresse and agaynst al assaults of mine enimies both inward outward Ver. 9. Therefore i. because thou art on my side they that séeke my soule i. my life and that of a cruel hatred to destroy it vz. as much as in them lyeth to take it away from amongst men shall go into the lowest parts of the earth i. shall die and perish he speaketh this of Saule and the people that tooke part with him the verification of which prophecie sée 1. Sam. 31. throughout Ver. 10. They i. the Philistines shall cast him down i. ouerthrow Saul his company yea kill the with the edge of the sword i. with the force of warlike instruments vsing one sort of them for the rest and they i. mine enemies vz. Saule and his complices shal be a portion for foxes i. their bodies shal be deuoured and torne in péeces by wild beasts and they shal not haue the honor of buriall which was a very hateful thing to heare of specially amongst the people of the Iewes True it is that this oftentimes falleth vpon the good as is declared Psal 79.2 for afflictiōs are cōmō both to good bad but in the end is diuers Ver. 11. But the king i. I my self whom God hath annoynted by Samuel to be King speaking of himselfe in the third person shal reioyce in God vz. for the great help and deliuerance that he hath wrought for me all that sweare by him i. God meaning by this manner of spéech all that feare him and serue him with a right and reuerent affection putting a part of the seruice for the whole as Deutronom 6.13 shall reioice i. be glad because God in fauour hath bestowed so good a king vpō them for the mouth of them that speake lies he setteth these hipocrites agaynst the other sincere harted people and by speaking of lies he meaneth not only false slaundering of Dauid but also dissimulation and crafty dealing with God in his seruice shal be stopped he meaneth that the wicked shal be vtterly remoued and taken away from amongst men some by death as before ver 10. and some by confusion and shame as in this verse Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that we should many times breake our sléepes to the ende we might pray to God it teacheth vs also what an earnest hunger thirste we ought to haue to his seruice and worship with the assembly of his saynts Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods power maiesty glorye and goodnesse appeareth in no place more then in the congregations of his people Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy rightly felte farre surmounteth all treasures of this life whatsoeuer Verse 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods goodnesse shoulde wring from vs continuall prayer and praysing of his maiestie Verse 5. Our inward man and our outward man should delight in God and good things aboue al. Ver. 6. teacheth vs continually to think vpon god both vpō our beds in our beds and al the night long when we can not sléepe Ver. 7. sheweth that Gods prouidēce and protection is a sure safegard to al the faythful and the only matter in déed that canne minister true ioy Verse 8. Teacheth that the perswasion wée haue of God and in God should not be wauering but assured and constant Verse 9. teacheth that bloodthirsty men shal not escape vnpunished Verse 10. Teacheth that God sundry times stirreth vp one wicked company to plague ouerthrow another Ver. 11. comprehendeth a doctrine of singular comforte to all sincere and true worshippers of Gods maiestie Psalme 64 THis Psalme is the selfe same argument with that which goeth next before and it may be diuided into thrée parts Di In the first the Prophet prayeth God to graunt him his requestes and to kéepe him free from the rage and crueltie of his enemies and this is comprised in the two first verses In the seconde he doth by péecemeale as it were set out the vices of those his wicked and vngodly enimies from verse thrée to the end of the 6. In the third he foretelleth their ruine and ouerthrowe shewing what good shall come therby to al men in general and namely to the righteous from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded already in the fourth Psalme Ver. 1. Se. Heare my voice O God in my praier i. graunt me those requests that in my praiers by my voice I lay out before thée for hearing is put for yéelding vnto in this place as sundry times before for Dauid neuer doubted the God heard him though sometimes he deferred to graunt his petition from feare of the enemy i. from that great peril which I feare the enemie goeth about would gladly lay vpō me Ver. 2. Hide me vz. in some assured place that the flatterers of Sauls court which imagine my destructiō may not find me out from the conspiracy of the wicked i. from these outrages cruelties that the wicked in their secret méetings haue conspired and imagined agaynst me from the rage i. frō the outwarde violence oppression of the workers of iniquity he meaneth by this spéech those that
put for an other because the greatnes of the worke was as it were fresh in the remembrance of al the faithful through the riuer vz. of Iordan on foote and not in shippes and boates hee noteth here the entrance of the people into the lande of Canaan vnder the gouernement of Iehoshua whereof sée Iehosh 3.14.15.16 c. Ver. 7. Hée i. God ruleth the worlde i. the people and all thinges else whatsoeuer therin conteined his eyes see Psalm 11.4 behold i. déepely and carefully consider as ver 5. of this Psalme all this is spoken of God according to man the nations i. not onely the persons themselues but the thinges they commit q.d. the speciall priuiledge that God then gaue to the children of of Israel hindered not God from continuall casting his sight vpon other nations that he might nourish and maintaine them and represse them also as occasion was offered the rebellious i. such as will not yéelde to him and his worde when hee calleth them shall not exalt themselues vz. any more as heretofore they haue done the reason is because they shal be cast downe from their dignitie and estate hee meaneth that they shall not prosper because God will ouerthrowe them Verse 8. Prayse our GOD O people q.d. all those that you imagine to be Gods are nothing but glory and honour belongeth to that God alone whom we serue and make the voyce of his praise to bee hearde vz. of others q.d. sound it abroad as in this Psalme verse 2. Ver. 9. Which holdeth our soules in life i. by whome alone and from whom wee haue euen the very life that wee haue in this life as Act. 7.28 and suffereth not our feete to slippe vz. into any great danger but was alwaies in good time ready to helpe vs and this procéeded from his great care and prouidence towards vs. Ver. 10. For thou O god he changeth the person from the third to the second hast proued vs vz. by afflictions and troubles thou hast tryed vs a metaphor taken from metals brought to fining that the value and goodnes of them might be knowne as siluer sée Psal 12.6 Hee meaneth that God hath tryed them to the quicke and in good earnest as wee sée siluer put into the fire not only once but many times to purge it is tryed vz. by the goldsmith siluersmith or fyner Ver. 11. Thou vz. O God wherby we sée that nothing is done without his prouidence and appointment into the snare vz. which our enemies laide for vs this is an other metaphor taken from hunting or fowling meaning by snare the troubles dangers and tyrannies that were deuised and prepared for thē and laid a straite chaine i. thou hast brought to passe that wee are come into our enymies power and are bound of them sée Psalm 149.8 and it is a metaphor either taken from captaines and their bands or else from horses that carie packes girded to them with wantes or such like whatsoeuer it is he meaneth that the burthens were very great and did sticke fast to them vppon our loines i. vpon vs putting a part of man for the whole Ver. 12. Thou hast caused men to ride ouer our heads i. thou hast made vs subiect not onely to great but to base personages who ruling ouer vs haue vsed great outrages vilanies against vs as if we had béen poore bruit beasts we went into fire and into water i. we indured most hard dangers sundry kinds of calamities afflictions which he resembleth to water and fire because those two elements doe quickly destroy consume the things put into them thee hardnes of their affliction may be noted by any one of thē but the diuersity thereof by both laid together but thou broughtest vs out i. thou diddest at the length deliuer vs vz. out of those dangers distresses diddest bring vs into a wealthy place i. into a plentiful place frée from penury into a pleasant place void of sorrow and into a safe place from dangers distresses meaning therby a blessed and ioyful estate Ver. 13. I will goe into thy house i. into the place where thou art worshipped with burnt offerings i. with thankfulnes of mind body for he putteth the signes that testified thanksgiuing for the thing it selfe will pay thée my vowes vz. which I haue vowed to thée as appeareth by the next ver he meaneth that he wil holily religiously serue him be alwaies thankful obedient vnto him Ver. 14. Which my lips haue promised my mouth hath spoken hee putteth the instrument wherwith the wordes are vttered as the lips mouth for the words thēselues in mine affliction i. when I was in wonderful afflictiō danger Ver. 15. I wil offer vnto thée vz. alone burnt offrings of fat rams he meaneth that he wil bring the best sacrifices he can get to testify the thankfulnes of his mind with incense i. with swéet perfumes smelling sauors which also were accustomed to be offred I wil prepare vz. to offer in sacrifice vnto thée bullocks goats i. al maner of sacrifices prescribed for he meaneth that he wil do seruice homage to God according to his worde the ordinance of his law Ver. 16. Come vz. vnto me hearken vz. diligently all ye that feare God i. worship him according to the prescript rule of his word I wil tel you vz. as plainely as I can what he hath done i. what great graces goodnes he hath shewed to my soule i. to mee putting a part of himselfe for the whole man Ver. 17. I called vnto him with my mouth i. in wordes I did earnestly pray vnto him for help aide succor he was exalted i. greatly and highly praised with my tongue i. with my words vz. after he had graciously granted my petitions Ver. 18. If I regard wickednes i. delite in or make account of it in my heart yea though it were within me and secretly the Lord wil not heare me i. grant me my requests he sheweth why God heard his prayers vz. because he came to him with a mind frée from wicked vaine things Ver. 19. But god hath heard i. yéelded vnto granted me i. my requests prayers considered vz. déeply and vprightly the voyce of my prayer i. the words I vttered in my prayer all serueth to nothing else but to shew that god had yéelded vnto him that which he praied for ver 20. Which hath not put back vz. out of his presence or sight as though he were displeased with it or could not abide to looke vpon it or me my praier vz. made to him nor vnderstand here wtholdē his mercy frō me but giuē me a plain proof therof by granting my demāds Ver. 1 2. Teach two things Do. first that we ought to be continually occupied in the praysing of our God secondly howe dull we are thereto which appeareth because the Prophet vseth so many wordes of exhortation to one thing
grounds of our consciences Verse 23 Declareth what great iudgements God will bring vpon the wicked and all for his chosen peoples sake Verse 24. Teacheth that though the vngodly haue had manifest demonstrations of his power agaynst them and of his goodnesse toward his own people yet they leaue not off to worke what mischiefe they can agaynste them Verse 25. Teacheth all to be thankfull to God for victories atchieued thorowe his goodnesse Verse 26 teacheth all but chéefely the faythfull to prayse God openly for his mercies Verse 27. Teacheth that none neyther high nor low should be exempted from praysing of God Ver. 28. Teacheth vs to praye for the continuaunce and increase of Gods fauour towards vs and the good things he hath begun in vs. Verse 29. Teacheth vs that Gods fauour doth most plainly appear in his Church for which it beséemeth all yea euen the highest to shew themselues thankfull Verse 30 teacheth vs that we maye sometimes praye against the multitude the rage the crueltie the vnbridelednesse and pride of the wicked and namely of those that take pleasure in continuall contention Verse 31. comprehendeth a playne prophecie of the vocation of the Gentiles Ver. 32. teacheth vs to declare our selues ioyful and thankfull to God for his graces Verse 33. Sheweth that God is a God of gouernmente maiestye and power Ver. 34. Teacheth vs that his gouernment maiestie and power is made manifest both in heauen and in earth Verse 35. Teacheth vs that God is terrible to his enemies but comfortable and powerfull to and in his people it teacheth vs also that for these and other graces of his bestowed vpon them it behoueth them to shew themselues continually thankfull Psalme 69 DAuid being moued with great gréefe Di both inwardly and outwardly prayeth earnestly sometimes for himselfe and sometimes agaynst his enemies alleaging his own miseries and their malice as it were reasons to induce God to take pitie of him And though it can hardly be diuided yet me thinketh that the matters which it doth propoūd may wel be brought to these heads first Dauid sheweth his own misery and their malice ver 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 19 20 21 26. Secondly he prayeth for himselfe and against them ver 1 6 13 14 15 16 17 18 22.23 24 25 27 28. Thirdly he gathereth cōfort in his affliction promising thankfulnes and prayse shewing what good also shal come to others thereby and namely to the faythfull and this reacheth from verse 29. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 45. Se. Saue me i. defende and deliuer me O God q.d. There is none besides thée that can doe it for the waters are entred euen to my soule i. I am oppressed with most gréeuous afflictions and they so great that I am as it were wounded therewith to the hart and in very great daunger of my life for so I take the word soule to bee vsed here Verse 2. I stick fast in the déepe mire vz. so that I cannot get out vnderstanding by déepe mire the same which he meant before by waters that is extreme aduersitie which did driue him to dispaire almost as it were where no stay is this amplifieth his afflictions q d. I am in a bottomles pit or quare-mire wherof I shal be swallowed vp I am come into déepe waters i. into most dangerous distresses and perils for the more déepe the waters are the more daungers we think our selues commonly to be in the streames runne ouer me he meaneth that his afflictions were many and were ful of anguishes and troubles euen as a man ready to be drowned and were past hope of recouery Verse 3. I am wearye of crying vz. for helpe vnto God because I sée none come and this the Prophet vttereth vnaduisedlye in the corrupte passions and heate of his flesh my throat is drie vz. with crying and calling mine eies fayle i. the sighte of mine eyes decayeth and they are become wonderfull dimme sée Psalme 31.9 also Psalme 38.10 Whiles I waite vz. in fayth and patience notwithstanding these hastie spéeches for my God i. for helpe and succour from him that hath promised and I haue founde to bee my God Verse 4. They that hate me without cause vz. on my behalfe giuen them are moe then the heares of mine head i. infinite and innumerable but he meaneth no doubt that there are very great multitudes and numbers of them they that would destroy me i. take my life from me and cut me off from being amongst men and are mine enemies falslye i. wrongfullye meaning the same matter that he sayd before without cause are mightye vz. in subtiltye power and practise so that I restored that vz. by suffering punishmente for the fault which I committed not which after some sort may be called restitution which I tooke not vz. from them either by force fraude or any other way Verse 5. My foolishnesse i. that foolishnes which mine aduersaries burthen me withall q.d. Thou knowest whether I be such a one as mine enimies by their wicked words publish me to be so it is called his foolishnesse not because he had committed it but because they vniustly had layd it vpon him and so must you vnderstand these words my faults i. wherewith they charge me are not hid from thée vz. because nothing can be hid from his knowledge and sighte q.d. Thou knowest whether the thinges be true yea or no that they lay agaynst me Verse 6. Be ashamed vz. by doubting of thy mercy or dispayring of thy goodnesse for me vz. by reason of the misery and poore estate that I am in q.d. Let them not fall from thy maiestie into distrust because I séeme to bee forsaken whereby the Prophet testifieth his wonderfull loue towards others those that séeke thée i. those that pray vnto thée and call vpon thée and that according to thy will reuealed in thy word The word of trust in the first part of this Verse respecteth hope and this word séeking includeth prayer by which we sée that the faythfull of Gods children is not idle because it prouoketh them to pray vnto God be confounded thorow me this hath the same sence that these words be ashamed for me haue O God of Israell i. of thy Church and faythfull people as sundry times before Verse 7. For thy sake vz. in following the vocation wherevnto thou hast called me haue I suffered reproofe vz. of mine aduersaries vnderstanding by that worde all the wicked sayings and doinges which they had practised against him shame hath couered my face by this spéech he meaneth eyther the abundaunce of reproches which hee had indured q.d. I haue sustained so many that I am euen full or laden therewith or else he noteth the effecte whiche those reproches and opprobries had wrought in him vz. that they made him as it were for shame to hide his face this latter I rather encline vnto by reason of that which
followeth in the Psalme Ver. 8. I am become a straunger vnto my brethren i. euen the dearest friendes I haue haue as it were thrust me out of their familiaritie friendship acquaintance and euen an aliant i. as one that were vtterly vnknowne vnto my mothers sonnes sée Psalme 50.20 he meaneth nothing else but that they who by nature were bound to loue him did most hate and despise him and therefore no maruaile though other did so so that he was as it were forsaken of all Verse 9. For the zeale of thine house i. the great and earnest affection that I haue to maintaine thy honour and glory and to vphold thy Church hath eaten me a notable metaphor by which the Prophet sheweth that care and affection to promote Gods glory and Church had euen as it were consumed him this is applyed to Christ Iohn 2.17 and the rebukes of them i. of the wicked that rebuked thée vz. vniustly and without cause whereby the Prophet noteth the vilenesse of the vngodly who spared not to lode the Lord with reproches are fallen vpon me i. haue wounded me euen as though they had bin directed against my selfe Verse 10. I wept vz. Seing all things so disordred and the name of God so reproched and my soule fasted by soule he meaneth either the body as psalme 16.10 or else the whole man putting a part for the whole fasting being an effectuall instrument to humble the same but that was to my reproofe q.d. mine enemies did so much more mock and despise me therefore Verse 11 I put on sacke also vz. in signe of mourning which was a common thing among the Iewes sée for this verse and the other that went next before Psalme 35.13 and I became a Prouerbe vnto them i. they made mee and my doings a by-word amongst them q.d. when they woulde note a contemptible person or thing then they would name me and my matters Verse 12. They that sate in the gate i. the Iudges Counsellors or magistrates whose order it was to sit there that the people might haue frée accesse vnto them sée Gen. 34.20 Prouerb 22.22 Spake of me vz. in mockery and scornefully and the drunkards sang of me by drunkards he meaneth those that haunted the places of drunkennesse as Tauernes Alehouses c. And by singing hee meaneth that they made songes and ieasts against him q.d. all persons both high and lowe contemne me and they vtter their reproches both publikelye and priuately Verse 13. In an acceptable time i. in such a time as it shall please thée to heare me for that time specially is acceptable euen in the multitude of thy mercy i. I come to make my prayer vnto thée trusting in that and not in any thing in my selfe sée Psalme 51.1 heare me i. graunt me my request as sundry times before in the truth i. according to truth the word in being put for according of thy saluation i. of that deliueraunce and succor that thou hast promised to send me and all those that trust in thee Verse 14. Deliuer me out of the myre i. out of the afflictions wherein I am that I sinke not vz. vnder the burden or in the myre of those troubles that I indure and not of the déepe waters sée verse 2. This verse and the next following is nothing but the same in sence with verse 1 of this Psalme Verse 15. The pit shut her mouth vpon me by pit he vnderstandeth the troubles and afflictions in which he was and by not shutting the mouth vpon him he meaneth that hee woulde not haue the multitude nor the weight of his afflictions to swallow him vp q.d. bring to passe that I perish not in this trouble and great crosse Verse 16. Heare me O Lord vz. in my prayers and graunt my requests for thy louing kindnesse is good d.q. I aske it for thy goodnesse sake only and hope to obteine because in goodnes thou deniest not thy children turne vnto me i. make it appeare by effect that thou hast heard my prayer in giuing me succour according to the multitude of thy tender mercies sée Psal 51.1 Verse 17. And hide not thy face i. thy fauoure and goodnesse make hast vz. to helpe me and heare me i. graunt me my requests and prayers Verse 18. Draw neare vnto my soule i. showe that thou hast care of me and my life and this he speaketh according to the féeling of the flesh for men thinke that God is farre from them when they perceiue not his succour and ayde and redéeme it vz. from the rage and violence of the enemies deliuer me vz. from daungers and distresses because of mine enemies i. not only because mine enemies doe assault me but also least they should reioyce in my ouerthrow or else that being set frée I may reioyce ouer them Verse 19. My reproofe my shame and my dishonour i. the reproofe shame and dishonor which I beare and suffer sée ver 5. of this Psalme he vseth 3. wordes signifying one thing therby to set out the greatnesse of his reproch are before thée i. naked and open in thy sight as al other things are sée Heb. 4.13 Ver. 20. Reproofe i. the slaunders and reproches of mine enemies hath brokē my hart i. hath brought great gréefe vnto me and as it were wounded me at the hart and I am full of heauinesse vz. by reason thereof i. of their reproches backbitings but there was none vz. that woulde pittie me in my distresses and for comforters i. I looked also for some to comfort me but I found none at al Verse 21. For they i. mine enemies gaue me gall i. moste bitter thinges such as were rebukes taunts c. in my meate i. in stéede of my meate meaning by meate comfort and in my thirst i. in my great afflictions putting thirst or want of drinke which is one for many they gaue me viniger i. they added affliction to my affliction noting by this manner of spéeche their hard hartednesse and that they did vnto him the worst that possible they could and note that this which Dauid here speaketh of himselfe in fygure was playnelye and according to the letter accomplished in our Sauiour Christ as appeareth Matt. 27.48 Verse 22. Let their Table meaning them that had dealte so wickedly and ill with him By Table other Metaphors and similitudes which he vseth he meaneth al thinges that serue to this present life and the commodities thereof He meaneth that all the good and prosperity they haue shoulde bee turned to euill and to torment vnto them and this is the sence generallye but let vs looke vpon it somewhat more particularly By Table wee may vnderstande their daynties sette vppon the Table and by these wordes Bee a snare before them he meaneth not only in their sight but also to intangle and catche them q.d. Euen in the middest of their daynties let them perishe Nay let their very daynties be turned into destruction to them and their prosperity their
our selues and to hang wholy vpon God for deliueraunce Ver. 5. Sheweth that we néede not much to regard what men saye of vs so that wee haue a cleare conscience before the Lord. Verse 6. Teacheth vs two thinges first the care that we should haue to pray for other men that they fall not from God through our afflictions secondly that other mens troubles shoulde not cause vs to reuolt from the truth Verse 7. Teacheth that it is good to suffer for a good cause Verse 8. Sheweth that in afflictions both friends and kinsfolkes doe many times forsake those to whom they are bound Verse 9. Teacheth vs to be earnestly moued for God and his glory Verse 10. Sheweth the mischieuous nature of the wicked who misconster euery good thing that the godly doe Ver. 11. Teacheth vs not to leaue off mourning when mourning is required though the wicked deride vs for it Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that al for the moste part high and low good and bad are enemies to Gods children Verse 13 Teacheth vs first to come to God by prayer in the time of our néede secondlye to doe it hauing a trust in his abundance mercy and thirdlye to cleaue for the strengthening of our prayers to the truth of Gods promises Verse 14. teacheth vs to craue deliueraunce out of troubles at Gods handes who onely can and will performe the same for vs. Verse 15. Teacheth vs the more that afflictions are multiplyed the more earnestlye to call vppon GOD. Ver. 16. Our prayers must bee grounded vppon the wonderfull and vnspeakeable mercies of our God towardes vs. Verse 17. Teacheth vs that the féeling of Gods fauour is no smal comfort in the time of our afflictions Verse 18. teacheth vs to praye for deliueraunce and that least the enemyes insulte ouer much Verse 19. Teacheth vs that it is no small comforte to vs that God knoweth vs and our afflictions and our aduersaries and their dealinges Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that it is no new thing that the godlye are many times destituted of those helpes which they made account of Verse 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked are voyde of bowels of compassion adding affliction to miserye Verse 22. Teacheth that the wicked thorowe Gods iust iudgementes maye many times bee snared in their pleasure and prosperitye Verse 23. Teacheth that GOD sundrye tymes in iustice depriueth them of all iudgement and taketh from them all strength and courage Verse 24. Sheweth that the wicked are not able to escape Gods wrath and displeasure Verse 27. That GOD also sometimes leaueth them childlesse Verse 26. Setteth out the hard hartednesse of the vngodlye who neuer pitie any though in neuer so greate miserie Verse 27. Teacheth that Gods iudgementes manye tymes doe ouertake the wicked in their transgressions Verse 28. Sheweth that Hipocrites are not within the compasse of Gods election howsoeuer they bee admitted to the societye of the Churche Verse 29. Teacheth that GOD is all in all for his to deliuer them from distresse Verse 30. Teacheth vs to prayse and thanke GOD for his benefites bestowed vppon vs. Verse 31. Teacheth vs that spirituall seruice is more acceptable to GOD then all outwarde Sacrifices whatsoeuer Verse 32. Teacheth vs that greate pleasure shall come vnto Gods Children by consideration of the blessinges that hee bestoweth vppon some of them Verse 33. Teacheth vs the wonderfull prouidence and care that God hath ouer those that suffer any thing for his cause Verse 34. Sheweth that if dumbe Creatures must prayse the Lord much more the reasonable are bounde to it and amongest them those that he accounteth as his Sonnes and Seruauntes Verse 35. Teacheth not onelye Gods care and loue for his Churche but that in the middest of all miseries hee will haue a people that shall continuallye call vpon him in spirite and truth Verse 36. Sheweth that incorporation into the Churche appertaineth vnto the faythfull and their posteritye after them Psalme 70 Di THis Psalme séemeth to be the same both in wordes and matter almost with the last part of Psalme 40. from verse 13. to the ende of the Psalme whether it shall be good to looke backe agayne for the more playne sence and vnderstanding thereof and yet notwithstanding something shall be sayd here First the Psalme it selfe may fitly be deuided into two parts vz. first that the Prophet maketh prayer for himselfe that he may spéedily be deliuered out of his daungers and this is comprehended in the first and last verses of this Psalme Secondly he prayeth for the ouerthrow of the wicked and for the prosperity of those that loue the Lorde and this is comprehended in verse 2.3.4 Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 4. and psalme 38. in the titles therof Verse 1. To deliuer me vz. from the daungers and enemies whiche doe as it were ouerwhelme mee make haste to helpe mee vz. oute of this distresse wherein I am Verse 2. Let them be confounded vz. among themselues and in their owne vnderstandinges and put to shame vz. euen in the sighte and presence of men before whome they thinke to attayne great glorye in banding themselues agaynst mee that séeke my soule i. my life vz. to destroye it and take it awaye let them be turned backwarde vz. as men discomfyted in warre that flée before their enemies and put to rebuke vz. openly and before others that desire myne hurt vz. eyther secretlye within them or openly by wordes and wishing Verse 3. For a rewarde of their shame i. as a iust recompēce of that shame and ignominie which they thought to bring vppon me whiche sayde vz. when I was in trouble Aha aha i. did outwardlye by wordes and countenaunce testifye the great ioy they had conceaued for mine affliction Verse 4. But let all those that séeke thee i. call vppon thée in their afflictions and that according to the rule of thy will sette foorth in thy worde bée ioyfull and glad in thée i. for thée thy power and great workes that thou performest on their behalfe that loue thy saluation i. like of allow and wishe for the great deliueraunces that thou bestowest vpon thy people Verse 5. Now I am poore and néed◠i. I am destitute of aide help and succour make hast to me i. to deliuer or help me as verse 1. of this psalm thou art mine helper vz. in time of daunger and distresse and that word thou importeth as much as if he shoulde saye thou alone and my deliuerer vz. oute of affliction and trouble make no tarrying i. delaye not or put not off to helpe me Do Verse 1. Teacheth vs that in extremity of daunger prayer to God is a notable refuge Ver. 2. Teacheth vs first that we may sometimes pray agaynste the vngodly secondly is pointeth out the mischieuous minds and nature of the wicked thirdly it teacheth vs not so much as to wish euill muche lesse to doe euill to Gods children Verse 3. Sheweth that God can and will sometimes in his iudgement bring
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
man for mankind or the greatest part thereof shall turne to thy prayse not only because that when the godly shal sée them frustrated of their purposes they shall haue occasion to prayse thée but euen if thou couldst suffer and appoynt them to preuayle yet euen therein shouldst thou bée glorifyed because God will make all things worke together both for his own glory and to the good of those that loue him the remnant of thy rage shalt thou restrayne some expound it thus those of the wicked that shall be left aliue hoping that they shall be able to performe great matters shalt thou so kéepe as it were brideled that they shall not be able to atchieue any enterprise I rather expound it thus the remnaunt of the rage that is suche good people as shall remayne after the execution of the wickeds rage shalt thou restrayne eyther from doing euill themselues or else from the violence and outrage of the wicked which latter I like best of And that maketh Immanuel to vse for the word restraine compas about meaning shielding and defending of them Sée to this purpose 2. kings 19.30 so that in this verse he declareth two vses of gods iudgement the one is the prayse and glory of God the other is the deliuery of the good people Verse 11. Vow vz. as tokens and signes of youre thankfulnesse to God for your enemies ouerthrow and your own deliuerances performe vz. your sacrifices vowed testifying also thereby your obedience and readinesse in his seruice vnto the Lord vz. only and alone who also is your God i. your defender and kéeper all ye that be round about him i. both priests and people the Leuits and Priests because they wayted in the Tabernacle and the people because they coulde be no where but in his presence lette them bring presents that is offrings and sacrifices which are called presentes because they presented them before the Lorde sée the accomplishmente of this 2. Chron. 32.23 vnto him that he ought to be feared vz. of all both high and low of what state or condition soeuer they be and this is spoken of the almightye God Verse 12. He shal cut of the spirite of Princes this may bee read better eyther in the present tense or preterperfect tense he doth it or he hath done it meaning by cutting off frustrating or taking away and by spirite not onelye their vnderstanding and purposes but their liues also as appeareth 2. Chron. 32.21 he is terrible vz. not in outward shew onely but in déede and effecte to the kings of the earth i. euen to the mightiest Monarchies and al the Princes of the world so that they néede not thinke that they shall be fauoured for their greatnesse or haue any power to stand against him Do. Verse 1. and 2. teach that God doth specially manifest both his power and good will to the people that exercise his religion and cast vpon his name ver 3. Teacheth that neither armor or indeuour can preuayle agaynst the Churche of God further then he himselfe appointeth Verse 4. Teacheth that he that is on the faythfuls side is stronger then all Verse 5. Teacheth that there is no wisedome strength power or policie able to withstand the Lord in his purposes Verse 6. Teacheth that God néedeth not to make much adoe to ouerthrow for euen a word or rebuke of his mouth shall cast them downe to death Verse 7. Teacheth that God only is to be feared and reuerenced Verse 8. Teacheth vs specially then to haue good regard to our selues when God sheweth euidēt testimonies and tokens of his iudgements Verse 9. sheweth that God will neuer forget the afflicted that hang vpon him Verse 10 sheweth that euen the very sinnes of the vngodly shall serue to Gods great glory Verse 11. Teacheth vs both carefully to purpose and religiously to performe the exercises of the worship and seruice of our God Verse 12. Teacheth vs that it is God onlye who hath the issues of the life and death of al men in his hands Psalme 77 THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the firste the Prophet expresseth the great afflictions and gréeuous temptations that he indured and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde hee declareth by what reasons and argumentes he comforted himselfe teaching the Churche to doe the like from verse 10. to the ende of the Psalme The Title or inscription of this Psalm would be amended thus Se. To him that excelleth set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie with Asaph a Psalme i. a psalme appoynted to that excellent Musitian whosoeuer he was that was set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie and to Asaph sée 1. Chron. 25.23 Verse 1. My voice i. the prayers that I made came to God i. were directed vnto him appeared in his presence when I cried i. when I prayde earnestly in the anguishe and bitternesse of my soule and hee hearde mee vz. making my prayer vnto him And all this and that whiche followeth the Prophet alleadgeth to strengthen as it were his fayth and hope that he that had bin heard of God in the time of his former affliction should likewise be heard now Verse 2. In the day of my trouble i. in the time wherein I was afflicted for his gréefe lasted longer thē one day doubtlesse I sought the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer my sore ran and seased not in the night he meaneth that his disease cōtinued and that no remedy could diminish the same it séemeth to be a spéech taken from woundes and sores that bléede continually or send forth corruption in such sort that they cannot be staunched Immanuel hath another reading and another sence but me thinketh that this is as proportional with this text and better rather My soule i. I my selfe putting a parte for the whole man refused comforte q.d. My payne wrought in mee such waywardnesse that nothing was comfortable or ioyfull vnto mée Verse 3. I did thinke vpon GOD vz. with my harte in my prayers and supplication and was trouble◠vz. because I conceaued that GOD was angrye agaynst me in that I prayed and he graunted mee not my petition I prayde vz. earnestly and my spirite i. my soule and inward man was full of anguish i. gréefe and sorrowe because I felt not the force of my prayers Immanuel readeth this verse also otherwise as he doth the most part of this Psalme but because this texte and sence is playne ynough I varie not from it Verse 4. Thou vz. by the gréefs and sorrowes which thou doest continuallye laye vpon me kéepest mine eyes waking he setteth out in this spéech the greatnesse and continuance of his gréefe which tooke sléepe from his eyes and spéeche from his tongue as hee sayth afterwardes in this verse I was astonied vz. by my gréefs and sorrows yea so amased that I could not speake See Iob. 2.13 also Iob. 3.1 sée also Psalme 38. almost thorow out and Psalme 102. in
lightning ioyned with the haile and thunder Ver. 48. He gaue their cattle also to the haile i. to that same great extraordinarie haile mentioned in the other ver to the end that the cattle therby might bee destroyed and their flockes vz. of shéepe and their droues of beasts to the thūderbolts or after some to burning or kindled coals the sense commeth al to one he meaneth destruction of them Sée Exod. 9.25 Ver. 49. He cast vpon them i. vpon the Egiptians and the word of casting noteth the greatnes of his wrath also the fiercenes of his anger indignation wrath all these termes tend but to one end to expresse the greatnes of Gods wrath against thē vexation vz. not of body only but in mind soule by the sending out vz. against them euil Angels I like the note in the Geneua Bible wel vpon this place Immanuel readeth it thus by sending thē messengers of euill tydings meaning it of Moses and Aaron by whose ministerie all the plagues expressed here and in Exodus against the Egiptians were not onely foretold thē but brought vpon them both the senses are good Ver. 50. Hée made a way to his anger i. he executed the same tooke away euery let that might hinder it as men remoue those things that might hinder them in their courses or goings he spared not their soule frō death i. he slew thē and tooke their life from them but gaue thir life to the pestilence he declareth by what meanes God tooke life from them vz. by the plague and pestilence Sée Exod. 12.29 Ver. 51. And smote al the first borne in Egipt vz. both of man beast euen the beginning of their strength this is a discription of the first borne as appeareth Gene. 49.3 in the tabernacles i. in the dwelling places so that there was neither towne house nor field but there was one dead in it Sée Exod. 12.30 of Ham i. of the Egiptians putting the name of the first man from whom they came for the people that came of him for the Egiptians came of Mizraim the seconde sonne of Ham. Sée Gene. 10.6 of whome Egipt is so called in the Scripture the land of Mizraim Ver. 52. But he made his people to goe out vz. of Egipt like shéepe sée Psalm 77. ver 20. q.d. but he dealt most mercifully with his owne people It may bee vnderstoode thus also but for as much as they séely people had neither counscll nor meane in themselues to maintaine themselues it would haue gone wrong with them if God had not béene in stéed of a shepheard vnto them and lead them in the wildernes like a flock i. héedely and tenderly caring for them and prouiding their foode Sée Gene. 33. ver 13. Ver. 53. And he caried them out vz. of Egypt safely i. without any manner of peril or danger and they feared not i. they had no occasion to feare vz. their enemies and aduersaries and in the sea couered their enemies i. the Egiptians their enemies were drowned in the red Sea Exod. 15.13.27.28 Ver. 54. And he brought them i. the people of Jsrael and that in a mightie hand stretched out arme vnto the borders of his sanctuary i. vnto the lande of Canaan which he had assigned to his people and dedicated to himselfe meaning by borders which are the vttermost partes of the lande not onely those partes them selues as though God had left them there and woulde haue gone no further with them but the whole land putting the first part that they entred into for the whole and he calleth that land his sanctuary because God had sanctified the same for his people and for his owne seruice as being the place where hee would most manifest his aboad euen to this mountaine i. the mountain of Sion wherin Ierusalem stood the temple it self was to be builded with his right hand i. his power might purchased i. obtained got that out of the hands of mighty and strong enemies Ver. 55. He cast out the heathen also i. the Canaanites and other inhabitants of that land before them i. in their sights and for their sakes Sée Gene. 2.18 and caused them i. their land and all that they had putting the persons for the thinges they possessed for for the men they might not spare the to fal to the lot of his inheritance i. to come to the people of God whom he calleth here the Lords inheritance as it were by casting the lot by which also the Prophet noteth that the Israelits did lawfully rightly possesse these things made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tabernacles i. in their possessions as land cities houses c. putting one for all Ver. 56. Yet q.d. notwithstanding all these iudgements vpon their enemies graces towardes them for al that they tempted vz. God sée for tempting verse 8. of this Psalme and prouoked the most high God vz. to wrath against them selues and kept not either in worde or deede his testimonies i. commandements which are testimonies or witnesses as it were of his will sée Psal 19.7.8 Ver. 57. But turned backe vz. from well doing pretended to their former euils practised and dealt falsely i. dissemblingly and that with God meaning that they laboured what they could to haue deceiued God like their fathers i. as their fathers did and ancestours that were before them who came out of Egipt dealt dissēblingly with him as appeareth ver 36. of this Psal and turned vz. aside out of the right way like a deceitfull bowe vz. that turneth backe into belly as wee say I knowe there are many senses giuen of this similitude some expound it thus the Israelites did for a time make shewe of faith and repentance but sodainly they became vnprofitable as a bow sodainly marred by some occasion deceiueth the expectation of the shooter some expound it this way and some that but methinketh mine owne sense is most simple sée Hosea 7.16 Ver. 58. And they prouoked him to anger vz. against thēselues and their own soules with their high places i. with the altars which they had erected and set vp in high places as mountaines and hilles so hee sheweth the cause why God was angry with them vz. for their straunge and newe kinde of worshippings and moued him to wrath all this is spoken of God according to man with their grauen images vz. which they had made set vp and worshipped contrary to his expresse commandement Exod. 20.4.5 Ver. 59. God heard i. knewe because by hearing things come to knowledge and vnderstanding this is attributed to God according to mans capacity as other thinges are this i. the wicked words and works which the Israelites vsed in their idolatrous seruices and was wroth vz. against them for their sinne and greatly abhorred Jsrael vz. for their iniquities and transgressions committed against him Ver. 60. So that he forsooke the habitation of Shilo he sheweth by effect that God was angry with them
signes of thy wrath vpon them hast remoued from their shoulders the heauie weighte of thy iudgementes and hast turned backe vz. in pittie and compassion as though it were better weying thine own mercy and our miserye from the fiercenesse of thy wrath or else we had bin consumed thereby They meane that GOD kindled not his wrath to the vttermoste agaynste them eyther as in iustice hee mighte or in wickednesse they had deserued Verse 4. Turne vs vz. vnto thée by fayth and repentaince as Lamentation 5.21 or else from that miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein wee are to oure former libertye and fréedome in oure owne lande O GOD of our saluation i. thou that workest our deliueraunce from daungers and distresse so saluation is taken Psalm 3.8 release thine anger towards vs i. frée vs from that wrath of thine the testimonies thereof which we sée and féele presently vpon vs. Verse 5. Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer q.d. wee hope no for that is the force of the interrogations meaning that Gods wrath should not alwayes continue vppon them and wilte thou prolong thy wrath vz. which is now presently vpon vs from one generation to an other i. vpon vs and our posterities q.d. shall it continually abide vpon vs and our séedes Ver. 6. Wilt thou not turne again vz. in loue mercy fauor presence towards vs quicken vs who seeme as it were to be dead sée Ezechiel 37.1.2 c. that thy people i. the people whome thou haste chosen to thy selfe may be deliuered and set frée and so haue an occasion to reioyce in thée i. to prayse thée and to magnifie thée for thy goodnesse towardes them hee séemeth to note two endes of their deliuerance one the good and benefite of the people the other Gods glory Ver. 7. Shew vs O Lord thy mercy i. make vs by effect to sée and féele thy goodnes and graunt vs i. graciously and fréely bestowe vpon vs thy saluation i. the deliueraunce which fréely and only must come from thée For the acception of this worde saluation sée before ver 4. of this Psal Ver. 8. I this the faithful together speak as though they were but one person by reason of the nigh cōiunction of them wil heare i. not only diligently hearken vnto but patiently looke for what the Lorde God wil say i. what he will either speak or performe for the word of God is as it were the déed of god sée Psal 148.5 for he wil speak i. promise and performe in déed and this is a reason why hée will in patience attend the Lorde and his worke peace i. al goodnes and prosperity after that their calamities bee once ended Sée Gene. 43.23 vnto his people i. vnto his faithfull ones putting by this marke a difference betwéene Gods people in déede and those that haue but the bare title only and to his Saints i. to those whom he hath sanctified sée Psal 16.3 that they turne not againe vz. to their old filthines of idolatry distrust and such like whereunto Antiochus laboured to bring them to folly i. to all maner of wickednes and in this respect the vngodly are generally through the Prouerbes called fooles as also Psalm 14.1 Ver. 9. Surely q.d. without all doubt it can not otherwise be his saluation i. succour deliuery and aide from God sée ver 7. of this Psalme is neere i. euen as it were at the doores and wil come vpon them quickly to them that feare him vz. with holy feare and all their heartes leading also their liues according to the rule of righteousnesse which hée hath prescribed that glory i. the sincere seruice and worship of God and all goodnes as may appeare by all the verses following in this Psalme may dwel i. may haue continual aboad notwithstanding the mischieuous deuises of the vngodly in our land i. amongst the people that inhabite this land appointed for vs so had you the word lande vsed ver 1. of this Psal Ver. 10. Mercy vz. from God and truth i. simple and sincere dealing vz. from men shall méete vz. ioyfully and chearefully together q.d. God wil turne his owne iustice towardes his people into mercy and their hypocriticall heartes and handes into sounde and sincere ones righteousnes vz. from God meaning by righteousnes also the faithfull execution of his promises and peace vz. of conscience in men an effectuall worker whereof is Gods faithful performance of his promises shal kisse one an other vz. in token of true friendshippe and reconciliation for by these manner of speaches and metaphors the holy ghost mindeth to note the reconciliation and agréement which shal be made betwéen God and his people Ver. 11. Truth vz. from men as before ver 10. shall bud i. by effects shall shewe foorth it selfe and yéelde fruite as the bud in the spring time appeareth which also is an argument of hope that fruite wil followe out of the earth i. out of the mindes and soules of the godly putting earth conteining them by the figure Metonimia for they themselues therein contained and righteousnes i. the iust performance of Gods mercifull promises as before verse 10. shall looke downe i. shal manifest and declare it selfe from heauen i. from the almighty whose dwelling is in the heauen Ver. 12. Yea the Lord shal giue vz. fréely and of his owne goodnes for so much doth the word import generally throughout the Scriptures good thinges i. heapes and abundance of al goodnes whether they be spiritual graces mentioned ver 10. 11. or bodyly blessings mentioned in the last part of this verse and our land i. the land appointed to vs from God and wherin we dwel shal giue her increase i. shal plentifully yéeld it the same being made fruitful by the mighty power of God Ver. 13. Righteousnes shal go before him q.d. when God shal shew these graces vnto his people then God wil bring to passe that vpright dealing shall haue frée passage amongest men for so I take righteousnesse to bee vsed in this place and shal set her steppes in the way vz. so that a man shal walke no way but there shall appeare certaine printes as it were of his footing Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise but methinketh this sense is plaine Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour in former time should minister hope vnto his seruauntes that they should afterwards féele it in like sort when they are in any distresse Verse 2. Teacheth that it is God alone that doeth and must forgiue all the sinnes of his people Verse 3. Sheweth that vnlesse the Lorde in the middest of his wrath remember his mercy wee shoulde bee all consumed Verse 4. Teacheth that vnlesse GOD worke in vs repentaunce wee shall neuer repent Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods wrath indureth not alwayes Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 6. Teacheth two thinges the first is that vnlesse GOD quicken vs wee are but as dead people the seconde that God in deliuery of his
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
shal be sayde of her that hée euen the most highest i. the almighty God shall stablishe her i. make her so strong and stedfast that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her Sée Matth. 16.18 Ver. 6. The Lord shal count i. accept and allow of those that be his when he writeth the people i. when he inroleth inregistreth them as it were al this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie as that also which is so often mētioned in scripture touching the booke of life hee i. many as before ver 4. of this Psalm was borne there vz. in the bosome of the Church and that by spiritual regeneration or new birth altogether is as much q.d. whē the Lord shal take an account of people he shal make thē whom he will greatly honour Citizens of Ierusalem and of his Church Ver. 7. As well the singers as the plaiers on instruments shall prayse thée q.d. the commendation of the Church shal be so great and large that the members therof both with musicall instruments and with voyce shal sound forth prayses of it all my springs i. al the pleasure and delights that I haue are in thée i. are set vpon the Church of God others expound it otherwise but methinketh the sense is simple and playne Immanuel readeth it thus wherefore all the fountaines of my life sing and reioyce also concerning thée there is no difference in the sense sauing that he referreth it to the Prophet alone and the other text to others with the Prophet Ver. 1. Setteth out the firmity and stedfastnes of the Church Do. the consideration whereof is comfortable to Gods children and fearefull to the wicked because that nothing that they can deuise against it can vndoe it Ver. 2. Declareth that Gods free loue towardes his Church is the cause of the stayednes thereof and of all other good things to it Ver. 3. Teacheth that howsoeuer vyle and contemptible the Church séeme in the eyes of the world yet it is true that shée and the thinges appertaining vnto her are glorious Verse 4. Expresseth both the increase of the Church and also the calling of the Gentiles Verse 5. Teacheth vs that the Lorde who is greater then all is the stay and strength of the Church Ver. 6. Teacheth vs what a straunge stay Gods election is to the Church and also what great grace he doeth bestowe vpon vs when in the same by the ministry of his worde he doeth beget vs againe vnto himselfe Verse 7. Teacheth the faithful what great delight and pleasure they ought to take in the Church and in the graces that she hath in her Psalme 88. THis Psalme as I take it may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first part Heman the Ezrahite beséecheth the Lord to hear his prayers setting out the great miseries wherein hee was as arguments to moue the Lorde in pity and compassion from ver 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he doth as it were expostulate and delate the matter without setting out some time his owne misery sometimes his enemies cruelty and sometymes one thing and sometimes an other and this reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title a song and Psalme sée Psal 48. of Heman who was a very wise man as appeareth 1. king 4.31 and the brother of Ethan who made the next Psalme following as appeareth 1. Chrome 2.6 the Hezrahite this I take to bée a name deriued by transposition of letters from Zerah his father of whome sée also 1. Chron. 2.6 and he is so called according to the manner of the Iewes who vse to name the race or stocke by the name of the first father thereof to giue instruction vz. howe to behaue themselues euen towardes God in the tyme of their afflictions sée Psal 42. in the title committed to the sonnes of Korah vz. to be sung by them sée Psal 42. in the title for him that excelleth q.d. yea euen to the chiefest musition amongest them because of the excellency of the Psalm and the matter contained therein sée Psalm 4. in the title vppon Malath Leannoth some take it to bee the beginning of a song by the tune whereof he would haue this Psalme to be sung some take it for the name of an instrument vppon which hee woulde haue the tune of this Psal played when it was sung The Iewes themselues who either were or shoulde bee best acquainted with these matters do fréely and plainely confesse that they knew not what these thinges meane and therefore wée néede not stand much about them Ver. 1. O Lord God of my saluation i. thou that heretofore hast deliuered mee and from whome I presently hope of deliuery out of all the distresses wherin I am I cry i. I pray earnestly day and night i. continually also and without ceasing as it were before thée i. not only in thy presence before whom all thinges are naked but also vnto thee alone Ver. 2. Let my prayer enter into thy presence i. let it find grace fauor and acceptatiō in thy sight for otherwise the Prophet doubted not but that God did sée it and heare it incline thine eare i. shew thy selfe ready not onely to hearken vnto but also to graunt and yéelde vnto vnto my cry i. to my earnest supplication and prayer Ver. 3. For my soule i. my whole man and my very life putting a part for the whole is filled with euils i. hath nothing in it but heapes of miseries Sée Iob. 14 1. but here he speaketh of some extraordinary griefe as it were and my life draweth néere to the graue q.d. my afflictions and griefes are so great that I am become thereby as it were at deaths doore and as one that is ready to be buried Ver. 4. I am accounted vz. not onely by them that hate but euen by my frends yea in mine owne iudgment among them that go downe into the pit i. I am like vnto them that be dead and buried of whom there is as a man would say no more hope of life and as a man without strength q.d. certainly and in déed my griefes haue so preuailed vpon me that I haue no strength at all in bones flesh sinowes or any part of me but am vtterly consumed Ver. 5. Frée among the dead Immanuel readeth this part of the ver better and more plainely by repeating the worde I am accounted thus I am counted among the dead i. men haue no other account or regard of me then of a dead man and then he addeth shut out vz. from others wherein he alludeth to the ceremony of the old lawe by which they that were infected with the leprosie were shut out of the campe Leuit. 14.3 and afterwardes when the people came to a setled state they were sent out of the cities into houses prepared for them 2. king 15 5. 2 Chro. 26.21 Like the slaine lying in the graue q.d. I am as a dead man for hee vseth but
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
his sight neither wil the God of Iaakob regard it q.d. hee will make no great account of our transgressions so the wicked are caryed away into sinne perswading themselues either that God maketh no account of it or if hée doe they are able to stoppe his eyes vppe and to shut his mouth Verse 8. Vnderstand vz. howe farre yee goe astray and deceiue your selues q.d. nowe at the length bee of a better mynde yee vnwise i. yee wicked and vngodly men as Psal 92.6 among the people hee meaneth by this speach not onely that they committed sinne in the sight of the people but were as a man woulde saye the ringleaders of the rest and yée fooles i. O yée wicked people as generally you shall haue that worde so vsed throughout the Prouerbes when will yee bée wise i. when will yée returne and bée of a better mynde for that is true wisedome in déede Ver. 9. Hée that planted the eare vz. in the heade and that place of the head meaning thereby the creating and making of it shall hee not heare q.d. it can not bée but hée must needes heare or hee that formed the eye i. hée that not onely gaue shape but substaunce also and being vnto it shall hée not sée q.d. it can not bée auoyded but hée must needes sée and therefore that is a vayne perswasion which you haue to thinke that hee doeth not beholde and marke your wordes and déedes and this is a reason taken from the very order of nature q.d. if GOD giue men power to heare and sée can any thing then be hidden from him as you suppose no in déed Sée such a like argument vsed Exodus 4.11 Verse 10. Or hée that chastiseth vz. with his punishmēts and iudgments the nations i. whole peoples countries yea and the whole world as in the general flood shall hée not correct vz. you that with the same or like punishments q.d. you may assure your selues that hée will come vppon you in seuere iustice and iudgement And this is an argument taken from the more to the lesse q.d. if GOD chastise and correct all people without partialty or respect of persons will he leaue some fewe men vnpunished no in deed he that teacheth man i. all mankynde and euery man that hath any thing knowledge i. any knowledge or vnderstanding that hée hath shall not hée knowe vz. the sinnes and iniquyties which you commit against him either openlye or secretlye q.d. assure your selues hée knoweth them all Verse 11. The Lorde q.d. whatsoeuer you imagine yet this is certaine that hée knoweth i. heareth seeth correcteth yea and pronounceth iudgement of the thoughtes of man i. not only the thinges that man thinketh but also the wordes hee speaketh and the workes hee doeth putting thought which is the beginning of euery thing for the pursuite and perfourmaunce of the thinges themselues that they are vanitye i. that they are vayne and shall come to no ende as by the iudgement which hée will execute vppon them shall appeare Verse 12. Blessed is the man i. certainely hee is in good case howsoeuer the world déeme of him And marke how after hee had reproued the wicked hee commeth to comfort the good whome thou chastisest vz. for a small while and that either by the ministery of wicked and vngodly men as verse 5. and 6. of this Psal or else by thine owne hande and crosses of tryall and teachest him vz. to walke in thy law i. according to the rules prescribed in the same Verse 13. That thou mayest giue him rest vz. after some short and small affliction as Psalme 30.5 vnderstanding by rest deliueraunce from all daungers and distresses and peace after the same deliueraunce from the dayes of euill i. from the tyme wherein hée was exercised with affliction and aduersitie while the pit is digged for the wicked i. not onely while the vngodly is afflicted as though he ment that the good being deliuered the vngodly shoulde bée punished in this life but also death and destruction from the Lorde is prepared for them and commeth vppon them Sée 2. Thessalonians 1. ver 5.6.7 Vnderstanding by pit death and destruction and by digging the preparing and performing thereof Ver. 14. Surely the Lorde will not faile his people i. deceiue or disappoint them in any thing neither will hee forsake his inheritaunce vz. vtterly or for euer hee here laboureth to staye the faythfull vppon the assured loue and trueth of the Lorde Verse 15. for iudgement i. Gods iudgements which in this worlde is rather executed vppon the good then vppon the badde shall returne to iustice i. shalbée brought to full and assured iustice euerye man hauing yéelded to him his right vz. affliction to them that afflict and to the afflicted Gods kingdome for which they suffer Sée 2. Thessalonians 16.7.8 not as though Gods iudgements executed in this life were vniust for hee is iust in all his workes and holy in all his wayes but because wee haue in this life but the beginning of them and in the great daye the full measure of iustice shalbée made manifest and all the vpright in heart i. all that are soundly and sincerely without hypocrisie giuen to godlinesse shall followe after it vz. chearefully meaning by the worde following not onely the approuing of it but also a holy desire to sée and imbrace the same Verse 16. Who will rise vppe with mee i. for mee against the wicked hee meaneth that none woulde defende him and his cause against the wicked or who will take my part against the workers of iniquity q.d. none saue God only by this the Prophet sheweth in his owne example that vnlesse GOD had holpen him hée had béene vtterly cast away so much was hee despised of all and so little coulde or woulde any mans helpe preuaile Verse 17. If the Lorde had not holpen mee vz. in the tyme of my distresse and feare by the woorde holpen hee meaneth plentifull helpe and deliueraunce my soule had almost dwelt in silence i. I shoulde haue béene dead and buryed hée putteth the worde soule for life as sundry tymes before and dwelling in silence for lying in the graue which is called the place of silence not onely because the deade haue no féeling force speaking c but also because they haue no power as then to prayse GOD. Sée Psalme 6.5 also Psalme 115.17 and by the worde almost hee meaneth not that hee shoulde haue escaped death but that hee shoulde shortly haue dyed Verse 18. When I sayde vz. either in wordes or thought in my heart that which followeth my foote slydeth i. I am come nowe into some one daunger or other and I seeme thereby to bee cast awaye and euen at deathes dore as it were If any man list to to take it of small daungers because slyding or slipping of the foote is no great matter I will not gainesay it thy mercye O Lorde stayed mee vz. from falling either into daunger or perill of destruction or into
some lesse triall Verse 19. In the multitude of my thoughtes in my heart i. while I did secretly and within my selfe thinke vppon many thinges hee calleth these perillous and doubtfull cares which hee had in his thoughtes which no doubt woulde haue ouerwhelmed him if the comfortes of God of which he speaketh afterwards had not refreshed him thy comfortes i. those comfortes that by thy spirite I receiue from thy nature and worde haue reioyced i. haue caused to reioyce or haue made glade my soule i. my life and whole man distressed with sundry sortes of heauinesses Verse 20. Hath the throne of iniquitie i. hath vniust iudgement and sentence hee putteth a wicked place for wicked matter and iudgement pronounced out of that place fellowshippe with thée i. doest thou iudge vniustly as wicked iudges doe Sée Gene. 18.25 which forgeth wrong for a lawe i. which deuiseth frameth and performeth cruelty as though it were right and according to the lawe and iustice and marke that hee calleth it the throne of iniquitie both because vniust men sit there and vniust sentences are pronounced there the whole verse together is q.d. thou in thy dealings O Lorde hast nothing common with vniust iudgement seates with vniust iudges or vniust sentences all which doe nothing else but oppresse other men with iniurie and wrong and that many times vnder the pretence of lawe and right Ver. 21. They i. the wicked and vngodly gather them together vz. in troupes and great companies and all to take counsell against the soule of the righteous i. against the life of the good man howe they may take it away from him and spoyle him of al that he hath and condemne vz. vniustly without cause the innocent blood i. the man that hath done them no harme putting blood a part of man for man himselfe and his whole life Verse 22. But the Lorde q.d. notwithstanding the mischieuous malice of the vngodly mentioned verse 21. yea the rather for that is my refuge i. a sure place whereunto I will flée to bée preserued from mine enemies and my God i. hée that hath alwayes shewed himselfe careful for mee and gracious to mée is the rocke of my hope i. is the sure stay and foundation of the hope that I haue q.d. I assuredly staye my selfe in none but in him alone Ver. 23. And hée will reuenge them their wickednesse vz. which they haue committed against him and others meaning by this manner of speach that hée will giue them the wages and hire which is due to so great transgression and destroy them i. vtterly ouerthrow them and bring them to naught in their owne malice i. in the mischiefe and euill that they haue deuised against the good meaning that their euill deuises shall fall vpon their owne heades and they shal be taken in the mischiefes wherein they thought to intrappe the good yea the Lorde our God shall destroy them q.d. he wil certainely destroy them and that by his great and sodaine iudgements the repeating of the same words noteth nothing else but the assured perswasion of the faithfull and the certaine destruction of the wicked Verse 1. Teacheth that it is comfortable to Gods children Do. and terrible to the wicked to knowe and féele that GOD is the auenger of al iniuries and wronges Verse 2. Teacheth that wée may safely praye against the malicious and insolent enemyes of Gods trueth Verse 3. Teacheth vs not to bée dismayed though the wicked preuaile much and long neither to prescribe GOD a tyme of deliuerance but with patience to beare and by earnest praier to labour the remouing of those crosses and trials Verse 4. Describeth the proude and cruell both wordes and gestures of the vngodly Verse 5. Setteth out their cruell and outragious déedes against Gods seruants Verse 6. Sheweth that they growe to such a height and harde heartednes and cruelty that they pity not them whome nature and curtesie woulde shewe compassion to Verse 7. Sheweth not onely that the vngodly flatter themselues in their sinnes but also that they imagine that either God will not beholde their iniquity or if hee doe that hee will not greatly regarde to punish them for it Verse 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct euen those that are most desperately wicked Verse 9. Teacheth vs that nothing that we doe or speake can bee hid from Gods eyes or eare Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God is no respecter of persons and that therefore wee shoulde not flatter our selues as though hée woulde forbeare vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that man and all his deuises are nothing in respect of the Lorde Verse 12. Teacheth that Gods corrections are to Gods children seales of his blessing vppon them also that this is a singular benefite to haue Gods will and worde made manifest vnto vs. Verse 13. Sheweth two thinges first that GOD will deliuer his out of all their distresses Secondly that the wicked shall bee ouertaken in the mischiefes of their owne heartes Verse 14. Teacheth that howe slippery or inconstant soeuer man bée to man yet GOD is alwayes fast and sure to those that are his Verse 15. Teacheth that howsoeuer GOD séeme for a time to deferre the execution of full and perfect iudgement yet hee will in the ende perfourme it in déede and the godly shall reioyce therein Verse 16. Teacheth that the number of those which boldly defende Gods seruants is very smal Ver. 17. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs euery steppe that wée steppe is a steppe vnto death Verse 18. Is very comfortable teaching vs that GOD is alwayes present with his to preserue them from all euill Ver. 19. Teacheth that nothing can more gladde men in this life in the middest of their heauinesses then to haue an eye to the comfortes which GOD hath set downe in his worde Verse 20. Setteth out the vprightnesse of GOD and of all his iudgements so that though men bée neuer so corrupt yet he is alwayes iust and holy in all his workes Verse 21. Paynteth out the conspiracye and crueltye of the wicked against the godly Verse 22. Teacheth vs in the middest of all these mischiefes to hang vppon the Lorde onely by an assured and stedfast fayth Verse 23. Setteth out the certaintye of that destruction and iudgement of the vngodly with which they shalbée ouertaken from the Lorde Psalme 95. Di. THis Psalme may bée diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful to praise and serue God and this is conteyned in the two first verses and in the sixt verse In the seconde part hée sheweth the causes wherefore vz. for the gouernement of the worlde which is general and for the chusing of his Church which is particular Verse 3.4.5.7 In the thirde part the better to bring them vnto the perfourmance of this duety hée setteth before them a fearefull example and that in their owne fathers for the neglect of it from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Though this Psalme
for his excellent gouernment and prouidence Verse 13 teacheth that howsoeuer men be corrupted in their iudgements and gouernment yet God is not sée Psal 94. verse 20. Psalme 97 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is described the greatnesse and excellency of almightye God and and his power From verse 1 to the end of the sixte In the seconde is declared that this power of his is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to the godly whome the Prophet therfore exhorteth to yéeld obedience and thankfulnesse to the Lorde from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title as sundry both before it and after it haue not likewise and therefore we cannot determine eyther who was the Author of it Se. or when it was penned Certaine it is that the holye Ghost therein purposeth to exhort the faythfull to shew themselues ioifull for the Lordes fauour loue and power towards them Verse 1. The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 let the earth reioyce i. people inhabiting the earth as Psalme 96.1 q.d. Let the people be excéedingly glad euen in that respecte that the Lordes power beareth a sway Let the multitude of the Iles i. the multitude of people inhabyting the Ilandes be glad vz. for the same cause and occasion Ver. 2. Clouds and darkenesse i. most fearefull and terrible maiestie and power sée Psalm 18.11 And he doth thus describe God that he might more liuely touch mens harts to yéeld him reuerence and honour are round about him i. compasse him in on euery side meaning that he hath both plenty of them and in a readinesse also to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him righteousnesse i. all vprightnesse and equitie and iudgement i. true and right iudgement and this the holy Ghost addeth as it were to preuent that which the wicked might obiect as though gods power and maiestie were full of iniustice are the foundation of his throne i. are so tied to his kingdom that they can no more be separated from his kingdom then the foundation of his building Vnderstanding by throne the signe of a kingdome the kingdome it selfe and by foundation the straight and narrowe coniunction of iustice and sound iudgement to it Verse 3. There shall goe a fyre before him he vnderstandeth by the word fire the wrath and vengeaunce of God and burne vp his enemies round about i. it shall vtterlye consume those that set themselues agaynst him and that on euerye side before him and behinde him on the lefte hande and on the right hand so that none shall escape Verse 4. His lightninges i. the lightnings that come from him and are sente by his appoyntment gaue lighte vnto the world i. were so great that all the Worlde mighte sée them the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth saw vz. with their bodilye eyes and sensiblye it i. those lightninges one number put for an other and was afrayde vz. of his great power and maiesty whiche appeared therein By this and the thyrde verse before going and the nexte verse following it the holy Ghost myndeth nothing but to shewe the greatnesse of almightye Gods power in so much that nothing though it be neuer so stoute and stéedye is able to stande before it Verse 5. The Mountaynes vz. though they were neuer so greate strong and mighty melted like waxe vz. helde agaynst the fyre or the heate of the Sunne He meaneth by this Metaphor that they quickly consumed at the presence of the Lorde i. so soone as the Lorde gaue some shew of his presence or maiestie at the presence of the Lorde of the whole earth i. of him that ruleth the earth and all thinges therein contayned Verse 6. The Heauens declare his righteousnesse i. euen those thinges whiche are done in the Firmament as fyre hayle thunder lightning the Lorde thereby plaguing the wicked doe sufficientlye declare him to be vpright and iust in all his wayes and all the people vz. of the earth sée i. plainlye and sensiblye perceyue by the thinges done there his glorye i. his great power and mighte In this verse the Prophet mindeth to declare that God is most glorious manifest tokens of whose glory and iustice appeare in the very heauens and are set out before mens eyes to make them without excuse sée Psalme 19.1 Romanes 1 20. Verse 7. Confounded vz. thorowe the mightye power and iudgemente of almightye GOD bée all they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee q.d. let them bée confounded and ouerthrowne that serue vz. any manner of waye or with anye sorte of worship grauen Images i. images or pictures made framed and grauen by the hande arte and cunning of man and that glorye i. eyther boaste of or speake of them as to allowe them anye manner of waye in Idols see before Psalme 96 5. Leuiticus 19.4 Worshippe vz. according to the prescripte rule of his worde him vz. onelye all yée Gods i. not only mightye men and Magistrates of the world but all thinges that in the worlde is esteemed as God The Prophet meaning that eyther they shoulde doe it willinglye and of a good mynde or else by constraynt and inforcemente because they coulde not resist his power Verse 8. Sion i. the Church as Psalme 48.11.12 hearde vz. by thy workes and by thy worde of it vz. that goeth before i. the confusion and ouerthrowe of the idolatrers and was gladde vz. for the iust execution of thy iudgementes vppon them and the Daughters of Iudah i. not onely the Cittyes and Townes of that Lande in whiche sence you shall sundrye tymes haue the worde Daughters taken but the people inhabiting the same places meaning notwithstadding the particular members of the Church reioyced i. were excéedinglye glad because of thy iudgementes O Lord vz. executed vppon the wicked and vngodlye by whiche also it hath pleased thée to prouide for their deliueraunce and safetie Verse 9. For thou Lord vz. alone arte moste high aboue all the earth i. arte greater in power and mighte then all thinges in the earth because that they whatsoeuer they be are subiecte to thy authoritie and power Thou arte muche exalted vz. in thy iustice and iudgementes aboue all Gods sée Psalme 95 3. Verse 10. Yée that loue the Lorde vz. indéede vnfeignedlye and with a good hearte hate i. detest and abhorre from the bottome of youre hartes sée Romanes 12.9 Euill i. whatsoeuer is sinne and transgression before him or inclining that waye sée 1. Thessalonians 5.22 hée preserueth i. God mayntayneth defendeth and kéepeth the soules i the life and whole person of his Sayntes i. of those whome hee hath framed to holynesse and inflamed with the loue thereof hée will deliuer them i. set them safe and sounde from the hande i. from the cruell power and outrage of the wicked vz. that séeke to destroy them Verse 11. Lighte i. ioye prosperitie and eternall blessednesse Sée Ester 8 16. as by the contrarye vz. darkenesse is signifyed myserye is sowne
godly magistrates and ministers which the Lord giueth vs. Ver. 17.18 Teach vs that God doth fearefully punish rebels and contentious persons of what state or calling soeuer they be Ver. 19.20 See out the dotage and blockishnes of idolaters who suppose the Godhead can be fashioned or resembled by any outward thing Ver. 21.22 Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of God his benefites and workes is the high way to all manner of sinne and iniquitie Ver. 23. Teacheth two things first that our sinnes do pul destruction from the Lord vppon vs Secondly how forcible the prayers of Gods children are both for themselues and others Ver. 24. Teacheth that contempt of Gods graces offred and giuen and distrust in the trueth of his promises are two horrible grieuous iniquities Ver. 25. Setteth out what great sinnes murmuring and rebellion against the Lorde are Ver. 26.27 Declare that neither these nor any other sinnes shall escape vnpunished in the parties that do them whether they be fathers or sonnes Ver. 28. Sheweth mans readines and earnest affection to commit idolatry Ver. 29. Sheweth that mans inuentions specially in the worship and seruice of God prouoke Gods angers and bring a plague vppon them Ver. 30. Teacheth vs in the example of Phinehas to lothe and abhorre sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth vs that God graciously accepteth the déedes words of his seruants though many wayes fraught with great defectes Ver. 32. Teacheth vs how peruerse and frowarde mans nature is though the Lorde deale neuer so plentifully and mercifully with him it teacheth also that God spareth no man for his person sake in that hée punished Moses Ver. 33. Teacheth thrée things first that other mens peruersnes shoulde not make vs sinne against God secondly though it doe yet wee shall not escape vnpunished thirdly that rash and vnaduised speaches are sinne against the Lord. Ver. 34. Teacheth vs to strike and not to spare where the Lord will haue vs to destroy for then we must not be lead by our owne fonde affections Verse 35. Teacheth vs that ill company is a shrewde meane to peruerte men from goodnes Ver. 36. Teacheth vs that to serue any besides the Lorde is the next way to come to destruction both in this life and in the life to come Ver. 37. Setteth out the rage of idolaters who spare nothing no not the dearest thinges they haue Verse 38. Teacheth vs that the shedding of innocent blood slayeth the whole lande and that therefore murther shoulde not onely not bée pardoned but sharpely punished Verse 39. Teacheth vs that there is nothing that hurteth man more then in ouerwening of his owne deuises Verse 40. Teacheth vs that our sinnes turne Gods loue and fauour into hatred and displeasure Ver. 41.42 Teach vs that sinne doeth drawe euen all temporall punishmentes vppon vs as forraine gouernement oppression captiuity c. Verse 43. Teacheth vs that God doeth not once onely but sundry times deliuer his people Secondlye that many the more graces they haue from God the more they are puffed vp in their owne deuises Thirdly that sinne against God is not onely a cause to humble vs but doeth in déede humble vs though perhaps wicked men will not sée it or féele it Verse 44. Teacheth vs first that GOD hath a tender eye ouer the afflicted ones Secondly that hée neuer forsaketh them if they call earnestly vppon him Verse 45. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenaunt and eternall mercy without any thing of ours at all are sufficient inough to mooue him to take pity vppon vs in our afflictions Ver. 46. Teacheth that GOD onely hath the touching of mens heartes to bowe them hither or thither according to his good pleasure Verse 47. Teacheth vs to pray for other and euen Gods dispersed members as for our selues also that our owne ease and prosperity or preferment shoulde not so farre preuayle with vs as to make vs to forget them Verse 48. Teacheth all men continually to prayse the Lorde and to prouoke others thereto what in them lyeth Psalme 107 I Woulde diuide this Psalme into two partes Di In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord for his mercy goodnes prouidence and power towardes them from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hée prouoketh them to praise the Lorde for his general power prouidence and goodnes towards others from ver 21. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title or inscription at all Ver. 1. Is the same both in worde and sense that verse 1. of this Psalme 106. is and therfore sée that Ver. 2. Let them which haue béene redéemed of the Lord vz. out of bondage captiuity and dispersion q.d. let them that haue receiued this benefite at the Lords handes to bée set at liberty when they were in bondage prayse him shew vz. openly and to others howe vz. graciously and mightily hée vz. alone and none but hée hath deliuered them i. fréed them being sore oppressed through the cruelty and tyrannie of them that held them vnder from the hand i. from the power and might of the oppressor i. of them that oppressed them hée putteth in this place the singular for the plurall Verse 3. And gathered them vz. againe and together and that by his mighty power out of the landes vz. rounde about them into which they were dispersed for their transgressions sake from the East and from the West from the North and from the South i. from all quarters whereunto they were dispersed that word that we turne South signifieth also Sea and so shall you finde it translated in sundry textes but the meaning is because the red Sea lay southwarde from the land of promise Verse 4. When they wandered vz. a long tyme vp and downe in the desert and wildernesse out of the way hée meaneth out of the right way which did leade them whither they woulde haue come for GOD for their disobedience made them to wander fourty yéeres in the wildernes that so they might die and not come into the lande of Canaan and found no Citie vz. all that while of their wandering to dwell in i. to stay and refresh them selues in Verse 5. Both hungry and thirsty hée meaneth that whylest they were in the wildernesse they suffered many times great want of bread and drinke yea so much that their soule faynted in them i. their life was ready to decay and there séemed to bée but little difference betwéene death and them Verse 6. Then they vz. being in this great distresse and affliction cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble i. prayed earnestly vnto him and hée deliuered them i. set them frée from their distresse i. from the distresse that they were in Verse 7. And ledde them foorth vz. of the wildernesse and that safe and sounde by the right way vz. into the promised lande that they might goe vz. through his good direction to a Citie of habitation i. not onely to a citie inhabited but to a Citie whose
he doth in the time of their nauigation trade and his wonders i. the wnnderful things that both he hath placed and doeth sundry times perfourme in the déepe i. in the déepe and bottomles waters as it were of the sea Ver. 25. For he commandeth and rayseth the stormy wind i. the tempest by Sea q.d. if hee do but speake the tempest is sodainely moued euen at his onely commaundement so that men can not rightly attribute it to fortune or any naturall cause whatsoeuer and it vz. the tempest and storme so raysed by his commaundement lifteth vp the waues thereof vz. of the Sea hée meaneth that the storme sent from God causeth the sea to swell rage and roare Ver. 26. They i. the mariners and marchants in the shippe or the ships wherin they are neither deny I also but that it may be referred to the waues surges of the sea mount vp vz. being forced and carryed by the waues of the Sea into heauen i. very high and descende to the déepe vz. of the waters hee meaneth that they are sometimes aloft and sometimes againe very lowe by reasō of the going of the waues and surges so that their soule melteth i. their courage fayleth and they are ready to yéelde vp the ghost as it were being brought through lothsomnesse and tossing to vomiting euen as though they should presently giue vp their life and powre out their soule as some thinne matter with vomiting for trouble i. through the trouble and anguish which they indure Ver. 27. They i. the shippes and the men in them are tossed to and fro vz. vppon the Sea by reason of the storme and tempest and stagger like a drunken man i. réele hither and thither without any gouernment or stay of themselues and all their cunning vz. in nauigation or sayling yea their very wit and iudgement q.d. they are in such sort astonished that their art and knowledge standeth them in litle or no stéede is gone vz. from them because they haue no vse of it hée meaneth that they can not tell what to doe so that in respect of man they doe vtterly dispaire of their safety Ver. 28. Is the same both in woordes and meaning with ver 19. of this Psal Ver. 29. Hee i. God turneth vz. by his almightie power the storme vz. which made the Sea to rage so taking away the cause the effect ceaseth to calme vz. weather so that vz. thereby the waues thereof i. of the Sea raysed vp by the tempest are still i. quiet and neither rage nor roare Verse 30. When they i. the waues and surges of the Sea are quieted vz. through Gods power and of his great goodnes towardes the trauilers they i. the mariners marchants trauaylers c. are glad vz. excéedingly and hée i. God of his goodnesse bringeth them vz. safe and sound vnto the hauen where they woulde bée i. vnto a place of rest refreshing and quietnes where they long wished and desired to bée Verse 31. Is the same in woordes and sense with verse 21. of this Psalme Verse 32. And let them vz. so deliuered and brought to the place where they woulde bée exalt him i. prayse God and shewe themselues thankefull vnto him in the congregation of the people i. openly and in the assemblies of Gods Saints declaring that such great and so many benefites shoulde bée acknowledged not onely particularly or priuately but also deserue to bee magnified in all places and prayse him vz. for that his mercy and goodnes in the assembly of the elders i. in the méetings of such as had the gouernement of the people q.d. they shoulde perfourme it not onely before the people but also before the magistrate because that as men haue more experience and wisedome one then an other so they might bee more fit hearers and declarers of Gods prayses Ver. 33. Hée turneth vz. in his power and iustice against the vngodly the floodes into a wildernes i. hee dryeth vp great floods and the springs of waters which a man woulde thinke would neuer be dryed vp in to drienes vz. so that there is scarce a droppe to be found there Ver 34. And a fruitful lande i. a lande that bare great store of fruite by reason of his speciall blessing or through abundance of floods waters springs into barrennesse or as the Hebrewe worde also importeth into saltnesse because by saltnes the land is made barren Sée Luke 14.34.35 hée meaneth that the lande should bée altogether barren as though a man had sowed salt there because there is nothing more barren then salt but yet here hee setteth foorth Gods prouidence in the fruitfulnesse and barrennes of grounde because the most plentifull are dryed vp and the barren take as it were a newe nature vppon them for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein i. for the sinnes that the people of those landes commit against him Verse 35. Againe hée turneth vz. by his almighty power the wildernesse which is as it were consumed with drought and barennesse into pooles of water i. into abundaunce of water and the dry lande vz. where no water was before into water springs i. into plenty of water this is the direct contrary to verse 33. by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde doeth and can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him Verse 36. And there vz. in these fruitfull and plentifull places hee placeth the hungry i. such as were inforced to forsake their owne Countrey and to goe to another place to séeke maintenaunce for their life and they vz. which were so poore before growe to that strength and greatnesse that they build a Citie vz. in that place or lande to dwell in vz. safe and sounde from the rage of men and the violence of beastes Verse 37. And sowe the fieldes vz. with corne and graine to giue them bread and plant vineyardes to minister vnto them wine and drinke which vz. fieldes and vineyardes bring forth vz. through Gods blessing men trauailing and tilling the same according to Gods ordinaunce fruitefull increase i. store and abundaunce of fruite or increase In this verse hée declareth with what great plentifulnes God maketh the land that before was barren to abound q.d. good men being brought into that lande to inhabite it they will dresse and till the barren fields thereof and yet they shall not doe it in vayne for through Gods blessing the fields and vineyardes shall yéelde plentifull fruite Verse 38. For hée blesseth them i. they themselues their labours and whatsoeuer belongeth to them and that with his fauour and goodnes and they multiply excéedingly vz. through his blessing and hée diminisheth not i. hée doeth greatly increase their cattle i. not onely their beastes but all their goods putting one sort for all sortes Verse 39. Againe q.d. beholde on the other side Gods iustice against the wicked men are dimished vz. both in number force and substaunce and brought lowe vz. before men specially when GOD curseth them by oppression euill and sorrowe
vngodlinesse and let not the sinne of his mother be done away vz. out of the Lords sight but let it stand fast there as to craue continual punishmēt vpon her children resting in the like Ver. 15. But let thē i. their sins transgressiōs alway be before the Lord i. let the Lord continually remēber thē for we do not forget these things that are alwayes in our sight that he may cut of vz. in his iustice iudgemēt their memorial i. both they thēselues al other things that might bring them to remēbrance frō the earth i. not only from the place wher they dwel wch cannot properly be said to haue any remēbrance of thē but chéefly specially frō the people inhabiting those places or that part of the world Ver. 16. Because now he beginneth to shew some causes of his praier of gods iudgemēt he i. the wicked mā remembred not i. did of purpose forget put out the remēbrance of it in himself to shew mercy i. to haue pity cōpassion vpō others distressed but persecuted vz. with great rage egernes the afflicted poore mā i. him whom the Lord had cast downe brought to the state of néed the sorrowful harted i. him that was wounded and pearced with sorow at his hart for the calamities miseries that he was in to slay him vz. in his heat rage of persecutiō Ver. 17. As he loued cursing vz. of other mē vnderstāding by cursing al maner of wickednes that the vngodly was giuen to so shal it come vnto him vz. frō the Lord the Prophet meaneth that the vngodly multiplying sins against the lord shal frō the Lord receiue abūdance of plagues wch are so many curses sent frō the Lord as he loued not blessing i. good holy dealing generally for so you haue the word blesse vsed Mat. 5.44 so shall it i. blessing from the Lord and goodnes frō the God of Iaakob be far from him vz. so farre that it shall neuer come nigh him nor he in any hope to haue any part or portion thereof Verse 18. As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a rayment i. euen as he loued cursing as many men doe their costlye apparell as he was couered both within and without as it were and wrapped vp and trussed in cursing so shall it i. cursing come vz. being sent from God in his iustice into his bowels i. into his inwarde parts vnderstanding thereby euen the soule and minde also like water i. great abundaunce and like oyle into his bones i. it shall come plentifully vpon him By water he vnderstandeth their vsuall drinke and by Oyle their oyntmentes q.d. as men when they are thirstie drinke muche and when they are full of paines and aches vse much oyntment so let fulnes and abundance of cursing fall vpon the vngodly This is well knowne that water was an vsuall drink in those dayes and amongst that people sée Gen. 21.19 Ver. 19. Let it i. the cursing whiche hée hath vttered and vsed agaynste good men be vnto him i. vnto the wicked and vngodly as a garment to couer him i. let it stick and cleaue as fast vnto him as mens garments doe to their bodies and for a girdle wherewith he shall be alwayes girded hee meaneth by this lette it neuer departe from him but lette it daylye sticke closer and closer vnto him as mens garmentes doe when their gyrdles are aboute them This Verse differeth but a little from the former sauing that it séemeth to bee a prophecie and this a prayer this also further noting the continuance of cursing vppon the wicked Ver. 20. Let this i. al the punishments before reckoned be the reward of mine aduersaries vz. for their iniquities agaynst the Lord and me from the Lorde i. layd and sent vpon them from him by his mighty power and iustice and of them i. let such punishmēts also light vpon them that speake euill hee meaneth vnder this word deuising vttering and performing of crueltye agaynst my soule i. against my life for otherwise wicked men can not touch the soule as appeareth Matth. 10.28 All these imprecations Dauid maketh in a spiritual wisedome and by the motion of the holy Ghost Vnder the name of his aduersaries a man may vnderstand Christs aduersaries for whom al cursing is prepared and against whom the Church may vse suche like prayers because they are Gods obstinate and rebellious enemies Verse 21. But thou O Lorde my God vz. in whom I put my trust only deale vz. according to thy accustomed goodnesse with me vz. so sore distressed according vnto thy name i. according to that power maiestie goodnesse c. as Psalme 20.1 which thou arte wont to shew and thy seruaunts haue felt deliuer me vz. out of all my daungers and feares for thy mercy vz. towards thy children is good i. comfortable profitable and excéeding great And this is the firste reason that Dauid would moue the Lord by to pittie him in his calamities and an other reason followeth in the next verse Verse 22. Because I am poore and néedie q.d. I am most miserable and voyd of all hope this is a second reason taken from his calamities sée Psal 86.1 and mine hart is wounded within me vz. by the reason of the gréefes that I indure He meaneth by his hart wounded that he was almost dead because they that be wounded at the hart can hardly escape so that that metaphor expresseth the great daunger he was in Ver. 23. I depart vz. from amōgst men or out of this life like the shadow that declineth vz. very swiftly and sodainly for so soone as a cloud taketh away the sunne the shadow is presently gone it may be referred also to these long shadowes that appeare cōmonly before the sun set which séemeth to be very great and huge and yet when the sunne is down they sodainly vanish away and appeare no more and I am shakē off vz. from place to place he meaneth by this spéech that he was wonderfully tossed from post to piller as the grashopper wch leapeth hither thither continueth not long in a place how true that was in Dauid sée 1. Sam. frō chap. 18. til ye come almost to the end of the booke namely chap. 23.26 Ver. 24. My knées are weake through fasting he meaneth by fasting not an abstinence willingly layd vpon himself by himselfe but a long abstinence by reason of weakenesse of stomack q.d. I haue so lōg abstained frō meat nourishment that euen my knées and legs which should bear me are not able to beare vp my body my flesh hath lost all fatnes i. I am very lean low brought he meaneth some great gréefe extremity by means wherof natural force comlines was decaied in him Ver. 25. I vz. thus in misery became also a rebuke vnto thē i. to the wicked vngodly he meaneth that the wicked did tauntingly scornfully rebuke him they that looked vpō me vz. in
me i. tooke hold of me so that sore that I was almost past hope of escaping when I found trouble and sorrow i. when I perceiued my self to be much plūged in abundaunce of griefe for so much I take these two words trouble and sorrow ioyned together to import Ver. 4. Then I called vpon the name of the Lord i. I prayed vnto him himself and besought his goodnes to manifest his power in helping mee saying I beséeche thée vz. from the bottome of my heart O Lord i. thou that art both able and willing to help deliuer vz. from danger and distresse my soule i. my life which is in great hazarde by meanes of the dangers that hang ouer it and are ment against it Ver. 5. The Lord is merciful vz. towards al but specially towards thē that cal vpon him in truth and righteous vz. in performing his promises made to his people and maintaining them in their iust causes and our God i. the God which we serue is ful of compassion and therefore he wil neuer forsake his that are in misery the Prophet sheweth in this verse what was the comfort of his soule in the middest of his afflictions Ver. 6. The Lord vz. alone preserueth vz. by his mighty power and that out of all the mischieuous imaginations that the wicked can deuise the simple i. such as are destitute of mans counsel and therfore the more subiect to iniury amongst men the more easily circumuented and yet do all that notwithstanding commit themselues and their causes with a simple and quiet mind into the hands of God I was in misery q.d. I can speake this by myne own experience for when I was in wonderful and great distresse so that there was almost no hope of deliuery as ver 3. of this Psal and he saued mee i. deliuered me out of the same according to his prayer made ver 4. Ver. 7. Returne vnto thy rest O my soule i. bee no more troubled and disquieted but stay thy selfe vpon God sée Psal 42.5.12 This same returning to rest is that same stay that the faithful haue in God and his woorde in the middest of their griefes so that they vtterly fal not for the Lord hath bin beneficiall vnto thee vz. many and sundry waies al this verse together is q.d. Take courage vnto thée be quiet go vnto god in whom alone thou shalt find marueilous tranquility for he hath hertofore wil hereafter shew himself fauorable vnto thée ver 8. Because this is a proof by his own experience of that which he spake before that God had béen beneficial vnto him thou vz. alone mark the sodain change of the person from the thirde to the seconde hast deliuered vz. fréely safe and sound and through thy mighty power my soule i. me my selfe from death vz. whereunto I was almost brought or else you may vnderstande by death most extreme daunger mine eyes from teares i. thou hast taken away from me al sadnes and heauines he putteth the outward signe both for the signe and the thing it selfe and my féete from falling vz. into these deadly dangers and trappes which were layd for me and whereinto certainely I had fallen if I had not bene kept and deliuered by thée Ver. 9. I vz. being grounded and stayed vpon God shall walke vz. through his goodnes and defence meaning by walking liuing and being conuersant q.d. I shall liue before God i. safely and soundly for men thinke those things to be sure which they haue their eyes continually fixed vpon in the land of the liuing i. in this world or earth or amongst men dwelling vpon the same and so wee haue had it sundry times vsed before So that in this verse the prophet vpon the benefits which he had before receiued concludeth that he shal be alwaies vnder the care and gouernment of God Verse 10. I beléeued vz. the Lord and his word therfore I spake vz. vnto God by prayer and to my selfe in mine afflictions the wordes before expressed in this Psal for I was sore troubled i. much afflicted with assaultes both inward and outward In this verse the Prophet sheweth how weake and féeble his flesh was in the time of aduersity which almost reiected the promises of God had not Gods spirit vpholden him in faith q.d. then was faith forcible and triumphed in my mind when I called vppon God as is expressed before in this Psal ver 4. and spake vnto mine owne soule words of comfort ver 7. thē I beléeued in déed I spake nothing but that which I was fully perswaded of and my tongue and the affection of my hart agréed well together Ver. 11. I said i. I both thought it and spake it and held it as a resolute conclusion in my feare i. when I was in great feare and ready for feare to flie from the rage of Saul for the word doth not only signifie feare but hast making as appeareth Psal 31.22 q.d. with feare and flying I was caried forcibly into these perturbations of the flesh al men are lyers i. there is no certaintie and assurednes in their wordes q.d. Samuel who for his excellency might be preferred before all men promised me that I should obteine and possesse the kingdome but now I perceiue he spake not in the spirit of prophecie but of his owne brayne and lyingly Thus in the rage and heate of the flesh doth Dauid touch not God in déede openly but his prophet Samuel as though he had not sufficiently known Gods will and had gone beyond the boundes of his calling q.d. wée must no more beléeue men for there is nothing in them but vanity and lying Ver. 12. What vz. thing in al the world shal I render vnto the Lorde i. yéelde giue vnto him for al his benefits towards me i. for that innumerable number of benefites which he hath bestowed vpon me giuen me fréely This interrogation or question sheweth that hee thought himselfe so much bound vnto God for his graces as that he was not able to yéeld any thing that might counteruaile the least part therof Ver. 13. I wil take the cup of saluation or else in the plural number saluations as it is in the Hebrew text that is of very many helpes and deliuerances In this verse and the verse following the prophet promiseth publike profession of Gods name of the benefits bestowed vpō him which he will performe before the Church The meaning is that hee woulde offer to God sacrifices of praise and thanksgiuing and then that he would as the maner was in those sacrifices make a holy feast and banket also vnto the people in remembrance of that manifold deliuerance which hee had receiued from the Lord for in this place he doth no doubt allude to the custome of the law which was to make a banquet of some part of the sacrifice in token of reioysing whē they yéelded solemne thanks to God And because that those sacrifices were offred often times
the same alway i. all the dayes of my life q.d. I fainte weare awaye and consume with a holy desire that I haue to knowe and obserue thy lawe Verse 21. Thou vz. O Lord hast destroyed vz. iustlye by thy great mighte and power the proude i. the wicked vnbeléeuing and obstinate people for vnbeléefe is the mother of pride as faith is the mother of humilitie cursed are they i. all they of what estate or condition soeuer they are that doe erre vz. in their life and conuersation and this worde of erring doeth not signifye euery offence indifferentlye but an vnbrydeled licence whiche procéedeth from the contempt of GOD sée verse 10 of this Psalme and the word wander from thy commaundements vz. which thou hast prescribed as footesteppes and paths for me to tread in Verse 22. Remoue vz. very farre and that of thy goodnesse and mercy from me vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunte shame and contempt which the wicked and vngodlye haue purposed to bring vpon me for i. because I haue kepte thy testimonies vz. in my life and conuersation q.d. suffer not the wicked to diffame and mocke mée for this that I studye to obserue thy Lawe meaning that in that respecte and for that cause only the wicked did contemne mocke and despyse him Verse 23. Princes also i. great and mightye men as Magistrates and Iudges q.d. I was scorned and contemned not onlye of the common sorte of people but of great personages did sit vz. in the place and on the seat of iudgement and did speake vz. there and that openly where they should haue vttered nothing but iustice and truth this hee alleageth as a circumstaunce to aggrauate the sinne of those Rulers agaynst me vz. in my iust cause and that with mockes and tauntes but thy seruaunt i. I thy seruaunt speaking of himselfe by chaunging the person in the thyrde person did meditate vz. notwithstanding all that they spake or sayde agaynst mée in thy statutes i. in thy lawe and worde q.d. I did couragiously neglecte the shame and contempt which they did purposely lay vppon mée And this no doubte did muche wounde him that he was mocked not onlye of the popular sorte but of the mightiest amongste them yea euen of them that sate in the iudgement seate Verse 24. Also q.d. I did not only meditate in them but I tooke also singular delight and pleasure in them thy testimonies are my delighte i. I take my only pleasure and pastime in them and my Counsellors i. they by whose counsell I gouerne my selfe Dauid speaketh here after the manner of men and namely Princes who will doe nothing without the aduise of them that are of their counsell whereby he declareth that we must not stay our selues vppon our owne vnderstanding and wit but vppon the worde of God onely Verse 17 teacheth vs that our life is giuen vs Do. and shoulde be spent in the obedience of Gods truth Verse 18 teacheth vs that in respect of apprehending Gods misteries we are of our selues blinder then béetels till GOD open the eyes of our vnderstanding Verse 19 setteth out the wretchednesse misery and ignoraunce that is in vs not only before but after regeneration Verse 20. teacheth vs to haue a holy hunger and thirste not onlye after the knoweledge but also after the practise of God his lawe Verse 21 teacheth vs that GOD cannot awaye with proude men also that disobedience to Gods lawe pulleth his curse vppon vs. Verse 22 teacheth vs to praye to bée deliuered as GOD will from shame and contempt amongst men Verse 23 teacheth vs first that it is no new thing to haue mightye men to bée enemyes to Gods children secondlye that the more they shall trouble vs by persecution reuyling or otherwise the more we should giue our selues to meditation of God his word and the exercises therein prescribed Ver. 24 teacheth vs also two thinges firste that we should take singuler delight and pleasure in GOD his word otherwise there is little hope of profiting thereby secondlye that wée should haue it in this reuerence neuer to doe any thing but to aske aduise of the word whether we may do it yea or no. Daleth Di. THis is the fourth letter and serueth to distincte the fourth parte of the Psalme which generally comprehendeth an earnest praier of the Prophet desiring God somtime to instruct him in his wayes Verse 26 27 29 somtimes he prayeth to be deliuered from gréefes and troubles wherein he was verse 25 28 31 sometimes he setteth out the purpose that he had within him of obedience to the law verse 27 30 31 32. Se. Verse 25. My soule i. my life yea I my selfe in respecte of the outward and inward man cleaueth to the dust i. is not only nigh to deaths doore as it were but is full fraught with calamities and miseries so that I am cast downe and lie prostrate vnder them quicken mée vz. thus distressed q. d. Restore me to a better state and condition of life according to thy woorde vz. whiche thou hast giuen vnto me Hée putteth the worde which is the whole for the promises which are a part thereof Verse 26. I haue declared vz. from the bottome of my hart and that vnto thée alone my wayes i. not onely my matters affayres and thoughts but all my miseries yea very harte and order of lyfe committing them as it were into thy handes and thou heardest mée vz. thus praying and declaring my gréefes vnto thée vnderstanding by hearing graunting of his requestes teache mée thy statutes i. instructe mée in thy law and learne mée to leade my life according thereto q.d. I haue heretofore declared all my thoughtes vnto thée without hypocrisie or deceate I haue also committed all my actions and affections to thy care and referred all my enterpryses to thy good will hanging wholye vppon thy prouidence and thou hast heretofore hearde mée and taughte mée doe the lyke for me nowe Verse 27. Make me vz. that am so blinde and ignoraunt to vnderstand vz. rightlye and soundlye the waye of thy preceptes i. after what sorte and order I am to liue and directe my selfe and lyfe according to those thinges that thou haste commaunded mée in thy Lawe and I will meditate vz. continuallye and with a good harte thorowe thy goodnesse in thy wonderous workes i. in those workes whiche thou haste done and bée wonderfull because they farre excéede the reache of mans witte I had rather reade in thy wonders i. in the wonders of thy lawe sée before verse 18. of this Psalme Verse 28. My soule i. my life and I my selfe as verse 25. melteth i. consumeth and weareth awaye hée vseth a word here whiche signifieth dropping q.d. Droppe by droppe as it were my life perisheth and being made thinne consumeth awaye I wéepe so much for heauinesse vz. of harte whiche I haue by reason of the outward and inward gréefes whiche I sustayne rayse mée vp vz. euen as it were from deaths dore Hée meaneth by
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
woorde more then the ancient vz. in whom wisedome vnderstanding should specially abound partly for their experience and partly for their yeres because I kept i. labored and endeuoured to kéepe with a single and sincere heart thy precepts i. thy commandements word where the Prophet saith in al these thrée verses first that he was more wise then his enemies because that with al their subtilty craft they profited nothing in diuising his destruction and that he was better learned then euen the wise and ancient he declareth that whosoeuer he bee which shall haue brought his vnderstanding in subiection to gods word he shal find wisdom inough not only to kéepe him from the snares of his enemies but also to make him excéede his teachers in iudgment Ver. 101. I haue refrained vz. through the strength that thou hast giuen me and being instructed by thy law my féet vz. from going or walking in corruption féet also may be here vsed for affections as Ecel 4.17 from euery euil way i. not only from all corrupt courses and orders of life but also from euery prouocation which might draw me on thereto that I might kéep thy word q.d. al this I did to this end that I might testifie my obedience to thy law therfore I did take diligent héede to my selfe that I did not walk in the way of sin Ver. 102. I haue not declined vz. either to the right hand or to the left from thy iudgements i. from thy law and word which he calleth iudgments because that according therto the Lord wil iudg the world for thou diddest teach me vz. to walke in the obedience thereof q.d. If thou haddest not helde me in obedience thereof I had gone astray and he meaneth no doubt by teaching a speciall kind of teaching as when God draweth his electe vnto himselfe inwardly by his spirit Verse 103. How swéete q.d. I am not able to expresse the swéetenesse of them are thy promises vz. which thou hast made vnto thy seruaunts The word which he vseth here comprehendeth the whole doctrine of Gods word the principall part whereof is the frée couenaunte and promise of saluation and that maketh our translator to turne it promise vnto my mouth i. vnto the mouth of my hart and soule for otherwise the spirituall promises yéeld but little swéetenesse vnto the bodily mouth yea more then hony to my mouth q.d. They are more swéete and pleasaunt vnto my minde then hony is to my mouth He meaneth that with his mouth he neuer tasted anye meat how good or pleasaunt soeuer it were as he felt Gods word and specially the grace of adoption swéete and comfortable to his soule Vers 104. By thy preceptes i. by thy word I haue gotten vnderstanding vz. in great measure and abundance as before verse 93. therefore I hate vz. from the bottom of my hart al the wayes of falshood i. all false deceaueable and wicked wayes whatsoeuer Verse 97 teacheth vs two things Do. first that we ought to haue a harty affection towards Gods word secondly that we should meditate in it continually or else we can neuer profite in it Verse 98 teacheth vs that in all our affaires wée should presently conferre with Gods word Verse 98 99 100 teach vs that Gods word is only our wisedome also that knowledge of it maketh vs to excell not only our enemies but all men whatsoeuer Verse 101 teacheth vs in care and conscience to striue to abstayne not only from grosse euils but from all manner of euil whatsoeuer Verse 102 teacheth vs that if God be our guide and schoolemaister we can not go astraye and that therefore we should suffer oure selues to be lead by him Verse 103 teacheth vs that only Gods word and specially his promises are comfortable and delightfull to the consciences of his Ver. 104 teacheth vs that if we be once truly enlightened with Gods word it wil make vs loth all sinne and corruption both in our selues and others Nun. THe Prophet in this xiiii part of the Psalme Di. first commendeth the worde for the light and comfort that it yéeldeth to those that are afflicted Ver. 105.111 Secondly he declareth what a great care and loue he had to kéepe Gods Lawe Verse 106 109 110 112. Thyrdly he prayeth to the Lord not only to comfort him by his word but also to accept the thinges which shall come from him verse 107 108. Verse 105. Se. Thy word vz. O Lord is a Lanthorn i. is in stéede of a Lanthorne vnto my féete i. vnto my wayes or vnto mine affections as verse 101. and a light i. standeth in stéed of a light vnto my path i. vnto my behauioure and conuersation where in I walke as in a path He meaneth that Gods lawe did lead him out and teache him what he should doe Vnder which similitude also he teacheth vs that without the light and guidance of Gods worde the world can not go else where but in darkenesse and terrible downfalles Verse 106. I haue sworne i. I haue bound my selfe vnto God and the obedience of him by an oth and will performe it vz. thorow his strength and assistaunce who at this time hath giuen me a stedfast purpose and will hereafter adde a power that I will kéepe vz. according to the measure of grace receaued from God and as mans frailty will suffer me for he bound not himselfe to kéepe the law wholy and in euery point because that is impossible to vs thy righteous iudgements i. the rules and precepts of thy worde which containe nothing else but righteousnesse and well doing Ver. 107. I am very sore afflicted vz. in the outward man by enemies troubling me and infirmities weakning me and in the inwarde man with continuall anguish of hart and dayly assaultes O Lord quicken me i. deliuer me from death and daunger whereto I am very nigh according to thy word i. according to thy promise in thy worde sée it so vsed in this Psalme sundry times and namely verse 25 81. Verse 108. O Lord I beséech thée vz. vnfaignedly and from the bottome of my hart accept vz. in good part or of thy good pleasure only fauour and allowe the trée offerings of my mouth i. my prayers and thanks giuings which I fréely and willingly offer vnto thée they are called in other places of the scripture the calues of our lippes Hosea 14 2. and in an other place the fruit of our lippes Heb. 13.15 and teach me vz. not only to know but also to perfourme thy iudgments i. thy word and the rules thereof as sundry times before in this Psalm Ver. 109. My soule i. my life for otherwise the soule cannot bee touched and it is put for life because that whatsoeuer life this life hath it hath it from the soule is continually in my hand i. is in most present daunger of death and destruction sée 1. Samuel 28.21 also Iob. 13.14 he vseth this phrase or manner of spéech because that those things
deceitfull tongue bring vnto thée i. what doe thy false woordes profit thée or what gaine gettest thou by speaking so wickedly against other men thus he speaketh to one as it were particularly yet in him noting others also giuen fouly to that fault or what doth it auaile thee vz. that thou doest by euil speach hurt othermen Ver. 4. It is i. the tongue it selfe and slaunderous woordes procéeding from it as i. as dangerous and hurtfull the sharpe arrowes of a mighty man i. as sharpe and pearsing as are those sharpe arrowes which a mighty man shooteth q.d. they are very deadly and bring euen as it were present death with them as the coles of Iuniper i. as the coles which come of Iuniper wood being burned which are most hot and liuely as Hierom writeth vnto Fabiola and though hée yéelde not a reason of it yet I suppose that the gummy or salty matter in the trée may bee one cause of it and he vseth the rather this similitude because as is before sayde these coales burne and pearce more déeply the thinges which they take hold of then coales of other wood q.d. they burne whatsoeuer withstandeth them Of the inconueniences of the tongue Sée Iames 3. ver 1.2.3 c. Ver. 5. We is mee q.d. my case is pitifull miserable and grieuous that I remaine i. that by occasion of persecution at home I am inforced to inhabite and dwell in Meseel this is the name of one of Iaphets sonnes Gene. 10.2 whereupon some suppose that both the place wherein he and his posterity dwelt and also the people that came of him were called by this name and dwell in the tentes of Kedar Kedar was Ismaels sonne as appeareth Genesis 25.13 and likely it is that both the people and the countrey were so called of him Sée Psalm 83.6 and he maketh mention of tents because al the oriental people did for the most part dwel in tents Some thinke that vnder these names Mesech and Kedar hee meaneth the bastardly Israelites who had degenerated from their holy fathers and that therefore hée resembleth them to these two people because of their barbarous crueltie rage Some thinke that hee vnderstandeth by these places and persons places and people nigh vnto the land of Canaan whither he did sundry times flie as appeareth by the first booke of Samuel whatsoeuer it was hee was greatly wounded no doubt with the calumnies and slaunders of his aduersaries which also may appeare by this exclamation of his woe is to mée Verse 6. My soule i. I my selfe as verse 2. of this Psalme hath to long dwelt vz. if the Lorde sawe it so good with him that hateth peace i. with men much grieued against mee and here hee putteth the singular number for the plural meaning by him that hateth peace such men as did euen of set purpose and malice make warre agaynst good people Verse 7. I séeke vz. by all the meanes that I can and this sense I giue by reason of that which is read Psalme 34.14 peace vz. with those mine aduersaries and I woulde rather turne it but when I speake thereof vz. vnto them q.d. I doe no sooner open my mouth about such a matter but they are bent to warre i. they are prepared and ready for it and cry as a man woulde say alarum Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to call vppon God in our troubles with confidence that we shal be deliuered and set frée from the same Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray particularly that we may be deliuered from slaunderous and lying speaches Verse 3. Teacheth vs that such as giue themselues to backbiting and slaundering shall in the ende get nothing thereby Verse 4. Declareth how raging and violent slaunderous tongues are Ver. 5. Declareth in what a miserable estate they are that liue amongst the wicked Verse 6. Teacheth vs that the shorter while wee haue our habitation amongest the vngodly the better it is for vs. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs if it be possible and as much as in vs lyeth to séeke to haue peace with all men Secondly it painteth out the nature of the wicked that the more they are sought to the worse they are Psalme 121. THis Psalme standeth especially of thrée partes Di. In the two first verses the Prophet sheweth that he wil hang vpon God alone because he alone both can and wil helpe him In the second part hee setteth out the fatherly care and singular prouidence of almighty God towards those that are his ver 3.4.5 In the third part he declareth how they shal be continually deliuered from al dangers and euil whatsoeuer ver 6.7.8 The title A song of degrées this is expounded before in Psal 120. Ver. 1. Se. I wil lift mine eyes i. I wil looke vpon set mine affection vpon vnto the mountaines vz. of the land of Canaan for it may be that in them I may haue succor defence from my enemies such counsell the wicked gaue him as appeareth Psal 11.1 Canaan was ful of rockes mountaines and therfore in that respect it is called the mountaine of gods inheritance Exod. 15.17 from whence i. from which mountaines mine helpe i. helpe ayde and succor for mee shall come vz. as I suppose So that the prophet speaketh here as though he were debating the matter with himselfe from whence he should looke for aid q.d. the rockes and hils of Canaan shall defend mée from the rage and cruelty of myne enemies yet reiecting that opinion of his he doth in the second verse correct himself saying Ver. 2. Mine help i. help for me cōmeth from the Lord vz. alone q.d. what meane I to talke of mountaines it is most certaine that I can haue no help but in the Lord only for though I fixe mine eyes vpon the mountaines trouble my self much with the meanes which are before me yet I shal in the end know that I can haue succor no where else but from God so that here he doth both correct that which he said before sheweth a victory against his assaults wholy cōmitting himselfe vnto God for his Christs sake because in God there was power wil both to helpe him which hath made vz. in the beginning Gene. 1.1 and that of nothing Heb. 11.3 heauen and earth i. both those elements themselues and all things whatsoeuer in them conteined and this title is here and in many places attributed to God to the end that men might learne to assure and stay themselues in his power and might Ver. 3. Hée i. God will not suffer vz. through the prouidence and care that hee shall haue ouer thée thy foote i. thou thy self putting a part for the whole meaning notwithstanding that Gods prouidence shal reach not only to the guiding of the whole man but to euery particular member of him sée Psal 34.20 also Matth. 10.30 to slippe i. to stumble or fal so that thou shalt be hurt or lye downe vnder thy fall and thus vnder one hee turneth his
speach to euery faithfull man assuring them of Gods fauour and care towardes them by the promise which hee hath made vnto all his people and to his whole Church which euery one particularly ought to apply to himselfe thus saying God is my keeper for he that kéepeth thée vz. vnder his prouidence and protection and this hee speaketh of God onely wil not slumber vz. neuer so litle or any whit at all q.d. thou néedest not to feare because he hath his eye watching continually ouer thee for thy good Ver. 4. Beholde q.d. marke this and take it as a certaine trueth he that keepeth vz. vnder his prouidence and protection as before ver 3. Israell that is his faithfull people and Church Paul calleth thē Galat. 6.16 the Israel of God and Rom. 11.26 al Israel will neither slumber nor sléepe vz. because it agréeeth not to his nature and eternall Godhead Hée meaneth by this that as he will neuer be careles ouer them so he wil always be prouident and watchfull for them Ver. 5. The Lorde vz. alone and none other but hee is thy kéeper i. is hée that graciously protecteth thee and thyne the Lord vz. alone as before is thy shadowe i. is a place both of pleasure and sure defence vnto thée at thy right hand i. on euery side of thée Immanuel turneth this latter part thus the Lord which is thy shadowe is at thy right hand vz. to aide succour and defend thée and this I take to be the more plain reading and sense Ver. 6. The sunne i. the extreme parching and pearsing heate of the sunne shal not smite thée i. shall not touch thée to hurt thée by day i. in the day time because by Gods ordinance it is appointed to shine in the day Genesis 1.16 nor the moone vz. which shineth in the night and here you must vnderstand this much shall smite thée to hurt thée with her colde as the sunne in the day time should not hurt them with heate nowe he promiseth not that we shal be exempted from all griefes vtterly but he setteth out this comfort that hauing God fauourable vnto vs wee shal be in such safety that no euill which shal fal vpon vs shal destroy vs for vnder the discommodity in the heate of the day and of cold in the night he compriseth all inconueniences from which the Lorde wil deliuer his faithful people if it be profitable for their saluation and the aduancement of his owne glory Ver. 7. The Lord shal preserue thée vz. through his great power and of his infinite goodnes from all euil i. from all manner of distresses plagues punishments c. vnderstanding it with the conditions before alledged to wit if it may serue for his glory or their saluation or if it do take holde of them that it shall not destroy them he shall keepe vz. safely and surely thy soule i. thy life and whole man as Psal 120.2.6 Ver. 8. The Lord vz. thy God shal preserue as before ver 7. thy going out and thy comming in i. al thy affaires and businesses for whatsoeuer men doe they doe it at home or abroad as Deut. 28.6 meaning that God would direct all his enterprises and actions and giue good successe to al his affaires from henceforth and for euer i. continually or alwayes Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs howe ready we are to séeke straunge aydes and helpes besides God our Lord. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to correct our iudgementes in that behalfe and to hang only vpon him that is able to helpe vs. Verse 3. Teacheth vs that Gods prouidence extendeth it selfe not onely to all the faythfull generally but to euery particular one of them yea to euery member and part of their bodyes Ver. 4. reacheth vs that it is a singular comfort to gods church to knowe that they haue so vigilant a watchman ouer them as the Lorde is Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the Lord kéepeth and protecteth his children on euery side Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that euen al Gods creatures shal be in a league with his children not to hurt them Verse 7. Teacheth vs that no affliction shall take hold of vs otherwise then shal make for Gods glory and our saluation Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that vnlesse al our affaires both generally and particularly bee directed by God they can haue no good successe To shut vp this Psalme it is lamentable to consider howe much this Psalme hath béene and is abused in our Church seruice appointed for womens purification where it is put down to be vsed as a thanksgiuing whereas wée sée that the Prophets speciall purpose is to shewe in what assurance they are that are vnder the prouidence and protection of almighty God it being of the same argument with Psal 91. and not so much as one word or sillable in it tending either to prayer or thankesgiuing which I take to be a part of prayer Psalme 122. THis Psalme consisteth specially of two partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth his owne ioy and the readines of the people in the seruice of God entering into a commendation of the Citie Ierusalem wherein God was truely serued ver 1.2.3.4.5 In the secōd he exhorteth al to pray for the good of the church and that he might the better draw them on to the performance of that duty he doth not only goe before them in his owne example but sheweth them certaine reasons of it ver 6.7.8.9 The title A song of degrées sée Psalm 120. Se. in the title or Psalm of Dauid i. a Psalm that Dauid made reioycing greatly that the arke which was a token of Gods presence was brought into Ierusalem for this title sée Psalme 6.8 and many others in their seueral titles Ver. 1. I reioyced vz. heartily greatly when they i. the people saide vnto mee vz. their King and Prince wee i. all together one and other of vs will goe vz. willingly and gladly in to the house of the Lord i. into the place where the Arke should bée placed and that to worship and serue God by prayer thankesgiuing c. he meaneth that he much reioyced in this that he himselfe knew that the arke of God should dwel as it were in mount Sion and that the people did willingly agrée thereto that there they might worship God Ver. 2. Our féete i. euen we our selues a part for the whole as Psalm 121.3 shall stand in thy gates O Ierusalem i. nowe we shal not goe from place to place to séeke the arke of couenant as wee were wont to doe for it shall dwel and abide in Ierusalem whither we will goe vp to serue the Lord. Ver. 3. Ierusalem i. this excellent citie to which wée shal goe to serue our God in is builded vz. very excellently and beautifully as appeareth 2. Sam. 5.9 1. Chronic. 11.8 and yet this must not bee referred to the wals and towers only but chiefly to the policy and order of gouernment which was therin as may appeare by that which
a man should cut wood cleaue it on the earth our bones are scattered ready to be thrust into the graues mouth i. the enemies doe compasse me mine with such great violence are so ready to flie vpon vs all that wée shal be presently broken rent in peces by their rage vnles thou O Lord lay to thy helping hand which danger of theirs is most excellently set out by a verye fit similitude taken from wood cleauers or else thus I and my companions haue bin handled in al cruelty as if that after they haue cut a mans throat they would teare him in péeces before they would bury him Ver. 8. But mine eyes vz. both of my mind of my body looke vz. carefully continually as Psal 123.1.2 c. vnto thée O Lord God vz. only who hast both power wil for to helpe me in thée vz. only and none other but thée is my trust vz. alwayes but specially in this time of my great daunger and calamitie leaue not my soule i. me my selfe a part for the whole destitute vz. of thy defence aid and saluatiō Ver. 9. Kéepe me vz. of thy goodnesse that by thy power might from the snare i. that I fal not into the snare or grin or be taken therwith which they i. mine enemies vngodly men haue layd vz. closely and secretlye for me vz. to take me to catch me in and from the grins he repeateth the same matter in other words which is not vaine because it serueth to amplifie the cruelty craft of his wicked aduersaries of the workers of iniquitye sée before Psal 5.5 also Psal 6.8 also ver 4. of this very Psalm Ver. 10 Let the wicked fall vz. thorow thy iust iudgemēt into his nets i. into his own nets vz. which he hath made and layd for others together vz. with all them that take their parte q.d. let all the vngodly be ouertaken with their own nets thorowe thy iudgements as fishes are taken with a casting net for such a Metaphor he séemeth to vse in this place sée for this metaphor Isaiah 19.8 whiles I escape vz. out of the dangers which they supposed to haue brought vpon me this escaping of his must be attributed to Gods goodnesse and power only Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestnesse and seruency in prayer to our god not as a man would say to leaue of til he haue graciously graunted our requests Ver. 2. teacheth vs that séeing our prayers smack of the corruption which is in vs we should earnestly desire the Lord to accept of them in his own mercy Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not bridle our spéech vnles the Lord giue vs grace Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only to pray against grosse euils but also things that may preuoke and stir vs vp therto by reason of the slipperines of our corruption Ver. 5. teacheth vs that the reproofes of the godly are good and profitable secondly that a godly man should euer take them in good part thirdly that no euil that men can do to vs should make vs neglect our duty towards them Verse 6 teacheth vs not only how subtile and crafty the wicked are to intrap Gods childrē but also that no humble or swéet spéech that the godly can vse will asswage their malice and cruelty against them Ver. 7 teacheth vs to what a low ebbe miserable estate Gods children are many times brought in this life Ver. 8 teacheth vs not only in the great sea of our afflictions confidently to trust in the Lorde but also with patience to attend his leasure time for our deliueraunce Ver. 9 teacheth vs to pray the Lord to deliuer vs from the fraud and force of his and our enemies Verse 10 teacheth vs to pray for the confusion of the malicious enemies of God and his people Psalme 142 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth howe that in the time of his greate affliction and feare yea euen then when all had forsaken him hee cryed earnestly vppon the Lorde from the first verse to the ende of the fift In the second part he prayeth earnestly vnto the Lord to be deliuered from his enemies sometimes alleadging the better to moue the Lord thereto his owne miserye his aduersaryes strength and the prayse that the faythfull will yeelde to the Lorde therefore verse 6.7 The Title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction Sée this expounded before Psalme 42 and Psalme 44 in the titles thereof and a prayer vz. Se. which Dauid himselfe made when he was in the caue i. in the selfe same Caue with Saule whereof reade 1 Samuel 24 4. Verse 1. I cryed i. I earnestly prayed vnto the Lorde vz. in my trouble as Psalme 120 1. with my voyce i. wich seruent wordes expressed with my voyce with my voice I prayed vnto the Lord he expresseth the same thing in other termes noting thereby the ardency and earnestnesse of his prayer Verse 2. I poured out vz. plentifullye and in great aboundaunce my meditation i. the meditation of my hart q.d. I did not onely pray vnto him with my hart but layed forth the holy meditations of my soule with abundance of wordes before him i. in his presence not meaning that God was ignoraunt of the thoughts of his hart but expressing his great dutye towardes the Lord and declared vz. playnly and plentifully mine affliction i. the affliction and sorrowe whiche I did suffer and indure not but that GOD knew it for hee knoweth all things but because this is a péece of duty which he hath layd vppon vs to call vppon him in the time of our trouble Verse 3. Though my spirit was in perplexitie in mée i. though I my selfe was full of anguishe as Psalme 7◠ver 3 and troubled with gréeuous assaultes both inwarde and outwarde yet thou knewest i. diddest approue and allowe of as Psalme 1 6. my path i. the order of my life and innocent conuersation In the waye wherein I walked i. what iournie or way soeuer I tooke haue they i. the wicked and myne enemies priuily layd a snare for me vz. to catch me in it sée Psalme 141 9. Verse 4. I looked vz. as well and as narrowlye as I coulde vpon my right hande i. on euerye syde of mée or round about me putting a parte for the whole and behelde vz. on my lefte hande and that as attentiuelye as I coulde but there was none vz. amongst men that would know mee i. haue any care or regard of mée or succour me any maner of waye all refuge vz. of or from men fayled me i. was taken from me none vz. amongst men cared for my soule i. estéemed either me or my life q.d. I looked on euery side I perceiued my self to be destitute of all help and ayd Ver. 5. Then vz. when I saw my selfe thus distressed so that we sée that the true tast féeling of our own daungers and miseries
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
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
afflictions or aduersities or whether they bee already fallen into the same God reacheth out his hande and either keepeth them from falling or else deliuereth them being fallen Verse 15. The eyes of all vz. thinges whatsoeuer wayte vppon thée vz. with patience and that for their â—â—â—â—re and sustenaunce and thou giuest vz. euen in thy mercy them their meate i. that portion of foode that thou hast appointed for them in due season i. in that time that thou séest with thy selfe to bee good and méete for them Verse 16. Thou openest thyne hande i. thou stretchest forth thy power and giuest plentifully and largely to all thy creatures and fillest all thinges liuing i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth or hath sense féeling and groweth of thy good pleasure hee noteth here the cause why all the creatures are norished vz. Gods good pleasure and will Sée for these 2. ver Psalme 104. ver 27.28 c. Verse 17. The Lorde is righteous i. iust and equall in all his wayes i. in euery thing that hee taketh in hande hée meaneth that God obserueth a most vpright course in euery thing he doeth howe corrupt or partiall so euer men be in their dealings and holy in all his workes i. his very workes declare that there is a certaine kynde of vnspeakeable holinesse in his maiesty that woorde holy would bee better turned good or mercifull and so doeth Immanuel turne it sée to this end ver 9. of this Psalme Ver. 18. The Lorde is néere i. euen ready at hand not onely to heare them but to helpe them vnto all that call vpon him i. to those that worshippe and serue him a part of Gods seruice put for the whole as Gene. 4.26 1. Corinth 1.2 also 2. Timot. 2.19 yea to all that called vppon him in trueth i. without feigning or hypocrisie or else that call vppon him in such sort that they perfourme not the inuocation of his name by their inuentions and superstitions In summe hee setteth trueth against infidelitie doubting impacience murmuring counterfeite humilitie and vicious affecting of thinges which are the fruites of lying for true worshippers Sée Iohn 4.24 and this hée addeth in the way of correction q.d. though I sayde before that the Lorde heareth all them that call vppon him yet I meane it of al them that call vppon him in trueth Verse 19. Hée will fulfill i. accomplish and perfourme the desire of them i. the thinges which they shall desire and will according to his will Sée 1. Iohn 5.14 because God setteth vppon their affections a lawe of obedience that feare him i. that serue and worshippe him this hath béene sundry tymes expounded before hee will also heare their cry i. graunt them their requestes which they pray euerlastingly vnto him for and will saue them i. both deliuer them out of all the daungers of this lyfe and at the ende bring them to eternall life Verse 20. The Lorde preserueth vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger or if not so yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it as shal bee most for his glory and their comfort all them that loue him vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart Sée Roman 8.28 but hee wil destroy vz. in his wrath and iust iudgement all the wicked vz. of the worlde of what estate or condition so euer they bee Verse 21. My mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lorde i. I will boldly and openlye in wordes set foorth his prayses hee putteth the instrument wherewith wordes are vttered for the wordes themselues all flesh i. all men for when this word is so put alone without adding any thing to it doeth most commonly in the Scriptures respect men shall blesse his holy name i. shall prayse his maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually sée ver 1.2 of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs not onely to be thankfull to God for his mercies Do. but also to continue in the same because his mercies are continually powred forth vppon vs. Ver. 2. teacheth vs that wee shoulde let no day passe without heartie thankesgiuing to the Lord for his graces Ver. 3 teacheth vs that Gods power and incomprehensible maiesty should prouoke vs to thankfulnes Verse 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care to conuey the remembraunce of Gods benefites to our posteritie Verse 5. Teacheth vs to imploy more time in the meditation of Gods workes then heretofore we haue done Verse 6. Teacheth vs as well to publish Gods iudgements as his mercies that the wicked may bee pearsed with a feare of his maiesty Verse 7. teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to publish gods promises Ver. 8 9. Are excellent descriptions of god by his qualities and comprehende much matter of comfort for those that bee afflicted and also conteine very excellent causes why we should prayse and thanke God Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all Gods creatures but specially his faythful people to blesse and prayse the Lorde Ver. 11. and 12. Teach vs not onely for our owne good and the discharge of our owne duety but that others also therby may be drawne to do the like Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer mens kingdomes be brittle yet Gods gouernment ouer all but specially ouer his indureth for euer Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that God so prouideth for his children in their daungers and distresses that howsoeuer they bee afflicted yet they do not vtterly perish Ver. 15. Setteth out Gods gracious prouidence fatherly care ouer his children Ver. 16. Sheweth that the Lorde is liberall handed towardes his creatures and that al the good thinges which we haue procéede from his good will and pleasure Verse 17. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God doeth he doeth in all vprightnes though perhaps we through the blindnesse and corruption of our nature can not conceiue so thereof Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that God quickly heareth the earnest and vnfeigned prayers of his Seruauntes Verse 19. Sheweth that God will graciously deliuer his out of all their daungers Verse 20. Sheweth the vnlikely reward betweene the godly and the vngodly Verse 21. Teacheth vs both in our owne persons and in others to stirre vp and prouoke our selues to continual thankfulnesse Psalme 146 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes In the first hee prouoketh himselfe to prayse God promising to perfourme it as long as he liueth to which he addeth a dehortation that we should not trust in any man nor giue them the matter of praises Ver. 1.2.3.4 and 5. In the second he sheweth certaine causes why he and other should prayse the Lord from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title Prayse ye the Lorde sée Psalme 106. in the title Ver. 1. Prayse thou the Lorde O my soule vz. for his mercy and goodnes towardes thée vnderstanding by soule the seate of his affections which is the heart Sée Psalm 103.1 Ver. 2. I will prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercies during my life i. as long as I liue and all the dayes