A RIGHT GODLY AND learned Exposition, vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes: Wherein is set forth the true Diui­sion, Sence, and Doctrine contained in euery Psalme: for the great furtheraunce and necessarie instruction of euery Christian Reader.

Newly and faithfully set forth by a Godly Minister and Preacher of the word of God.

2 Tim. 3. Ʋer. 16.17.

For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teach, to improue, to correct and to instruct to righteousnesse.

That the man of God may be absolute, being made per­fect vnto all good workes.

LONDON. Printed for T. Man, and W. Brome. 1586.

¶The printers of this present worke, to al godly and Chrystian readers, do wish all increase of knowledge and strength of faith in Christ for euer.

THere are two thinges especially, that behoueth all good men to haue regarde of in this life. The one is the inlarging of the kingdome of Christ, to the vt­termost of their powers, in a lawfull and holy voca­tion. And the other is simplicity and plainnes, in the places that God putteth men into, or in the words or workes, that he inableth them to performe therein. At both which things we our selues haue aimed (so farre forth as humāe infirmytie would suffer) in the pulishing of this present work, for the further decla­ration whereof wee haue beene contented to prefixe these fewe lines. By Gods good prouidēce, the booke it selfe came into our hādes from amongst the writings, of that religious & worshipful Gentlmā M. Herlakinden of Kent, esquier late deceased, and for whose cause onely (as we suppose) the penning of this was performed at the first: Which hauing once gotten into our handes, we could not let lie and perish a­mongst the wormes and moaths (as the prouerbe is) vnles we would closly & vnder hand haue hindered the edification of the Church, but indeuour to our vttermost the publishing of the same. Wherein if any man thinke we did it, for glory or gaine vnto our selues, wee can not but tell them that as they doe vncharitably surmise a­gainst vs, so they doe fondly and fouly deceiue themselues, as for glorye, how can we attayne, sith the labor is wholy an others, and no part ours, except men would thinke vs to be so conceited that wee would count it credit to be decked with other birdes feathers, and to waxe rich with the robbery and vniust spoyles of others. And for gayne there is as litle, if not lesse reason, for besides that we know not what vent we shal haue, the sale being very vncertaine, what likelyhood is there that our aduantage can be much, in publishing cōmentaries vpon that booke of which there are so many learned expositions extant already? And yet least any should imagine that we haue without cause, caused this to be printed, besides the reasons before al­leaged we say, that both the soundnes of the matter it selfe, and the manner of de­liuery obserued therein, which is both plaine and short (the one seruing for the more simple sort of people, and the other fitting such as either can not, or will not, allowe themselues leasure to read long commentaries) hath drawen vs on hereto. Wherein we do willingly giue al the world to vnderstand, that we speak not so much our own minds, for we confesse our selues to be men not greatly able to discerne of such high points but we vtter that, that men of good countenance in the Church, & of sound iudgement, as in respect of religion, haue deliuered, and that we hope all that read it, shal well find and perceiue. There resteth no more but this, that euery good man labour to referre it, to good ends and holy purposes, namely to the building vp of thē selues and others, in knowledge, in faith, in repentance and obedience of al such good [Page] things, as God hath reueiled in his worde, praying the Godly reader, for his better & more plain direction in that behalfe, diligently to obserue these few points follow­ing, First that all that is spoken, vppon all the Psalmes or any of them, respecteth either the diuisiō of the Psalme it selfe into his members and parts, or the true sense and natural meaning of the very words, or the doctrines, touching faith and man­ners that are therein conteined. Secondly that wheresoeuer they shall finde, these letters, markes, or directions ensuing: i. vz. q.d. they would take paines to resolue and interpret them thus, namely that, i. signifieth that it is to say, vz. signifieth to wit: and q.d. meaneth as if he should say. Thirdly, that the framer of this work in all his notes, at the least (for the most part we are sure of it) had speciall respect to that english text of the Psalmes and Bible that was Imprinted, at Geneua, which was as it shoulde seeme, the first yere of the raygne of our gracious Queene, which also we thought good to aduertise the reader of that so he may haue an eye always in his reading to, that text, or others conformable to the same, prin­ted, vpon good authoritie, though it be not wholly put downe here, nor the wordes of it in other letters for difference sake, as had been to be wished. Lastly wee are ear­nestly to intreat the godly reader, fauourably to interpret, and with loue to correct, whatsoeuer hath escaped here, through the negligence or ignorance of the worke­men, imployed about this busines, some taste whereof also euen we our selues haue thought good to giue vnto them, by putting downe some fewe scapes obserued in the ouer reading of it, that so if there be any such like (as we hope there are not many) they may by these amend the rest. And thus beseeching God to giue a blessing vnto this work in the heartes of all these into whose handes it shall come, we end the 28. of Aprill. 1586,

Lord Iesus begin and make an end. An Exposition vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes.
The penners of the Psalmes were diuers men, as Dauid, Moses, &c. but all led by one and the selfe same spirit, so that the holy Ghost may rightlie be said to be the Author of this Booke.

SOme Psalmes haue titles and inscriptions, of which we will shew somewhat when we shall come to them: other­some are without Titles or inscriptions, of which we shal not néede to say any thing. These that haue Titles, do ey­ther containe the name of the writer of that Psalme, or the instrument wherevpon it was sung, or the end where­vnto it was appoynted, or the principal matter therein contayned. As they were diuers Writers, so they comprehended diuers matters: some are full of instruction touching both fayth and maners, as Psal. 1.37. &c. Other­some containe confession of sinnes, and prayer for repentaunce, as Psalme 25.51. &c. Othersome are Prayers agaynst the enemies of the Church, as Psal. 79.83. &c. Some containe the histories of the olde Testament, as Psal. 78.105.106. &c. Some are commendations of Gods lawes, as Psa. 19.119. &c. Some descriptions of Gods wonderfull power, as psal. 18.164. Some are particuler prayers of particular persons, in particular gréefes eyther of body or soule, as psa. 6.86. &c. Othersome are prayers of a number of godly and faithfull people, as psal. 44.85. &c. To be shorte, there is such diuersitye of matter, that a man can hardlye deuide them a­right: yea one and the selfe same Psalme sometimes shall comprehende the most of these thinges.

For the better vnderstanding of this Booke, two thinges specially would be diligently obserued: First, the sodayne chaunge of number, tense, per­son, &c. which make the places to séeme very hard. Secondlye, to discerne what is spoken in the person of the Church, and to refer the same thereto, and what is otherwise spoken to apply it alwayes to his right ende and purpose.

Psalme 2.

Di. 1 THis Psalme consisteth of two partes: In the first he setteth out wherein the felicitie and blessednesse of a godlye man consisteth, what his exercises are, and what blessinges hee shall receaue from the Lord therefore, from verse 1. to the 2 ende of the thirde. In the seconde he declareth what iudg­ments shall ouertake the wicked, and what an vnlikelye rewarde there shall be to the godly and the vngodly, from verse 4. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. 1 Ver. 1. The man put for euery man, i. man and woman for in Christ Ie­sus there is no difference, Galat. 3.28. and blessed are they not in this lyfe onlye, but in the life to come, for godlinesse hath the promise of this lyfe present, and in the life to come, 1. Timothie 4.8. Doth not walke in the councell [by councell he vnderstandeth the subtilties and craftes of the wicked, by which they push on themselues forwardes, and labour to drawe others to the like, sée Prouerb. 1.10.11. &c. So that hee meaneth that hee is blessed that ioyneth not himselfe in wicked practises with the vngodly, nor by himselfe doth performe the same nor stande in the waye of sinners, (way is put for order and kinde of liuing, for maners and fashions: he mea­neth then that they are blessed that frame not themselues, no not in out­ward shew, like to the vngodly: sée Romanes 12.2.) In the seate of the scor­ners [by seate he noteth fellowship and societie with the vngodly as Psal. 26.4. so that the meaning is that the godly man doth not consent with the wicked, neither hath any familiaritie with their vile enterprises. Verse 2. 2 His delight [ i. his whole pleasure] in the lawe of the Lorde [ i. in the per­formaunce of these things, which GOD in his law commaundeth] Me­ditate daye and night [ i. continually or very much, giuing himselfe not on­ly 3 to the reading of holy Scriptures, but to meditation therein] Verse 3. is a similitude, by whiche the Prophet noteth the flourishing state of the faith­full, and their fruitfulnesse also, by Trée he meaneth eyther Palme Trée, as Psalme 92.12. or some other flourishing Trée] by the Riuers of waters [ i. in most moyst places méete to make Trées grow and flourish] in due season [ i. not vntimely fruit, nor too late, but that which shall haue the fulnesse of grouth, and yet not be withered away] whose leafe shall not fade [ i. shal not decay in colour, nor fall from the Trée, wherby the Prophet noteth the con­tinuall flourishing of the faythfull] Whatsoeuer he shall doe, [we must re­strayne that vniuersall terme, Whatsoeuer, to all thinges that he shall at­tempte according to godlinesse, to which indéede both here and elsewhere, sundrye times the Lorde himselfe hath annexed a promise of good successe] 4 Verse 4. He amplifyeth by the contrarie, the wicked are not so [ i. Like [Page 3] Trées planted &c. as ver. 3. but whereto are they like? they are as the chaffe [ i. Light, vnprofitable for anye thing, and voyde of fruite. It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to compare the wicked to chaffe, as Psalme 35.5. Isaiah 17.13. Math. 3.12.] Which the winde dryueth away ( q.d. as chaffe can­not withstand the violence of the winde, but it tosseth it too and fro, and dry­ueth it whither pleaseth it, so shall the wicked be before Gods iudgementes, how greate, mightie and strong soeuer they séeme to be before men] Ver. 5. 5 Therefore ( i. because they are as chaffe, and reprobate to all good workes) they shall not stand [ vz. with boldnesse and lifted vp countenaunces, as the godly shall] in the iudgement ( i. in that great and last day mentioned Mat. 25.31.32. &c. to the ende of the Chapter] nor sinners in the assemblie of the righteous [ i. they shall not haue place amongst the godlye, but God will funder them one from another as Math. 25.31.32. &c. as before] Ver. 6. The 6 Lord knoweth ( i. approueth and alloweth as not to know, is to disallowe, Math. 7.23. yea so alloweth, that he blesseth, which may appeare by the con­trarye in this verse, where the Prophet vseth the word, Perish) the way ( i. the order and kinde of liuing, as before, verse the first, and afterwardes in this verse) of the righteous ( i. they that indeuour righteousnesse in themselues, and haue Christs righteousnesse imputed vnto them) And the waye (reade But, and so the sence shall be more playne) Shall perishe ( vz. In time hereafter to come, or else doth perishe, putting the beginning of destructi­on in this life, not only for the beginning of it here, but for the finishing of it else where.

Ver. 1. Teacheth a godly man to beware of the vngodlies perswasions, 1 Do. secondlye of their order of life, and thirdly of their societye, and companye kéeping. Ver. 2. Teacheth him by the contrary what he must doe: firste to 2 take all his delite and pleasure in Gods worde, because we doe hardly profit by these thinges which we take no pleasure in: secondly to vse al the meanes whereby he may be builded vp in knowledge, for so generallye doe I take these wordes, Meditate day and night. Ver. 3. A promise annexed for our 3 better encouragement, which expresseth Gods wonderfull goodnesse, and our dulnesse and heauinesse, that haue néede of such spurres. ver. 4. doth not 4 only contayne iudgements agaynst the wicked, but also teacheth, yea spur­reth forward the godly by beholding their punishments, to more héedy wal­king: and whereas the holy Ghost resembleth the wicked to chaffe tossed be­fore the winde: It teacheth vs that though the wicked thinke themselues glorious, and of long continuaunce, yet they are neyther the one nor the o­ther. ver. 5. Teacheth that God with his Fanne wil make a separation be­twéene 5 the good Corne and the chaffe, as Math. 3.12. ver. 6. Teacheth this, 6 that God is the only Iudge to allow, and disallow, they must not therefore stand vpon themselues or other mens iudgements.

Psalme 2.

Di. 1 THis Psalme consisteth of thrée parts: In the firste is decla­red the greatnes, multitude, and rage of them that rise vp against Christ, from ver. 1. to the ende of the 3. In the se­conde 2 is set out the Maiestie and power of God the Fa­ther, and his sonne Christ, for the confounding of such wicked aduersaries, from verse 4. to the ende of the 9. In 3 the 3. is contained a louing admonition of God, who will not the death of sinners, but rather that they should repent, wishing them in time, for feare of after punishment, to turne to his Maiestie, from verse 10. to the ende of 1 the Psalme. Se. Ver. 1. Heathen put for people, not being Iewes: If you vn­derstand this Psalme of Dauids kingdome, if otherwayes, of Christes kingdome, as it is referred thereto Acts. 4.25. Then vnderstande by Hea­then and people of the enemies of Christ, whiche were of thrée manner of sorts, and in this first verse he noteth two kindes of them, some that through rage were caried to outrage and violence, and othersome that were not so cruel, and yet murmuringly opposed themselues in wordes. Some reade the later part of the first verse thus: And the Nations meditate [or thinke vpon a vaine thing ( i. a matter that can not be brought to passe, but shall lack his effect) the sence commeth all to one effect. Ver. 2. The kings 2 of the earth [ i. they that had the highest authority] bend themselues: or after some, stand vp [meaning that they cōsent and conspire together as it were] and the Princes [ i. the great men by whose counsel and wisedom kings go­uern their countries, noting hereby, that neither might nor councell, was wanting in Christs aduersaries] are assembled, or after some, do take coun­sell together agaynst the Lord, [A strange matter that men like Giaunts, should arm thēselues against God & against his Christ ( i. his annointed one, meaning either Dauid as the figure, or Christ himselfe as the truth] ver. 3. 3 the Prophet putteth down the vngodlies spéeches. Let vs breake [ q.d. Let vs ioyne all our force to assay to breake) not that they can, but that such pur­poses they haue in their hartes and wordes in their mouthes] their bandes [ i. God the fathers lawes, published by Dauid and Christ, which hee calleth bandes, because that by them, as it were by certaine bandes, the subiectes are wont to be bound & kept in their dueties) their cordes or as some terme it, thick ( i. strong) cords from vs (I suppose that the Prophet vnderstandeth by cords, the rule and authoritie that God hath giuen to Dauid and his son Christ) the meaning is: Let vs not obaye (say the wicked their lawes, and 4 let vs labour that they may not rule ouer vs] ver. 4. He that dwelleth, o­thers reade, He that sitteth in heauen, [a notable description of God, wher­by the Prophet meaneth to show, that they are not able to match with him: and they are Dauids words, q.d. Howe wil these wicked men, as wicked as they are, fight with him that is so high aboue their reach] shall laugh, or [Page 5] in the present tense, as some reade it doth laugh [ i. maketh no account of al their rage and murmuring, and this is spoken of God, as the rest of the words in this verse, and the next that follow, are, according to many, and as his capacity is able to cōprehend] shal haue them in derision (or as others read it doth deride them [it is a repetition being the same in effect, y t the for­mer part of the verse is, by which doubling the holy Ghost noteth the cer­taintie & assurednes of the thing] Ver. 5. Then [ vz. when time shal require 5 and at that very instant, which God in his eternall decrée hath appointed] shall he ( i. God) speake vnto them [ vz. the wicked and vngodly, eyther by his wordes, or by his rods, Iob. 33.14. &c. but chiefly by his roddes, as Iob 33.19.20.21.] in his wrath [ i. being angry with them, meaning that hee will most vehemently and sharpely rebuke them] and vexe them [ i. plague them so, that they shall be vexed & greeued in his sore displeasure (he mea­neth that being moued with great wrath, he wil destroy and ouerthrow thē] 6 Ver. 6. amend thus, Saying ( vz. God himselfe) but I annoynted my king­ly placing him in his kingdome, putting the signe of his imagination or en­trance into his kingdom [ vz. annoynting, for the possession & enioying ther­of: And putting these words (my king) for him whom the Lord had aduan­ced thereto, either Dauid or Christ] had made him ruler ouer Sion [which place was the seat of Dauids kingdome, as may appeare by sundrie places, the Prophet vsing a part for the whole land, and the people contained ther­in, and a figure also of Christs Church, Isaiah. 2.3.] the Mountains of my holines [ i. My holy mountaines, for so do the Hebrues sundry times speak, vsing the Substantiue for the Adiectiue, now it is called Gods holy moun­taine, because that Dauid brought thither Gods own arke, and there were the holy exercises of his religion obserued, till the Temple was builded, sée 1. Chron. 15.16. Chap. and this verse comprehendeth God y e fathers wordes, sitting in iudgement as it were, and condemning the wicked, who laboured the ouerthrow of his kingdome. Ver. 7. I will declare [ i. I will faythfullye 7 shew and set abroad] the decrée [ vz. which the Lord hath determined cōcer­ning men] thou art my sonne [ vz. by adoption, if we vnderstand it of Da­uid: and by nature if we vnderstand it of Christ] This day [if you vnderstād it of Dauid, you must refer it to y e time of his first annointing, & so forward. If you vnderstand it of Christ, you must refer it to his first manifestation in the flesh, not but that he was begotten of the Father from before all begin­nings] and this 7. verse are the words of Dauid or Christ declaring Gods eternal decrée touching their gouernments.] Ver. 8. are the wordes of the 8 Father, inuiting Dauid or Christ to aske somewhat of him, and as it were, a prophecy of the inlargement of their kingdomes: In Dauid somewhat more narrowly thus, that the Heathen round about him, and namelye those that inhabited the coasts nigh to the land of Iudea, as Ammonites, Moa­bites, &c. should be brought in subiection to him, as may appeare in the Hi­stories in 2. Samuel: in Christ more largely, to wit that of all the nations [Page 6] and peoples vnder heauen, he should haue diuers subiected to his kingdome 9 by the ministerie of the word. Ver. 9. is declared y e power of Dauid or christ. Thou shalt crush, or after some, thou shalt breake them together [ vz. not onlye those enemies mentioned in the beginning of this Psalme, but all others whatsoeuer, that shall rise vp or rebell agaynst thée] with a scep­ter, or after some, with a rod of yron, [whatsoeuer it be the holy Ghost mea­neth vnder these termes, to sette out the inuincible power, and force of Dauid, or of Christ, agaynst their seuerall enemies] And breake them in péeces, or after some shalt scatter them abroad [ vz. being already broken, which I rather allow of] lyke a Potters vessell [ vz. which is broken alrea­dye: noting by this maner of spéeche, not only a iudgement to bee executed vpon the wicked, but such a iudgement as the vngodlye shall bée past all 10 hope of repayre and recouery,] Ver. 10. Is a notable exhortation to Ru­lers in time to turne to the Lord, and his obedience. Now [ i. while it is time, before such 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 11 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.] 12 Ver. 12. Kisse the sonne [ vz. not only in signe of homage & subiectiō but also as a sure pledge of y t 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 [Page 7] 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 y t the kings & mighty men doe it like­wise 2 by which we may learn also, that it is not good to hang vpon y e 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 4 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 8 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 y e high­est 10 (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, 11 and what maner of seruice it is that he requireth at our hands. ver. 12. 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 y e Pro­phet noteth the wonderfull number of his aduersaries, as though hée had [Page 8] 2 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 y e 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 3 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 4 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 he meaneth by Gods holy Mountayne, Heauen, wherevpon the Lord sitteth, as vpon an 5 excéeding high Mountayne] Ver. 5. I layde me downe [ vz. vpon my bed or Couch: and that word, I, is full of force, q. d. I, whose life so many ene­mies séeke] and slept [ vz. soundly and swéetely, careles (as it were) of mine enemies: The Prophet meaning by sléepe wonderful quietnesse, for they that are doubtfull of their successes, & oppressed with gréefes, haue many times sléepe taken from their eyes] And rose vp agayne [excellētly added, for ma­ny take their rest, & yet rise not, the Prophet noting, that as he slept sound­ly, so he safely awaked, and imployed himselfe vpon his affayres) for the Lord sustayned me [this is the reason of all, for without God we can do no­thing, 6 Iohn, 15.5. Ver. 6. For ten thousand [a certain number put for an vn­certayn, meaning innumerable people] mend the latter end of the ver. thus, which standing about me, haue pitched their tents agaynst me [ i. which cō ­passing me about, are ready euen as it were with their weapons drawne, to destroy me: q.d. though I were neuer in so great daunger, distresse, & feare yet I will not feare, for thou Lord wilt graciously deliuer me now, as thou 7 hast done heretofore] Ver. 7. O Lord arise [ vz. Like a couragious and ready souldier, that heareth the sound of the Trumpet, stande vp vppon [Page 9] thy feete, take thy weapons and armes to defend me, and wound mine ene­mies] Helpe, or after some, saue me my God [ vz. from the subtiltie and po­wer of my foes] for thou hast, some read, which hast smitten [both the rea­dinges come to one sence, vz. hee prayeth God to deliuer him out of this present daunger, as he before had done out of sundrie the like] al mine ene­mies [ i. the greatest number of them. For he meaneth not that God had so destroyed his foes, as none of them were left] Vppon the chéeke bone [as beasts that hurt by byting, cannot hurt when their téeth be broken, or their iaw bones burst in sunder, so the Prophet sheweth that his enemies in for­mer time, had bene so cast downe, that neyther by word nor déede they were 8 able to hurt him.] Ver. 8. Saluation belongeth to the Lord, [true it is that saluation and eternall life belong to God alone, but yet saluation in this place is vsed for helpe and deliuerance from daungers, which alone indéede belongeth to God, how great or small soeuer the meane be, that he worketh the same by.] Mend the latter part thus: And let thy blessing be, &c. [For it is as it were a wish and prayer that Dauid maketh for the people, as well as for himselfe, here is chaunge of the person, for in the first part of the verse he spake in the third and now in the second, vnderstanding by blessings, gods fauour and goodnes, and naming the people gods people, notwithstanding their sinnes of rebellion and falling away with Absalon, against Dauid his Father.] Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the multitude of our enemies should not 1 so dismay vs, as that we should not pray to God. Ver. 2. Neither yet their 2 vile wordes should worke that effect in vs. Ver. 3. Ministreth comforte be­cause 3 God is as a shield in all distresses, and teacheth that true faith van­quisheth all distresses and impossibilities whatsoeuer. Ver. 4. Teacheth first 4 that in dangers we should pray vnto God, secondlye that God graciouslye heareth them that call vpon him in truth, thirdly that the consideration of former deliuerance should strengthen our fayth, touching deliueraunce of the like, either present or to come. Ver. 5. declareth that if God be on our side 5 we néed not care who be against vs, Romans 8.31. &c. to the end of the chap­ter. Ver. 6. True fayth surmounteth all difficulties, and distresses of this life whatsoeuer. Ver. 7. God alone is to be called vpon in néed, because he a­lone 7 can helpe and saue. Ver. 8. Teacheth, not only to pray for others, as for our selues, but also euen for our enemies, as Dauid doth for the rebellious people.

Psalme. 4.

THis Psalme hath a Title or inscription, (but thereof wee will speake when we come to the sence) and as it may be deuided 1 thus: First Dauid maketh his prayer to the Lord in mercye to behold him, and graciously to graunt his request: and this is contriued in the first verse. Secondly he speaketh vnto his 2 enemies, not only declaring that God had exalted him, but also wishing thē [Page 12] in time to repent, from ver. 2. to the end of the 5. In the 3. he declareth wher­upon he staid himselfe, & what were the grounds of his assurance, vz. Gods fauour and wonderful blessings, from ver. 6. vnto the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title is this: to him that excelleth. [ viz. in musicke and songs, & skill vpon instruments, for which knowledge sake hee was preferred before the 1 rest] or Neginoth [here the Geneua note is good,] ver. 1. When I cal [ i. whē I pray vnto thee] righteousnes [ i. thou that art the witnes, iudge, and de­fender of mine innocencie and vprightnes towards Saul, or any other] thou hast set me at libertie [he comforteth himselfe by former experience trust­ing to féele the like fauour now] when I was in distresse [all this speech is metaphorical, borowed of them, which by enemies are driuen into a narow place, out of which they can very hardly escape, q.d. when I was brought into wonderful dangers, thou hast deliuered mee, and made mee glad] ver. 2 2. O ye sonnes of men [hee speaketh here vnto the nobles and mightie men of Israel, that had conspired with Absalon, q.d. O yee Princes and great men, for so the Hebrewes, sundry times vse these woordes, Sonnes of men. Sée. Psalme 58.1.] My glory into shame [glory here is put for the kingdome which God had giuen him. q.d. how long wil ye indeuour to kill me, that ye might shamefully spoile me of my kingdome] louing vanities, and seeking lies [by vanities and lies, hee meaneth euery deceitful thing, which falleth not out as he would wish, and their vaine councels, and inde­uours which drawe their hope, q.d. how long will yee in vaine indeuour to turne me out of my kingdome, by vaine deuises, and lying imaginations, 3 which ye shal neuer obtaine, for the Lord prouideth for me] ver. 3. the Lord hath chosen. q.d. I take it not vpon mee my selfe, but the Lord hath laide it vpon me, he speaketh here of himselfe in the third person sodainly chaung­ing it into the first person] when I cal [ i. When I pray to him as ver. 1. of 4 this Psalm] ver. 4. tremble. q.d.] though yee feare not mee, yet feare God at the least, who hath appointed me king.] And sinne not [ vz. against God and me, going forward in your conspiracies and practises] examine your owne hearts vpon your beds. [ q.d. thinke well vpon the matter, and deter­mine rightly vpon the matter in the night season, what time men are wont, not only to giue them selues to sleepe, but to be free from weightie causes] and bee still. [ i. leaue not off onely to speake euil of me, but cease from your 5 wicked purposes] ver. 5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes: [he meaneth such lawful and holy sacrifices, as the lawe commanded to bee offered for sinne, and hee calleth them the sacrifices of righteousnes because he would haue them rightly and vnfeignedly to testifie their repentance and chaunge of mind. q.d. O ye traytors confesse your sinnes, & offer sacrifice to God for the purging thereof, & put your trust in God alone, and not in your selues, 6 that ye shal obtaine pardon.] ver. 6. Many [ vz. of the Israelites that haue conspired against me, and other mine enemies] who will shew vs any good? [ i. Who wil bring to passe, that we may obteine our desires, and amongst [Page 11] the rest see Dauid cast out of his kingdome and slaine: q.d. Wée woulde wée might see that] but Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs [these are Dauids words. q.d. I haue many enemies, and some trust in one thing, and some in an other, I wish onely thy fauour and cleaue vnto that alone. Wherfore shew vs that: vsing light of countenance of fauour and good wil: speaking of God according to men, who by their countenances declare loue and hatred, swéetly louing, and chearfully looking vpon them whom they af­fect, and shewing the contrary countenances to others.] ver. 7. He meaneth 7 that being assured of Gods goodnes and fauour, he shal haue more comfort of conscience, and a better prop to stay vpon, then the vngodly shal haue in all their abundance and wealth whatsoeuer, which he vnderstandeth by two kinds vz. wheat & wine, by them meaning all the rest. ver. 8, He noteth the assured safety that he shal be in, being vnder almightie Gods protection, sée Psal. 8.5.6. Mend the latter part of this 8. verse thus, when thou Lord alone, 8 shalt place me in safetie [noting by these words both the time, when he will lie downe &c. And the author from whom alone that assurednes commeth.

Ver. 1. We learne, that when men vniustly condemne vs, Do. we must flée vn­to God a righteous iudge, by earnest praier. Secondly that wee must haue recourse to his mercy, and not to our merits. ver. 2. Is described mans na­ture 2 who commonly oppose themselues against God in his members, wée learne further, that euery one of vs may & ought to defend the callings, that God hath set vs in. ver. 3. We learne that whatsoeuer choise man maketh, 3 the Lord maketh none but good: we learne also to be wel assured that our ho­ly praiers shal be heard. ver. 4. We are taught to labor by al the meanes we can to bring men to repentance. ver. 6. Wée learne to prefer Gods fauour, 6 before al worldly goods whatsoeuer. ver. 7. We behold what effectes an assu­red perswasion of Gods loue and goodnes worketh: the same we may learn ver. 8. And that God is the only staffe of our strength and standing. 8

Psalme. 5.

THis Psalme hath two parts. Di. In the first the Prophet prai­eth 1 the Lord to heare his praier, which thing the wicked can not, or may not hope for. From ver. 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he beséecheth the Lord to direct him, that 2 the enemies might take no aduantage of him, whose na­ture he describeth, praying God to ouerthrow them, com­forting on the other side the godly with excellent promises, From ver. 1. to the end of the Psal. This Psalm hath a title, which hath béen expounded in y e title of the 4. psal. sauing that here is an other instrument named then there.

Ver. 1. My words. [ vz. which I powre forth before thée, Se. in praier] my me­ditatiō [ i. the secret praier of my hart, made without words vttered.] ver. 2. 2 The voice of my cry. [ i. My crying voice by w ch he noteth his earnestnes & ve­hemēcy in praier.] ver. 3. Amend thus: O Lord thou shalt here my voice in y e 3 [Page 12] morning [ q.d. I will cause thée to heare me early in the morning, for at that time will I call vpon thée earnestly] for in the morning will I directe [ vz. eyther my selfe or my prayers, or both] And I will wayte [ vz. vpon thée, 4 and thy prouidence, till I haue obtayned my request] Verse 4. Euill put for sinne. Ver. 5. Foolishe put for wicked and vngodly ones. This is vsuall in the Scriptures, specially in the Prouerbes. Shall not stand, vz. with good consciences, for otherwise they cannot flée from his presence Psa. 139. For thou hatest [this is spoken of God, according to mans capacitie, 6 and not that God hateth any.] Ver. 6. Abhor [ i. loth to looke vppon him] Bloodie man ( i. hee that by any meanes sheddeth mans bloud) Vers. 7. I wil come ( vz. to serue thee) into thy house ( i. into the court of thy tabernacle for otherwise it was not lawfull for any, except the Priestes, to approche neare to the Lord) In the multitude of thy mercye [ i. Trusting vpon the riches of thy goodnesse and mercie, and not vppon any thinge in my selfe) the latter part of this 7. verse, amend thus: I will bow my selfe ( i. I will worship, the outwarde signe put for worship) toward the Temple ( viz. hauing my eies fixed vppon the Tabernacle where thou doest shewe thy selfe, for as yet the Temple was not builded: therefore it must needes be put for the Tabernacle.) Of thy holynesse ( i, eyther where thine holinesse sheweth it selfe, or els he vnderstandeth thereby holy viz Temple: as you 8 heard it vsed before Psalme 2.6. Psalme 3.4. Ver. 8. In thy righteous­nesse, or after some by thy righteousnesse. ( i. by the waye of suche righteous­nesse, as thou teachest and allowest) Because of myne enemies, or thus, whiche I better allowe of, because of those which watch me. ( viz. least they might haue an occasion by my sliding, to blaspheme thy holinesse, and that goodnesse of Religion whiche I professe. Make thy waye ( viz. which thou hast appointed for mee to walke in) playne before my face ( i. make mee so to walke in thy waye, that I neuer turne mine eyes from it: or thus, graunt, that that way maye seeme right vnto mee, which thou allowest. 9 q.d. take from me al lets and hinderances, least I stumble and fal.) vers. 9. For no constancye ( i. There is nothing that a man maye safelye trust to) in their mouth ( viz. whome hee had spoken of before vers. 5.6. putting the worde, Mouth, for wordes vttered with the mouth, and the instruments & partes thereof: it maye also receyue this same, no constancie is in their mouth, ( i. they saye and vnsaye, a man cannot tell where to haue them, so variable are they) within they are verye corruption ( i. Their hearte and whatsoeuer is within them, is full of nothing els, but deceite and crafte.) Their throate is an open Sepulcre, (hee saith, that their throat is like vn­to an open Sepulchre: for as an open sepulchre, looketh for the carkase (as a man woulde saye) that it mighte eate it vp, so mine enemies by their faire speech, shoote at nothing els, but that alluring mee vnto them, they maye 10 at length destroy me and ouerthrowe me.) vers. 10. Lette them fall from their councels ( i. lette them dislike that, which they had counselled and pur­posed [Page 13] 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 11 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 12 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 y t Gods children many times vse words in their praiers many times not. So did Moses and Anna, the mother of Samuel. vers. 2. 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 y t seeing 4 God cannot away with wickednes, his children should abhor it likewise: the same doth vers. 5. In vers. 6. are comprehended iudgements against the 6 vngodly, & namely against lyers, cruel persons and deceitful men. vers. 7. Teacheth y t 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. 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 9 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 10 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 11 may reioyce at the ouerthrow of Gods enemies. verse 12. We learn 12 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 y e 4. and therefore looke backe to that, sauing that he addeth here vpon y e 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 1 attributed to God, not that they bee in him, but that it so seemeth to men, [Page 14] 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 2 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] 3 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 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. 10 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 1 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 2 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 3 the vngodly, which 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 2 [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 3 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 4 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, y t 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 [Page 16] 5 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 6 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 y e 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] 7 verse 7. He noteth what good shall come by the ouerthrowe of his enemies, and the establishing of him in the kingdome: vz. y t 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, 8 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 y e 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 9 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 y e 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 10 and my enemies] vers. 10. My defence is in God [ q.d. I trust for helpe from 11 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 12 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 [Page 17] 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. 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 prepare arrowes for the persecutors ( i. those that with him doe perse­cute me. ver. 14. Behold ( q.d. notwithstanding all this) he shall trauaile with 14 wickednesse (but yet he shal not be able to bring forth ( i. to worke that which he hath deuised) for he hath conceaued ( vz. in his vnderstanding) mischiefe ( vz. agaynst me) but he shall bring forth a lie) i. such a thing as shal deceaue him of his expectation and hope, which he doth more particulerly and plainly declare in the next verse) Ver. 15. by which and the 16. he noteth that all 15 16 the mischiefes that the vngodly deuised agaynst the good, and all the daun­gers that they thought to take the godly in, shal light vpon themselues, and they themselues be taken therewith. ver. 17. hath this meaning (q.d. Pro­pheta) 17 When I shall sée Gods iudgements vpon the wicked, and his mercy in deliuering me, I wil prayse him according to his righteousnesse (he mea­neth not, so much as Gods righteousnesse ( i. his faythfull kéeping and per­forming of promises deserueth, but rather noteth the cause that God hath giuen to prayse him for: and by name in this verse, he meaneth the excellent power & maiestie of God, which then appeareth, when he ouerthroweth his enemies, and deliuereth his owne. ver. 1. Trust and confidence in God, Do. is alwaies necessary in them, that pray to him: also we learne to pray for deli­uerance from our persecutours. ver. 2. describeth the cruel and subtill na­ture 2 of the wicked. ver. 3. Sheweth that many of Gods children may stand 3 vpō their innocencie to menward, though not before God. ver. 4. Teacheth, that we should ouercome euil with wel doing. ver. 6. Sheweth that we may 6 sometimes pray against some enemies of the Church, it teacheth this also, to make Gods promises general or particular, the ground of our prayers. ver. 8: Teacheth, that when men wil not iudge rightly: we may by prayer de­fer 8 our causes to him that hath no respect of persons. ver. 9. that we shoulde 9 pray for the direction, and prosperitie of Gods people, also that nothing, no not the secret thoughts of our hearts can be hid from God. ver. 10. Teacheth 10 two things: 1. that we ought to hang vppon God: 2. the fauour and loue hée beareth towards thē, that sincerely feare him. ver. 11. Sheweth that God wil not the death of sinners, in that he vseth so many meanes to bring them to [Page 18] 12 13 amendmend. ver. 12. & 13. Declare what mischieuous mindes the wicked carry towarde the godly, and what meanes they wil worke to accomplish 14 15 16 their naughtines. ver. 14.15.16. Shew y e god shal ouerthrow al their pur­poses and practises: so that good cause we haue to hang vpon him, and litle 17 cause to feare the other, seeing that their deuises passe into smoke. ver. 17. Teacheth vs to thanke God either for the destruction of the wicked, or the deliuerance of the good.

Psalme 8

Di. 1 THis Psalme hath principally two partes. In the first the Prophet sheweth that the excellent power and prouidence of almightie God, may appeare in many his creatures, as namely in the heauens, and the things therin contained and this is comprehended in the three first verses. But special­ly it is to be seene in man, whose excellency in respect of his 2 first creation, the Prophet doth wonderfully extol. From ver. 4. to the end of the Psalme. And this is the second part thereof.

The title of this Psalm hath bene expounded before, al sauing this word Gittith: which I take to be instruments, the custody whereof was commit­ted, to Obed Edom the Gittith, and to his familie or kinred that came of 1 him of whom you may read. 2. Samuel. 6.10.11.] ver. 1. name, put for power & maiestie as Psal. 7.17. q.d. O Lorde howe great doth the whole earth shew thy power to be] which hast set thy glory aboue the heauens. [ q.d. not onely the earth, but the heauens also declare thy glory, as Psal. 19.1. Yea he mea­neth further by these spéeches, that though gods glory appeare in heauen and earth: yet notwithstanding hee is infinite in maiestie and glory, because 2 his glory is farre aboue the highest heauens.] vers. 2. Hast thou ordained strength [ i. thou hast strongly established [ vz. thy prouidence and power. q.d. besides the earth and the heauens, wee haue very infants preachers of thy power and goodnes and so doth our sauiour vnderstand it. Mat. 12.16.] Be­cause of thine enemies [ i. thou hast done this, that they thereby might bee confounded] that thou mightest stil the enemie. [ i. stoppe his mouth in such sort, that he should haue nothing to say,] and the auenger [he that reuengeth his own cause, and leaueth not vengeance to the Lord, to whom alone it be­longeth. Rom. 12.19. Who by their facts sheweth that they are perswaded that God careth not for mens matters, or else would they neuer so violently 3 breake into his office] ver. 3. The heauens are called gods, both because he made them, and also because he gouerneth there, and they are as it were his dwelling place] the worke of thy fingers [ i. which thou thy self hast most ex­actly and perfectly made] the moone and the starres. [Hee particularly re­citeth some of the heauenly creatures] which thou hast ordeined [ vz. to bee 4 there, to giue light, and to keepe their ordinary courses.] ver. 4. That thou [Page 19] art mindfull of him [ vz. to shewe fauour and loue towardes him] or the sonne of man [ i. his posterity, here hee speaketh generally of all, comparing man with the rest of the creatures: sée Eccle. 1.3.4.5.6.7.] that thou shoul­dest visit him [ i. haue regarde and consideration of him.] ver. 5. For thou 5 hast made him a litle lower then God. [Here hee speaketh of GOD, in the first place, in the second person, & in the second place, in the third person, the Apostle Heb. 2.6. expoundeth or translateth in thus. Thou hast made him a litle inferiour to the Angels: both in this place, and in that of the He­brewes the meaning is, that the Lord gaue vnto men in this life, a certaine angelicall and heauenly excellencie] and crowned him [ i. Thou hast dec­ked him as it were with a crowne] with glory and worshippe [some re­ferre this to the mynde and reasonable soule of a man, by whiche hee doeth not onely differ from beastes, but draweth nigh to the heauenly nature: I doe not onely stretch it so farre, but vnderstand thereby al­so, the dominion and Lordshippe that the Lorde hath giuen to him o­uer all his creatures, which followeth. ver. 6. In the woorkes [ i. ouer the 6 works] of thine hands, [ i. which thou thy selfe hast made] all thinges vnder his féete [ i. made thē subiect vnto him] this was true in Adam by creatiō, it is verified also in our sauiour, as may appeare, Heb. 2. We lost it by Adams fall, but we haue it in part restored againe vnto vs by Christ in our regene­ration.] ver. 7. He doth particularise the general time [all] in the 6. verse.] 7 Ver. 8. and that which passeth through the paths of the sea. [Hee meaneth 8 the whale and other great fishes, which make a smooth path after them in the sea, if the sea be calme, as a ship or boate doeth, sée Iob. 41.23.] The 9. ver. is expounded ver. 1. of this Psalme.

Ver. 1. The glory of God in his creatures rightly considered, Do. should strike an astonishment into vs on the one side, and inforce vs on the other side to be thankefull vnto him, that maketh his power, and prouidence appeare so clearely in them. ver. 2. Gods power and prouidence seene in his creatures, 2 serueth for a double end. vz. For the comfort of his children, and the terror and confusion of the wicked. vers. 4. Serueth to humble man, and to beat 4 him downe. For if he bée compared with other creatures, there is no such excellency, and durablenes in him, as in them, neither yet such, as hee him­selfe imagineth to bee in himselfe. vers. 5.6.7.8. Setteth foorth the graces 5. 6. 7. 8 and blessings that God hath bestowed vpon man, not to the ende that man thereby should waxe proude, and swell aboue measure but inforce him, 1. to thankfulnes to the giuer, 2. to a right vse of them in himselfe and for o­thers, 3. the more and more to humble him, sée 1. Corin. 4.7. A worde or two touching this matter, let man consider, what excellencie he hath lost through Adams fall, and bewaile his misery: and let him on the other side well weigh, the grace bestowed vppon him in Christ, and bee ioyfull and thankefull for mercy: knowing this, that if the creatures bee not nowe subiected vnto vs, it is by reason of the body and relickes of sinne, [Page 20] which yet remaine in vs: and that therefore, if we would haue a conquest o­uer the creatures, we must beginne first to get a victory vpon sinne, or else wee shall neuer profit that way, if any man will obiect and say, that many creatures are subdued to many people that are without a god in the world, and which notwithstanding remaine in their sinne: I answere that Gods dispensing in mercy with our iniquitie, or other mens, is no impeachment to the truth of this doctrine, nay rather it shoulde the more further vs, not only in thankfulnes to him for his goodnes, but in valiancy, and courage to combate against iniquity, and that vnto blood, because we haue in mercy without any striuing or blow stricken on our side, halfe a victory, as it were gotten vnto vs: the rest no doubt he wil graciously supply, that hath begunne this, specially if there be a willing mind: but al this belongeth, to the faith­ful, who are in deede heires of the world, and to none other.

Psalme. 9.

Di. 1 THis Psalme hath foure parts. In the first he prayseth the Lorde, and sheweth the causes of that his thankes giuing. 2 From ver. 1. to the end of the 5. In the second hee scorneth his enemies, declaring God to bee iust in punishing the wicked, and deliuering his owne children. From ver. 6. to 3 the end of the 10. In the third he exhorteth others to praise the Lord, for his iustice toward the good, and bad, making a particular prai­er, that he might be deliuered from the hands of his enemies. From ver. 11. 4 to the end of the 14. In the 4. and last part, hee sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the wicked, and his fauour to the faithful, praying the Lord to rise vp against the vngodly. From ver. 15. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title hath these words, Muth labben, which I take to be the begin­ning 1 of a tune, according to which this Psalme was to be sung. ver. 1. I will speake of [ i. declare abroad, and publish] al [ i. a very great number, as Psal. 2 3.7.] ver. 2. In thee: or for thée [ q.d. for the victory and other goodnesses that thou hast giuen mee, I will sing foorth thy praise] I wil sing praise to thy name. [ i. I wil praise thy power and maiesty: Name is vsed here, as Psal. 8.1.9.] O most high [God is so called, because he is higher then al thinges or 3 creatures whatsoeuer.] ver. 3. Are turned back [ i. are discomfited] they shal fal and perish at thy presence. [ q.d. They shal not be able to stand before thée, 4 much lesse to withstand thée.] ver. 4. For thou hast &c. [In the third verse he shewed one reason, why he would praise the Lord, vz. because his enemies were confounded: nowe in this verse hee sheweth an other, vz. because God maintained his right and iust cause] thou art set on the throne [ vz. to 5 doe the office of an vpright iudge.] ver. 5. Heathen, put for the Philistines, or some other enemies of Gods people, & he said that God did rebuke them, [ i. with his terrible countenance, or word so cast thē down, that they were easily destroied] thou hast destroyed the wicked [ i. some one notorious wicked man [Page 21] among them, or other, that was their captaine and ring leader, as Goliah was amongst the Philistines: for the woord wicked is of the singular num­ber, though we can not so easilie discerne it in our tongue,] Thou hast put out, [ i. destroied and cast down to the ground] their name. [ i. Their power, authoritie, glory, and what so euer was excellent in them, and he meaneth this of those people, that come out to warre against gods people, who not­withstanding their force were ouerthrowne and destroyed.] ver. 6. Must bée 6 amended thus. O enemie [he speaketh to one principall, meaning all the rest] are destructions come to an ende for euer. Hast thou rooted out the cities. [by these speches he derideth the enemies, who thought to haue made such a destruction in the land, that they shoulde not haue néeded to haue destroyed it againe, and therefore they purposed vtterly, to haue defaced and destroyed al the cities, which the Prophet vnderstandeth by this terme rooting out. q.d. is it come to passe, as you supposed, nay the contrary is fallen out, which hee noteth in the next wordes of this verse] their memo­riall is perished with them. [ i. both them selues are destroyed, and all re­membrance of them, is vanished away from amongst men. Ver. 7. But 7 the Lord. [ q.d. though men fayle, yet hee remaineth sure] shall sit, or af­ter some which I rather allowe, indureth [Meaning that hee is eternall, and shall neuer decay, as the enemies doe] hee hath prepared his throne for iudgement. [ q.d. hee is alwaies ready to execute iustice, putting the throne whereupon hee sitteth, for iustice, and vpright iudgement pro­nounced 8 therefrom.] verse 8. Mend thus, that hee may iudge. [ i. That he may performe whatsoeuer hee hath iudged] the worlde. [ i. All the people of the world] in righteousnesse. [ i. Vprightly] and the people with equitie. [This is a repetition, expounding as it were that which went before.] ver. 10 10. and they that knowe thy name. [ i. Such as haue had experience of thy mercy, and power] hast not failed them [ vz. of that thou promisedst, and they hoped for] that seeke thee. [ vz. vnfeignedly, and from a good heart.] 11 verse 11. Which dwelleth in Sion. [These wordes make me thinke, that this Psalme was not made presently vppon the slaughter of Goliah: because the arke was not then, nor long time after, brought in to Sion, but that it was made vppon some other particular victory, gotten after Dauid was king, and after hée had brought the Arke to Sion. where God is sayde to dwel, not that God is tyed to any place, but because that there was the most manifest and often testimonies of his residence shewed] ver. 12 12. Amend thus. For hee that requireth slaughter. [ i. Hee that letteth not murther escape frée, but is a reuenger of the same, because he is a most iust iudge] remembreth them. [ i. The poore and afflicted, which are spoken of 13 ver. 9. and follow presently in this verse.] Ver. 13. Haue mercy vppon me, O Lord. [ q.d. These are the woordes of the poore that God forgetteth not, speaking that in the person of one, that appertained to many, and was no doubt practised by them: and here is the chaunge of number which maketh [Page 22] the place more hard from the gates of death [ i. from most present and assu­red 14 death. ver. 14. Gates, put here for publikely and openly. Iob. 29.7. For gate in the scripture signifieth a place before the gate of a city, into which y e people were wont to come, where also the iudges did sit to minister iustice] of the daughter of Sion. [Daughter put for the citie or towne as Ioshua. 15.45.] 15 ver. 15. Knit to the former thus, saying the heathen &c. As though this should be the matter that he woulde publish to the praise and glory of God: and in this verse, by heathen, hee vnderstandeth the Philistines, or some o­ther people, as Moabites, Ammonites, and such like, that bordered vpon Iudea, vsing two metaphors, to expresse their ouerthrowe: the first taken from hunters, who digge pits to take wolues, and other wild beastes in: the 16 the other from fowlers, who lay nets to take birdes.] ver. 16. Is knowne [ i. maketh himselfe knowne, though men many times regarde not his iudg­ments] the wicked [see ver. 5. Or else expound it thus, that vnder one hee meaneth all, which he expresseth in the next verse, the word wicked there, be­ing 17 of the plural number, whereas here it is but the singular] ver. 17. Is read by some, as a wish or a praier against the wicked, which I better allow of] into hell: againe which I take to bee the better, meaning the ouerthrowe that their enemies had susteined and their destruction that way, though the 18 other may stand.] ver. 18. He meaneth that God wil neuer forget them, that are afflicted and in misery. ver. 19. Let not man preuaile [ vz. against thee and thine, least hee waxe proud aboue measure, hee putteth man for multi­tudes of men and for all that is of excellencie, power, and strength in him. 20 ver. 20. Putteth in feare [ i. strike a feare of thy iudgements into the] but mē [ i. fraile, weake, and of no strength or countenance.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth, that God must be praised for his benefits, and that, not 4 with a peece of the heart, but with the whole. ver. 4. God alwaies defendeth his children and their iust causes: also how corrupt soeuer man is in iudge­ment, 6 yet God is alwaies iust and true. ver. 6. We may sometimes meri­ly taunt gods enemies and ours, it teacheth also the vtter [...]ne of the wic­ked, 9 which also in ver. 5. was noted. ver. 9. Is full of comfort for all those, that are in any manner of affliction or trouble. ver. 10. sheweth what hope the faithful shall haue in God: and on the other side, what grace and fauour 13 the Lord beareth to them. ver. 13. God helpeth his children in the greatest di­stresses 15 yea when no way appeareth to flesh and blood, how to escape. ver. 15. God in his iust iudgement ouertaketh the wicked in their owne deuises, as 16 Psa. 7.15. The sunne is declared also. ver. 16. ver. 17.18. Declare gods iudge­ments 20 against the wicked, and his fauour to his owne children. ver. 20. de­clareth, that vnlesse God bridle men, & strike them downe, they will grow to a marueilous height of pride.

Psalme. 10.

THis Psalme hath two parts. Di. In the first the Prophet large­ly 1 setteth out, the wickednes of the vngodly, and their mis­chieuous attempts. From ver. 1. to the end of the second. In the second he prayeth earnestly against them, desiring the 2 Lord both to punish them, & to succour his owne seruants. From ver. 12. to the end. This Psal. hath no title. Ver. 1. 1 Why standest thou farre of, [he speaketh of God according to man, as the rest also in this verse must be so vnderstand: not that God was far off, for he filleth all places, but that it so séemed vnto man] and hidest thee [ vz. From vs, which we gather, because thou shewest not thy selfe fauourable vnto vs] the latter part of that verse mend thus, in due time euen in afflictions [ i. in the times wherein we are very much afflicted] ver. 2. The wicked, sée Psa. 9.16.] 2 With pride [ i. being puffed vp with the pride of his heart] the poore [ i. he that is afflicted, and in misery. Psal. 9.18.] Let them bee taken [the Pro­phet changeth number] that they haue imagined [ vz. against other] ver. 3. 3 blesseth himselfe [ i. not onely wisheth wel to himselfe, but praiseth and com­mendeth himselfe in his couetousnes, and other wickednes] hee [ i. the wic­ked man generally couetous or otherwise] vers. 4. seeketh not for God [ i. 4 hath no regard of him at al, but puffed vp in his pride, consisteth in himself] he thinketh alwaies there is no God [ q.d. the wicked ones call not vppon God: the reasō is, because they thinke alwaies this, God regardeth not mens matters, and therefore they will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth them, sée Psal. 41.1.] ver. 5. His wayes [ i. his purpose and trade of life] alwaies [ i. what times 5 soeuer fall to other men, either of florishing or decaying, his state alwayes] prosper [ i. florish wonderfully in this life] thy iudgements. [ i. Thy plagues and punishments, [that thou layest vpon the vngodly] are high aboue his sight [ i. he thinketh not vppon them, neither considereth thereof déeply, [be­cause they are aboue his reach, as hee estéemeth] much lesse doeth hée féele them] therefore defieth hee [ i. hée is puffed vp into such pride, that hée regardeth not his enemies, though neuer so mightie or many.] ver. 6. Hee 6 saith in his heart [ i. hee perswadeth himselfe within himselfe] see Psalm. 14.1. I shal neuer be moued [ i. I shal neuer fall, from the state and dignitie wherein I am, meaning that hee should liue very long, and so long as hee liued, neuer be hurt as it were, or sustaine any losse.] ver. 7. His mouth [ i. 7 the wordes and spéeches, that proceed from his mouth, are nothing else, but cursing &c.] vnder his tongue [ i. in his heart, which is vnder his tongue, i. beneath his tongue, as it is placed in the body] is mischiefe [ vz. against o­thers. q.d. in his heart he imagineth how to worke mischief to others.] ver. 8. in the valleies [ i. in places, where there is no great resort of people.] 8 against the poore [ vz. to oppresse or murther him. [ q.d. hee prieth and [Page 24] 9 watcheth diligently to intrap them that are already afflicted.] Vers. 9. and 10. Hee setteth out the secret councels, that the wicked vse to take the god­ly by. Sée for the Lions disposition Iob. 36.1.2. draweth him into his net: it is a metaphor, taken from foulers, who vse closly to lay their nets and 10 snares, to catch birds.] vers. 10. He croucheth and boweth. [ i. The vngod­ly spareth no paine to his owne body that hee may woorke mischiefe, Yea hée counterfatteth and pretendeth humilitie, but all is hypocrisie.] 11 Heapes [ i. Great number, and multitudes as it were.] ver. 11. In his heart see ver. 6. Of this Psam, he noteth in this verse what maketh the wic­ked 12 so bolde to sinne, vz. A false perswasion that they haue of God.] ver. 12. Arise, [ vz. to helpe the oppressed, as Psalm. 12.5.] lift vp thine hand. [ i. de­clare thy power, in striking thine enemies,] forget not the poore. [ q.d. shewe that thou art not forgetfull of them: [For in déede he is not forget­full of them, though it so seeme to vs] which thing the wicked perswade 13 themselues thou doest, as ver. 11. ver. 13. contemne God: Sée ver. 3. of this Psalme. Thou wilt not regard [ vz. their sinnes committed against thée and 14 thy seruants.] ver. 14. Mischiefe and wrong, [ vz. which the vngodly haue done to thy children.] That thou mayst take it into thy hands. [Not only to iudge betwéen right & wrong, but also to punish those wicked persons with thy power.] Himself [ i. His life, & al his causes he cōmendeth to thée.] For thou art the helper [this is a reason why the afflicted fléeth to God.] Of the fatherles [ i. of those that are voyd of mans help. Sée Iob. 29.12. Hosea. 14.3.] 15 ver. 15. breake thou his armie [ i. al his power and force, and whatsoeuer he hath to execute it by.] Search his wickednes. [ q.d. cal him to account for his sinnes] and thou shalt find none. [ vz. To answere thée. He meaneth that if the vngodly be sifted, the giltines of his owne vngodlines, will make him to flée his presence] and the iudgement of God will so ouerthrow him, that he shal no where appeare, neither his place any more be known.] ver. 16. He 16 putteth heathen for the Iewes and Israelits: not that they were heathen by nature, but because they were corrupted with heathenish maners.] ver. 17. 17 In the Lord, part must be read, not as a thing already performed, but as a praier for the godly. Thus, strengthen their heart, q.d. confirme them more and more in the truth of thy promises, & dispose their harts to the imbracing thereof] bend thine eare [ i. diligently hearken and yéeld to the praiers of thy 18 poore people, as Psal. 86.1.] ver. 18. To iudge. [ i. To reuenge and set frée] the fatherles and poore, [Sée ver. 14. Of this Psal.] That earthly man. [ i. man not only dwelling in the earth, but also made of earth] cause to feare no more. [ i. Be no more a cause of terror and feare to thy seruants.]

Se. Ver. 1. Teacheth, that gods children are wonderfully assaulted, when they féele not gods present helpe. ver. 1.2. &c. Till you come to the ende of the 11. ver.] the holy ghost doeth so diligently set out the wickeds nature, not that the godly shoulde feare them. For all the mischiefe they can ima­gine or performe but to teach the Godly the more earnestly therefore to [Page 25] come to God by prayer, that they may auoyd these daungers, and the more carefully to looke to their steps, that they be not ouertaken with these wic­kednesses. Verse 12. Teacheth vs to pray vnto God in the middest of y e con­fusions 12 that wicked men bring into the earth, and to desire him to take his owne cause, and the cause of his children into his owne hands. Ver. 13.14. 13. 14. declare that though the wicked thinke God regardeth not, yet hee séeth it, and in his good time wil punish them for their sinne. Ver. 17. sheweth that 17 it is comfortable for the children of god to think vpon his power, because it is their defence, and terrible to the wicked, because it is their ouerthrow.

Psalme 11.

THis Psalme hath two partes. Di. In the first the Prophet flieth 1 to God by prayer, that vnder him he might be defended a­gainst the violence, and mischieuous practises of the vn­godly, from ver. 1. to the end of the third. In the seconde 2 part he setteth out Gods iustice in defending his owne seruaunts, and in punishing the wicked and vngodlye from verse 4. to the end of this Psalme.

The title of this Psalme is expounded Psalme 4. Ver. 1. Se. To my soule [ i. to me a part put for the whole] Flie [not to, as in the Geneua Texte] but out of your mountayne [Mountaynes are sure places to lodge in from the force of aduersaries, but here the enemies tel Dauid, and those that were with him, that they shal not preuaile to keepe them safe, and therefore it were better for them to get them away. It may be that by Mountayn hee mea­neth the lande of Iudea, because it was full of Mountaynes, q.d. Get you out of Iudea, but the other me thinketh is more simple, sée 1. Samuel from chap. 21. to the 27.] as a bird [ vz which séeth the Fowlers snare, and there­fore flieth away swiftly: q.d. You are forewarned of a daunger, therefore get you away with all spéede. Ver. 2. Bende their bow [ i. prepare and ga­ther 2 together all the force and subtilties that they haue or can deuise] at them [ vz. at me, and those that are with me] which are vpright in hart [ i. which meane no mischiefe or hurt to them or any of them.] Ver. 3. For the 3 foundations [ vz. of the places wherein Dauid and his, might trust] are cast downe [he speaketh of that that shall be, as though it were alredy done, for the certaintie of it in mans iudgement] what hath the righteous done, [ q.d. haue I and the people with me committed, that these mischiefs should be ment against vs, and our liues so sought for. Ver. 4. Holy palace [ i. Heauen, as may appeare by that which followeth, the Lords throne is in 4 heauen ( i. he is a heauenly Iudge to reuenge these outrages done vpon the earth agaynst me and mine] His eyes will consider, or after some, doe con­sider [eyes attributed to God, after the maner of men, meaning that he be­holdeth, vz. all things that the wicked doe, and the godly suffer] His eylids [Page 26] [ i. his eyes, it is eyther Metonomya, the things contayning, for the things contayned, or Synecdoche, one parte for an other, or a part of the eye for the whole eye] Chyldren of men [ i. men of what state and condition soeuer they bee, q.d. this one thing comforteth me, that though GOD bee in hea­uen, yet from thence he doth withoute respecte of persons behold all things done by men vppon the earth, and namely how vngodlye the wicked are a­gaynst 5 those that trust in him] Ver. 5. Will, or doth trie [ vz. by afflicti­ons and calamities, that he might make him pure golde vnto him selfe] the righteous, [ i. righteous men, one number for another] doth his soule hate [ i. he can at no hand away with him, and this is spoken of GOD according to man, not that this affection of hate, is or euer can bee in God, 6 from whiche he is farre. Ver. 6. he ( i. God who hath all power in himselfe) shall rayne snares [ i. shall swiftlye sende multitude of troubles, where the vngodlye shall bee caught, and ouerwhelmed as it were with snares] Fire and Brimstone, &c. [ i. most horrible iudgements) this is the portion of their Cuppe ( q.d. this is that, that they must make sure account to haue, euen as if it were a portion of meate and drinke allowed for a daye to liue withall, whiche was a vsuall custome, amongest the people of the East, and namely 7 the Iewes.) Ver. 7. For, or rather But, which I allow of, as better, correc­ting this verse with the former] loueth righteousnesse ( i. righteous men, the qualitie being put for the person) his countenaunce ( i. he himself, a part of God (which is spoken also according to man) put for the whole) doth be­hold ( vz. with fauour and goodnesse, for otherwise he doth beholde also the wicked, as ver. 4. of this Psalme, and Psalme, 14.2.

Do. 1 Ver. 1. Teacheth to trust in God how great soeuer their daungers be: al­so 2 that we shall be many times assaulted to put far from vs this trust. Ver. 2. noteth, the cruelty and subtilty of the vngodly agaynste the good people.) Ver. 3. sheweth that the children of God are many times persecuted, with­out 4 any cause on their behalfe giuen. Ver. 4. Setteth out Gods wonderfull prouidence and gouernment who beholdeth all things, and before whose 5 eyes all things are naked and playne Ver. 5. Teacheth two things, first that God will sundrye tymes afflicte his owne, secondlye that he cannot awaye 6. 7. with the vngodly. Ver. 6.7. shewe the iudgementes of God agaynst the wic­ked, and his goodnes toward the righteous, with the vnlikely reward of the one, and the other.

Psalme 12

Di. THis Psalme hath two partes: In the first, the Prophet prayeth 1 the Lord to set too his helping hand, to redresse the vnfaith­fulnesse, pride, and other wickednesses of the vngodlye from 2 ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second hee assureth himselfe and the rest of the faythful, that God wil punish the wicked, [Page 27] notwithstanding their great pryde, and defend his own, euen for his truths sake, from ver. 5. to the end of the Psalme.

In the title vpon the eyght time, sée Psalme 6. in the Title, Se. where this is 1 expounded. ver. 1. For there is not [this is a reason of his prayer) a godlye man [he meaneth that the number of good people was very small] from a­mong the children of men [ i. from among men themselues, as Psalme 11.4. meaning also by this true children of men, those that presently liued, & not speaking of the time past or to come.] ver. 2. They speake deceitfullye, &c. 2 [ q.d. No man may trust one anothers words] with their lips [ i. with their wordes and spéeche, putting some of the instruments wherewith the words are vttered, for the wordes themselues, sée Psalme 10.7.] and speake with a double hart [ i. they speak one thing and thinke another, and this may serue to explane somewhat that hath bene sayd vpon Psalme 10. ver. 7. when the tongue is put for the hart, for the Prophet meaneth they had one harte in their body, and an other in their mouth.] ver. 3. Is a prayer agaynst his ene­mies, 3 procéeding not frō heat or affectiō of y e flesh, but by the guiding of gods spirit, wherin he beséecheth the remouing of false flatterers, and proud boa­sters,] ver. 4. which haue sayd, yea & are accustomed to say) with our tongue 4 ( i. with our spéech vttered by the tongue) will we preuaile ( vz. against Dauid and those that take his part, I suppose he meaneth the cunning flatterers of Saules Court) our lippes are our owne ( i. we are not only apt and méete to speake with finenesse and eloquence, when we our selues list, but wee will speake indéed) who is Lord ouer vs ( vz. to hinder vs by his authoritie from vsing our spéech as we lust, so wickedly doe these men speake against God] Ver. 5. oppression of y e néedy ( vz. wherwith they are afflicted on euery side) I 5 wil vp sayth the Lord [ vz. to helpe them, q.d. although hitherto I haue sée­med to winke at the vngodly, in their sinnes, yet I wil now arise, and y t pre­sently, being moued thereto by the calamitie that I sée the poore to be afflic­ted withall] and will set at liberty him, &c. [ i I wil set him frée from the vi­olence & subtilty of the wicked] whom the wicked hath snared [ vz. by his craft and deceit] ver. 6. The wordes [ i. the promises, q.d. doubte not of that 6 which hath bin sayd before ver. 5. for they are Gods words, & therefore shall be performed] are pure [ i. simple and playn without any guile or falshood] as the siluer [an excellent similitude, meaning thus much in effecte, as the gold & siluer that hath bin most tried doth neuer deceaue men, so shal Gods promises neuer deceaue, because the truth & goodnes of thē hath bin cōtinu­ally tried by others, & graciously performed by god himself, tried in a for­nace of y e earth (he meaneth in a fornace made of y e best & méetest earth to try metals withal) seuen fold [ i. sundry times, a certayn number put for an vn­certain, as Prouer. 6.31. Psal. 119.164.] ver. 7. is reade by some as a prayer, 7 thus: O Lord kéepe thou thē, kéep euery one of thē, &c. as in y e Geneua text, ( q.d. hauing this promis of thin, I make my praier to thée) for thou, w ch I a­low better of) frō this generation ( i. frō the mē that liue in this age, sée ver. 1. [Page 26] of this Psalme. Ver. 8. The wicked walke on euery side [ vz. séeking occasion to destroy the good and godly people] Immanuel readeth the last part of this verse thus: as though drunkennesse were exalted [ i. They run vp & downe to doe mischiefe, as though they were drunke, and drunkennesse had made them mad: aptly comparing them, whose mindes are caryed violentlye to commit wickednesse, to drunken men] amongst the sonnes of men [ i. a­mongst men, as verse 1. of this Psalme, and Psalme 11.4.] or else this Texte may stand thus expounded: when they [ i. the wicked men] are exalted [ i. preferred and set vp aloft] it is a shame for the sonnes of men [ i. other men are not only contemned, that happily deserue greater preferment, but are vilely handled by such men so exalted, and set vp on high.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs in the midst of all confusions to haue recourse to God by prayer for the amendment thereof: it teacheth also that gods number is the smallest: and is a good place agaynst them that presse multitude. ver. 2. 2 Teacheth vs to auoyde deceyte and flattery, and on the other side to speake the truth from our harts, Psalme 15.2. ver. 3.4. Teacheth vs not onlye to 3. 4. auoyde proude boasting, and flattering spéeches, but also that our tongues are not our owne to vse as we list, but to Gods glory, and our neighboures 5 profite. ver. 5. Expresseth Gods readinesse to helpe his, and how forcible in his sight, the earnest prayers of his children are. ver. 6. Teacheth vs to 7 make Gods promises alwayes the assured grounds of our prayers. ver. 7. Teacheth Gods prouidence and protection ouer his children, if we reade it 8 as in the Geneua text, or els, that we ought to pray for gods fauour toward them, if we read it as Immanuel doth. ver. 8. setteth out both the diligence and the rage that the wicked vse in performing their mischiefe.

Psalme 13.

Di. 1 THis Psalme hath two partes: in the firste the Prophet sée­meth to complayne as it were, that God was so long ab­sent from him in his so gréeuous afflictions, and this is 2 comprehended in the two first verses. In the seconde, hee maketh his earnest prayer to God, assuring himselfe in the truth of Gods goodnesse, that he should ouercom, yea euen the horrors of death, from ver. 3. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. 1 The Title is expounded before. ver. 1. he speaketh as men many times doe, who if they be not succoured when they themselues would, they thinke they are forgotten] for euer [ q.d. What wilt thou neuer thinke vpon mée? So hardly was his fayth assaulted to yéeld to distrust in God,] hide thy face [which thing angry persons are wont to doe, q.d. How long wilt thou shew thy selfe angry towards me? Sée Psalme 10.1. Psa. 4.6. or else face maye 2 be taken for fauour and mercy] ver. 2. Take councell within my selfe [ i. how long shall I be tossed and tumbled with diuersitie of councels and purposes, 3 sometimes in my mind thinking this, sometimes that.] ver. 3. Heare mée, [Page 29] [ i. my prayers] lighten my eyes [whiche are waxed dimme with trouble, Psal. 6.7. he meaneth that he would gladlye haue the Lord to driue afflicti­ons from him] that I sléepe not in death [ i. that I doe not certainly die, for it is vsuall in scripture by sléepe to vnderstand death, as 1. Corinth. 11.30. 1. Thessa. 4.14.15. and by doubling as it were the word, to note the certaintie of the thing, Gen. 2.17. Ver. 4. He sheweth a double reason to induce god 4 as it were to yéelde to his petition, q.d. least otherwise mine enemies should not only euery day more than other wax proude, but also haue an occasion to blaspheme thée, as though thou wert weake, and not able to helpe.] Ver. 5. 5 In thy saluation [ i. in that deliuerance, which thou shalte worke for mee Psalme 3.8.] I will sing to the Lord [ i. I will declare my selfe thankefull for his benefites and goodnesse.

Ver. 1. Let vs learne that how sharpe soeuer our conflicts be, Do. wee doe not vtterly despayre in God. ver. 3. Let vs learne by prayer to draw nigh vnto 3 him, desiring him euen for his owne glory to take our defence vppon him. ver. 4. Noteth the nature of the wicked two maner of wayes, vz. the more they preuaile, the more insolent they are: the other, that they will wonder­fully insult ouer those that are afflicted. ver. 5. Teacheth vs to make Gods 5 mercye alone the onely ground of our hope: also that we should be glad for particular deliuerance, and shew our selues thankfull vnto him for benefits receaued.

Psalme 14.

THis Psalm hath thrée parts, In the first, Di. the Prophet descri­beth 1 the peruerse nature of the vngodlye, both towardes God and towards men: and this parte is contayned in verse 1.3.6. In the seconde he declareth that God sitteth 2 not idle in heauen, as they did imagine, but beholdeth the wicked to punish them, and the good to deliuer them. verse 2.4. In the third he sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the vngodly, and his 3 fauour toward his own seruants, verse 5.7.

The title of this Psalme is expounded before, Psal. 4. Ver. 1. Se. The Foole [ i. the wicked man, how wise soeuer he be in naturall wit] hath sayd in his hart [ i. is of this perswasion in his minde, see for this 1. Mark. 2.6.7.8.] there is no God [ vz. that careth for mens matters here on earth, sée Psalm 10.4.] they [ i. the vngodly, chaunging the number from the singular to the plurall] haue corrupted [ vz. their own wayes, turning the light of know­ledge which they had, into darkenesse] Ver. 2. would vnderstande [ i. inde­uoured 2 to know God aright, and as he is reuealed by his word] and séeke God [ i. serue him, and take delight and pleasure in his seruice and religiō] Ver. 3. All [ i. the greatest number here, but in Paul Romans 3. it is put for 3 all generally, considering man in his naturall corruption] are gone out of [Page 30] the way [ vz. of right and goodnesse, which God had prescribed them to walk in] they are all corrupt ( i. full of filth and stinch, it is a metaphor taken from 4 stinking meat which all men are wont to loath.) ver. 4. doe not all, &c. knowe [ q.d. their owne conscience doth sometimes, though they quench it agayne, tell them of their crueltie] as they eate bread [ i. any kinde of foode or nou­rishment: noting thereby not only their rauening and deuouring, but the pleasure that the vngodly take in it] they call not vpon the Lord [ i. They neglect all Gods religion and seruice, calling vpon the Lord, or prayer be­ing 5 a part thereof, and put for the whole Gen. 4.26. 2. Timoth. 2.19.] ver. 5. in the generation of the iust [ i. amongst iust men, fauouring their causes, and graciously deliuering them.] ver. 6. the Lord is his trust ( i. because hee hath his whole trust and confidence in God only, and he vseth counsell for al goodnes in the poore, as holy purposes, and carefull pursuings therof, faith, 7 hope, &c.) ver. 7. giue saluation ( i. deliueraunce from all greefes in this life, as Psal. 13.5. Psalme 3.8. & eternall glory after this life is once ended) vnto Israel (i. vnto the faythfull people) out of Sion (i. out of heauen, the place of Gods presence earthly, put for the Heauens, sée Psalme 2.6. Psalme 9.11. turneth the captiuitye of his people ( i. when the Lord chaungeth their bondage for fréedome] then Iacob shall reioyce, and Israell shall be glad [by these two names of the Patriarche, who was faythfull, attributed vn­to the rest of the people, he vnderstandeth all the faythful and true Israelites indéede.

Do. 1 Ver. 1. Not only noteth the fountaine of sinne, but sheweth how farre the diuel and sinne preuaile in mans hart, that they make men vtterly to forget 4. 2. God, & good men. ver. 2. declareth that God hath an eye to mens doings vp­on the earth. Ver. 4. sheweth that the wicked sin many times against know­ledge, and the light of their own conscience. Ver. 5. containeth a iudgement 6.5 against the wicked. ver. 6. noteth a vile sinne of the vngodlye, deryding and 7 scoffing at the iust. Ver. 7. that we should pray for the whole church: and re­ioyce for the benefits that God bestoweth vpon it.

Psalme 15

Di. THis Psalme expoundeth specially one matter, and there­fore will hardlye admitte a diuision. The thing pro­pounded generally, is godly life. Ver. 2. but particular­lye to auoyde slaundering, lying, inconstancye, vsurye, briberye, &c. verse 3.4.5. which done, he sheweth what blessings belong to those that walke after that sort.

Se. This Psalmes Title is easie. Ver. 1. In thy Tabernacle [ i. in the vi­sible Church q.d. who shall be accounted a visible member thereof] In thyne holy mountayne [ i. in Heauen, Psalme 3.4.] Ver. 2. He that walketh vp­rightly [Page 31] (it is vsuall in scripture to haue walking put for conuersation, it is as much then ( q.d. he that leadeth an vpright life) worketh righteousnes ( i. doth the thing that is right) in his hart [as he hath it in his hart, so hee maketh his mouth and tongue the instruments to expres it] Ver. 3. He that 3 slaundereth not [this is one particular of truth from the harte] with his tongue [that is he that maketh not his tongue the instrumente to vtter the slaunder hee hath within him: whereby wée sée that there is a double slaunder: one inwarde in the mynde, and not expressed, the other inwarde, and besydes that vttered with the mouth] nor doth euill [this expoundeth righteousnesse verse 2. meaning that a man must doe no manner of iniurye whatsoeuer] to his neighbour [I take this worde Neighbour to bée vsed here generallye, for any, as Exod. 20. in the tenth commaundement, Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house, &c. as also our Sauiour séemeth to meane, Luke 10.29, 30. &c.] nor receaueth a false report, &c. [we must not only not slaunder our selues, but wee must not admit a slaunder broughte vnto vs by other.] Ver. 4. In whose eyes [ i. before whome and in whose 4 iudgement] a vile person [ i. a wicked man] is contemned [ i. a little or no­thing set by and regarded] he that sweareth [ i. he that hath with an oth pro­mised a thing lawfull] to his own hinderance [ i. and yet it falleth out in the end to be hurtfull to him in respect of his wealth and substaunce] and chā ­geth not [ vz. that which he hath promised though he lose neuer so muche by it.] ver. 5. he that giueth not his monye to vsury [ i. he that without anye 5 profite at all to himselfe, helpeth an other man by the vse of his monye] nor taketh reward [ vz. of them which haue an vniust cause: hée séemeth to speak specially of Iudges] against the innocent [ i. that thereby the innocentes cause may be ouerthrowne, and iudgement, though wrongfullye pronoun­ced against him] shall neuer be moued [ i. he shall be stedfastly rooted in the church in this life, and after the course of this life ended, be made a citizen for euer of the Heauenly Ierusalem.

Ver. 2. Teacheth that godly life and vpright dealing, be very excellente fruites: it teacheth also vnfaynedly to speake the truth, touching all men and matters, as time and occasion shall serue. ver. 3. Teacheth vs to auoyd 3 slaundering, iniury, or wrong doing, and acceptation of false tales and re­ports ver. 4. Teacheth that we should not much regarde vngodlye men, 4 though they be neuer so highly aduaunced in this world: and on the other side, that we should loue & reuerence the godly, though they be neuer so pore and contemptible at teacheth further that honest promises & lawfull othes, touching things of this life, should be performed, though the performance therof should much impaire our wealth. ver. 5. Teacheth that vsury and bri­bery 5 must be shunned of all the godly: and the better to incourage vs to the performance of these holy duties, the Lord in mercy setteth before vs a pro­mise of this life present, and of the life to come, which godlines hath alwais annexed vnto it, as a cōpanion that cannot be sundered frō it, sée 1. Tim. 4.8.

Psalme 16.

THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts. In the f [...]ste is 1 contayned a prayer that the Prophet maketh to [...]d: Di. in which prayer he layeth not forth his workes, but cleaueth only to God and his goodnesse, from verse 1. to the end of the 2 6. In the seconde, he yéeldeth thankes to the Lorde, for the a­boundaunce of goodnesse and mercy, which hee continuallye receyued from him, from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. 1 The title is Michtan of Dauid, and differeth from any Title wee haue had yet, I take it to be, q.d. a Psalme that Dauid made to bee sung after a certayne tune named Michtan, commonlye knowne amongst the Iewishe songes for the excellency of it, wherevpon also it should séeme to bee named 2 as though it were as excellent as gold. Ver. 2. thou art my Lord [ i. I ac­knowledge none for Lord vnto me, but thée alone] my weldoing extendeth not to thée [ i. thou art nothing profited thereby, in respect of thy selfe, sée Iob 3 35.6.7.8.] Ver. 3. That are in the earth [ i. that are liuing amongst men, whereby we may learne also, that it cannot profit them that are departed] and to the excellent [ vz. in vertue and goodnesse] all my delight is in them 4 (expound this by Psalme 15.4) Ver. 4. Offerings of blood [the Prophet alludeth as I take it to the idolatrous manner of the Gentiles, who made their children passe through the fyre to their idols: which he calleth offrings of blood, or bloody offrings, because mans blood was shed therein] make mē ­tion of their names with my lips, sée Exo. 23.13. Eph. 5.3. noting by this ma­ner of spéech, his detestation of idols and Idolatrie, vnderstanding by lips 5 his spéeche and talke] ver. 5. The Lorde is the portion of my inheritaunce [he had sayd before, he would haue no fellowship with the Idolaters, ney­ther idols, now he sheweth to whom he will cleaue, vz. to the Lorde, who is a portion euen as it were of inheritaunce alotted vnto him, and one that fil­leth him with goodnesse, for so I take the word Cup to be vsed here, sée Psal. 23.5.] thou shalt mayntaine my lot [ q.d. thou alone, for in thée doe I truste, and not in my selfe or any other, for if it were in vs to be vpholden, it could not be mayntayned] shalt mayntaine [ i. vphold and kéepe sure] my lot ( i. the portion which is come to mee by lot as it were: he putteth lot for the thing that fell to him by lot, as in the next verse, he putteth the word lines, for that that fell to him by the measuring of the lines or cordes. Touching lots and 6 lines or cordes, sée Deut. 32.9. Prouerb. 16.33.) ver. 6. in pleasaunte places [both for pleasure and profite] a fayre heritage [ i. fine and excellent, vnder­standing by these spéeches, portion, inheritaunce, cuppe, lines, heritage, &c. all one thing as it were: vz. assuraunce of Gods goodnesse towards him, for 7 things appertayning to this life, and the life to come.] ver. 7. Hath giuen me councell [ i. instructed and taught me what was right, vz. by his holye [Page 33] spirit) my reines [ i. my inward affections, as Psalme 7.9. reformed by the mighty working of Gods spirit] teach me [ vz. to thinke vpon nothing as it were but goodnesse] in the night [when commonly we are prone to euill, and which [...]ason the vngodly vse as most conuenient to commit their mischiefe in, Iob 24.13.15.16, &c,] Verse 8. I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee, 8 [ q.d. I sieldome or neuer tooke any thing in hande, but I behelde the Lorde, that I might doe all things according to his good pleasure] hee is at my right hande [ i. he is present with me, and that on the better side, as it were, to holde me vp that I slip not] I shall not slide [ i. perishe and fall awaye for euer, because I haue so good a prop to leaue vpon.] Ver. 9. Doth in manye 9 words note that he was in very good state: sometimes speaking of the parts of his bodye, as harte and tongue: sometimes speaking of the whole vnder the worde of fleshe.] Ver. 10. Soule put for body as appeareth Leuit. 21.2. 10 in the Hebrew: and to sée, put for to trie and féele, a metaphor taken from one of the sences and applyed to the other. This Dauid speaketh of himself in an assured hope that he had of the generall resurrection. And Acts. 2.25.26.27. also acts 13.35. it is applyed to our Sauiour Christ, to proue him to be a conqueror of death, to be truly and indéede risen agayne, because death could not keepe him downe, and to be the author of that resurrection that al the godly shall haue, in which respect also he is called the first fruits of them that slept, 1. Cor. 15.20.] Ver. 11. The path of life [ i. the way, whereby in 11 this life I may so walke, that in the end I shall come to eternall life, it is a metaphor taken from trauaylers, who iorneying in straunge countries, vn­lesse they haue a guide cannot tell whether they goe] in thy presence [ i. with thée, and where thou thy selfe art in goodnesse and mercy] and at thy righte hand, sée Mat. 25.33. pleasures (he vseth the plurall number to note the great plenty and aboundaunce of them for euermore ( i. that shall neuer perish.

Ver. 1. Do. Trust and hope in God is the ground of our prayers to his Maie­stie, Roman. 10.14. Ver. 2. A notable place agaynst merits and confidence in 2 mans workes. Ver. 3. Teacheth that we must doe wel to the houshold of faith and that while they liue with vs, for otherwise it will not profit them: it tea­cheth also that we should delighte in the company of Gods saynts. Ver. 4. 4 teacheth that Idolatrers shall not escape vnpunished: also what detestation Gods children should haue of Idols and Idolatrie. Ver. 5.6. declare Gods mercy and goodnesse to his children. Ver. 7. Teacheth thankfulnesse to God, 7 for his inlightning of vs by his spirit. ver. 8. sheweth that we shoulde doe no­thing but alwayes as in Gods presence: and that if the Lord be on our side, we néede not care who be agaynst vs. ver. 10. is a playne testimony of the re­surrection. ver. 11. Teacheth vs vnfainedly to imbrace the Lord, in whome is 11 such fulnes and aboundaunce of all good things.

Psalme 17

Di. 1 I His Psalme hath two especiall partes. First the Prophet ma­keth his earnest prayer vnto God, beséeching him graciouslye to heare him, and to deliuer him from the vngodly, from verse 2 1. to the ende of the eyght. Secondly he describeth the cruelty, pryde, and other wickednesses of the vngodly, as reasons to moue the Lord to pitie his case, from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme.

De. The title of this Psalme is playne and easie. ver. 1. crie put for vehemente and earnest prayer] of lippes vnfayned, or as Immanuel readeth, withoute deceitfull lips, both commeth to one sence as I take it, vz. the Prophet mea­neth that his prayers were vttered with wordes (for lippes are here put for wordes expressed with the lippes] voyde of faigning or subtiltie: q. d. My wordes truely expressed my gréefe, and were indéede the liuelye image of my 2 minde, wordes and hart consenting together.] ver. 2. My sentence [ i. the sen­tence and iudgement that thou shalt pronounce on my behalfe] for thy pre­sence [ i. from thée: q.d. make it now manifest] and let thyne eyes beholde e­quitie [ i. declare now by thy iudgements, that thou regardest equity, whiche I, yea with many wicked men haue doubted of, because thou hast ben so long 3 before thou hast come to punish the vngodlye.] ver. 3. Proued and visited [ i. examined and sifted] mine hart [ i. my inward thoughtes whiche are in the hart] in the night [in which God is wont to stir vp, and to put men in minde of his will, after that they are called from other affayres, sée Iob. 4.3.14. Iob 33.15.16.) thou hast tryed me ( vz. by many tribulations, and is a metaphor ta­ken from tryall of metals by fire) and foundest nothing ( vz. euill in me, or spoken by me, to wit agaynst Saule, or some other his enemies, in which re­spect he called his cause a righteous cause, verse 1. of this Psalme. The latter part of this verse correct thus: that which I thinke doth not go beyonde my mouth: or as it is in Hebrue. I thought, adde here, and my thought (for verbes in the Hebrue tongue doe manye times comprehende their verball nownes) passed not my mouth [ q.d. there was no difference betwéene my mouth and my hart: I did without deceit vtter with my mouth, what I had 4 in my minde.] Ver. 4. concerning the workes of men [ i. which men are wont to doe) adde here for the more playne sence, this, is that I haue to saye] by the wordes of thy lippes [ i by the wordes, or thorowe the wordes that thou hast vttered and made manifest] I kept me [ i. through goodnes and strength from thée I did abstayne] from the paths [ i. from the behauiours, conditions 5 and manners of doings] of the cruell man [ i. that he vseth.] ver. 5. Stay, som read staying, but I rather like of the first, the Prophet making a prayer for himselfe, considering his own weakenesse, rather then noting the manner howe] My steppes [ i. my thoughts, wordes, and déedes] in thy paths [ i. in [Page 35] those wayes and maners which thou hast prescribed by thy word] that my féete [he goeth out in his metaphor, vnderstanding by féete, his conuersation inward, and outward] slide not ( i. go not astray, or slip awry from the rule of righteousnesse that thou hast prescribed.) ver. 6. I haue called ( i. prayde vnto) 6 incline thine eare [eare ascribed to God, as other partes and members of a mans body are, not that he hath such, but because our weake capacitie vnder such spéeches, might haue some little light of knowledge touching his incō ­prehensible maiesty] ver. 7. he procéedeth in his prayer, vsing the word mer­cies 7 in the plurall number, not to y e largenes & abundaunce thereof, sée Psal. 16.11. and he calleth them maruailous because they so séeme, as in déede they are also vnto men] Sauiour [ i. deliuerer from daungers, 1. Timoth. 4.10. he meaneth that God doth vse to saue them y t put their trust in him, to saue thē I say, from such as resist thy right hand [ i. from such as sette themselues, though in vayne, against thy maiestie and power, Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise, but I like this sence as well as his) Ver. 8. As the apple of 8 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 9 my life, vz. that they might take it away from me] ver. 10. They are inclo­sed 10 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 y e rest, the maners of the vngodly.] Ver. 11. They [ i. the vngodly and 11 wicked enemies] haue cōpassed vs ( i. me Dauid & the people y t 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 12 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 13 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 y e 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 [Page 36] 14 [ 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 y e 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 15 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 4 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 7 assured of the truth of his promises. ver. 7. If God helpe vs not, the enemies 10 rage wil ouercome vs. ver. 10. aboundaunce of wealth and pleasure, maketh 11 the vngodly proud against God, and his people. ver. 11. setteth out y e mischie­uous 12 mind of the vngodly. ver. 12. expresseth their crueltie and craft. ver. 13. 13 teacheth vs in the time of our afflictions, to haue recourse to God by prayer 14 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 15 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. 1 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 2 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. [Page 37] 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 y e 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 y e occasion of the making of this Psalm. ver. 2. My rock [this spéech calling God a rock, is a metaphor taken 2 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 3 for his wonderful goodnes bestowed vpō vs] ver. 4. Sorrows of deth [ i. most 4 gréeuous & deadly sorrowes, which are therfore called y e 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 here] ver. 5. The sorrowes of y e graue [ i. such extreme sorrowes as 5 in a maner kil men and bring them to the graue] the snares of death [ i. dead­ly snares, in which if I had bene taken, I had died for it] ouertake me [ i. al­most seased vpon me, being in a most extreme danger, for almost being cat­ched therein, q.d. there was but a little betwéene me and death.] ver. 6. Out 6 of his temple [ i. either out of heauen, or else from betwéen the Cherubins, for the temple materiall was not builded in Dauids time, but in his sonne So­lomons: sée 1. Samuel. 1.9.] and my cry [ vz. which I made, or poured forth] ver. 7. Then [ i. after that the Lord had heard my praiers] the earth trembled 7 and quaked [ i. there was a great earthquake: which that he might the better expresse, he vseth two words, signifying almost one thing, q.d. God shewed by wonders and signes, that my prayer came vp to him] the foundations also of the mountains ( q.d. this earthquake was not only vpon the vpper parts of the earth, but euen the rootes as it were of the mountains w ch lie déepe with­in the ground, were shaken also, by which he meaneth nothing else but a most vehement earthquake] because he was angry [ vz. agaynst my enemies, and that for the iniury they offered me.] Ver. 8. Is vttered by the way of a 8 similitude: q.d. God was so greatly angry, that it séemed that smoke, &c. sée such a maner of spéech attributed to Leuiathā, Iob. 41.11.12.] Ver. 9. he bowed 9 the heauens [ i. he made them séeme so low as though they had touched mens heads, which is then done, when y e cloudes are thick and darke] and came [Page 38] down (this also is spoken after the maner of men. Now God is sayd to come downe, when by euident tokens he sheweth his wrath in confounding y e wic­ked as Gen. 9.7.) and darkenes ( i. darke cloudes, whiche are called darke­nes, because they séeme to bring darkenes with them, hee meaneth nothing else by these maner of spéeches, but that God by a very great tempest decla­red himselfe to be present to defend his seruaunt, and to strike his enemies) 10 Ver. 10. vpon Cherub. (the singular for the plurall, Cherubines, of whiche you may read Gen. 3.24. they are certayne Angels, which readilye execute Gods will: whereby and by his riding vpon them, the Prophet noteth no­thing else, but Gods swiftnes in comming to succour him: which also he no­teth 11 by wings of the winde.) Ver. 11. Darkenesse put for thick cloudes as be­fore ver. 9.) and his pauilion round about him (vnderstand was) euen darke­nes of waters ( i. cloudes full of rayne or water, which are called darkenes of waters, because they haue a certayne darkish colour as the waters also haue and cloudes of the aire [ i. more bright and shining cloudes, q.d. God putteth both the one kind of clouds & the other betwéene himselfe and the wicked, as 12 a testimony of his wrath] ver. 12. at the brightnes of his presence ( q.d. when God beginneth to shew his maiestie) his cloudes passed [ i. were as a man would say, made more light, or else did cleaue as it were in sunder, and they are called his cloudes, because they are gouerned and directed at his ap­poyntment, sée Iob. 37.15.] Haylestones and coales of fyre [ vz. came from 13 the Lord after y t the cloudes were broken: for coales of fire, sée ver. 8.] ver. 13 In the heauen [ i. in the firmament, or in that region of the aire, where the thunder is, as Philosophers déeme] and the highest gaue his voyce ( i. thun­dered, sée Psalme 29.3, &c. so that it is nothing but a repetition of y t whiche went before) haylestones and coales of fyre [vnderstand he gaue: q.d. he sent 14 forth also or gaue hailestones, &c.] Ver. 14. Then [ i. after al this] he sent out his arrowes [ i. after some his lightning, but I rather take it for all the af­flictions that God layd vppon the vngodly, sée Psal. 38.2] and scattered thē [ i. destroyed them, for then an armye is wont to perish, when y e order thereof 15 decaieth] ver. 15. and the chanels of waters were séene ( i. the depths wher the waters run, or as you would say, the bottom of the sea] the foundations of the world [he alludeth to the miracle shewed at the red sea, for then were the springs of the waters (which he calleth the foundations of the earth, by reason of their wonderfull depth) discouered: so that a man mighte as it were sée from whence so many sloudes had their beginning] at thy rebu­king [ i. when thou séemedst to rebuke them, turning their courses contrary to those which they had before] at the blasting of the breath of thy nostrels [this is spoken according to man: q.d. there was no néede that thou shoul­dest commaund them, when thou diddest but breath vpon thē, it was ynough 16 to make the drie lande appeare.] ver. 16. He hath sent down [ vz. his power, or his Angels, for God did vse to deliuer his children by Angels] frō aboue (from heauen) and taken me ( i. deliuered me, vz. out of many daungers, hee hath [Page 39] drawne me [ q.d. euen by violence, maugre the heads and harts of mine eni­mies] out of many waters [ i. not only many but very great daungers, sée Psa. 69.1.2. Psal. 124.4.] Ver. 17. from my strong enimie [he meaneth ene­mies, 17 one number, being put for an other, or else by one he vnderstandeth al, that one being the ringleader of the rest] ver. 18. They preuented me [ vz. by 18 their subtiltie, and had almost taken me in the snare they layd for me] in the day of my calamity [ i. when I was in calamity and affliction] was my stay [ i. not only on whom I did leane vpon and trust to, but my helper deliuering me from them] ver. 19. into a large place (he meaneth by this his liberty, and 19 deliuerance, for his calamities were as a prison or narrow roome vnto him] because he fauoured me ( i. preuented me with his holy fauour, and that with out any merit or desert of mine at all) ver. 20. Righteousnesse, put for righ­teous 20 cause, as before Psal. 41.) purenesse of my hands [ i. integrity & sound­nes of my déeds, hands put for déedes and workes, by which the workes and déeds are performed, note that Dauid in this verse setteth out his good cause agaynst them that slaundered him (not speaking of his whole life, giuing thē to vnderstand, that he attempted nothing but right and well, and that ac­cording to Gods commaundements.] Verse 21. The wayes of the Lorde 21 [ 1. Lawes and commaundements as verse 22. of this Psalme: and by kée­ping he meaneth a carefull minde, and a certaine abilitie also that GOD hath giuen him to performe the same] and did not wickedly [he meaneth not of some simple fal, for we read of diuers before he came to the kingdom, and after, but of reuolting & falling away, y t doth quite and clean alienate & turn 22 away frō God] ver. 22. before me [ i. in my sight, vz. that I might not commit any thing against thē] and I did not cast away ( vz. as though I would not obey them, but rather vnfainedly imbraced them.) Ver. 23. I was vprighte 23 also with him ( i. I walked vprightly before God, touching this matter of the kingdome) and haue kepte me (sée verse 21) from my wickednesse ( i. from anye wickednesse hée mighte doe, which hee calleth his wickednes, because naturally he had it in him, though it burst not forth.) Ver. 24. sée verse 20. 24 in his sight, ( q.d. as he himselfe, vz. God, séeth it sufficiently) ver. 25. with the 25 godly ( i. with them that vnfeignedly loue and professe godlinesse) thou wilte shew thy selfe godly ( i. mercifull and gracious, for the word termed here god­ly, is taken frō a word that signifieth merciful & liberal: q.d. thou wilt deale graciously with the good people, declaring thy selfe such a one towards thē, as thou hast bin towards me.) ver. 26. thou wilt shew thy self froward ( i. their 26 obstinacye is the cause, that thou as it were, forgetting thy wonderfull cle­mency, doest deale hardly with them and thunder out iudgemēts against thē: or else it may be vnderstād, as mē iudge & suppose, god notwithstāding dea­ling alwais iustly, though he ouerwhelm w t cōdēnatiō, sée Pro. 3.34.) ver. 27. 27 wilt saue ( i. deliuer) y e pore people ( i. y e afflicted ones) & wilt cast down ( i. ouer­throw & bring to nought) y e proud lookes ( i. the proud people, for mans pryde bewraieth it self in y e eyes & countenance, & therfore he put eyes for men, one [Page 40] 28 part for the whole) ver. 28. Thou wilt light [ i. bring to a better state, & make to shine forth] my candle [ i. my prosperity, which séemed to be as it were a cā ­dle put out] the Lord will lighten my darknesse [ i. bring my aduersitie into prosperity, for the scriptures vse to vnderstand by darknes aduersity, and by 29 light prosperity] ver. 29. By thée [ i. by the power or strength from thée] ouer 30 a wal [ vz. of a citie, y e Geneua note is good] ver. 30. The way of God [ i. eyther the maner y t he vseth towards his children, whom he neuer ceaseth to aid: or Gods way else is put for workes, q.d. they are so sound that nothing can bée blamed in thē: whatsoeuer God doth, he doth trustily, and iustly performeth whatsoeuer he promiseth) the word of the lord ( i. his promises) is tried in the fire ( i. is most perfect & pure: q.d. as metall tried by fire hath no drosse, so hath Gods word no falshood or corruption in it, sée Psal. 12.6. he is a shielde 31 ( i. he saueth and kéepeth them as a shield doth soldiers) ver. 31. For who is, &c. ( q.d. none, & by consequent seeing none can deliuer but he alone, none must be trusted in but he alone, such epiphonemata or acclamations are vsuall to thē 32 that haue tryed Gods helpe and ayd) ver. 32. girdeth me with strength ( i. ma­keth me strong & able, so that I haue strength in my loines, & rounde aboute me, euen as it were a girdle) & maketh my way vpright ( i. maketh the order of my life vnblameable, teaching me an vpright and a holy kind of life: or else he maketh euery thing that I take in hand, to prosper: this latter I rather 33 allow, as most agréeable to this place) ver. 33. He maketh my féet like Hinds féete ( i. not only swift, if I haue occasion by flight to prouide for my selfe, or to pursue my enemies flying before me, but stedy also, if I come into any dan­gerous places) and setteth me vpon mine high places ( i. places of sure defēce appointed for me to defend me from the violence and rage of my enimies.) 34 Ver. 34. He teacheth my hands to fight ( i. if I haue to do with mine enemies in the field, he teacheth me singuler skill in warre, to defend my selfe, and to hurt my Foe) so that a Bowe of brasse ( q.d. yea hee giueth me so greate strength, that a bow of brasse or stéele) is broken with mine armes ( i. with the power and strength that hée giueth mée, or else, with mine armes indéede, 35 because there is muche power and strength in the armes.) Verse 35. The Shielde of thy saluation ( i. a helpe for my deliueraunce, Shielde being put for helpe and defence, because men helpe and defend themselues with Shieldes, and saluation for deliuerance, as often times before we haue had these wordes so vsed: his meaning is that God did defend him againste dangers with his ayd and help, as it were with a shield, that cannot be pear­ced, and set him frée also by the same ayd out of daungers and troubles) thy right hande ( i. thy might and power) hath stayde me ( vz. from sliding or falling: it is a metaphoricall spéeche taken from mans maners, who reach them that are sliding, their right hand, i. the best meanes they haue to staye them from it) to increase ( vz. in honors, credit, wealth, and all maner of 36 goodnes) Ver. 36. Thou hast enlarged my steppes ( i. thou hast brought to pas that whether soeuer I go I goe into a large and ample place, y t is fréely and [Page 41] without feare, yea I haue a plain & ready way. This is often in the Psalms, by straitnes to signifie affliction and danger, and by inlarging to signifie li­bertie and fréedome: hee meaneth then, that God had set him at libertie, straightened the way before him, and drawne him out of extreme daunger & dispaire] vnder me [ i. either for me, or else as I go: he meaneth that hee did now tread as it were vpon a sure ground] mine héeles [ i. my féete: a part of the féete being put for the féete.] ver. 37. I haue pursued mine enemies [ vz. 37 in the battaile, & I haue not turned againe [ vz. from pursuing them in the field. ver. 38. Wounded them [ i. mine enemies as ver. 37.] that they were 38 not able to rise vz. because their wounds were so deadly] they are fallen vn­der my féete [ i. they are brought in subiection vnto mee, as ver. 44. This phrase also is so vsed Psal. 8.6.] Ver. 39. Thou hast girded me with strength 39 [sée ver. 32. and it is a reason why he so mightily preuailed against his ene­mies] to battaile [ i. against I was to fight, or euen in y e very time of the bat­taile: whatsoeuer it be, his meaning is, that he was apted & fitted by God to that purpose] that rose against me [ vz. to annoy and hurt me, and were in déed rebels. ver. 40. Thou hast giuen me the necks [ i. as some of y e Iewes 40 expound it, thou hast caused my enemies to turne their backes vpon me, be­cause the neck is behind: but I take it more simply thus: thou hast giuen the life of mine enemies into my power, so that there néedeth nothing, but to chop of their heads, or cut their throates, as it were, if I will: and that which followeth in this verse, furthereth in my iudgment this sense.] ver. 41. They 41 [ i. the wicked ones my enemies] cried [ i. séemed to pray earnestly, but not of a true affection] but there was none to saue [ i. to deliuer, vz. them out of their feare and paine] euen vnto the Lord [ vz. did they cry and call, but hee answered them not [ i. he regarded not their dissembling praiers.] ver. 42. 42 Then [ i. after that the Lord had reiected them and their praiers, sée ver. 7. of this Psalm] did beate them, as smal as the dust before the wind [ i. I did wonderfully ouerthrow them in respect of their number, which I thinke the word smal importeth: and these of them that remaineth were as light, as the dust, which we knowe to be very smal and light] I did tread them flat [ i. I did quite and cleane subdue them, as the clay in the stréetes [ i. and made no more account of them, then men do of durt vnder their féete.] ver. 43. From 43 the contentions of the people, [hée meaneth either Saul, or the rest of the Is­raelites, that tooke part with him against Dauid: or else that God appeased the seditions and rebellions of his people, that lifted vp them selues against him vnder Absolon, and other rebels, and this I rather incline to] thou hast made me the head [ i. the ruler and gouernour, for so head is many times v­sed in Scripture] of the heathen [as the Ammonites, Moabites, &c. which dwelt round about him: he meaneth, that by Gods aide, he had brought vn­der those people that before had discomfited Israel, and made them now tri­butaries to him] whom I haue not knowen [ i. whom I haue not allowed of, or else, with whom I haue had no familiaritie, or acquaintance, because [Page 42] the law forbad it with some people, as with the Amalichits. Exod. 17.14. 44 and others in sundry places of the lawe.] ver. 44. As soone as they heare [ vz. of me, and the fame of my name.] and the latter part mend thus: stran­gers shal lyingly yéeld themselues to me, [ i. they shall in hypocrisie pretend 45 a subiection, and not of a sound and willing mind.] ver. 45. Shal shrinke a­way [ vz. from their companions and friendes] and feare [ i. shalbe striken with feare] in their priuie chambers [ i. in the places of their greatest ease and assurance.] ver. 46. Let the Lord liue [not as though God coulde at a­ny 46 time die, or be the better for the Prophets wish vnto him, but hee mea­neth by this prayer and wish, that hee would haue God alwaies to shew his power that thereby there might bée a plaine difference put in the eies of men, betwéene him and the dead Idols of the Gentiles,] and blessed [ i. prai­sed] my strength [sée ver. 2. of this Psalme] of my saluation [ i. deliuerance from distresses in this life, and the giuer of eternal life. sèe Psalm. 3.8.] bee 47 exalted [ i. lifted vp on high and praysed [ vz. amongst men.] ver. 47. To auenge mee [ vz. on his and mine enemies, and this Dauid speaketh as a 48 magistrate.] ver. 48. Hast set mée vp [ vz. in a high and sure place, safe and sound] that rose against mée, [Sée verse 39. of this Psalme] cruell man hee meaneth some one who was as it were standard bearer to the 49 rest, but yet so that vnder him, hee meaneth all those that tooke part with him.] ver. 49. Among the nations [ i. openly and before them] and as it were in the middest of them, so must it bee vnderstood if it bee refer­red to Dauid. It may appeare also, by Rom. 15.9. that it is a Prophecy of Christes kingdome, and of the calling of the Gentiles: and so hath this sense: I, that is Christ, but yet in the person of my faithfull people, but chiefely ministers, whom I haue ordeined, for the calling of the Gentiles, will praise thee among the Gentiles: so that if you referre it to Dauid, it is a promise, if to Christ, and the calling of them Gentiles, it is a prophecy] among the nations, or gentiles [so the Iewes vsed to call all the people of 50 the world besides themselues.] ver. 50. Giueth he [ i. God] vnto his king [he speaketh of himselfe in the third person, calling himselfe Gods king, because he was by the Lord annointed to, and through his power established in the kingdome] to his annointed [he putteth the signe of his mauguration into the office of the king, for the king: for Kinges, Priestes, and Prophetes were annointed by the lawe [whereby also the Prophet sheweth that hee thrust not in himselfe into that high and great office] for euer. [If you re­ferre this to Dauid and his posterity, euer is here taken for a long tyme: but if you referre it to Christ, and those that appertaine to him, it is put for all eternity.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth, that it is no sclender loue, that wee owe to the Lorde. ver. 2. Teacheth vs to hang vpon him alone. ver. 3. Praier is the meane, to set vs frée from the force of our enemies. ver. 4.5. Declare the manifold and 6 grieuous extremities that gods children many times are brought to. ver. 6. [Page 43] Teacheth vs in our dstresses to call vpon God onely: and sheweth also howe graciously the Lord accepteth the supplications of his seruant. In that dis­cription of Gods wrath, which is comprehended from ver. 7. to the end of the 7 15. there is comprehended matter of comfort to the godly, that they are vn­der his protection that hath all creatures at his commaundement for their good, and matter of terror to the wicked, because they set them selues against him that doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him in heauen and in earth. ver. 16.17. 16 17 Shew gods goodnes towards his seruants, in deliuering them from mani­fold dangers. ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked, who spie their times ( vz. the day of aduersitie) wherein they may doe most mischiefe. ver. 19. Gods fauour the only cause of all goodnes to vs ward. ver. 21.22. Teacheth, 19 21 22 that we ought alwaies to haue the law of God before our eies, and care and conscience to performe y e same. ver. 25.26. Expresse Gods goodnes towards 25. 26 his children, & his iudgements towardes his enemies. ver. 27. God is nigh vnto his own, though their miseries be neuer so many, it sheweth also Gods iudgements against the wicked, and namely the proud persons: it teacheth also, to cary lowlines and curtesie, euen in our countenances. ver. 28. Tea­cheth 28 vs to haue an assured perswasion of gods goodnes towardes vs. ver. 29. Declareth that our sufficiencie to do any thing is of God. ver. 30.31. is a no­table commendation of gods excellent maiesty, and of the truth, and certain­ty of his holy word. ver. 32.33.34.35.36. Teach that God is all in all for vs, ei­ther 32 to inable vs to the performance of his good things, or to preuent & put from vs euil and hurtful things, the same matter is declared. ver. 37.38.39. 37 40. Ver. 41. The Lord heareth not the wicked mens prayers. ver. 43. Tea­cheth that God exalteth whom it pleaseth him, and inlargeth the boundes of kingdomes. ver. 46. Teacheth thankesgiuing for mercies receiued. ver. 48. 48 God alone is he that deliuereth his out of al distresses. ver, 49. Wée shoulde neuer cease praysing of God, yea and that before many, for his infinite be­nefites. ver. 50. God is gracious to the godly, and their godly posterity to 50 many generations.

Psalme. 19.

THis Psalme hath thrée principal partes. Di. In the first the Pro­phet 1 sheweth that Gods excellent maiesty sheweth foorth it self, in the heauens generally, and particularly in the sunne, from ver. 1. to the end of the sixt verse, In the 2. he commen­deth 2 the law of God, and the knowledge that may therby be attained farre beyond the consideration of the creatures, frō ver. 7. to the end of the 11. In the third, hee earnestly prayeth to bee deliuered 3 from his sinnes, and to be kept backe from performing any thing that might displease almightie God, from ver. 12. to the end of the Psalme.

The title of this Psal. is expounded before, sée Psal. 4. ver. 1. Se. The heauens [ i. not only the heauens thēselues, & the most excellent workmanship therof, [Page 44] but al the things therein contained, as Sunne, Moone, Starres, &c. Declare [ i. plainly set out, euen as it were by speach] and the firmament [ i. the skie, and al that which in our iudgement ouerspreadeth vs, whereof also in the Hebrew tongue, it hath the name.] The worke of his hands [ i. that hée hath made them, and not so onely, but the excellencie thereof also méete for so ex­cellent a workman, to whom handes are attributed for mans weaknes sake. 2 ver. 2. Day vnto day [ i. one day that goeth before, declareth the same, to the day following, and that not so much for the daies sake, as that man by a cō ­tinual reuolution and successe of the daies, man might bee instructed of the power and prouidence of almightie God: and by day hee meaneth in this place the day artificiall, which after some is counted from the Sunne ri­sing to the Sunne setting, or after other some consisteth of xii. houres] vtte­reth [ i. after their maner speaketh] the same [ i. Gods glory & power] & night vnto night [he speaketh of the artificial night: which wordes also proue that 3 the word day must be vnderstood of the day artificiall] teacheth knowledge [ vz. touching Gods power and goodnes.] ver. 3. There is no speach nor language [ vz. in them, meaning as men vse to speake, and yet notwithstan­ding we vnderstand them as it were speaking vnto vs. sée Rom. 1.20. Psal. 8.1.3.] mend the latter part of this verse thus, and yet not without these [ i. speach or language] is their voyce vnderstood [he meaneth that though they 4 haue not mans voyce, yet do they sufficiently shewe foorth Gods praise: by what meanes he noteth in the next verse.] ver. 4. Their line [ i. the stretching out of the heauens, as a line] is gone foorth through all the earth [ i. hath ex­tended from one end of the world to another] and their wordes [he speaketh as though they did speak] into the ends of the world [ i. vnto the furthest part thereof. q.d. there is no part of the world nor people, but it is ouercouered with this excellent workmanship: which serueth very well for the Prophets purpose, to amplifie Gods goodnes and power] in them [ i. in the heauens, or 5 regions of the aire] hath he [ i. God] set a tabernacle [ i. appointed as it were a dwelling place] ver. 5. Which [ vz. sunne commeth foorth vz. at the first, arising or appearing thereof aboue our Horizon] as a bridegrome out of his chamber. [This is one similitude, seruing to expresse the glory and ex­cellency of the sunne: hee resembleth the hyding of the sunne out of our sight, to a secret chamber prepared for the bridegrome till it please him, to make him selfe knowen, and the appearing of the Sunne, to the bridegrome com­ming out of his chamber in his glory and excellency] and reioyceth like a mightie man, to runne his race. [This is an other similitude, to expresse the swiftnes of the sunne which also is noted in the beginning of ver. 6. q.d. when the sunne is once vp, he goeth his race, with a ready, chearful, & ioyful mind, euen as a mighty strong man, runneth with a chearful, noble, & couragious mind, to the gole or marke set before him in the race, resembling the Sunne to a mightie strong man, and the swift passage therof round about the earth, to the spéedy hast of one that runneth in a race, noting also by the word reioy­sing, [Page 45] the readines & willingnes, that this dumbe creature hath [as it were] to performe the course set it of God.] ver. 6. His going out [ i. the rising of 6 the sun] from the end of the heauens [ i. from the East, where the sunne riseth and his compas is vnto the endes of the same: by the ends of the heauens, hée vnderstandeth the foure quarters of the world, and all their parts. q.d. the race of the sunne, which he doth so swiftly performe, is from the East vn­to y e west, in which course notwithstanding he visiteth y e South & the North] and none, or else nothing [hee meaneth men, or any thing else whatsoeuer. For there is nothing, to which the heate of the sunne commeth not, I meane that quickning heate which all things féele, not onely the rootes of trees, plants, &c. But al things else, that be hidden as it were in the bowels of the earth, as golde, water, stones, &c.] ver. 7. Is perfit [ vz. nothing may be ad­ded 7 to it without marring of it. Prouerb. 30.6.] Conuerting [ i. turning from euil to good] the soule [ i. the whole man inward and outward: but yet he spea­keth of the inward because that reformation, and amendment, must first bee begunne there] the testimony [ i. the lawe, vsing an other terme tending to the same ende, and it is called testimonie, because it witnesseth to vs, what God woulde haue vs to doe] is sure [ i. true and can neuer faile and giueth wisedome vnto the simple [ i. it maketh them, that haue little or no skill at all in knowledge many times to excéed their teachers, sée Psal. 119.99. and by wisedome he meaneth not worldly wisedome, condemned, Rom. 8.6. but the wisedome of the spirit commended there.] ver. 8. The statuts [ i. the law: an 8 other terme put for the lawe, declaring that God hath decréed and appoin­ted the same for vs to walke in] are right [ i. void of any iniustice or corrupt dealing] the cōmandement [one number for an other, vz. the singular, for the plural: an other terme put for the law, because God thereby commaundeth vs to y e doing, or leauing vndone of this or that] is pure [ i. free from any cor­ruption whatsoeuer] vnto the eies [ vz. of our mindes.] ver. 9. The feare of 9 the Lord [ i. the reuerence, religion and seruice of God after some: but I take it to be vsed here for the law, which is called the feare of the Lord, because it teacheth rules and reasons, howe and wherfore he should be feared] is clean [ vz. without any spot or shew of euil] and indureth for euer [ i. is not subiect to alteration and chaunge as mens lawes and ordinaunces are: the perpe­tuitie whereof, teacheth vs stedfastly to continue in the same all the daies of our life.] The iudgements [ i. the lawe still, which is called iudgements, be­cause it conteineth, and pronounceth iudgements against the breakers ther­of: and here is a part of the law put for the whole: it may also be called iudg­ments, because that thereby hée sheweth what he iudgeth méete to be done] are truth [and therefore can not be accused of subtilty or falshood: and it is more forcible in that hee sayth they are truth, then if hee should say they are true, because that speach noteth, that nothing besides or without them, is truth but méere lying.] ver. 20. Sheweth the preciousnes of the lawe. If we 10 would desire store or profit, we must preferre it before the finest golde that [Page 46] hath beene oftenest tried: if present vse and pleasure, before hony & the hony 11 combe. ver. 11. made circumspect [ vz. in his walking, being taught what to do, and what to flée from: and here Dauid speaketh of himselfe in the third person, yet so that it doth apperteine to all Gods children.] There is great reward [ vz. through Gods mercy, for so doth the word rewarde import, and 12 not of our merit, as the papists imagine.] ver. 12. Who can vnderstand his faults [ i. knowe them, as it were particularly, either for the multitude of thē, or because ignorantly we cōmit many things which we take to be no sinnes] secret faults [ i. sinnes not only hidden from other men, but from my selfe by 14 reason of my ignorance, and yet al knowne to thée.] ver. 14. Wordes of my mouth [ i. the words I shal vtter with my mouth] meditatiō of mine heart [ i. the things I shal meditate in my hart: he wisheth that his thoughts & words might be such, as might be regarded before God, and answerable to his pro­fession: and he speaketh nothing of déeds and works, because this necessarily followeth, that when the meditations & thoughts of the heart together with the words be good, then déeds also wil be good] redéemer [ vz. through Christ & none other, speaking here not only of deliuerāce frō dangers, but from sin, & that which sinne bringeth with it also, vz. eternal death and destruction.

Do. Out of the sixe first verses we may learne to behold & knowe the maiestie, power & goodnes of God in his creatures: secondly that as they in their kind expresse & preach these excellent things, so yea much more should men, that God hath created after so feareful & wonderful a sort, & that not euery man in himself, but also to be gods instrument to worke the same in others. [Out of the 7.8.9.10.11. We learne generally by the excellent cōmendation of gods law, reuerently to estéeme it, & vnfeignedly imbrace it out of ver. 7. Where it is called perfect, wee haue an answere to the papists, that accuse it of some want, by bringing in vpon it their vnwritten verities and traditions: and in these words conuerting the soule, that ordinarily it is possible, y t any should repent, and haue fayth without the hearing of gods word, as Rom. 40.17. and in these words, is sure, there is a doctrine of comfort to the faithful, because gods wil neuer faile them, & of terror to the wicked, because gods iudgmēts shal assuredly ouertake them, and in these words, giueth wisedome vnto the simple, we haue not only a notable effect of the law set forth, but an argumēt, to conuince the papists in this that they accuse y e word of darknes, as though none could profit by it, but the learned sort. ver. 8. True ioy is to be fet from gods word: as also true light of knowledge & vnderstanding. ver. 9. Noteth y e propertie of gods word, & the exact perfection that is in the whole & in eue­ry part therof. ver. 10. Teacheth in what great estimation, we ought to haue the word, and with what a holy hunger and thirst we should desire the worde. ver. 11. Teacheth two things: first that wee can neuer bee truely wise, but by learning gods word, secondly that for our better incouragement to the doing thereof, the Lord setteth great rewards before vs, and indéed graciously in good time giueth vs the same. ver. 12. Teacheth that our sinnes are innume­rable, [Page 47] secondly that we must pray pardon of them generally, & particularly, of these, which we haue committed either of ignorance or of knowledge, and yet remember them not. ver. 13. Teacheth vs to pray against the power and rule of sinne in vs. ver. 14. That we should haue care and conscience, ouer our wordes and thoughts, that they might be approued before God.

Psalme. 20.

THis Psalme hath specially 2. partes. In the first, Di. there is a 1 prayer for the king for whose welfare the people promise ioy­fulnes and thankfulnes, from ver. 1. to the end of the fifth. In the second, they do assure themselues of Gods fauour, and of 2 their enemies ouerthrow, and protesting for themselues that God shal be their aide, and praying again for their king, from ver. 6. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded before, Psas. 4. ver. 1. heare thée [ i. Se. the praier that thou makest, granting thy requests] of Iaakob may be here taken, either for the person of the Patriarth, who worshipped god with great religion, which God also was present w t him in al his afflictions: or else it may be put for the whole people of Israel, who came of Iaakob: both the wayes are vsuall in the old & new testament.] ver. 2. Frō the sanctuary [ i. from a place in the arke so 2 called in which God gaue visible tokens of his fauor & defence] out of Sion [this was the place, wherin the arke, which was a visible token of gods aide & defence was receiued, he putteth the place & the arke therin contained for y e assured fauor & aid of God. Some vnderstand by sanctuary, heauen, & by Si­on y e visible place of god in his church, what soeuer it is, the prophet meaneth nothing, but aide & assistance to be giuen from god.] ver. 3. Let him remēber, 3 or as Immanuel readeth, let him smel, meaning by y t metaphor, a gracious acceptation of his sacrifices, as Gene. 8.21. [ vz. With fauor graciously ac­cepting] al thine offrings [he meaneth by offrings, the exercises of religion, ioyned with them, as confession of sins, praier &c. and turne [ vz. by fire as it were sent frō heauen.] Thy burnt offrings into ashes [declaring therby that he alloweth thy seruices as he did to Aaron, Leuit. 9.24. & to Eliah. 1. king. 18.38.] Ver. 4. According to thy hart [ i. as thy hart wisheth & desireth] all thy 4 purpose [ i. whatsoeuer thou purposest, he meaneth & describeth here a king, y t asketh nothing, but by the direction of gods spirit, & what God himself hath prescribed,] ver. 5. Immanuel readeth this verse as it were a continuance of 5 the peoples praier: & this is a reason to moue god graciously to yéeld to their praiers. In thy saluatiō [ i. in that thou sauest, & deliuerest from dangers, vz. our king: & so haue we had saluation sundry times vsed before.] And set vp the banner [like vnto those that triumph after a victory is gotten, hee put­teth the signe of ioy, for ioyfulnes it selfe] in the name [this word is taken here, as ver. 1. of this Psalme] perfourme all thy petitions [ i. doe that, that thou hast prayed for: and this is a good place to prooue, that by [Page 48] 6 offerings.] ver. 3. Must bee vnderstood praiers also.] ver. 6. Know I [a so­daine chaunge of numbers, speaking in the person of one, thereby to note the vnitie and consent of the people to this praier, as though they had beene alone, and vttered it al with one mouth.] His annointed [that is his King, whom he hath established. Sée Psal. 2.2. Psal. 18.50.] heare him [sée ver. 1. of this Psalme] from his sanctuarie [ Immanuel readeth from the heauens of his holines, meaning from heauen where his holines dwelleth which I well like of] of his right hand [ i. power and strength: this is spoken of God according to man, because man commonly hath most strength in his right hand: and it is called mightie helpe, because it is such, as none is able to­withstand.] 7 ver. 7. Is a comparison betwéene the faithfull, and the vnbelée­uers: these trust in outward meanes of all sortes, for that is vnderstoode by chariots and horses, and so robbe God of his glory, the other cleaue to, only Gods vertue, power and grace: (for so is the word name taken, as ver. 1. & 5. 8 of this Psalme) and giue him the whole glory. ver. 8. Brought downe & fal­len, [ vz. notwithstanding all the trust that they had in the outward meanes: q.d. they that sayd they would do al things, by mans meanes and strength, & therefore are lifted vp in pride and lustines, are notwithstanding all these i­maginations of their owne, brought downe and fallen, i. lie flat by the fall they haue receiued, by setting themselues against God] but we are risen, and stand vpright [ q.d. notwithstanding the great miseries and afflictions wher­in we were, we are become strong and mightie, rising vp from vnder the bur­then 9 of them.] ver. 9. Saue Lord [ vz. vs and our king, pursuing vs continu­ally with thy fauor: in such short kind of spéeches, there is great grace in the Hebrewe tongue.] Let the king heare vs. This is diuersly read, and accor­ding to the seueral readings hath seuerall sentences. Immanuel readeth the king himselfe wil heare vs, applying it to Christ, and the assurednes that the faithfull men haue, that he will heare their praiers: othersome take it to be a quick passing from the second person to the third: q.d. O king, whose office kings in the earth haue in part communicated to them, hearken vnto vs so of­ten, as we shal seeke thine ayde: me thinketh that the Geneua text, and note is as plaine, as any of these.

Do. Ver. 1. And so forth, teacheth people to pray for their magistrates: it tea­cheth also that the day of affliction is a notable time to pray in: also, that no ayde is to be had but from God alone. ver. 3. Teacheth that kinges shoulde be giuen to religious exercises. ver. 5. The prosperity of the king, is the flo­rishing of the people, and on the other side, the welfare of the people is the Kinges glory. Ver. 6. Teacheth those that pray, to haue both before and after their prayer, an assurance of obteyning. ver. 7. Sheweth that Gods children must not at any time, trust in any thing saue in God alone, what­soeuer the wicked doe, whose strength and purposes GOD ouerthroweth. vers. 8. Declareth Gods iudgements against the vngodly, and his fauour to his children. vers. 9. Teacheth vs to vse earnest prayer in affliction: [Page 49] for that doth hee meane by these termes, in the day that we do cal [ vz. vpō thée.

Psalme 21

THis Psalme hath two principall partes. Di. In the first the Prophet 1 sheweth what great benefites and blessings, the Lord had bestow­ed vpon him, before he came to the kingdome, and in that time al­so, after that he was established therein: from ver. 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second part he prophecieth of gods great and won­derfull 2 power against his enemies, and of their vtter ouerthrow and confusi­on, from ver. 8, to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded before Psalm. 4. Ver. 1. Se. In thy strength [ vz. which thou shalt bestow vpon him, to stand against, & to ouercome al his enemies] yea how greatly [ q.d. it can not be expressed in thy saluation [ i. in that deliuerance that thou shalt bestow vpon him, & his people, giuing them victory ouer their enemies, & in this verse Dauid speaketh of himself in the third person.] ver. 2. 2 His hearts desire [ i. whatsoeuer his heart could wish, sée Psal. 20.4.] Hast not denyed him [ i. hast yéelded and graunted vnto him, for by not denying the He­brewes vnderstand, euen as it were performing] the request of his lippes [ i. whatsoeuer he praied rightly vnto thée for, vsing in that praier his lippes, and other instruments natural, whereby the voice is framed.] ver. 3. With liberall 3 blessings [ i. with abundance and fulnes of all good thinges, some particulars wherof, he reckneth in the verses folowing] & diddest set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head [ i. diddest appoint him to be king most good and glorious: vsing setting of the crowne vpon his head, which is but a signe, as anointing was, of his entrance into the kingdome, for the ful possession & inioying therof.] ver. 4. 4 He asked life [ vz. in this short life] a long life [ i. more long then he desired] for euer and euer [ i. yea not only life in this life but eternal life also.] ver. 5. His 5 glory [ i. the glory that thou hast giuen him & laid vpon him] is great [ i. is ve­ry much inlarged] in thy saluation [ i. through or by, the deliuerances and vic­tories, that thou hast bestowed vpon him] laid vpon him [euen of thine owne good wil, and in despite of his foes, that would haue hindered him therefrom.] ver. 6. Thou hast set him [ i. appointed him] as blessings [ vz. vnto thy people, & 6 he vseth the plurall number, by which he noteth the wonderfull abundaunce of gods graces bestowed vpon the people by him] for euer [ i. for a long season, as we haue had it sundry times before.] With y e ioy of thy countenance [ i. through the grace and fauour, that as it were with a pleasant countenance, thou hast shewed him.] ver. 7. The king trusteth [the prophet sheweth here, the meanes 7 whereby the king shal be established, vz. by hope and trust in God] he shall not slide [ vz. from the prosperous successe of his affaires and state.] ver. 8. Thy 8 hand [here Dauid speaketh to God] meaning by hand power, & also by right hand in this verse he meaneth the same thing] shal find out [ i. ouertake and lay hold vpon, though thine enemies would think to hide thēselues from it.] ver. 9. 9 [Page 50] Like a firie ouen [he meaneth that God wil through his wrath make them to burne stil as a firie ouen doth, and so in the end consume and ouerthrow them, as an ouen cōtinually heat must néeds be spoiled, by which maner of speach he noteth two things, first that there shal be no intermission of plagues and punish­ments, secondly that these punishments shal not tend to their bettering but to their confusion, yea to the confusion of their posterity, as hee noteth in the next verse] the fire [ vz. sent from heauen, as vpon Sodom and Gomorrah: or else by fire vnderstande most vehement afflictions, which is vsuall also in the Scrip­tures.] 10 ver. 10. Their fruite [ i. their children and posterity] from the children of men [ i. from amongst men and their posterity, so that when other men and 11 their féed shal florish, these wicked ones and their posterity shal decay.] ver. 11. Against thee [hee meaneth chiefly God, but with al Gods anointed, in setting themselues against whom, they set themselues against God.] But they shall not preuaile [ vz. in their mischieuous intents & imaginations, for they deale against him, that wil ouertake them in their owne euil.] ver. 12. And the strings 12 of the bow [ vz. with arrows in thē, the bow being already bēt, sée Psal. 7.12. &c. 13 ver. 13. Be thou exalted, O Lorde, in thy strength [ i. shewe thy dignitie and power in helping the king: performe some thing that may set out thy might and strength, that we may haue occasion to prayse thy power, and iustly to say, that thou onely art mighty and powerfull.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth, wherein kinges shoulde specially glory, vz. in Gods strength, and not in their owne. ver. 2.3. &c. Declare not only gods goodnes to magistrates, but teach them, that the more they haue receiued, the more care­fully they should walke in the obedience of his will. ver. 3. Teacheth, that God doth vs much good before we aske any good thing of him, which expresseth his wonderfull mercy. ver. 4. Teacheth that God sundry times giueth more to his children, then they demaund. ver. 5. Teacheth both wherein the true glory of kings and kingdomes consisteth, and also from whom it commeth. ver. 6. De­clareth wherein kinges should take their greatest delight and pleasure, vz. in Gods fauour, sée Psalm. 4.6.7. Ver. 7. Sheweth that the way to haue kinges surely setled in their seate, is to trust in God onely and his mercy. ver. 8. De­clareth that none of Gods enemies though they neuer so closely hide them­selues shal escape Gods power and iudgements. ver. 9.10. Declare Gods hor­rible punishments, vpon the wicked and their posterity, the Lord punishing the sinnes of vngodly fathers vnto the third and fourth generation. ver. 11. Tea­cheth the pride of wicked mens heartes, who dare oppose themselues against God: it sheweth also that all the counsels and purposes of the wicked shalbée frustrate. ver. 12. Sheweth that the vngodly shal not escape vnpunished. ver. 13. Teacheth vs by praier to commend Gods cause and his owne glory into his owne hands, which when he hath once made manifest, it teacheth vs further, to praise him therefore.

Psalme. 22.

IT should appeare, that when Dauid made this Psalme, Di. hee was in wonderfull perplexitie and distresse, which maketh him so con­fused in his wordes, sometimes complaining that hee was forsa­ken, sometimes setting out his owne misery, sometimes pray­ing for deliuerance, sometimes describing the naughtines of wic­ked men, sometimes incouraging himselfe and others to thankfulnes &c. So that hardly it can be wel deuided: notwithstanding me thinketh it comprehen­deth those parts, first he setteth out his owne miserie, and describeth at large, 1 the wicked mens dealing against him, from ver, 1. vnto the .8. In the second hee praieth deliuerance, promising himselfe, and prouoking others to prayse the 2 Lord, for that his mercy, from ver. 19. to the end of the Psalme.

Some thing is in this title, which is not in others going before, Se. as vppon Aijeleth, Hashahar, which though some thinke to be the beginning of some cō ­mon tune, according to which this Psalme was song, and may well stand so, wherof somewhat hath béen said in the title of Psal. 7. Yet I take it otherwise, interpreting the Hebrew words, in or at the dauning of the day, notwithstan­ding I know some interpret thē, the hind of the morning, at which time it may appeare, that the priests and Leuits did sing Psalmes. sée 1. Chron. 9.33. also 1. Chron. 23.29.30. And compare these two places together. ver. 1. My God, my 1 God [diuers parts of this Psalme are applyed to Christ in the newe Testa­ment, and namely amongst the rest, the first part of this verse in that hee sayth, my God &c. he declareth his faith] why hast thou forsaken mee [not that God doth euer forsake his, but that it seemeth vnto thē when aide is delaied: Christ vseth the same words, but he vttereth it in respect of the weaknes of his huma­nity, & yet without sinne] from mine health [he meaneth it not so much, of any bodily sicknes he was in as y t God seemed to be far off from deliuering him frō his particular griefs wherof he speaketh in this Psalm] the words of my roa­ring [ i. from words that I vtter with wonderful outcries, by reason of y e great 2 griefe I am in.] ver. 2. I cry [ i. I pray earnestly, both day & night, yea I cease not] but thou hearest not [ i. grantest not my petitions, & so forth in the rest of y e 3 verse.] ver. 3. But thou art holy [ vz. in al thy waies and works, remaining al­waies like vnto thy self. q.d though my praiers be not heard, yet thou art good, the fault is in me, & not in thée.] The praises of Israel [i. the place where y e peo­ple of Israel sing prayses vnto thée, meaning either Sion, or some other place, 5 where the arke and Tabernacle was.] ver. 5. Called vpon thée [ i. in faith pray­ed vnto thée, meaning that séeing so often as they called vpon him, & trusted in him they were heard & deliuered, he marueiled much why he calling vpō him, 6 & trusting in him, should not be graciously heard likewise.] ver. 6. But I am a worme [ i. I am accounted as a thing of no value or price] & not a man [ vz. in y e iudgment of y e wicked: he meaneth by these two spéeches, that he was cast down below al men, & as it were cut off from the number of beasts, so much wēt they [Page 52] about to debase him] a shame of men [ i. one whome men are ashamed of to be­hold] and the contempt of the people [ i. such a one, as al the people, and the ba­sest amongst them, contemne and despise. sée Iob. 30.9.10. &c.] Ver. 7. By ma­king 7 a mowe, and nodding the head, the Prophet vnderstandeth, all the ge­stures that the vngodly vse, in scoffing and deriding gods people, sée Mat. 27.39.] 8 Ver. 8. Are the wordes of the wicked: q.d. where is the God vpon which he stayed himselfe] let him saue him [ i. deliuer him out of our handes] seeing hée loueth him [ i. séeing God beareth a good wil towards him as hee sayth: q.d. hée thinketh God loueth him, but because he doeth not deliuer him, he loueth him not at all. Satan hath no dart more deadly, then this, when hee goeth about by himselfe and his instruments, to spoile vs of the hope wee haue in god, turning 9 al gods promises into mockerie.] ver. 9. But thou &c. [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 10 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.) 11 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 12 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.) 13 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. 14 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 15 his fainthartednes.) ver. 15. My strength ( i. my naturall moisture, whereby life & strength is maintained) is dried vp like a potsheard ( i. is wōderfully decaied, [Page 53] 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 19 me, lest I be swallowed vp and drowned.] ver 20. My soule [ i. my life, as wee 20 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 21 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, 22 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, 23 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 24 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 [Page 54] as they say, but in nisenes in déed, can not behold those that are in afflicti­on] 25 he called [ i. praied] he heard [ i. accepted him and his prayers.] ver. [...]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 third person, whereas in the beginning of this verse he 26 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] 27 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 28 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 29 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 [Page 55] any thing for themselues shal through god be restored againe, & come to wor­ship him, with the rest of y e faithful.] ver. 30. their séed [ i. the godlies posterity] 30 for a generation [or rather as Immanuel readeth it, in euery generation, mea­ning that these shalbe 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. 31 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 shalbe 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, y e 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 1 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 2 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 y t God had ouer him) I shal not want ( vz. any thing that he séeth to bee good or néedfull for me.) ver. 2. Hee 2 maketh mee to rest (the Prophet proceedeth in this metaphor, shewing Gods [Page 56] 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, & 3 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.] 4 ver. 4. Though I shoulde walke [ vz. either through ignoraunce or weakenes] through the valley of the shadowe of death [ i. through most manifold & manifest dangers, so that I were very nigh to death] I will feare no euil, [ vz. that can come vnto me] for thou art with me [ vz. by thy power and presence to defend and comfort me] thy rod and thy staffe [he putteth the instruments that shep­heards did vse hauing care ouer their flockes, for the care that God had ouer him, and he ioyned the rod and staffe together, because some shepheards vsed a rod, and some a staffe, but God vsed both: q.d. the care that thou hast ouer mee, which farre exceedeth the care of a most watchful and diligent shepheard, cau­seth me that in the greatest dangers, I neither doubt nor dispaire, but am wō ­derfully comforted. I make this difference betwéene rod and staffe, that rod is put for some smal wandes, wherwith shepheards vse to driue their shéepe, and now & then strike them: and yet hurt them not, and staffe is put for shepheards staffe that hath his hooke vpon it, by which he catcheth and ruleth thē that some­times 5 would go astray.] ver. 5. By table, vnderstand al necessary things for no­rishment to be set vpon the table, which is a vsual Metonymia: & by annointing his head with oile, and the running ouer of his cup, vnderstand abundance of al things not only seruing for necessity but pleasure, he alludeth to the custome of those countries and times wherein he liued, which was not only to vse oile for finenes & cōlines sake, as Mat. 6.17. 2. Sam. 12.20. but also at feasts & banquets: as Luk. 7.36.37.38. For which cause also they that mourned absteined from an­nointing 6 with oile, as 2. Sam. 14.2.] Ver. 6. Doubtles [this noteth y e prophets great assurance of Gods goodnes] kindenes and mercy [ vz. from God] shall follow me [ i. be present with me and vpon mee] a long season [ i. all the daies of my life, as in this very verse before] in the house of the Lorde [ i. in the place where the tabernacle is, and God himselfe worshipped, from which to be bani­shed what a great griefe it was, sée Psal, 84.1.2. &c. and yet this hindereth not but that it may be vnderstood also of eternal life.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth this, that if we be rightly perswaded of gods goodnes & pro­uidence, we shal want nothing, that is good & méete for vs. ver. 2. Sheweth that God is he alone y t giueth vs rest, plenty, & deliueraunce from daungers. ver. 3. Declareth, first that God hath the issues of life and death in his owne hands: secōdly that he is the author of al wel doing in vs, and thirdly that he bestoweth these graces vpon vs, for his owne mercies sake only. ver. 4. Assured faith and confidence in gods goodnes & almightie prouidence, surmounteth al the diffi­culties [Page 57] of this life whatsoeuer. ver. 5. God giueth vnto his cildren many times plenty of all thinges, not only for necessity but also for pleasure. Ver. 6. decla­reth that it is no presumption to be fully assured of the continuaunce of Gods grace and fauour towards vs: it teacheth vs also what delight we should haue in the seruice of God.

Psalme 24.

THis Psalme hath two principall partes. Di. In the first the Pro­phet 1 declareth that though all the people of the worlde bee vnder Gods gouernment, yet those only whome hee frameth to goodnesse, are his speciall and peculiar ones, from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second parte he prepareth this 2 people, to submit themselues willingly to God, and his holy ordinances from ver. 7. to the end of the Psalme.

The Title is expounded before. Ver. 1. Se. he declareth that God is Lord of al thinges whatsoeuer, and yet notwithstanding God only hath chosen some cer­tayn people to be particular vnto himself, which noteth not only his vnspeake­able good will towards them, but setteth out their obedience towardes him.] Ver. 2. Founded it [ vz. the earth or the world] vpon the seas [ i. he hath placed 2 it aboue them, as may appeare, Gen. 1.9. Exod. 20.4. and so must the latter part of this verse also be vnderstood, by which meanes also the earth or world is become habitable.] Ver. 3. mountayne of the Lord [ i. Sion where the ark was, 3 and is called the the Lords mountayne, because it pleased him there to dwel: some vnderstand it of the mountayne Moriah, in which the Temple was buil­ded by Solomon, and this is not amisse also] in his holye place [ i. eyther the Court of the Tabernacle, or the Temple when it was built, but I rather en­cline to the first sence.] Ver. 4. innocent hands [ i. hands that haue not ben gi­uen 4 to bloodshead or any hurt, sée Isaiah 1.15.] and a pure hart [ i. a hart purged from manifold corruptions, by these markes he discerneth the true Israelites from false and counterfait, sée Psal. 12.2.] hath not lift vp his minde [ i. hath not gaped after, or attentiuely set his affection vpon: it séemeth to bee a borrowed spéeche, taken from such as lift vp their eyes, that they may diligently beholde a thing, sée Psal. 123.1.2.] vanitie [ i. vayne and vnprofitable thinges, or else (as it is also many times vsed in Scripture) for wickednes and wicked thinges] nor sworne deceitfully [he meaneth eyther in respect of himself, vz. not taking an oth without an vpright, reuerent, and sincere mind: or else, which I rather allow of, in respect of others, vz. to deceaue them as it were vnder pretēce and religion of an oth.] Ver. 5. Blessings put for a great and wonderful blessing: 5 for such a force the word séemeth to carry with it] and righteousnesse [some take it for mercy, and so doth the Gréeke text reade it in this place. I suppose that by righteousnes the holy Ghost meaneth in this place the fruit or reward of righteousnesse, or else gods benefits and goodnesses, by which the Lord pro­ueth [Page 58] himselfe faythfull and righteous) saluation [this worde is taken here not only for deliueraunce from daungers as often times before, but for eternal life 6 also, which God graciously bestoweth vpon those that are his. ver. 6. this is the generation [ i. those are the men and persons, for generation is here taken for men] that seeke him [ vz. with their harts and vnfaignedly, that they may wor­ship him] séeke thy face [ i. haue an earnest desire to behold thy louing counte­nance] this is Iaakob (such kind of pepole are true Iaakob and true Israelits. for Iaakob is not here put for the name of y e Patriarch: or for those only that discended of him according to y e flesh, but for those that followed his faith & o­bedience.] 7 ver. 7. Lift vp your heads, ye gates (in this sence, the Prophet spea­keth to the gates of the place, into which the ark should enter (whether it were the temple or some other place it is not certayne) but he biddeth the gates lift vp their heads, meaning by heads the vppermost posts of the gates, that went ouer from one side to the other, & he calleth these gates euerlasting dores, not that they should, or could continue for euer, but for a long season, meaning by y e spéech the stabilitie of the place or temple wherinto the arke should be brought In doctrine y e faythful are hereby admonished to prepare thēselues to receaue Christ, y t he may dwel in their harts by faith, their bodies being the tēple of the holy spirit] king of glory ( i. a most glorious and renowned king, speaking it of 8 the Lord, who shewed his glory and presence, from betwéen the Cherubins in the arke.] ver. 8. who is this, &c. [the demaund or question of the faithful peo­ple] the Lord strong and mightye [this is an aunswere to the former question, whereby for the strengthening of their faith they are admonished that God ar­med with inuincible power, commeth to defend his people, and to beat downe his enemies.] ver, 10. The Lord of hostes ( i. he whom al hosts both heauenly and earthly do obay, and therfore most strong & mighty] euen in battaile ( i. not only in warlike strength, but in the very pinch and brunt of battaile.

Do. Ver. 1. describeth the largenesse of Gods gouernment, so that nothing is ex­empted therfrom for though he speake only of the earth and thinges contayned therein, yet he mindeth not to exclude the heauenly creatures. Ver. 2. Setteth out Gods power and prouidence. Ver. 3. Teacheth men to haue regarde to ioine themselues to his church in this life, and to haue a speciall care of etexnal life. Ver. 4, Teacheth the brideling of our hands, the reformation of our harts, the subduing of the vaine and wicked affections of our minds, and to take héed that we abuse not an othe, so that to sweare is not forbidden, as the Anabap­tists imagine, but to sweare deceitfully and wrongfully. ver. 5. setteth out gods goodnes, plentifully rewarding the holy indeuours of his children. ver. 6. Tea­cheth that care and zeale to worship God must be in his children. ver. 7.9. Tea­cheth men to be prepared to receaue the Lord when he commeth to them ver. 8. and 10. is a particular description of Gods power and glory, which serueth for comfort to his children, because he will deliuer them, and for terror to his ene­mies, because he will punish them.

Psalme 25.

IN this Psalme, Di. the Prophets prayers are wonderfullye in­termedled, and therefore it canne be hardlye well diuided. Sometimes he prayeth deliuerance frō his enimies, shew­ing 2 what fruit shall come thereby to him and others. ver. 1.2.3.15.16.17.18.19.20.21. sometimes he prayeth the Lorde to instruct and teach him, and others also in y e right way shew­ing how God dealeth with his children. ver. 4.5.6.8.9.10.12.13.14. and some­times 3 he confesseth his sinnes, praying pardon for them, and shutteth vp this Psalme, with a prayer for the Church, ver. 7.11, 18.22.

The title is expounded before. Ver. 1. My soule [ i. Se. hart and all that is with­in me, his words shewing that in the outward he gaue himselfe to the Lordes seruice, and this spéech proueth that his inward man was ioined therewith.] ver. 2. Let me not be confounded ( vz. by receiuing a repulse at thy hands) ver. 3. 2 mend thus: yea let none that trust in thée be confounded: and ioyne it to y e for­mer 3 thus: q.d. I pray not only for my self, but for the rest of the faithfull) that transgresse [ vz. against me in resisting my kingdom, & that without any cause on my behalf giuen them, and so doth the Chaldee paraphrase expoūd it] ver. 4 4 shew me thy ways [ vz. by or in which thou wouldst haue me to walk, meaning by waies y e order of life which God himself prescribeth, & the same he meaneth by his paths as we haue had it before] ver. 5. Lead me forth ( vz. without daun­ger 5 of mine enimies] in thy truth [ i. as thou hast promised to shielde mee from them] and teach me [ vz. the same thy truth, teaching me to finde it and féele it by experience] the God of my saluation [ i. such a one as I fynd a present helpe to saue me frō, and in al dangers] all the day [ i. continually, & with an vnwea­ried constancy] Ver. 6. Remember thy tender mercies, that I maye féele them 6 now, as thou hast shewed them always hertofore.] ver. 7. The sins of my youth 7 [ i. those that I did commit in my youth] nor my rebellions [ vz agaynste thy maiestie] euen for thy goodnesse sake, q.d. though my sinnes deserue the with­drawing of thy fauor, yet think vpon thy mercy, and not vppon my iniquities.] ver. 8. Gracious & righteous ( i. merciful to penitent persons, and vprighte in 8 the execution of his iudgements. Dauid vseth these termes to strike vp him­self therby to praier] sinners [ i. all, one and other, for none are without sin] in the way, or rather the way, for so it is in the Hebrue text, meaning a conuersa­tion y e God himselfe alloweth of, for so it is ver. 9. though al do not imbrace it] 9 ver. 9. in iudgement [ i. with a thorow iudgement, meaning therby aduisedly & rightly: it séemeth to be a metaphor taken from them that guide others, & shew 10 thē the way,] ver. 10. paths of the Lord (sée ver. 4. of this Psalm) are mercy and truth ( i. are most mercifull & faithful, because that in thē, God giueth testimo­ny vnto thē of his mercy & truth, meaning by truth gods faithfulnesse in per­forming that which he promiseth) his couenant & his testimonies [ i. his Law, [Page 60] which is called his couenaunt, because that thereby God maketh a couenaunt or bargayne as it were with vs, that we should kéepe his law, for testimonies 11 sée Psalme 19.7.] Verse 11. For thy names sake [ i. for thy glory and mercies sake, least otherwise by my iniquity, thy glory might be called into question.] 12. 13 Verse 12. The way [sée verse 4. of this Psalme.] Verse 13. His soule [ i. his 14 whole man, a part put for the whole] Ver. 14. Secrete of the Lorde [ i. the law of the Lord which is called secret, because we cannot vnderstande it of oure 15 selues without light from him.] Ver. 15. Mine eyes [ vz. not of my body only but of my fayth and soule] are euer toward the Lord [ i. are earnestly lifted vp, and stedfastly fixed vpon him, as Psalme 123. ver. 1.2.] my féete [ i. me my selfe, a part for the whole] out of the net ( i. out of the snares and daungers that myne 16 enemies haue layde to catche me in.) Ver. 16. Turne thy face ( i. thy fauou­rable and louing countenaunce) for I am desolate ( i. vtterlye destitute of helpe vnlesse thou helpe, as Psal, 22.11.20.) and poore ( i. maruailously afflicted, and so haue you this worde sundry times vsed in the Booke of Psalmes.) Ver. 17. The 17 sorrowes of my harte ( i. The gréefes and sorrowes that touche and possesse of my harte) are inlarged ( i. multiplied to a wonderfull numbers, so that 19 I am hardly able to thinke vpon them with my hart.) ver. 19. with cruell hatred ( i. with hatred that will neuer be appeased, but by committing some crueltye 20 agaynst me.) ver. 20. Soule put for whole man, as ver. 13. before in this Psalm.) ver. 22. Israell put for the faithfull Israelites, and Gods church, as Psalme 14 7. Psal. 125.5. Psal. 131.3.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that prayer must ve made to GOD onlye. Verse 2. that seruice cannot bee performed but by trust in God. ver. 4. We are ignoraunt euen the best of vs in Gods worde, till the Lorde lighten and teache vs. ver. 5. We must continuallye hang vppon GOD, by an assured fayth. ver. 6. Gods mercye is the onely thing that the faythfull must cleaue vnto. verse 7. Our sinnes must bée confessed, and pardon thereof earnestly prayde for. verse 8. God calleth all to repentaunce and amendment. ver. 9. In those in whome God beginneth good things, he will go forward with them vnto the end. ver. 10. God is gracious and faythfull vnto those, that walke in the obedience of his law. ver. 11. The greater our sinnes be, the more néede we haue of mercye, and to come to the Lord by prayer for the healing thereof. ver. 12. God will adde blessing vpon blessing, and knowledge vpon knowledge, to those that loue and feare him. ver. 13. Yea the Lord will heape all manner of temporall blessings vpon him. ver. 14. is the same which verse 12. ver. 15. We must continuallye wayte vpon the Lord, and be certainly assured that he will deliuer vs from dan­ger. ver. 16. The more we are destitute of all worldly helpes, the more néede haue we to come to the Lord, and to learne to hang vpon him alone. verse 18. Prayer for remission of all sinnes is commended vnto vs, Sée Hosea 14.2. ver. 22. We should faythfully remember in our Prayers, the state of Gods Church.

Psalme 26.

THis Psalme hath two principal partes. In the first, Di. he setteth 1 out his innocency towards Saule, declaring that he was so farre off from working wickednesse, that he coulde not abyde wicked mens company, from ver. 1. to the end of the 5. In the 2 second part he setteth out his loue to Gods workes & word, promising thanks for Gods goodnes towards him, from ver. 6. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded before. Ver. 1. Se. Iudge me ( i. take knowledge of my cause, and declare thy selfe to be my defender, agaynst the slaunders of mine e­nimies) in mine innocency [ i. innocently and without doing hurt ( vz. to Saule, or these my enimies that pursue me without cause, as Psal. 7.5. Psal. 15.3.] not slide [ vz. from that stedfast hope that I haue, that God will defend me and my iust cause.] Ver. 2. Proue me [ vz. to know my innocency, and that I am vniust­ly 2 accused. q.d. I desired thée before to be my iudge, and now I willinglye offer the same] and trie me [ vz. whether there be any malice in me towards Saule, sée Psal. 7.8. Psal. 17.3.] examine [ vz. euen as goldsmiths doe their moste fine Golde, for it is a metaphor taken from them] my reines and my hart [ i. my inward affections and thoughts, as Psal. 7.9.] Ver. 3. Mine eyes [ vz. of my 3 minde and soule] haue I walked in thy truth ( i. lead such a conuersation as thy truth requireth, meaning by truth Gods word, because it alone comprehē ­deth all truth.] Ver. 4. with vayne persons [ i. wicked and vngodly men whiche 4 is a good place also to proue vanity to be taken sometimes for wickednesse, as before, Psal. 24.4.] Ver. 5. of the euill [ vz. men, meaning such as accustome 5 themselues to worke euill, and to hurt others.] ver. 6. I will wash my handes 6 in innocency [ i. I will indeuour to liue most vprightly and purelye towardes thée and before men, sée Iob. 9.30.] and compasse thine altar [ i. offer aboundāce of sacrifices vnto thée, giuing here two excellent testimonies of his vprighte dealing: one good behauiour towards men, and the other sincere seruice of God.] ver. 7. that I may declare [ vz. thy goodnesse towards me, and my obedi­ence 7 towards thée.] ver. 8. The habitation of thy house [ i. euen the very place 8 where thy arke resteth, which séemeth to be as it were thy house, because of thy continuall abode and presence there, meaning that if he loued the place so wel, he loued the people and the exercises better, and the Lord best of all] and the place where thy honor dwelleth [this is nothing but a repetition of that which goeth before, meaning by Gods honour his arke, before which he was honou­red: vnlesse we would expound it thus, that we should by place vnderstand the Arke, and by honor, Gods maiestie and honour manifested there.] ver. 9. ga­ther 9 not my soule with the sinners [ i. when thou punishest the vngodly, destroy not me with them, vnderstanding by sinners, notorious sinners, as before psa. 1.5.] with the bloody men [ i. them that giue themselues to crueltie, murther, & [Page 62] 10 bloodshed, sée Psal. 5.6.] Ver. 10. In whose handes is wickednesse ( q.d. whatsoe­uer they doe is wickednesse) and their right hand is full of bribes [ i. they are most ready (for the right hande is commonlye more nimble then the other) for their owne gayne sake by bribery or otherwise, to commit all naughtinesse.] 11 ver. 11. I will walke [ i. behaue my selfe] in my innocency [ i. innocentlye & with­out hurt] sée ver. 1. of this Psalme] redéeme me ( vz. from those slaunderous 12 spéeches and dangers that I séeme subiect vnto.] ver. 12. amend thus: my foote standing vpon playne ground ( i. when I shall be brought to a more sure & safe condition (for in plaine ground there is sure footing) in the congregations ( vz. of thy people and saints assembled to praise thée.

Do. Ver. 1. Whosoeuer trusteth in the Lord shal not be confounded. ver. 3. Gods goodnesse toward vs, should restrain vs from doing euil to others. ver. 4.5. E­uil company is perilous, and therefore would be auoyded, as Psal. 1.1. Ver. 6. Good dealing towards men, and zealous seruice of God must continuallye bée professed & practised by his children. ver. 8. The place where God is serued and the exexcises of his religion, must be carefully frequēted. ver. 9. It is a good way to shun the punishments which light vpon the vngodly, to auoyde their company and naughtinesse. ver. 10. is a liuely description of the peruersenesse and naughtines of vngodly people. ver. 12. instructeth vs to bee thankfull to God, and that openly before men for his benefits bestowed vpon vs.

Psalme 27.

Di. THis Psalme hath two special parts, In the first part the Pro­phet 1 setteth out the strong fayth and confidence that hée had in God, assuring himselfe that God would deliuer him out of all his dangers, from ver. 1. to the end of the sixt. In the se­cond 2 part he prayeth the Lord still to shewe himselfe fauou­rable and gracious vnto him, in deliuering him frō the force and power of all his enemies, from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The Title is expounded already. Ver. 1. my light ( i. he from whome alone I haue in al things good successe and felicity] and my saluation [ i. hee that deli­uereth me from al daungers, vsing light and saluation the things themselues for deliuerance from afflictions (which in the scriptures are many times ment by darknes) and al sorts of dangers] whom shal I feare? [ q.d. none, for by such interrogations, the Hebrues doe wonderfully deny] the strength of my life [ i. the vpholder & maintainer therof, bringing good things to it, and putting euil 2 things back frō it, for y t is the vse of strength in the body] ver. 2. Came vpon me ( vz. with violent & cruel minds] to eat vp my flesh ( i. most cruelly to deuoure & consume me, after y e maner of wild beasts.) They stumbled (euen for weakenes and faynthartednesse) & fell ( vz. so y t they could not rise vp again to molest me, 3 mening y t they were destroid.) ver. 3. though an host (sée Psa. 3.6. it argueth a no­table stedfast perswasion in y e Prophet, & he meaneth by these words, hoste and [Page 63] warre, [euery thing that may be terrible and fearefull in this worlde] in this ( i. that the Lord is my light, and my saluation, as verse 1. of this Psalme.) ver. 4. Haue I desired ( vz. by earnest prayer, that I will require ( vz. agayne, 4 and agayne, q.d. I will neuer leaue off, till I haue obtayned it) dwel in y e house of the Lord (he vseth the word dwelling for continuall presence, and the house of the Lord, for the sanctuary, or tabernacle, sée psal. 23.6.) the beautye of the Lord ( i. the wonderful works he doth, and the famous gifts he giueth, by which he is made beautifull and excellent, or his beautie is declared to the sonnes of men) and to visit ( i. to be often present in) his tēple ( i. the place where y e ark was as Psal. 5.7.) Ver. 5. He shall hide me ( i. kéepe me safe and sound in his Ta­bernacle 5 (it is not here to be taken for the sanctuarie or arke, but for the place of Gods abode and visible presence, whereby the Prophet meaneth safetye, for where the Lorde is with his, there is safety and assurance from dangers which the Prophet meaneth also by the wordes following, in y e secret place of his pa­uilion, containing vnder these spéeches the assurance he had being shrouded vn­der Gods protection) & set me vp vpon a rock ( i. such a place as my enimies can not come too to hurt me, meaning still his safety.) ver. 6. Lifte vp mine heade 6 ( i. exalt me, sée Psalme 3.9. sacrifices of ioy ( i. sacrifices to testifie my ioifulnesse for my deliueraunce.) ver. 7. crie ( i. pray earnestly) heare me ( i. graunt my re­quests, 7 for otherwise it cannot be, but that God heareth.) Ver. 8. Séeke yée my 8 face, [ i. in distresse come to me for fauour and grace: so that he maketh Gods commaundement, in the which also is closely comprehended a promise, as De­ut. 4.26. the ground of his praier] mine hart aunswered ( i. yéelded to that truth, and alwayes thought vpon it) vnto thée ( i. thy sayinges and wordes.) verse 9. 9 Therefore ( q.d. séeing I come, and that according to thy worde and promise) hyde not thy face ( [...]. withdraw not thy fauour, but make me sensibly to féele, thy vertue and goodnesse in my deliueraunce) nor cast thy seruaunt away [ vz. with­out helpe and succour] in displeasure [ vz. agaynst him] God of my saluation (sée Psal. 18.46.] Ver. 10. My father and my mother [ i. not only my parentes, but all other whatsoeuer, yea all mans ayde and comfort] forsake me [ i. desti­tute 10 and fayle me] gather me vp [ i. graciously receiue me into his protection, and defence, see Math. 23.37.] Ver. 11. Teach me (sée Psal. 25, 4.5.) right path 11 [ i. righteous conuersation and vpright dealing] because of mine enimies [sée Psal. 5.8. He meaneth such enemies as did looke into his life, to sée whether they could finde any thing blame worthy therein.] Ver. 12. Mende thus, for 12 false witnesses would stande vp against me ( vz. if thou shouldest so deale with me, and so I might easily be cast away) speake cruellye [ i. cruell and vniust things, that so by their spéeches I might perish.] ver. 13. to sée [ i. to féele and tast, 13 & as it were to haue experience of] the goodnes of the Lord [ i. such good things, as he hath promised me] in y e land of the liuing [ i. here in the world where men liue, and I my selfe haue a portion of that life with them, sée Psal. 1 [...]6.9. Isaiah 38.11] Ver. 14. He exhorteth himselfe specially, but yet also others wholy to de­pend 14 vpon the Lord.

Do. Ver. 1. Assured fayth in the Lord expelleth all feare of men. ver. 2. God con­foundeth the cruell purposes of the vngodle. ver. 4. It is a notable thing to bée present at the publike assemblies and exercises of Gods Church. Earnestnes also and continuance in prayer for good things is commended vnto vs. ver. 5. God is an assured place of refuge for all his. Ver. 6. God graciously rayseth his after they haue bene cast downe: for the which it is their duty to yéeld him har­tye prayse, Ver. 8. Gods commaundement and promise, are two principall spurres to prayer, yea the very ground thereof. Ver. 9. the godly many times haue such earnest affections in prayer, that they can hardly content themselues with any wordes to expresse their mind withal. Ver. 10. God is more sure and fast to his children, then all naturall parents and friends whatsoeuer. Verse 11. Prayer for vpright conuersation according to Gods word, should bee muche v­sed. ver. 12. We may pray to be deliuered from the rage and lust of our aduer­saries. ver. 13. If Gods promises were not, we should many times sink downe vnder the burthen of our calamities. ver. 14. It is good for vs to stirre vp our selues and others, to a liuely trust, and an assured hope in the almighty, for we are all dull and weake.

Psalme. 28.

Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall parts. In the first the Prophet 1 beséecheth the Lord to heare his prayer for himselfe, and a­gaynst the vngodly, whose naughtinesse also he doth in part 2 set out, from verse 1. to the end of the fift. In the seconde hée prayseth the Lorde for his mercies, and declareth also the as­sured perswasion he had in Gods mercy, concluding with a prayer for the Church, from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title hath bin already spoken of. ver. 1. Doe I crie [ i. pray earnestly] O my strength [ i. thou from whom all the strength that I haue commeth] bée not deafe [ i. doe not cast away and neglect my prayers, eyther as though thou heardst not at all, or wouldst not heare: for as the deafe cannot heare, so there are some, that though they can, yet will not] if thou answere me not [ i. graunt not my petition] I be like thē that goe downe into the pit, [ i. like dead mē that are buried, for he putteth the word Pit, here for the graue, meaning that hee 2 and his glory should vtterly perish from among men.] Ver. 2. When I holde vp my handes (the signe of prayer vsed for prayer, see Psal. 141.2. Exod. 17.11.] toward thine holy oracle [ i. towards the place where thy arke was, frō whence thou hast promised helpe to them that call vpon thée: it may be also taken for 3 heauen.] ver. 3. Draw me not away, &c. [ vz. to death, in the time that thou exe­cutest vengeance against the vngodly, sée Psal. 26.9. Psal. 27.12.] speake friend­lye [ i. words that pretend friendship & goodwill] when malice is in their harts 4 [ i. they imagine mischiefe though they speake fayre, sée Psalm. 12.2.] ver. 4. He meaneth that seing they had multiplied iniquitie, the Lord would in his iustice [Page 65] repay them home for it] their rewarde [ i. a rewarde meete for them and their wickednesse.] ver. 5. Workes of the Lord ( i. his iudgements against other wic­kednesse, 5 and the order of his prouidence] breake them downe [ vz. as men doe olde, rotten, and ruinous houses, for such a metaphor is vsed here] and builde them not vp [ i. let them be without hope of repayring or establishment. ver. 7. 7 the Lord is my strength & my shield (sée Psal. 18.2.) my hart trusted ( i. inward­ly I was fully perswaded and hoped rightly (for the hart is it that God speci­ally respecteth, and is the seat of all our affections good and euill] my hart shal reioyce [ i. inwardly I will be glad] with my song will I prayse him ( i. openly also will I testifie my ioy and thankfulnes.] ver. 8. Their strength ( vz. that 8 went forth with me to warre, acknowledging that the meanes that men haue, are but the instruments of Gods power) the strength of their deliuerances [ i. the only worker of the deliuerances] of his annointed (that is which his King hath receaued, sée Psal. 18.50.] ver. 9. Saue thy people [ vz. from the rage of 9 their enemies] blesse [ i. poure plēty of blessings vpō that people, that thou hast chosen to be a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe] féede them [ i. be as it were their sheapheard, of which sée psal. 29.1. nothing his care & watchful gouernmēt of thē) & exalt thē [ vz. aboue their enimies, as psa. 27.6. for euer [ i. cōtinually.

Ver. 1. When God séemeth not to heare, then must we be most earnest. ver. 2. Do. we must inforce our voice, holding vp our hands &c, and all that we can doe, to prouoke vs to earnestnesse in prayer. ver. 3. It is not good to partake in punishment with the wicked. We must learne also to take héede of dissembling either in word or hart. ver. 4.5. We may pray against the malicious contemners of God and his truth. Ver. 6. We ow thankfulnesse to the Lord after that he hath heard our praiers. ver. 7. Consideration of Gods goodnesse towards vs in for­mer times, is a good meane of hope in time to come. ver. 8. God blesseth y e good, and those that take part with thē. ver. 9. In al our prayers, we should be mind­full of the prosperous and good estate of the whole church.

Psalme 29.

THis Psalme hath thrée parts. Di. In the first the Prophet admoni­sheth 1 rulers and Princes to feare the Lord: & this is contay­ned in the two first verses. In the second part he setteth oute 2 the effects of thunder, which is an argument of Gods won­derfull maiestie and power, from ver. 3. to the 9. In the thirde 3 part he sheweth what effects thunder and other workes of God worke in his children, promising prosperitie & goodnesse to all those that feare the Lord with a right affection, from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded before. Se. ver. 1. Sons of the mighty ( i. Princes & noble men, who many times by reason of their birth & wealth, swel as it wer against god) giue vnto the Lord [this doubling doth note, first that this belōgeth vnto god alone, secondly how vnwilling mē are, to giue him that which is his right) [Page 66] glory & strength ( vz. euen that which you your selues haue, q.d. acknowledge 2 that that which you haue you haue from him alone.) ver. 2. due vnto his name (which you do not, if you claime either the whole or part, & by name he meaneth god himself, & al that is in him, as maiesty, power, excellēcy, &c.) in y e glorious sanctuary ( i. in the tabernacle of witnesse, in w ch god sundry times gaue playne 3 declaration of his glory and maiesty.) Ver. 3. The voice of the Lord ( i. the thun­der which is called his voyce, because he alone sendeth it out) is vpon the wa­ters ( i. as some expound it, is heard vpō the waters, but I suppose it would ra­ther be turned thus, is aboue the waters, meaning the waters that be vphelde in the firmament by Gods almightie power, because the thunder is in a higher region of the ayre, than the cloudes in which the water are contayned) the God of glory ( i. he to whome all glory is due) maketh it to thunder, ( i. is the author of it) The Lord, or better, the Lords voice is vpon the great waters, as before in this verse, and he calleth the waters in the cloudes greate, both because of the abundance of them, and also because of the force thereof, as may appeare in the vniuersall flood, Gen. 9. and the reason why I expoūd this verse, is because 4 he sayth afterwards verse 10. God sitteth vpon the floud.] Ver. 4. Is mightye [ i. declareth greate might in his maiestie] is glorious [ i. expresseth his great 5 glory.] ver. 5. The voice [ i. the thunder and those things that eyther go before it or follow it, as lightnings, the thunderbolt, storme, tempest, &c.] the Cedars of Lebanon [i. most high and excellent Cedars, for that place yéeldeth the best, 6 the most thick, and those that lasted longest.] Ver. 6. He maketh them [ i. sundry mountaines or places, whereof he nameth two in this verse, it may also be vn­derstood of the shaking of the trées] to leape [ i. to moue and stir muche vp and downe] like a Calfe [ vz. that is vnruly, and for pastime, as you would say, can hardly stand still] Lebanon also and Shirion [these are the names of two places for Shirion see Deut. 3.8.9.] like a yong Vnicorne [ i. very lustily and nimblye, for the Vnicornes, but specially their yong ones, be slender and light bodyed, 7 and much giuen to leaping or skipping.] ver. 7. Deuideth the flames of fyre [ i. lightnings so called, because they séeme to vs and are indéed flaming & fire, now the thunder deuideth them, because it immediately followeth one flash of 8 lightning, & goeth before another] ver. 8. the wildernes to trēble [ i. after some, the beasts of the wildernes, by Metonomya, or which I take to be more plain, by reason of y t which followeth, it maketh y e very ground, & earth of y e wildernes to shake as it were] the Lord [ vz. by his power & thūdering voice] the wilder­nes of Kadesh [i. that most great and horrible wildernes, wherin y e children of Israel wandred xl. yeres before they came to y e land of promise, of which, & of the 9 cruel beasts therin, mētion is made Deut. 8.15.] ver. 9. Maketh the hinds [who naturally bring forth with great difficulty, as Iob 39.4.5.6.] to calue [ vz. be­fore their time, which argueth the thunder to be a very terrible thing] discoue­reth the forrest [this place hath thrée sences: some expound it thus, y t by forrests they vnderstand y e beasts in the forrests, which thorow thunder euen for verye feare come out of their couertures: others vnderstand by forrest, y e mere groūd [Page 67] of the forrest, which is layd open by the ouerthrow & casting downe of trées in thunder and tempest: others vnderstand by discouering y e forrest, the laying of it euen as it were, by taking away the leaues thorow thuūder & storme, and to this 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 y e vngod­ly wil not acknowledge the same] ver. 10. The Lord sitteth [ i. heareth sway and 10 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 y e 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 1 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 2 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 1 me [ i. lifted me vp, & set me frée, frō wonderful daungers and deaths dore, [Page 68] as it were. It is a metaphor taken from them that fell into some pit or ditche, 2 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 3 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 y t are buried, but yet thou graciously broughtst me frō their company, & restoredst me to life. Pit is put 4 here for y e graue, as psal. 28.1.] ver. 4. Before, or as Immanuel readeth, at y e 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 5 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.] 6 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 7 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 8 I was in maruailous anguish & affection of spirit. ver. 8. Then ( i. when I was 9 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 11 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 y e harty praiers of his seruāts. ver. 3. whē we are in greatest distres, thē doth god most mercifully deliuer, y t 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 [Page 69] 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 1 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 2 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 3 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. 2 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 3 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 4 For thou art my strength [ q.d. Without thée I can doe nothing, neither truste 5 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 y t which thou hast promised] ver. 6. I haue hated [ i. wonderfully disliked & loathed] that 6 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 7 of the person] thou hast séene [ vz. euen vnto this daye.] ver. 8. hast not 8 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 9 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 y e power & part of life, which desi­reth [Page 70] 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 10 concoct and digest, by reason of his great gréefe.) Ver. 10. he noteth what great 11 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 12 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.] 13 Ver. 13. Feare was on euery side [ vz. of me: he meaneth that he was as 15 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 16 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 17 dangers.) ver. 17. and the latter part amend thus: let the wicked be cut off whē they are going down into y e 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 18 perish.] ver. 18. Lips put for mouth, yea and for the liers themselues: a part for 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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 [Page 71] 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 1 of al their sinnes: and this is in the two first verses. In the se­cond 2 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 3 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 y e faithful) ver. 1. forgiuē ( i. so takē away, y t they are not any more thought vpon, Ier. 31.33.34] is couered (so that not so much as prints or steps much lesse [Page 72] 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 y e punishment and the sinne it selfe, for he respecteth y e first verse of this Psalme, where hée affirmeth not only sinnes to be forgiuen, but that it was wel with such mē, and 6 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, 7 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 8 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.] 9 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 y e 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 [Page 73] 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 10 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 11 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 1 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 2 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 & firme in respect of him from whom they come, and profitable vnto vs.] ver 5 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 [Page 74] 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 6 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.] 7 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 8 other his treasures. ver. 8. Al the earth [ i. al the people of the earth, by Metony­mia.] 9 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] 11 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] y e thoughts of his heart [the prophet speaketh herof 12 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 13 their iudge and gouernor.] ver. 13. All the children of men [ i. all men whatsoe­uer, 14 and not only their persons but their deeds and workes, as ver. 15.] ver. 14. 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 shalbe continual­ly.) 19 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 20 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 [Page 75] 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 21 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. 22 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 waters. ver. 8. The consideration of Gods prouidence and gouernment, should strike a feare of his maiesty into the hearts of al people. ver. 9. The Lorde néedeth not great power either to build vp, or destroy. ver. 10. There is no witte, nor wisedome of man can take place against the Lorde. ver. 12. True felicity consisteth in this, that God doeth loue those that are his, and defend the same. ver. 13.14. Declare that nothing can be hid from Gods presence and knowledge, the same doth ver. 15. Ver. 16.17. Teach that we must only hang vpon the Lord, and that no outwarde meanes, can doe any thing, without his special blessing. ver. 18. Setteth out gods fauour and goodnes towards his children, so doth ver. 19. Ver. 20. Tea­cheth vs patiently to abide the Lordes leasure. ver. 21. Teacheth vs ioyfulnes and thankefulnes to the Lord for his mercies. ver. 22. Teach vs to pray for the continuance of Gods mercy towards vs, and others.

Psalme. 34.

THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée partes. Di. In the first the 1 prophet promiseth that he will praise the Lorde, exhorting o­thers to do the like, shewing sundry causes why they shold so do, from ver. 1. to the end of the 7. In the second hee exhorteth 2 the faithful, to feare the Lorde, and to leade a holy life before men, shewing what fruits shall followe the same, from ver. 8. to the end of the 14. In the third, he declareth the excéeding good will of God to­wards 3 his children, and his heauy iudgements against the vngodly from ver. 15. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title. A Psalme of Dauid [ i. which Dauid made] when he changed his behauiour [ i. when being wise and witty, hee faigned himselfe to be madde, as 1. Sam. 21.13. Before Abimelech [he is called in Samu. Achith, & named there king of Gath whiich was a city of the Philistines: but here he calleth him by a name cōmon to al the kings of that coūtry, as Pharao was to the Egiptians, and Cesar is to the Emperours.] Who droue him away [ vz. from his pre­sence 1 and country.] ver. 1. Alwaies [ i. in the time of prosperity or aduersitie: q.d. in what state soeuer I shall be, I will praise him] his praise shal bee in my mouth continually [ i. I will praise him and that with my mouth [ i. the wordes 2 of my mouth, without ceasing.] ver. 2. My soule [ i. my inward man, for hee had before said, that he would do it with his mouth: or else take it for the whole mā, a part put for the whole] shal glory [ i. much reioyce, and euen as it were boast] in the Lord [ i. of him, and the help that he hath giuen me] and be glad [ vz. not only for me, but also for themselues, because that by my example, they shal con­ceiue 3 good hope of like deliueraunce.] ver. 3. Hee speaketh to the humbled and faithful people, willing them to ioyne with him in the prayse of God, that so 4 his prayses may be more large and publike.] ver. 4. I sought [ i. had recourse vnto him by prayer, vz. in the time of my affliction] heard me [ i. yéelded to my petition and granted it] out of al my feares [he putteth the effect for the cause, 5 meaning dangers which made him afraid.] ver. 5. They [ i. the humble & faith­ful of whom before ver. 2.] shall looke vnto him [ i. diligently and carefully at­tend for aide and succor from him, sée Psal. 123.2.] And runne to him [ vz. with hast in their troubles, and boldnes in respect of obtaining] and their faces shal not be ashamed [ i. they shal not hang downe their heads and countenances for shame, as they were wont to do, but shal lift vp their heads, and looke on high 6 and go vnto God without any doubting,] ver. 6. The Prophet sheweth what ground these good men shal haue of their praiers, vz. his particular example, and deliuerances bestowed vpon him.] This poore man [ vz. Dauid, in y e time of his greatest pouerty and affliction] cryed [ i. praied earnestly vnto the Lord] 7 and saued him [ i. deliuered him, sée ver. 4. of this Psal.] ver. 7. The Angel [ i. angels one number for an other. For the word Angel, is in this place the name of the kind of them, as you would say, and therfore must not be referred to one alone, but to many] pitcheth round about them [ i. doth not only watch diligēt­ly ouer them, and care for them, but defendeth and saueth them against y e force of al their foes, yea, and as he saith in the last part of this verse: deliuereth thē, vz out of their dangers: not that the Angels haue this of themselues, but be­cause they are furnished with such power from god, for the comfort of his chil­dren.] 8 ver. 8. Tast ye and sée [ vz. with the mouth of your mind, and the eyes of your faith for otherwise Gods goodnes can not be perceiued: it is a metapho­rical speach, from bodily to spiritual thinges.) ver. 9. Serue the Lord ( i. addict 9 your selues wholy to his seruice, a part of Gods shorship put for the whole, as ver. 11. of this Psalme.) For nothing wanteth ( vz. that God who knoweth what is better for them, then they themselues, séeth to bee méete and good for them.) [Page 77] ver. 10. The Lions, [or rather the yong Lions that are of great force, and rea­dy 10 to catch or deuoure a pray: vnderstand it, either of the beastes themselues, or else of rauenous men which in power are like to Lions, the latter, by rea­son of that which followeth in this verse, seemeth to be most agréeable] do lack for al their cruelty and rapine] and suffer hunger [ i. many pine away & mise­rably perish] séeke the Lord [sée ver. 4. of this psal.] Ver. 11. He speaketh vnto 11 the godly: calling them children, to declare how dearely he woulde loue them, that would learne Gods true religion.] hearken vnto mee [ vz. not onely with your outward eares, but with your mind imbrace that sound doctrine, that I shall propound vnto you.] ver. 12. Desireth life [ vz. good and blessed, both 12 here in this worlde, and in eternall glory] long dayes [ i. long life, the dayes wherein men liue being put for life it selfe] o sée i. to haue experience, trial, and cast as it were of those things which may make this life good and pleasant, a metaphor from one sense to an other.] ver 13. Kéepe thy tongue from euill 13 [ vz. speach: he meaneth that men should take héede that they offend not with their mouth, nor words procéeding out of it, as Dauid in an other place faith of himselfe, he was vtterly purposed that his mouth should not offend: so that hée meaneth that men must beware of backbiting, slandering, lying, filthy talking, and idle words] lips [he putteth tongue and lippes, which are natural instru­ments, wherby the voice is framed, for wordes vttered by them] no guilt [...] [ i. no manner of disceate whatsoeuer, nor for any cause.] ver. 14. Euil [ i. al ma­ner 14 of euill whatsoeuer] and do good [ i. carefully striue to performe al good and holy duties] séeke peace [ i. indeuor to 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 15 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 17. 18. 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 20 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 21 [or mischiefe rather that they haue done against God and his children: or [Page 78] 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 cō ­trary.) 22 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. 1 THis Psalme specially propoundeth two things, first the prayer that the Prophet made against his enemies declaring what good 2 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 2 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 [Page 79] warrier or captaine] for mine helpe [ i. to defend and helpe me.] ver. 3. Stop 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 ( 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] 7 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 8 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. 9 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. 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] 11 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 12 [ 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 13 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 [Page 80] 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 14 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 15 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 16 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 17 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.] 18 19 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 20 (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, 21 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 22 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 14 to man.) ver. 24. Reioyce ouer me ( vz. by reason of some calamities and afflic­tions [Page 81] that thou shalt lay vppon mee. sée Psal. 30.1. Ver. 25. O our soule reioyce 25 [ vz. because we haue that wee desired.] Ver. 27. Loue my righteousnesse [ i. 27 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 28 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 thrée partes. Di. In the first the 1 Prophet describeth the maliciousnes, dissēbling, cursed speach and other great wickednes of the vngodly, from Ver. 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second he setteth out Gods great mercy 2 and goodnes towards all, but chiefely towards his children, & that from ver. 5. to the end of the 9. In the third hee prayeth for 3 the continuance of Gods goodnes towards his children, and the ouerthrow of the wicked, foretelling their destruction, from Ver. 10. to the end of the Psalm.

The title is expounded before, Psal. 4. and Psal. 18. Ver. 1. Se. Wickednes [ i. that heape of wickednes which the vngodly man committeth] saith to the wic­ked [Page 82] man [ i. telleth him, and others as wel as him] euen in my heart [ i. my hart and confidence also, bearing me record of this: and this would be read by a pa­renthisis] that there is no feare of God before his eies [ i. that hee feareth not the Lord in any thing he doth] q.d. by the wickednesses which the vngodly cō ­mit, I iudge verely that hee hath not any feare of God at all: and that though sometimes he labour to come and disguise his vngodlines. yet I sée it so plain­ly, 2 that me thinketh I heare it speake.] Ver. 2. For he flattereth himselfe [ i. al­loweth and liketh, yea praiseth himselfe] in his own eies [ i. in his owne iudge­ment, or else in the things that he doth: vsing the eies which serue as directors in the performance of thinges, for thinges performed: in both these senses you haue the word eies vsed sundry times in scripture.] While [ i. whereas in the meane season] worthy to be hated [ vz. for the greatnes and notoriousnes ther­of.] 3 Ver. 3. Are iniquity and deceit, [ i. instruments and meanes to performe iniquity and deceite] hee hath left off to vnderstand [ i. hee burieth that light of knowledge and iudgment that he hath] and to do good [ i. he ceaseth from do­ing 4 of such good things, as before in hypocrisie he performed.] Ver. 4. He ima­gineth mischiefe vpon his bed [ i. he is so sharp set vppon wickednes, that hee spareth not to breake his sléepe to deuise of it. [He setteth himselfe [ vz. both in his counsel and practise: q.d. he indeuoureth by all the meanes he can to do euil, yea though it be neuer so notorious.] Vpon a way [ i. vpon a course of life, and 5 practises in the same.] Ver. 5. He hursteth forth into the commendation of gods goodnes, faithfulnes, righteousnes, and iudgments, which he commendeth, for the excellency, depth, infinitnes and vprightnes thereof, that notwithstanding all thinges were so disordered amongst the wicked, as hee had before reiected, yet still God remained alwaies like to himselfe.] Thy mercy [ i. the goodnes & kindnes, that thou shewest to all] reacheth vnto the heauens [ i. is as high as the heauens, so that if the vngodly would think they could stop it from others, it is no more possible for them, then to reach to the heauens] and thy faithful­nes [ vz. which thou vsest in performing thy promises] vnto the cloudes [ex­pound 6 this, vnto the heauens as in the first part of this verse.] Ver. 6. Thy righteousnes [ vz. which thou exercisest towards al, both good and bad, giuing vnto euery man that which is due vnto them] is like the mighty mountaines [ i. stable firme, & cannot be altered, or else thus, is excellent and praise worthy as all things that come from thée are.] Thy iudgements [ vz. which thou exe­cutest vpon all the earth, and namely vppon the vngodly route] is like a great déepe [ i. are vnsearchable, and beyond the reach and compas of mans wit, as a depth without bottome can not be found. sée Rom. 11.33.] Doest saue [ i. thou stretchest out thy prouidence not onely ouer men, but ouer beasts, and doest de­liuer 7 them al, in dangers & distresses. sée 1. Tim. 4.10.] Ver. 7. Children of men [ i. men and their race or posterity.] Trust vnder the shadow of thy wings [ vz. to find comfort, ease, and reliefe: by shadow of Gods wings, he vnderstandeth Gods protection and defence, alluding as it shoulde séeme, to yong chickens, that when the kyte houereth ouer them, commit themselues to the defence, of [Page 83] the hens wings, by shrowding themselues vnder them, sée Psal. 17.8.] Ver. 8. 8 They, [ i. the godly] with the fatnesse [ i. the plentye and abundaunce of thine house [ i. of thy tabernacle, he putteth one benefite, which was a most euident signe of Gods fauor, for all his blessings, meaning that they should be filled, with the abundance of al good things, that were reserued, & did appertaine to gods children that did hang wholy vpon him] out of the riuer of thy pleasures [ i. out of those pleasures which come most plentifully from thée as from a ri­uer that neuer will be dry: all this verse is allegorical, vnderstanding by satis­fiyng, fatnes, drinking, pleasures, and such like, abundance of al graces both bo­dily and spiritual. Ver. 9. With thée [ i. in thy power, so that also thou doest cō ­municate 9 it vnto others, and yet hast not the lesse thy sefe.] The well of life [ i. ful and perfection of life: so that wee sée that without him there is nothing but death: and he speaketh not here only of naturall life, but also of a spiritual life, and eternal life else where] in thy light [ vz. which thou bestowest vppon vs of knowledge and vnderstanding] shal we sée light [men then are altogether blind if they be not lightned by this light.] Ver. 10. Know thée [ vz. by the light of thy 10 word, and the assured testimony of thy spirit] vpright in heart [sée Psal. 32.11.] Ver. 11. Féete of pride [ i. the power and force of proude men, who are wont to 11 tread al vnder their féete in contempt, putting a part of a man for the whole, and pride it selfe being a quality, for a proud person:] come against me [ i. pre­uaile ouer me] the hand [ i. the power & force] moue me [ vz. from that stayed­nes and stedfastnes that I haue in thée.] Ver. 12. Shal not be able to rise [ vz. 12 for al their force and power, by which speach also he noteth, that their fall shall be without al hope of recouery.

Ver. 1. Do. Wickednes performed thrusteth men forwarde from one wickednes to another, euen to shake off al feare of God: it is therefore good to withstand the beginnings of euil. Ver. 2. Vngodly mē flatter themselues in their sin, and the things that they do, calling good euil, & euil good: also it teacheth that we should hate sinne in our selues and others. Ver. 9. The vngodly are full of hipocrisie, they darken the light of knowledge that they haue, and are straungers from weldoings. Ver. 4. The vngodly spare no paine to performe wickednes. Ver. 5.6.7. Teach that it shal be good for vs often to meditate vppon his mercy, to keepe vs from dispaire vpon his faithfulnes, to strengthen our hope and faith in him, vpō his righteousnes, to prouoke vs to weldoing & vpō his iudgemēts to discourage vs from euil. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs to bridle our curiosity, séeing Gods iudgments are vnsearchable, it teacheth vs also the generall prouidence and care that God hath ouer al things. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs to hang only vpon the Lord, and to trust in him alone. Ver. 8. Gods children shal haue abundance of all both corporall and spirituall blessings. Ver. 9. Man hath neither ltfe nor light in himself, til it be communicated vnto him from God. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that we ought to pray for Gods people. Ver. 11. That wee ought to pray a­gainst Gods enemies, and for our selues particularly. Ver. 12. Setteth out the ruine of all the wicked and vngodly.

Psalme 37

Di. 1 THis Psa. may be diuided into foure especial parts. In the first the Prophet admonisheth the godly, not to bee grieued at the wickeds prosperity, and the godlies calamitie, but rather to wayte, and that with patience, the end that the Lord hath ap­pointed 2 to both, from Ver. 1. to the ende of the 11. In the second part he describeth the wicked practises of the vngodly against the righteous us noting with all Gods iustice in punishing the one, and his mer­cy in defending and blessing the other, from Ver. 12. to the ende of the 22. In the 3 third he fetteth out the excellent qualities wherwith Gods children are iudued as notes of special comfort vnto themselues, to know that they are Gods chil­dren, intermingling now and then, exhortations to goodnes, and iudgements a­gainst 4 the vngodly and their séede, from Ver. 23. to the end of the 33. In the 4. because we can hardly tary the Lordes leasure, he repeateth againe his exhor­tation to patience: shewing the sodaine fall of the wicked, but the prosperous & continual good estate of his children, from ver. 34. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded already. Ver. 1. Freat not thy selfe [ vz. against God, or else bee not grieued] because of the wicked men [ vz. that they florish in wealth.] Be enuious [ vz. against them that are wicked and wealthy.] The Prophet meaneth that he would not haue a godly man to freat against God, as though he did not iustly deuide to euery man his portion, or to grieue him­selfe, or to enuy at others, for the abundance of wealth and riches that other 2 wicked men haue.] Ver. 2. For they shall soone bee cut downe, and this is a reason of the former speach, meaning that neither they nor their prosperi­ty shall long indure] like grasse [ vz. with a sithe, and euen at one blowe] as the greene herbe [ i. sodainely consume and come to nothing, sée Isaiah. 40.6. 3 Math. 6.30.] Ver. 3. Trust thou in the Lorde [in these wordes is conteined the seruice of GOD] and doe good [in these are comprehended mutuall du­ties one of vs towards another] dwel in the land [ vz. without looking so much at the wicked rich men, hanging alwayes vppon God] bee fed [ i. thou shalt 4 haue all good things ministred vnto thée.] Ver. 4. Delight thy selfe [ i. take thy greatest, yea and thy onely pleasure] in the Lord [and the good things that hee hath prepared for thée] thine heartes desire [ i. whatsoeuer thine heart 5 can wish.] Ver. 5. Thy way [ i. thy selfe, life, and all thy affayres.] It to 6 passe [ i. whatsoeuer thou committest to him.] Ver. 6. Bring foorth [ vz. to light and knowledge] thy righteousnes [ i. thy righteous causes, as Psal. 4.1. And thy holy conuersation] as the light [ vz. of the day when the sun is vp.] and thy iudgment [ i. iudgement pronounced on thy side, prouing the vpright­nes of thy matters] as the noone day [ i. most clearely, for then is the day most bright.] Ver. 7. Wayt patiently [ i. with patience tarry his time] for him [ i. at him, or because of him: q.d. let not his wealth, bee an occasion of [Page 85] griefe and fretting to thee] in his way [ i. in the things he taketh in hand.] ver. 8. Cease from anger [ vz. either against God as Ionah. 4.9. or against men] 8 also to do euill [ q.d. let not thy freting cary thée to doe that which thou mayest not doe, sée Ephes. 4.26.] Ver. 9. Shall bee cut of [ vz. from the earth, accor­ding 9 to that hee sayth in an other place, the vngodly shall not liue out halfe his dayes] wayte vppon the Lorde [ vz. in hope and patience, as ver. 7. of this Psalme] inherit the land [ i. shall liue long in this life, and afterwards be made partakers of eternal life.] ver. 10. Yet a little while [vnderstand, wayte in hope 10 and patience] shall not appeare [ vz. amongest men, because hee shall bee taken away, as by experience hee himselfe prooued, ver. 36. of this Psalme.] Looke [ vz. to sée, if thou canst sée or finde] his place [ i. the place where hee remained and dwelt] and hee shall not bee founde [ vz. aliue and amongest men. sée ver. 36. of this Psalme.] ver. 11. Méeke [sée Psal. 25.9.] Possesse the earth, sée ver. 9. 11 of this Psal.] Their delighte [ vz. satisfied, as Psal. 36.8) In the multitude of peace [ i. with plenty and abundance of all good thinges, for so is peace many times taken in the Scripture, God doeth in his worde, many times promise vnto his children long life, abundance, and whatsoeuer may bee wished, as it were in this life.] ver. 12. Practiseth [ vz. all manner of mischiefe] and gnasheth 12 his téeth, sée Psal. 35.16.] ver. 13. Shal laugh him to scorne. [sée Psal. 2.4.] for 13 hee séeth [ i. the Lord knoweth] that his day [ i. the day wherein hee wil take ven­geance vpon the vngodly: which may be called Gods day, because hee then vi­siteth, or the wickeds day, because hee is then punished, and hee vseth day for time of visitation, as it is else where vsed in the Scripture.] ver. 14. By 14 sworde and bowe, hee meaneth all the instruments, that the vngodly doe vse, to hurt the righteous by, sée Psal. 7.12.13.] Ver. 15. He sheweth that the weapons 15 which they shall vse, shall not only not hurt the good, but destroy themselues.] ver. 17. The armes [ i. their strength, and whatsoeuer they haue to leane to, as wit, wealth, &c. shalbe broken [ i. destroyed and brought to nought.] Vpholdeth [ i. mainteineth and succoureth] the iust men. q.d. though they bee neuer so weake.] ver. 18. Knoweth [ i. not onely foreséeth, but also alloweth, and ma­keth 18 prosperous, as Psalm. 1.6.] The dayes [ i. the times that hee hath allot­ted them, whether they be prosperous or aduerse times] shal be perpetuall [ i. in this life shalbe long, and in the life to come eternall.] ver. 19. Not confoun­ded 19 [ vz. as though they were frustrate of their hope.] Haue inough, sée Psal. 84.10. Ver. 20. As the fatte of Lambes [ i. cleane consumed, so that nothing 20 of them shall remayne: it is a metaphor borrowed from the fat in sacrifices, which was wont to bee consumed with fire vppon the Alter.] Euen with the spoke [ i. as sodainely as the smoke shall they consume away so that hee noteth by the first speach their vtter destruction, and by the latter, their sodaine de­struction.] ver. 21. Expresseth what néede the vngodly shalbe in, and what plen­ty 21 the righteous shall haue.] ver. 22. Inherit the lande [sée for the expounding 22 of this verse, ver. 9. of this Psalm.) Ver. 23. The paths of man ( i. the way, life 23 and conuersation of godly men, for by one hee vnderstandeth all the rest) are [Page 86] directed by the Lord [ vz. to his owne honour, and the good of his children and though it bee true that this may be vnderstood generally of al, yet for that which followeth, it is to bee applied to the vertuous onely.] For he loueth [ i. God alloweth, liketh of and prospereth, as Psal. 35.27.] His way [ i. his fashion and maner of life which is called his, not because man is the Author of it, but 24 because hee is the instrument to tread in those paths.] ver. 24. Though he fall [ vz. as one that were faynt hearted] cast of [ vz. vtterly or for euer from God, 2. Corinth. 4.9.] putteth vnder his hand [ i. his power and might vz. to vphold him from vtter falling away, which wee shoulde quickly doe, if God were not 25 with vs.] ver. 25. I haue beene young and nowe am olde [ q.d. in all the time of my life, from my childhoode vnto my graye heares, I can not remem­ber this one thing] the righteous [ i. he that trusted in the Lorde, and by prayer sought succour at this hand] forsaken [ vz. of God, through any want that hee felt] nor his séede [[ i. his posterity, and those that come of him] begging bread [ i. thinges meete and necessary, for the norishment of his life, and note that these temporall promises, are pronounced vpon condition either expressed, or necessarily to be vnderstood, vz. so farre foorth, as God the giuer of all good thinges shall sée them to bee profitable for his glory, and the bettering of his 26 children.] ver. 26. Enioyeth the blessing [ vz. that his father left behinde him, through Gods blessing: he meaneth by blessing that portion of goods, that cō ­meth 27 to the children of the righteous.] ver. 27. Flee from euil, sée Psal. 34.14.] for euer [ i. a long season, if you vnderstande of this life, but perpetually if you vnderstand it of the life, that shalbe reueiled to the sonnes of God.] ver. 28. Lo­ueth 28 [sée ver. 23. of this Psal.] Iudgment [sée Psal. 36.6.] Forsaketh sée ver. 25. of this Psal and note that the rest of this verse, and that which followeth in the 30 next is expounded before in this Psal. ver. 9.22.27.] Ver. 30. The mouth of the righteous wil speake of wisedome [ i. very wise and excellent thinges] talke of iudgement [ i. matters that are vpright and iust: we may vnderstand it of gods wisedome and iustice or else of such woordes and matters as passing betwéene man & man, sauor of wisedome, and vprightnes & so bring profit to others.] 31 ver. 31. In his heart [ vz. not onely to knowe, but also to obey the same, so farre forth as god shal assist him, for he alwaies carieth with him that holy purpose] & his steps [ i. his life and order of conuersation] shal not slide [ vz. before men, and not before god, meaning that in respect of men, he shal not be to be touched 32 with any notorious crime.] ver. 32. Watcheth [sée Psal. 10.8.9.10.] Ver. 33. in his hande [ i. in his power] nor condemne him [ vz. by pronouncing an vniust sentence against him] when hee is iudged [ vz. of vniust and wicked men. The Prophet meaneth that as God will not awarde a wrong iudgement like wic­ked men of the world, so he will deliuer his from such vniust sentences.] ver. 34 34. Wayte &c. [sée ver. 7. of this Psal.] and keepe his way [ i. the way that hée 35 hath taught thée] thou shalt sée [ vz. their destruction and ouerthrowe.] ver. 35. Strong [ i. mighty and of great authority like a greene bay trée: q.d. so fresh as though he would neuer haue dyed, for the bay is alwaies gréene: by gréene [Page 87] bay trée, hée meaneth a tree, whose boughes and fruits are alwaies greene, and not dead: so that a man would thinke the vngodly could not so soone decay, be­cause gréene trées can not bee ouerthrowne, but with greater labour then dry and withered] ver. 36. He [ i. hée and al his prosperitie, sée further for this verse, 36 the ver. 10. of this Psal.] Ver. 37. Is peace [ i. continual quietnes héere, and e­ternal felicity in the life to come.] ver. 38. Destroyed together [ i. all, none of thē 38 being excepted, sée Psal. 35.26.] And the end of the wicked [ i. the end that they hoped and wished for] shalbee cut off [ i. they shall neuer haue it.] ver. 39. Sal­uation 39 [ i. deliuerance from dangers in this life, and eternal glory in the life to come] their strength [ vz. whereby they should defend themselues and wound their enemies.

Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth vs alwaies to be contented with Gods distribution of goods and wealth: and not to enuy them whom it pleaseth him to blesse therewith. ver. 2. The wicked mens ouerthrow cōmeth sodainly. ver. 3. We are taught to per­forme dueties to God, our brethren, and our selues, and for our better incou­ragement, we haue a promise annexed. ver. 4.5.6. Conteine blessings to them that walke vprightly before God. ver. 7. Teacheth vs in al thinges, and namely in the execution of gods iudgements, to tarry in patience the Lords leasure. ver. 8. We must absteine from anger and wrath. ver. 9. Sheweth the vnlikely reward of the godly and the wicked. ver. 10. Setteth out the suddaine destructi­on of the vngodly. ver. 11. Conteineth promise of blessings for the good. ver. 12. Setteth out the subtill & malicious nature of the vngodly against the iust, so doth ver. 32. Ver. 13. Sheweth that the Lord wil confirme al the wickeds, both counsels & attempts. ver. 14. Deliuereth the same doctrine that the 12. doth, but yet somwhat more particularly. ver. 15. Sheweth that the wickednes which the vngodly shal deuise shal turne to their own hurt. ver. 16. Teacheth vs cōtented­nes, with that which God giueth vs, though it be neuer so smal. ver. 17.18.19. 20.21.22. Declare gods fauor & loue towards those that are good, & his iudge­ments against the vngodly. ver. 23.24.25.26. Do teach not only howe good God is to his: but with what good qualities also the faithfull should bee indued, as pity, tenderheartednes &c. ver. 27. Christian conuersation consisteth of these two parts, hatred of that which is euill, and an earnest care to performe good things. ver. 28. God neuer destituteth his. ver. 30. Our talke shold be continual­ly of good things. ver. 3 [...]. We should reuerence gods law, and continually striue to godlines of life. ver. 33. It skilleth not much howe man iudge, so God cleare vs. ver. 34. Is the same with ver. 7. almost. ver. 35.36. noteth the florishing estate and the sodaine decay of the vngodly. ver. 37.38.39. Set out iudgments against the wicked, and mercies to the godly, to the end that by the one we may be dis­couraged from wickednes, and by the other allured to vertue and weldoing. ver. 40. God is alwaies nigh to those that are his, also trust in the Lorde, is a notable meane of our deliuerances from dangers.

Psalme. 38.

Di. 1 THis Psalme doeth chiefely propound thrée speciall things, first earnest prayers and supplications that the Prophet maketh, 2 that God would turne away his wrath from him, and deliuer him from his enemies, ver. 1.9.15.21.22. In the second hee shew­eth by manifold words and circumstances, the great grief that hee was in by reason of his sinnes. ver. 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10. In 3 the third he declareth, what his friendes, and his foes did against him, to the wonderful increase of his griefe also. ver. 11.12.13.14.16.17.18.19.20.

Se. The title a Psalme of Dauid, for remembraunce ( i. which hee made, not onely as a meane to put him in remembrance of his sinne, and Gods chastise­ments vpon him for the same, but also to admonish him of the deliuerance out 2 of the fame, through Gods goodnes. ver. 1. is expounded, Psal. 6.1.) Ver. 2. Thine arrows ( i. plagues, diseases, and griefes, that thou hast sent) haue light vppon mee ( vz. violently and with great force, as appeareth by that which fol­loweth in this Psalme) and thy hand ( i. thy power and might, or else heauie iudgements exercised thereby) lyeth vpon mee ( vz. very sore and grieuously.) 3 ver. 3. There is nothing found in my flesh ( i. there is no part of my body, but it is very much diseased) in my bones ( i. in the parts & members of my body) because of my sinne ( vz. committed against thee, and the plagues and punish­ments, 4 that thou hast layd vpon mee for the same. ver. 4. For mine iniquities ( i. both my sinnes, and the punishments vppon me for the same) are gone ouer my head ( i. either are growne to a great height: or else which I rather allow of, they ouerflowe me, and as it were drowne mee, this being a metaphor taken from waters, as Psal. 42.7. Psal. 88.17. Psal. 124.4.) Meaning that hee was drowned or ouerwhelmed in his iniquities, and punishments for them, as one that were ouerwhelmed in a deepe water) and as a weightie burthen (this is an other metaphor, taken from burthen, by which hee noteth the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of his sinne) to heauie for me ( vz. to beare, 5 yea, they doe as it were presse mee downe vnto the grounde) ver. 5. My woundes ( i. the sores that I haue, by reason of thy correction and punish­ments vppon mee for my sinnes) are putrified ( i. are growne to bee full of matter) and corrupt ( vz. so that they are almost past mee: no doubt the pro­phet meaneth by these speaches to expresse both the greatnes of his griefe, and length and continuance thereof) because of my foolishnes ( i. because of my sinne, in which respect also wicked men are sundry times in Scripture called 6 fooles.) ver. 6. I am bowed and crooked (hee noteth the grieuousnes of his pu­nishment, which by reason of length and bodily weaknes that he receiued by it, had as it were, bowed him together) very sore ( i. very much) I go mourning al y e 7 day ( i. all the day long I doe nothing but mourne.) ver. 7. My reines ( vz. of my back) are ful of burning ( i. of wonderful great heat which the Phisitions take to [Page 89] be a signe of great sicknesse and dangerous weakenesse] there is nothing, &c. [sée ver. 3. of this Psalme.] Ver. 8. sore broken [ vz. in my body, by reason of my 8 sicknes: this is a maner of spéech, that we vse in our tongue, whē flesh is much abated, or strength much decayed: the Prophet meaneth that he was as it were consumed and worne away] I roare (sée psal. 37.3.) for the gréefe of mine harte [ i. by reason or thorow the great gréefe that I sustayn euer in the inward mā.) ver. 9. I poure [ i. lay out] my whole desire [ i. whatsoeuer I wish or desire] be­fore 9 thée [ q.d. All the thinges that I desire are manifest to thée, yea, the verye sighs and grones which I send out, sometimes in my prayers, and sometimes in the gréefe of my mind, are naked in thy presence. But to what ende speaketh the Prophet this? vz. To testifye his affection to Godward, and how readye he was to come to him by prayer.] Ver. 10. And the light of mine eyes [ vz fay­leth 10 me, as Psal. 6.7.] are not mine own [ vz. to vse them, as I was wont to do: because the vse of them was not so cleare and profitable vnto him, as in former time they had bin, he speaketh as though he had lost them altogether.] ver. 11. 11 Stand aside from my plague [ i. by reason of my plague and sicknesse, they e­strange themselues from me, which thing Iob also complayneth of.] ver. 12. 12 Lay snares [ vz. to catch me] imagine deceit continually [ vz. agaynst me, that they may by subteltie take me.] ver. 13. Heard not [ i. made shew as though I 13 heard not the things they spake] as a dumbe mā which openeth not his mouth [ i. I replyed not againe vpon them, but quietly & patiently bare their words: and that this is the right sence maye appeare by verse 14. and 15. following] 15 ver. 15. for on thée O Lord doe I wayt [he sheweth a reason of his silence, q.d. I am deafe and dumbe also at the reproches and iniuries that mine enemies laie vpon me, because I hope that thou shortly wilt heare my prayers, and deliuer me from this calamitie.] ver. 16. Least they reioyce ouer me [a reason to mooue 16 God to heare, least otherwise his glory should be blasphemed by these wicked men] my foote flippeth [ i. when I am but likely to fall] extoll themselues [ i. lift vp themselues both in wordes and déedes] Ver. 17. Redy to halt [ i. to slide and 17 flip as mine aduersaries would haue it, vnlesse thou Lord strengthen mee) and my sorrow ( vz. for that and other causes) euer before me ( i. continuallye vppon me, and in my sight, so that I cannot forget it) verse 18. Declare my payne ( i. 18 largely by wordes and otherwise, as sighings, &c. set out my gréefe both out­ward and inward) and am sorry for my sinne (which was the cause to pul these heauy iudgements vpon me.) verse 19. Are aliue ( vz. to worke mischiefe, wher­as 19 before they séemed to be as it were dead, and hee sheweth by these 2 termes Mighty, and many, that they haue power and number to performe the same.) ver. 20. reward euill (sée Psal. 35.12.) follow goodnesse ( i. allow and laboure to 20 performe the things that are good: the other two verses are verye plaine, in which the Prophet prayeth for present ayde, and spéedy deliueraunce.

Ver. 1. Gods wrath and indignation, is much to be feared. ver. 2. Do. God verye sharpely punisheth many of his children. Ver. 3. Sinne draweth vpon vs won­derfull iudgements. Ver. 4. We are not able to beare the multitude of our [Page 90] sinnes, much lesse to satisfie for them. ver. 5.6.7.8. shew, that sinne & the punish­ments of God therefore, doe bring vpon Gods children many times bodilye sicknesses, and wonderfull infirmities. ver. 9. It is good for vs to lay out our causes before God. ver. 11. A mans enimies many times are they of his owne houshold, sée Iob 19.13.14.15. Ver. 12. Describeth the malice and subtilty of the vngodlye. Ver. 13.14. Teacheth vs many times to bury euill wordes vttered against vs, and not to be redy to reproue euery thing spoken against vs. ver. 15 In GOD alone must we trust in al distresses, ver. 16. Our praiers to GOD must be effects of our hope: also the sliding of the Godly openeth the mouth of the wicked, and therefore we haue néede to pray that we may stand. ver. 17. It is good to féele our own infirmities, but withall to haue recourse to GOD, for strength to stande. verse 18.19. Declare that the more paine Gods children are in, the more doe the wicked insult and grow vp in might and number. Verse 20. It is no new thing that Gods children receiue euill for good: also that the enemies hate them, not for euill, but for goodnesse sake. Verse 21.22. Prai­er to God, and to him alone, in the time of all our distresses is highly commen­ded vnto vs.

Psalme. 39.

Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes. In the firste the Prophet sheweth how that after a long debating in himselfe, 1 whether he shoulde bée silent or no, he burst out into prayer, describing the vanity and shortnesse of mans life, whiche be­ing well considered, maketh him to confesse that hee trusteth only in the Lorde, from verse 1. to the ende of the seuenth. In 2 the second he prayeth deliueraunce from sinne, and from those punishmentes which were layde vpon him for sinne, desiring the Lorde to cease from wrath, and graciously to heare his prayer, from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. The title, to the excellent Musitian, Ieduthun. This is the name of one, who for his skill, was preferred before the rest of his stocke and familie: Sée 1. Chron. 16.41. also chap. 25.3. but yet he so nameth the chéefe man, that vnder the same he meaneth also, those excellent Musitions that were of his stocke 1 and race. Verse 1. I thoughte [ vz. in my selfe, thus] to my wayes [ i. to the whole order and course of my life, and namelye that I sinne not with my tongue [ vz. in vttering ill spéeches, vsing the tongue which is an instrumente of spéeche, for wordes or spéeche vttered thereby] my mouth brideled [or muf­led, it is a metaphor taken from wilde beasts, into whose mouthes, or ouer whose mouthes something is put, least they should hurt, sée Psalme 32.9.] while [ i. so long as] the wicked is in my sight [ i. it pleaseth God by wicked men to exercise me, least if I should speake any thing awry, they being presente, they 2 should take occasion therby to speake euill] ver. 2. I was dum [ vz. for the time [Page 91] as Psalme 38.13. or as a dumme man, q.d. I did not otherwise hold my tongue, then if I had bene dumme] euen from God [ vz. words or matter: the Prophet meaneth that though he had a iust defence, and an honest cause to complayne, yet he put it all vp in silence, and bare it patiently, as you may sée one particu­lar, 2. Samuel 16.5. &c.] and my sorrow was more stirred [ vz. by my silence discoursing and dilating with my selfe, whether I were best to speake: mea­ning that by that meanes, his gréefe was increased] others reade it thus, when my sorrowe waxed rawe, [ i. was not onely not healed, but by reason of newe calamities, waxed more vehemente: the sence commeth all to one, though the wordes somewhat differ.

Verse 3. By heate of harte and fyre kindled, the Prophet meaneth not on­lye 3 the greatnesse of his gréefe, as they that are gréeuouslye sicke, féele greate force and power of heate, but he meaneth also some motions that hée had to impatiencye and fretting, to whiche fault they are very muche sub­iecte, that are hote and giuen to heate.] Verse 4. Myne ende [ i. the tyme 4 of his ende meaning the time wherein hée shoulde dye] of my dayes [ vz. whiche I haue to liue] What it is [ i. Howe long, for by seuerall wordes in this verse, the Prophet meaneth all one thing [ vz to knowe howe long he should liue in this World, q.d. Séeing thou handlest mée so sharpely, let mée at the least knowe howe long I haue yet to liue, and indure this payne? But this prayer was not good, because he required to know that whiche the Lorde had kepte close in his owne counsell.] Verse 5. My dayes [ i. the dayes 5 of my lyfe] as an hande breadth [ i. very short, as a measure of foure fingers broade] yea myne age [ i. the tyme of my life] as nothing [vnderstande, is, or else, thou hast made it as nothing] in respecte of thée [ i. if it be compa­red with thée, that arte altogether eternall, in whose sight a thousand yeares are but as one daye: sée Psalme 90.4. 2. Peter 3.8.) in his best state ( i. that hée eyther canne bée in or imagine himselfe to bée in touching this life) altoge­ther vanitie ( i. nothing else but vayne, brittle, and transitorye.) Verse 6. 6 Man ( i. hée and his whole life) walketh in a shadowe ( i. hath his con­uersation in this life quicklye to passe awaye, as a shadowe doeth, mea­ning that there is nothing founde in mans life certayne, and that hée hath nothing but a vayne shewe) disquieteth himselfe ( vz. by heaping and get­ting vp goods) in vayne ( i. without cause, the reason followeth in this verse, because he knoweth not who shall be his heire) shall gather, or rather receaue them ( vz. from him, when hée shall departe from them.) Verse 7. 7 And nowe [ q.d. Séeing that all men are so vayne, whome shoulde I trust in, or whome doe I hope in but in thée alone.] Verse 8. A rebuke ( vz. 8 by suffering myne afflictions to preuayle vppon mée) vnto the Foolishe, ( i. Wicked men, as Psalme 14.1.) Verse 9. I shoulde haue bene or make, &c. 9 ( q.d. In stéede of reasoning & disputing the matter with thée, as ver. 4. I should haue bin silent towards thée, as I was towards others, ver. 2. of this Psal.) be­cause thou diddest it (This is a reason, why hee shoulde haue borne his [Page 92] 10 afflictions patientle.) ver. 10. Thy plague ( i. the punishmente and scourge that thou hast layde vpon me) consumed ( i. as it were brought to nothing) by y e stroke of thine hand [ i. by the punishment and affliction which by thy power thou hast 11 striken me withall.) Ver. 11. With rebukes ( i. plagues and punishments procée­ding from thy wrath, which are called rebukes, because that the Lord by them doth as it were rebuke them for their euill) for iniquitie ( vz. committed eyther directly or indirectly against thy maiesty, and by these termes, he meaneth not only sinne, but a iust and full punishment, such as sinne deserueth) as a Moth (these wordes may haue a double sence, eyther that God shoulde consume the wicked, as mothes doe precious garments, which best agréeth with this tran­slation: or else that the beautie of all other excellent thinges in the vngodlye, should be destroyed thorow Gods iudgements as Mothes, in killing of whom there néedeth no great strength, as Iob 4.19. and this agréeth with Immanuel 12 who turneth this verse far otherwise) Ver. 12. At my teares ( q.d. Let my teares mingled with my prayers, moue thée to pitie me) for I am a straunger (ano­ther reason brought to moue God to mercy, taken from his miserable estate, sée 1. Chron. 29.5. Psal. 119.19. where you shall haue almost the same wordes (as all my Fathers (he meaneth of the faythfull and godly: The sence of this verse is, q.d. Hearken O Lord vnto my prayers by which I pray thée, that I may be deliuered from this great gréefe wherein I am: I aske this at thy hands, not that I am very desirous of this life, but because I féele my selfe vnable of my selfe to abide such torments: for I am with thée, or before thée, or thou being witnesse of the matter, a straunger on the earth, neither doe I acknowledge my countrie to be here, wherein I follow my Fathers Abraham, Isaac, Iaakob, &c. who because they tended towards thée, were not taken with this Worlde, wherein they were conuersant, but vsed themselues as straungers in another 13 countrie, hauing alwayes a minde to their home) Ver. 13. From me ( i. from pla­guing me so gréeuously) my strength ( vz. decayed, and as it were consumed thorow gréefe and vexation) before I go hence ( vz. out of this world, meaning before I dye) and be not ( vz. aliue here on the earth amongst men.

Do. Ver. 1. It is good to striue to the brideling of our spéech, speciallye in the pre­sence of the wicked, who will insult ouer vs, if we slippe in our wordes. Ver. 2. It is a hard matter to abstaine from extremities, for if we are not too muche giuen to babling, we be ouerflow tongued to good thinges. Ver. 3. Impaciencye must be fought vgainst. ver. 4. Curiositie striuing to know that which doth not appertain to vs must be brideled. ver. 5.6. Describe y e vanity & shortnes of mans life, and the vncertainty of his actions. ver. 7. God only is to be trusted vnto. Ver. 8. Prayer for deliueraunce from sinne, & punishments due thereto, would be often made. Ver. 9. We should be well content with whatsoeuer God doeth. Ver. 10. We are not able to indure the least of Gods punishments. ver. 11. Set­teth out two things: Gods iustice in correcting: and mans sinne that pulleth correction and punishment from God, Ver. 12. God in tyme of greatest afflic­tion must be most earnestly and hartily called vpon. Ver, 13. If God with-holde [Page 93] not his wrath, we shall all be consumed for our sinnes.

Psalme 40.

THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts. Di. In the first the Pro­phet 1 declareth what great mercies the Lord had shewed to him, and what he will doe for them that trust in him, from verse 1. to the end of the fourth. In the second he sheweth the infinitenesse 2 of Gods workes, and his owne readinesse to serue the Lorde, shewing howe he had published Gods goodnes and mercy: from ver. 5. to the end of the tenth. In the third part he prayeth for his owne deliueraunce: wi­shing 3 also as the ouerthrow of the vngodly, so the prosperity of the good, and faithful ones, from ver. 11. to the end of the Chapter.

The title is expounded before. ver. 1. For the Lord ( i. for him, Se. and for help frō him) inclined to me ( i. shewed himself fauourable, as they do that bow towards 1 one. Ver. 2. Horrible pit ( i. pit, full of feare and horror, meaning by that spéech 2 most fearefull and great daungers) mirie clay (by these wordes he noteth both the greatnesse of his daunger, and the continuance therein, by the name claye, which is both weighty and also wil cleaue fast to, sée Psalme 69.2.) Set my féete vpon the Rock ( i. hath placed me where I may be safe from al iniurie, meaning a most safe place) ordered my goings ( vz. in such sorte, that I am sure from stumbling or falling.) Verse 3. Hath put into my mouth ( i. hath giuen mee an 3 occasion) a new song of praise ( i. newly to sing a song of praise vnto him, or take new song for a singular and exquisite song, sée Psalme 33.3. Many shall sée it ( i. many shall know the benefites that God hath bestowed on me) and feare ( vz. 4 God the giuer thereof.] Ver. 4. Maketh the Lord his trust [ i. that trusteth in him] regardeth not [ i. maketh little or no account of, sée Psalme 15.4. as tho­row their force to be brought to feare them more then God] the proude [ vz. those that boast themselues of the things they haue] turne aside [ vz. from the truth] to lies [ i. lying imaginations as before Psalme 4.2.] Verse 5. He ascry­beth 5 to Gods workes not only wonderfulnes, but innumerablenesse in respecte of man] count in order [no nor yet out of order, because they are incomprehen­sible and infinit] to thée [ vz. or before thée, that art the only dealer therein] thy thoughts [this the Prophet attributeth to God, that thereby he might y e more easily set out Gods wonderfull affection and loue towardes vs and ouer vs.] Ver. 6. Sacrifice and offring [betwéene these two words I make this diffe­rence, 6 that Sacrifice respecteth sinne offrings, and the other voluntarye and fréewill offrings, meaning by these two all other kinds whatsoeuer] thou did­dest not desire [ vz. in respect of obedience, as 1. Samuel 15.22. for otherwise God regardeth them as parts and péeces of his seruice which he himselfe pre­scribed, but when hipocrites by cold ceremonies would thinke to appease god, without true godlinesse, then doth the Lord reiect them, as Psalme 50.8.9. &c.] [Page 94] for mine eares hast thou prepared [or as Immanuel readeth, hast thou boare [...] through. If you take the Geneua Text, there the note is good, if you followe Immanuel, then he meaneth acceptation and taking of him to be his faithfull 7 seruaunt: this is applyed to Christ Heb. 10.5.] Verse 7. Then sayde I: lo, I come [ vz. readilye and willingly, when I vnderstoode thy will] in the roales of thy booke [ i. in the law, and this he speaketh according to the Iewes both in time heretofore and at this day, who writ in parchment or paper, and after­wardes role them vp, because they will longer last roaled then folded] writ­ten 8 of mee [ i. concerning mée.] Verse 8. Thy Lawe is within my harte [ i. I doe earnestlye, and from the bottome of my hart, reuerence, imbrace, and 9 loue thy lawe, sée Philip. 1.8.] Verse 9. Thy righteousnesse [ i. howe iust and good thou art, in the performaunce of thy promises.] Refrayne my lippes [ vz. from declaring that] O Lord thou knowest [ vz. that this is true that I speake 10 and that I vtter it from my hart.] Verse 10. Is verye well expounded in the 11 Geneua note.] Verse 11. He beséecheth the Lord to shewe his mercye and truth towards him, and to make him by effects to féele the same.] Verse 12. Con­teyneth 12 a reason why the Lord should shew him mercy, because hee is in suche great affliction] haue compassed mée [ vz. on euery side, within and with­out] my sinnes [ i. both my sinnes, and the punishmentes that lye vppon mée for the same, sée Psalme 32.4. Psalme 38.2.3.4.] and hée meaneth by that whiche followeth, that they pressed him so downe, that hée was not able to lift vp his heade, or as a man woulde saye to beholde the Heauens] then the heares of myne heade [ i. they are innumerable] my harte [ i. my courage, witte, counsell, &c. hath fayled me [ i. hath hene as it were consumed, vz. by 13 earnest thinking vppon them.] Verse 13. Let it please thée [Hée flieth to 14 Gods good will, sée Psalme 38.21.22. Ver. 14. Let them bée, &c. Sée Psalme 15 35. (4. and 26.) where you haue almost the same words.] Verse 15. For a re­warde [ i. as a méete and iust punishmente] of their shame [ i. of their filthye and shamefull life, sée Psalme 28.4.] Aha, Aha, [sée Psalme 35.21.] Verse 16 16. That séeke thée [ vz. with a sincere and vprighte harte, and that to serue thée] in thee [ i. for thée, and for the gracious deliueraunces that thou be­stowest vppon them] that loue thy saluation [ i. like and reioyce in thy sa­uing health and deliueraunces] saye alwayes [ i. haue alwayes an occasion to say] the Lorde be praysed [ vz. for the continuall mercy and goodnes, which hée 17 hath shewed vnto vs.] Ver. 17. Though I be poore and néedy [ i. destitute of all mans ayde] thinketh on me [ vz. to doe me good, or else prouideth for me, & my matters] thou art my helper and my deliuerer [ q.d. I néed not be proud, when I doe any thing well, for I doe it by thy helpe who art wont to deliuer me from troubles.

Do. Ver. 1. Patient abiding the Lords leasure is neuer vnrecompenced. Ver. 2. God sheweth himself then most nigh to his children, when they are in the grea­test daunger. Verse. 3. By graces bestowed vppon his children, GOD deli­uereth two doctrines, the one, that those that haue receiued them shoulde prayse [Page 95] him, the other that those that haue not receiued them, should learne thereby to reuerence him, and put their trust in the truth of his promises. Verse 4. GOD onely must be trusted vnto, as for proude and deceitfull persons they are to be abhorred. Verse 5. Gods workes are past our reache. Verse 6. God preferreth obedience, speciallye in the harte, before outwarde Ceremonies. Verse 7. Teacheth vs chearefully when wée knowe Gods worde, to obaye the same. Verse 8. Teacheth vs to reuerence the law and worde of God aboue all. Verse 9.10. To set forth Gods goodnesse, righteousnesse, & truth, to the vt­termost of our powers. Ver. 11. Continually to pray for the féeling of Gods mercy and truth. Verse 12. Describeth the gréeuousnesse of sinne, and the hor­rible effectes of the same. Verse 13.14.15.16. We learne to make prayer as for our selues, so for others, and yet withall to pray against the malicious and ob­stinate enimies of Gods truth. Verse 17. God reiecteth none for his pouerty or néede, but the more he is in distresse, the readier is the Lord to helpe him, if hée be his.

Psalme 41.

THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts. Di. Firste Dauid 1 declareth what good estate they are in, that pitie the afflicted and néedye in their calamities and distresse, from verse 1. to the end of the fourth. In the seconde hee describeth the mis­chieuous 2 mindes of his enimies agaynst him, and the practi­ses of his counterfeyted friends, from verse 5. to the ende of the ninth. In the third he prayeth vnto the Lord for deliueraunce, and assuring 3 as it were himselfe thereof, he concludeth with thankesgiuing, from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme.

The Title is expounded before. Verse 2. Se. Kéepe him [ vz. from y e violēce and rage of his enemies] preserue him aliue [ vz. euen here vppon the earth 2 from many daungers) hee shall bee blessed vppon the earth ( i. hée shall haue abundaunce of blessinges powred forth vpon him in this life) and thou ( vz. O God, a sodayne chaunge of the person) vnto the will ( vz. that they shoulde doe with him what they list, sée Psalme 27.12.) Ver. 3. Vpon the bed of sorrowe 3 [ i. when being sorrowful and gréeued hee doth for verye weakenesse kéepe his bedde: putting the place wherevpon the heauy harted partye lyeth, for the partie himselfe, and his wonderfull gréefe) thou hast turned (a chaunge of the person as before ver. 2. & of the time, by turning he meaneth changed) all his bedde ( i. all the gréefe hee had vppon his bedde) in his sicknesse ( i. in the time of his sicknesse. The Prophet meaneth y t God either had or would) for the Prophets vse to speake sundry times of things y t are to come, as though they were alredy done) restore him from sicknes to health, & from gréefe of mynde and body to soūdnes both of body & soule.) ver. 4. Therfore I sayd ( vz. because I saw thy goodnes towards others) my soule ( i. me my self both in body & soule, [Page 96] 5 a part for the whole.] Verse. 5. Speake euill of mee [ i. Wish euill to me, as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse, They desired his death] and his name [ i. not only his glory, but his remembraunce] perish [ vz. from a­mongst 6 men.] Verse 6. He come [a sodain chaunge of the number, putting one eyther for some excellent one amongest them, or for many] to sée me [ vz. when I am sicke] he speaketh lyes [because he hath one thing in his mouth, and ano­ther thing in his hart, see Psalme 35.15.] his hart heapeth iniquitie within him [ i. he carrieth an innumerable number of mischiefs in his hart againste mée, which he declareth to his mates so soone as he is departed from me, and labo­reth to put the same in execution] commeth forth [ vz. from the place where he 7 had bin with me] he telleth it [ vz. to his companions.] Verse 7. Whisper to­gether [ i. hold their secret counsels and conspire against me, for by whispering he meaneth their secret spéeches and practises] myne hurt [ i. the hurt they 8 will doe me.] Ver. 8. A mischiefe [ i. some great affliction, punishment, or dis­ease sent from God (which his enemies called a mischiefe prophanelye, as pro­phane men sometimes call it vengeaunce, Acts 28.4.) hath light vpon him and taken such hold, that he that lieth [ vz. gréeuously sicke vpon his bed, and in it] shall no more rise [ vz. out of his bed, because they supposed hee shoulde dye of 9 that disease.] Ver. 9. My familiar friend [this may be vnderstood eyther of Ab­solon or Achitophel, as 2. Sam. 15. or some other trustye one] which did eate of my bread [ i. that came to my table, and did eate of the best vittails I had there) hath lifted vp the héele agaynst me [by héele we vnderstande the whole man, a part being put for the whole. The meaning of the Prophet is, that not onelye he, whosoeuer he was, did set himselfe against him, but that also hee did it de­spightfully and contemptuously: for to lift vp the héele or foote, to the ende to trample vnder féete or to spurne, argueth contempt, despight, and crueltye. 10 This by our Sauiour is applyed to Iudas, Iohn 13.18.] Verse 10. Rayse me vp [ vz. to my former strength and glory) so shal I reward them ( vz. according to my kingly calling and office, rendring vnto them that they haue deserued.) 11 Ver. 11. He vseth the present tense for the future which is vsuall also in scrip­ture, because of the certaine perswasion that they haue, that the thing shall bee performed, and therefore, I know, is put for I shall know: and so, doth not tri­umphe, for, shall not triumphe, meaning it of those that be named before, or 12 some such like.) Verse 12. Set me before thy face ( i. hast me not only in continu­all, but in mercifull remembraunce, as those that are continually in the presēce 13 and fauour of Princes.) Ver. 13. Blessed ( i. Praised, so you shal haue this word often vsed in the Psalmes) of Israel (i. of his faythfull people, sée Psalm 14.7.) world without end ( i. for euer and euer.

Do. Ver. 1.2.3. Teache vs to pitie those that are afflicted, and for our better in­couragement therein, the Lord hath set downe certaine promises, whiche hee will performe alwayes vnto vs, so farre forth as he shall sée, to be for his glory and our comfort. Ver. 4. Sinne draweth all iudgements vpō vs, both in soule and body. Ver. 5. The vngodly wish the death of the faythfull. Ver. 6. The vn­godly [Page 97] are full of lying and hipocrisie. Verse 7. They craftily conspire the hurte and destruction of the godly. Ver. 8. They reioyce and clap their hands for ioye in his misery and affliction. Ver. 9. A mans enemies are they of his owne houshold as it were, and it so falleth out many times that where Gods children assure themselues of greatest friendship, there they find least whiche teacheth vs not to hang vpon man. Verse 10. We must flie to the Lord onlye in all our distresses. Ver. 11. Gods deliueraunce of his children, is a testimony of his fa­uour towards them. Verse 12. All our sufficiency to goodnesse, is from God a­loue, and that of his mercy only. Verse 13. God must be continually praysed for his louing kindnesse, and we must alwayes giue a thorow and earnest consente thereto.

Psalme 42.

THis Psalme consisteth of two partes. Di. In the firste the Prophet 1 declareth what great desire he had to serue God among the faythfull, whiche because hée coulde not performe, he shew­eth further into what great heauinesse he fell therefore, from verse 1. to the fifte. In the second he runneth to God pray­ing 2 comfort from him, and labouring by all meanes he coulde to comfort himselfe ouer that heauinesse and sorrow, from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme.

The title, to him that excelleth [this is expounded before Psalme 4. Se. ] a Psalme to giue instruction [this is expounded Psalme 32] committed to the sonnes of Korah [not onely to bée kepte as a treasure, but to bee sung also by that posterity amongest whome it shoulde séeme that one Heman was the chéefe, 1. Chron. 6.33. 1. Chron. 25.5.] Verse 1. Vnder a similitude of the 1 Hart, which by reason of naturall heate, much desireth waters, as appeareth by them that haue written of the nature of them, Dauid setteth oute his ear­nest desire to serue GOD before the Arke] after thée, O GOD [ i. after thy seruice and worship, and after the beholdinge of thy Maiestye, a visi­ble token whereof thou shewest in thy Tabernacle: and the worde of par­ting woulde bée marked, by whiche Dauid sheweth, not onlye the great paynes that hee hadde taken therefore, but euen that that little breath whiche hee had yet lefte, hee imployed that waye.] Verse 2. My soule 2 [ i. I my selfe whollye] thyrsteth [ i. earnestlye desyreth, euen as those that bee almost ouercome with thyrst, wishe for drinke] euen for the liuing God [This terme hée vseth, to put a difference betwéene the God which he meant, and whom he serued, and the dead idols of the Gentiles] before the presence of GOD [hée meaneth by this the Tabernacle where God gaue visible signes of his presence, and not as though hee were or coulde be at anye time out of his sight, sée Psalme 139.7.8. &c.] Verse 3. The Prophet meaneth, that 3 by reason of abundance and continuance of teares that fell from him, he might [Page 98] be sayd to bée fedde as it were therewith, sée Psalme 80.5.] while they [ i. the Enemyes] thy GOD [ vz. in whome heretofore thou diddest trust: this is 4 a moste bitter vpbrayding of the godly.] Verse 4. These thinges [ i. Both the reproches of the enemie, and my frequenting of the Tabernacle with the rest of Gods people.] I poured out my hearte [ i. my courage consumed as it were, and my strength wasted awaye, see Iob 30.16.] hee meaneth in this Verse, that hée was as it were halfe deade, when hee remembred the ene­mies reproches on the one side, and on the other side, the wonderfull plea­sure whiche hée tooke in the holy assemblies, going before them as a Cap­taine or ringleader to the rest] that kéepeth a Feast [ vz. vnto the Lorde, wherein there was great mirth vsed, as maye appeare by sundrye places.] 5 Verse 5. Cast downe [ vz. into doubting and heauinesse] vnquiet within mee [ i. meaning by reason of gréefe] the helpe of his presence [ i. the ayde and deliueraunce] which his presence [ i. his fauour and goodnesse hath gi­uen vs: For so is Gods presence often tymes vsed, and namelye in these 6 Psalmes.] Verse 6. From the Lande of Iorden [i. I being in the Lande of Iorden, whiche is a place very muche distaunt from Ierusalem, where thyne Arke is, or from the place where thou arte serued, so likewise is Hermonim, and the mount Mizar, which some take to be a place vnknowne euen to the Iewes themselues] whatsoeuer it is, this he meaneth, that hee was much greeued, being in a countrie farre from the place where GOD was serued, to thinke that hee was depriued of the assemblyes of his Saynts.] Verse 7 7. One déepe [ i. One greate and gréeuous affliction] calleth another déepe [ i. exhorteth as it were, another to come, that by accesse thereof my afflictions maye growe as it were to infynitenesse, as Psalme 40.12.] by the noyse [ i. in suche manner, and with suche greate noyse, as] thy Water­spoutes [ i. thy Cloudes sende downe the rayne, sée Iob 38.25. and he iustly resembleth the Cloudes to Spoutes, because they both poure downe, and with hold agayne, as it pleaseth God to appoynte and rule] all thy Waues and floudes [ i. great and gréeuous afflictions sent from thée] are gone ouer me [ i. 8 haue in a manner ouerwhelmed me, Psalme 38.4.] Verse 8. Will graunte [ i. graciouslye giue, and make me to féele] the nighte [ vz. of the day before wherein I haue felt his goodnesse] of him [ i. both of him and his prayses, mea­ning that he would prayse him] the God of my life [ i. the author of my life and 9 being: for in him we liue, moue, and haue our being, Acts 17.] Verse 9. My rocke [sée Psal. 18.2.] forgotten me [sée Psalme 13.1.] Verse 10. He noteth what great gréefe he indureth by the vngodlies spéeches. Ver. 11. Is expounded be­fore ver. 5. of this Psalme.

Do. Verse 1.2. Teache what an earnest loue and desire we shoulde haue to serue God in the assemblie of his Saynts. Verse 3. declareth what greate gréefe we shoulde haue to heare GOD reproched, the same doth verse 4. Verse 5. that we should labour to comfort our selues by all the lawfull meanes wée can. Verse 6. and namely by hauing recourse vnto our GOD, who is the [Page 99] God of all comfort, 2. Cor. 1. Verse 7. teacheth two thinges, first that the lat­ter end of one trouble with Gods children is the beginning of an other: se­condly that we should not dispaire vnder the multitude of our afflictions. Ver. 8. We ought to be wel and assuredly perswaded that God will haue mercye on vs. Al the rest is touched before verse 3.5.

Psalme 43.

THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts. Di. In the firste the 1 Prophet prayeth to God, to take the iudgement of his cause into his hand, and to graunt him his fauour, and this is in the thrée first verses. In the second he promiseth thankfulnes 2 to God, for that and other benefits, comforting himself what he could in his troubles, and this is in the two last verses of the Psalme.

This Psalme hath no Title, no more hath Psalme 10. and also Psalme 33. Se. but it séemeth to be written vppon the same occasion that the 42. was, vz. that being driuen out of his Countrie by the violence of his enimies, and wan­ting the vse of Gods exercises, hee prayeth deliueraunce from the one, and restitution to the other. Verse 1. Iudge me [ i. Pronounce sentence 1 agaynst mine enemies, and cleare me] deceitfull and wicked man [ i. it may be that he meaneth Saule as the chéefe, but I rather take it to bée the singu­lar number put for the plurall, or else one moste notorious, put for all the rest of the vngodly: sée for the more cleare exposition of this verse, 1. Sa­muel 24.9.10. and so foorth to the ende.] Verse 2. The GOD of my 2 strength [ i. thou art he from whome I haue receaued all the strength I haue, and by that strength and power that thou haste giuen mée, haste deliuered mee hitherto from all daungers] Why haste thou put me awaye [ vz. from thée, hee expressed this Psalme 42.9. in these wordes: Why haste thou forgotten mee? Thus fleshe and blood debateth the matter with GOD, when they are left some small time in affliction] Why goe I so, &c. [These wordes are worde for worde, Psalme 42.9. He meaneth, that notwithstan­ding the enemie did wonderfully trouble him, yet hee shoulde haue raysed vp himselfe, in the hope and comfort that he had or might haue, in the GOD of his strength.] Verse 3. Sende [ vz. to mée] thy light [ i. thy gracious 3 fauour] and thy truth [ i. Faythfulnesse, and true performing of that whiche hée had promised, q.d. of thy fauour and goodnesse helpe them that are oppressed, and by that succoure sente them from thée, make them to féele the truth of thy promises] lette them [ i. thy lighte and thy truth] leade mée [ vz. to the apprehension of thy goodnesse and mercye] and lette them bring mee vnto thy holye Mountayne [ vz. where thy Arke is, whiche was then Kiriath Iearim, a Towne set vppon a Mountayne, as it shoulde séeme, 1. Samuell 6.21.] and to thy Tabernacles [ i. to all the places where the [Page 100] shall bee pitched for thy Arke, for the temple was not builded till the raigne of his sonne Salomon. Now the Arke was sometimes at Shiloh 1. Sa­muel 1.3. Sometimes at Kiriath Iearim as 1. Samuel 6.21. Sometymes at Nob, 1. Samuel 21.6.7. Sometimes at Gibion, 1. Kings 3.4. 2. Chron. 1.3. and this is the reason, why it is called here, and in other places of the Psalmes, as Psalme 84.1. Tabernacles in the plurall number, vz. because 4 it was sette vp, at sundrye times in sundrye places.] Verse 4. Then [ i. When this shall be graunted mee from GOD] I will goe [ vz with Sa­crifices and offerings] vnto the altar of God [ vz. that I may offer them there­on, in these wordes he promiseth, a willing, frée, and thankfull seruice vnto God] the God of my ioy and gladnesse [ i. hee that is the Author thereof, as verse 2. of this Psalme, hee is called the GOD of his strength: and by doubling the wordes, ioye and gladnesse, which meane all one thing, he mea­neth the wonderfull greate and excéedinge ioye that GOD eyther had, or would giue him] vppon the Harpe [hee addeth this Instrumente, to bée as it were a testimonye outwarde, of his thankfulnesse, sée Psalme 5 33.2.] Verse 5. Is expounded before, Psalme 42.5.12. Hee is my presente helpe [ i. ready at all assayes to helpe me, and to giue mée wonderfull deliue­raunces.

Do. Verse 1. We maye at Gods handes by prayer begge, defence against, and deliueraunce from cruell, subtill, and wicked persons. Verse 2. It is good, the more the enemy rageth to cheare our selues in God. Ver. 3. The féeling of Gods fauoure and the truth of his promises, two notable poyntes to comfort vs in all our distresses: also wée must haue an earnest desire to the holye and publique assemblies of GOD. Verse 4. Thankfulnesse both inwardlye and outward­lye, would be rendred to God for his mercies bestowed vpon vs. Verse 5. It is good for vs to comfort our selues in our afflictions, and patiently to tarrye the Lordes leasure, who wil neuer fayle vs, if we hang wholy and stedfastly vp­on him.

Psalme. 44.

Di. THis Psalme maye bée deuided into thrée partes. In the firste 1 the faythfull declare, what greate workes GOD in good­nesse had done, for their forefathers and them, from the firste 2 verse to the ende of the eyght. In the second they shewe, howe that GOD, as it were hauing forgotten himself, had left them in moste miserable case to their enimies, from the ninth verse to the ende of 3 the sixtéenth. In the thirde, they shewe that for all their miseries they forgate not God, and therefore pray, and that earnestly for succour and reléefe from him, from verse 17. to the end of the Psalme.

The Title is expounded before, Psalme 42. The author of this Psalme is vnknowne, and the tyme to as of certaintye, wherein it shoulde bée written [Page 101] notwithstanding there is some probable appearaunce, eyther after the re­turne of the people oute of Babilon, or else in the time of their exyle. Verse 1. 1 Hearde with our eares [ i. assuredly and certaynly hearde] our Fathers [ i. our Auncestors] haue told vs [ vz. both by wordes and writing] in their dayes [ i. in the times wherein they liued] in the old time [ i. euen long agoe, that the people might the more moue God, to comfort them in their miserie, they rec­kon vp his greate goodnesse shewed vnto their forefathers.] Ver. 2. Driuen out 2 [ vz. of the land which they possessed and inhabited] with thine hand [ i. by thy power and might, as sundry times in the booke of Psalmes] planted them [ i. surely set, and as it were rooted them] to growe [ i. to multiplye and to in­crease wonderfully.] Verse 3. Inherited not [ i. atteyned not to the inheritaunce 3 or possession of the land] by their owne sworde [ i. by the weapons and armour whiche they had] their own arme [ i. their owne power and strength] saue them [ i. deliuer them from daunger and distresses] but thy right hand, & thyne arme [ i. thy strength, might, and power only] and the light of thy counte­naunce [ i. thy moste mercifull fauour and presence, in whiche thou wentest before them, and shewest thy selfe fauourable vnto them, Sée for the proofe of this Exodus 15.13. Ieoshu 24.12.13. &c.] Verse 4. Thou art my King 4 [these are the wordes of the people, that thorow Gods goodnesse inhabited the Lande of promise: and they saye, My King, because all the faythfull were but as one man] vnto Iaakob [ i. vnto the Israelites that came of Iaakob, the Father of the Nation, for the Nation it selfe, sée Psalme 14.7.] Verse 5. 5 Thorow thée [ i. the might and strength that thou hast giuen vs] haue wée thrust backe [ vz. as Beastes doe with their hornes, for suche a worde hée v­seth in this place, sée Deutronom. 33.17. they meane that they had beaten backe and ouerthrowne those that assaulted them) by thy name ( i. by thy ver­tue, power, and grace, as Psalm 20.1.) haue we troden down ( vz. vnder our féet, noting by this spéech both the weakenesse of their aduersaries, & the ouerthrow that they gaue them, despising them also as dust vnder their féete.) Verse 6. 6 By Bowe and Sworde, he meaneth all maner Weapons and warlike In­strumentes whatsoeuer) and by sauing (he meaneth deliuering from daun­gers, speaking vnder the person of one (because all the faythfull are but one body) in the name of all the rest.) Verse 7. Saued vs ( i. set vs frée, and de­liuered 7 vs, marke the sodayne chaunging of the number) from our Aduer­saries ( i. from all their force and subtile practises) and haste put them to confusion ( vz. in defending vs, and in ouerthrowing them.) Verse 8. 8 will confesse ( i. thanke, as often in these Psalmes and Luke 10.21.) thy name (sée verse seuen of this Psalme.) Verse 9. Farre off ( vz. from hel­ping 9 vs) puttest vs to confusion ( i. makest vs ashamed, and that before thyne and our enemyes, because thou doest not helpe vs) and goest not foorth ( vz to battayle, fighting for vs, as thou was wonte to doe: and giuing vs victorie ouer all our enemies.) Verse 10. To turne backe ( i. thorow faynt hartednesse, to flée before him) spoyle ( vz. vs, and oure substaunce) Verse 11. 10 [Page 102] Thou giuest vs [ vz. ouer to the rage and crueltye of oure enimyes,] as Shéepe to bee eaten [ i. whiche shoulde bee presentlye killed, and pre­sentlye deuoured, vnder whiche similitude, they set out the greate daunger and extreamitye they were in] and doest scatter vs among the Heathen [this was an other punishmente, and that verye gréeuous to bee a­mongest a people, among whome GOD was blasphemed, and they 12 themselues to wante the exercises of Gods Religion.] Verse 12. Thou sellest thy people [by this manner of spéeche they mynde to declare, that GOD had them not in that estimation and regarde that hée had their fore­fathers: q.d. We are vile and despised in thyne eyes, because wee are solde to the enemyes on euerye side of vs, for a little or nothing, neither 13 yet arte thou thy selfe inriched by the sale of vs.] Verse 13. They meane, that GOD had giuen them ouer to their neighbours to bee mocked, and scorned, by all the meanes the vngodlye coulde deuyse, as by ieasling spée­ches, laughing countenaunces, and gestures that fauoured of scoffing.] 14 Verse 14. A Prouerbe [ i. a common by-worde, meaning that they and their name, were in greate reproche amonge the Gentiles, and they had them continuallye in their mouthes, so that their common sentences and spéeches, were not more rife in their mouthes, than the calamitye and myse­rie 15 of the Iewes] and a nodding of the heade [ i. a continuall skoffe and mocking stocke as it were, sée Psalme 22, 7. 2. Kings 19, 21.] Verse 1. My confusion, [marke the sodayne chaunging of the number, sée for this pur­pose also Verse 6. of this Psalme] is daylye before mee [ i. I euery day or con­tinuallye beholde, and therefore can hardlye forget the confusion and shame that lyeth vppon vs] the shame of my face [ i. the shame wherewith my face is, as it were, ouercouered, hath wroughte this effecte, that I am asha­med, 16 or for shame I dare not looke vp.] Verse 16. This verse hangeth vppon the former, thus: q.d. I am altogether ashamed, by reason of the op­probrious spéeches of the enemyes] for the voyce [ i. for the wordes whiche they that slaunder vs and rebuke vs, vtter agaynste GOD and vs] and auenger [ vz. of themselues, and their owne causes, meaning there­by the crueltye and bloodinesse of these men: and this is to bee noted, that they speake of all their enimies vnder the name of one, and in the sin­gular 17 number, meaning notwithstanding all whatsoeuer.] Verse 17. They declare that by no troubles, they coulde bee drawne awaye from trust in GOD, and from that trueth of his Religion, whiche they had imbraced] yet doe wée not forget thée [ vz. as those that make little ac­counte of thée and thy Religion] neyther deale wée falslye concerning thy couenaunt [ vz. made with vs, they meane that they had indeauoured to the 18 vttermost of their powers, to abstayne from the breache thereof.] Verse 18. They declare what it is to breake Gods couenaunt: vz. in affection of minde to turne away from him, for that they meane by hart, or in action or conuer­sation openlye to violate, vnderstanding by steppes, outwarde behauiour, and [Page 103] by Gods pathes, the wayes, wordes, and law which hee hath appoynted them to walke in, euen as it were a path beaten way.] Verse 19. Thou hast smit­ten 19 vs downe [ i. cast vs downe as it were with a blowe. Marke howe hée ascribeth this to GOD, because the Chaldeans or other their enimyes, whosoeuer they were, coulde doe nothing withoute him] into the place of Dragons [ i. into desolate and solitarie places, for they delight to dwel there, or else into countries, the inhabitantes whereof are no lesse cruell then Dra­gons: or as Immanuel readeth, into the place of Whales, i. into the moste déepe Sea: whatsoeuer it is, they meane, that they were caste into moste horrible and gréeuous daungers] and couered vs [ i. ouerwhelmed vs] with the shadowe of death [ i. with moste manifest daungers, which séeme to bring nothing but death with them, sée Psalme 23.4.] Verse 20. If wee 20 haue forgotten [ i. made little account of, or nothing at all regarded, as verse seuentéene of this Psalme] the name of our GOD [ i. his glorye, ho­nour, worship and Religion] and holden vp our handes [ i. by prayer and supplication soughte helpe of anye other than of the true GOD, whom we worship, they vse the signe of one that worshippeth and séeketh helpe, for the thing it selfe] to a straunge God [ i. to an Idoll, eyther one or manye, nowe this verse is ended in the nexte verse.] Verse 21. Searche this out [ q.d. It 21 could not be but he would, and addeth a reason as a proofe thereof, because hée seeth, knoweth, and vnderstandeth euen the very secrete thoughtes and ima­ginations of our heartes.] Verse 22. For thy sake [ i. for thy causes, as the 22 vse of thy worde, the exercise of thy religion, &c.] are wée slayne [ vz. thorowe the crueltie of the enemyes, wée yet notwithstanding willingly and cheareful­ly bearing the same] as shéepe [ vz appoynted or made readie for the slaugh­ter.] Verse 23. Vp, why sléepest thou [in these verses following, they 23 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 24 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 25 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. 26 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 [Page 104] 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 1 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 2 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 [Page 105] 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 1 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 shalbe 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 2 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 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 thus, and in thy 4 glory, ride prosperously, because of the word of trueth, &c.] in thy glory [ i. be­ing thus established and set vp] ride prosperously [ i. feare not to attempt good and holy things] because of the word of truth [ i. because the matter of trueth, yea all trueth it selfe requireth this of thee: and hee vnderstandeth by these thrée termes, three seuerall things that ought to bee in kinges: by trueth, he meaneth faithfull dealing: by meekenes, milde and curteous behauiour: and by righteousnes, vpright execution of those thinges that concerne either the maintenance of good, or the punishmēt of vice: & if we take it as it is read in the Geneua text, hee séemeth then to resemble these vertues to chariotes of tri­umph, vpon which kings were wont to bee carried, specially after some great victories gotten: and he speaketh of these vertues, because that iust & vpright gouernement, and not outragious and violent, giueth credit and authoritie to princes.] So thy right hand [ i. thy power and might, because that [in that [Page 106] hand it most consisteth] shall teach thée [ i. shall inable thée to performe, as those that teach others, make them able. [Terrible thinges [ i. such thinges as shal strike a terrour and feare of thee into the heartes of thine enemies, and a lo­uing 5 reuerence into the hearte of thy friendes and subiects.] Ver. 5. Thine ar­rowes are sharpe [ i. the instruments and meanes that thou hast to vse against thy enemies are persing, yea so persing, that] the heart [ i. the closest part, yea the strongest, euen that wherein life consisteth, shalbe pearced thereby] of the kinges enemies [marke the chaunge of the person, meaning thereby thy ene­mies which art the king] shall fall vnder thee [ i. shall come into thy power and subiection, as men are wont to fall, when they are stricken wish an arrowe so that a man may do with them what he listeth, hee meaneth nothing else, but that Salomon should haue instruments and darts to strike his enemies a farre 6 of, and to constraine them to yeelde to his obedience.] Ver. 6. Thy throne [ i. thy kingdome, for he vseth the throne where the Prince did vse to sit, that go­uerned the kingdome, for the kingdome, rule, dominion, and authority, that the king had.] O God [ Salomon is here called God, as kinges and magistrates are in other places of scripture] for euer and euer [ i. indureth a long season] the scepter of thy kingdome [ i. the rule and authority which was signified by the scepter] is a scepter of righteousnes [ i. is iust, equall and vpright, all this must after this sort be applied to Salomon: but for as much as the Apostle, Heb. 18. doeth apply it to Christ, wee must more largely interpret it: vz. that the holy Ghost meaneth to signifie and to set out vnto vs, not only the continu­ance and durablenes of Christes kingdome, but also the continual vprightnes 7 and equity that shalbe therein.] Ver. 7. Apply this also to Salomon, & Christ, to the one in figure, to the other in trueth] thou louest [ i. allowest, likest of, and performest] righteousnesse [ i. vpright dealing and equity] and hatest [ i. canst not at any hand away with] wickednes [ i. any manner of sinne whatsoeuer: he sheweth wherein vprightnes consisteth, vz. in the maintenance of equity and in the sharpe punishment of iniquity] hath annoynted thee [the Prophet spea­keth after the manner of those dayes, wherein kinges were annoynted, which was a visible signe of their entrance into the kingdome] with the oyle of glad­nes [ i. with such oyle as made not onely Salomon glad but the people ouer whom he should raigne] aboue thy fellowes [ i. al thy brethren set aside, though they were elder then thou: howe this and other places of this Psalme, haue 8 their verification in Christ shalbe shewed afterwarde in the doctrines. Ver. 8. Hee commendeth Salomon, for the glory of his garments, noting that they were, as it were performed, with Myrrhe, Aloes and Cassia, which were things not only of good fauor, but of great price, because they were set from far countries] iuory palaces [ i. excellent, which the holy Ghost meaneth, both by speaking in the plurall number, and also by calling them, or affirming them to be of iuory, which was excellent and precious, as may appeare Amos 6.4.] Where they [ i. thy people and those that doe thee seruices] haue made thee glad, vz. by the dutifull deedes, cheareful countenances and louing words that [Page 107] they haue declared towards thee.] Ver. 9. Kings daughters [ i. those that issu­ed 9 from kings] were among thine honourable wiues [ i. were come vnto thee among the rest, all which thou diddest honourably vse, and apparel sumptuous­ly] of gold of Ophir [ i. most fine and pure gold, sée Iob. 28. ver. 16.] Ver. 10. Hée 10 admonished Pharao his daughter, who was Salomons chiefe wife, & by mari­age newly ingraffed into the body of the church, willingly to hearken to Gods worde and quite and cleane to forget all carnall thinges whatsoeuer. Marke the wordes of this admonition, first hearing, then considering of that which is heard, and lastly imbracing of that which is hearde, ment by inclining of the eare: and shee is called daughter, not in respect of her husbande, but in respect shee was become nowe a scholleresse [as a man woulde say in Gods Church, as some were called children before, Psal. 34.10. And by people and Fathers house, he meaneth her owne country, and all the pleasures therein, as friendes kinred, and whatsoeuer else she might be delighted in.] Ver. 11. So shall the 11 king &c. [ i. if thou doest this, vz. imbrace the religion that hee shall teach thee, thou shalt bee most acceptable vnto him and hee shall loue thée most tenderly] for he is thy Lord [ i. thy head and gouernour, as 1. Corinth. 11.3.] Reuerence thou him [ q.d. therefore it beseemeth thee to yéelde him all the obedience due to him.] Ver. 12. Daughter of Tyrus [i. the citie Tyrus, putting the place for the 12 people inhabiting the same, sée Psal. 9.14.] With the rich of the people [q.d. e­uen the richest, and not the meanest only] shal doe homage before thy face with presentes [ i. shall in token of homage and as though they were subiects bring openly presents vnto thée.] Ver. 13. Kings daughter [shee is so called, not as 13 though shee were not his wife, but because hee did as it were beget her vnto God] is all glorious within [ vz. in the kings pallace, where shee remaineth fa­miliarly with the king] her clothing is of broidered gold [ i. is most precious and costly.] Ver. 14. She shalbe brought vnto the King [the Prophet alludeth to the 14 manner in these daies, vz. that Quéenes might not come when they woulde to the king, but when they were sent for, Hest. 4.11. Hest. 5.2.] In rayment of née­dle worke [which is very deare and precious: by this variety of apparell, the Prrphet mindeth to set out the sumptuousnes of the king, & his wife] by that which followeth after, the Prophet meaneth that she shall come with a great number of handmaydes wayting vppon her, which séemeth also to set out her glory: and these handmaydes are called her companions, not because they were her equals, but because they were continually in her company, as it were.] Ver. 15. He sheweth after what sort this glorious troupe shal come, vz. with ioy 15 & gladnes [ i. with al mirth that possible may be, see Psal. 43.4.] Ver. 16. In stéed 16 of thy fathers [ i. thy auncesters. q.d. there is no cause why thou shouldest think vpon them] for thou shalt haue multitudes of children, and thy posterity shalbe wonderfully inlarged, yea aduanced to great and wonderfull honour, for that meaneth hée by making them Princes, throughout all the earth, meaning by earth, the land of Iudah, which promise was not fulfilled in Salomon and his séede, not because God was not able, but because the couenants and condi­tions [Page 108] 17 on his part, and his wiues, were not performed.] Ver. 17. Are the words of the Prophet conteined, wherein he promiseth to publish, and that for a long season, the glory and renowne of Salomon and his kingdome: and that the people shal for a great while, yeeld him prayse, for his peaceable and quiet go­uernement. For so must the word, Many generations world without ende, bee vnderstood, as referred to Salomon. And thus wee sée howe it agréeth to him, nowe let vs gather the doctrines out of it, and sée howe in trueth it agréeth to our Sauiour and his time.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs first to take héed that we vtter nothing, but good things, and secondly to do that willingly and readily, lest wee bee preuented by death, or some other occasion: and thirdly to dispose our selues with all the power we haue, to set foorth holy marriage, specially that which is betwéene Christ, and his Church, of which sée Hoshea. 2.19.20. Ver. 2. Is fulfilled in Christ, not in mans iudgement, as appeareth Isaiah. 53.2.3. But is to bee séene by the eye of faith only, whose glorious beauty and gift of perswasion may appeare, that hee in the ministery of his Apostles, conuerted of all nations vnder the hea­uen some, to imbrace the Gospel: and when it is said that God hath blessed him it must bee vnderstoode in respect of his humanitie, for otherwise in respect of his deity, he is God equal with his father. Ver. 3. Christs sword is spiritual & is in déede Gods word, of which sée Isaiah. 11.4. Heb. 4.12. Reue. 1.16. Where­in also standeth his glory and worshippe, when he is serued according to that, and not as man deuiseth and in this verse Christ is called most mighty, be­cause he hath all power both in heauen and in earth. Math. 28.18. And doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him. Ver. 4. Christ is admonished, in respect of his hu­manitie, to talke vppon him, and to execute his gouernement, séeing hée is so replenished with giftes, and is described like a triumphant conquerour, ami­able and comfortable to his owne people, but terrible and fearefull to rebels, as 2. Corinth. 2.15.16. Ver. 5. Hée describeth Christes weapons, and the muni­tion of his kingdome, which are not carnall, but mighty through God, to cast downe holdes, and imaginations and euery high thing &c. sée 2. Corinth. 10.4.5.6. 6 Ver. 6. Setteth out the euerlastingnes and equity of Christes kingdom, 7 of which sée Heb. 1.8. Ver. 7. First marke one manner of speach, which in the sense I haue omitted, louing one thing and hating another, which kind of re­hearsing by the contraries the Iewes often vse, and hath in it great force, vz. to note the earnestnes and soundnes of loue toward righteousnes and well do­ing, and the sincere hatred of all sinne and corruption. Howe this was verified in Christ wée néede not to stand vppon, God is called Christes God, in respect of his manhood: and Christ in that respect also is said to be annoynted with the oyle of gladnes, because hee had the fulnes of the spirite, so that of his fulnes haue we al receiued, euen grace for grace [ i. abundance of grace, as Ioh, 1.16. And by oile of gladnes is ment, the fulnes and anointing of the spirit, through whom it commeth to passe that the kingdome of God is righteousnes, peace, & ioy in the holy Ghost. Rom. 14.17. And by fellowes, he meaneth not equals, [Page 109] but generally all Christians, who yet notwithstanding through faith are par­takers of his dignitie. Ver. 8. Doth allegorically set out the swéetnes and plea­sure, 8 that is to bee found in our Sauiour, and when hee speaketh of some that haue made him glad, hee meaneth Christians, who are called the friendes of the bridegrome, because they stand and heare him, and reioyce greatly by rea­son of his voyce, Iohn. 3.29. Ver. 9. Is described the glory of the church, which is but one wife, if wee respect it generally, or else many if wee respect ei­ther 9 the seuerall congregations, or the particular members of the seueral con­gregations: as wee say that euery part of a bone broken is a bone, and euery part of earth, is earth, and yet there is but one bone and one earth. Ver. 10. 10 Christ requireth of the Church, faythfulnes in him, and denyall of her selfe. Ver. 11. Hee sheweth what profit shall come to the Church by obedience to Christ. Ver. 12. Setteth out the inlarging of Christes kingdom, by the calling of the Gentiles. Ver. 13. Sheweth that the glory of the Church standeth not in outward shewe and brauery. Ver. 14. Setteth out the glory of the Church ge­nerally, which is amplified by this circumstance, that particular Churches, which the holy ghost resembleth to handmaydes wayting vpon her, shall adorne 15 and beautifie her. Ver. 15. Sheweth the manner howe the faithfull shoulde ap­peare in the presence of God in his assemblies. Ver. 16. Expresseth the won­derfull inlargment of Christes kingdome, which wee haue séene performed, and the great glory that his children shall haue, though not here, yet eternall 17 in the heauens. Ver. 17. Teacheth that the prayses of our Sauiour, who is the onely head of the Church shall continue for euer, and that there shal bee no end of his kingdome, as Luke 1.33. Other good Lessons may here and there be gathered, as ver. 2. that beauty and eloquence are good gifts in a Prince. Ver. 3. That it becommeth a magistrate, to be couragious. Ver. 4. That he should professe and practise, truth, meekenes, and righteousnes. Ver. 8. That sumptu­ousnes in apparell for Princes, is not altogether to bee condemned of Salo­mons apparell: fée what our Sauiour sayth, Matth. 6.29. Ver. 10. That marriage requireth forsaking of all, that the wife may cleaue to the hus­bande, and the husbande to the wife, Gene. 2.24. Ver. 17. That the faithfull generally, and euery one of them particularly, shoulde carefully indeuour to aduance and set foorth the great glory of GOD, and of our Sauiour Christ.

Psalme 46

THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes. Di. In the first the 1 Prophet declareth howe that nothwithstanding the great trou­ble they were in, they were sure they shoulde bee deliuered through Gods goodnes, from ver. 1. to the ende of the 7. In 2 the second hee exhorteth others for their comfort to looke vpon their deliuerance, and to consider Gods power who doth what pleaseth him, from ver. 8. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The inscription vpon Alamoth [which I take to bee the name of an instru­ment, sée 1. Corinth. 15.20.] Ver. 1. Our hope [ i. hee, on whome wee hope, or in whom we trust] and strength, [ i. from whom the strength wee haue cōmeth] and helpe [ i. hee that alone helpeth vs in the time of troubles, & deliuereth vs out of the same] ready to bee found q.d. he is not farre off, neither yet needeth 2 much intreaty. Ver. 2. Will not wee feare [ i. be ouercome with feare] though the earth should be moued [ q.d. if it were possible that the whole world shoulde be turned vpside downe as it were, much lesse would wee feare lesse matters, as warres and such like] mountaines [either vpon the earth, cast through earth­quakes into the Sea, or the mountaines and rockes in the sea, should through the rage of the Sea bee ouertumbled, as in the next verse: by these maner of speaches, shaking of the earth, and mouing of mountaines, hee meaneth most terrible tumults and fearefull things, which might strike wonderful great feare into a man that wanted fayth, but yet by reason of the full and assured 3 hope that they had, shoulde no whit at all dismay them.] Ver. 3. Thereof [ i. of the sea] rage [ i. bee very violent and vehement] and bee troubled [ i. with the rage, séemeth to haue chaunged his colour, by reason of being mingled with dirt, clay, and mire, for so in our spéech we do vse to say, the fountaine is trou­bled] shake, [ vz. with the violence of the waues of the sea, hée meaneth by this manner of speach, in this and the other verse before going, that though all the worlde, and the whole course of nature, shoulde bee as it were turned vpside downe, yet still they will hang vppon the Lorde, being assured of 4 his goodnes and mercy.] Ver. 4. A riuer [hee meaneth no doubt, Gihon or Shiloach, which did flowe to Ierusalem, [whose streames also did fil sometimes the brooke Kidron or Cedren spoken of Iohn 18.1. that compassed some part of the city of Ierusalem] shall make glad [ vz. in the time of their heauines] the Citie of God [ i. Ierusalem, which is so called, because hee was the defender thereof, and was there worshipped] euen the Sanctuary [hée putteth the word sanctuary which was a part of the Arke, for the place where the Arke was, that is Sion, whither the Arke was caried] of the Tabernacles [that is of the whole lande, which is called Tabernacles, because the Arke was pitched in diuers partes of it, before it came to bee placed in Sion, sée Psal. 43. ver. 3.] Of the most high [ i. of God himselfe] all these three verses, vz. 2.3.4. are allegoricall, meaning that though the troubles and hurliburlies were neuer so great yet, Gods fauour (which hee vnderstandeth by riuers and streames, as Psalm. 36.9.) is a sufficient stay to appease their consciences in the middest of them all: and because Gods fauour was no where more plainely shewed then in the Citie of Sion or Ierusalem, and the Arke there 5 placed, hée maketh also speciall mention thereof.] Verse 5. In the middest of it [ vz. of that City, noting by being in the middest of it, his presence. Mat. 18.20. Iohn 20.26. and his ready fauour to helpe it] not bée mooued (therefore much lesse shall it fall, doe the enemies against it what they can) very earely 6 [ i. spéedily and in good time before it be distressed.] Ver. 6. Whē [ i. so soone as] [Page 111] the nations raged [ i. beganne to expresse their fury] and the kingdomes [ i. the people deuided into kingdomes] God thundered [ i. gaue manifest signes and tokens of his wrath and iudgement against them] and the earth [ i. the people dwelling on the earth] melted [ i. consumed away as snowe before the Sunne, or as waxe before the fire: sée Psalm. 68.2.] Ver. 7. The Lord of 7 hostes [sée Psalm. 24.10.] is with vs, [ i. on our side to defend vs] the God of Iacob [i. of the Patriarch and all the people that came of him, towardes whome the Lorde shewed himselfe marueilous mighty and mercifull as in Genesis, Exodus, and other places appeareth] our refuge [ i. the place where­unto we commit our selues, to bée succoured from our aduersaries.] Verse 8. 8 Come and behold &c. [In this place the faithfull exhort all, to looke vppon Gods iudgements, against the vngodly, and his mercy towardes his children, that thereby they may profit in the hatred of euil, and in the loue of weldoing.] Ver. 9. Vnto the endes of the worlde [ i. euen vnto the furthest partes of the 9 worlde, so that there is no part, wherein hée gouerneth not: and by brea­thing, cutting, and burning of the bow, speare, and chariot, they vnderstand, an vtter confounding, and consuming of all warlike instruments whatsoeuer, and of al the deuices and pollicies that can be vsed therein.] Ver. 10. Bee still 10 and knowe &c. [In this verse the faithfull take vppon them, as it were Gods person, and in the same admonish the enemies of the Church, to stay themselues from persecuting it: knowing that in setting themselues a­gainst it, they set themselues against GOD] that I am God [ i. ful of al ma­iesty and might, doing whatsoeuer pleaseth me both in heauen and in earth,] I will bee exalted among the heathen [ vz. whether they will yea or no, be­cause none of them can let mee. Ver. 11. Is expounded before in the seuenth 11 verse.

Ver. 1. In all troubles Gods people must hang vppon God, Do. whose readi­nes to helpe is there also set out. Ver. 2. Noteth the assured perswasion that the faithful haue of God and his goodnes, notwithstanding the great troubles that be in the worlde. Ver. 2.3.6. doe allegorically and in plaine termes also expresse the rage and cruelty of the wicked, and the harde brunts that Gods children must abide at their handes. Ver. 4. Declareth that notwithstanding all hurliburlies God wil comfort his children in such sort as shalbe most for his glory and their good. Ver. 5. God is alwaies present with his children to helpe them in due time. Ver. 7. God is a sure place of refuge for his children to flie to, for hée will neuer put them backe. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to admonish one an other, yea the very wicked: it setteth out also, as likewise the 9. verse doeth, Gods power against his enemies. Ver. 10. None is able to withstand God, and his works, sée ver. 11. sée ver. 7.

Psalme 47

Di. 1 THis Psalme chiefely propoundeth two thinges. The first is an ex­hortation to the faithfull, to shewe themselues thankful vnto God, for the great and wonderfull thinges that hee doth, from ver. 1. to 2 the end of the 4. In the second is a description of Gods great pow­er, maiesty and glory set out to this ende, that the faithfull might learne to trust in him alone, from ver. 5. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title is expounded before Psal. 42. Ver. 1. All people [ i. as well Iewes as Gentile] clappe your handes [ vz. for ioy, as Nahum. 3. ver. 19. Hee putteth the outwarde signe of ioy, for inward and outward ioyfulnes] sing loude vnto God &c. [in this part of the verse the Prophet requireth of the people on the Lordes behalfe, willingnes, chearfulnes, and gladnes, for in all seruices per­formed to him, hee specially regardeth these thinges, as 2, Corinth. 8.12. Ver. 2 2. Is high [ vz. not onely because hee dwelleth in the high heauens, but also be­cause hee hath highest, yea all authoritie] and terrible [ i. fearefull or méete to bee feared, not onely of his children for their good, but of the wicked for their punishments] a great king [ vz. as whose power no creature is able to resist] ouer all the earth [ i. such a king, as to whose authoritie all the quarters & cor­ners 3 of the earth are subiect. Ver. 3. He [ i. God hath subdued [ vz. by his word & spirit] the people [ i. of all the people of the world some] vnder vs, [ i. vnder the exercises of his religion & seruice which wee professe] putting the persons pro­fessing a thing, for the thing professed] vnder our féete [by this maner of speach is ment that y e gentiles shold be schollers, & the Iews scholemasters as it were to them, for to sit vnder the feet, or at the feete, is vsed in scripture, for being a scholler or learning, as Act. 22.3. And not that the Iews had euer such a large 4 Lordship ouer the Gentiles.] Ver. 4. May be the words, as it were both of the Iewes and Gentiles conuerted to Christes kingdome, shewing what graces he hath bestowed vpon them] hee [ q.d. he that knoweth what is better for vs then wee our selues] hath chosen [ i. not onely layd out but also appointed, and that of his owne good will and mercy towards vs] our inheritance [ i. not onely all thinges méete for this life, as landes countries, possessions, &c. but euen all o­ther things that concerne the hope of a better life] euen the glory of Iaakob [ i. euen all these excellent thinges that he gaue and promised to Iaakob wher­in he might glory and reioyce. The faithful meane that they had as great, both abundance and assurance of Gods grace and goodnes, as Iaakob euer had.] 5 Ver. 5. God, [ i. the arke of God which was a true token of Gods presence, and so is the word Lord also vsed, as Psal. 132.5.] Is gone vp [hee speaketh this no doubt in respect of bringing the Arke into the mount Sion of which sée 2. Sam. 6. Throughout the chapter] with triumph [ vz. against the enemies, which also was ioyfull to Gods people] euen the Lord with the sound of the trumpet [this is euen the same that was sayd in the first part of this verse: sauing that [Page 111] here hee addeth the instrument, which many times striketh terrour into the enemies, and addeth courage to the faithful: and by this manner of speach hée meaneth to note out the great glory of the Lord, and of the triumph and victo­ries that our Sauiour gotte, as Colos. 2.15. Ephes. 4.8.] Ver. 6. The foure 6 times repeating of these woordes, sing prayses, hath great force: q.d. let all your care and study tend to this, to prayse the Lorde and his sonne Christ.] Ver. 7. For God [this is a reason, why they shoulde extoll the Lorde] King of 7 all the earth [ i. hath power ouer all, and exerciseth an Vniuersall kingdome, the particulars and the maiesty whereof, hée setteth out in the next verse.] Ver. 8. Holy throne [hée meaneth either the Tabernacle, or else the heauen, 8 for both of these in scripture are called Gods holy throne, because he that had the fulnes of holines in himselfe, gaue manifestation of himselfe from both these places, sée Mat. 5.34. Matth. 23.22. Whatsoeuer it is, or howsoeuer it is to be taken, the Prophets purpose no doubt is to describe God as a iudge, rea­dy to yéelde iustice, both to good and bad, according to their seuerall causes.] 9 Ver. 9. The Princes of the people [ q.d. not onely meane men from among the Gentiles, but euen the mighty] are gathered [ vz. by the mightie woorking of Gods spirit, and the exercises of the word: the Prophet meaneth by this man­ner of speach that the Gentiles should make profession of true godlines as well as Iewes, and he speaketh of it, as though it were already performed, for the certainty of it] people of the God of Abraham [ i. the Iewes, for from Abra­ham they came according to the flesh: And he calleth him the God of Abraham, thereby to distinguish him, from al the false Gods of the Idolatrous gentiles] the shields of the world [ i. the defence and the protections of the whole earth: he vseth shields, which are good meanes of defence, for defence it selfe] belong to God [is his right. q.d. seeing that the worlde is preserued and maintained by God, great cause is there, why men shoulde reuerence, his so great and high maiesty, and therefore he addeth] hee is greatly to bee exalted [ i. feared and praysed.]

Ver. 1. It becommeth all sects of people to praise God: Do. and that willingly and chearefully. Ver. 2. Sheweth that wée ought to praise him for his maiesty and power. Ver. 3. Declareth, that it is God alone that draweth mens heartes to the imbracing of his trueth. Ver. 4. Gods loue is the first and onely cause of all the graces we haue. Ver. 5. Setteth out his maiesty and might. Verse 6. Teacheth how earnest we should be in praising our God. Ver. 7. Sheweth that both our praises, and all the seruices that we shall yéeld to the Lorde, must pro­céede from an vnderstanding heart. Ver. 8. In that God is described as a iudge it conteineth matter of comfort to his children, & of terror to the wicked. Ver. 9. God calleth of all states some to the imbracing of his truth: also God alone, is the defender of the whole world, and of all the peoples therein, and that there­fore he is worthylie to be magnified.

Psalme 48.

Di. 1 THis Psalme may bee diuided into three partes. In the first is conteined a commendation of Gods power and goodnes mani­fested especially to the citie of Ierusalem, from Ver. 1. to the 2 end of the third. In the seconde is declared, that all the conspi­racies, practises, and forces of the wicked against that Citie shalbe ouerthrowne, because God will defend it, from ver. 4. to 3 the end of the 8. In the third: the faithfull set out the assured perswasion that they had of Gods goodnes towardes them, praying for the continuance ther­of, both vppon themselues and the whole Church, from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme.]

Se. The title would bée thus, a song or Psalme, meaning such a Psal. or song, as both by voyce and instruments was sung: the rest is expounded Psal. 42. Ver. 1. Great is the Lorde [ vz. in respect of his power and glory] and greatly to be praysed [ q.d. and therefore no smal prayse doth belong to him] in the ci­tie of our God [ i. in Jerusalem, which is called Gods Citie, because God had giuen speciall tokens of his fauour to that aboue the rest] euen vppon his ho­ly mountaine [hee meaneth mount Sion: which is therefore called holy, be­cause that the Arke being there placed, the most holy God, shewed himselfe 2 present in the same.] Ver. 2. He doth commend mount Sion, for the pleasaunt situation thereof because it stood. Northward, or as you would say on the north side of Ierusalem, as Isaiah. 14.13. We know that places situated Northward, are very holesome by reason of the colde, drie, and cleare aire, that commeth out of that quarter, sée Iob. 37.22.] It is the ioy [ i. it is a place wherein the whole earth shoulde reioyce, because that the doctrine which came out of the same, bringeth saluation to all the worlde, sée Isaiah. 2.3.4.] Mich. 4.1.2. &c. Act. 2. Titus 2.11.] and the Citie of the great king, he calleth Sion the mount where­in the temple was builded, and was a part of the Citie of Ierusalem, the ci­tie it selfe, and by great king, hee meaneth God who is called great, because he hath all greatnes in himselfe, which also serueth to put a difference betwéene 3 him, and earthly kinges, sée Matth. 5.35.] Ver. 3. In the palaces thereof [ i. in the strong bulwarkes and defenced Towres of Ierusalem, which hee calleth pallaces, for the excellency and beauty thereof, because they were not onely strong but also very sightly] is knowne [ i. by tryall taken and had] for a re­fuge [ i. for a place of most assured safety, as who being with them, and on their side, they néeded not care who or howe many were against them.] 4 Verse 4. The kinges [ i. diuers and sundry kinges, as Shishake king of E­gipt. 2. Chron. 12.9. Serah, king of Ethiopia. 2. Chron. 14.9. Sanecherib king of Assiria. Isaiah. chap. 36. and chap. 37. and this circumstaunce maketh mee to thinke that this Psalme was made long after Dauids tyme] were ga­thered [ vz. together with all their forces against this Citie] and went to­gether [Page 113] [ vz. to destroy it, but could not, as followeth, and by this the faith­full comfort themselues, that all the mischieuous imaginations of the wic­ked shall not preuaile against it.] Ver. 5. When they [ i. the enemies with­all 5 their armies and power] sawe it [ q.d. at the bare beholding of the Citie] they marueiled [ vz. at the walles, Bulwarkes, Towres, Ramparts and o­ther munition thereof,] and were astonied [ vz. not onely with the excellency of the thing, but with great feare] and sodainely driuen backe [ vz. for all their great warrelike forces, and powers, they were put to flight, and eue­ry one glad to take them to their héeles as it were.] Verse 6. Feare came 6 vppon them [ i. a very great feare seased them, and tooke holde of them] there [ i. euen as they were before Ierusalem, and as a man woulde say ready to besiege it, this was chiefely verified vppon Sanecherib and his host as appeareth. 2. Kinges 18.24. 2. Kings 19.35. 2. Chronic. 32.1. Reade the places throughout] and sorrowe [ i. griefe and great payne, so that they were not onely afrayde but full of great griefe] as vppon a woman in trauaile [by this similitude the Prophet noteth, first the sodainenes of their sorrow, secondly the increase and continuance of it, as one throwe commeth in an others necke, and thirdly that they shoulde not escape it, no more then a woman can her payne, sée Thessalonians 5.3.] Ver. 7. Hee doeth by an o­ther 7 similitude shewe howe easily God can breake the strongest thinges that men haue: there néedeth no more, but a puffe of winde, to breake the stron­gest shippe] as with an East winde [to this winde the Scripture doeth in sun­dry places ascribe great force and vehemency as Ierem. 18.17.] thou breakest [ vz. in pieces, and makest them to suffer shipwracke] the shippes of Tar­shish [i. goodly tall and strong shippes and hee meaneth by shippes of Tar­shish, not onely shippes appertaining to that Iland, but those that came in to the hauen there, which was made very commodious for them, sée Io­nah. 1.3.] Verse 8. As wee haue hearde [ vz. by our forefathers, Prophets 8 not onely of former deliueraunces, but also that GOD woulde deliuer vs when wee were in daunger] so haue wee séene [ vz. both with our eyes, and by experience also, the same thinges fulfilled] in the Citie of the Lorde of hostes [ i. Hierusalem, why GOD is called the Lorde of hostes, sée Psalm 46.7.] will stablish it [ i. make it firme and sure, and keepe it safe and sounde, from the force of the enemies] for euer [ i. for a very long season, if wee referre it to Hierusalem: but worldes without ende, if wee referre it to Gods Church.] Ver. 9. Wee wayte &c. [ i. wee quietly and pati­ently 9 tarry the tyme, wherein thou wilt make manifest thy grace and good­nes] in the middest of thy temple [this must not bee referred to the peo­ple, as though they had aboad in the middest of the Temple, wayting for Gods kindnes, but to Gods kindnes and goodnes it selfe, which was wont to be manifested and shewed from the propitiatorie, or mercy seat, which was o­uer the Arke of the couenant, and an euident signe of the presence and fa­uour of GOD, and was placed in the middest of the Temple.] Ver. 10. 10 [Page 114] According vnto thy name [ i. as thy power, might, and maiesty is great, and spreadeth it selfe ouer the earth] so is thy praise vnto the worlds end [ i. it is all the world ouer, and shall continue and abyde for euer amongst thine, in what place or quarter of the worlde so euer they bee.] Thy right hand [ i. thy pow­er, and the thinges that by thy power thou doest, for hée putteth the hande wherein power consisteth and by which as by an instrument matters are per­fourmed, for power it selfe, and the thinges done thereby] is full of righ­teousnes [ i. not onely righteous, but frée from suspicion or reprehension of 11 vnrighteousnes.] Ver. 11. Let mount Sion reioyce [this is an exhortation to stirre vp the faithfull to thankefulnes. By mount Sion hée vnderstandeth Ierusalem, as ver. 2. of this Psalme: putting also the place conteining the peo­ple, for the people conteined therein.] Daughters of Iudah [i. other Cities and Townes of that Country, as Psalm. 9.14.] of thy iudgements [ i. which thou hast exercised in defending vs thy people, and punishing thy enemies.] 12 Ver. 12. Compasse about Sion [the writer of the Psalmes prouoketh the ci­tizens of Ierusalem, not onely to consider the strength and situation of their Citie, but also to sée, whether that by the besieging of it, it were any whit weakened, q.d. goe about it, and about it againe, viewe it well, and sée whe­ther there haue beene any breaches made into it] tell the Towers there­of [ vz. to sée whether any bée wanting, defaced or throwne downe.] Ver. 13. Marke well the wall thereof [ vz. no whit at all impayred] behold her towres 13 [euen as beautifull and strong, as they were before the besieging, sée ver. 3. of this Psalm] that ye may tell your posterity [ vz. of this great and wonderfull deliueraunce, as our fathers haue tolde vs, verse 8. of this Psalme, and also Psal. 44. ver. 1.2. &c. and so by that meanes they haue their faith also strengthe­ned 14 in the trueth of Gods promises.] Ver. 14. Is our God [ i. hath declared himselfe so to bée heretofore, and at this present, and will do so continually] hée shalbe our guide [ i. we will alwayes take him for our leader and gouernour] vnto the death [the faithfull meane not by affirming that God shalbee their guide vnto death, that afterwardes hée shall cease so to bée, but this is their mynde, that for as much that death is the greatest and last enemy they haue to deale withall in this life, they assured themselues, that God would not on­ly leade them thither, but giue them strength to ouercome and get the victo­ry also therein.]

Do. Ver. 1. Meane praises appertain not to so great a maiesty as God is: whose praises should found euery where, but specially in Gods Church. Ver. 2. Vn­der Sion and Hierusalem, and the situation therof, the Prophet setteth out, but the beauty of the Church, and the healthfull and safe dwelling therein. Ver. 3. It is a notable thing once to haue felt and had trial of Gods goodnes & power towards his. Ver. 4. Sheweth that euen the mightiest are many times enemies to the Church. Ver. 5. Setteth out the suddaine destruction of the enemies of the Church. Ver. 6. Noteth the greatnes of their grief, & the assurednes therof. Ver. 7. Declareth their vtter ruine and ouerthrowe, whome the holy Ghost [Page 115] resembleth it to a shipwracke. Ver. 8. The faithfull finde God alwaies faith­full in the performances of his promises. Ver. 9. Gods children must in pati­ence abyde the Lordes leasure for their deliuerance. Ver. 10. God is holy and iust in all thinges hee doeth, whatsoeuer the vngodly babble to the contrary. Ver. 11. Gods people ought to reioyce, when God either ouerthroweth their enemies or deliuereth them. Ver. 12. The Lorde will haue all the sen­ses of his seruants witnesses of his gracious deliueraunces, to the ende that their fayth might bee more confirmed. Ver. 13. Our posterity shoulde bee in­structed in Gods mercyes towardes vs, out of which also they should reape an argument of comfort in distresse. Ver. 14. Wee learne to hang vpon God continually.

Psalme 49.

THis Psalme may bee deuided into three especiall partes. Di. In 1 the first is conteined an exordium or entrance into the matter, where the prophet prepareth his people to attentiuenes, com­mending also the matter that hee will speake of, from Ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second part is set out the vanitie and 2 shortnes of mans life, and the assurednes that men shall once die: against which there can bee no better, yea no other remedy, then stedfast fayth, and assured perswasion in God & the trueth of his promises, from Ver. 5. to the end of the 15. In the third, the Prophet by his owne example exhorteth 3 all the faithfull, to take heede that through abundance of riches, they haue not their hearts stollen (as the fatlings of the world haue) from the hope of better thinges, from ver. 16. to the end of the Psalme.

For the title, and the exposition therof see Psalme 42. Ver. 1. Se. Heare [ vz. not onely with the eares of the body, but also of the minde] this [ vz. that I shall speake hereafter] giue eare [in that the Prophet doubleth his speach, he shew­eth both howe dull of heart, men are to conceiue, and also howe excellent his doctrine is, that requireth such attentiuenes] all yee that dwell in the worlde [in these wordes hee sheweth howe large and generall his doctrine is, apper­taining to all people then liuing, or afterwarde to come.] Ver. 2. Hee decla­reth 2 that none for their pouerty, or other for their honour, can bee exempted from the trueth of his doctrine.] Ver. 3. Of wisedome [in the Hebrewe text, it 3 is in the plural number, wisedoms, meaning thereby varietie and abundance of wisedome: and when he sayth his mouth shall speake of wisedome, he mea­neth that the wordes that he shall vtter, if they bee rightly receiued shall stand them in great stéede to atteine excellent wisedome] meditation of mine heart [ i. that, that I haue within me, which also I will expresse with my tongue] is of knowledge [in Hebrew, knowledges, by which he noteth the excellency, va­riety and abundance thereof, commending also his doctrine by these speaches, [Page 116] 4 to the end it might be the better imbraced.] Ver. 4. I will incline my eare [ i. I my selfe wil diligently marke consider and hearken vnto these thinges, and therfore you ought also to do the like, so that hee maketh himselfe an example here, as appeareth in the next verse] to a parable [ vz. that followeth in this Psalme, meaning by one, sundry, the worde signifieth graue and sentencious speaches, of matters of weight, such as in this Psalme are. ver. 12.20.] vppon the harpe [ i. vsing a harpe in the vtterance thereof, that you may so much the 5 more easily and chearefully heare me speaking of it.] Ver. 5. Wherfore should I feare [ q.d. there is no cause because I am certainly perswaded of Gods good­nes towards me] the reason of this is shewed in ver. 14.15. of this Psalme] in the euil daies [ i. in the daies of affliction, calamitie, or death: which are called euill, not that they be so of themselues, as sent from God, but because they are laid vpon vs, for the euil committed against him, and so we accoūt of them: for otherwise dayes are not euill, but good] the last part of the verse mende thus: though the iniquitie of my héeles, might compasse mée: by iniquitie of the héeles, hee meaneth not onely the iniquities, to the doing whereof hee had béene caried with his féete, putting héeles which are part of the féete, for the féete, but also whatsoeuer calamitie had fallen vppon him for these sinnes: q.d. there is no cause why I shoulde bée afraid, no though my sinnes, and the punishments for my sinnes, were on euery side vppon mee: for that assured perswasion that I haue receiued through fayth and loue in God, hath bani­shed 6 al that feare and doubting.] Ver. 6. They trust: amend thus, of them that trust] in their goods [ i. in the wealth and substance that they haue scraped to­gether] and boast themselues [ vz. as though by their owne wit and labour they had obteined it] in the multitude [ i. in the great quantitie and abun­daunce.] 7 Ver. 7. Amend thus, not one can by any meanes redéeme &c. and so knit it to the sixt verse] by any meanes [ vz. which hee hath or can deuise] re­déeme [ vz. from death and the power thereof, hee meaneth deliueraunce and freedome from bodily or naturall death] his brother [ i. any of his kin­red, or deare friende and acquaintaunce] his raunsome [ i. raunsome for him, vz. that hee may haue a longer life] to GOD [there is a double reason of this, first because God regardeth not these outward thinges, as siluer, gold, honour &c. Secondly because GOD is not subiect to alteration or change, 8 but that hauing set vs the boundes of our life, hée will perfourme it.] Ver. [...] 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 9 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 [Page 117] 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. 10 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 11 this notwithstanding, they are of this perswasiō] 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 thē from heate, cold, storme, raine, &c. Whether they be castles, towres, mansiō 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 12 [ 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 13 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 14 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 thē, 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 thēselues] shal haue domination ouer thē [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 [Page 118] 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 15 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 shalbe 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 shalbe 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, 16 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, 17 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.] 18 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. [...]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 y e 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 maner of delights & pleasures excessiuely: for otherwise to make much of our selues, is not only not condemned but allowed, that thereby wee may bee 19 the better inabled to serue God, and to profit our brethrē.] ver. 19. Amend thus, though he may come to the age of his fathers [ i. though he should liue neuer so long, yea euen as long as the oldest fathers were wont to doe] yet they shall not inioy light for euer [ i. yet their life must haue an ende in this life, and they shall not inioy the light of eternall life. The Geneua translation also may haue a good sense thus] hee shall not enter into the generation of his fathers [ i. hee shall die, as his fathers haue doone before him [for that is the [Page 119] way of all flesh) notwithstanding his great pampering of himselfe] and they [he sodainly chaungeth the number, from the singular to the plurall, meaning that though they be neuer so many, or neuer so wealthy, yet they shal not escape death, nor inioy life] for euer [ i. a long season vpon the earth.] Verse 20. Amend 20 thus, A man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not, is like to beasts that pe­rish [ i. one, yea euery one that God highly aduaunceth, and yet vnderstandeth not, vz. how to vse the good things he hath, or that they all come from God a­lone] is like to brute beasts [ i. voide of true féeling, light and iudgement, and in respecte of Gods matters, may be sayde to be as voyde of goodnes, as bruite beasts are of reason and vnderstanding.

Verse 1. Gods worde must be diligently hearkened vnto: also it is generall, Do. appertayning to all people. Verse 2. Yea to all sortes of people. Verse 3. Wée shoulde learne alwayes to speake the wordes of edification. Verse 4. They that wil teach others to hearken diligently must be examples themselues of y e same thinges: also they must vse all lawfull meanes to make the doctrine accepta­ble and gracious to the hearers. Verse 5. Assured fayth surmounteth all diffi­culties whatsoeuer. Verse 6. There is a double iniquitie in the vngodly riche: the one is, they make their goods their God, and so commit idolatrie: the o­ther they wax proude, thorow the abundaunce of their riches, and so sundrye times oppresse their bretheren. Ver. 7. Setteth out the insufficiency of riches: and that and verse 8. teach that all mony which hath bin giuen for Masses Di­riges, Trentals, &c. hath bene cast away, séeing Christ is the onely Redéemer. Ver. 9. Mony can not preuent, or put away death: neither can wit, wisedome, or policy. Verse 11. sheweth how vayne and deceitfull mens mindes and cogi­tations are, and howe that all the meanes that they can deuise for the continu­aunce of their name shall come to nought. Ver. 12. Nothing that man hath is certayne. Verse 13. There is no wickednesse so playne and manifest but some eyther for pleasure or profite, will delight in it and approue it. Verse 14. No­thing can deliuer from the power of death. Verse 15. The faithfull hanging assuredly vpon God shall escape eternall iudgement. Verse 16. Other mens prosperity, or our owne aduersity, should not dismay vs. Verse 17. We brought nothing into this world, neyther shall we carry any thing out. 1. Timoth. 6.7. Ver. 18. Epicures alwayes pamper their bellies: besides the riche are neuer without their flatterers. Verse 19. Death is the end of all flesh. Verse 20. The more that a man hath of worldly blessings, and the lesse he hath of spiritual and heauenly vnderstanding, the greater is his blockishnesse and misery.

Psalme 50.

THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts. Di. In the first is contai­ned an excellent description of the Maiestie, power, greatnesse and 1 glory of almighty God, from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the se­cond 2 the Prophet taking vpon him the person of God, sheweth [Page 120] that no outward meanes, no though he himselfe prescribed them, can be ac­ceptable before God, but that it is a spirituall seruice that pleaseth him, from 3 verse 7. to the end of the 15. In the third he reproueth the wicked and vngodly, shewing what fruites true worshippers should yield, from ver. 16. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title, a Psalme of Asaph: I take it to be called Asaphs Psalme, not be­cause he was the Author of it but because it was committed to him, and his, 1 to bee the singers thereof, sée 2. Chron. 25.2.] Verse 1. The God of Gods [ i. hee that is God to all the Rulers in the worlde, who are called Gods, and to all the counterfeit idols of the Gentiles, who are also so named, 1. Corinth. 8.5.] euen the Lord [he sheweth more playnly whome hee meaneth] hath spo­ken [ vz. by his seruauntes, as Moses and the rest, touching his true wor­ship and seruice] and called [ vz. to himselfe and his seruice] the earth [ i. the people and inhabitants of the earth: this was verifyed in the Gentils by the workes of creation, as Romanes 1. and in the Iewes by the Creatures, and by the worde also] from the rysing vp of the Sunne vnto the going downe thereof [ i. all the Worlde ouer and thorow out the same, sée Malach. 1.11.] 2 Verse 2. Out of Syon [sée Psalme 48.2.] whiche is the perfection of beautye [ i. whiche is the most beautifull and fayre place that canne be, and seemeth to be so glorious, that nothing can bee added thereto] hath GOD shyned, [ i. made manifest himselfe by his workes and by his worde, in the exercises 3 of his religion.] Verse 3. Our GOD [These bee the words of the faith­full people, assuring themselues of gracious deliueraunce from the crueltye of the wicked, by the mighty power of that God whome they feare] shall come [ i. certainlye and assuredlye shall come, though hee séeme for a while to deferre & put off his cōming] & shal not kéepe silence [as he hath séemed to do hereto­fore, eyther in not hearing y e praiers of his people, or in not punishing y e wic­ked and vngodly: sée verse 21 of this Psalme] A fyre shal deuoure before him [he compareth Gods iudgements agaynst the wicked to a consuming fyre, which shall so eate them vp, that nothing shall remayne] and a mightye tem­pest [this is another similitude to expresse Gods power & iudgmēts by against the vngodly] round about him [these wordes are added to take awaye hope of escape from the wicked, for if iudgement should be but before him, they would thinke to créepe behinde him, but the Prophet sheweth, that whether they bée before him or behinde him, all is one, for consumed they shall bee, if not with the fyre, yet with the tempest or whirlewind, before which they shoulde bée but as chaffe, Psalme 1.4. Such, yea a more large description of Gods wrath a­gaynst 4 his enemies, is before Psalme 18.7.8. &c.] Ver. 4. The Heauen aboue [Heauen is here put for heauen and all the heauenly powers: which the Lorde will call forth not only as witnesses agaynst the vngodlye, but as aydes and helpes also for the defence of his] and the earth [ i. not onely the earth it selfe, but all the powers therein] to iudge [ i. to punish the wicked and to defende the good, and maintayne them] his people [ i. all both good and bad, nowe the bad [Page 121] are called his people, not because he loueth them with the loue of his people, but because they are at his commaundement, to vse them as pleaseth him.] Verse 5. Gather my Saynts [he commaundeth the heauen & the earth to bring 5 Gods people before him: whom he calleth saynts, because his elect were true­lye sanctifyed, & all were admitted to outward sanctification] those that make a couenaunt with me [ vz. that they will serue me and none but mee] with Sa­crifice [hee meaneth that the sacrifice slayne was a signe and testimonie of the couenaunt betwéene GOD and his people, sée Exodus 24.6.7.8. Hee spea­keth this according to the common custome for in olde times couenants were made & sealed as it were betwéene parties with the death & slaughter of some beasts.] Ver. 6. He sheweth how ready the heauēs shalbe to accōplish & perform 6 that which was enioined them before ver. 4.] by righteousnesse he vnderstādeth fauour toward Gods children, & iudgement vppon the wicked, sée 2. Thess. 1.6 7.] for god is Iudge himselfe [ q.d. hee that will not bee corrupted, or iudge 7 vniustlye, is iudge.] Ver. 7. Heare, O my people, he requireth attētion, decla­ring that he hath good occasion to deale with them, because they had broken the couenant, some by standing only vpon the outward seruice, & these he dealeth with, till you come to the ende of the 15 verse: and othersome for their lewde life, and these he reproueth from verse 16 to the ende of the Psalme] testify vn­to thée [ vz. in a solemne sort, and as it were vsing witnesses] for I am God, euen thy God [this is a reason why they should hearken vnto him: not only for that hee hath power in himselfe to punishe the contempte of his Worde, but also because hee hath manifested that power for their good.] Verse 8. I will not 8 reproue thee [ vz. so much for the neglect of sacrifices, as for not referring thē to their right end and vse: for otherwise euen the verye neglecte of them, was for that tyme a breache of Gods lawe, and therefore iustlye deserued a re­proofe] thy Sacrifices or burnt offringes [I take betwéene these two wordes this difference, that by Sacrifices he meaneth all maner of offringes excepte those that were offered for sinne, and by burnte offringes hée meaneth those that were offered for sinne, which are called burnt offrings because they were wholy burned: wherof some were dayly offred, as two lambs morning & eue­ning euery day] Ver. 9. I will take [ q.d. I haue no néede to take] out of thine 9 house [ i. out of thy stall where thou diddest vse to kéepe them as in a house] nor Goats [he speaketh here of two sortes whiche were vsuall in the Sacrifices appointed by the law.] Ver. 10. For all the beasts [this is a reason why y e Lord 10 néede not require any of their beastes, for all the beastes and Foules of the world are at his commaundement] thousand mountains [a nūber certaine, for 11 an vncertain, meaning by forrests & mountains, al the world, & the beasts ther­of.] 12 Ver. 11. I know [ vz. in such order that I can count them, and call thē, whē I lust] are mine [ vz. to do with them whatsoeuer I think good.] Ver. 12. If I be hūgry [he speaketh this by supposal: q.d. if it were possible y t I could be hūgry] 13 I wil not tell it thée [ q.d. I haue no neede so to do for séeing al things are mine, I can satisfye my selfe when I lust.] Ver. 13. Wil I eate [ q.d. no, at anye hand: [Page 122] 14 I am a spirite, Iohn 4. and néede no such grosse nourishment] Ver. 14. Offer vnto God prayse [ q.d. This is it that God requireth, that he be praysed for his goodnesse: and this is indeede his spirituall seruice] thy vowes [ i. the thinges which thou hast vowed and promised, as testimonies of prayses and thankes 15 giuing.] Verse 15. Call vpon me [ i. pray vnto me] in the day of trouble [ i. whē thou shalt be in any kinde of calamitie or affliction: and it is called the daye of trouble, because in that day, or at that time trouble doth sease vpon vs] glo­rifie 16 me [ i. prayse and thanke me.] Verse 16. What hast thou to doe [ q.d. Doth it belong to thée? No, no: With what face then darest thou to speake of my lawes, or of that couenaunt that is betwéene me and my people, séeing thy life 17 vtterly disagréeeth from the same.] Verse 17. To be reformed [ vz. by the rule of righteousnesse which is Gods word] and hast cast my words behind thée [ i. 18 contemned them or little regarded them, sée Phillip. 3.13.] Ver. 18. Thou run­nest with him [ i. thou both takest delight, and makest great hast to commit theft as he doth] thou art partaker [ i. thou doest not only enter into fellowship, but 19 committest the same villany with them.] Verse 19. To euill [ i. to speake ill wordes, and to vtter euill thinges] and with thy tongue thou forgest deceite [ i. thou deceauest others with thy spéeche, putting the tongue which is an in­strument 20 of our spéeche, for spéeche it selfe.] Ver. 20. Thou sittest [ vz. with some other in open places, as markets, iudgement places, and suche like] against thy brother [ i. thy friendes and kinsfolke, vnder one comprehending the rest] thy mothers sonne [ i. euen thine owne brother by birth and nature, q.d. Suche is thy naughtinesse, that thou regardest not friend, kinsman, or him that tou­cheth 21 thée so nigh, as thy owne brother is.] Verse 21. And I held my tongue [ i. I did not by my iudgements punish thée for the same (for then God is sayde to holde his tongue when he executeth not his wrath) but did in long sufferaunce looke for thy repentaunce, sée Rom. 2.3.4. &c.] was like thée [ i. one that tooke pleasure in wickednesse, as thou doest] but I will reproue thée [ i. but thou shalt finde and féele the contrarie, by the punishments that I will powre forth vpon thée, and amongst the rest by this] I will set them in order before thée [ i. I will in such order and so particularly lay them out to thy face, that thou shalte sée 22 them and confesse them.] Ver. 22. Consider this [ vz. that I beholde all thinges that men doe, q.d. at the length know it, mark it, and be perswaded of the truth of it] forget God [ i. himselfe and his iudgementes against you for sinne] least I teare you in péeces [he vseth a metaphor taken from wild beasts, that cruelly rent in péeces the prayes that they haue gotten, noting thereby the greatnesse of the punishment that shall come vpon the wicked] and there be none, &c. [He 23 taketh away all hope of deliueraunce from the vngodly.] Verse 23. He that of­fereth prayse [ i. he that in stéede of sacrifices prayseth me, vnderstanding by thanks giuing and prayse, whiche is a part of Gods seruice and worship his whole religion] shall glorifie me [he meaneth that he that from the heart pray­seth the Lord, doth yéeld him most excellent honour] disposeth his way arighte [ i. rightly and holily ordreth his life] will I [ i. God himselfe speaking of him­selfe: [Page 123] or else his seruaunt and Prophet] shew the saluation of God [ i. If wée referre it to God: he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person: but if we referre it to the Prophet, and take it to be his wordes, hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation (for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed) which he shall receaue indéede from God, who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons, both the sences come almost to one.

Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures. Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church. Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes, but comfortable to his seruaunts. Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement. Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life, whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation, that passeth betwéene them and their God. Verse 6 It is comfortable to consi­der, that God who is iustice it selfe, shall iudge. Verse 7 When God speaketh, all ought to heare. Verse 8.9. God regardeth not outwarde seruices, when in­ward is wanting. Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods, and at his com­maundement. Verse 11. If he know the creatures, then men likewise. Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man. Verse 13. God being a spi­rit, néedeth not outward nurriture. Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing, is acceptable to God. Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer, if we could rightly consider of it. Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse. Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde, be two grieuous sinnes. Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse, and of communicating with other men in their sinnes. Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse. ver. 20. To speake euil of, or to slander any, much more our nighest kinred, is a horrible sinne. Verse 21. Gods mercy & long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked, not of it selfe, but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it. Verse 22. Gods iudgemēts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts. Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty.

Psalme 51.

THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges: Di. the firste is 1 an humble confession of sinnes, with an earnest crauing par­don for the same, desiring notwithstanding his sinne, the con­tinuaunce of Gods fauour towards him, and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehen­ded 2 an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church, and [...]is is in the two last verses of the Psalme.

The Title, to him that excelleth, Se. a Psalme of Dauid (this hath bene expoū ­ded before) when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him [for the better vnder­standing of this, read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout) after hee had [Page 124] gone in to Bathsheba (the scripture speaketh chastly & purely, of a filthy facte: in other places it is expressed by knowing hir, in our spéech we say, after he had 1 had her company, or lain with her.] Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man, that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes: and he doubleth as it were y e same matter in other wordes, that hee might more effectually declare his affection, he runneth only to Gods mercye, and because his sinnes were many and infi­nite, he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses] away myne iniquities [ vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell, or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes, for such a me­taphor 2 he séemeth to vse here, meaning the vtter remouing of them.] Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing, the Prophet alludeth to the out­warde purifyings and cleansings of the law, yet so, y t he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing, without y e Lord performed y t inwardly w ch was signified by these outward signs, that is frée pardon, & ful forgiuenes of al his 3 transgressions.] Ver. 3. For I know [ i. féele sensibly within my self, but yet so, y t I do withal confes it] is euer before me [ i. is continually in my remēbraunce, and the very thought of it doth continually vex me: and by iniquitye & sinne in the singuler number, he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome & adulterye, but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertay­ning 4 therto whatsoeuer.] Ver. 4. Against thée, against thée only &c [ Dauid no­teth by this maner of spéech, that he did so cūningly couer his sinne from mens eyes, that none saw it for the time, til it was reuealed, but God alone: so that we see, Against thée, doth not only note y t his sinne was directly agaynste God, which also he meaneth by doubling y e words against thée, agaynst thée, but also that it was naked before him, as appeareth by that which followeth: & when he addeth this word, only, he meaneth not, y t he had not offēded against men also, for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain] but because God was he [whose law, both in respect of the first and second table was broken, whom it did most especially touch] that thou mayst be iust [ i. declared to be iust, for otherwise god is alwayes iust, though the manifestation thereof appeare not] and pure [i. sound and vpright] when thou iudgest [ vz. others, for God is always iust, but it then specially appeareth, whē he eyther pronoūceth sentēce against some, or 5 executeth iudgements vpon them.] Ver. 5. Behold [ q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther, but al other from the time of my being, vntill this present houre, he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne, but yet so, that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer, originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow] and in sinne hath my mo­ther conceyued me [these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill, as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught, but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents, was in that sinne] conceaued [ i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe, and brought forth in the same, for so largely do I take the word of conceauing, the beginning of a [Page 125] thing, being put for the grouth, procéeding and continuance of the same thing] Ver. 6. Thou louest truth [ i. vprightnes & soundnes, & a sincere good wil to fol­low 6 thée] in the inward affections [meaning that God specially respecteth the hart, yet so, that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto] haste thou taught me wisedome [ i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law. All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne, because that con­trary to the knowledge and truth that God had manifested vnto him, he had cō ­mitted gros iniquities.] Ver. 7. Purge me with Hysop [no doubt hee alludeth 7 to the ceremonies & purifications of y e law, among which Hisope was greatly vsed, as Leuit. 14.6.7. Leuit. 19.18. yet so that he would haue the truth also sig­nifyed by these outward things, and he putteth purging, and Hisope, and wa­shing, which were outward parts of the legal puristings, for a thorow, & whole cleansing, as ver. 2.] and I shall be cleane [ q.d. otherwise I cannot bee cleane, vnlesse thou O Lord performe it indéede] whiter then snow [Sée Isaiah 1.16.18. for the vnderstanding of this Verse.] Verse 8. Make me to heare [ i. eyther to 8 féele, one sence being put for another, a thing vsuall in Scripture, or else, by some one of thy Prophets or other make me to know my sinnes to bée forgiuen as Nathan pronounced the same vnto him 2. Samuel 12.13.] ioye and glad­nesse [ i. that comfortable and ioyfull message, touching the frée and full par­don of my sinnes, that maye make me ioyfull and glad indéede] that the bones [ i. I my selfe both body and soule: he putteth a part for the whole] which thou hast broken [ vz. by the horror of thy gréeuous iudgementes agaynste mee for my sinne, sée Psalme 38.3.] may reioyce [ i. haue matter of reioycing ministred vnto them, and performe that ioy indéede, whilst that they inioye their former féelings.] Verse 9. Hide thy face from my sinnes [ i. bury them as it were in 9 perpetuall forgetfulnesse: for we doe not easily forget those things that be con­tinually in our sight] put away [sée before verse 1. of this Psalme] all mine in­iquities [one and other, for so long as any sinne presseth vs, the conscience can hardly be quiet.] Verse 10. Create in me a cleane hart [he prayeth, because the 10 heart is the seat of the affections, and naturallye it is inclyned to all filthinesse euery day, sée Matth. 15.19. Gen. 6.5. Gen. 8.21. That God woulde reforme it, taking away that filthinesse, and planting goodnesse in it, which he calleth crea­tion] a right spirite [ i. a minde frée from all hipocrisie, and abhorring crooked wayes, some read a stedfast spirite, meaning a spirite and mynde so well stay­ed, as might not in tyme afterward be remoued from his obedience.] Ver. 11. 11 Cast me not awaye from thy presence [hee vseth here a metaphor taken from Kings, who will not vouchsafe such to beholde them, as they hate or lyke not of] thy holy spirite [ i. the effectes and workes of thy holy spirite, for neyther doth the spirite substantiallye dwell in men, as some haue dreamed, neyther is the pledge of the spirite so taken awaye, as some haue imagined, though it be hidden sometimes vnder the ashes of corruption,] Verse 12. Restore to 12 me the ioy of thy saluation [ i. make me to féele agayne that vnspeakeable com­fort of saluation, that I was wont to feere: so that it séemeth that Dauid was [Page 126] almost at the dore of dispayre with the féeling of his sinnes, & the iudgements of God agaynst him for the same] establish me [ i. make me strong and stedfast] with thy frée spirite, [the spirite of God is called frée in diuers respects, as be­cause it is Gods effectuall instrument to set vs frée from the bondage of sinne, for where the spirite of the Lord is, there is fréedome, 2. Corinthians 3.17. be­cause also thereby god worketh in vs fréenesse and readinesse to the doing of those thinges which he commaundeth: and lastly because it maketh vs fréelye and boldly to professe that we are Gods children, as Rom. 8.15.16. some reade principall or princelike spirite, meaning thereby a moste excellent spirit, suche as Kings and Princes haue néede of, that they may know how to guide them 13 selues in their offices.] Verse 13. Thy wayes [ i. thy mercies & louing kindnes, which are called Gods wayes because he alwayes sheweth them to true peni­tent sinners, q.d. If thou wilt pardon me my sinnes, I will be thy instrumente to teach thē y t shall come to the like féeling of their transgressiōs, thy wonder­full mercy and goodnesse] and sinners shall be [ vz. by that meanes] conuerted vnto thée [ vz. from whom they haue gone astray, he meaneth that hee will take paynes to winne men to god, but that the profit thereof shall redounde to gods 14 owne glory.] Verse 14. From blood [he meaneth not only from the sinne com­mitted in shedding Vriahs blood, and others with him, as 2. Sam. 11.17. but also the punishments that by that sinne he had drawne vpon himselfe: whereof sée Genesis 9.5.6.] God of my saluation [sée Psalme 18.46.] my tongue shall sing ioyfully [ i. chearefully and aloude prayse] thy righteousnesse [ i. thy goodnesse, faythfulnesse and truth, which thou promisest and performest to thē, that craue 15 pardon and forgiuenesse.] Verse 15. He prayeth the Lord not onely to giue him an occasion, but also to inable him to thankfulnesse, and then he will performe 16 it.] Verse 16. Must be vnderstoode by the way of comparison, and not supplye, for yet in his time sacrifices were to be vsed, and that by the prescript of gods 17 law, sée Psalme 50.8.9. &c. Isaiah 1.11.12, &c.] Verse 17. The sacrifices of God [ i. such as he principally alloweth and accepteth] a contrite spirit [ i. a spirite brused and broken as it were, with the feeling of the sinne committed, and the acknowledgement of his owne weakenesse and vnworthinesse, which as I take it, the Apostle calleth godly sorrow 2. Cor. 7.10.11. Thou wilt not despise [ i. thou wilt graciously and mercifully accept: for not refusing or despising, with god 18 is gracious accepting.] Verse 18. Be fauourable [ i. notwithstanding my sinne, continue gracious, and heape vp benefits vpon benefits] vnto Sion [i. vnto thy church and people: he putteth the place where Gods people dwelt, and the ex­ercises of his religion were vsed, for gods people and Churche, sée Psalme 48.11.] for thy good pleasure [ i. for thyne own goodnesse sake, and not for any thing in them or me, for there is nothing in vs that can procure that] build the wals of Ierusalem [i. not onely defend thy church by thy mighty power and prouidēce but giue it all the meanes whereby it may resist the assaults of thine enemies, as walles to a citie are a good defence to saue them from the violences and 19 outrages of their enemies.] Verse 19. Sacrifices of righteousnesse [sée Psal. 4.5 [Page 127] q.d. When sacrifices and burnt offrings shall be referred to a right ende, God will allow and like of them] then shall they [ i. thy people offer Calues vppon thine altar [ i. sacrifices of prayses and thanksgiuing, vnderstanding no doubte by Calues euen the instruments of their lippes to prayse God withall, sée Ho­sea 14.2. also Heb. 13.15.

Verse 1. When we are touched with the féeling of our sinnes, Do. Gods mercy is the only medicine that we must looke to for the curing of our sore. Ver. 2. We must pray for pardon and full forgiuenesse of our sinnes, or else it is nothing as also verse 9. of this Psalme. Verse 3. Confession of our sinnes, and the sight of them are good meanes to bring vs to repentaunce for them, and forgiuenesse of them. Verse 4. God onely is iust in all his wayes and wordes how vile soe­uer men be. Verse 5. Proueth originall sinne, and yet not by imitation, as the Pelagians imagine, but by naturall corruption from our parents before we could follow them. Verse 6. God specially regardeth the inward parts, as the harte and minde. Verse 7. Vnlesse God take away our sinnes, we can neuer be purged. Verse 8. When we are afflicted with heauinesse, it is good to praye that we may féele spirituall comfort. Verse 9. We are not able to indure Gods presence, much lesse his iustice for our sinnes. Verse 10. God is he alone that must alter and chaunge the corruptions of our mindes. Verse 11. To be bani­shed out of Gods fauour, and to want the effects of the spirite, is extreme mi­serye. Verse 12. Vnlesse God vphold vs, we shall easily fall. Verse 13. Our féelings of Gods mercies, should be referred to other mens profits, and Gods glory. Verse 14. We ought to pray for deliueraunce from sinne, and the pu­nishments due thereto. Verse 15. All the members of our bodies should bée re­ferred to Gods glorye, but yet we can not performe that vnlesse hee giue vs strength and grace. Ver. 16. God regardeth not outward seruices only, but the inward and the outward must be both ioyned together. Ver. 17. Godly gréefe of hart for sinne, is an acceptable sacrifice to God. Ver. 18. We must praye for the Church, and the prosperity thereof. Verse 19. It becommeth Gods chil­dren after he hath heard their prayers, and graunted them their requests, out­wardly to shew themselues thankfull.

Psalme 52.

THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts. Di. In the first the pro­phet 1 by péecemeale as it were, describeth the corruption and malice of his aduersaries: and this is comprehended in the foure first verses. In the second he sheweth Gods iudgemēts 2 agaynst the vngodlye, and his fauour to his children, with the fruit the godly shall reape thereby, from verse 5. to the end of the Psalme.

The title, to him that excelleth. Se. A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction [this hath ben expounded before, Psal. 4. also Psal. 32.] that which followeth in y e title [Page 128] declareth the occasion wherefore Dauid made this Psalm, for the more ample vnderstanding wherof, sée 1. Sam. 21. from verse 1. to the 9. and Doeg is here called an Edomite, not that I thinke he was so by nation or birth, but because he 1 had vpon some one occasiō or other, dwelt in Edom. Ver. 1. Why boastest thou thy selfe, &c. [ q.d. there is no cause why thou shouldst so doe, if eyther thou con­sider thy selfe, or the matter that thou art about to commit, or God himselfe, whose goodnesse continueth towards his children for euer, though he doe for a time giue them ouer to the vngodlies lust, so that all thy laboure is but lost, though thou bragge neuer so much therof: for neyther art thou able to assault God, though thou be neuer so mighty, neyther to hinder the course of his good­nesse 2 towards his children] Ver. 2. Thy tongue imagineth mischiefe [he attri­buteth imagination to the tongue, which is proper to y e mind, meaning therby, expressing: q.d. thou doest by thy wordes bewray what mind thou haddest whē thou wast with Ahimelech] like a sharpe rasor [ vz. in cutting, & that déepely: q.d. thou woundest & cuttest with thy tongue as a rasor doth, hee meaneth the slaughter cōmitted, 1. Sam. 22.16.] that cutteth deceitfully [as missing y e beard, and striking the throat, that is, not vsed where it should be, and where it should not be vsed, there to be of great force. Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise, 3 and somewhat more plainly in my iudgement. Verse 3. Euill [ i. not onely euill in affection, but in acte, meaning speciallye the murther committed at Nob] and lyes, [ vz. in falslye accusing Ahimelech, sée 1. Samuell 22.7.8.9. &c. 4 Ver. 4. Thou louest [ i. allowest and vsest] all wordes that may destroy [ i. suche spéeches, as by the vttering of them maye bring hurte and destruction to o­thers.] 5 Verse 5. So [ i. as thou hast delighted to destroy others, vz. the Priests of Nob, so shall God take pleasure in thy ouerthrowe although for a while he deferre to punish thy trayterous and crafty dealing] destroye thée [O Doeg, although thou thinkest thy selfe to be very high and sure, yet shalte thou be cast downe] for euer [ i. continually, and that so, that thou shalt haue no hope of rising agayne] hee shall take thée [ vz. awaye from amongst men, so that thou shalt not hurt any more] and plucke thée [ vz. by strong hande, whether thou wilt yea or no, out of thy Tabernacle [ i. the place of thy dwelling and a­boad, and all that thou haddest to mayntayne the same whiche thou madest ac­count of, as though it had bene perpetuall, meaning that he would take awaye from him Saules seruice, and whatsoeuer else he had to trust in] roote thée [ i. not only thine owne person, but thy remembraunce and posteritie] out of the 6 lande of the liuing [ i. out of the world, and from the face of the earth.] Verse 6. Shall sée it [ i. the punishment that God shall lay vpon thée, and such wicked ones as thou art] and shall feare [ vz. God and his iudgementes, but yet with a reuerence and loue also of his maiestie, from which shall spring sincere seruice] and shall laugh [ i. inwardly and outwardly reioyce] at him [ i. Doeg, and such wicked men, not so much for that they are ouerthrowne, as because thereby it pleaseth God to manifest the care he hath for his children, & the iudgements he 7 executeth vpon the wicked.] Verse 7. Behold the man [ q.d. they shall poynt at [Page 129] him as it were with the finger, and will other men to looke vppon the heauye iudgementes that God hath executed agaynst him] that tooke not God for his strength [ i. that did not put his trust for his strength and all other thinges in God only] but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches [Sée Luke 12.15.16. &c. 1. Timothie 6.7.] and put his strength [ i. trusted that his strength shoulde ap­peare] in his malice [ vz. whiche hee practised agaynste Ahimelech, and the rest of the Priestes at Nob.] Verse 8. But I [ Dauid expresseth the hope 8 that he and other faythfull haue, howsoeuer the wicked be destroyed, and that though the wicked trust in vncertaintie of riches, yet he and they still hang vp­on the Lord continuallye] lyke a gréene Oliue Trée [ i. alwayes freshe and flourishing, and yéelding fruite, for the Oliue is very fruitfull, and neuer wan­teth gréene Leaues] in the house of GOD [ i. in his Church and Congre­gation, from whiche though Dauid were at this present banished, yet in a sure hope he perswadeth himselfe hee shall in good time returne thither, and bring forth much fruite] for I trusted in the mercye of GOD [this is a reason why he shoulde continue and florish] for euer and euer [expounde this by verse sixe, of Psalme 23.] Verse 9. I will alway prayse thée [ Dauid promiseth thank­fulnes] 9 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 [Page 130] 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 3 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. 5 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. 1 In the first the Prophet prayeth deliuerance from his enemies shewing the cause that moueth him so to doe, from verse 1. to the 2 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, 3 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.

SeThe 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 [Page 131] 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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, [Page 132] otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same.] Verse 5. 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 6 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.] 7 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, 1 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 2 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 3 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 1 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 2 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 y e voice [ i. for y e hard & gréeuous threats 3 which are vttered with y e voice] of the enemy [ i. Saule, vnderstāding, notwith­stāding vnder him as y e principal, all those y t cleaue to him in these outragious words & déeds against him] & for y e vexation of y e wicked [ vz. which they do a­gainst me: and not w ch 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 men: and mark here the sodayn change of the nūber] haue brought iniquitie vpon me [these wordes haue diuers sences, [Page 134] some expounde them thus, they slaundered mee, as though I had bene a wic­ked man: some thus: they imagined a wicked purpose against mee, séeking by all meanes to bring me to ruine and destruction: Some thus: They did vniustly and wrongfullye rushe in vppon me and agaynst mee to destroy me: some thinke it to bee suche a manner of spéeche, as is Genesis 20. verse 19. For mine owne parte I take this to be the Prophets meaning, that the vn­godly did by all meanes, thoughtes, wordes, and déedes, séeke his hurte and ouerthrowe, which dealing of theirs, hee calleth iniquitye, because they practi­sed it agaynst him, without anye cause on his part giuen them, and that in no small measure, but in wonderfull heapes, whiche I take hée meaneth by these wordes, they brought vppon mée] and furiously hate me [hee noteth in these wordes, the Fountayne of all iniustice, and harde dealing, to wit, outragious hatred: so that he sheweth in this verse foure causes, of his mourninges and outcries, their wicked spéeches agaynst him, their great gréefes done to him, the heaping of them vp to a full measure thereof, and their cruel & outragious 4 hatred.] Verse 4. My hart trembleth within me [nowe hee sheweth what great feare possessed him, by reason of the mischiefs that the wicked attempted against him. He sayth not without cause, any hart trembled, meaning by that manner of spéeche, that courage and boldnesse, whiche haue their seate in the harte, were remoued, and in stéede thereof came all trembling and feare.] And the terrors of Death [ i. moste gréeuous terrours, and as it were the pangues of death for bitternesse and sharpenesse] are fallen vpon mee [ i. haue seased me and taken holde of mée, and the reason thereof was because hee thoughte hee should haue fallen into the handes of his aduersaries to bee murthered of them at their pleasure, which thing declareth that notwithstanding the fayth­full people haue a wonderfull trust in GOD, yet they are not for all that in­sensible, or vtterly voyde of feare, whiche also hee noteth in the nexte verse.] 5 Verse 5. Feare and trembling are come vpon mée [this verse is almost the same with the fourth. Betwéene feare and trembling, I make this diffe­rence, that feare is inward, and is as it were the cause of the other: tremb­ling is outwarde, and as it were the effecte of feare] and an horrible feare [ i. an extraordinarye and moste terrible feare] hath couered mee, [ i. besette mee aboute on euerye side, and as it were ouerwhelmed mee, 6 whereby we sée that he was in greate distresse.] Verse 6. And I sayde [ vz. in that great extremitye, for in this verse and some others following, hee doth amplifye his calamitie and miserye, by wishing the auoyding thereof, if it were possible: whiche thing declareth that hee was so compassed in on e­uerye side, that hee coulde hardlye hope to bee deliuered vnlesse it were my­raculouslye, and that hee coulde hardlye fynde anye meane to saue himselfe, though hee were readye and willing to forgoe all that hee hadde, and to goe into exile] Oh that I had winges like a Doue [true it is, that hee v­seth the worde Doue in some respecte to set out the miserable estate where­in hee was [as one hath noted] because that it is a sielie and fearefull [Page 135] birde, but yet I suppose that he meaneth rather in this place, to wish vnto him selfe swiftnes, that thereby hee might auoyd the dangers and troubles that his enemies intended against him. Many fowles are more swift of flight then Pi­geons or Doues are we confesse: but yet he that were able to flie from his ene­mies as fast as the Pigeon, néeded not much to feare all their forces] then would I flie away, [ vz. from their force and fury, hee meaneth that he would giue place, to the rage and fury of his enemies] and rest [ vz. in some place free from their attempts and mischiefes.] Ver. 7. Séemeth to bee of the same 7 sense and meaning, for when he saith farre off, [he meaneth not only from the places of their aboade, but from their fearcenes and fury] and lodge [ i. dwell, and as it were make my aboad] in the wildernes [ i. in some place either vnin­habited, or else not so peopled, as other places are, so you haue the word vsed, Matth. 3.1. Whatsoeuer it is, hee meaneth that hee woulde dwell in a place where hee might not bee knowne of any, or at the least but onely of those that should wish him well.] Ver. 8. In the beginning, for he, read I, and so the sense 8 is plaine, the Prophet shewing what he would do if he had wings as swift as a Doue: that is, he would make no delay that hee might escape, and bee set free from the outragious daungers wherein hee and his were, by that continuall pursuite, which Saul and other his complices, made against him, for so much I thinke in a metaphor he meaneth, by stormie wind, and tempest.] Ver. 9. De­stroy 9 [ vz. them and their counsels. The Hebrewe worde signifieth to swallow or suppe vp, by which hee noteth an vtter ruine, that neither they nor their i­maginations may any more appeare: and this kind of punishment was exerci­sed, towardes Dathan and Abiram. Numeri. 16.31.32.] Diuide their tongues [ vz. in such sort, that they may not vnderstande one another, which iudgement was powred foorth vppon the builders of Babel. Gene. 11.7. &c.] For I haue séene cruelty and strife, [ i. all maner of naughtines and disorder, hee putteth two sortes for all of what sort soeuer: and when hee sayth he hath seene it, hée meaneth that he certainely knew of it, the sense of the sight, being a notable in­strument to ingender knowledge of thinges that be done before it] in the citie [ i. in my iudgement, not Ierusalem, though in Sauls time all things were very disorderous there, but in Keilah, of which sée Ioshua. 15.44. also, 1. Sam. 23.1.2. &c.] Ver. 10. Day and night [ i. continually, as Psal. 1.2.] They are about 10 [ vz. cruelty, and strife, of which before ver. 9. he noteth the disorder that was there, to wit in Keilah all iustice, order and right being banished, and al cruel­ty, strife, and all manner of naughtinues, being the principall and continuall watchmen of the Towne, whose duety it was to goe about the places where they watched, as may appeare Cantic. 3.3.] vpon the walles thereof, [ i. in the highest and chiefest places, for the walles in Townes besieged, are the most méete places to kéepe watch and warde on. All that followeth both in this verse, and in the next verse, is nothing, but a particular recitall of the iniqui­ties that were bolstered and practised in this place, as vniust dealing, mis­chieuous practises, all maner of wickednes, and namely to their tyrannie they [Page 136] ioyned deceit and subtilty: If any man list to referre it to other Cities, sub­iect to Sauls kingdome, besides Keilah, I will not greatly contend: This al­wayes being prouided, that it must bee principally vnderstood thereof.] Ver. 12 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.] 13 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 14 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, & 15 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 16 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 17 these cruelties and daungers, as Psalm. 54.1.] Verse 17. Euening and [Page 137] 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. 18 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 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 [Page 138] 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 23 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 wicked] into the pit of corruption [ i. into the graue, meaning thereby death, putting that which followeth death, vz. the graue and buriall, for death it selfe] the blody and deceitfull men [ i. the cruell and crafty persons] shall not liue halfe their dayes [Albeit this doth not com­monly fall out, as is declared Iob. 21.7. Yet we finde it true, in many particu­lar examples] and when hee sayth, halfe their dayes: hee meaneth not as these yeeres are numbred to them from God, for wee knowe they can not passe thē, but this hee will, that they shall not liue halfe so long, as they themselues i­magined they shoulde, because in Gods iustice they shalbee taken away for their sinnes: and hee vseth this worde dayes for yeeres, an vsuall speach in scripture, because the yere and yeeres consist of dayes: sée for this purpose the inscription of the Prophets prophecies, and namely Isaiah. 1.1. Hosea. 1.1.] but I wil trust in thee [ q.d. whatsoeuer fal out vpon the wicked, I wil alwaies in a stedfast faith cleaue vnto thée and thy goodnes.]

Do. Ver. 1.2. Teach vs two things, first in our distresses to come to God by prai­er, and next to vse feruency and earnestnes therein. Ver. 3.4.5. Teach vs that the mischieuous mindes of the vngodly, and our owne fearefull state and con­dition, should be continuall spurres in our sides to prouoke vs to earnest pray­er. Ver. 6.7.8. Teach vs sundry times to giue place to the violence and rage of our enemies, and that with some hast and spéede also, lest otherwise wee bée ouertaken and preuented. Ver. 9. Teacheth that wee may sundry times safely pray against the enemies of Gods Church. Ver. 10.11. Teacheth vs, not to for­beare the displaying of sinne in what place so euer wee bee, specially when it is growne to so great a head, that in all places it ouerfloweth. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs, that many good men, can better beare with vncurtesie from the wicked, then from those that they make account of as friends, and that they can more safely preuent daungers, from their open aduersaries then otherwise. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs, that it is no newe thing, that a mans enemies should be they of his owne houshold. Ver. 14. Declareth that the vngodly to atchieue their pur­poses, wil many times make profession of religion. Ver. 15. Sheweth that when God hath discouered some hipocrites, and wee sée them goe forward from one sinne to another, we may then pray against them. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs, when we sée all out of order, to call vppon the Lorde, and to be rightly and assuredly perswaded of his good will towardes vs. Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that for the [Page 139] shaking off of our drousines, it shall bee good for vs to set vnto our selues some ordinary times of good exerise. Ver. 18. Setteth out Gods fauour and mer­cy towards those that are his, and that by his owne helpe, and sometimes by the ministery of his seruants and Angels. Ver. 19. Sheweth howe gracious God is towardes the good, and howe iust in executing vppon the wicked his heauy iudgements, it teacheth further, that the vngodly abuse Gods mercies, to a contempt of his maiesty. Ver. 20. Declareth the inhumanitie and vnfayth­fulnes of the vngodly. Ver. 21. Setteth out their hypocrisie, dissimulation and cruelty. Ver. 22. Teacheth vs in all thinges to hang vppon the Lordes power and prouidence, with full hope and assurance that hee will neuer desti­tute vs, nor forsake vs. Ver. 23. Comprehendeth Gods sharpe iudgements against all the wicked, and namely against bloody and deceitfull men: it tea­cheth the godly also still to hang vpon God, howe peruerse and setled in wic­kednes so euer the vngodly bée.

Psalme 56.

THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes. Di. In the first the 1 Prophet prayeth vnto God for deliuerance from feare, promi­sing to bee thankefull for it and to learne thereby not to feare flesh from ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he declareth, 2 that both in respect of his owne misery, and of the force & sub­tilties of his aduersaries, there is good cause why the Lorde should succour him, from ver. 5. to the end of the 9. In the thirde hee promiseth 3 thankefulnes for all Gods mercies, and namely for his deliueraunces, from ver. 10. to the end of the Psalme.]

The title: to him that excelleth, a Psalm of Dauid [sée Psalme 4. Se. in the ti­tle] on Michtam, which is either the name of a tane, as Psal. 16. in the title, or else of some musicall instrument] concerning the dumbe Doue [some take this to be the beginning of a common song, after the tune that Dauid woulde haue this Psalme sung, and then michtam must bee taken not for a time, but for an instrument, others thinke that these wordes must bee applied to Dauid by a metaphor, who calleth himselfe a dumbe Doue, not onely because hee sought no reuenge, but also because committing all things to Gods will, he o­pened not his mouth to answere the aduersaries] in a farre country [ vz. from the land of Iudea and namely from the place where the seruices of God were practised] when the Philistines tooke him in Gath [for the vnderstanding of this, sée 1. Samuel. 21. from ver. 10. to the ende of the Chapter. Some I knowe read this title thus. To the master of the harmony [that is all one in sense, with these wordes, to him that excelleth.] A notable song of Dauid [this an­swereth in sense to a Psalme of Dauid in michtam, which worde is sometimes vsed for gold, as though that for the excellency of it, it shoulde bee as good as gold] touching the soule that suffered violence [the reason of this varietie is, [Page 140] because the worde in his proper and naturall signification is sometimes vsed for a Doue, sometimes vsed for a soule, but the sense is all one and this agréeth with that, concerning the dumbe Doue] by a band of people that were farre of [ i. by a company or multitude of Philistines, as appeareth by that which fol­loweth 1 in this title.] Ver. 1. For man [ i. great numbers of men, as when we say man can do nothing against God: & no doubt he meaneth both Saul & his com­plices, together with the Philistines and other enemies of his] would swallow vp [he cōpareth his enemies to a whirlepoole, or rauenous beasts, meaning that they had a mind vtterly to destroy him except God put to his hand for his de­liuerance] he fighteth continually [ vz. against me as ver. 2. doing what he can to ouerthrow me, & work me mischief at the least, which I suppose he meaneth 2 by these words: and vexeth me.] Ver. 2. Is very plaine, and is the same almost 3 with the first ver.] Ver. 3. When I was afraid [ i. when any thing fell out, that might make me afraid] I trusted in thée [ q.d. and so I will do stil because I ne­uer 4 haue as yet beene frustrate of my hope.] Ver. 4. I wil reioyce in God [ vz. in the middest of al my troubles] because of his word [ i. for the certainty and assurednes of his promise: 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 contēpt, that he might put his aduersaries in remē ­brāce of their pride, who forgetting themselues, did thrust in themselues into 5 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 6 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 thēselues 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 7 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 8 time which thou shalt thinke méete to declare thy wrath against them.] Ver. 8. [Page 141] 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 9 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 10 of verse 4. in this Psalme.] Ver. 11. Is the same with the latter part of that 11 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 12 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 13 death, [ i. my body and life, which was in the danger of death, and as it were at [Page 142] 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 [...]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 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. 1 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 2 third. In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was, and the craft and cruelty of his enemies, praying deliuerance 3 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 1 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 resē ­ble 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, 2 [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 [Page 144] hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in kee­ping 4 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 5 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.] 6 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 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 7 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 8 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 [Page 145] 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 9 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 10 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 1 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 shalbe 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, 2 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 3 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 y e 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 4. Their poison [ i. the malice of their harts, and the mischieuous wordes that they vtter] like the poison of a serpent [ i. strong and ful of infection, able to kil the parties, vppon whom it is cast, & namely the venime of the Aspes, of which he speaketh in this place, which is vncurable, vnlesse the mēbers touched ther­with bee immediatly cut off, as Plinie noteth lib. 8. cap. 3.] like the deafe adder, [ i. the wicked are like to it] when he saith the adder or serpent is deafe, he mea­neth, that they make themselues so, expressing therby their subtilty against in­chantments: of whom some write, y t they stop both their eares after this sort, they lay the one of thē close and hard to the ground, & stop the other with their taile, so that no sound can enter: & when he attributeth eares vnto these adders & serpents: he meaneth by that speach, those open partes of the head, whereby they receiue a sound & noise made.] Ver. 5. He noteth that the most cunning in­chanter 5 can not once preuaile against thē, when their eares are stopped frō hea­ring of his inchanting words. That serpents & adders by inchantments haue [Page 147] beene made to lye still, & not able to hurt, is very manifest and famous, by sun­dry examples, and yet at this day many in Germany do practise the same: & I my selfe haue seene it practised vppon a snake by a high Dutchman yet aliue as I take it in England: but neither these examples, nor this place, do proue the lawfulnes of that art, as some doe gather thereuppon, but rather the con­trary, for whereas the Iewes cal their charmers by a name, importing hauing fellowshippe with an other, calling to their fellowship the deuill himselfe and his strength, to the practising of these artes: Dauid vseth the same word here: which also God himselfe condemneth. Deutron. 18.11. Let vs rather sée what the Prophets purpose is: he meaneth to note, that his enemies in subtilty and malice did surpasse the most subtill serpents whatsoeuer, and that they were so setled in their wickednes, that there was no way, nor hope of their reclai­ming.] Ver. 6. Breake their teeth in their mouthes, [he prayeth the Lorde here 6 to remoue all meanes whereby they might hurt either nigh or farre off. I take it to be the same, with Psal. 10.13. sauing that it is expressed in other wordes: meaning by téeth, the cruell desire, or rather their desperate rage to hurt, wher­with they were set on fire, as though they were raging to byte, sée Psalm. 3.7.] breake the iawes of the yong Lions, O Lord, [ i. ouerthrow the force and pow­er, of this cruell men who for their force and cruelty hee resembleth to young Lions.] Ver. 7. Let them melt like the waters, [ vz. turned either into snowe or 7 ice, which when the heate of the sunne once commeth vppon them confirmeth very easily and quickly, so that he prayeth for a quicke riddance and dispatch of the wicked] let them passe away [ vz. very sodainely] when hee shooteth his arrowes, [ i. when hée goeth about any manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer, sée Psalm. 11.2.] Let them bee as broken [ i. not able to wounde or hurt, no more then a broken arrowe can: hee prayeth the ouerthrowe of all their mischiefe and power] and marke both in this verse, and in that that followeth the sodaine chaunge of the number, from the plurall to the singular.] Ver. 8. 8 let him consume like a snaile that melteth, [ vz. after that he is come out of his shell or house, for them as Aristotle noteth. Lib. 5. de historia animal. cap. 32. He waxeth dull and dieth quickly, so that here hee prayeth that the wicked might come to a sodaine ende] and like the vntimely fruite of a woman [ i. like a childe borne long before the time. It appeareth by Iob. 3.16. that there is two sortes of this vntimely fruite: one in which the forme and liniaments of a body doe not yet distinctly appeare: an other that hath the parts and mem­bers of a body and life it selfe, and yet dyeth either before the birth, or in the birth. I woulde vnderstande the Propet of both, but especially of the first part.] Verse 9. As rawe flesh [ q.d. let the vngodly bee like rawe flesh taken 9 away out of the pot, before the pot haue felt the heate of fire made with thornes, or any other wood whatsoeuer: by which similitude the Prophet mindeth to note two thinges: vz. both the sodaine vengeaunce of God against the wicked, which also hee expresseth afterwardes by carrying him away in a whirlewind, and also the vnprofitablenes of the wicked. For as rawe flesh [Page 148] can not be méete foode for man, so these vngodly are such as the Lorde taketh no delight in at all] so let him, [ i. God] carry them away [ i. destroy the wic­ked from amongst men: or else tosse them to and fro, as the whirlewinde doeth the chaffe, dust, or any light thing: and by the whirlewinde, hee noteth their so­daine destruction: as by Gods wrath he meaneth the greatnes thereof. I know other men read this ver. otherwise, and giue other senses, but me thinketh this 10 is sufficiently playne, and hangeth well with that that goeth before.] Ver. 10. The righteous [ i. those that are accounted right, not that any are so of them­selues, but that they are so accounted for Christes righteousnes sake] shal re­ioyce [ i. not onely bee glad for the wickeds ouerthrowe, but giue God the glo­ry and praise therefore] when hee séeth the vengeaunce [ vz. from God, exe­cuted vppon the wicked and vngodly] and this is not because the godly are ca­ryed forward with a desire of reuenge, that they so reioyce in the wickeds de­struction and ouerthrowe, but because they conceiue a wonderfull ioy when they sée Gods iudgments executed, whereby they knowe that their life is pre­cious before God, for as there is mildnes and gentlenes in faithfull mens heartes, so being lead with a true zeale, they take pleasure in the execution of Gods iudgements: and these affections are pure and right, because they are ruled according to Gods will] hée shall wash his féete in the blood of the wic­ked [the Prophet meaneth hereby that Gods iudgements shalbée so heauily executed vppon the wicked, and there shalbée so great a slaughter and discom­fiture of them, that the good shall euen bathe their feete [by a manner of 11 speach, in their blood.] Ver. 11. And men shal say [ vz. not only the good, but euē others, y t in the great slaughter of the wicked shal remain aliue] shal say [not in heart onely, but also confesse with their mouthes] verely there is fruite for the righteous, [ i. certainely it is profitable and good, to striue to serue God and to leade a holy life.] Doubtlesse there is a God [ vz. in heauen] that iudgeth in the earth, [ i. that gouerneth the worlde though the wicked thinke that hee is idle in heauen, and regardeth not the things that are done here below. Sée Mala. 2.17. also 3.14.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs charitably to debate matters with the wicked and vn­godly: it sheweth also that hypocrites pretend iustice and iudgement, whereas they performe nothing lesse. Ver. 2. Declareth how sinne 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. [Page 149] 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 1 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 2 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. 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 4 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 5 [Page 150] 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 6 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 7 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 8 God.] Ver. 8. Sée expounded before Psal. 2.4. & for the word heathen, sée ver. 5. of this Psal. Whatsoeuer it is y e Prophet meaneth, that God wil bring al their [Page 151] purposes to nothing, and that without making any great adoe, but euen as it were playing and sporting.] Verse 9. He is strong [this may be eyther vnder­stood of Saule who was in the kingdome, and had al at his commaundement, or 9 else of all that ioyned with him, speaking of them as of one man, by reason of their consent to mischiefe, though otherwise they were many in number] but I will wayt vpon thée [ q.d. notwithstanding his strength, I will paciently tar­rie thy leasure, till thou ouerthrow him or deliuer me] for God is my defence, [marke the sodayne chaunge of the person, from the second to the thirde: and this is a reason why he will wayte the Lords leasure, because he is sure to bee defended, syth God taketh his part.] Verse 10. My mercifull God [ i. my God 10 who hath made me sundry times feele his mercy and goodnesse] will preuent me, vz. with his helpe and fauour, yea and that many times before I aske or haue néede, he meaneth that Gods ayde should alwayes be readye to succoure him, and though he deferred it for a time, yet he would not fayle at néede] God will let me sée, [ i. thorow his goodnesse hee will make me perceiue the force of my prayers, and the execution of his iustice vpon the wicked. For that whiche followeth in this verse, sée before Psal. 54.7.] Verse 11. Slay them not [ vz. so­daynly 11 or at one blow, as we would say: he prayeth that his enemies maye bée discomfited and ouerthrowne by little and little, least the remembrance of gods iudgements shoulde perish, but that this vengeaunce of God exercised vppon them, might indure a long season in mans memory, for their bettering if it might be] least my people [ i. eyther these that are presently with me, or shall in time hereafter come vnder my gouernment] but scatter them abroad [ i. cause them to wander vp and downe, as troubled people that know not what they do: or else as people that be gréeued, and can finde no place of their owne or of o­ther mens, to ease themselues in, by reason of the euill that pincheth them, I suppose he alludeth to the iudgement that GOD pronounced against Kaine Gen. 4.12.] by thy power [ vz which they nor any other are able to resist] put them downe [ vz. from their estates and honourable degrées, whervnto they are exalted in Saules Court, that their miseries may serue them as glasses to be­holde thy iudgements in] O Lord our shield [ i. our defender and succourer, sée Psalme 18.2] Verse 12. For the sinne of their mouth, and the wordes of their 12 lippes [ i. for the slaunderous and false spéeches that they haue giuen oute and spoken: the Prophet sheweth a cause why the Lorde shoulde or woulde plague them by casting them downe from their honour] let them be taken, [ vz. by thy iudgement] in their pride [ i. when they are at the height therof, or most proude. For the more high a man falleth, the greater is his fall to him, and more noted of others] euen for their periury and lies that they speake [by these wordes hee toucheth two great faults in them, the lesser of them being strong ynough to draw Gods iudgements vpon them] Verse 13. Consume them [ vz. 13 in the end when thou shalt [...] scattered them, and cast them down (as ver. 11.) and when the time shal come that thou shalt haue sufficiently serued thy selfe with them, as a most [...]ayne example of thy vengeaunce, verse 11. also of this [Page 152] Psalme] in thy wrath [which is as it were fyre, whereas they are but stubble] consume them [this doubling of the wordes noteth the earnestnesse of the Pro­phet in his prayer] that they bee no more [ vz. among men: hee meaneth that they might not liue any longer, see Ierem. 31.15. Math. 2.18.] and let them knowe [ vz. at the last, and that by their owne experience and féeling] that God ruleth [ i. not only gouerneth but also careth for] in Iaakob [i. in and for his Churche: as Psalme 14.7.] euen vnto the endes of the worlde, [this maye be taken, eyther that it shoulde note the continuall care and gouernmente of GOD, in and ouer his Churche: or else that it should set out the largenesse of his gouernment, as that it shoulde bée stretched from the one side of the 14 Worlde to the other: and to this latter doe I rather inclyne.] Verse 14. And in the euening, &c. For the vnderstanding of these phrases and maners of spéeche, sée before verse 6. where the same wordes are repeated and ex­pounded. In this place the Prophet mindeth to mocke them, for their inde­uours and agréements, and sayth that after they shall be much wearyed, and haue trauayled all daye long in remouing housholde stuffe as it were, and trudging hither and thither to intangle him, they shall bee frustrate notwith­standing 15 of their deuices, attemptes, and purposes.] Verse 15. They shall runne here and there [ i. they shall be verye paynefull and laborious] for meat [ i. to hurte and to doe mischiefe: for as the godlye thinke it a nourishmente vnto them to doe good, as our Sauiour sayth, Iohn 4.32.34. also Iohn 6.27. so the wicked take as much delighte in doing ill as in their foode] and surelye they shall not bee satisfyed [ i. they shall certainlye misse of that they desired and sought for, yea] though they tarry all nighte [ i. though they watche all nighte long, and take neuer so much paines to atchieue it. I know others doe other­wise expound it, as though they should be pinched with famine, and hunger­bitten, what toyle and labour soeuer they tooke, but the former sence liketh me] 16 Verse 16. But I will sing of thy power [ i. in my songes I will make mention of and set forth thy power, made manifest in deliuering me, and in punishing mine aduersaries] and will prayse thy mercy [ i. with a loude voyce I will set it forth, that others hearing it may reioyce with mee and trust in the same] in the morning, he meaneth euery morning and euery day, putting a part for the whole: and yet because the morning is the speciall time for that exercise of prayer and thanksgiuing, hée maketh speciall mention thereof] for thou haste bene my defence [ i. thou alone hast defended me] and refuge [ i. the sure place wherevnto I fled, as to a high Mountayne: sée Psalme 11.1.] in the daye [ i. in the time or times, for he meaneth not that he was troubled but one day onely.] 17 Verse 17. Vnto thée, O my strength [ i. vnto thée O my GOD, that arte the God of my strength, and from whome alone I haue the strength that I haue] will I sing [ vz. songes of prayse and thanksgiuing] and my mercifull God [ i. he that vouchsafeth me worthy of his mercy and by his mercy doth protect and defend me.

Do. Verse 1.2. Teach vs to pray deliuerance from our enimies, and that so much [Page 153] the more earnestly, by how much they are many in number, or cruell in déedes, or great daungers in multitude increase vpon vs. Verse 3. Setteth out firste the subtiltie of the wicked, secondlye that not the meanest manye times but the mightiest are enimyes to Gods children: and that not for anye euill the god­ly haue done against them, but to satisfie their malicious mindes, whiche may be terrible to them: but comfortable to the godlye. Verse 4. Setteth out the paynes and diligence that the wicked take to performe mischiefe. Verse 5. tea­cheth, that God, euen the God of power, must only laye too his handes, when matters are as it were desperate, to restrayne the rage of the malicious mul­titude. Verse 6.7. shew the crueltye, rage, diligence, boasting, and carelesnesse of the vngodly. Verse 8. Teacheth that God will make all the mischieuous attempts of the wicked frustrate. Verse 9. Teache vs not so muche to re­garde the force and multitude of our enemyes, as to looke vp to our GOD, whose power is present with vs. Verse 10. Teacheth that GOD is more rea­dy to doe for vs, then we many times thinke of. Verse 11. Gods iudgementes iustly executed vpon the wicked, should not be lightly let passe or slippe out of our remembraunce. Verse 12. Teacheth vs to looke to our wordes, to beware of pride, and to take héede of periurie and lying, for they are suche thinges as the Lord can not away with. Verse 13. Gods iust iudgements executed vpon the wicked, are euident testimonies of his iustice towards the vngodlye, and of his mercy towards his own children. Verse 14.15. Teacheth that all the wic­ked purposes and attempts of the vngodly shall be frustrate, whatsoeuer pain, toile and diligence they shall take in the performaunce thereof. Verse 16. tea­cheth vs, that Gods iustice vpon the wicked, & his goodnesse towards his own, should inforce vs, to yéeld continuall prayse and thanks to him both for the one and for the other. Verse 17. Teacheth that all our strength and sufficiencie, is from God alone.

Psalme 60

THis short Psalme may be diuided, as I suppose, Di. rightlye into thrée parts. In the first the Prophet sheweth the great afflic­tion 1 that he had a long time indured, and the great blessings that God afterwards poured forth vppon him: from ver. 1. to the end of the 5. In the seconde hee doth by the spirite of 2 Prophecie, foretell the inlargement of his kingdome, not onely in the land of Iudea, but among the nations about him from verse 6. vn­to the end of the 8. In the third he prayeth the Lord to strengthen him agaynst 3 his enemies, and assureth himselfe of his ayde, from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme.

The title, Se. to him that excelleth [this is expounded before] vpon Shushan E­duth. I take it to be the name either of some instrument, which shoulde bée vsed in the singing of this Psalme: or else the beginning of some song, according [Page 154] to the tune whereof Dauid would haue this Psalme sung] or Michtam [q.d. It may be sung eyther vpon the one instrument or tune: or vpon the other in­strument or tune: of michtam we haue spoken before, and namelye Psalme 16. in the Title] a Psalme of Dauid [ i. which Dauid made] to teache [ vz. not only himselfe and those of his time, but others that should come after him, what great care God hath ouer his, though he afflict them for a little while] when he fought agaynst Aram Naharaim [this expresseth the time of the making of this Psalme: The history whereof you may sée at large 2. Samuel 8. thorowe out, and namely verse 12.13. For Aram Naharaim what Countrie it was, and why it was so called, sée Gen. 24.10. and the note in that place] and agaynst A­ram Zobah [he maketh only mention of terrible people and such as are farre of, leauing to speake of the nations round about him, because the discomfiture of those was as it were incredible: and yet God gaue him the victory both against the Aramites of Mesopotamia, and againste the other Aramites that inhabited Zobah] When Ioab returned, to wit, from the slaughter of the Syrians, as 2. Samuel 8.13. where it is sayd, that Dauid slew eyghtéene thousand: which wée must vnderstand thus because he was the chéefe of that armye, and therefore that is ascribed to him, which was performed by the people that was subiect to him: and in 1. Chronicles 18.12. It is sayd that Abishai Ioabs brother flew thē: which must be vnderstoode, because he was the first instrument that ouerthrew the Syrians, killing sixe thousand of them, which victorye his brother and the armie that was with him pursued, and flew twelue thousand more of them, of which mention is made in this place: read diligently for the better vnderstan­ding hereof, the places before alleaged, vz. 2. Samuel 8. throughout, and 1. 1 Chron. 18. thorow out.] Verse 1. No doubt he bewayleth the miserable disper­sion and long afflictions, that the people of Israel aboad in the time of the Iud­ges and Saule, of which you may reade in the booke of Iudges, and the firste of Samuel] thou hast cast vs out [ vz. eyther of thy fauour, or else of the lande and dwelling places that thou hast giuen vs: of whiche the story of Ruth yieldeth an example] thou hast scattered vs [ vz. amongest other peoples round about vs: see more of this phrase Psalme 59.11.] thou hast bin angry [ vz. agaynst vs, euident signes of which thy wrath, haue bin our outcastinges and dispersions] turne agayne vnto vs [ q.d. behold our misery and affliction, and once agayne looke vpon vs in mercy and louing fauour, as thou hast don sundry times here­tofore: take not thy flight from vs, neyther depart away from vs in sury, but in mercy returne to vs, and abide with vs for euer.] Verse 2. Thou hast made 2 the lande to tremble [ i. thou hast striken a wonderfull feare into the hartes and heads of thy people, by reason of forraine warres and heauie troubles: or else thus: Thou hast brought great disorders amongst the people, euen as confusi­on commonly and ouerthrowing of houses followeth earthquakes: but I al­low rather of the former sence: whatsoeuer it be he doth by a metonymia, put the land for the people inhabiting the same] and thou hast made it to gape [ vz. not only as it were with an earthquake, but also as it were with a most dry and [Page 155] parching summer: meaning thereby seditions and ciuil discordes, when the people were diuided among themselues, some following Dauid and some the house of Saule, as appeareth 2. Samuel from Chap. 1. to the fourth] heale the breaches therof [ i. remedy the disorders therin and cure y e diseases like a good Phisition, as in déed one to whom alone it belōgeth] for it is shaken [ vz. great­ly and gréeuously: with the calamities that it hath alreadye endured, and is like to indure, vnlesse thou redresse it: q. d. It is so laden with affliction and misery, that it can not long indure, euen as if a man had a burthen on his back that were too heauie for him to beare.] Verse 3. Thou hast shewed thy people 3 heauy things [ i. thou hast made that people whom thou diddest dearely loue, to féele and sée things that might minister, and haue ministred great sorrowe, and heauinesse to them] thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of giddinesse [he spea­keth of some venemous and infected drink, which taketh from men their sence and vnderstanding, and as a man would say, bewitcheth people and maketh them drunke: q.d. Thou hast made vs dull and blockish in our euils, euen as drunkards are, or people that are inchaunted. Not that God was eyther the author of euil or did thē any iniury, but that he had iust cause thus to plague thē and giue them ouer for their sinnes.] Verse 4. But now thou hast giuen a ban­ner 4 [ i. a playne signe of thy fauour, and of good hope to vs ward, giuing vs by the chaunge that is fallen out, matter and occasion of courage and reioysing, in hope that the dispersed shall be gathered together, and thinges broughte into good order, he meaneth that God by the light of his promises, and by his ayde: and namely by the new victory he had giuen them, whereof mention is made in this Psalme, would take into his guiding againe the people whome he had séemed before to forsake, and go before them now as it were, with a banner dis­playde, sée Psalme 20.5.] because of thy truth, because of thy most true and as­sured promises, that thou hast made to them in that behalfe.] Verse 5. That thy beloued [ i. those whome thou cariest a singuler fauour to] may be deliuered 5 [ i. set from daunger and distresse] helpe with thy right hand [ i. with thy wōder­full might and power, as sundry times before] and heare me [ i. graunte my re­quest and prayer.] Verse 6. God hath spoken [ vz. by his seruaunt and Prophet 6 Samuel] in his holinesse [some reade it by his holinesse: if we reade in his holinesse, then he meaneth thereby Gods sanctuary and Arke, whiche is called his holinesse, because he that is holinesse it selfe, did dwell and appeare there. If we reade by his holinesse, it is as much as if he should saye, hee hath called his holinesse to witnesse, and pawned it, as a man would saye, for the certainty and assuraunce of that which was promised him] I will reioice [ i. comforte my selfe in this, as good cause I haue indéede so to doe.] I shall deuide Shechem, and measure the valley of Succoth. Shechem was the name of a place on this side the Riuer Iordan as the valley of Succoth was on the other side this riuer. He nameth some parts of the land, putting them for the whole kingdome, in the full possession thereof though he were not, by reason of the diuision betwéen him and Saules house, yet he assured himselfe vpon the promise of God that hee [Page 156] should inioy the same in good tyme: and by deuiding and measuring, he mea­neth nothing but that they should come vnder his subiection, as the other parte of that land was, alluding to the manner of diuiding and measuring out lands by cordes, the owners thereof being the principall dealers most commonlye in that matter, and it is as much as he should say: I will not looke to haue my share measured out by others, but I will diuide it, and measure my selfe, and 7 will be the right owner and possesser thereof.] Verse 7. Giliad shall be mine, and Manasseth shall be mine [these are other partes of the kingdome whiche Da­uid assureth himselfe shall come into his possession] Ephraim also [ i. that whole tribe and people] shal be the strength of mine head [ i. the stay and power of my kingdome, because that this tribe was very mightye and well peopled: in so muche that the very name of it in the Prophets, is put for the whole kingdome of Israell] Iudah is my lawgiuer [ i. that Tribe obtayneth the righte of go­uernment and kingly authority amongest the people of GOD. Sée for the better vnderstanding of these two last spéeches, Deutronom. 33.17. Gene­sis 8 49.10.] Verse 8. Moah [i. the Moabites: and nowe he speaketh of for­rayne people] shalbe my Washpot [ i. so base and contemptible in my sighte, that I will fréelye breake them as a potshearde, and if I shall reserue anye of them, I will put them to filthye seruices, as 2. Samuell 8.2.] ouer E­dom [i. the Edomites] will I cast out my shoe [ i. I will boldlye treade them downe, as altogether in subiection to me, for I will bring them altogether vnder mine obedience, and that with as much ease in a manner, as casting my Shoe ouer them] Palestina [i. O ye Philistines] shewe thy selfe ioyfull for me [ q.d. at the least make outwarde shewe, though thou haue nothing in­warde, 9 that yée are gladde, that I shall raigne ouer you.] Verse 9. Who will leade mee [ i. me and mine that are with me q.d. none canne doe this, but God alone] into the strong Citie [ vz. of myne aduersaries: and here he put­teth 10 one for many.] Verse 10. Whiche haddest cast vs of [ vz. for a tyme] and diddest not goe forth [ vz. to Warre, ayding and strengthening the hands 11 and hartes of ours in the daye of Battaile,] Verse 11. Vayne is the helpe of 12 man [ vz as it commeth from man.] Verse 12. Through GOD [ i. through the assuraunce we haue of his succour and ayde, and by the strength that hee shall giue vs] we shall doe valiauntly [ vz. agaynst his and our enimies] for he [ vz. eyther by himselfe extraordinarilye, or by our ministerie, as by a meane: but whatsoeuer it is he ascribeth all to God] shall tread downe our enimies [ vz. vnder his féete, and vnder our féete, so that they shall not bee able to rise vp a­gayne.

Do. Verse 1.2.3. Teach that God doth sundry times, and in sundry sorts afflicte his people, and that very sore. Verse 4 teacheth that yet he doth neuer vtterlye take away his louing kindnesse and mercy from them, but that at the length he giueth them assured testimonies and signes of his fauour. Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods power is all in all for the sauegarde and deliueraunce of his Ser­uaunts. Verse 6.7. Teacheth Princes that it is GOD alone that tyeth the [Page 157] hartes of their owne people in holy affection fast vnto them. Verse 8. sheweth that it is God onely that must subdue all enemyes, both forrayne and at home. Verse 9. Teacheth that strong cities and peoples are nothing, when God will haue them subdued and sacked. Verse 10. deliuereth the same doctrines that Verse 1.2.3. and 4. of this Psalme. Verse 11. Teacheth two thinges, firste ear­nestly to pray to God in all our troubles, and secondly neuer to make accounte of man otherwise then of man, that is as of a vayne thing without God. Verse 12. Teacheth that God is our only strength, and that whatsoeuer victorye wee get, we must ascribe it to him alone.

Psalme 61.

THis Psalme hath thrée partes. Di. In the firste the Prophet pray­eth 1 vnto the Lord, to graunt him his request, and to set him frée from the force of his Aduersaries, and this is compre­hended in the two firste verses. In the seconde, the Pro­phet 2 strengtheneth his owne fayth by the particular experi­ence he had had in times past of Gods goodnesse towardes him, and this is in verse 3.4.5. In the thirde hee prophecieth of the continu­ance 3 of his kingdome, and promiseth thankfulnesse vnto God for the same, and this is in verse 6.7.8.

The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalme 4.] Verse 1. Se. Heare my crie [ i. graunt my earnest request: and the same is meant by, giue eare vnto my prayer: not that Dauid doubted whether God heard or no, but that he would fayne with some spéede haue had his sute yéelded vnto.] Verse 2. From the 2 ends of the earth [it should rather be from the ends of the lande, vz. of Israell, for Dauid flying fore feare of his sonne Abshalon [vpon which occasion I sup­pose this Psalme was made, passed ouer Iordan to Mahanaim, whether also Abshalon followed him, Samuel 17.24.] will I crye vnto thée [ i. Pray earnest­lye and feruently] when my hart is oppressed [ vz. with sorrow and gréefe to sée my sonne rise vp agaynst me, and my people also to followe him] bring mée vnto the Rocke [ i. set me vpon a verye high and safe place, from whence I may behold my enimies and be safe from their force] that is higher then I [ i. that is more sure and safe, then I and all the forces I haue, or am able to make.] Ver. 3. For thou hast bin mine hope [ i. he alone in whom I haue hoped and trusted] and a strong towre [ i. a most sure defence kéeping me always safe & sound from 3 the force of mine enemies: for though he speak but in the singular nūber of one, yet no doubt he meaneth the rest: and this verse containeth a reason of his pray­er taken from former experience.] Verse 4. I shall dwell in thy tabernacle [ta­bernacle is not put here for the Arke, but it is put for a tent or pauilion, being 4 a metaphor taken from warfare, where those that are in the kings tente dwell as it were in a very safe place, because the king and those that are with him be alwayes the safeliest prouided for. To dwell then in Gods Tabernacle is to [Page 158] haue abiding in such a place, as where nothing can hurte him, and this sence may appeare to be right, by the other member of this verse] for euer [ i. al the dayes of my life vpon the earth, and euer after when I shal be receiued to thée] and my trust shall be vnder the shadow of thy winges [ q.d. This shall bee my 5 trust, that lying vnder thy protection, I shall be safe, sée Psalme 17.8.] Ver. 5. Hast heard my desires [ i. graunted the thinges I prayde for] thou haste giuen an heritage [both in this life, vz. the lawfull inioying of earthly things, which doe indéede appertain to the only seruaunts of God, and also in the life to come, prepared for those] that feare his name [ i. that of a certayne childlike reuerence that they haue of his Maiestie in their harts, yéeld vnto him that seruice in this 6 life that he requireth of them.] Verse 6. Thou shalt giue the King [ i. me, that am the King, speaking of himselfe in the third person] a long life, his yeares shall be as many ages, [ vz of men and their posterity layde together, he mea­neth nothing else but that he should liue and raigne long. This was fulfilled certaynly in Dauid, who raigned King forty yeares, but specially it is accom­plished 7 in Christ, whose Kingdome indureth for euer.] Verse 7. He [Marke how he speaketh still of himselfe in the thirde person] shall dwell before God [ i. shall haue God alwayes gracious and fauourable vnto him, by reason of his fatherly prouidence and care that he hath ouer his. For to dwell before God, is not only to liue in his presēce, for the wicked are neuer remoued from that, but to fynde him gracious & louing, as those whom the Prince continually vouch­safeth his sight] for euer [ i. a long time, if you referre it to Dauid, but perpetu­ally, if you referre it to Christ] prepare [ vz. for the King] mercy and faithful­nesse [ i. by mercy, he meaneth compassions that Magistrates vse, as when in pronouncing sentence agaynst any, they shew that they do it with a tender hart: and by faythfulnesse, he meaneth truth, equity, and vpright dealing, rendring to euery man according to his cause] that they may preserue him [ vz. in his kingdome, and make his raigne and gouernment sure. Sée Prouerbs 20.28. 8 also Prouerb. 29.14.] Verse 8. So will I alwayes sing prayse vnto thy name, [ i. continually prayse thy maiestie, for inabling me to execute my office in per­forming dayly my vowes [ q.d. by this meanes shall my prayse and thanksgi­uing appeare, in that I will performe, as signes of my thankfulnesse and obe­dience, the vowes that I haue made vnto thée.

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs so to be earnest in prayer with our God, not that he hath néede thereof, but for our owne cause, because it is a good meanes to cause vs to spéede. Verse 2. Teacheth that prayer is not tied to any place, as to think that for the places sake, our prayers should be the better: it teacheth also that in the heauinesse of our hart we should then specially praye, as also Iames 5.13. Verse 3. Teacheth that nothing can more forciblye cause vs to hope in God, then the vnfayned remembraunce of the ayde that we haue receiued from him. Verse 4. Teacheth that God alone must be our refuge and protection. Verse 5. Sheweth that God graciously graunteth the holy prayers of his Seruaunts: and neuer destituteth those eyther of bodily or spirituall blessings, that call vp­on [Page 159] him. Verse 6. Long life to all, and namely the long raignes of Kinges and Princes, is a speciall gift of God. Verse 7. Teacheth that Magistrates knowe not how to rule, vnlesse the Lorde apt them for it: it teacheth also that tender hartednesse and vpright execution of iustice, be the proppes and stayes of king­domes and countries. Verse 8. Teacheth Gods children thankfulnesse, yea con­tinuall thankfulnesse, and the manifesting of that thankfulnesse, by the exercises of Gods holy religion, and the fruits of obedience.

Psalme 62.

THis Psalme, though somewhat shorte, Di. hath yet foure speciall 1 parts. In the first is comprehended his entraunce or Exor­dium, wherein the Prophet sheweth that he hangeth only on God, and this is in the two first verses. In the second he re­proueth 2 his enemies for their mischieuous imaginations, lyings, flatteries, &c. shewing what iudgement shall fall vp­on them therefore. Verse 3.4. In the third part he propoundeth the doctrine of 3 confidence in God, exhorting the faithfull to hang vpon him, because man is but vaine, and dehorting the wicked from their sinne, and this reacheth from verse 5. to the end of the 10. In the fourth he confirmeth his doctrine shewing 4 that God hath iudgement in the one hand, and mercy in the other, to render to euery one according to their déeds: and this is in the two last verses.

The title of this Psalm is expounded before, Psal. 39.1.] Ver. 1. Se. yet my soule [ q.d. notwithstanding al the afflictions y t I haue indured, my inward man, hath neither murmured against God, neither ceased at any time to trust in him: and this is y e exordiū of the Psal. beginning as it were somwhat abruptly, & sodain­ly cōming (as a man would say) in his imaginatiō out of y e violence of his cros­ses] kéepeth silence [ i. patiently beareth, vz. the trials & afflictions that are vpō me, sée Isai. 30.7. Zephani 1.7.] vnto God [ i. him and his doing, I neuer mur­muring and repining against them, though thorow the weakenesse & corruptiō of my flesh, I be somtimes prouoked to murmuring and dispayre] of him [ vz. alone] cōmeth my saluation [ i. deliuerances from dangers & distresses, he mea­neth that the deliuerance he hath, he hath from God only. Ver. 2. Yet [ q.d. All 2 my troubles and afflictions notwithstanding] he is my strength [ i. al y e strength I haue, I haue from him] and my saluation [ i. he that deliuereth me from dan­ger and distres] and my defence [ i. he that defendeth me from hurt and harme] therfore [ vz because I haue so good a proppe and stay] I shall not much be mo­ued [he meaneth not that he shall not fall at all, but this, that if he stumble, yet he shall rise agayne, and though he be shaken by manifold temptations, yet hée shall haue an issue and a way out to escape, 1. Cor. 10.13.] Verse 3. How long 3 will ye imagine mischiefe? [he reproueth his aduersaries for their deuysing and practising of euill] agaynst a man [ i. agaynste me speaking of himselfe in the third person: sée psalme. 4.3.] ye shalbe al slain [ q.d. your deuising against [Page 160] me, shall profite you nothing: for you shall be slayne, so that one of you shal not escape] ye shall be as a bowed wall [by this spéech the Prophet meaneth, both that they shall be sodaynly destroyed, and that there shall not be much adoe to ouerthrow thē, no more then there is to cast down a wall that is falling of it self see Isaiah 30.13.] or as a wall shaken [ vz. either with earthquake, or violence of 4 storm and tempest: he vseth two similitudes to expresse one thing.] Ver. 4. Yet they consult [ q.d. though mine enimies sée that they get nothing by their dea­lings, but thrust themselues headlong into destructiō, yet they cease not to de­uise al that they can, to hinder me from the roial dignity wherto god hath called me, he speaketh of himself here in the third person: & by his dignity he vnder­standeth that maiesticall excellency, whervnto God eyther had or would indéed aduance him, of which sée 1. Sam. 18. almost throughout] their delight is in lies [that is, they take pleasure in lying, hipocrisie, &c. as may plainly appeare by y e chapter last aleadged] they blesse [ i. speake well of, & wish well also] with their mouthes [ i. in their words, putting y e instrument whereby wordes are vttered, for the words thēselues] but curse [ i. wish euil, & think and imagine euill & mis­chief 5 in their harts, as ver. 2. of this psal.] Ver. 5. Yet my soule [he speaketh to himself & comforteth himself: q.d. notwithstāding al this their peruerse & cro­ked dealing, trust thou in the Lord without murmuring against him, as before ver. 1. of this psal. and he speaketh vnto his soule or inward man, because if y t be cōfortable & assured, we shal the easilier ouercome y e outward distresses of y e body] for my hope is in him [ i. I haue fixed my ful assurance in him, who cā and 6 wil deliuer me.] Ver. 6. is the same w t ver. 2. of this Psal.] ver. 7. In God is my saluation [ i. the deliuerance y t I must haue out of al daungers, must come from him alone] & my glory [ i. the dignity and glory y t I eyther haue or shal haue, hath bin, is, & must be, his only gift] the rock of my strength [ i. in him alone consi­steth al y e strength I haue] in God is my trust [sée ver. 5. of this psalm, and these 8 words, my hope is in him.] Ver. 8. Trust in him [ vz. alone, as may appeare by the next ver. following] alwayes [ i. as well in aduersity as in prosperity, hee meaneth y t there should be no time wherin our hope & trust should be remoued frō god, though it were neuer so little] ye people [ vz. of Israel, meaning therby y e faithful of al places whatsoeuer] pour out your harts before him [ i. discharge your selues in his presence of your cares & gréefs w ch hold your hart as it were shut vp, for this we know, y t so long as our harts be ouerwhelmd w t sorrow, our prayers haue smal fréedome: q.d. if you féele your selues somtimes oppressed, pray hartily before him, laying open in his sight al y e care & gréef of your mind, who in good time both cā and wil turn it into spiritual ioy] for god is our hope 9 [ i. he in whom alone we hope & trust] Ver. 9. Yet y e children of men are vanitye [ d.q. notwithstāding men leaue god, & cleaue to mē, yet for al that they ar vain, & able to help nothing at al, by children of men he meaneth those y t are borne of inferior persons, or be base persons indéed, as may appear by these words fol­lowing, the chéefest men [ q.d. neither poore nor rich, are any thing y t waye, as to be trusted to: & by vanity he meaneth vain things, or things y t can stād vs in no [Page 161] stéed or purpose: as also by lies he meaneth y t there is no more truth nor assu­rāce in thē, then in a false tale] to lay thē vpon balāce [ d.q. if a mā wil make iust trial of it, he shal easily perceaue y e truth of this: y t there is no more strēgth, stay or stedfastnes in mā, thē in a matter of nothing] Ver. 10. Trust not [ vz. as mē 10 cōmonly are wōt to do. Before he spake to y e good, exhorting thē alwais to trust in y e Lord, now he sheweth y e wicked what things they ought to flée from] in op­pression, nor robbery [he meaneth not only goods & riches, gotten by these vn­lawful meanes: but also euen the things thēselues, as y t they should not trust in this, y t they were able to pill, pole & oppresse] be not vaine [ vz. either in your i­maginations, or in your outward behauiour] or else thus, giue not ouer youre selues to vain and perishing things, as welth, honor, &c.] If riches increase, set not your hart theron [ i. delight not in thē, little or much, lest therby you haue your harts stollen away from the hope of better things, or be puffed vp in pride aboue measure against your brethren: wherby we sée y t he doth not onely forbid ouermuch coueting of riches, but also to lifte vp our selues in pride or pre­sumptiō by reason therof] Ver. 11. God spake [ vz by his déed, word, & prophets] 11 once or twise [ i. sundry times, so y t no man néedeth to doubt therof, he putteth a nūber certain, for an vncertain] I haue heard it [ q.d. yea I my selfe can bee a witnes of it] that power [ vz. to punish the wicked, & to defend y e good] belōgeth to God [ vz alone, as who hath it in his hands to doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him: al this is aleaged to confirm the doctrines, which hee had before expounded.] Ver. 12. And to thée O Lord, mercy [ vz. towards thine own people, here is a 12 chaunging of the person, from the third to the second] for thou rewardest euery one according to his work [ i. towards y e good thou art mercifull, & towards the wicked thou declarest thy strength to consume them] this place and manner of words is often repeated in scripture, and hath ben muche abused to the mayn­taynaunce of merite. In summe, this is it that I haue to say of it: firste, that there is great difference betwéene reward and desert, as to any that will consi­der the words may easily appeare. Secondly that these words, his work, ought to haue this sence in respect of good and holy people, that they are sayde to bee theirs, not because they are the authors of them, but Gods instrumentes to doe them: so that when he rewardeth them for the doing of them, hee doth no more but crowne his own good workes in them.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, neuer for al our assaults to murmur against god. Do. Ver. 2 teacheth vs, y t if God be on our side, we néed not care who be against vs, also that though afflictiōs cease vs, yet none shal ouercome vs. Ver. 3. declareth what a general & sodain destructiō the Lord in his iustice bringeth vpon y e wicked ver. 4. teacheth y t notwithstanding the threatnings of gods iudgements, y e wicked procéed in their mischieuous imaginations, lyings, hipocrisie, cursings & such like. Ver. 5. teacheth vs to chear vp our selues in god, in our afflictiōs & crosses Ver. 6. teacheth y e same doctrine y t ver. 2. doth. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs, y t whatsoeuer we haue, we haue it frō our God. Ver. 8. teacheth vs in all distresses & seasons whatsoeuer, to hang vpon him alone, and to deale plainlye with him in laying [Page 162] open our harts before him, and then no doubt we shal find ease and comfort. ver. 9. teacheth vs to cast of al trust in flesh and blood, of what degrée or calling soe­uer they be of: it teacheth vs also not to haue other mē nor our selues in so great regard as we haue. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs to beware of oppression, robbery, and vanity: it teacheth vs also not only to hate couetousnesse, but also to take héede, least thorow abundance of riches, we be puffed vp in pride. Ver. 11. sheweth that God is a powerfull God, against al rebellious people. Ver. 12. Teacheth that he is a mercifull God to all those that are his: also that as he cannot away with wickednesse, because he rewardeth it, i. punisheth it, so a holye life is verye ac­ceptable in his sight, and therefore we should striue to it.

Psalme 63.

Di. TRue it is, that this Psalme is very much mixed, sometimes protesting earnest prayer, sometimes promising humble thanksgiuing, sometimes assuring himselfe of deliueraunce and somtimes foretelling the destruction of his enemies, yet 1 al that notwithstanding, thus it may be diuided. In the four first verses, the Prophet sheweth his great hūger and thirst after God, promising both to pray vnto him, and to prayse him al his life long. 2 In the 4. next verses, vz. 5.6.7.8. he sheweth what wonderful ioy, safety and as­suraunce he shalbe in, when God shall haue graciously graunted his requestes. 3 And in the 3 last verses, vz. 9.10.11. he doth in the spirit of prophecy foretell, the great ouerthrow of his enimies, and his own wonderful deliueraunce.

Se. The Title a Psalm of Dauid [vz. which he made] when he was (now he no­teth the time in which this Psalme was made) in the wildernesse of Judah, he meaneth the wildernesse of Ziph, which is here called the wildernesse of Iudah because it was in that portion of the land, which was giuen to the tribe of Iudah Sée 1. Samuel 23.14.15. and this Psalme séemeth not to vary much in argumēt 1 from Psal. 54.] Verse 1. O God, thou arte my God [ i. he that hitherto by thy strength and power hath deliuered me from mine enimies, that did pursue me: and therfore] earely will I séeke thée [ i. betimes in the morning, will I call vp­on thée: for he meaneth séeking vnto him by prayer: and the Prophet noteth that he will doe this diligently and carefully, because hee will as it were break his sléepe to doe it] My soule [ i. my inward man] thirsteth after thée [ i. desi­reth thee especiallye and aboue all other thinges: sée Psalme 42.2.] my fleshe [ i. euen my outward man also] longeth greatlye after thée [a notable me­taphor, taken from women with child, to expresse the earnest affection he had to Godward, which also is very much increased by the Aduerb, greatly] in a bar­ren & dry land, without water [it was gréeuous to be in a barren place, and dry land: but much more where Waters were wanting: but all this the Prophet speaketh to set out the miserye that he was in, while hee was as a banished man, from the place and exercises of Gods Religion: q.d. all the bodily penury [Page 163] and pinching that I might haue in this life, shoulde not touch me so nigh as this, that I want spirituall exercises.] Ver. 2. Thus I behold thée [ q.d. though 2 I be in such a miserable case, yet I leaue not off to loke vpon thy glory, and thy power, as if I were in the sanctuary: & though this sence be good, yet me thin­keth Immanuel doth better translate it thus] to behold [ i. that I may behold & sée, q.d. my great longing & thirsting is for this, that I may sée] thy strēgth [ i. the arke, w ch was a signe of the presence of y e most mighty & strong God, sée 1. Chron. 16.11. 2. Chron. 6.41. Psal. 78.61. where it is also called his power] and thy glory [ i. either thine own glory, shining in the tabernacle, or else the glo­ry of thy Tabernacle or sanctuary, either may stand very well] as I did [ vz. heretofore, when I was not thus persecuted] sée thée [ i. thy Maiestie and glo­rye] in the sanctuarie [ i. in the place where the arke was, from which the Lorde was wont to shew euident testimonies of his power and presence] ver. 3. for thy 3 louing kindnes [ i. thy mercy manifested to thy childrē] is better [ i. more profi­table comfortable and to be wished for] then life [we may vnderstād it thus, thē al earthly means & ayds, by which men are vpholdē in their estate: or else thus, then euen life it self, w ch without Gods fauor both here & else where, is nothing else but worse then a continual death] therfore my lips shal prayse thée [he mea­neth not only these instrumēts of nature, by which y e words are vttered, but also the words themselues, q.d. with my words wil I set forth thy glory & prayse.] Ver. 4. Thus [ vz. euen as I purpose & do at this presēt] wil I magnifye thée 4 [ i. prayse and extoll thée and thy workes] all my life [ vz. long, meaning so long as this life lasteth] and lift vp mine handes [ 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 5 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 shalbe glad and ready to perform that duety] Ver. 6. 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 7 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 8 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 [Page 164] 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 6 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 10 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 shalbe 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 11 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 y t 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] shalbe stopped [he meaneth that the wicked shalbe 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 y t 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 [Page 165] 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 y e first 1 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 2 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 3 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 y t 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 y e 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 y t the flatterers of Sauls court which 2 imagine my destructiō, may not find me out] from the conspiracy of y e wicked [ i. from these outrages & cruelties, that y e 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 delighted in sinne and vniust dealing, and solde themselues as it were for fauor or flattery, both to work wickednesse, and that with gréedinesse.] Verse 3. 3 Which haue whet their tongue like a sword [ i. they haue sharpened it & prepa­red it to cut & pierse déepely] & shoote forth their arrowes, bitter wordes] he cō ­pareth their corrupt dealing agaynst him by wordes, to arrowes shot out of a bow, which wil gal & wound, & this is an allegorical amplification, wherin the Prophet compareth their false slaunders, with warlike weapons: sée Psalme 5.9. Psal. 11.2. Psal. 57.4.] Ver. 4. At the vpright [ i. me: and here hee speaketh 4 of him self in the third person, and he giueth himselfe this name not as hauing regard to God, but as it were comparing himselfe with his enemies, agaynst whom he had neuer done any thing blameworthy] in secret [ i. closelye and pri­uilye, he meaneth it no doubt of the secret accusations they broughte to Saule agaynste him] they shoote at him sodaynlye [ i. when hee thinketh not of it] and feare not [ vz. Gods maiestie, or the afterclaps that may insue vp­on that mischiefe: q.d. They are not with-helde, with any reuerence or feare of God, or with any humanity or curtesie of man.] Verse 5. They incourage 5 [Page 166] themselues in an euill purpose [ vz. to go forward in the performance therof & of that wickednesse they haue deuised against me] they come together [ vz. closely and secretly among themselues] to lay snares priuily [ vz. to intangle and intrappe me] who shall sée them? [ q.d. They suppose that GOD percei­ueth neither them, neyther the snares that they haue layde against mee, for I 6 referre the word, them, both to the persons and to the thinges.] Verse 6. They haue sought out [ vz. very diligently] iniquities [ i. mischiefes and vniust dea­ling against me,] and haue accomplished that which they sought out [ vz. as they themselues suppose, so blinded are men in sinne, that they thinke a thing to be done, when it is neyther so nor so: or else it may be vnderstood thus, that they thought themselues so sure of it, as that it were impossible they shoulde be deceyued, and that made them to make so full account of it as though they had done it already] euen euery one his secret thoughtes and the depth of his hart [ i. whatsoeuer they or any of them had secretlye deuised, and that in the depth of their own hartes, they thought it was done, in the same sence as before 7 but they were fouly deceiued.] Verse 7. But God will shoote an arrowe at them sodaynly [ i. God by his iudgements will quickly dispatch them, for all the sure account they make of the performaunce of their mischiefe] their strokes [ i. the blowes, meaning the plagues that God will lay vpon them] shall bee at once [ q.d. God will not be long in dispatching of them, but will make a spéedye rid­daunce] 8 Verse 8. They shal cause [ vz. by their wickednesse and vngodlinesse] their owne tongue [ i. those things which their own tongue hath spoken against others] to fal vpon them [ vz. from God] and whosoeuer shall sée them [ vz. when Gods hand and iudgement is vpon them] shall flée away [ i. shall make haste from them, vz. seing euident markes and tokens of Gods iudgements a­gainst them and vpon them, for feare least they should be partakers of their pu­nishments: 9 and this he speaketh specially of the wicked, as may appear by that which followeth in the next two verses, specially ver. 10.] Ver. 9. And all men shall sée it [ vz. Gods iudgements vpon them: by which maner of spéech the pro­phet noteth that it shall be a visible and manifest iudgement] and declare the worke of God [ vz. which he in his iust iudgement hath executed vppon y e wic­ked] & they shal vnderstand what he hath wrought [ vz. agaynst them for their 10 sinne.] Ver. 10. But the righteous [ i. I my selfe, for he speaketh of himself in the third person, as before ver. 4. of this Psalme] shall be glad in the Lord [ vz. be­cause of that which he hath done for my cause] and trust in him [for euer after] and all that are vpright of harte [ i. those that are voyde of hipocrisie and hang wholy vpon god] shal reioyce [ vz. not only for the ayde that God hath giuen me, but also because in me they may behold that God will ayde them, q.d. The ouerthrow of mine enemies shal not only minister matter of ioy to me, but to the rest of Gods children wheresoeuer.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, that when we are sore assaulted, earnest prayer made to God is very necessary and profitable. Ver. 2. Teacheth that vnlesse God do kéep vs we shalbe made a pray to y e wicked. Ver. 3. describeth y e wickeds prophaning [Page 167] and abusing of their tongue. Ver. 4. Setteth out their close & sodain practising of wickednes: and that the fountaine of all is, want of true feare. Ver. 5. Shew­eth that the wicked are bold in their mischiefs, because they imagine that God regardeth not their doings. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that the wicked are caried a­way many times, with an idle conceite of their owne, thinking they haue dis­patched al, whē it is neither so nor so. Ver. 7. Sheweth that the wicked shal not escape vnpunished: also that Gods iudgements shalbee swift and short vppon them, yet mighty inough to ouerthrow them. Ver. 8. Teacheth that the wicked many times are taken in the mischieuous words of their own mouth: also that Gods iudgments vpon them, shal cause others to flie from them. Ver. 9. Tea­cheth that Gods punishments powred vpon the wicked, is an effectual meane to make not onely the parties punished but others to sée their wickednes and his iustice. Ver. 10. Teacheth that euen those iudgements prouoke the good on the other side to reioysing and thankfulnes.

Psalme 65

THis Psalme may be diuided into three parts. Di. In the first is cō ­prehended 1 a thankesgiuing for the chusing, preseruation, go­uernment, and other graces of God towards the faithful, from ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is conteined a notable 2 description of the feareful power, maiesty & might of the Lord, from ver. 5. to the end of the 8. In the third is set out a most cō ­fortable 3 description of Gods generall graces towardes al, but specially to his Church, from ver. 9. to the end of the Psalme.

For the title of this Psalme, sée Psalme 48. and the title thereof.] Verse 1. Se. Praise waiteth for thée [ i. is not onely due vnto thée, but is ready nowe to bee rendered to thee] in Sion [i. in the Church, as Psal. 51.18. He meaneth that God commonly giueth his people occasion to praise him in his Church whither mē assembled to praise him, to thanke him, to heare his word, and to serue him ac­cording to the same: for so much he vnderstandeth by the word prayse] and vn­to thée [ vz. alone] shall the vowe be performed [ i. the sacrifice of thankesgiuing shalbee offered vnto thée: which hee calleth a vowe, because Gods people did commonly vowe such sacrifices vnto the Lord.] Ver. 2. Because thou hearest [ i. 2 grauntest] the prayer [ vz. of thy faithful people] vnto thee shal al flesh come [by flesh he vnderstandeth man, as Gene. 6.12. by the terme, al, hee meaneth won­derfull many, a phrase very ordinary in scripture: meaning that that which was particular among the Iewes ( vz. the seruice of God) shoulde in time to come be common to euery nation: and this is a prophecy of the kingdome of Christ: and when he sayth that they shall come vnto God, he meaneth to present them­selues before him to pray vnto him.] Ver. 3. Wicked déeds [ i. all manner of vn­godlines] 3 haue preuailed against me [ vz. thus farre that they haue turned thy fauour from me: hee speaketh here of himselfe, but yet so that he shutteth vp o­thers [Page 168] in the same sinnes imputing it to his owne sinnes, and to the sinnes of his people, that God who was accustomed to aide his people, did for a while, withdraw his hand, & shewed not himself fauourable towards them] but thou wilt be merciful vnto our transgressions [ vz. fréely and graciously pardoning them all, and so remouing them from vs, shewe thy selfe mercifull vnto vs that 4 haue transgressed, which they remaining thou wouldest not performe.] Ver. 4. Whom thou chusest [ vz. to thy self, and to be of the number of thine] and cau­sest to come to thée [ i. not onely to haue accesse vnto thy sanctuary, there to call vpon thee, but at all other times and in all places,] he shall dwel in thy courtes [ i. hee shall liue among holy and faithfull people in the middest of thy Chur­ches here, and after the dayes of his departure, with all the rest of the elect in heauen] and wee shalbe satisfied [marke the sodaine chaunge both of the num­ber and person, as before in this Psal. ver. 3.] with the pleasures of thine house [ i. the doctrine of the lawe, the sacrifices and other ceremonies, but yet so that vnder them hee meaneth all spirituall blessing] euen of thine holy temple [hee more plainely expoundeth what hee ment by the house of God [ vz. the temple, which is called holy, not in respect of any holines it had in it selfe, but because that he that is holines did appeare there, and make it holy by his presence. It is also called his house: not because that God dwelt there, as inclosed within the walles, but because from that place hee manifested his residence and abode 5 amongst that people.] Ver. 5. O God of our saluation [ i. hee that deliuereth vs from al dangers & distresses] thou wilt answere vs [ vz. when we call vpon thée for our defence] with fearefull signes [ i. with such signes and tokens of thy pre­sence, as shall strike feare into the enemies] in thy righteousnes [ i. according as thou hast righteously promised, and iustly wilt performe.] O thou the hope of al the ends of the earth [ i. thou whom all the faithful, wheresoeuer they bee, stedfastly trust in] and of them that are farre of in the seas [ i. of those that inha­bite ilands farre of from Sion, or the land of promise which are compassed with the sea. Hee putteth the places inhabited, for the people dwelling therin: mea­ning by all the ends of the earth, those that dwell in the continent or firme land, 6 and by those that are farre of in the Seas, those that inhabite Ilands.] Ver. 6. Hée stablisheth the mountaines by his power [ vz. in such sort, that they nei­ther moue nor shake] and is girded about with strength [ q.d. he hath al strength 7 and power to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him.] Ver. 7. Hee appeaseth the noyse of the Seas, [ vz. when they swell, rage, and rore] and the tumults of the people [ vz. when they are in hurliburlie and contentions among them­selues, 8 or else outragiously persecute and trouble others.] Ver. 8. They also that dwell in the vttermost partes of the earth [ q.d. there shalbee no people so farre of or barbarous, but they shalbe striken with feare] of thy signes [ vz. which thou shalt shewe and worke: by signes he meaneth the notable workes of God, and such as are alwayes méete to bee had in remembraunce, wherein hee hath as it were ingrauen certaine markes of his glory.] Thou shalt make the East and the West to reioyce [ i. the people dwelling in these quarters.] Ver. 9. [Page 169] Thou visitest [ i. thou doest not onely looke vppon it, but gratiously performest that which thou promisest: as Gene. 21.1.] the earth [ i. the land of Iudea: by this circumstance it should séeme that Dauid made this Psalme, after that the Lord deliuered the people from famine and pestilence, of which sée 2. Sam. 21.14. & 2. Sam. 24.25.] and waterest it [ vz. with raine and deaw from heauen] thou ma­kest it very rich [ i. plentifull and abundant in all fruites, and this thou doest by thy mighty power and blessing] the riuer of God] he meaneth either the small riuer of Shiloah, which passed through Ierusalem, of which sée Psal. 46.4. mea­ning by graces powred vpon one part of the land, mercies bestowed vppon the whole: or else the raine, which maketh the ground fruitfull: and is called the ri­uer of God, both because it commeth from God, and also from him in great a­bundance: and to this latter exposition do I rather incline] thou preparest thē corne [by them we may vnderstand al generally, but chiefely those that are spo­ken of before in this Psal. ver. 4. he meaneth that the earth bringeth forth her fruite, because that GOD minding to prouide for men as a good father of an housholde, hath created it, that it might yéelde them nourishment] for so thou appointest it vz. the earth, hee meaneth that God hath appointed it in such sort and to such end, to bring forth fruite for mans vse, as Gene. 1.11.] Ver. 10. Thou 10 waterest abundantly the furrowes thereof [ vz. of the lande of Iudea, meaning by this manner of speach, and these that follow, that God through abundance of showres made the land fruitful] thou makest it soft with showres [ vz. wher­as before it was very hard, drie, and parched, for want of rayne] thou blessest [ i. through thy blessing thou causest to increase, grow and multiply, as Gene. 1.22.] the bud thereof [ i. whatsoeuer beganne, as a man woulde say to sprout in the lande, whether they were grasse, herbes, trees, plants &c.] Ver. 11. Thou 11 crownest [ i. thou adornest and inrichest: a notable metaphor, signifying the great glory and plenty that God bestowed vppon the lande, euen as it were setting a crowne vpon the head thereof] the yeere [ i. euery yeere one after an other, putting one or the first of them, for the rest that insued: hee meaneth that GOD declared his goodnes towardes them, by euery yeres course, ma­king one yeere to excéede an other in goodnes, as hée that is the king and weareth the Crowne vppon his heade, passeth all the people whatsoeuer] with thy goodnes [ i. with abundance of good thinges, which procéede only from thy goodnes and mercy] and thy steppes [hée meaneth by this speach vn­der a similitude, the cloudes (which God is sayde to make his chariot, Psalm 104.3) and the raine also conteined in the cloudes: which hee expresseth after­wards by the worde dropping, meaning the falling of the raine out of the cloudes, which also make the grounde fruitefull, which he expresseth vnder the worde fatnes: for raine fatteneth the earth as it were: In a worde, this is the sense: that in what place, and on what side soeuer it pleaseth the Lorde to walke, there hee manifesteth his blessinges, and bestoweth great fertilitie and plentifulnes of all thinges, sée Prouerb. 3.20.] Ver. 12. They [ i. thy steps 12 meaning as before clouds and raine in them] droppe [ i. fal downe] vppon the [Page 170] pastures of the wildernes [ i. vpon the places that are not tilled and manured, where nothing growes, but wildnes as it were: q.d. not onely fruitfull places, as furrowes, valleis, and such like, but also barren places, as wildernesses, mountaines &c. shalbe made plentifull] and the hilles [ vz. which by reason of their height, are in summer parched away with heate: and in winter killed with cold] shalbe compassed with gladnes [ i. shalbe replenished with abundaunce of fruite, that shall make mens hearts and bodies glad: as Psal. 4.7. Psalm. 104.14.15.] 13 Ver. 13. The pastures are clad with sheepe [the metaphor of clothing expresseth the great plenty and store, vz. that as a garment couereth the whole body, so shall shéepe and other cattel (for by one sort he vnderstandeth the rest) couer the pastures] the valleies shalbe also couered with corne [ vz. in such sort that a man shal behold no void place: and this metaphor setteth out the abun­dance of corne that shalbe in the land] therefore they [ i. other men speaking of them indefinitely: or else the valleis and corne thereon, the plenty wherof ma­keth men glad: as we say the fields laugh, whē through their goodly shew they make mens eyes ioyful] showte for ioy, and sing [ i. conceiue and expresse abun­dance of ioy: but I rather referre this in mine owne iudgement to men, then to other creatures.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that praises and thankesgiuing are due to God in the pub­like assemblies of his Saints. Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods readines to graunt his childrens requests shoulde prouoke vs to earnest and often prayer. Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy surmounteth all our iniquities, & that in the mul­titude thereof he will do away al our sinnes. Ver. 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour is the best blessing that can come vnto vs in this life.] Ver. 5. Declareth that God hath iudgement and power in his owne handes, for his childrens defence, and the wickeds punishment. Ver. 6.7. Sheweth that God by his power gouerneth all thinges in heauen and earth Ver. 8. Gods iudge­ments executed vpon some do many times strike terror and feare into others. Ver. 9.10.11.12.13. Teach two things, first that abundance of all earthly benefites procéed from the Lords blessing, which instructeth his to hang vpon him: secōd­ly that he performeth these blessings by ordinary meanes, which also teacheth vs to vse holy and lawful meanes.

Psalme 66

1 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes. In the first the Pro­phet exhorteth al men to praise the Lord, & to consider al his works, specially his power against the wicked, from ver. 1. to the ende of the 2 7. In the second hee declareth that howsoeuer God afflicteth his for a time, yet in the ende hee will be gratious vnto them, for which hee promiseth 3 thanksgiuing and praise, from ver. 8. to the ende of the 15. In the third hee fra­meth his speach to all the faithful, declaring what great things God had done for them, to the end that in his example they might be comforted, from ver. 16. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is expounded before Psal. 4. and Psal. 48. in the title. Se. ] Some and that of the Hebrewe writers suppose that this Psalme was made by some o­thers rather then Dauid, because his name is not here expressed, but for this matter sée Psal. 45. in the title. Likely it is, that this Psalme was written, and that by Dauid himselfe, when God had deliuered the Israelites from the cruell tyrannie of the Philistines, and him from his manifold persecutions.] Ver. 3. Reioyce in God [ i. be thankefull vnto him, and that with great gladnes for his benefits] all ye inhabitants of the earth [ q.d. there is none of you all, but you haue great occasion giuen you from him so to do.] Ver. 2. Sing foorth [ i. pub­lish 2 aloude, that others may heare] the glory of his name [ i. either the glory, which is due vnto his maiesty, or else his glorious name, but I like the first best] make his praise glorious [ i. let all your thankesgiuings tend to this end, that his name and praises due thereto, may bee glorious continually: q.d. adde praise to praise, and neuer cease praysing.] Ver. 3. Say vnto God [ i. confesse in 3 his presence: not that our speaking vnto him doeth make him any whit the more glorious, but because that others hearing vs speake of his power & good­nes in his sight may haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty striken vnto the] how terrible [ i. reuerend and feareful, vz. to the good, who beare a louing feare to­wards thée: and to the wicked who feare him for punishment and not for loue] in thy workes [ i. in euery thing that thou doest] through the greatnes of thy power [ vz. exercised heretofore against the godly, whereof also thou hast re­serued store with thy selfe for them that shall walke in such steppes] shall thine enemies [ i. those that any maner of way set themselues against thée] shalbée in subiection vnto thée [ i. shal forge and faine a subiection to thy maiesty, but chuse them whether they will doe it vnfeignedly or no, into subiection they shall bée brought, for none is able to resist thy power.] Ver. 4. All the worlde [ i. all the 4 inhabitants of the world, as ver. 1. of this Psalme: putting all for a very great number] shall worshippe thée [ vz. as thou hast prescribed, meaning that they shoulde imbrace his religion and seruice] and sing vnto thée [ i. prayse thee for thy mercy and trueth] euen sing of thy name [hee noteth what shalbe the argu­ment or matter of their song, that is Gods maiesty, power, goodnes &c. as Psal. 20.2.] Ver. 5. Come [ vz. with mee, hee speaketh euen vnto the best sort of 5 people, who haue neede to be prouoked to this good thing] and behold [ i. déepe­ly consider with all your vnderstanding and eies, both of your bodies & minds] he is terrible [ i. reuerend, feareful, and wonderful] in his doings towards the sonnes of men [ vz. either for their defence, or for their punishment. The proofe of this plainely appeareth in the gouernement of all creatures whatsoeuer, & particularly in that hee vpholdeth and maintaineth the estate of men.] Ver. 6. 6 Hee hath turned the sea [ i. the red sea] into dry land [so that this people passed through the same, when they came out of Egipt, sée Exod. 14.21.] They [ i. his own people of Israel] passe [ i. passed, one time 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, [Page 172] 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 shalbe cast downe from their dignitie and e­state: hee meaneth that they shall not prosper, because God will ouerthrowe 8 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: 9 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, 10 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.] 11 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 12 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 [Page 173] 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] 13 with burnt offerings [ i. w t 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 y e 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 14 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 15 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 16 his law.] Ver. 16. Come [ vz. vnto me] & hearken [ vz. diligently] all ye y t 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 17 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 18 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. 19 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 20 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, w tholdē] 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 Ver. 3. Teacheth that there is no wisedom, power, nor policy against the Lord. Ver. 4. Setteth out the inlargment & increase of Gods kingdome vpon earth. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs y t gods works would be diligently & déeply considered, otherwise [Page 174] they shall litle profite vs. Ver. 6. Teacheth that for the benefite of his children the Lord can and will inuert the nature of thinges. Ver. 7. Teacheth first that Gods power ruleth ouer all: secondly that nothing can be hid from his presēce: thirdly that the wicked howe mighty so euer they be shal neuer preuaile against him. Ver. 8. Deliuereth the same doctrines that ver. 1.2. doe. Ver. 9. Teacheth that in God we liue, and moue, and haue our being: also that it is he alone, that vpholdeth vs, that we sinke not downe vnder the burthen of sinne and calami­ties. Ver. 10.11.12. Teach y t God sundry ways exerciseth the faith, and proueth the patience of his children: whereby also we learn that it is no new thing, that the godly are afflicted. Ver. 12. And these wordes, but thou broughtest vs out into a wealthy place, doeth teach that howe great and gréeuous soeuer the af­flictions of Gods saints be, yet in the end hee remembreth and deliuereth them with an euerlasting mercy. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs to frequent the publike assem­blies of the Church, and to shewe our selues thankeful to God, for his graces. Ver. 14. Teacheth that affliction is the time that maketh vs to drawe nigh to God, both in word and déede. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs to yéeld vnto God such a ser­uice as he hath prescribed, and not as we deuise. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs reue­rently and diligently to hearken vnto good thinges, that others speake to vs: also that we should declare to other the graces of God shewed to vs, that ther­by their fayth might be increased. Ver. 17. Teacheth that mother tongues, and all the members that we haue, shoulde bee earnestly occupied in hearty calling vppon God. Ver. 18. Teacheth that when we come to pray to God, wee must labour to cast away from vs our wickednes and corruption. Ver. 19. Teacheth that god is nigh to the earnest supplications of his children. Ver. 20. Teacheth vs to yéeld humble and hearty thanksgiuing to our God, for al his mercies to­wards vs.

Psalme 67.

Di. 1 THis short Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes. In the two first verses is comprehended a prayer for that people whome God had prepared vnto himselfe and for the blessing of them with al maner 2 of knowledge. In the second part is comprehended an other pray­er, for the increase and inlarging of Gods kingdome throughout 3 the earth: and this reacheth from ver. 3. to the end of the 5. In the third is de­clared, what great benefites and blessings shall insue after that God shal haue thus multiplied his Church: and this is in the two last verses.

Se. The first part of the title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalm. 4.] A 1 Psalme or song [sée Psalm 48. in the title.] Ver. 1. God be merciful to vs [ vz. who by the meanes of sundry our infirmities stand in néede of it] and blesse vs [ vz. with all good things both bodily & spiritual] and cause his face [ i. his fa­uour] to shine [ i. to appeare, and bee felt] among vs [ vz. though there bee no cause on our partes why he should so do. The Church prayeth that God would shewe [Page 175] not onely lay aside, that wrath which hee had exercised vppon it: but also that hee would shewe himselfe gracious and fauourable, putting into their hearts, by the working of his holy spirite, a true tast and féeling of his fatherly loue.] Verse 2. That they [they change the person from the first to the thirde: they 2 meane, that by Gods fauour practised towardes his Church, the Church is more and more confirmed in the obedience of Gods trueth, and not onely the Church it selfe, but euen diuers that are without] may knowe [ vz. by thy word and spirite] thy way [ i. which thou thy selfe hast prescribed vnto them in thy lawe to walke in] vppon earth [ i. so long as they liue here] and thy sauing health [ i. that saluation and deliueraunce which thou bestowest and giuest to men] among all nations [ vz. of the worlde in what quarter soeuer they dwel.] Verse 3. Let the people [ vz. of the earth, meaning chiefely the Gentiles] let all 3 the people [ vz. if thou sée it so good: or else hee putteth all for an infinit num­ber: which I take to bee the more simple sense.] Verse 4. Bee glad and reioyce 4 [ q.d. they haue no cause of sorrowe that thou gouernest, but rather of vnspeak­able ioy] for thou shalt iudge the people righteously [ i. with great equitie and vprightnes shalt thou rule and beare sway after the manner of Iudges & Kinges: for wee knowe that the people of the Iewes were a long time ru­led by Iudges and Kinges: to which here hee alludeth] and gouerne the nati­ons [or else as some read, which also I like better, lead them out, vz. as sheepe­heards doeth their flockes: noting thereby Gods tender care towardes his Church: and all that is here spoken of Gods gouernement, must be vnderstood of the spirituall iurisdiction, which hee exerciseth in his Church, by the scepter of his word and discipline to bring all peoples in obedience to him.] Ver. 5. Is 5 the same in wordes and sense with ver. 3.] Ver. 6. Then shall the earth [ vz. 6 which was cursed for mans sinne, and striken with barrennes] bring forth her increase [ i. all manner of fruite, and that in abundance, through Gods espe­ciall blessing] and God, euen our God [ i. the onely true God] shall blesse [ vz. with all good thinges both bodily and spirituall, as ver. 1. of this Psalm.] Ver. 7. All the endes of the earth [ i. people out of al parts and quarters of the world: hee putteth the places inhabited, for the people inhabiting them: & this worde, all, for the great multitude that God will drawe to himselfe] shal feare him [ i. imbrace his religion and seruice, and that either soundly in déede, or else in hy­pocrisie and flauish feare.]

Verse 1. Gods mercy must bee fled to, Do. as the onely fountaine of all good­nes to vs warde. Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray for increase of knowledge, in Gods worde, also that wee shoulde wish the same, not to our selues only, but to others also. Verse 3. Teacheth vs to wish and pray for, the inlarging of Gods kingdome, and his prayses in the same. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that it ought to bee the greatest ioy that can come to vs in this life, to bee vnder the gouernement of our God by his worde and discipline. Ver. 5. Repeating the same, both words and matter with ver. 3. Teacheth the earnestnes of y e Church in prayer, and continuall care for the conuersion of others. Ver. 6. Teacheth [Page 176] that when God is fauourably reconciled to his people, there can be no want of good things. Ver. 7. Teacheth all to haue a care to imbrace Gods religion, and to followe his worship.

Psalme 68

Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme respecting rather matter then order, doeth somewhat confusedly expound diuers things: generally hée expoundeth in déed Gods power, which hee manifested in sauing and deliuering his, & in ouerthrowing their enemies, for which mercy towards the one and iudgement towards the other, he ex­horteth all the faithful, and all others to yéelde, both thankes and power vnto him. The ouerthrowe of the wicked, is foretold, and confirmed by examples & 1 similitudes. Ver. 1.2.6.12.21.23.30. The mercy of God towards his seruants, is 2 set out. Ver. 3.5.6.9.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.19.20.22.27.28. Exhortation, to hum­ble 3 confession of Gods might, and hearty praysing of him for his benefites, are 4 comprehended. Ver. 4.19.26.32.34. The rest of the verses of this Psalme, doe for the most part most excellently séeke the maiesty and power of God, as 7.8.17.18.24.25.27.28.29.31.33.35.

Se. The title is expounded before sundry times, and specially Psal. 48.] of Da­uid [i. which Dauid made. It shoulde séeme that Dauid writ this Psalme, after he had ouercome the Philistines & Iebusits, and went about to cary the Arke into Ierusalem, as 2. Sam. 6. and 1. Chronic. 13. and it is so much the more con­firmed 1 vnto me, because he beginneth this Psalme with the same words almost that Moses vseth Numer. 10.31. When the Arke should remoue.] Ver. 1. God wil arise [ i. God by effects wil declare that he is not only present with, but that also he taketh care for his Church, by exercising his power against the enemies therof] and his enemies [ i. those that molest and trouble his people, & they are called his enemies, because he estéemeth any thing done against thē, as done a­gainst himselfe] shalbee scattered [ vz. like chaffe before the wind, sée Psal. 1.4. meaning that they shal not be able to stand before him] they also that hate him [ vz. either himself or his people] shall flée before him [ vz. as men discomfited 2 in the field, and turne their backes.] Ver. 2. As the smoke vanisheth [ i. sodainly: for we sée the smoke soone passeth away: and this is one similitude hee vseth, to set forth their hasty and present destruction] so shalt thou driue them [ vz. by violence, and that whether they will or no] away [ vz. from the place of their aboade, and where they thought their nest was most sure] and as waxe melteth before the fire [this is an other similitude, expressing their sodaine and assured destruction] so shall the wicked perish [ i. come to naught, bée ouerthrowne and destroyed: as Psalme 1.6.] at the presence of God [ i. when God beginneth once 3 to shewe some testimonies of his presence.] Ver. 3. But the righteous [ i. good and holy men, who haue the righteousnes of God imputed vnto them] shalbee glad and reioyce before God [ i. shall shewe themselues ioyfull, because God [Page 177] declareth himself terrible to the wicked: which also is for their good, and the sal­uation of his Church] yea they shall leape for ioy [ i. they shall expresse the in­ward ioy of their heart, by outward gestures and signes.] Ver. 4. Sing vnto 4 God [he exhorteth the faithful to praise God] and sing praises vnto his name [ i. to his power, goodnes, maiesty and nature, for al these are his being & sub­stance] exalt him [ vz. with songes and prayses] that rideth vpon the heauens [ i. that hath an infinite power, and is lifted vp farre aboue all the world] in his name Iah [ i. in his eternal nature, which is of it selfe, and is the cause that all other thinges are, for so much the worde Iah importeth: and amongest other names and titles of God, hee taketh that which is in déede most significant, & for the which he is especially to be praised] reioyce before him [ vz. in the place where he is worshipped, which was wheresoeuer the Arke was, till the temple was builded.] Ver. 5. He [ i. God] is a father [ i. a gracious prouider for & main­tainer] 5 of the fatherles [ i. of al those that bee in affliction & misery, as Hosea. 14.3.] and a iudge [ i. one that taketh knowledge of & reuengeth iniury offred] to the widowes [by these two, fatherles & widowes, he meaneth y t God caryeth a singular affection towards those that are oppressed, which he wil maintaine a­gainst all those that labour to put them downe, and oppresse them by violence] in his holy habitation [hee meaneth either heauen, or the tabernacle of wic­nesse. The sense is, that for as much as God had chose him a dwelling place a­mongst men, the poore might haue more bold assurance, when they vnderstoode that they néed not séeke God farre off.] Ver. 6. God maketh the solitary to dwel 6 in families [by solitary he meaneth those that were childles: who are so called, not onely because barennes, which was reprochful among the Iewes, made thē sundry times to liue as it were solitarily, i. not so much to reioyce in company as others did, but also because not hauing séede, they were as it were alone, in as much as they did not increase the house or stocke: and by dwelling in fami­lies, hee meaneth blessing of them with children and posterity, sée Psalm. 113.9.] and deliuereth [ i. setteth frée from bandes and the daunger of their ene­mies power] them that were prisoners in stockes [ i. those that were kept most straitly, and locked most surely, as Paul and Silas Actes 16.24. Sée Psalme 107.10.13.14.16 also Psalme 146. throughout] but the rebellious, [ vz. against GOD, and his truth] shall dwell in a dried lande [ i. a barren place, as Psalme 63.1. Hee meaneth that they shalbée destitute of gods bles­sing, and in continuall misery, expressing one kinde of affliction for al.] Ver. 7, O God when thou we [...]test foorth [ i. when thou diddest take the charge 7 and gouernement, and so wentest in and out for them, and on their be­halfe] before the people [ vz. of Israel, what tyme thou causedst them to come vp out of Egipt] when thou wentest [ vz. with them and that fortie yeeres long] through the wildernes [sée Psalme 95.8.9.10. also Numb. 33.11.] Verse 8. The earth [ i. not onely mount Sinai, but also the ground a­bout it, sée Exodus 19.18. yea hee meaneth that all thinges gaue place vn­to 8 him, bringing his people out of that bondage, as the historie sheweth, [Page 178] from Exod. 7. Vnto the 20. chapter] & the heauens dropped [ vz. either manna, which God gaue the people: or else raine and water: sée Psalm. 18.7.11.] at the presence of this God [ i. when this our god, would giue vs some tast of his maie­sty] euen Sinai [q.d. that great, notable, and strong mountaine] was moued [ i. 9 trembled and shooke, as before in this verse.] Verse 9. Thou O God diddest send [for so it must be: and not, sendest] a gracious raigne [he meaneth that of his free and onely goodwill did giue the land, which of it selfe was a lande of mountaines and valleis, as Deutrono. 11.11.] good store of raine, which here also hee calleth gracious, because it procéeded of Gods onely grace and good­will] vpon thine inheritance [ i. vpon the land of Canaan which he calleth inhe­ritance, because he gaue the same for an inheritance to his people] and thou diddest refresh it [ vz. with thy gracious raigne, or abundance thereof] when it was weary [ i. faint, and not able to yéelde fruite, through drought, or some o­ther 10 discommodious season.] Ver. 10. Thy congregation, [ i. thy people of Isra­el, which is called the Lordes congregation, because hee had gathered it out of all the people of the world] dwelled [ vz. long agoe, and euen at that present when this Psalme was made] therin [ i. in the land of Canaan] hast of thy good­nes [ i. of thy méere mercy without any merite or desert at all on mens behalfe] prepared it [ i. long agoe appointed it] for the poore [ i. for thine owne people, as ver. 7. of this Psalme, not onely to set out the great goodnes of God, who despised them not for that, but also because they came of poore auncestry, and were in miserable case in Egipt, and when they came out of it, sée Deutron. 26.5.6.] 11 Ver. 11. The Lorde gaue matter [ vz. not only of speach, but also of praise and thankesgiuing] to the women [who were wont amongest Gods people to sing songes after a victory gotten against the enemies, as Exodus 15.20. Iudg. 5.1. &c. Iudg. 11.34. 1. Sam. 18.16.] to tell [ i. to speake largely, and to set abroad] of the great army [ vz. ouerthrowne, and cast to the ground by 12 Gods people: and by one armie hee vnderstandeth many.] Ver. 12. Kinges of the armies [ i. Kinges furnished with mightie armies] comming out against Gods people, as Sihon king of the Amorits, Og the king of Bashan &c.] did flée [ vz. away from the face and presence of Gods people] they did flée [ i. they were in déede discomfited and not able to stand: for the repetition of the worde ma­keth for the certaintie of the thing] and she that remained in the house [ i. weake women, who in deede shoulde bée housekéepers, as appeareth 1. Timothie 5.13. Nowe he speaketh of one comprehending vnder her all the rest, who this was can hardly bee determined: but most likely it was to bee Iael, of whom sée Iudges 5.24.] deuided the spoyle [ i. either was an instrument that the spoyle was diuided amongest others, by slaying Sisera: or else hee meaneth that the bootie shoulde bee so great, that euen the weake women which 13 taried at home in their houses or tentes, shoulde haue part thereof.] Verse 13. Though yee haue lyen among pots [ i. haue béene in very great misery, and liued as it were in great deformity for lacke of trim­ming or looking too: for this is a metaphor taken from slaues or skullions [Page 179] that followe campes, who in the night season labour in some sort to keepe thē ­selues from wind and weather as we say, by sitting in chimney corners, or ly­ing on hearthes: and therefore commonly are all ouer black. Now this is vsu­all in Scripture, by blackenes to haue aduersitie and affliction signified] yet shall ye bee [ vz. through the grace and fauour that I will shewe you] as the winges of a Doue [ i. yée shall shine and haue a glorious colour, and shalbée purged from all your blackenes] for yée shalbée like to the wings of a Doue, that is couered with siluer [ i. yée shalbée all white and cleane, and glittering, for so much hee meaneth by this similitude and that which foloweth in this ver. and not that any Doues were couered ouer with siluer, or had golden fethers: but hee speaketh it thus: q.d. if it were possible for a Doue either in winges or feathers, to haue as goodly a shewe as golde or siluer, yet assure your selfe of this, that you shall come to as much cleannes.] Ver. 14. Scattered kinges [ i. 14 confounded them causing them either to flee, or killing them] sée verse 1. of this Psalme] in it [ i. in the lande of Canaan, which hee gaue to his people] it was white [ i. florishing and fresh, by reason of the slaughter of the enemies, and the great victory God had giuen that people against them] as the snowe in Zalmon [this was a mountaine, on this side Iordan. Iudg. 9.48. Which some affirme, was wont to haue snowe continually lying vpon it, whether it were so or no, it is not much material: I rather take it to be a part of the land of Cana­an, put for the whole, meaning that after the ouerthrow of these kings the land was as glorious and glittering to behold to, as any snowe could bee.] Ver. 15. 15 The mountaine of God, [ i. mount Sion, which is called Gods mountaine, be­cause it pleased him, that in that place his worshippe should be vsed] is like the mountaine of Bashan [i. most fruitfull and plentiful in all blessings as Bashan is, but it excéedeth it in spiritual graces] it is an high mountain, as mount Ba­shan [q.d. there is nothing commendable or praise worthie in Bashan, but a mā 16 may find as much and more also to cōmend in mount Sion.] Ver. 16. Why leape ye [ i. why do ye reioyce for ioy, & lift vp your self in pride] you high mountains [ vz. because of your height. q.d. there is no cause why you should so do] as for this mountaine [ vz. of Sion] God delighteth to dwell in it [ vz. by his spiritual presence, & the exercises of his religion] the Lord wil dwel in it for euer [ i. for a long season, as sundry times before we haue had the word so vsed q.d. GOD hath not chosen you, or any of you, for al your height to that purpose, and ther­fore good cause why you shoulde leaue of lifting vp your selfe in pride: and no doubt, but by Sion he signifieth the estate of the kingdome of the Messias, and of his Church, which is farre aboue all height in the world.] Ver. 17. The cha­riots 17 of God [ i. the armies that God hath, or his power, putting the thinges wherein men were caried for the men themselues, or else because in olde time they thought great strength to stand in chariots and horses, hee vseth them for Gods might] are twenty thousand thousand Angels [ i. infinite and innume­rable Angels, a certaine number for an vncertaine: sée 2. King. 6.17.] and the Lorde is among them [ vz. to commaund, order, direct and guide them, that all [Page 180] things may be rightly done] as in the sanctuary of Sinai [i. in as great glory, as he appeareth in the holy place or mount of Sinai] where the lawe was giuen. The Prophet meaneth that the maiesty of God did shewe it selfe no lesse forth in the sanctuary at Sion, then it did in the mountaine at Sion when the lawe was 18 published.] Verse 18. Thou art gone vp on high [the Prophet speaketh vnto God, meaning that by the manifestatiō of his power, he had obtained excellent honour] thou hast led captiuitie captiue [hee putteth captiuitie, for persons in captiuitie, as prisoners, alluding to the custome of those dayes wherein the princes after victory obtained, were wont to haue the prisoners takē in warres lead before them, in token of renowne and victory: and marke in this verse, that though in Dauids time, warres were made vnder his conducting, notwith­standing the prayse of the victory is wholy ascribed to God] and receiued gifts [ vz. from thine enemies, not that they did willingly giue them, but that the Lord would haue them whether they would, yea or no: and they are called gifts not because they gaue them, but that the Lorde taking them as spoyles from the enemies, gaue them to his people, which hee meaneth by these termes fol­lowing] for men [ i. that thine owne people might inioy and haue the same] yea euen the rebellious hast thou lead [ q.d. Thou hast inforced them to yéeld them­selues as tributaries, and that not onely those that willingly yéelded, but also those that coulde not otherwise bee brought downe but by force] that the Lorde God might dwell there [ i. amongst his people in the sanctuary: and by dwelling he meaneth both the manifestation of his power and presence for their good, & also his continual aboade amonst them, as ver. 16. of this Psalme. S. Paul E­phes. 4. ascribeth all this to Christ who is God manifested in the flesh, i. mea­ning that our Sauiour was taken vp into heauen, when hee had subdued and ouercome the world, the flesh, sinne, death and the deuill, sée Coloss. 2.12.13. &c.] 19 Ver. 19. Euen the God of our saluation [ i. that worketh gracious deliuerances for vs, as sundry times before] which ladeth vs dayly [ i. which filleth vs conti­nually: the metaphor expresseth the abundance of Gods benefites] with bene­fites [ i. with graces and blessings new and old. q.d. he neuer ceaseth to doe vs good, so that we haue more benefits then we are able to beare, as it were.] Ver. 20 20. Euen the God that saueth vs [ i. that worketh wonderful deliueraunces for vs] the issues of death [ i. both meanes and waies to escape death, if we referre it to his children: and many wayes also to destroy the wicked, if we referre it to them: as wee may without any iniury to the text referre it to both.] Ver. 21. Surely [ i. without all doubt] God will wounde [ vz. vnto death] the heade of his enemies [hée maketh mention of the head, because it is the principall part of the body, as wherein life is, and from which it is deriued, to the other mem­bers of the body, so that it is as much as if he had sayde that the Lorde woulde take away their life] and the heary pate [hee meaneth by this the stoute ene­mies of God, because they that woulde bee fearefull to others, did foster their heare: q.d. their stoute countinance and courage, shall nothing preuaile them a­gainst God] that walketh in his sinnes [ i. continueth in the same, without re­pentance.] [Page 181] Ver. 22. The Lord hath sayd [therefore it shalbe performed] I will 22 bring my people [ vz. safe and sound] againe from Bashan [i. from dangerous places and distresses, such as they were in, before that Og king of Bashan was ouerthrowne, sée Numb. 21.33. and Deutron. 3.1.2. &c.] I wil bring them againe from the depths of the Sea [ i. from wonderfull perils, wherewith they should haue beene as it were ouerwhelmed, altogether is: q.d. I will worke as excel­lent a work for this people, as I did for those whom I deliuered from the hāds of Og king of Bashan: and as I did for them that passed through the red Sea, 23 as on drie land: as Exod. 14.16.] Ver. 23. That thy foote [ vz. O Israel, or my people] may bee dipped in blood [ vz. of the enemies slaine] and the tongue of thy dogges in the blood of the enemies [by these woordes hée noteth what a great slaughter there shalbée of the enemies of GOD, in so much that not onely the faithfull shal haue their féete died in their blood, but their very dogs, shoulde haue their tongues made red, and coloured with the very licking ther­of] euen in it [this repetition noteth also the certainetie of the great slaugh­ter.] 24 Ver. 24. They [ i. thine enemies, to their great discouragement and ouer­throwe, and thine owne people, to their wonderful comfort] thy goings [ vz. be­fore thy people, and thy guiding of them in the day of warre, guiding them as a captaine, and getting the victory for them: and when hee sayth that they had séene all this, hée meaneth that they had had the certaine triall and experience thereof] which art in the sanctuary [ i. which giuest manifest signes and tokens of thy power and presēce of thy people there.] Ver. 25. The singers went before 25 [ i. euery one in their order did publikely prayse God, and pray vnto him: sée Exod. 15.1.2 &c. Numb. 21.17.1. for the maides and women praysing God af­ter the victory, sée ver. 11. of this Psalme.] Ver. 26. Prayse yee God in the 26 assemblies [ i. openly] yee that are of the fountaine of Israel, [i. that come from Iaakob, as from a fountaine, meaning thereby al the Israelites: for he would haue none excepted, as it may appeare by the next verse.] Verse 27. There 27 [ i. in the publike assemblies to prayse God] was little Beniamin [i. those of the tribe of Beniamin, which is called litle, either because it was one of the least in number, or else because they came of Iaakob his yongest sonne] with their ruler, [ i. with some principall man, who was captaine and gouernour of that tribe] and the Princes of Iudah [i. the noble and great personages of the tribe of Iudah] with their assembly [ i. with the people gathered vnto thē: and in such sort must the wordes in this verse following bee expounded.] Ver. 28 28. Thy God hath appointed thy strength [hee speaketh to the people: q.d. the God which thou seruest hath beautified thée with strength (because hee hath so appointed or commaunded the same) to resist thine enemies, shewing that the power of this people was from God, and not of it selfe] stablish [ i. strengthen and continue for euer] that which thou hast wrought in vs [hereby he vnderstandeth the graces and blessings of God, both bestowed vpon them, & their forefathers, praying the continuance of his graces.] Ver. 29. Out of thy 29 temple [ i. out of the place where the Arke was, as 1. Samuel. 1.9. from whence [Page 182] it pleased the Lord many times to set foorth the power and maiesty hee had in him for the defence of his Church] vppon Ierusalem [by Ierusalem hee meaneth the Church of God, as Psalm. 51.18.] And kinges shall bring presents vnto thee [ i. as some expound it, shall yéeld themselues tributaries as it were & sub­iects: others to whom I incline, giue this sense: the Prophet speaketh of him­self, & of his successours, meaning that they would with most thankful mindes acknowledge him to be their God: speaking in the third person of them altoge­ther, and vnderstanding by bringing presents, which was a signe of thankful­nes, 30 the thing it self.] Ver. 30. Destroy the company of the speare men [ i. ouer­throwe both the multitude and the force of common souldiers, vnderstanding by spearemen, al others that vsed any weapon against them whatsoeuer, vnder one sort comprehending all] and multitude of the mighty bulles [ i. the great cō ­pany of their captaines and men of might, who for their greatnes, & cruelty, he compareth to mighty bulles, sée Psalm. 22.12.] with the calues of the people [ i. those that can hardly be tamed and bee full of wantonnes and sport as it were, such as calues be, when they are very fat] that tread vnder féete [ i. that do con­temne, despise, and set little by, as Matth. 7.6.] pieces of siluer [thinges that ought to be regarded and estéemed: putting one for al of the like sort] scatter [sée ver. 1. of this Psalme] the people that delight in warre [ i. take pleasure & thinke 31 it to be the greatest ioy, when they may contend or fight most.] Ver. 31. Then [ i. when thou shalt bestow these great graces vpon thy children and ouerthrow thine enemies] shall the Princes [ vz. moued partly through iudgments, and partly by thy mercy] come out of Egipt [vz. to yéelde obedience vnto thée, and to submit themselues to thy Lordship and gouernment] Ethiopia [i. the people inhabiting that land] shall hast [ i. make hast and speede] to stretch her hands [ i. to pray vnto, or readily to offer giftes in signe of obedience and subiection: putting the signe of prayer, or obedience, for the things themselues] vnto God 32 [ i. vnto thée speaking of God, & to God, in the third person.] Ver. 32. Sing vn­to God [ vz. prayse and thankesgiuing, for your conuersion & calling, for these verses comprehend the calling of the Gentiles to the kingdom of Christ] O ye kingdomes of the earth [ i. O ye people which inhabite the kingdomes of the world: putting the places inhabited, for the persōs inhabiting, as sundry times before] sing prayse vnto the Lorde [the saying is doubled, the more earnestly 33 to prouoke men thereto.] Verse. 33. To him that rideth vppon the heauens [ i. to him that gouerneth them and their course, as hee that rideth vppon the Horse doeth the Horse: this is spoken of GOD according to man, and is nothing else as a man woulde say, but a description of Gods excellent maie­sty: and when hee sayth] most high heauens [hee speaketh it, also according to men, who are wont to make sundry heauens, as the Philosophers yet doe: not that there are so, for all that they babble of that matter is vayne, but that men so esteeme it: and yet notwithstanding in Scripture wee see, that the worde heauen, is sometimes vsed in Scripture for the ayre, as when wee say foules of heauen: sometimes for the firmament: which [Page 183] is also aboue the ayre: and so this place may bee expounded thus, let men imagine neuer so many heauens, yet God ruleth them all] whiche were from the beginning [as appeareth Gen. 1.1. and so haue since that time continued, and still shall continue, al which tendeth to expresse the great power of almigh­ty God] behold he will send out by his voice a mightie sound [by Gods voyce he vnderstandeth the thunder, the diuers effects whereof, sée at large Psalme 29. And by mighty sound he meaneth not only large sound, but also great which euen shaketh the earth as it were.] Verse 34. Ascribe the power to God [ i. giue 34 vnto him all the prayse of power, both in himself and in you] for his maiestie is vpon Israel [ i. is declared mightily toward his people, and Church, as Psalm 14.7.] and his strength is in the cloudes [ i. is not onely made manifest in the same: but also he vseth the cloudes and all other creatures whatsoeuer, to set out his power.] Verse 35. O God, thou art terrible [ vz. to thine enimies and 35 aduersaries] out of thine holy places: [ q.d. Thou shewest euident testimonies and tokens thereof, out of thy tabernacle: and he vseth the plurall number, ho­ly places, eyther in respect that the arke was set vp in sundry places, before the temple was builded: or else in respect of the distincte places of the arke, as Heb. 9.2.3. all which were called holy: or else in respect of the heauenly holye place, and the earthly holy place, which was a shadowe of that heauenly one, as Heb. 10.19.] the God of Israel [ i. the God of his Church and faythfull peo­ple] is he [ vz. alone] that giueth [ vz. of his own goodnesse and mercye onely, without any merite or desert of theirs] strength and power [ vz. to defend them­selues, and to beat back their enimies, meaning by strength and power all the meanes whereby these great workes may be performed] vnto the people [ vz. whome he hath chosen: vnderstanding the people of Israell for that time, and the Church for euer] praysed be God [ vz. for that his mercy and greate good­nesse towards them.

Verse 1. Teacheth two things, Do first that God hath all power in his hande to destroy his enemies, seconde that the enemies of the Church cannot prosper. Verse 2. Setteth out the sodayne destruction of the wicked. Verse 3. sheweth, that when the wicked shall be beaten downe, Gods children shall be lifted vp in spirituall ioye and mirth. Verse 4. teacheth vs continually to prayse God, for his incomprehensible maiestie and power. Verse 5. Teacheth vs what greate care God in mercy carrieth toward the distressed persons. Verse 6. Teacheth vs, that fruitfulnesse of body, deliueraunce of extreme daungers, and plagues and punishments, of what sort soeuer vpon the vngodly, come all from God. Verse 7. Teacheth vs to thinke vpon Gods graces performed of old, that ther­by our fayth may be strengthened to escape daungers. Verse 8. Teacheth that all creatures are not able to stande before the presence and maiestie of God. Verse 9. Teacheth that plentifulnesse and the means thereof, are all in Gods handes. Verse 10. Teacheth that though the wicked haue a great portion of the earth in possession, yet that the Lord hath properlye prepared it for them that feare him. Verse 11. Teacheth vs that we can not haue our mouthes open to [Page 184] speake, much lesse to speake well, til God giue both the matter and vtterance: also that the weakest meanes, as women, when God inableth them, shalbe suf­ficient to expresse his prayse. Verse 12. teacheth that neither multitude, strēgth nor authority, can preuaile agaynst the Lord and his people, otherwise then he himselfe séeth good. Verse 13. Teacheth that the afflictions of the godly, doe no whit at al hinder the beautie of the godly, but rather are the instruments which God doth use to make them more glorious. Verse 15. Setteth out the excel­lency, beauty, and continuance of Gods church. Ver. 16. Teacheth that al con­gregations, though outwardly neuer so glorious and glittering, in respecte of it are nothing. Ver. 17. Sheweth that Gods power is inuincible, and his ar­mies to performe his purpose, are innumerable. Verse 18. Sheweth that God will triumphe ouer al: the faythfull willingly and vnfainedlie subiecting them­selues, and the other whether they will or no. Verse 19 teacheth vs two things first to yéeld thanks to God for his mercies, secondly that his goodnes toward vs neuer ceaseth. Verse 20 teacheth vs, that euen in the greatest daungers, God deliuereth his children, to the end all glory might be giuen to him there­fore. Verse 21. Sheweth that the wicked enemies of his Church shal not long escape vnpunished. Verse 22. teacheth vs, that Gods promises of deliuerance, saluation, &c. are the 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, 1 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 26. Secondly, he prayeth for himselfe and against 2 them, ver. 1, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22.23, 24, 25, 27, 28. Thirdly he gathereth cō ­fort 3 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 y e 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 2 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 shalbe 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 3 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 4 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 [Page 186] 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.] 5 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] 6 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, 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 my selfe.] Verse 10. I wept [ vz. Seing all things so disordred, and the [Page 187] 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 1 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 12 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 y e 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 13 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 14 [ 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 15 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 16 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 17 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 18 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 [Page 188] in my ouerthrow: or else that being set frée, I may reioyce ouer them] 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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 ruine [ i. let euen those things that they supposed were wealth and defence vnto them, be their destruction and ouerthrowe. Dauid wisheth not this, but in respect that they were enemies to God and hys Church, knowing also by the spirite of Prophecy, that the Lord had giuen them ouer, as also S. 23 Paule himselfe alleageth this place, Rom. 11.9.] Ver. 23. Let their eyes be blin­ded that they sée not, and make their loynes alwayes to tremble [by eyes and loynes, principall partes of a man, wee maye vnderstande the whole man, or else thus, that the Prophet desireth the blinding of them in their sight, and the weakening of them in their loynes, that so they might not be able to hurt him: or else by wishing their eyes to be blinded, he meaneth the depriuing of them of all reason and vnderstanding, so that they may remaine without iudgement as a blind man doth without light: and by making their loines alway to tremble he vnderstandeth the astonishing and weakening of their power and force: be­cause that in the loines and raines, mans strength doth principallye consist.] 24 Verse 24. Poure out [ vz. in great measure and abundaunce] take them [or else [Page 189] take hold of them and that in such sort, that they may not escape, hee desireth the Lord to punish them most sharply euen as angry folkes are wont to punish those that are vnder their handes, and that they might be destroyde in y e Lords wrath.] Ver. 25. Let their habitation [ i. not only the place where they dwel, but 25 euen their very offices and functions, sée Acts 1.20.] be void [ vz. by thy iust ta­king of thē away from amongst mē] and let none [ vz. of their séed & posterity] dwell in their tents [ vz. that they haue dwelt in: he meaneth that he would haue them die without heire or issue.] Ver. 26. Whom thou hast smitten [ i. chastised, 26 and that with a fatherly correction] whom thou hast wounded [ vz. with sorrow: by al this he meaneth that the wicked layd gréeuous affliction & punishments vpon those, whom god in fatherly loue had chastised to humble them & to bring thē to amendmēt.] Ver. 27. lay iniquitie [ i. punishment for iniquity: whiche is 27 called iniquity, not that it is so, but because the wicked so estéeme] vpon their iniquity [ q.d. plague thē & punish thē thorowly for their sinne] and let thē not come into thy righteousnes [ i. let them neuer performe such holinesse of life as thou allowest, or else let thē not be reckned amongst suche righteous persons as thou acceptest: putting righteousnes for righteous men, this latter séemeth to be the beter sence by reason of that which followeth.] Ver. 28. Let thē be put 28 [ i. vtterly blotted] out of the booke of life [by this he vnderstandeth the eternall counsell of God, by which he ordeineth & predestinateth his owne to saluation, according to his good pleasure, he meaneth not that euer they were writtē there for good, but because they were hipocrites, and so séemed to be elected, he pray­eth the Lord to make it knowne vnto all, that they are not of the number of his elect, neither written in their Catalogue: and all this he speaketh according to man, as though God kept a booke of names, sée Exod. 32.32. Phil. 4.3. neither let them be written with the righteous [ i. let them not be accounted, numbred, or estéemed as they, or with them.] Ver. 29. When I am poore [ i. contemned 29 and despised of men, as commonly poore people are] and in heauinesse [ vz. by reason of mine oppressions on euerye side] shall exalte mée [ vz. into a high and sure place, where I shall be frée from the force and rage of myne e­nemies.] Verse 30. I will prayse [ vz. when I shall bee deliuered] the 30 name of GOD [ i. his mighte, maiestie, power, goodnesse, &c. as Psalm 20.1.] with a song [ vz. apte, méete, and made for that purpose,] and magnifye him [ i. extoll and set him forth] with thanksgiuing [ vz. for his louing kindnes and mercy toward me.] Ver. 31. This [ vz. prayse, and thanks giuing for 31 his benefits] shall please the Lorde [ i. bee acceptable in his sighte] better then a yong Bullocke that hath hornes and hoofes [ i. which is apt and méete for his age to be offered in sacrifice: meaning thereby also any other beast whatsoe­uer, which the Lord had commanded to be offered.] Verse 32. The humble [ i. the 32 good & godly people that are afflicted in the world] shall sée this [ vz. Iudge­ment of God vpon the wicked, and mercy to his own children] and they y t seeke God [ i. those that professe his religion, & cal vpon his name, as verse 6. of this Psalme] shalbe glad [ vz. for the execution and performaunce of y t iudgment [Page 190] and mercy] and your hart shall liue [he sodaynly chaungeth the person, direc­ting his spéech to the afflicted ones: q.d. you, that for the greatnesse of my ca­lamitie, and your owne misery, séemed as it were to be wounded at the hearte, shall haue such great ioye, that you shall séeme as it were to be restored from 33 death to life.] Verse 33. For the Lord heareth the poore [ i. graunteth them that are afflicted their petitions and requests] and despiseth not [ i. doth not onely not neglect, but very greatly regardeth and highly estéemeth] his prisoners [ i. those that suffer imprisonment, or any manner of calamitie, for the mayn­tainaunce 34 of his truth and cause.] Verse 34. Let heauen and earth praise him, [ vz. after their maner and kinde, and in such sort as he inableth them] the seas & al that moueth in them [he exhorteth the creatures to praise the Lord: but al that is done to prouoke man to the same, for the wonderfull goodnesse of God 35 towards his people.] Verse 35. For God will saue [ i. not only deliuer from dan­gers, but bring to eternall rest] Sion [i. his Church, as Psalm 51.18.] and build the Cities of Iudah [vz. which were decayed and throwne down by the force of the aduersaries: he meaneth by these spéeches that God will haue a care ouer his whole Church, and the particular congregations thereof] that men maye dwell there [ i. in the Church] and haue it in possession [ vz. from the stirres and 36 troubles of the vngodly.] Ver. 36. The séede also of his seruauntes [ i. the godlye and their posterity, who are Gods seruaunts] shall inherite it [ i. the Churche, and the graces that God shall bestow vpon the same, meaning that they shall be made partakers of all good things] and they that loue his name [ i. feare his maiestie, and serue him according to his will reuealed in his word] shall dwell therein [ i. in the Church and congregation of God.

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs in time of great gréefe, to flée to God for succour. Ver. 2. sheweth that the more troubles we indure, the more néede haue wee to drawe nigh to God by prayer. Verse 3. Teacheth vs though we haue prayed long, yet neuer to leaue off til God graunt our requests. Verse 4. Setteth out the mul­titude, power, and oppression of the vngodly, not as to dismay vs, but to teach vs to denie 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 [Page 191] 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. 1 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 2 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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.

DoVerse 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 [Page 193] 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 1 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, 2 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 y t 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 shalbe, if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée.] Ver. 2. Rescue me [ vz. frō 2 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. 3 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 4 hand [ i. from the power and force] of the wicked [he meaneth in déede Absalon [Page 194] as the chéefe, but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him, al those y t tooke part 5 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 6 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 7 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, 8 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 9 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 10 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. 11 &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 [Page 195] 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 12 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 13 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 and confusion that should fal vpon them] that séeke mine hurt [ i. that indeuour to do me mis­chéefe.] Ver. 14. But I wil wait [ i. looke for help & succour from thée, and that in 14 hope and patience] and wil praise thée more and more [ vz. because thou mini­strest more and more arguments of prayse vnto me, by the particular delyue­rances that thou doest bestow vpon me.] Verse 15. My mouth shall daylye re­hearse 15 [ i. continually speake of] thy righteousnes [ i. that righteousnesse which thou exercisest towards the vngodly in punishing them] and thy saluation [ i. the helpe and deliuerance, that thou performest to thine when they are oppres­sed. Some stretch the word righteousnesse further, as that it should comprehēd also Gods assured goodnesse in sauing his: and that he ioineth thē both together because we can not else where be certainly assured, but in this, y t in as much as God is iust and righteous, he maintaineth those that are his] for I knowe not the number [that word, for, would better be rendred though: for here is a mo­dest correction of his former spéech: q.d. I wil declare vnspeakeable thinges, not according to their excellency, but according to the slender abilitie, that thou hast bestowed vpon me, I will doe my indeuour to set forth thy iustice and sal­uation, though I must néedes confesse that thy iudgements exercised vpon the wicked, and thy mercies towards thy children, neyther are knowne to me, nei­ther can I reckon them: sée Psal. 40.5.] Verse 16. I wil go forward [ q.d. not­withstanding 16 that great difficultie before alleaged, that I know not the num­ber, yet I will procéede to speake of them, and that] in the strength of the Lord God [ i. assisted and ayded with strength and abilitie from him to the perfor­maunce thereof, which I am not able to doe of my selfe, and wil make mention [ i. speake of with my mouth and lippes, as before, Ver. 15.] euen of thine only [ vz. and of no others: q.d. that is sufficient, & more then I can doe.] Ver. 17. O 17 god thou hast taught me [ vz. by thy iudgements vpon others, & thy benefites towards me, he meaneth that God had instructed him in his iustice, and in his saluation by those meanes, and had giuen him plaine demonstrations and eui­dent proofes thereof: and that from his youth [ i. from the time of his birth, as ver. 6. of this Psalme] therfore I will tell [ i. speake openly and fréely] of thy wondrous workes [ i. in respect of man, as Psal. 40.5.] Verse 18. Yea euen vnto 18 mine old age and gray head [ i. euen vntill I come to be very olde, vsing graye head, or heares, a signe of great age, for old age it selfe, as Leuit. 19.32. Gen. 42.38. This verse may either be ioyned to that that goeth before, as it is in the [Page 196] Geneua text with a comma: q.d. thou hast taught me from my youth vntil now yea euen vntill that I am very aged: or else read by it selfe thus, taking away the colon in the middle of this verse thus: yea euen vnto mine old age & gray head forsake me not: q.d. as thou hast continued mercifull and fauourable to me heretofore, so I pray thee leaue me not till I come euen to extremity of old age as it were, yea euen vntil I haue declared, &c. as it followeth in this verse: and this reading and sence I do approue as most fit] vntil I haue declared [ i. made manifest and set out both by déedes and wordes] thine arme [ i. the moste great workes and mightie power, and so is it expounded in the wordes fol­lowing] vnto this generation [ vz. whiche is yet present and aliue] that shall 19 come [ vz. after these, meaning that he would labour to publish it to posterity.] Verse 19. I will exalt on high [ i. greatly prayse the same, because thou hast gi­uen me particular triall thereof] for thou hast done great thinges [ i. thou alone without the helpe and assistaunce of any other] O God, who is like vnto thée? [ vz. either amongst the gods, as Psal. 86, 8. or else in heauen and earth, as psa. 73.25. and this question sheweth that none is any manner of waye comparable 20 with him] Verse 20. Which hast shewed me [ i. madest me to sée and féele] great troubles and aduersities [ vz. both inwardly and outwardly] but thou wilte re­turne [ vz. from afflicting me, to thy accustomed loue and fauour, as Psal 6.4.] and reuiue me [who was it were almost dead thorow sorrow and gréef: q.d. thou wilt refresh me, and as it were call me back from death to life] and wilte come agayne [ vz. after this departure and long absence of thine from me] and take me vp [ vz. safe and sound] from the depth of the earth [ i. from very great 21 troubles and extreme daungers.] Verse 2. Thou wilt increase mine honour [which by the conspiracye and rebellion of my sonne Absalon, was for a time, layd as it were in the dust, sée Psalme 3.3.] and returne [ vz. vnto me, being pleased with me againe] and comfort me [ vz. with that comfort that belongeth 22 to thine, which none can take from them.] Verse 22. Therefore will I prayse thée [he concludeth with promise of thanksgiuing: q.d. I will not be vnthank­ful to thée for thy mercies though I cannot be so thākful as I should or would] for thy faithfulnesse [ i. iust performaunce of thy promises made to me] vpon in­strument and viol [he alludeth to the maner of that age, & prescribeth not a rule for vs vnder the gospell as some imagine] O holy one of Israel [ i. O God as Psal. 8.41. Now he is called the holy one of Israel: because that all the sancti­fication that either that people or his Church haue, they haue it from that one 23 alone, who sanctifieth al those that be his.] Verse 23. My lippes will reioyce, when I sing vnto thée [the Prophet in these wordes expresseth the greate de­light, that not only his lippes, but that al the parts and members of his out­ward man shall take in praysing the Lord: by lips one part, vnderstanding all the rest] and my soule [ i. his inward affection, & al that is within him, as Psal. 103. [...]] which thou hast deliuered [ vz. from most dangerous distresses, yea from 24 death it self.] Ver. 24. My tongue also shal talk of thy righteousnesse daylye [ i. I wil inforce my seife continually to speake of thy righteousnesse, sée verse 15.17 [Page 197] of this Psalme] for they are confounded and brought vnto shame, that séeke my hurt [sée Psalme 70.2. also verse 13. of this Psalme.

Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God only, Do. how great soeuer our gréefes and daungers be. Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods faithful promises made vnto vs, or performed vnto vs, ought to be the grounds of our supplications & prayers. Ver. 3. Setteth out what great care God hath ouer his people, and what safetie and assuraunce they are in that be vnder his protection. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for deliueraunce from mischieuous men and cruell persons. Ver. 5. Tea­cheth vs that God must be trusted vnto and hong vpon al the dayes of our life. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that al that we haue we haue frō God, our being, birth, &c. and that we ought therefore continually to praise him. Ver. 7. Howsoeuer men wonder at vs or despise vs, so that God be on our side, we néed not greatly care Verse 8. Teacheth vs to pray to God for the continuaunce and increase of his goodnesse towards vs, and that not for our own profite and ease, but that hee may thereby be more and more glorifyed of vs. Ver. 9. Teacheth that the more weake and feeble we are, the more we stand in néede of Gods help, and to craue it by prayer. Ver. 10. Sheweth that the wicked consult and speake agaynst the good. Ver. 11, Sheweth that the wicked make sure account of that many times which they are furthest off from. Ver. 12. Teacheth that Gods presence is suf­ficient to strengthen his people, & to discomfit their enimies. Ver. 13. Teacheth that to wish hurt to any, much more to Gods children, and to seeke the accom­plishment of it, are gréeuous sinnes. Ver. 14. Teacheth that patience in afflic­tion and thanksgiuing are necessary and méete for Gods children. Ver. 15. tea­cheth vs the right vse of our mouth, vz. when it is occupied in rehearsing gods goodnes. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs, that though to Godward, we can not do so much as we should or would: yet we ought to indeuour the performance of that, that he shall enable vs vnto. Ver. 17. teacheth that the experience of Gods mercies, should bring forth in vs these two effects: first continually to hang vpon him, secondly to praise and publish his great power and goodnesse. Ver. 18. teacheth what a care we should haue to conuay as it were, Gods glorye ouer to all poste­rities. Verse 19. Teacheth vs that none is comparable with God. Ver. 20. tea­cheth first that all afflictions come to passe by Gods prouidence and appoint­ment, secondly that he graciously deliuereth his from their greatest daungers. Ver. 21. teacheth vs to be certainly assured of Gods fauoure and goodnesse to­wards vs. Ver. 22. teacheth vs earnestly to praise God for his benefits, and to inforce our selues thereto, by all the lawfull meanes wee canne. Verse 23. Tea­cheth vs that al our parts both inward and outward, should be ready to praise the Lorde. Verse 24. Teacheth vs, that though the enemies of Gods peo­ple prosper a while, yet their end without repentaunce will be shame and con­fusion of face.

Psalme 72

Di THis Psalm may be deuided into thrée parts. In the first the pro­phet 1 Dauid prayeth to God for himself and his sonne Salo­mon, that they in their kingdome maye bee directed by him, which the Lord graciously perfourming, hee sheweth what good shall come to the whole land thereby, from verse 1. to the 2 end of the 8. In the second he prophesieth of the inlargemente of the kingdom, by subduing many people vnto it, and of the great plenty that shall be therein, all which is but a figure of Christs kingdome, and this rea­cheth 3 from verse 9. to the end of the 17. In the third part is comprised a notable praise that the Prophet yéeldeth vnto the Lord for his power & goodnesse, from verse 18. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title, a Psalm of Salomon [i. concerning him, or on his behalf, & not as though he were the author therof.] Ver. 1. Giue thy iudgements [ i. instruct the king with y e spirite of wisedome & vprightnes, that he may rightly gouern the people committed to him, according to such lawes and ordināces, as thou hast prescribed] & thy righteousnes [ i. such righteousnes as thou allowest, he setteth these two words, iudgements & righteousnes against the tirannous abusing of kingly authoritie] to the kings sonne [ i. the kings posterity, but chiefelye Sa­lomon.] 2 Verse 2. Then [ vz. when thou shalt giue him these graces] shal he iudge [ i. conducte and gouerne] thy people [ i. the people that thou haste chosen to bée a people to thy selfe] in righteousnesse [ i. faythfully, truely, and vpright­ly] and thy poore [ i. such as are afflicted for thy cause: or else those whome thou hast humbled: and he speaketh specially of these, because that for their defence Kings haue the sworde put into their hands] with equity [ i. iust and vprighte 3 iudgement, rendring to euery one according to their behauiour.] Verse 3. The Mountaines [ i. after some the most barren places: others because the lande of Iudea was ful of mountains, vnderstand by mountains the whole land: what­soeuer it is, the Prophets meaning is this, by this similitude taken from the plentifulnesse of the earth to note that no corner or quarter of the land, shall be founde voyde of Gods blessing] shall bring peace [ i. shall yéelde or bring foorth store and plentye of all manner of blessinges, for so doe the Hebrewes vse this worde, as is to be séene in many places of scripture] by iustice [ vz. right­lye administred, hee meaneth that the kinges good gouernment, shalbe a mean 4 to bring all prosperity vpon the whole land] Ver. 4. he shall iudge [ vz. vpright­ly] the poore of the people [who most commonly are troden vnder féete] hee shall saue [ i. deliuer, vz. from the oppressor and cruell man] the children of the néedy [ i. moste needie persons, for the Father being néedye, the childe can hardly bee riche, hee meaneth that those that haue no helpe or succoure, but lye as a praye to the riche of the Worlde, shall be reuenged of, and deliuered from the handes of their enemies] and shall subdue [ vz. vnder his féete, but yet [Page 199] through iustice and equitie] the oppressour [ i. all oppressours, vnderstanding by one, al.] Ver. 5. They [ i. the people so gouerned] shall feare thée [ i. shall cary 5 a certaine louing reuerence and obedience vnto thée: and this may be referred, either to God or to the king, if we referre it to God, then it is a sodain change of the person, shewing what fruits shal come by a holy gournment, to wit, that the people shal imbrace Gods true religion and seruice. If wee referre it to the king, then he sheweth what louing and obedient people he shal haue that ruleth well, but I rather allow of the first sense, by reason of that which followeth in this verse] as long as the sunne and moone endureth, from generation to gene­ration 6 [ i. for euer and euer.] Ver. 6. He [ i. the king] shall come downe [ vz. either personally from his kingly throne amongest his people, or else in his holy and iust gouernment] like the raine vpon the mowen grasse. [These words mowen grasse, may haue a double sense, and both good: either that we referre it to that which is cut for hay, vpon which if some raine fall presently after the cutting, men say it serueth much for the increase of good smell in it: or else to that that standeth, which is much subiect to the heat of the sunne and parching, when the other is remoued: and then as the raine falleth vppon it, and causeth it to growe againe, as it were: so a righteous gouernour after the heate of tyrannie addeth as 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 7 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, shalbe 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] shalbe [ 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 8 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 9 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 10 rule in Cicilia putting the chiefe Citie of the Country, for the whole country] [Page 200] 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. y e 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 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, [Page 201] 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 16 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 shalbee 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 17 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 verse 5. of this Psalme.] All nations [either expounde it as before verse 11. or else thus: all nations shall blesse him [ i. speake well of him & praise him, for his excellent and vpright gouernement] and be blessed in him [this must néedes bee referred to Christ, as Genesis 12.3.] Verse 18. Blessed be 18 the Lorde God [ i. praysed be his maiesty] euen the God of Israel [i. euen the true GOD, who is the defender of his Church and people] which only doeth marueilous thinges [ vz. both for his owne people, and also against his enemies.] Verse 19. Contemeth a plaine and manifest prayer, for the manifesta­tion 19 and inlargement of Gods kingdome, throughout all the worlde: and that doubling of the worde] so bée it, euen so bee it, noteth the Prophets earnest and hearty consent to the prayers hée made in this Psalme,] here end the pray­ers of Dauid, vz. which hée made for his sonne Salomon: for otherwise there followe other prayers of his in this booke] the sonne of Ishai [this contey­neth part of his Genealogie, a further description wherof may be séene. Ruth. 4.1.19. &c.

Ver. 1. Teacheth that vnlesse God assist magistrates, Do. they can not well and rightly performe their dueties: and that therefore it behooueth all, specially those that are nigh to them, to pray to God for them. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that it apperteineth to magistrates to render right to euery one. Ver. 3. Sheweth that where iustice beareth sway, there is abundaunce of all goodnes. Ver. 4. Teacheth that the magistrats office consisteth of two partes, vz. in defending the good, and punishing the euill Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shalbe continually reuerenced and feared. Verse 6. Teacheth vs that good [Page 202] gouernours are a great blessing to the people. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs, that good gouernours make much of good men. Ver. 8. Sheweth that God wil gracious­ly inlarge the dominion and borders of good Princes. Ver. 9. Declareth that barbarous people and al their enemies shalbe subdued vnto them. Ver. 10. Tea­cheth that other kinges shall not onely be glad of their friendship but willing­ly submit themselues vnder their obedience. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that the magistrates are ordeined to helpe them that can not helpe themselues. Ver. 13. Teacheth that there is required of the magistrates, not onely bowels of com­passion to the néedy, but also merciful preseruation and defence. Ver. 14. Tea­cheth magistrates to make good account of the liues and bodies of their sub­iects. Ver. 15. Teacheth subiects to pray continually for the prosperitie of their Prince. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that where good Princes raigne, there is abun­dance of all blessings, and namely of people. Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shall sit long in the seates of their kingdome. Ver. 18. Teacheth vs to prayse God continually for his mercy and power. Verse 19. Teacheth vs to pray for the increase and inlargement of Gods kingdome.

Psalme 73

Di. 1 THe Psalme may bee deuided into three partes. In the first the Prophet describeth the pride, prosperitie, wealth, and great abundance of outwarde blessings that the vngodly haue. 3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12. 2 In the second he declareth that by the conside­ration thereof, hee was almost caried away, into murmuring against God and falling from God, had not God graciously instructed him by his worde and spirit, of the miserable end of the wicked, and his fauour towards the good. Ver. 1.2.3.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22. In the 3 third part he declareth that howsoeuer the worlde goe, whether the good bee humbled, and the bad aduanced, it skilleth not, he will alwaies hang vppon the Lord, from ver. 23. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal. 50.] Ver. 1. Yet God is good to Israel [i. gracious, fauourable, & ful of compassion to his Church, these beginnings ex abrupto, such a one as we had before Psalm. 62. shewe the mar­ueilous combats, the Prophet had in himselfe, betwéene the flesh and the spirit, out of which difficulties hee sodainely bursting, vttereth as it were disorderly this sentence: q.d. howsoeuer calamities presse good men, and my flesh woulde haue mee to say, that therefore God is farre from them, yet this is the trueth of the Lorde, and I will beléeue it all the dayes of my life, that God in good­nes is continually most nigh to his owne people] euen to the pure in heart [ i. to them that haue malice and iniquitie remoued from the heart, and walke in roundnes and sinceritie: and this the Prophet addeth more plainely to declare what he ment by Israel, that is, such as are not hypocrites in the Church: sée for 2 pure in heart, Matth. 5.8.] Ver. 2. My féete [ i. I my selfe, putting a part for [Page 203] the whole, or else by féete wée may vnderstand afflictions, as Psalm. 119.105. also Eccles. 4.17.] were almost gone [ vz. from the right way, which thou pre­scribedst mee to walke in, and the same thing hee meaneth by that which fol­loweth in this verse.] Verse 3. For I freated [ vz. euen with griefe of mynde to 3 my selfe, and hatred to them] at the foolish [ i. at those that had not at any feare of God, which is in déede the beginning of all true wisedome] when I saw [ i. be­held, knew and considered] the prosperity of the wicked [ vz. which they inioy.] Ver. 4. There are no bands in their death [ i. they are not brought to death tied 4 and bound as prisoners are: vnderstanding by bandes sundry sorts of siknesses: or else it may be expounded thus] there are no bands in their death [ i. the pangs and paines of death outwardly, are not bitter vnto them. Immanuel his text maketh the first part of this verse more plaine, saying they haue no bands vntill their death: q.d. they spende all the time before their death, in iolitie and mirth hauing al maner of prosperitie, and no maner of griefe, and this I take to bee the best] they are lusty and strong [ i. they haue great health, & so by that meanes growe in strength, whereas the godly by sundry sicknesses growe weake and féeble.] Ver. 5. They are not in trouble [ i. misery, affliction, and such like: hee 5 meaneth not that they are altogether exempted from them, but that they haue them not so long, and so commonly as others haue] neither are they plagued [ vz. with diseases, sicknesses &c.] with other men [ i. when other men are, or in such measure as others are.] Ver. 6. Therefore pride is as a chaine vnto them 6 [ vz. in their owne imagination and account, hee meaneth by this speach: that they please and flatter themselues, as much in their pride, thinking it to [...] ornament and beauty vnto them, as other men doe their chaines] and cruelty couereth them as a garment [ i. they are altogether giuen to cruelty and vy [...] ­lence, as Psal. 71.13 also Psal. 69.7. and this voylence procéedeth from pride, as the daughter from the mother.] Ver. 7. Their eyes stand out for fa [...]nes [hée 7 meaneth by this speach, that they haue such abundance of wealth that they [...] themselues with al dainties, euen vntil their eyes swell in their heades] they haue more [ vz. of worldly prosperitie and wealth] then heart can with [ i. the [...] they themselues in their owne affections can desire, sée Psal. 17.14.] Verse 8. 8 They are licentious [ i. they giue themselues in their conuersation and behaui­our to al licentiousnes, doing whatsoeuer they themselues like of] and speake wickedly of their oppression [hee meaneth to note their impudencie and shame­lesnes that not only did euil, but would with wicked words publish the same a­broad] and speak presumptuously [ i. fearcely against men, and proudly against God as though they were not like other men.] Ver. 9. They set their mouth [ i. 9 they spare not to speake, putting the word mouth, an instrument of speach for speach] against heauen [ i. against God chiefely that is in heauen, and these blessed ones that are there with him] and their tongue [ i. their speach & tongue is vsed here, as the word mouth was before in this verse] walketh through the earth [ i. they speake outragious wordes also euen against men that inhabite the earth, and in these words, heauen and earth, there is Met [...]mia.] Ver. 10. [Page 204] Therefore his people [ i. Gods people] turne [ vz. from God] hither [ i. to wic­kednes and sinne with the vngodly, the Prophet meaneth that many that were supposed to be faithful people, straied from the right way, or else stoode not so stedfastly therin, as some imagined they did] for waters of a ful cup are wrung out to them [the Prophet noteth the cause of their falling to bee on the one side, the wickeds prosperitie and abundance, and on the other side, the plentie of their owne afflictions, vnderstanding by waters of a full cup wrung out vnto them, the abundance of calamities, that they sée dayly prepared to fall vppon 11 them, euen as it were bitter potions for them to drinke.] Ver. 11. And they say [ i. the godly, or these that haue a shewe of godlines, and are readye to fall from it, by reason of the wickeds prosperitie, as verse 2. of this Psalme] howe doeth God know it? [ vz. their wickednes and vngodlines] is there knowledge [ vz. of their sinnes and trasgressions. q.d. no surely, for if there were hee must néedes punish them, or else deny his owne nature: so farre doeth fleshly weake­nes cary them, that it maketh them to doubt of Gods prouidence and gouern­ment.] 12 Verse 12. Loe, these [ vz. that thus florishe] are the wicked [ vz. of the worlde] yet prosper they alway [sée verse 4. and 5. of this Psalme, hee mea­neth that whatsoeuer they take in hande goeth well forwarde, and besides are not afflicted as others are] and increase in riches [ vz. euen as much as their 13 heart can desire.] Ver. 13. Certainely. q.d. séeing the case so standeth, to what ende haue I striuen to do well: and note that the Prophet expresseth rather his assault, shewing whereunto hée was tempted, then vttered his perswasion] I haue cleansed mine heart [ i. I haue laboured to remoue corrupt and filthy af­fections from mee, not meaning that hee had power in himselfe, but that God had giuen him a will to beginne] in vaine [ i. without any cause why, séeing that the wicked haue more abundance many times then the godly:] and washed my handes in innocensie [by handes hee vnderstandeth workes, performed by the handes as it were. q.d. I haue in vayne béene carefull, that my workes shoulde be cleane and iust; meaning by purging his heart, inward soundnes specially towards God, and by washing his hands, outwarde behauiour, specially to­wardes men: q.d. I haue without cause walked in honest conuersation before men, and perfourmed dueties of godlines towardes God, Sée Psal. 26.6. also 14 Iob. 9.30.] Ver. 14. For dayly haue I béene punished [ i. continually afflicted with some one crosse or other: for this is the portion of Gods children, that in this life with them, the latter end of one trouble is the beginning of an other] & 15 chastened euery morning [ vz. for my amendment and bettering.] Ver. 15. If I say [ vz. to my selfe in my owne heart and thought] I wil iudge thus [ vz. of the wicked that they are good, and that thy prouidence beareth not such a sway as I haue beléeued] behold the generation of thy children [ vz. which shal conuince me of vanitye and falshood, because thou alwaies preseruest them to thy selfe what danger so euer come] I haue trespassed [ q.d yea I must further confesse, 16 that in hauing these motions, I haue sinned against thée.] Ver. 16. Thē thought I to know this [ i. I laboured painfully to come to this matter, and the depth [Page 205] of it, vz. whether matters were gouerned by thy prouidence, yea, or no] but it was to paineful for me [ vz. to atteine vnto, and that by mine owne natural wit and vnderstanding, as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse.] Ver. 17. Vntill I entred [ vz. with déepe consideration, hearty prayer &c.] into 17 the sanctuary of God [ i. into the word of God in which his wil is declared, put­ting the place where the word was most vsed for the word it selfe] then [ i. after that I had looked into thy word] I vnderstood [ vz. rightly and soundly] their end [ i. the wicked mens ende: which is called their end, not that it was in their choyse to make what end they would, but that it was that end, which GOD in his iudgements layde vppon them, euen when they thought him to haue no care of their doings, and themselues in the greatest safety.] Ver. 18. Surely 18 thou hast set them in slippery places [ i. in an vncertaine and chaungable estate, whereof they can haue no more assurance then if they went vppon [...]se, or some slippery matter, and from which they shall as easily and as soone fall, as they haue béene exalted thereto] and castest them downe into desolation [ i. thou do­est so ouerthrowe them, that they are vtterly wasted and destroyed as may appeare by the next verse.] Verse 19. Howe sodainely are they destroyed 19 [ vz. by thy iudgements] perished [ vz. from among men] and horribly con­sumed [ vz. by thy feareful iudgments which by reason of the noueltie & strang­nes of them, astonisheth them and bringeth them to naught.] Verse 20. As a 20 dreame when one awaketh [ vz. so passe the wicked and their felicity away, hée meaneth that they sodainely vanish away: as a dreame is quickely forgotten yea many times knowe not what they dreamed, and though they doe, yet they finde that it is nothing but a vayne perswasion, and so shall the wicked mens felicity bee] when thou raysest vs vp [ vz. either in honour and estimati­on, for the lifting vp of the good, is the depressing of the wicked: or else in right and sounde iudgement. Immanuel readeth, when thou arisest vp, referring it to GOD, i. when thou beginnest to execute thy power vppon them, which also is good sense] thou shalt make their image despised [ vz. of the godly: by image hee meaneth either their outwarde shewe, which blearing their eyes, va­nish away as sodainely as an image that sheweth it selfe in a glasse: or else the men themselues: who are of no longer continuaunce then an image or shadow, see Psal. 39.6.] Verse 21. Verily my heart was vexed [ vz. within me] and I 21 was pricked in my reines [ i. in my most secret thoughtes, as in this sentence God searcheth the heart and reines, the Prophet sheweth what griefe hee had in himselfe, for that he had taken vpon him so to discourse against Gods proui­dence as it were.] Ver. 22. So foolish was I and ignoraunt [ vz. in iudging so, 22 yea] I was as a beast [ i. without vnderstanding: q.d. all beastes can conceiue nothing of thée, no more coulde I in that matter] before thée [ i. in thy presence, sight, and iudgement, so that these two verses are as it were an humble confes­sion of his former sinne.] Ver. 23. Yet I was alwaye with thee [ q.d. not­withstanding 23 my rash and corrupt iudgement, thou diddest not forsake me, but euen then when I was in danger altogether to go astray, thou calledst me back [Page 206] and restrained mee.] Thou haste holden mee by my righte hande [ i. thou hast held me vp, and bene a proppe vnto me that I haue not fallen, in the considera­tion 24 of the slippery estate of this life.] Ver. 24. Thou wilt guide mee [ vz. here­after, though I haue fallen heretofore] by thy counsell [according to thy will reuersed in thy worde, and wilt not suffer mee to follow the imagination of my owne heart as I haue done heretofore] and afterwardes [ vz. after that thou hast instructed me, and taught me according to thy word] receiue mee to glory [he meaneth by glory here not only eternal life, but also all the blessinges that God giueth vnto his in this life, whether it be health, wealth, wisdom, &c. which the Lord giueth them sometimes here in this worlde, that they might in them 25 haue a tast, as it were of the felicity to come.] Ver. 25. Vttered by the way of an interrogation carrieth with it this sense, that the Prophet sought all his ioy & contentment, in God alone, and in no creature, whatsoeuer earthly or heauen­ly.] 26 Ver. 26. My flesh faileth, and my heart also [ i. my outward men haue béene and are many times wonderfully afflicted, so that I haue failed and fallen so lowe, that in mans iudgment I am many times past recouery] but God is the strength of my heart [ i. he that inwardly strengtheneth me: and he putteth the inwarde part for the whole, not only because it is the more excellent, but also because if that be couragious, y t outward mā can not faile] & my portion [ i. the 27 portiō assigned to me & wherwith I wilbe cōtent al y e daies of my life] Ver. 27. Withdraw themselues from thee [ i. from thy gouernement, and walke not in the obedience of thy wayes] shall perish [ vz. not only from amongest men, but also eternally] thou destroyest [ vz. in thy iust iudgement] that go a whoring from thee [ i. that put not their whole trust in thee, and hang not altogether vp­on thee, whereby wée sée, that not onely grosse idolatrie is spiritual fornicati­on, but also to withdraw the least part of our assurance that can be from God.] 28 Ver. 28. It is good [ i. most pleasant and profitable for mee] to drawe neere to God [ vz. by faith & assured perswasiō hanging continually vpon him] as may plainly appeare, by the words following in this verse] that I may declare [ i. publish and set abroad amongst men, and that both by word and déede] all thy works [he meaneth by al a very great number, because otherwise it is impossi­ble to comprehend them, and by workes he meaneth specially the iudgements that God executeth vpon the earth.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that Gods goodnes towardes his people, is more then flesh can estéeme of it. Ver. 2. Sheweth how weake euen the best men are in thē selues. Ver. 3. Sheweth that it is no small temptation to the godly, to sée the wicked highly aduanced, and themselues depressed and kept vnder. Ver. 4. & 5. teach not onely in what a prosperous estate the wicked many times are in this life: but also that we should count no man blessed for his outward felicity. Ver. 6.7.8.9. Teach first the disposition and nature of the vngodly describing their wicked qualities: secondly they shewe how that Gods forbearaunce and long suffering and mercy is abused by them, to the increase of their transgressions. Thirdly that for as much as they abuse their power, their witte, their wealth, [Page 207] their vtterance, and all that they haue against God, themselues and other men that therefore we should learne to vse all his blessings in what quantitie soeuer they be bestowed vpon vs, to his glory, our owne comfort, and the profit of our brethren. Ver. 10. Teacheth that Gods people haue abundance of plagues in this life, but yet that they should not fal away from God therfore. Ver. 11. Tea­cheth howe farre Gods children slide when they are left for a while vnto them­selues, euen to the denial of his prouidence. Ver. 12. Sheweth the continuall prosperity of the vngodly. Ver. 13.14. Shew how farre mans presumptiō brea­keth forth, when he followeth his own reason. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs humble and vnfeigned confession of our sinnes. Ver. 16. sheweth howe vnable wee are of our selues to behold Gods dealing and doinges towardes men. Ver. 17. Sheweth that the frequenting of publike assemblies, and the righte vse of Churche ex­ercises, are very good meanes to worke light and knowledge in vs. Verse 18. Teach that the wickeds seate is ticklish and vncertaine. Ver. 19. & 20. Teach not only the sodaine destruction of the wicked, but also that those iudgements are sent vpon them from God. Ver. 21. Declarrth that euen the godly men haue their affections though not so right as they shuld. Ver. 22. Sheweth what blind­nes is in vs, til God inlighten vs. Ver. 23. God is the onely vpholder of all his children. Ver. 24. Teacheth that without God guide vs we go out of the way to eternal destruction. Ver. 25. Teacheth Gods children to hang vpon him alone. Ver. 26. Teacheth that when al things quaile, yet God alone must be stuck to. Ver. 27. Conteineth Gods great iudgements against the wicked and vngodly. Ver. 28. Teacheth that howsoeuer other men fall away, yet it behoueth Gods children to hang alwaies vpon him.

Psalme 74

THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts. Di. In the first the faith­full 1 doe as it were debate the matter with God, of their affliction, layd vpon them by the cruell and vngodly dealing of the enemies, and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 9. In the seconde 2 part they pray against the enemies of the Church, assuring them­selues, by these particular examples, both of his mercy towards the good, and his iustice towards the wicked, which he had declared before, that they should bee deliuered, and the enemies plagued: and this reacheth from ver. 10. to the end of the 17. In the third part is conteined the faithfuls prayer, which they 3 make for themselues, and against their enemies, grounding the same vppon Gods goodnes towards them, and his iudgements towards the wicked, and this reacheth from ver. 1. to the end of the Psalme.

For the title of this Psalme, sée before Psalme 32. and Psalm. 50. Se. in the titles thereof, because it séemeth to be a title made almost of these two titles. Ver. 1. Why hast thou put vs away [ vz. from thée, as though wee were out of thy fa­uour, and thou in displeasure with vs] for euer [ i. for a long season: for God [Page 208] doeth neuer vtterly reiect his, these demaundes procéed of the infirmitie of the flesh, and shew, as on the one side an earnest desire that they had to haue God fauourable to them, so on the other side some discontentednes of mynde, with the long absence of the Lord] why is thy wrath kindled [ i. not onely made ma­nifest, but declared also to be excéeding hote and great] against the sheepe of thy pasture [ i. against the people whom thou hast most dearely loued and prouided for, and madest great account of, as men doe the flockes of their pasture, hee meaneth by this people, the people of Israel, whom God had chosen from amōg all nations, placing them in the land of Canaan, as in a fruitful féeding place.] 2 Ver. 2. Thinke vpon thy congregation [ i. declare by déed & effect that thou for­gettest not thy people: for otherwise god doth not in déed forget his] which thou hast possessed [ vz. as thine own proper and peculiar inheritance] of old [ i. euen from the time that thou madest a couenant with Abraham & his séed] and on the rod of thine inheritance [ i. of that portion of people, that thou hast chosen to bée an inheritance to thy selfe: & in this place he speaketh according to the vsual cu­stome of measuring out of ground, putting the instrument, vz. the rod or staffe wherewith the ground was measured, for the ground it self, and by a metaphor translating it also, from earthly inheritances, to spirituall] which thou hast re­déemed [ vz. vnto thy selfe, and that out of great daungers, as out of Egipt, and others, as the booke of Iudges is full] and on this mount Sion [he meaneth hereby chiefely the temple but withal the whole citie of Ierusalem] wherin thou hast dwelt [ i. wherein thou hast shewed manifest testimonies, of thy presence & goodnes, more then in other places, for otherwise god dwelleth not in any place as whom the heauen, yea the heauen of heauens, is not able to conteine.] Ver. 3 3. Lift vp thy strokes [ i. manifest thy strength and power, and lay it vpon the e­nemies of thy people] that thou maiest for euer destroy [ vz. from among men] to the sanctuary [ i. not only to the temple, but to the city and the whole land & the people thereof, as may appeare by the verses following, the verse is other­wise 4 red by Immanuel, but the senses doe not much differ.] Ver. 4. Thine ad­uersaries [ i. Gods enemies: and they are called his, because they did set them­selues against his maiesty, religion and people] roare [ i. make a great noise as hauing gotten a victory] in the middest of thy congregation [ i. in the middest of thy people assembled to call vpon thy name, others reade it in the plurall num­ber, congregations, sinagogues, or sanctuaries, speaking according to the di­uision of the sanctuary which had thrée parts: he court, whither y e people might come: the sanctuary which was the place appointed for the priests, & the sanct­um sanctorum, where was the Arke of the couenant, & whither the high Priest only might enter, sée Hebrew. 9.1.2.] and set vp their banners for signes vz. of victory atchieued] despiting God thereby as it were and prophaning his tem­ple, for the better vnderstanding of this, the bookes of Machabées, and Iose­phus 5 lib. 12. Antiq. Iudai serue wel. Verse 5. Hée [ i. they, putting one for ma­ny] that lifted the axes vppon the thicke crées [ vz. either to fell them when they were standing in the wood, or to square thē, and to make them fit for the work] [Page 209] was renouned [ i. highly estéemed of others, euen as though he had done a most excellent and perfect thing, as appeareth by that which followeth, all this hée alleadgeth to abrogate the crueltie of the enemies, that woulde not spare so excellent a building as the temple was. Immanue. readeth it farre otherwise, and in an other sense, referring it still to the enemies, of whom hée had spoken verse 4. thus. Euery one of them [ vz. of the aduersaries or enemies] was ac­counted Noble [ vz. of others] euen as hée lifted vp the axes against the car­ued wood [ q.d. the more of that costly worke they coulde deface, the better they liked themselues, and the more they were estéemed of others: and so it agréeth 6 also with that which followeth after.] Ver. 6. For but, read also, and then the sense goeth well on still] now [ i. when they haue cast downe much] they breake downe the carued worke thereof, with axes & hammers [ q.d. they are not con­tented to spoile it, but they do in hatred so deface it that they leaue not one litle 7 piece, but they breake it in sunder with hammers, & mallets.] Ver. 7. They haue cast thy Sanctuary into the fire [ i. they haue burnt thy temple, with all things appertaining therto, putting one part of the tabernarle of witnes which was placed in the temple, for the tabernacle it selfe, & the whole temple] which may also appeare in that which followeth, because it is said] and rased it to the ground [ i. they haue made it equal. Sée for rasing, Luke 21.5.6.] and haue de­filed [ vz. by their superstitions and idolatries, and taking away and destroy­ing such things as God had ordeined. Sée 1. Machab. 1.23.57.] the dwelling place of thy name [ i. the temple wherein Gods maiesty, power, and goodnes was wonderfully made manifest, and had as it were a perpetual aboad.] Ver. 8 8. They said in their heartes [ i. they caried this purpose & perswasion inward­ly with them, and incouraged themselues to the performance thereof, sée Psal. 14.1. Let vs destroy them altogether [ i. vtterly, so that not one of them may re­maine] all the Synagogues of God [ i. al the places appointed for holy assem­blies wherein they vsed to read and expounde the Prophets and to call vppon Gods name] in the land [ i. that were in the lande, vz. of Iudea. Immanuel rea­deth it thus, casting them downe to the grounde, noting thereby the vtter de­struction 9 of them.] Ver. 9. We sée not our signes [some vnderstand by signes, miracles & wonders which God had wrought for them in time before, but now shewed not the like. I take it more general, for al y e testimonies of Gods grace & fauor whatsoeuer, which he was wont to declare towards thē & amongst the rest for the ceremonies & sacrifices of the lawe, which they wanted by reason of y e miserable destruction of their land: & they are called their signes, not because they did thē, but because they were wrought for their sakes: thē when they say, we sée not our signes, they meane, q.d. we sée not now y e testimonies & tokens of thy grace & fauor, which we were wont to behold hertofore in gret plēty] there 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. 10 [Page 210] reproch thée [this is ment not only because y e 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 11 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 & 12 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,] 13 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.] 14 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 15 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 16 heere in the plurall number.] Verse 16. The daye is thyne [both [Page 211] 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 17 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, 18 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 19 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 20 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 dennes of violence [ vz. which they practise against other men. q.d. the holes which men sought for refuge and defence, are by these mens cruelties become very dennes of outrage & violence.] Ver. 21. Oh let not 21 the oppressed [ vz. by the iniurie & outrage of cruel men] returne [ vz. from thy [Page 212] maiesty, specially séeing he prayeth vnto thee] but let the poore and néedy praise thy name [ i. giue them occasion to prayse and extoll thy power, by deliuering 22 them from their enemies and supplying their wantes. Ver. 22. Arise O God [ vz. to declare thy might vpon thine enemies, and to helpe thine] maintaine [ vz. against the violence and rage of thine enemies] thine owne cause [ i. thyne own glory, now hazarded in the person of thy people, & like to be ouerthrowne if thou lay not to thy hand: q.d. the enemies will say, that either thou canst not or wilt not helpe and so thy glory shalbe defaced] remember [this is spoken ac­cording to man, and not that God forgetteth, though hee séeme so to doe] thy dayly reproch [ i. the reproches which thy enemies, and the enemies of thy peo­ple do daily vtter against thée] by the foolish man [ i. which the wicked man spea­keth, 23 foole put for a wicked person, as Psal. 14.1.] Verse 23. Forget not [this is spokē as in the other ver. remember] the voice of thine enemies [ i. the roaring and blasphemies that they cast out against thee, thy temple, and people, sée ver. 4.6.7.8.10 verses of this Psalme] for the tumult [ i. the rage and outcries] of them that rise against thée [ i. of thine enemies, and thy peoples enemies] as­cendeth [ vz. into thy sight and presence] continually [ q.d. thou canst not chuse therefore, but remember and thinke vpon the same, as in the beginning of this very verse.]

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God many times layeth grieuous afflictions vpon his children, to the end he might thereby drawe them nigh vnto himselfe. Verse 2. Teacheth the faithful not only to haue recourse to god by praier, in the time of their troubles, but to ground themselues vppon that experience, which either they thēselues, or their forefathers haue had of his goodnes. Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that we may safely pray against the enemies of the Church. Ver. 4.5.6.7.8. Do liuely paint out the rage & violence of the enemies of god, and that against the outward marks of religion, which may teach Gods children hatred and zeale against the monuments of idolatry & superstition. Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that e­uident signes of Gods wrath & displeasure, as the want of his worde, the stop­ping of the true ministers mouthes &c. should touch vs to the quicke. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs with patience to beare the Lords hand vpon vs, till it please him to remoue it, and yet notwithstanding to craue according to his wil, the taking of it from vs. Ver. 11. Sheweth that Gods right hand and power is the only as­sured meane of defence of his children, & the destruction of the vngodly. Ver. 12. True tast and féeling of gods former deliuerances, should strengthen the hope of his seruants, that they shal again be deliuered out of al their distresses. Ver. 13.14.15.16.17. are particular descriptions of the might & power of God, in cer­taine particular works of his, out of which we learne to stay our selues wholly vpon him, who hath al power in his owne hands, and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him, both in heauen and in earth. Ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked, which reacheth not only vnto men on earth, but to God in heauen. Ver. 19. Tea­cheth vs to haue recourse to God by earnest prayer in the middest of all our ca­lamities and afflictions. Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenant made [Page 213] with vs, is not only a good ground for prayer, but also a matter of great com­fort to the conscience, because we know he wil not go backe from that which he hath promised. Ver. 21. Teacheth that it is no small comfort to the godly, when they féele by effects that their praiers are heard. Ver. 22. Sheweth that God & his people be so linked together, that reproch can not be offered to the one, but it is offred to the other. Ver. 23. Teacheth vs that euen the very outrage & cru­elties of the wicked, are effectuall instrumentes to drawe from God, as iudge­ments against their owne soules, so deliuerance to his people.

Psalme 75

IN the argument of this Psalm, I do somewhat differ from the Ge­neua Bible taking it to be a Psalme made by Dauid before that hee bare rule ouer the twelue tribes, what time there was such great warres betwéene him and the house of Saul, the Prophet promising here, that if God will establish him in the full gouernement, hee wil praise his name continually: for the better proof of this my assertion, consider the words of the third verse of this Psal. This Psal. specially expoundeth thrée things, Di. first 1 is a solemne promise of hearty thanksgiuing vnto the Lorde: and this is com­prehended ver. 1.9. The second is a protestation what he wil do, when god shall 2 aduance him to the kingdome, and this is in ver. 2.3.10. And the thirde is a lo­uing 3 admonition to the wicked, with graue reasons of that admonition, that they set not themselues against God, and his ordinance, and this is conteyned in ver. 5.6.7.8.

For the exposition of the title of this Psalme, sée Psalm 57. in the title: Se. and al­so Psal. 48. in the title, and Psal. 50. in the title out of al which laid together you shal haue these termes, destroy not, a Psalme and song, committed to Asaph ex­pounded, and as for these words to him that excelleth, they are declared before Psalme 4. in the title. Ver. 1. We wil praise thée O God [ vz. for thy benefites 1 and graces bestowed vpon vs: and the doubling of the wordes, noteth the con­stant mind and earnestnes which they caried with them, to performe it: and all this Dauid speaketh in the person of the faithful, & in his owne name also] for thy name is néere [ i. thy power & maiesty, as Psal. 20.1. meaning that God by his power began to approch, for his good & profit] therefore they [ i. not only I, but al other faithfull and godly people] will declare [ i. publish and set abroad, and that to all others] thy wonderfull workes [ i. those workes of thine, which thou doest for those that are thine, & are in déed for the excellency and greatnes of them to be wondered at. Immanuel readeth the latter part of this ver. thus, for thy wonderful workes declare that thy name is nigh [ q.d. this shalbée one cause of our praysing thée, because we perceiue by thy wonderfull workes, that thou in power drawest nigh to helpe vs in these confusions and troubles: and this is in my mind, a very good sense.] Ver. 2. When I [marke the sodaine 2 change of the person, & this Dauid speaketh of himselfe, & not of God, as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth] shall take [ i. obtaine and get] a conuenient [Page 214] time [ i. that time which thou O God hast appointed me for the obteining of the ful gouernment: for that time only is conuenient, which God hath set. Imma­nuel readeth this part of the text better thus: when I shal receiue the couenant [ i. when I shalbe admitted king ouer all Israel, according to the couenants that the Israelites consented vnto Abners Counsell: sée for this purpose. 2. Sam. 3.17. 2 Sam. 5.1.2.3. &c. also 1. Chronic. 11.3. 1. Chronic. 12.23. to the ende of the Chapter] I will iudge [ vz. the people, and their causes] righteously [ i. with vpright iudgment, this saying, he wil do, meaneth not that he had not done it before, but that then, though his charge should be the greater, yet hee woulde not be discouraged, but rather incouraged therby, to the faithful executiō of his office, and though thinges had passed vnder Sauls gouernement very corrupt­lye, 3 yet hee woulde deale vprightly.] Verse 3. The earth [ i. the land, and king­dome and the state both of the Church and common wealth, as you would say] and al in the inhabitants thereof [ i. all the people] are dissolued [ vz. from their strength, glory and fruitfulnes, and that by ciuil warres, slaughters, and dis­sentions, betwéene the house of Saul and Dauid.] But I will establish the pil­lers of it [I will labour through Gods assistance, to repayre the ruine and de­caies thereof, the Prophet vseth in this verse two excellent metaphors, the one to set out the ruine of the state, conteyned in this worde dissolued, as though it had beene like water powred vpon the ground, or like a house out of frame, or a body out of ioynt in euery particular member. The other to expresse the restoring thereof, when hee sayth hee will set vp the pillars of it, meaning that hée will looke that the kingdome shall haue a good foundation and sure 4 proppes, which are specially two, godlines, and righteousnesse.] Verse 4. I sayde vnto the foolish [ i. vnto the wicked men, the Prophet sheweth what good counsel, hée gaue them] bée not so foolish [ i. bée not so wicked, as to resist God, and set your selues against him] lift not vppe the horne [ i. bée not proude and fearce, it is a metaphor taken from wanton, lusty, and butting beastes, vnder­standing by horne, strength and power. q.d. lift not vp your selues in your 5 power, for you can not preuaile.] Verse 5. Lift not vp your horne on high [this is the same metaphor, that wēt before ver. 4. Immanuel readeth it thus: lift not vp your horne against the high GOD: q.d. GOD is the author of my kingdome, as appeareth 2. Samuel 3.18. so that you can not set your selues against mee, but you striue against him, and this I take to bée the better sense] neither speake [ vz. against mee, and of your selues] with a stiffe necke [ i. loftily and proudly, as though you woulde wrastle and striue against Gods will: and it is a metaphor taken from stubburne cattle that re­fuse 5 to beare and drawe in the yoke] Verse 6. For to come to preferment [ i. to bee exalted aboue other men, and to obteine the gouernement of a king­dome] is neither from the East to the West, nor from the South [ i. it com­meth not from this place or that quarter of the worlde, out of the earth, as other naturall thinges doe, but onely from God, who as he sheweth in the next verse, onely beareth sway in it. That worde that wee reade South, in [Page 115] the Hebrew text is Wildernesse, and therfore Immanuel turneth it, nor from the Wildernesse: that is from the North or from the South, for Judea was on both these quarters compassed in with a wildernesse: whatsoeuer it bee, the sence is all one, and this is nothing but a reason of his former spéech.] Verse 7. 7 But God is the Iudge [ q d. it is he alone that rightly determineth these cau­ses] he maketh low and he maketh hye [sée Psalme 113.7.8. also 1. Sam. 2.7.8.] Verse 8. For in the hand of the Lord [ i. in his might and power, as we haue had 8 the word sundry times vsed] is a cuppe [ i. iudgment and vengeance, and by say­ing it is in his hand, he noteth also the readinesse and preparation thereof] and the wine [ vz. in the cuppe] is red [ i. strong and pearsing, and that sodainlye to the brayne. The redder the Wines are in these easterne partes, the more pear­sing they are both in respect of their own nature, and in respecte of the heate of the countrie. Sée Prouerbs 23.31.32. Immanuel readeth for red, troubled, but me thinketh that is the better] and is full mixed [ i. full of mixture, he séemeth to allude to those that mingle spices with their wines, to make them more hote and pearsing, noting by this spéech the greatnesse of Gods vengeance againste the wicked] and he [ i. God] poureth out [ vz. in great abundaunce and plentye] of the same [ vz. Wine, that is iudgement and vengeaunce vppon the wicked] surely [this word serueth to note the certaintie of Gods plagues] all the wic­ked of the earth [ i. all they that on the earth continue in their sinnes, and sette themselues in it] shall wring out, and drinke the dregges thereof [this parte would be better translated thus, shall drinke the dregges thereof, i. shall haue it euen euery droppe poured vpon their heads in despite of their téeth, vnderstan­ding thereby the great vengeaunce that God will take vpon the wicked] which [ vz. dregges] they haue wrung out [ vz. agaynst themselues, and that by their notoriousnesse and setlednesse in sinne. Sée Isaiah 51.17. and Iere. 25.15.16. &c.] Verse 9. But I will declare [ vz. Gods wonderfull workes and excellent pray­ses, 9 as it followeth in the end of this verse] the God of Iaakob [ i. the God of Israel, or of the Israelites, putting the name of the Father from whome they came, for all his posterity: vsing it also as a difference betwéene him and all the false Gods, because he whom that people worshipped, was the onely true God, sée 1. King. 18.31.] Verse 10. All the hornes [ i. all the forces, might, and po­wer 10 of the wicked, yea their very pride, as verse 4.5. of this Psalme] will I breake [ vz. to péeces and poulder, so that they shall haue no hope to hurte the godlye] but the hornes of the righteous [ i. the strength and power of good men] shall bée exalted [ i. lifted vp, and as it were daylye more and more extol­led by mee. And all this Dauid speaketh in his owne person, shewing what hée will doe, when God shall haue once aduaunced him to the quiet gouernment of the kingdome.

Verse 1. Do. Teach the faythfull to be thankfull to God for his mercye & good­nesse. Ver. 2. Teacheth Gods people to purpose good thinges with themselues, and to labour to performe the same. Verse 3. Teacheth that no disorder or con­fusion should hinder vs from doing of that which God requireth of vs. Ver. 4.5 [Page 216] Teach vs to admonish & reproue the wicked, in and for their wickednesse. Ver. 6. sheweth vs, that Fortune as men call it, is a wicked dotage of their own, yea that all that man himselfe can doe, to prefer himselfe is nothing. Verse 7. Set­teth out Gods gouernment, not in heauen only but in earth. Verse 8. Teacheth the gréeuous and great portion of vengeaunce that in Gods iustice shall bée poured forth vpon the wicked. Verse 9. Sheweth that euen the highest are bound to prayse the Lord, yea euen they much more then other men, because they haue receyued greater graces and fauour. Verse 10. Doth excellentlye de­scribe Kings dueties, which consisteth in punishing the wicked, and defending the good, as appeareth Rom. 13.3.

Psalme 76.

Di. THe Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes. In 1 the first part the Prophet sheweth, how good, gracious, and mighty the Lord is to his own Church and people, frō verse 2 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth how terrible he is in executing his iudgements agaynst the wicked and vn­godly, their enemies, from verse 5. to the end of the tenth. In 3 the third and last part he prouoketh the faythful to shew themselues thankefull for his mercy towards them, and his iudgements towards the other, and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme.

Se. The Title to him that excelleth on Neginoth [sée Psalme 4. in the Title] A Psalme or song [sée Psalme 48. in the title] committed to Asaph [sée Psal. 50. in the Title] Ver. 1. God is known [ vz. both by his works, word and spirit, for here he speaketh of a speciall knowledge, and not only of that general one that al haue. Rom. 1.20.21.] in Iudah [that is not only to that tribe, or that portion of the land of promise that Iudah and Beniamin inhabited, but to the rest of all the people, as may appeare by that which followeth] his name [ i. his power, maiestie & might is great [ i. is declared and founde by experience to be great and mighty] in Israel [i. amongst his faithfull people, as sundry times before] 2 Ver. 2. For in Shalem [that is in Jerusalem which was called firste Shalem, sée Gen. 14.18.] is his Tabernacle [ vz. wherein he would be worshipped, & which he appointed Moses to build] & his dwelling in Sion [he meaneth this of the temple, w ch was builded vpon part of Mount Sion. Sée Psal. 48.1.2.] Ver. 3. 3 There [ i. at Ierusalem, and Sion] brake the arrowes of the bowe [ i. God dis­comfited & ouerthrew the sorce & power of al Saneheribs armie, sée Isaiah 37. thorowout: & here he reckoneth vp the weapons of war as the bowes, arrowes, shields, swords, &c. vnderstāding therby not only the instrumēts thēselues, but also the parties y t shall vse & handle thē. For weapons of thēselues without mē can do little hurt: & if the weapons had bin broken & the mē spared, they might either haue had new, or repaired the old: y t we must néeds vnderstand it both of 4 men & munition.] Ver. 4. Thou art more bright & puissant [ i. more glorious [Page 217] and mighty, by giuing the Assyrians so great an ouerthrow, & this he speaketh of God by turning his spéech vnto him] thē y e mountains of pray [ i. thē al y e As­siryans & their great Monarchie: whom he resēbleth for the multitude of their men, & for the great & wonderfull spoiles which they had gotten to mountains that were ful of wild beasts giuē to rapine & spoile: or else because they had pit­ched their tents vpon the mountains round about Ierusalem, they carying with thē al y e prayes & spoiles y t they had gotten in the warres. Immanuel readeth by the mountaines of prayes, & then it must haue this sence, by y e ouerthrow of the Assyrians, whome hee compareth to mountains of pray, for the causes be­fore alleaged.] Verse 5. The stout harted [ i. the men of might and courage, for 5 al their strength] are spoyled [ vz. of thē that were weake in respect of them, or else as Immanuel readeth it, yéelded themselues for a pray: q.d. notwithstan­ding their strength and courage, they were stricken with the faintnesse of their hart, and glad to yéeld, for the sauegard of their liues: and this must be vnder­stoode of the men that remayned after that great iudgement mētioned 2. King. 19.35. and also y t of the latter part of this verse] they haue slept their sléep [ i. they are dead, being slaine by the Angell, an vsual thing in scripture, by sléepe to vn­derstand death] & al the men of strēgth [ i. al the strong men, vz. which were left aliue after the great slaughter mētioned before] haue not found their hands [ i. had not vse of their power & strength, putting hands which are instruments to manifest strength, for strength it self.] Verse 6. At thy rebuke [ i. whē thou didst 6 but check them, or speake the word against them. He meaneth y t god very easily did discomfit & ouerthrow them, sée 2. King. 19. ver. 20.21. &c.] O god of Iaakob [sée Psal. 75.9.] both the chariot & horse [ i. the men y t did ride in and vpon both the one & the other, meaning thereby, both Princes, nobles, and men of might, because they cōmonly were caried so. Sée 2. Chron. 32.21.] are cast a sléepe [ i. slaine, as before ver. 7. of this Psal.] Ver. 7. Thou, euen thou [ q.d. thou alone] 7 art to be feared [ vz. of al and aboue all] and who shall stande [ vz. of himselfe] in thy sighte [ i. before thée] when thou art angrye [ vz. agaynste men, and by this spéeche hée noteth the weakenesse of the creatures, in respecte of their Creator.] Verse 8. Thou diddest cause thy iudgement to be heard frō hea­uen 8 [he meaneth by this spéech, that Gods iudgement vpō his enemies was so cleare & manifest, that no man could impute it to Fortune, or mens trauaile, but that euery one must of necessitie confesse y t it came from heauen, and this he meaneth as generallye, so particularly of the vengeaunce executed vppon the Assyrians armie. Some vnderstand it of thunder, lightning, &c. fearefull signs & tokens of Gods iudgements indeed, but methinketh y t other is y e more plaine sence] therefore the earth feared [ i. the people inhabiting the worlde, and hearing of that great ouerthrowe of the Assyrians] and stoode still [ vz. as peo­ple amased, and without hart and courage, not being able to deuise, muche lesse to perform any thing against gods seruants.] Ver. 9. Whē thou O god a­rose 9 to iudgemēt [ i. to execute iudgemēt: he doth in this & the former ver. resem­ble God, to an earthly iudge, speking of him according to mā, as though god did [Page 218] sit a long while deliberating what he would do, and when hee had once resolued should rise vp, and pronounce sentence] to helpe [ vz. from danger and distresse of the enemies] all the méeke [ i. all those that were afflicted, meaning thereby, the faythfull and good people of God] of the earth [he meaneth specially those that inhabited Iudea, but yet so that it may comprehend al the rest wheresoeuer 10 dispersed.] Ver. 10. Surely [ q.d. it can not otherwise be, but that] the rage of man [ i. euen the very fiercenesse and cruelty, that men exercise agaynst thy ser­uaunts, vsing the word 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 11 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 12 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 [Page 219] 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 1 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 2 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. 1 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 2 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 cō ­tinued, 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, [Page 220] 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, 3 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 4 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 5 Psalme 38. almost thorow out, and Psalme 102. in the beginning.] Ver. 5. Then [ i. in this great affliction and heauinesse of mine] I considered [ vz. déeply and diligently] the dayes of old [ i. the graces and goodnesse which in former time I had receaued from thée, putting the dayes wherein God had bestowed manye graces vpon him, for the graces themselues] and the yeares of auncient time [he meaneth not only the sorrowes that God sent him, but that he gaue vnto o­thers also y t were distressed many times before him, & this goodnes of God to­wards himself & others, he set before him as a meane to mittigate his gréefe, 6 and to assure his hope of deliueraunce out of the same.] Ver. 6. I called to re­membraunce [ i. I thought vpon also] my song [ i. the song of thanksgiuing, that I was wont to sing vnto thée for these graces. He meaneth not that hee had alwayes one song for all kinde of benefites receaued: but this, that he re­ceaued no benefites frō the Lord, but he testified his thankfulnesse by singing prayses vnto him] in the night [ i. which I was wont to sing in the night: wher­by also hee sheweth the earnest care hee had to prayse God, that when other slept, hee would be occupyed that way] I communed with mine owne harte [ i. secretly and within my selfe I disputed and reasoned] and my spirite [ i. my soule, from whence procéed wit and vnderstanding] searched diligently [ vz. the cause of my affliction, & the end of my troubles: adde here the word, saying, to ioyne this & that which followeth together, and then the sence will bee more 7 playne.] Ver. 7. Will the Lord absent himself [ vz from me, & by absenting he meaneth withdrawing of his fauour, & the signs and testimonies thereof, as though he were angry with him] for euer [ i. continually: q.d. Shall my afflic­tions neuer haue end?] And wil he shew no more fauour? [ vz. to me amongste 8 the rest that stand in so much néed of it.] Ver. 8. Is his mercy [ vz. towardes his sonnes & seruants that cal vpon him & séeke vnto him] clean gone for euer? [ q.d. wil he neuer shew it again?] doth his promise [ vz. which hee hath made in his word: for in his promises made therein, is our good and saluation shutte vp, as [Page 221] it were] fayle for euermore? [ i. Shal they not be accomplished and performed for euer?] Verse 9. Hath God forgotten to be mercifull? [ q.d. Is it possible 9 that God can forget his mercy, which were to forget himselfe, and to chaunge his nature] hath he shut vp [ vz. from those that are his] his tender mercies [ i. his fatherly loue and affection, who is more tender harted toward his, then pa­rents are to their children] in displeasure [ q.d. will he be so angry that he will not thinke vpon his mercy, sée Psalme 103.8.9. The Prophet vttereth al these thrée verses, not as a man in despayre, but as one couragiously wreastling a­gaynst Sathans assaults and his own corruptions, which would haue caryed him to that mischiefe doubtlesse, had not the Lord graciouslye stayde him and strengthened his fayth.] Ver. 10. And I sayd [ vz. in this my great conflict and 10 combat] this is my death [ q.d. the want of the féeling of Gods goodnesse, and mine own calamity will quickly finish my course, as I perswade my selfe] yet I remembred [ q.d. notwithstanding these gréeuous assaults I thought vpon] the yeres of the right hand [ i. the former times wherein God hath manifested his great power and goodnesse in my deliueraunce, strengthening my hope in this, that he that had bin my God before, would so continue, howsoeuer I were distressed for a while: and the next verse confirmeth this sence: Imman. readeth this verse otherwise, & giueth another meaning, but methinketh this is plaine ynough] of the most high [by this spéech he meaneth God, putting also hereby a difference betwéene God and al others how great and mighty soeuer they be, or are imagined to be.] Verse 11. I remembred [ vz. in my meditations] the 11 workes of the Lord [ i. those workes y t he had done, & that for his owne people] certainly I remembred [ q.d. it is very true y t I thought vpon] thy wonders [ i. the maruailous things y t thou diddest for thy people, as their deliueraunce out of Egypt & such like, which were called wonders because mās reason could not conceaue of thē] of olde [ i. in former time, or long agoe, as Exod. Deut. and the Booke of Iudges doe sufficiently declare.] Ver. 12. I did alwayes meditate [ i. 12 déepely and diligently thinke vpon in my minde] al thy works [ vz. which thou hast made & don: because al Gods work & creatures are to his people testimo­nies of his prouidence & goodnesse towards them] & did deuise [he meaneth by this spéech not only unward meditation of the harte, but also large discourse of wordes that he made] of thine acts [ i. of those which thou haddest done, for thy people: and he calleth thē Gods acts, because he was the author of thē, though he vsed mans ministery in the performance thereof.] Ver. 13. Thy way O God 13 [ i. thy manner and order of gouernment, and all thy counsels] is in the sanctu­arie [some vnderstand it of the tabernacle: some referre it to heauen, as wée haue had the worde vsed before: q.d. Thy wayes are high and excellente, whosoeuer will knowe them, must bee lifted vp to the Heauens. All this I confesse is true, but it agréeth not so well with the Prophets purpose, who mindeth to shew that all that God doeth, he doth rightly and iustlye: and therefore Immanuel turneth it well thus] thy waye O God is in holines [ i. is a holy, iust, and vpright way: whatsoeuer commeth from thée is good, though [Page 222] we can not so wel sée and perceiue the same] who is so great a God as our god? 14 [ q.d. None, sée 1. Cor. 8.5.6.] Verse 14. Thou art the God [ q.d. thou alone] that doest wonders [ i. workest wonderfull things] thou hast declared [ vz. by ef­fect and déede] thy power [ i. thy maiestie and might] among the people [this may be vnderstood, eyther of the people, vpon whom and amongst whome God exercised iudgement for his owne peoples sake, as the bookes of Genesis and Exodus doe plentifully declare: or else for his owne people particularly. For myne own part I would refer it to both, because the deliueraunce of the one is the punishment of y e other, & the ouerthrow of the one is the establishing of the other: and me thinketh that which followeth vnto the end of the Psalm séemeth wel to confirme this, because he rehearseth his mercies towards the one, and 15 his iudgements towards the other.] Ver. 15. Thou hast redéemed [ vz. out of the bondage of Egipt] thy people [ vz. of Israell] with thine arme [ i. by thine owne might and power] euen the sonnes of Iaakob [now he more particularly sheweth, what he meant by the word people, vnderstanding by sonnes, the po­steritie of Iaakob, and not the twelue Patriarkes, for they were dead long be­fore] and Ioseph [hee nameth Ioseph for honours sake, because that all Iaa­kobs stocke was preserued in Egipt by his meanes: putting also the name of the Father for his séede and posterity, or else Ioseph the whole man for a parte of him [ vz. his bones which they brought with them at their comming out of Egipt, but I like the former better. Immanuel and others expounde it other­wise, 16 but in my opinion not so rightly.] Verse 16. The waters [ vz. of the redde sea and Iordan, as appeareth in Exodus and Iosua] saw thée O God [ i. did féele thy maiestie and power in turning the courses of them, for otherwise man can not see or féele God, much lesse the waters, and he repeateth the same agayne, for the more certayntie of the matter] and were afrayde [ vz. at thy presence: which he gathereth, because they were diuided and fled as a man woulde saye backward] yea the depths [ vz of the waters: and he allegeth these wordes to expresse the greatnesse of Gods power, for though it fall out that the vpper partes of the water is many times troubled, yet the depths sieldome or neuer: but this was done to the end the people might passe vppon the drie grounde.] 17 Verse 17. The cloudes [ vz. in the firmament] poured out water [ vz. in greate abundaunce, for that doth the worde of pouring out note, sée Eccle. 11.3. he mea­neth that God had al creatures ready at his commaundemente to execute his will, for the sauegard of his, and the punishment of the vngodly] the heauens [ i. the Firmament, and the regions of the ayre aboue vs] gaue a sounde [ vz. of thunder and lightning, and winde and stormie tempest] thine arrowes [ i. thy thunderboltes, and other meanes to manifest thy wrath vppon thy enemies] went abroad [ i. did flie abroad in euery place, striking feare into them. Sée 18 Exod. 14.24.25.] Verse 18. The voice [ i. the sound or noise] of thy thunder [ i. of the thunder that thou sendest forth] was round about [ vz. all thine enemies, or else he meaneth euery quarter and region of the ayre] the lightnings [ vz. which came from thee] lightened the world [ i. they were so greate and many, that they [Page 223] might haue bene séene all the world ouer] the earth [ i. this frame of the world] trembled and shooke [for feare of thy presence: Al this is nothing else but an ex­cellent description of Gods eternall maiestie and power.] Ver. 19. Thy way is 19 in the sea [some expound it thus] Thy way [ i. the way that thou preparedst for thy people of Israel] is in the sea [ i. in the red sea, ascribing that vnto God be­cause he was the author of it, which did belong to the Israelites. Some thus] thy way [ i. thy counsels] is in the sea [ i. in darke & vnsearchable places, known vnto none but to thée alone, making it the same with ver. 13. of this Psalm, but I like the former better, by reason of that whiche followeth in the last verse of this Psal.] thy paths [ vz. by which thou cariedst thy people, all the rest is wel expounded in the note of Geneua Bible.] Ver. 20. Thou didst lead [ vz. out of 20 Egipt and thorow the wildernes towards the land of promise] thy people as shéepe [ i. tenderly, softly, and louingly, for shéepe may not be hurried] by y e hand [ i. by the labour, diligence, & ministery of these two excellent personages Mo­ses and Aaron. And al this the Prophet alleageth, that he might raise vp his hope, and comfort himself in the middest of those great assaults.

Verse 1 teacheth that God is nigh to them that earnestly cal vpon him. Do. Ver. 2 teacheth that the more afflictions and miseries increase vpon vs, the more ear­nest we should be with the Lord by prayer. Ver. 3 sheweth, that we thorow our own corruption and sathans malice, vse that in the time of prayer as a mean to draw vs back from earnestnesse of prayer, which shoulde make vs more care­fully to think vpon God, I meane our gréefs and afflictions. Ver. 4 teacheth that nothing commeth to Gods children, but by the speciall not only sufferance but appointment and prouidence of God. Ver. 5 sheweth that Gods goodnes de­clared before, should comfort those y t are in affliction now. Ver. 6 teacheth good men in the time of their heauinesses to cōfort themselues in the consideratiō of these good thinges that thorowe Gods goodnesse they haue felt in themselues. Ver. 7.8.9. shew the great conflict that the godly many times haue, wreastling mightily betwixt fayth and dispayre. Verse 10 teacheth vs that Gods power, and the true tast thereof, is a good proppe to our faith. Verse 11.12. teache vs to record Gods workes for the strengthening of our hope, and to speake of them with delight and pleasure. Verse 13. teacheth that God alone is the only God, Verse 14. that whatsoeuer God doth, he doth it for the good of his children, or the punishing of his aduersaries. Verse 15 sheweth that God careth for his peo­ple euen when they be in their greatest distresse. Verse 16, 17, 18, 19 teache y t God hath all his creatures at his commaundement, for the manifesting of his glory and grace towards his, and for the declaring of his iustice towards the vngod­ly: which is comfortable to know, that the whole course of nature shall stand on our side. Ver. 20. teacheth Gods loue and care towards his people: which then also most manifestly appeareth when he prouideth for them good Magistrates and Ministers.

Psalme 78.

Di. THe Psalme it selfe is very large, and as it were a summary re­citall of all the fiue Bookes of Moses, and therefore cannot easily be diuided. Notwithstanding methinketh it speciallye 1 propoundeth these pointes following: first an Exordium or entraunce into the matter, the Prophet labouring thereby to make the people attentiue, taken partly from the excellencie 2 of the matter, and partly from his and their own experience, and this is con­teyned in the eyght first verses. Secondly, he rehearseth the great rebellion of this people, and of their forefathers, vpō whom God had bestowed such great and wonderfull graces, as vpon none the like: and this is comprehended in 3 verse 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 56, 57, 58. Thirdelye hee setteth out Gods great mercy, notwithstanding their manifolde wicked­nesses and rebellion against him, and this is comprised in verse 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 4 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 38, 39, 52, 53, 54, 55, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72. Lastly, he largely de­clareth the excéeding great iustice of GOD againste sinne and vngodlinesse, which he sheweth by executing the same, partly vpon his owne people, as ap­peareth verse 21, 30, 31, 33, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 67, and partlye vppon his and their enimies, as appeareth also verse 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 6 [...], 66. which may teach all men to driue away the vayne imagination that they haue of Gods mercy only, neuer looking into the execution of his iustice and iudge­ments against the world for sinne.

Se. The title hath bin sundry times expounded before: sée the same Title Psalme 73 also Psalme 50.] Verse 1. Heare [ vz. both with your outward eares, and in­ward vnderstanding] my doctrine [ i. the doctrine y t I shal vtter vnto you: which he calleth his doctrine, not because he was y e Author of it, for that properly ap­pertaineth to God and Christ, Mat. 23.8. but because he was the instrument to publish the same. Sée such a like spéech, Rom. 16, 25, also 2. Tim. 2, 8.] O my people [ i. the people whome I haue rule and gouernmente ouer] incline your eares [this is the same that he spake before, which hee repeateth the better to make them attentiue, vsing also in this verse two circumstances for the same purpose, the one taken from his own person, to whom it belonged to instructe: the other frō the persō of the people, whose duetie it was to heare their Prince and Ruler speake] vnto the wordes of my mouth [ i. vnto the spéeches y t I shall 2 vtter & speake.] Verse 2. I will open my mouth [ i. I wil now begin to speake, & that fréely and playnly, sée Mat. 5.2. Act. 10.34.] in a parable [ i. examples wher­of, some are historicall and true, being things done, such as are in this Psalme recited, some deuised, but yet very apt to teach, such as you may sée Iudg. 9.8.9 &c. 2. Sam. 12.1.2. &c.] othersome are taken from common vse, & do not respect a History, such many are Mat. 13.2. and in sundry other places of the Euangelist, [Page 225] some take it for graue and notable sentēces, & so it séemeth to be vsed, Iob. 29.1. also Psal. 49.4. but it is the best to take it here for examples, and that exāples of things don] I wil declare [ i. I wil speake largely of, & plentifully poure out for it is a metaphor takē frō foūtains y t spring apace & send forth their streams abundantly] high sentences [some read, darke words, some secret things, what soeuer it be, this is certain, that the Prophet prepareth y e people to attētiuenes in this cōmendation of his doctrin, affirming it to contain high, dark, & misti­cal matter] of old [ i. of things that were done in former time long ago, and so in this verse he commendeth his doctrine of two circūstances, y t one is of y e ex­cellency of it, the other of y e antiquity, the later of which he pursueth largely in the next verse] Ver. 3. Which [ vz. doctrine, or excellent things set out by y e doc­trine] 3 we haue heard [ vz. with our eares] & known [ vz. by practise & experiēce] and our fathers [ i. our Ancestors, as sons were taken before Psal. 77.15. for po­steritie] haue told vs [ vz. by cōmitting it to writing, and leauing it behind thē to vs.] Verse 4. We [ i. that liue now] will not hide them from their children [ i. 4 kéepe them close from their posterity & séede: q.d. seing they haue done so much for vs, we will conuay it ouer to their séede and our séede together in like sort: and he calleth them their children, because they were the first of that stocke, and not as though they were not their own also] but to the generation to come [ i. to the people which shall be after vs] wee will shew [ vz. by the Monumentes and writinges whiche wee will leaue behinde vs] the prayses of the Lorde [ i. the noble déedes for whiche the Lorde is to bee praysed] as may appeare also by that which followeth] his power also [ vz. manifested for our good] and his wonderfull workes that he hath done [ vz. for vs, and agaynst his and oure enemies.] Verse 5. How he established [ vz. with his people and this hangeth 5 vpon the former verses, as a particular of the generall before going, shewing that amongst other prayses of the Lord, his law and Sacraments are not the least] a testimonie [I take this word to be vsed here for al the Sacraments, sa­crifices and ceremonies that God appointed the people of Israel, which were so many witnesses (as it were) of his grace and fauour towardes them] in Ia­akob [ i. amongest the people that came from Iaakob] and ordained a law [ vz. as a rule and direction for them to walke by] in Israell [ i. amongest the Israe­lites. Iaakob and Israell were the two names of the Patriarche, as Gene­sis 35.10. which here are applyed to his posteritye, because they came of him] which [ vz. sacraments, ceremonies and law] he commaunded our Fathers [ i. all our Ancestors] that they should teach their children [ i. their posteritie, from age to age, sée Deut. 6.7.] Verse 6. That the posterity [ vz. whiche came in all 6 ages after] might know it [vnder this word of knowing he comprehendeth be­léeuing and performing of it, for otherwise the bare knowledge woulde stande them but in little stéede] and the children which shal be borne [ vz. of former pa­rentes] shoulde stande vp [ i. shoulde increase and growe] and declare it to their children [to the ende they mighte teache their posteritie, as they had bene taughte before: suche care God had for the conueyaunce or deliueraunce [Page 226] 7 of his law from hand to hande as it were.] Ver. 7. That they [ i. euery one of them, both the fathers and the children] might set their hope on God [ i. might be instructed and taught thereby to trust in him only, and in none other] and not forget [ vz. thorow dulnesse or negligence] the works of God [ i. the excellēt thinges that he had done in them and for them] but kéepe his commaundemēts [ vz. with them, to y e end they might do them, which maner of spéech is oftē vsed 8 in Deut.] Ver. 8. And not to be as their fathers [ i. like vnto thē in wickednes, sinne and rebellion against God] a disobedient and rebellious generation [adde here for the more sence of the place, who were] a disobedient and rebellious ge­neration [ vz. against God himself and those ministers and Magistrates whom he placed ouer them, as Moses, Aaron, &c.] that set not their hart arighte [ i. that tooke no delight and pleasure in the right and good waye (for that doe the Hebrewes vnderstand by setting their hartes vppon a thing) but alwayes tur­ned aside from God and goodnesse] and whose spirite [ i. whose harte, soule, af­fection, and vnderstanding] was not faythfull to God [ i. did not stedfastlye be­léeue God and his word, as appeareth ver. 19.20. of this Psalme, but were in­constant also, neuer leaning vnto GOD with an earnest and carefull pur­pose, 9 as appeareth Verse 36.37. of this Psalme.] Verse 9. The children of Ephraim, [in this verse hee putteth downe an example of their distruste in GOD, and of a iust punishment that GOD brought vppon them for the same: q.d. As for example you maye sée in the children of Ephraim: vnder­standing by the children of Ephraim, not onelye those that came of Ephraim, but also the rest of the Tribes, putting that Tribe that was the greatest in number for the whole] being armed [ i. furnished and appointed with al things necessary to the fielde] and shooting with the bowe [ i. hauing force, courage and lustinesse, and Weapons not onely for their owne defence, but for the hurte of their enimies] turned backe [ vz. from the force and presence of their eni­mies: he meaneth that they were put to flight] in the day of battaile [ i. when they came to fight with their Aduersaries: Some vnderstand this of one bat­taile, some of an other, but I refer it to that story which is written Num. 14, 39 40, &c. to the end of the Chapter: also Deut. 1. ver. 4. to the end of the chapter] 10 Ver. 10. They kept not the couenant of God [ vz. whiche he had made with thē, & they with him, promising to performe the same? by couenant he meaneth not only the rule of good life, but also the whole seruice of God] they refused [this word amplifieth the gréeuousnes of their fault, because they sinned not thorow ignorāce, but euē of set purpose as it were] to walk in his law [ i. to be obedient to the same in their liues & conuersation, for so is the Metaphor of walking v­sed 11 in this place.] Ver. 11. And forgat his acts [ i. the noble déeds w ch he had don for thē against their enimies] that he had shewed them [ vz. both in the lande of Egipt and in the wildernesse, the particulars wherof follow, vnto the end of the 16 verse.] Verse 12. in the sight of their fathers [so that their eyes were witnes­ses, and therfore could pretend no ignorance or excuse] in the land of Egipt [as appeareth from Exod. 7. chapter, to the 13. chapter] euen in the fielde of Zoan [Page 227] [i. euen in a most notorious place: for Zoan was one of the great and principal cities of Egipt, so that the miracles which God wroughte, were not done in a darke place.] Ver. 13. He diuided the red sea [ i. by his power he caused y e sea to 13 part a sunder, sée Exod. 14.21.] and led them thorow [ i. the Israelites, as vppon drie land] he made also the waters to stand as an heape [ vz. by his worde and commaundement at that time, y t his people might haue passage: & by standing as an heape, he meaneth that they stood still and moued not] Ver. 14. He led thē 14 with a cloud [ i. by a cloude, the cloude not only going before them, as appeareth Exod. 13.21. but also compassing them in on euery side, both to kéepe them from the parching heate of the sunne, and to saue them from the sighte and violence of their enimies] and all the night [so that day and night he prouided for them] with a light of fire [hee meaneth that piller of fire whiche stoode then in stéede of a guide, whilste they were in the wildernesse Exod. 13.21.22.] Verse 15. Hée 15 [ i. God, by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses] claue the rocks in the Wilder­nesse [hee sayeth well rocks in the plurall number, because that great worke was twise done, as appeareth Exod. 17. and Num. 20.] and gaue them drinke [ i. they and their Cattle, as appeareth by the places before alleaged, where­by we sée, not only that the thing was done, but the great plenty and store they had of water also, which he noteth by these wordes] as of the greate depths [ q.d. The Rockes gaue it so plentifullye, as though the great depthes, and bottomlesse pits as it were, had yéelded vp all their waters.] Verse 16. Is the 16 same with verse 15. in sence and meaning, only he amplifieth y e great facte of God by the vse of sundry wordes, as stony rocks, which expresseth the hardnes of the thing, and to descend like the riuers, by which he noteth the plentye and abundance as before.] Ver. 17. Yet [ q d. notwithstanding all these graces, and 17 great miracles] they sinned stil against him [ i. they continued in their rebellion and disobedience, being nothing at al bettered by Gods goodnesse] & prouoked [ vz. to wrath, and that against themselues & their owne soules] the highest [ i. the almighty God (whose power no creature is able to resist) in y e Wildernesse [he noteth the place for the more certaintie of the history.] Ver. 18. And temp­ted 18 God [ i. indeuoured to proue Gods power, of which they doubted, not being contented w t Manna, but demaūding other meat thā that w ch God had appoin­ted them, & that was flesh forsooth] in their harts [ i. secretly & within thēselues not y t they staid there, for afterwards they expressed it in words, as appeareth ver. 20. of this Psal. but the Prophet noteth the roote & beginning of their sin] in requiring meat [by requiring he meaneth demaunding of it earnestly, with muttering and grudging if they had it not] for their lust [ i. to satisfye their gréedy and rauenous appetite, & not that they were inforced thereto by famin, or wāt of meat.] Ver. 19. They spake agaynst god also [ vz. in as much as they 19 called his power into question or doubt: this story is Num. 11.4. &c.] can god [ q.d. Lieth it in his power, or is he able? if he be, let vs sée it, otherwise wée wil not beléeue it] prepare a table [ vz. for vs: and by preparing of a table, they mean, furnishing & prouiding of thē with al delicates & dainties, sée Psal. 23.5] [Page 228] in the Wildernesse [ i. in suche a barren and drie place as wée are in. This circumstaunce made the matter more hard in the iudgement of the Israelites, but God performing it, it made it more notable for his glory. And this was their villanous and foule tempting of God, that they thought y t god coulde not giue thē in the wildernes diuers sorts of meat as they had in Egipt, neyther 20 woulde they beléeue it vnlesse they saw it by experience.] Verse 20. Behold &c. [these are still the words of the murmuring and rebellious Israelites] hée smote the Rock [ i. God by the ministerie of his seruant Moses as verse 15.16. of this Psalme] that the water gushed out [ vz. in great plenty and abundaunce] and the streames ouerflowed [ vz. the vppermost face of the lande, where the miracle was wrought] can he giue bread also [ q.d. if he canne, lette him shewe it: and by bread he vnderstandeth all meat and nourishment, as in this pe­tition, Giue vs this day our dayly bread] or prepare fleshe [ i. some extraordi­narie kinde of flesh, for otherwise the people had fleshe, because they caryed their cattaile out of Egipt with them] for his people [ i. for the people that hée hath brought out of Egipt. And this their propounding of the matter in the waye of a Question, doth not onely note the hardnesse of the thinges to doe it, but expresseth the hardnesse of their beléefe, vnlesse they coulde sée it perfor­med. 21 Verse 21. Therfore [ q.d. because their rebellion and distrust was so great] the Lorde heard [ i. now tooke notice of it, as might appeare by his iudgments poured vpon them, and not as though God were ignoraunt of any thing, that eyther they thought, spake, or did] and was angry [ vz. agaynste them for their sinnes, the effectes of which anger, are in this verye verse expressed] and the fyre [ vz. of his wrath and iudgementes, sée Numb. 11, 1] was kindled [ i. did not onely beginne, but was executed] in Iaakob [ i. agaynst Iaakobs posteri­tye] and also wrath came [ vz. from GOD in his heauie iudgemente] vp­on 22 Israell [sée verse 5 of this Psalme.] Verse 22. Because they beléeued not in God [he sheweth the roote of all their sinne, vz. Diffidence, and distrust in GOD and his power] and trusted not in his helpe [ vz. which he had promy­sed to perform for them, which also maketh their sinne the greater, because they beléeued not his promise: whereby we sée that incredulitie is so déepely rooted in mans nature, that it is impossible to pull it out, except God work miraculously 23 therein.] Verse 23. Yet he [ q.d. though God had bestowed very great abundāce and plenty] had commaunded the cloudes aboue [ i. by his commaundement had brought to passe that the clouds poured down Manna, as in y e next verse] & had opened the dores of heauen [ i. had giuen them in great plenty: an excellēt Me­taphor 24 to expresse the abundance of it.] Ver. 24. And had rayned down Manna [sée Exod. 15. almost thorow out] and had giuen them of the Wheat of Heauen [he calleth Manna by this name, because God caused it in great plēty to come down from the heauen: & by wheat you must vnderstand a food, that had in it the 25 same vse of nourishment y t wheat had, sée Num. 11.7.8.] Ver. 25. Man [ i. men and euery one of the people of Israel] did eat the bread of Angels [ i. excellente bread, and such as Angels might vse if they did eat: and not that they do eat it, [Page 229] but because it came downe from that place that Angels inhabite, this is a vsu­al phrase in scripture, by things attributed to Angels, to vnderstand very ex­cellent things. Sée Acts 6.15. also 1. Cor. 13.1.] he [ i. God] sent [ vz. from Hea­uen] meate ynough [ i. strange and delicate flesh ynough, as may appeare, ver. 28, 29, 30, 31, of this Psalme, also Exodus 16. and in other places.] Verse 26. 26 He caused the East wind to passe in the Heauen [ i. he stirred it vp in the ayre or the Firmament. It is likely that he meaneth that winde whiche is expressed Num. 11.31 which brought the Quailes vpon them, and that which followeth in the next verse séemeth to strengthē the same] and thorow his power he brought in the south wind, meaning that God had al elements at his commaundement for the performaunce of his worke whatsoeuer.] Ver. 27. He rayned [ i. hée gaue 27 them great plenty, as ver. 24. of this Psalm] flesh [ vz. of Quailes, as may ap­peare by the story Num. 11.] as dust [ i. in such great abundaunce, and as thicke (by a maner of spéech) as dust is vpon the earth, see Genesis 13, 16, also Num­bers 23.10. also 2. Chronicles 1.9.] and feathered foule [ i. Quayles, for of them particularly he speaketh and meaneth] as the sand of the sea [ i. innumerable as it were, sée 1. Sam. 13.5. Psalme 139. Verse 17.18.] Verse 28. And hee made it 28 fall [ vz. from the heauen or the firmamente, meaning it also of the fleshe of Quayles, or Quayles themselues] in the middest of their Campe [ i. of the place where they camped, and not of the tents or campes themselues] and round about their habitations [ i. the places where they dwelte for the time, sée for this, Numb. 11.31. by these spéeches he meaneth that they might with ease gather them, for they were not farre of.] Verse 29. So [ i. hauing these blessings 29 and graces bestowed vpon them from God] they did eat [ vz. of Quails] & were wel filled [ i. satisfied with the flesh thereof] for he gaue them their desire [ i. god gaue thē that w c they longd & lusted after.] Ver. 30. They were not turned frō 30 their lust [ i. frō the thing they longed after, & lusted for: q.d. they were not wery of quails, though they had eatē thē a whole mōth together, sée num. 11.20. & they were as a mā would say ready to burst w t fulnes] but y e meat [ i. y e flesh of quails which they had eaten] was yet in their mouthes [ i. euen as they were eating of it, as may appeare Num. 11.33.] Ver. 31 When y e wrath of God [ i. punishment 31 and vengeance sent from him vpon thē for their sinnes] came euē vpon thē [ vz. as they were eating: & then gods wrath is sayd to come vpon any, when he ta­keth iudgement in hand against them, & executeth the same vpon them] & flew the strongest of them [who no doubt had abused the strong constitution of their body agaynst God, thinking they were able to make their partye good with him] and smote down [ vz. to the ground by death] the chosen men in Israell [i. the picked ones, as men of greatest hope: so y t we sée no mans strength or neat­nesse can turne away Gods iudgement from thē which by sin they haue pulled vpon thēselues.] Ver. 32. For al this [ i. notwithstanding the benefits God had 32 giuen thē, and the punishments he had layd vpon them] they sinned still [ i. they procéeded on in their iniquities, murmuring cōtinually against god, as appe­reth Num. 14, 12. &c. num. 16.1.2. &c. num. 17. almost thorowout, num. 20.2.3. &c.] [Page 230] and beléeued not his wondrous works [ i. had not their perswasion strengthe­ned, by the maruailous thinges that God did for them, but did as much doubt of his power and good will, as though he had shewed no signe or miracle at al] 33 Verse 33. Therefore [ i. for their sinnes, and namely not profiting by his correc­tions] their dayes [ i. the dayes and times of their life appointed vnto them] did he consume in vanity [ i. God made them to passe away, as vain, transitory and vnprofitable things: some expound it thus: he caused thē to die: some thus God thorow his curse vpon them, cut off the time of their life, so y t they liued not out half their days, nor brought thē into the lande of promise, but layd their Karkases in the wildernes, sée Num. 14.28.29. al commeth to one sence] & their yeres hastily [he meaneth y t they died hastilye, sodainlye, or when they thought 34 least of it, as appeareth verse 3. of this Psalm.] Ver. 34. And when hee slewe them [ i. when he did not only destroy them by his iudgements, but also when soeuer he layd any affliction vpon them] they sought him [ vz. in hipocrisie and counterfeiting as appeareth ver. 36.37. of this Psal.] so that they did but séeme only to séeke him, or made as though they would séeke him] and they returned [ vz. from their euil wayes, but this was in outward shew onlye, and not from the hart, as Iudas is sayd to repent Matth. 27.3.] and sought God [ vz. by hy­pocriticall and dissembled prayers, such as are mentioned Isaiah 29.13.] early [ vz. in the morning, pretending that they would spare no labour or payn.] Ver. 35 35. And they remembred that God was their strength [ i. he that strongly defen­ded them from their enimies, and gaue them strength to incounter with them] and the most high God their redéemer [ vz. from al distresses, trouble and daun­ger.] 36 Ver. 36. But they flattered him with their mouth [ i. they went aboute by words and faire spéeches to deceaue God as it were: and this was, not only be­cause they did not vnfainedly confesse their offences, but also did not truly and rightly glorifie god] & dissembled with him with their tongue [ i. they spake one thing & thought an other, & these words flattering & dissembling must be takē thus, that the Israelites did indéed perform these wickednes, and caried with thē this perswasion to flatter, dissemble & deceaue God, if they could, & not as though God were ouertaken with this their lewdnesse, for he can not be decey­ued.] 37 Ver. 37. For their hart [ i. their affection and mind] was not vpright with him [ i. was not sincere & sound towardes him, & his seruices whatsoeuer they pretended] neyther were they faithful in his couenant [ i. they did not faithfully kéepe y e couenant which he had made with thē, vz. that he would be their God, 38 and they should be his people.] Ver. 38. Yet [ q.d. Notwithstanding all their sinnes, and namely their sinne of hipocrisie & dissimulation] he being mercy­full [ i. not delighting in the death & destruction of sinners, but rather that they should liue] forgaue their iniquitie [ i. pardoned their sinne, and remoued the punishment due vnto them for the same, as appeareth by y t whiche followeth] and destroyde them not [ vz. in his wrath and iudgemente, but did beate them with the rods of his children, to their amendment] but oftentimes called backe his anger [ i. the testimonies and signes of his wrath and displeasure, euen [Page 231] then when it was ready to bée powred forth vpon them, as if a father ready to strike should holde his hand] and did not stirre vp all his wrath [for then they shoulde haue béene vtterly consumed, hée meaneth by this speache that God de­clared not himselfe, so wrathfull against them, as he coulde haue done, & might haue done, if it had pleased him, and their sinnes iustly deserued.] Ver. 39. For 39 hee remembred [ i. God considered and knew full wel, hée rendreth in this verse a reason, why God forbare them, and layd not all his iudgements vpon them] that they were flesh [ i. by nature mortall, and subiect to death, and therefore hée should not néede to powre heauy iudgements vppon them, séeing that of their owne nature, they were inclined to corruption, sée Gene. 6.3. also Psal. 103.14.] yea a wind that passeth and commeth not againe [ i. not onely a thing mutable and inconstant as the winde, but also vanishing and flitting away, not continu­ing long in one state. sée Iob. 14.1.2. and in this verse he respecteth the state of this earthly life, that passeth away as a winde, and being passed, returneth not againe in his former condition.] Verse 40. Howe oft did they [ i. the Israelits 40 prouoke him [ i. God] in the wildernes [ i. al that fourtie yeere, that they were in the wildernes? and the propounding of it by the way of interrogation, is q.d. who is able to vtter so many and so grieuous rebellions, as they prouoked god by in that time of their trauaile, sée Numb. 14.22. also Psal. 95.9.10.] and grieue him [ vz. by their murmuring: and this is the same that was spoken before.] Ver. 41. Yea they returned [ vz. from their feigned repentance, to their former 41 euill wayes, and this they did more then once, as you would say] and tempted God [ i. ment to try what he was able to do, not being contented with the expe­rience of his might and power which hee had shewed vnto them] and limit [ vz. as it were within certaine boundes? it is a notable metaphor, to expresse the peruersenes of his people, who tooke so much vpon them, that they woulde set Gods infinite power, some hedges, either larger or narrower, at their pleasure sometimes desiring thinges to bee performed as they would haue them, some­times denying that he coulde doe them, as the bookes of Exodus, Numbers, Deutronomie, doe in many places declare] the holy one of Israel [i. hee that doeth sanctifie Israel, and whom Israel ought to sanctifie, because he is the on­ly true God.] Ver. 42. They remembred not [ i. they quite and cleane forgate] 42 his hand [ i. his might & power, meaning, that power and strength y t God had shewed for them: so we haue heard the word, hand, sundry times vsed before] nor the day [ i. the times and seasons] when he deliuered them [ i. set them free] from the enemie [ i. from all their enemies, and their mischieuous attempts a­gainst them, vnder one meaning all, but yet so, that hee meaneth that, by y e chie­fest, and that was Pharaoh, and the Egiptians, who afflicted them, and this sense is warranted by that which followeth in this Psalme. Ver. 43. Nor him 43 that set his signes in Egipt [this is a discription of God and his power mea­ning by setting his signes in Egipt, giuing a testimonie, as of his goodnes to­wards his children, so of his wrath towarde the Egiptians] and his wonders [ i. the wonderful things he did] in the fielde of Zoan [sée ver. 12. of this Psal.] [Page 232] Ver. 44. And turned [ i. when he turned, for now he beginneth a particular enu­meration of his wonders done for them against their enemies] their riuers [ i. the Egiptiās riuers of waters] and their floods [he meaneth that neither their smal brookes nor great floods were frée from this plague. Sée Exod. 7.20.21.] That they could not drinke [ vz. the Egiptians, which circumstance also pro­ueth 45 the trueth and certaintie of the miracle.] Ver. 45. Hée [ i. God by the mi­nistery of his seruants Moses and Aaron] sent a swarme of flies amongst thē [ i. an innumerable multitude, vnderstanding by flies, not only flies, but flying serpents, and venemous beasts, whose poison & sting did euen corrupt the land. Exod. 8.24.] Which deuoured thē [ i. destroyed many of y e Egiptians] & frogs which destroyed thē [this is set out Exod. 8. ver. 6. whereby we sée that the holy 46 ghost standeth not much vpon order so that the matter bee expressed.] Ver. 46. He gaue also [ i. the Lord gaue ouer] their fruits [ i. those fruits that their land by the labor of their hands did yéeld] vnto the caterpiller [ vz. to be consumed, eaten vp & destroyed by them, putting one for the whole number that God sent Exod. 13. They are said to be grashoppers: the places laid together shew, that y e plague was both of grashoppers & caterpillers, grashoppers not annoying y e trées as these did. Exod. 13.15.] And their labour [ i. al that which they had labo­red 47 for. For, for the fruits of the earth do men labour.] Ver. 47. He destroyed their vines [ i. he did vtterly marre, al the increase of their earth & plants what soeuer, whether they were sowen or vnsowen, high or low, tender or wel grown natural or wild, as appeareth by that which followeth in this ver. and Exod. 9.25.] with the hailestone [he meaneth an other kinde of hailestone then y t which is ordinarie and common. Immanuel readeth this latter part thus: and their wild fig trées with fire, whiche in what place soeuer it aboad should consume: and this text I like wel, not only because the Etimologie of the compound He­brew word yéeldeth it, but also, by reason of that which followeth in the next ver. touching thunderbolts, & is written also, Exod. 9.23. touching lightning ioyned 48 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 y t 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.] 49 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 50 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 [Page 233] 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] 51 euen the beginning of their strength [this is a discription of the first borne, as appeareth Gene. 49.3.] in the tabernacles [ i. in y e 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 52 [ 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 53 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. 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 y e 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 55 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. 56 Yet [ q.d. notwithstanding all these iudgements vpon their enemies, & graces [Page 234] 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.] 57 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 y e expectation of the shooter: some expound it this way, and some that, but methinketh mine owne sense is most simple, sée 58 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 59 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 60 him.] Ver. 60. So that he forsooke the habitation of Shilo [he sheweth by effect that God was angry with them, because hee depriued them of his testimonies of his presence and grace: meaning that the Lorde as a signe of his wrath re­fused to let his Arke bee any longer in Shilo [in which arke the Lorde did as it were dwell] but gaue it into the hands of the Philistines as appeareth 1. Sa­muel 4.] euen the tabernacle where hee dwelt among men [hee doeth in these woordes make plaine the former part of this verse, for God in his tabernacle, 61 séemed to haue as it were his residence and aboad vppon earth.] Ver. 61. And deliuered [ vz. willingly & freely because it was prophecied of those that were his people in name] his power [ i. his Arke 1. Chronic. 16.11. which is called his power, not because his power was inclosed in it, but because it was a testi­monie vnto the children of Israel, of that his power and might which hee had many times manifested for their defence against their enemies, and because he was wont out of the same to declare his power and strength] into captiuity [ vz. amongst the Philistines as appeareth 1. Sam. 4.11.] and his beauty [this is an other title attributed to the Arke, & signifieth as much as glory: because [Page 235] that when the arke was present, God manifested his beauty or glory, which o­therwise was and is inuisible, and neuer could be seene: and therefore GOD gaue them the arke, that in it as in a glasse, they might beholde his maiesty.] Ver. 62. And he gaue vp his people to the sworde [ vz. of their enemies, mea­ning 62 that the Lorde for their sinnes deliuered them to the slaughter] and was angry with his inheritance [ vz. for their sinnes and transgressions sake, and hee calleth the people the Lordes inheritaunce, but because it pleased him to vouchsafe to chuse them to that honour, and not otherwise.] Ver. 63. The fire 63 [ vz. of Gods wrath, and not that the Lord vsed fire to destroy them, but rather warrelike force, which destroyeth and licketh vp al thinges, euen as fire doeth the things that are before it] deuoured their chosē men [ i. quickly did consume and eate vp, the sodainenes also of it is noted in the worde, fire, and by chosen men, he vnderstandeth the strongest, mightiest, and as it were the flowre of the people. Sée 1. Sam. 4.10.] and their maides were not praysed [ vz. by mari­age songs, which the Grecians called Epithalamia, and were sung, by the tēder and deare friends of the bridegrome, and bride, and this was not onely in vse, among y e Gentiles, but also amongst the Iewes, Gods people, as may appeare Psal. 45. throughout. Ierem. 7.34. Ierem. 16.9. Ierem. 25.10. So that, by not being praised, hee meaneth they were not maried, but by death through Gods iust iudgement, were taken away before they coulde come to that honour.] Ver. 64. Their Priestes [ i. Hophni and Phinehas 1. Samu. 4.11.] fel by the 64 sword [ i. were killed by the battaile, by the weapons of their enemies] and their widowes [ i. both the Priests and the peoples wiues] lamented not [ i. did not mourne for the misery that was fallen vpon them, and this was, not because they were either hard hearted, or might not mourne, but because by death they were taken away from perfourming of that duety, as amongst the rest appea­reth in Phinehas his wife. 1. Sam. 4.19.20. &c] Ver. 65. But the Lorde [ q.d. 65 from al this misery that they were in, and notwithstanding all the iniquities they had committed against him] awaked [ vz. at the length] as one out of sléep [ q.d. though he séemed for a season to haue no care of his people [as men that are in sléepe care for nothing, yet at length hee rose vp, and reuenged his, and their aduersaries] and as a strong man that after his wine [ i. after his strong drinke that hath made him somewhat sléepie] crieth out [ vz. for his armour & weapons, meaning by crying out, an earnest preparing of himselfe against his enemies, these similitudes doe nothing derogate from the glory of God, but are vsed to wake the dulnes and heauines of the people. And though this text and sense be good, yet I rather allowe Immanuels both text and sense here, he readeth it thus.] Afterwards [ i. after al these miseries laid vppon his people by the Philistines] God awaked [ i. tooke vppon him to set vpon his peoples ad­uersaries, this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie] who [ i. which almightie God] was thought [ vz. both by the Philistines, yea and his owne people] to bée as one that sléepeth [ i. idle and negligent doing nothing against the one, nor any thing for the other, no more then a sléeping man doeth, which [Page 236] also may appeare by their scoffing at God, 1. Samuel 4.7.8.] or as a mighty man, singing through wine [ i. as one that were carelesse and made no account but of mirth, thus the idolaters attribute fond thinges to God, and so commit 66 blasphemie against God.] Ver. 66. And smote his enemies [ i. the Philistines, who are called his enemies because they were enemies to his people] in the hinder parts [these words haue a double sense, first this: God caused the Phi­listines to turne their backes vpon their enemies, and so by flying to bee woun­ded and slaine: secondly this: that the Lorde strooke the Philistines with Eme­rods, which was a very sore punishment, and turned them to great griefe, this latter I allowe of, by reason of that which is written, 1. Sam. 5. ver. 6.9.12.] And put them to a perpetuall shame [ i. cast vpon the Philistines, a shame that shuld sticke by them for euer if they could sée it, which was the casting downe of their 67 idole Dagon and breaking him in pieces. 1. Sam. 5.4.] Ver. 67. Yet he refu­sed the tabernacle of Ioseph [ q.d. as God plagued his enemies, so hée spared not altogether his owne people, but refused to let the Arke which was a testi­monie of his presence remaine] in the tabernacle of Ioseph [ i. in the place that it was in, in the tribe of Ephraim, who was the sonne of Ioseph, for as it appeareth 1. Samuel 4. the Arke was in Shilo, which was a part of the lande giuen to Ephraim, and his tribe who came of Ioseph, but God refu­sed that place, and remoued the Arke to an other, as appeareth in the next ver. and that is vsuall in the Scriptures to put the father from whome the tribe came, for the tribe it selfe] and chose not the tribe of Ephraim [this doth more plainly and particularly declare that which went before, and is as it were an 68 exposition therof.] Ver. 68. But chose the tribe of Iudah [i. chose a place for the Arke to rest in, in the tribe of Iudah] and mount Sion [i. euen the mount Sion which hée loued [ i. which hee caried a speciall fauour vnto: not that God is tyed more to one place then to an other: but to shewe that it lieth in him to appoynt 69 where and what hee will, and then no body is to reason against it.] Verse 69. And hee built his sanctuary [ i. the place of his dwelling and abiding] as an high pallace [ i. easily to bée séene, and glorious in beholding, as these places & palaces, that are builde on high hilles and mountaines] like the earth, which he stablished for euer [vnderstande, and like the earth, for this is an other si­militude expressing the firmitie and continuance of the Church] which shal in­dure vppon the earth vnto the comming of Christ, and afterwardes for euer 70 and euer in heauen.] Verse 70. Hée chose Dauid also his seruant [after that he had spoken of the Arke, religion, and seruice of God, hee commeth to speake of the kingdome and politique gouernement, for these two things were principal signes of Gods goodnes and grace] and tooke him from the shéepefoldes [ i. from a poore and meane estate, for hee was no better then a shéephearde, as it 71 were.] Ver. 71. Euen from behind the ewes with young [ i. as hee followed the ewes, either ready to eane, or hauing eaned all ready, for the worde I take it may be referred to both] to féede his people in Iaakob [i. to rule and gouerne his people Iaakob, vz. those that came of Iaakob] & his inheritaunce in Israel [Page 237] [ i. the Israelits which were his inheritance. I knowe these words, in Iaakob, and in Israel, may haue an other sense, as though hee put the names of the fa­ther of the people inhabiting the place, for the place it selfe: but mee thinketh the other is more simple.] Verse 72. So hée fed them [ i. ruled and gouerned 72 them] according to the simplicity of his heart [ i. as he was of a single mind, so hée gouerned iustly and holyly] and guided them [ i. went in and out before them, exercising holy and lawfull gouernement ouer them] by the discretion of his hands [ i. by most iust rule, and gouernement, for the worde hande, is in many places of Scripture, by metonimia, put for worke rule and gouerne­ment, because kinges in their handes did vse to beare their Scepter, a signe and seale of their gouernement. All this serueth to shewe, that Dauid did not vnaduisedly handle the thinges that hee was to passe through, but did that which apperteined to his office, through wisedome, aduisedly also and with iudgement.

Verse 1. Teacheth vs to bring attentiue eares with vs, Do. to the exercises of the worde. Ver. 2. That the more darke and high the thinges are that are propounded, the more diligent should we be in hearing and meditating there­of, and not discouraged, as many men are with the hardnesse.] Ver. 3. Tea­cheth that the workes and worde of GOD, which either wee our selues haue tryed, or other in trueth haue tolde vs of, should bée great grounds of strength to our consciences and perswasions. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care for po­sterity, that the worde and works of God may in trueth and sinceritie continue with vs and our séede for euer. Ver. 5. Sheweth that Gods word bestowed vp­on any people, is no small signe or token of his fauour or loue towardes them.] Ver. 6. Sheweth that God giueth his word, to the end that the people present, and they that should come after, might be instructed in sound knowledge of his truth. Ver. 7. Teacheth that Gods word is ordeined to two especiall purposes the one is, to increase hope in the heartes of his children, and the other is to worke obedience. Verse 8. Teacheth that fathers are not alwayes to bee fol­lowed, and therefore that they say nothing, that say they will treade in the steppes of their fathers. Verse 9. Teacheth that weapon and armour are nothing where GOD his strength and fauour is not ioyned with them. Verse 10. Teacheth that disobedience and rebellion against GOD is a grieuous sinne. Verse 11. Teacheth vs howe fowle a sinne forgetfulnes of Gods goodnes is. Verse 12.13.14.15.16. Setteth out Gods great loue to­wardes his people, who maketh thinges against nature to prouide for them, rather then they shoulde bee hurt or want any thing that were good, and all this hée doeth, to the ende that they might haue their fayth stedfastly stayed vppon him, and his goodnes. Verse 17. Teacheth that sinne a­gainst GOD after benefites receiued, is very horrible and monstrous. Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euill motions of the heart are sinne. Verse 19. Teacheth that there can no greater dishonour bee offered to God, then to call his power and will into question. Verse 20. Sheweth howe [Page 238] the wicked peruert those things that God doth for them so the increase of their distrust and infidelitie. Ver. 21. Teacheth two thinges, first that the Lorde séeth the thoughts of the hearts, & heareth the words of mens mouthes conceiued or spoken against him: secondly that sinne shall neuer bee vnpunished. Verse 22. Teacheth that distrust in God, is a most heinous and grieuous offence. Verse 23.24.25.26.27.28.29. Expresse Gods great loue in giuing the people, whatso­euer they desired, and that in wonderfull plenty and abundaunce, to the ende that by that meanes he might bring them to amendment. Ver. 30. Teacheth that the wicked are not drawne to repentance by Gods benefites, but rather goe on forward more and more in their sinne. Ver. 31. Teacheth that the abuse of Gods goodnes and mercy shall neuer bee left vnpunished: also that God re­specteth no persons in the execution of his iustice, but hee that hath offended of what countenance soeuer he be, shall smart for it. Ver. 32. Teacheth that there are a sort of people so setled in their sinnes, that no graces of God will pul thē out of them. Ver. 33. Teacheth that hasty and sodaine destruction oftentimes o­uertaketh the wicked. Ver. 34. Liuely painteth out the nature of hypocrites, & their counterfeite repentance, so doth verse 35.36.37. Ver. 36. Teacheth that the abuse of mens mouthes and tongues must be answered to the Lorde. Verse 37. Sheweth that God specially regardeth an vpright heart. Ver. 38. Doeth won­derfully commend the riches of Gods grace and goodnes. Ver. 39. Doth mar­ueilously set out the vanity and frailtie of man in all his glory. Ver. 40. Tea­cheth howe the vngodly cease not sinning, but procéede from one iniquitie to a­nother. Ver. 41. Teacheth that to set god his bounds is a grieuous transgressi­on. Ver. 42. Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of gods benefits towardes his chil­dren, or of his iustice vpon his and their enemies, is a grieuous transgression. In that description of gods wrath executed vpon the wicked Egiptians, and comprehended Ver. 43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50.51. Wee may learne many thinges, first that the enemies of gods people shall neuer escape vnpunished, which also expresseth gods iustice against persecutours, Secondly wee sée the mightie power of the Lorde, who wil arme the least of his creatures with such might as all the Monarchies in the worlde shall not bee able to resist, Thirdly in that there are so diuers and sundry punishments reckoned vp, we learn that the Lord hath all his creatures at commandement, to vse them for the mani­festing of his glory, either in the maintenance of his seruants, or for the puni­shing of the wicked. Ver. 52.53. Do not only expresse gods great loue towards his children, but also they teach howe that in the middest of iudgements, which fall vppon others, they are safely deliuered. Ver. 54. Sheweth that the Lord is faithful in all his promises accomplishing the same: the same is taught also in Ver. 55. Which serueth wonderfully to the strengthening of our faith. Ver. 56. Setteth out the nature of desperate wicked ones, who neither for gods heauy iudgements executed vpon others, nor for his mercies bestowed vppon them, are any whit at all bettered. Ver. 57. Teacheth that euill children treade in the steppes many times of their euill fathers, and therefore fathers not so much to [Page 239] be stickt to. Verse 58. Teacheth that idolatrie and idoles do greatly prouoke Gods wrath against them, that make, vse, allowe, or maintaine the same. Ver. 59. Sheweth that all sinne is naked before God, also that out sinnes seperate betwéene God and vs, which is confirmed also in the 60. verse following. Verse 61. Teacheth that sinne bringeth in the subuersion of religion as it were. Verse 62. Sheweth that sinne also destroyeth the politique state. Verse 63.6 [...] De­clare that God in the execution of his iudgements, spareth no persons or con­dition that hath transgressed. Ver. 65. Declareth that God will not alwaies af­flict his children, and let his enemies triumph ouer them. Verse 66. Setteth out Gods iudgementes vppon the enemies of his people. Verse 67. Sheweth that for the exercises of his seruice and worship, is not tyed to men or places. Verse 68. Teacheth that looke what place or what manner God appointeth for his worship, that ought onely to bee obserued. Verse 69. Setteth out the excellency and perpetuity as it were of the Church. Verse 70. Teacheth that God chuseth not as man chuseth, the great, but the weake and feeble persons, to the ende that all the glory might bée giuen vnto him. Sée 1. Corinth. 1.26.27. &c. Verse 71. Doeth excellently describe the duety of godly and faithfull Magistrates. Verse 72. Teacheth all by Dauids example, painefully and wisely to trauaile, in the offices, castinges, and places, that the Lorde setteth them in.

Psalme 79.

THis Psalme, Di. being a pitifull discription of the miseries which Gods Church indured, may (as séemeth to mée) bee diuided into thrée partes. In the first the faithfull set out the great 1 outrage and crueltie of their enemies, and the distresses that they were in, from verse 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second 2 is conteyned an earnest prayer that they make, as for their owne deliueraunce, so for the ouerthrow of the wicked, from verse 5. to the end of the 8. verse. In the thirde they alleadge certaine reasons as it were, to moue 3 the Lord to take pity vpon them, promising prayse and thankesgiuing to the Lorde for their deliueraunce, and this reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme.

The title hath béene sundry times expounded before, and namely Psal. 50. Se. Verse 1. O God, the heathen [either the Babylonians or Assyrians, Sée 2. Chronic. 36.17.18.19. or else the people, that came with Antiochus, who mar­ueilously prophaned the temple as appeareth 1. Machab. 1.46.47. &c. also in Ioseph, Antiq. Iudais lib. 12. cap. 7. For of both these it may bée vnderstood] are come [ vz. with outrage and cruelty] into thine inheritaunce [ i. the lande of Canaan, afterwardes called the lande of Iudah or Israel, and as a principall part of that lande, the Citie of Ierusalem, which GOD also had chosen to [Page 240] be the place of his aboade.] Thy holye temple [ vz. which was at Ierusalem, and was called holy, because the holy GOD gaue testimonies of his pre­sence there, and because holy exercises were vsed there] haue they desiled, [both by spoyling it, sheadding blood in it, and by bringing into it, all pro­phane and wicked thinges, contrary to the lawe, Sée the places before noted] and m [...]e Ierusalem heapes of stones [ i. haue defaced the buildinges there­of, 2 and pulled downe the walles: hee meaneth by this speach, a great and pitiful ruine to beholde.] Verse 2. The dead bodyes of thy seruantes [ vz. which were slayne by the rage and cruelty of their enemies, yeelding a con­stant confession to thy trueth, and withstanding their pollutions] haue they giuen to bée meate vnto the foules of heauen [ i. they haue cast them heere, and there, to the ende that they might bee rauened of the fowles of the ayre, for by heauen hee meaneth the ayre in this place: and here hee secteth out the cruel­ty of the enemies, who woulde not shewe them so much fauour as to let them bee buryed. This in déede is reckoned among the curses of Gods lawe. Deu­tronom. 28.26. But yet for all that wée may not condemne the faythfull, who in respect of the afflictions of this life, doe differ little or nothing from the vnbeléeuers] and the flesh of thy Saintes [ vz. they haue cast or giuen, and hée calleth Gods people Saintes, because the Lorde accounted them holy, and by his spirite had prepared and apted them to the workes of sanctification] vn­to the beastes of the earth [ i. vnto the wilde beastes, that liue as it were by dead carion: or to the dogges, to bee deuoured of them, as was the flesh of that wic­ked Iezabel. 2. Kinges 9. verse. 36. This is added but to aggrauate their cruel­ty 3 and inhumanitie.] Verse 3. Their blood [ vz. of the Saintes and good peo­ple] haue they [ i. the enemies and aduersaries] shed like waters [ i. plentifully and in great abundaunce: or else thus, the enemies made no more account of mens liues and bloods, then they did of water: both senses are good, but I rather allow the former] rounde about Ierusalem [hée meaneth both without the Ci­ty and within: without the city, before the enemies came thither, and within af­ter they had taken the City: q.d. there was no place frée from their cruelty and violence] and there was none [ vz. either of their owne nation that durst, or of 4 others that woulde shew them so much curtesie, as to bury them.] Ver. 4. Wée are a reproch vnto our neighbours [ vz. by the meanes of the misery which they sée vs in, they thereby taking an occasion to reproch & vpbrayd vs: and by neighbours he vnderstandeth the people, that bordered vpon their country, as the Ammonits, Moabites, &c. which also may appeare by that folowing in the verse] vnto them that are rounde about vs [ vz. dwelling, which word inserted after, are, will make the sense plaine. And note, that the faithfull doe not here complaine of the mockeries that were directed against their owne persons, but of those also which after a sort did redound to the dishonour of God, and the 5 disgrace of his law.] Ver. 5. Lord howe long wilt thou bee angry, for euer [ q.d. wilt thou neuer put an ende to our miseries, which are testimonies of thy hea­uy wrath and continuall anger against vs? Immanuel readeth this part of the [Page 241] verse better thus] how long? [ vz. wilt thou withhold help and ayde from vs, & set the wicked insult ouer vs as they do? and then hee addeth an other interro­gation thus] wilt thou be angry for euer [ q.d. shal there be no end of thy wrath against vs?] shal thy gelousie [ vz. ouer thine owne glory and vs also, euen for our good, if we coulde sée it] burne like fire [ i. consume vs vtterly, as the fire doth euery thing that is before it.] Ver. 6. Powre out thy wrath [ i. lay the abū ­dance 6 of thy iudgements, for the word of powring out noteth the plenty of thē] vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thée [ vz. according to thy wil reueiled in thy worde, for otherwise the Gentiles had a knowledge of God, as appea­reth, Rom. 1. ver. 21.] And vpon the kingdomes [ vz. of the earth or world] that haue not called vppon thy name [ i. made profession of thy religion and seruice, Sée Gene. 4.26. also 2. Tim. 2.19. And note that the faithfull are not in this place caryed away with carnall affections, but onely as hauing respect to the publike saluation of Gods Church.] Verse 7. For [this very reason sheweth 7 that the former prayer against the enemies, was made for the good and peace of the Church, and not of any rancor or fleshly affection] they haue deuoured [ i. the enemies haue cruelly and gréedily like bruite beastes dealt with] Iaakob [i. the people of Israel, who descended or came from Iaakob [and so haue wee had this worde vsed, sundry times before] and made his dwelling place [ i. the whole lande of Iudea, which was assigned him by God to dwell in] desolate [ i. waste and voyde, as it were of inhabitants.] Ver. 8. Remember not against vs 8 [ i. thinke not vpon, as meanes to prouoke thée to wrath against vs; and to de­stroy vs] the former iniquities [ vz. which we, continuing also in the euill step [...] of our auncestours, haue committed against thée] but make haste [ vz. to helpe and succour vs in these distresses, and to deliuer vs from the same] and let thy tender mercy preuent vs [ vz. before we sinke downe vnder the burthens of our afflictions] for we are in great miseries [ q.d. vnlesse thou put to thy helping hand, we perish vtterly.] Ver. 9. Helpe vs O God of our saluation [ i. thou that 9 only workest deliuerances for vs, for so is the word saluation vsed here, as it is, Psal. 3.8.] helpe vs & deliuer vs now, as thou hast done sundry time hereto­fore] for the glory of thy name [ i. that thy maiesty, might, and power may bee glorified of vs] (for name is vsed here as it is Psalm. 20.1.) which otherwise shall bee somewhat obscured and darkened] and deliuer vs [ vz. from troubles and out of the handes and powers of our enemies] and bee merciful vnto our sinners [ i. forget and forgiue them, taking away also the punishments from vs, which by them we haue pulled vppon vs] for thy names sake [ i. for thy glory and goodnes sake, as before.] Verse 10. Wherefore should the heathen say 10 [ q.d. why should they haue an occasion to say, as they will not spare to speake it, if thou helpe not] where is their GOD [ vz. the God that the Israelites serue. q.d. giue not occasion to the enemyes to reioyce ouer vs and mocke vs, because wee haue trusted in thée, as though thou haddest forsaken vs in the tyme of neede, They shewe howe that the aide which God shall giue them, shall turne to his glory: q.d. if thou helpe, the vngodly people shall haue [Page 242] no cause to say, that wee haue in vayne trusted in a GOD, that forsaketh vs in our troubles, but they and wée shall féele by effectes, that thou hast a singular care ouer vs] let him [I woulde rather reade let it [ vz. our graci­ous deliueraunce from these distresses] bée knowne [ i. opened and made ma­nifest] among the heathen [ vz. who are our enemies, and otherwise would in­sult ouer vs] in our sight [ i. wée liuing, séeing, and diligently beholding the same, that thou arte alwayes presence with thine] by the vengeaunce of the blood [ i. by the punishment that thou wilt take, and lay vppon them, for the blood] of thy seruauntes [hee calleth them Gods seruauntes, who not­withstanding confessed, that they were iustly punished for their sinnes, be­cause GOD when hee chastiseth vs, testifieth that hee hath care of our salua­tion] that is shed [ vz. by their cruelty and rage: by blood and shedding of the same, hée meaneth the godlies life, and the death that the wicked did 11 cruelly laye vppon them.] Verse 11. Let the sighing of the prisoners [ i. of them that are taken prisoners by the enemies, and ready to bée caryed away or put to death: vnderstanding by the sighing of these men, their earnest prayers, pitifull complaints, teares, outcries &c.] come before thee [ i. into thy presence, and let it appeare by effect that thou regardest and acceptest of them] according to thy mighty arme [ q.d. as thy power is most large and in­finite, for hee vseth this worde arme for power, so preserue and defend thy peo­ple] preserue [ vz. from outrage, violence, and death] the children of death [ i. them that bée in verye great daunger, at deaths doore, as it were, and ready to bée slayne, so that death séemeth to haue as much authority ouer them, as 12 parents haue ouer their children.] Verse 12. And render to our neighbours [ i. to them that are round about vs, as before ver. 4.] seuen folde [ i. most grie­uous punishmentes: a number, finite, for an infinite. sée Gene. 4.15.] in to their bosome [ i. largely and plentifully, as appeareth Isaiah. 65.6.7. Ierem. 32.18. it is a metaphor taken from them that powre things without number, into the lappe or bosome as it were of those to whome they giue them] their reproch [ i. the blasphemous and wicked wordes that they haue vsed against thée, which is 13 expressed in the part of the verse following.] Verse 13. So wée thy people [ i. the people that thou hast chosen, seperating vs from other nations: sée Psalm. 74.1.2.] and shéepe of thy pasture [ i. people whome thou féedest as tenderly and carest as much for, as shepheardes doe their pasture sheepe] shall prayse thée [ vz. for thy grace and goodnes towardes vs in deliuering vs] and from gene­ration to generation wée will set foorth thy prayse [ vz. to others: q.d. we will bee instrumentes to publish thy prayse, and occasions of thy glory to all posterity.]

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that God many times, for the punishment of his peoples sinnes, appointeth the wicked to preuaile so farre against them, that euen his own glory séemeth as it were to bée layd in the dust. Verse 2.3. Set out the monstrous cruelty and barbarousnesse of the wicked and vngodly people, whose cursed nature is, the more they preuaile, the more outrage & violence to [Page 243] offer and doe. Ver. 4. Teacheth that the miseries of Gods children, should pro­uoke them to earnest and hearty calling vpon his name. Ver. 5. Teacheth that the consciences of the godly can hardly be quieted, so long as they féele Gods wrath and anger against them. Ver. 6. Teacheth that wee may safely pray a­gainst the malicious enemies of Gods Church. Ver. 7. Setteth out the rage and cruelty of the wicked against the Lordes people and inheritance. Verse 8. Teacheth first that our sinnes are cart-ropes as it were, to pul vpon vs, Gods heauy iudgementes, Secondly that God of his mercy, and not for any desert of ours (for we haue none) doeth and will helpe vs, thirdly that the more our mi­series are, the more earnest should wée bée, with the Lorde in prayer. Verse 9. Teacheth vs that Gods owne glory is an effectuall reason to perswade his maiesty to deliuer his people, Secondly that Gods mercies onely doe couer and cure all our transgressions. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that wee may pray a­gainst the enemies of the Church, alwayes prouided that wée intermingle not our owne corrupt affections, or hatred against the persons therewith. Verse 11. Teacheth vs that the sighes and grones of Gods poore afflicted ser­uants, shall not bée sent forth, without fruite or profit. Verse 12. Teacheth vs that wee may lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church, as before ver. 6.10. of this Psalme. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs two things: first that we shoulde giue hearty thankes to almighty God, for benefits and graces bestowed vpon vs: secondly that we should bee instruments to publish the prayses, and to con­uey them ouer so farre foorth, as we can to all posterity.

Psalme 80

THis Psalme as it should séeme, both by the wordes and matter was made, either about that time, that the people were caryed captiue into Babylon, or at the time of their being there. It may bée diuided into thrée partes, Di. the first is an earnest prayer 1 made to God, that it woulde please him to help the miseries of his Church, from ver. 1. to the end of the 7. The seconde contei­neth 2 a discription of his former goodnes towardes them, with a demaunding as it were, why hee had withdrawne the same, from ver. 8. to the ende of the 13. In the thirde part they returne to prayer againe, beséeching the Lorde graci­ously 3 to finish the worke, which mercifully hée had begunne, which being per­formed they purpose and promise humble obedience all the dayes of their life, from ver. 14. to the end of the Psalme.

The title, Se. to him that excelleth on Shoshannim Eduth [this is expounded before Psalme 45. also Psalme 60. in the titles, as also is that that followeth in sundry Psalmes. Immanuel addeth, after this worde, A Psalme of witnes, which for any thing I sée, is not in the Hebrew text: hée himselfe expoundeth it thus] of witnes [ i. by which the Church beséeching God, did testifie their fayth [Page 244] they had in GOD touching the deliueraunce promised after seuenty yéeres, 1 as Ierem. 29.10.] Verse 1. Heare [ vz. the supplications and prayers of vs thy poore seruantes praying for our selues and thy whole Church: and by hearing, they meane graunting of their requestes, and not as though GOD, either did not or woulde not heare,] O thou shéephearde [ i. thou that hast gouerned, guided, and deliuered thy people heretofore] of Jsrael, [i. of all thy people: and not of the tenne tribes alone, as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth] thou that leadeth Ioseph like shéepe [ i. tenderly and warely, as Psalme 78.52. vnderstanding by Ioseph the same that hee ment by Israel be­fore: and all this is nothing else, but a description as it were of Gods ten­der care, fauour and loue, towardes his people] shewe thy brightnes [ vz. of thy power and might, as Deutronom. 33.2. q.d. shewe thy selfe in thy accusto­med glory and maiesty, to our great comfort, and the terrour of our ene­myes] thou that sittest betwéene the Cherubins [this is not spoken as though GOD were tied to a place, but because it pleased him out of that place for a tyme, to shewe foorth his power and might, therefore doe the people after 2 this sort describe him. Sée Exodus 25. verse 22.] Verse 2. Before E­phraim, &c. [ i. in the sight and presence of the men of that and other tribes, who claue to the kingdome of Iudah, and kept thy religion and worshippe sounde with them, Sée 1. Chronic. 9. verse 1.2.3.] Stirre vppe thy strength [ vz. which séemeth to haue béene heauy, and as it were a sléepe: q.d. nowe de­clare it and make it manifest] and come to helpe vs [ vz. out of the daungers, 3 distresse and bondage wherein wee are.] Verse 3. Turne vs againe [ vz. out of the bondage and captiuity wherein wée nowe are [as our Auncestours were in Egipt] into our owne Countrey and to thy worshippe. q.d. set vs in our for­mer state and condition] cause thy face to shine [ i. make manifest thy fauour towardes vs, which hath béene kept from vs by the cloudes of affliction. Sée Psalme 4.6. also Psalm. 67.1.] that wee may be saued [ i. deliuered out of these daungers and distresses wherein wée are. Immanuel readeth, so shall wée be sa­ued. 4 The sense differeth not much as wee may easily perceiue.] Verse 4. How long wilt thou bee angry against the prayer of thy people [ i. howe long wilt thou reiect the prayer that thy people make vnto thée, as though thou were angry with them and it: this the faithfull speake, and that of infirmity, when 5 they féele not the force of their prayers at the first as it were.] Ver. 5. Thou hast fedde them with the breade of teares [ i. thou hast giuen them teares in stéede of meate, Sée Psalme 42.3.] and giuen them teares to drinke with great measure [ q.d. they are so full of griefes and vexations, that they are able to indure no more, hee signifieth by these speaches, both the abundaunce and 6 the continuaunce of their afflictions.] Verse 6. Thou hast made vs a strife vnto our neighbours [ i. thou hast caused all those that are rounde about our lande, with whome friendshippe and peace were to bée fostered, to moue conti­nuall strifes and iarres against these of our brethren, that remaine behind in the lande of Iudah, The trueth of this, Sée 2. King. 25. ver. 25. Ierem. 37. chapt. [Page 245] and so forwarde almost to the ende of his Prophecie] and our enemies laugh at vs [ vz. being in this affliction and misery that we are] among them selues [ i. to make themselues merry with all, when they méete together.] Verse 7. 7 This is the same almost both in woordes and sense with verse 3. of this Psal.] Verse 8. Thou broughtest a vine out of Egipt [by vine hee meaneth the people 8 of Israel, by which comparison hée sheweth howe greatly God regarded them (for which sée Iohn 15. verse 1.2.) because a vine is a most noble, both possession and fruite, and is a very tender thing, as experience teacheth. It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to resemble Gods people to a vine, sée Isaiah. 5.1.2. &c. and other places] thou hast cast out [ vz. of the lande of Canaan] the heathen [ vz. the Ammonites, Hittits &c.] and planted it [ vz. in their place, hée continueth in his metaphor of a vine, and planting, meaning that God had established his people in the roome of these nations.] Verse 9. Thou madest roome for it 9 [ vz. by dispatching their enemies, and casting them out before them, Sée Exod. 23.27.28.29. Iehosh. 24.12.] and diddest cause it to take roote [hée mea­neth by the first, that is roote taking, their florishing and prospering in that lande] and it filled the lande [ i. it increased and grewe mightely, in number, greatnes, and glory.] Verse 10. The mountaines were couered with the sha­dowe 10 of it [among many senses, I take this to bée the simplest, that the people of Israel, was so mightily multiplied and increased throughout the lande of Canaan, that not onely the valleis, which are for the most part fruitfull, but the mountaines which are commonly barren, were well inhabited and peo­pled, Sée Matth. 3.1. Luke 1.39.] and the boughes thereof [ i. the yong people, that came of that roote or stocke] were like the goodly Cedars [ i. beautifull to beholde, as tall, straight, strong, &c.] Ver. 11. She stretched out her braunches 11 [ i. she replenished the land with inhabitants] vnto the Sea [ vz. Mediterrani­um] and her boughes vnto the riuer [ vz. of Euphrates: he doeth describe the bredth of the land of Canaan, and howe farre Gods people had extended their gouernement, sée Psal. 72. verse 8. and they recken vp Gods benefites towardes them in times past, that they might presently the more easily obteine his fauor and goodnes.] Verse 12. Why hast thou then broken downe her hedges [ i. why 12 hast thou destitute her of succour and ayde: and why doest thou no more take her into thy sauegarde and protection? but hast withdrawne thy power and strength with which shée was compassed, as hée threatned. Deutronom. 31.17. also Isaiah. 5.5.] so that all they which passe by the way, haue plucked her [ i. spoyled and destroyed her: hee meaneth by this manner of speach the gap as it were that GOD made and gaue, to the enemies, to afflict his people by.] Verse 13. The wilde Bore [ i. the most vncleane and rauenous Gen­tiles, 13 the worde wilde, out of the wood, noting their rauening, and the worde Bore, noting their vncleannes, for the Iewes might not eate swines flesh, be­cause it was accounted vncleane by the lawe, Leuittic. 11.7.] hath destroyed it [ i. hath vtterly rooted it vppe by the rootes, as though it woulde finde some thing hidden vnder it: for the worde that he vseth here is a compounde worde, [Page 246] and signifieth to digge vp some thing that is hidden, as Treasure or such like] and the wilde beastes of the fieldes haue eaten it vppe [ i. it was giuen for a pray, to all sortes of beastes both of the forrestes and of the fieldes, hee mea­neth that their neighbours nigh about them, and others farre off them, did grieuously afflict the people of Jsrael, which enemies of theirs hee compareth 14 to wilde beastes, by reason of their cruelty.] Verse 14. Returne we be­seéch thée [ vz. to thy former loue and grace. q.d. set aside thy wrath, and be mer­cifull vnto vs, as thou hast béene heretofore] O GOD of hostes [this pro­perly respecteth his power whereby wée sée that they made his might one grounde of their prayers] looke downe [ vz. vppon this vine] from heauen [ q.d. though thou dwell on high, yet looke vppon vs belowe, in fauour and mercy] and beholde and visite this vine [ i. not onely remember it, but per­fourme deliueraunce vnto it, as thou hast promised: sée the worde visiting so 15 vsed. Gene. 21. verse 1.] Verse 15. And the vineyarde [ i. the whole body of the people, putting the thing conteyning, for the thing conteined] that thy right hande hath planted [ i. which thy mighty power hath not onely brought out of Egipt, but setled fast in this lande] and the young vine [so hee calleth the people, either because they were small and fewe at the beginning, or else because that in the time of these troubles, they were become as it were but a handfull] which thou madest strong for thy selfe [ i. to which thou gauest 16 great strength, that in it thou and thy glory might appeare.] Verse 16. It is burnt with fire and cut downe [ i. it is destroyed by fire and swoorde, noting by these two termes, of fire and cutting downe, all the wayes and meanes that the wicked vsed to destroy the children of GOD with all] and they perish [ i. all thy people of Israel and Iudah] at the rebuke of thy countenance [ i. when thou shewest by thy countenaunce, that thou doest rebuke them, and art angry with them: q.d. the force of the enemy néede not confound them, for the very signe and 17 token of thy displeasure, doth consume them. Ver. 17. Let thy hand [ i. thy pow­er, might, grace, and goodnes] he vpon [ i. be present with, in effect and féeling] the man of thy right hande [he putteth the worde man, for men and people, one for many: and by man of right hande, hee meaneth those that God did so ten­derly loue, and for their sakes, hée continually manifested his mighty pow­er in leading and gouerning them] and vppon the sonne [sonne is here put for sonnes or posterity, as man, for men before] whom thou madest strong [ i. whom thou gauest might and power vnto, not onely to defence themselues, but to wounde their enemies] for thine owne selfe [ i. for thine honour and glory that 18 thou in them mightest bee glorified.] Verse 18. So will not wee [ q.d. if thou shew vs the fauour prayed for, we wil continue alwaies in thy obedience. This must be vnderstood, not as though they conditioned with God, but alledge their purposed obedience, as a reason to moue the Lord to pity them] go backe from thée [ vz. to false and strange worships deuised by men, but will kéepe our selues fast to that seruice that thou hast prescribed by thy word] reuiue thou vs [ i. take from vs the great heauines that hangeth vpon vs, by reason of our sorrowes [Page 247] and afflictions, and quicken vs, and so] we shal cal vpon thy name [ i. profes thy religion sincerely, and pray vnto thée only.] Ver. 19. is the very same in words 19 and sence with verse 3 and verse 7 of this Psalme.

Verse 1 teacheth vs to haue recourse in all our afflictions to God by prayer, Do. and in the same to consider as good grounds of our supplications, his mercye and his power. Verse 2 teacheth that not onely the féeling, but the manifesting of Gods strength and power is comfortable to his saints. Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods fauour is the only cause of all goodnesse towards vs. Verse 4 declareth that it is no small affliction of conscience to Gods children, to féele that their prayers are not forcible. Verse 5, 6 teach first that all the afflictions of Gods children come by his prouidence and appointment: secondly that he bringeth them very lowe euen in this life, to the end that they may haue their harts and soules the more lifted vp to him. Verse 7 sheweth that we cannot know till the Lord turne vs, and so is stong agaynst frée will. Verse 8 setteth out Gods great and vnspeakeable loue towards his Church, and his plaguing and punishing of the wicked for their sakes. Verse 9 sheweth that the beginning, increase and continuance of the Church, and of euery particular member of it, is from the Lord. Verse 10, 11 doe vnder excellent Metaphors set out the glorye and in­largement of the Church. Verse 12. Sheweth that the enemies of the Church can doe nothing further then the Lord appointeth them. Verse 13 doth paynt out the cruelty and rage of the enemies of the church. Verse 14 teacheth vs to pray the Lord in mercy to beholde the poore and afflicted state of his Churche. Verse 15 teacheth vs, that the taste and tryall of GOD his power before, shoulde strengthen our hope for the feeling of the same in tyme to come. Verse 16 describeth the wonderfull Maiestie of GOD, and the great­nesse of his power, which is so mightye, that euen the verye manifesting thereof (though it bée not executed) is sufficiente to consume all. Verse 17. teacheth vs to praye for the Church, and the particular members of it: al­so that we haue no strength of our selues, but that then we are strong, when the Lorde maketh vs strong: and lastly that strength, and whatsoeuer else wee haue is giuen vs, that he only in the same might be glorified. Verse 18 teacheth the faythfull to carry with them a full purpose to stick fast to the Lorde, and to call vpon him. Verse 19 deliuereth the same doctrine that verse 3 and 7. of this Psalme doe.

Psalme 81

THis Psalme being made as it shoulde séeme, Di. after the time of the Iudges when either Samuel or Dauid restored Gods worship, may be deuided into two principal parts. In the first the Prophet 1 exhorteth the faithful people to praise the Lord, shewing thē that they haue good causes and reasons so to doe, from verse 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hée taketh vpon him the person of God, instructing the people [Page 248] how to walke, shewing withall their disobedience, by whiche not onlye Gods loue was contemned, but they themselues depriued of wonderfull benefites, from verse 8, to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded in the Title of Psalme 8. and Psal. 73.] Verse 1. Sing ioyfully [ i. chearefully and with a good courage: q.d. praise him by all the meanes ye can, and in al places, specially in the holy and pub­like assemblies, and that for the benefites you haue receaued from him] vnto God our strength [ i. vnto him who alone giueth vs strength, to doe the things we doe] sing lowde [ vz. that all may sée and heare, as it were] vnto the God of Iaakob [i. vnto him that is a good and gracious God, to al his faythfull peo­ple that come of Iaakob: putting the name of the father both for himselfe & all 2 his posterity.] Ver. 2. Take [ vz. vnto you, or into your mouthes] the song [ vz. of praise and thanksgiuing: q.d. sing prayses to God] and bring forth [ vz. to be playde vpon] the Timbrell, the pleasant harpe, with the violl [vnder the lawe they vsed musicall instruments to expresse their ioy withall, sée Iudges 11, 34. & some other places: vnder this scholemastership it pleased the Lord to kéepe his people till Christes comming: and by these thrée he meaneth all of the like: q.d. With all Instruments of Musick expresse and set out the gladnes of your 3 hart.] Verse 3. Blow the Trumpet in the newe Moone [ q.d. bée as earnest to serue GOD now, as if it were at any time of our solemne Feastes: Sée Le­uitticus 25, 15. Num. 10, 10. and by one feast he vnderstandeth all, and so must 4 bee vnderstoode all that followeth in this verse.] Verse 4. For this [ vz. to sing reioyce and to vse musicall instruments, is testimony of thankfulnesse, as also the obseruation of feasts] is a statute [ vz. that God himselfe hath appointed, as appeareth Exodus 23, ver. 14, 15, &c, sée also Numb. 28. and 29. chap. al­most thorow out] for Israell [ vz. to obserue and kéepe] and a law of the God of Iaakob [i. a law which he that is the God of Iaakob hath published.] Verse 5. 5 He [ vz. God] set this [ i. ordeined and appointed this kind of seruice & worship as verse 4. of this Psalme] in Ioseph [i. amongst the Israelites: putting Io­seph the father of Ephraim and Manasses, two excellent Tribes, for all the tribes, and this he doth as I suppose for two causes, not only because that Io­sephs stock was counted y e chéefe (before that Iudah was preferred) because hée was the means y t al their fathers were maintained in Egipt in the time of the famine, but also because they had the largest possessions in y e whole land of Ca­naan as appeareth Iehosh. chap. 16. and 17] for a testimony [ i. in stéede of a te­stimony & witnes vnto them how he would be serued] when he [this worde, he, may be referred eyther to God or to the people, but I rather refer it to God, who is sayde to come out of the land of Egipt not only in the person of his peo­ple, but also because he brought them thence in a mighty hande, and outstret­ched arme, manifesting in the same his mighty power] where I hearde a lan­guage that I vnderstoode not [ i. in which place, vz. of Egipt, I was a straun­ger, for this is a spéech vsuall ynough in the scriptures, to note and signifye a stranger by, and this sodaynly altering the person (which also would be mar­ked) [Page 249] from the third to the first, must be vnderstood of God, not y t god knewe not their tongues, or vnderstood not their language, for he knoweth all things: but he sheweth, to the end he might testifye his good will, that his peoples wantes were as his owne, and all this he doth to the end he might amplify the benefite of their deliueraunce, which was so much the greater, by how much it is verye gréeuous to remaine amongst those whose lips and language we vnderstande not.] Ver. 6. I [ vz. the Lord] haue withdrawne his shoulder from the burthen 6 [ i. from most hard bondage, of which, see Exodus 1, 14. and chap. 6. ver. 9. and he nameth the word shoulder, because men commonly carry burdens vpon it] and his hands haue left the pots [ i. the making of pots of earthlye claye: and by making of pots, which was one péece of their slauerye, hee vnderstandeth all the rest, as setting vp of buildinges: making of Tyle or Bricke, gathe­ring of Strawe, sée Exodus 5. verse 4, 5, 6, 7, &c. Sée also Exodus 1. verse 11, and 12.] Verse 7. Thou calledst [ i. prayedst, vz. vnto me] in affliction [ i. in 7 the time of thy trouble and oppression, or when thou wast afflicted of others, Sée Exodus 2, 23.] and I deliuered thée [ vz. out of that hard bondage where­in thou wast: and marke howe hee speaketh of the people, as of one person, because they were all but one bodye] and aunswered thée [ i. shewed the testi­monies and signes of my fauour, in graunting thée thy requestes] in the se­crete of the thunder [ i. after a secrete and wonderfull fashion, but yet in suche sorte notwithstanding, that they had very manifest signes, by which they knew that GOD succoured them, some referre to that which is written. Exodus 14, 24. but I take it more generallye] I prooued thée [ i. by experience I knew, what a one thou wast, not that GOD was ignoraunt of it before] at the wa­ters of Meribah, Sée Exodus 15, 22, 23, &c. Psalme 95, 8.] Verse 8. 8 Heare [ vz. me speaking vnto thée, by my word and law manifested vnto thée] O my people [ i. the people whome I haue so tenderlye loued] and I will pro­test vnto thée [ i. I will not only open my will vnto thée, but also make a solemn contracte with thée, to the ende that my wordes maye haue the greater weighte and authoritie] if thou wilte hearken vnto mée [ vz. speakinge vn­to 9 thée in my Lawe, then lette this bee fulfilled that followeth.] Verse 9. Let there bée no straunge God in thée [ i. let there be no idols or images in all thy Lande: hee calleth them straunge Gods, because straungers from the couenaunte, i. other people besides the Iewes, did worship them: and hee cal­leth them Gods, not because they were so, but because the Idolaters supposed them to be so, or that there was a certayne Deitye inclosed within them, Sée 1. Corinth. 8. ver. 5.6.] neyther worship thou anye straunge God [ q.d. bee con­tente with mée alone. I expound this verse thus, that in the first parte hee for­biddeth the occasion of idolatrie, which are images, idols, &c. and in the second he forbiddeth the thing it selfe.] Ver. 10. For I am the Lord thy God [here hee 10 sheweth a reason of the former verse: q.d. there is no other but I, and I am God alone, sée Isaiah 45, verse 5. and hee laboureth in this parte of the verse, not onelye to proue himselfe to be the true God, but also to strengthen their [Page 250] fayth, first by Gods eternity, noted in these words, I am the Lord, secondly by the couenant which he made with thē, noted in these words, Thy God, & thirdly by the workes which he did for thē, noted in these words, Which brought thée out of the Land of Egipt, vnderstanding by one singular worke all the rest of the graces that God had at any time bestowed vpon them] open thy mouth wide [ i. largely and abundauntly aske euen whatsoeuer thou wilte according to my will, standing fast in my seruice and religion. The Hebrewes vnderstande by this speech boldnesse, trust, liberty, and importunity in prayer, and not amisse] and I will fill [ i. I will giue thée whatsoeuer thou shalt aske (sée Ioh. 15. ver. 16.) and besides put songes of prayse into thy mouth for benefits receaued.] Verse 11 11. But my people would not heare my voyce [ i. would not obey the thinges that by my word I commaunded them. Whereby we sée that to heare, and not to perform, is as much as in contempt not to heare at all] and Israel would none of me [ vz. in déede and truth, though they made a shew as though they reue­renced and loued me alone, the truth of this appeareth in Exodus, Leuiticus, 12 Numbers, Deutronom, and the Booke of Iudges.] Verse 12. So I gaue thē vp [ q.d. séeing nothing I could doe for them or to them, coulde reclaime them or bring them to goodnesse, I layd the bridle as it were in their own necks, and let them run their full swinge to wickednesse] vnto the hardnesse of their harte [ i. vnto all licentiousnesse and iniquity that their harde hartes setled in sinne could deuise] and they haue walked [ i. their conuersation hath bin] in their own counsels [ i. according to their owne deuises and imaginations, and not accor­ding 13 to my prescript and rule.] Verse 13. O that my people had hearkened vn­to me [ i. had obeyed my voyce and lawes giuen vnto them, and this God spea­keth after the maner of men, testifying what a great loue he had to them, and how acceptable their obedience should haue bin, sée Deutron. 5. verse 29. Deut. 32.29. Isaiah 48.18] and Israell had walked in my wayes [ i. had ordred his conuersation according to my commaundements: which he calleth wayes, be­cause they are as pathes or beaten wayes that we are to treade in all the dayes 14 of our life, neuer being weary of going in them.] Verse 14. I would soone [ i. ve­ry quickly: q.d. then my power should haue sodaynly appeared, to their com­fort, but specially for iudgement vpon the wicked] haue humbled [ i. cast downe and ouerthrowne: it is a metaphor taken from thē, that in humblenesse throw themselues down at others féete, meaning that God in iudgement would haue brought them very low] their enimies [ i. al their enemies, of what state condi­tion or multitude soeuer they had ben] and turned [ vz. from mine own people, vnto their aduersaries] mine hand [ i. my power and might, executing iudge­ment and vengeaunce: q.d. My power and fierce wrath should haue lighted vp­on 15 their enemies, and not vpon them.] Verse 15. The haters of the Lord [ i. the wicked and vngodly people, which sundry times oppressed them, as appeareth in the booke of Iudges] shoulde haue bin subiect [ vz. eyther willinglye or con­streinedly, chuse them whether: it is true that the worde signifyeth a counter­feit subiection, by which he noteth the hipocrisie of the enemies] vnto him [ i. to [Page 251] the people of God, speaking of them all in one person as it were, of whiche sée verse 6, 7 of this Psalme] and their time [ i. the time of their prosperity and flo­rishing: and marke here the sodaine chaunge of the number, and here he spea­keth of the people of God] should haue moured for euer [ i. cōtinued and abode in that state continually, according to Gods promise made vnto them.] Ver. 16. 16 And God [marke the sodayne chaunge of the person, from the first to the third, God speaking of himself in the third person] would haue fed them [ i. nourished and maintained his people, with the fat of Wheate [ i. with the best and picked wheat: for you shall haue the worde fat and fatnesse so vsed sundrye times in scripture, vnderstanding by wheat also not onely corne, but also whatsoeuer else was necessary for the maintainaunce of lyfe, sée Deutronom. 32. verse 14.] and with honie out of the Rock would I haue satisfied thée [ q.d. rather than they shoulde haue wanted, I woulde haue made barren places such as Rockes are, plentifull, and that euen with things not onlye for profite, but for delight and pleasure, noting by this maner of spéeche, that they shoulde haue had all thinges both pleasaunt and profitable for the maintaynaunce of their lyfe, if their naughtinesse hadde not stopped the course of his goodnesse and mercy.

Ver. 1.2.3 teach that we should not be only thankefull to God, Do. but that the sa­crifice of thanks giuing which we wil render vnto him, must be yéelded coragi­ously & chearfully, because the Lorde requireth at our handes both the thing it selfe, & the maner of the performance of it. Ver. 4 teacheth that Gods com­maundment is the only ground & warrant vnto vs, that the seruices which we render vnto him are acceptable in his sight. Ver. 5. teacheth first that Gods re­uealing of his will & word to any people is a plain testimonye of his grace and fauour, also y t Gods accounteth the afflictions of his people as his own. Ver. 6. teacheth that God alone is he that deliuereth his people from all dangers and distresses. Ver. 7 teacheth y t the Lord is nigh to earnest supplicatiōs & requests of his poore afflicted ones. Ver. 8.9 teacheth that our obediēce to God is no bet­ter manifested by any meanes then by remouing al idolatry, & al the occasions therof whatsoeuer. Ver. 10. setteth out Gods large liberalitie towards his peo­ple, who many times giueth more then they do aske. Ver. 11. describeth the ma­lice, corruption & stubbornesse of mans hart. Verse 12. sheweth how God iustlye punisheth sinne by sinne, and that there are no ways so hurtful to man, as those which he himselfe deuiseth. Verse 13 expresseth Gods singuler care & loue, that he hath to man and his saluation. Ver. 14.15. teach that obedience faithfully performed to the Lord, not only draweth from him iudgements against all the e­nemies of his people, but continual fauour and flourishing to themselues. Ver. 16. teacheth that those that feare and serue the Lord shall want nothing that is good, and that rather then Gods children shal want, the Lord wil extraordina­rily nourish and maintaine them with abundaunce of al things both profitable and pleasaunt.

Psalme 82.

Di. I Take it, that this Psalme maye bee deuided into two partes. In the firste, the Prophet reproueth vngodly Magistrates, 1 for their partialityes, exhorting them to the faythfull execution of their office, from verse 1. to the end of the fourth. In the seconde he setteth out their carelesnesse, and pronoun­ceth 2 iudgement agaynst them for the same, beséeching the Lord to execute iustice and iudgement, seing they were negligent, from verse 5. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. The Title hath bene expounded sundry times before, and namelye Psalme 50. in the Title thereof.] Verse 1. GOD standeth [ vz. as the théefe and principall, to sée what matters passe, and howe they passe] in the assemblye of Gods [ i. in euery Session or sitting of Princes, Magistrates, or Iudges, whom he calleth Gods, because in them appeareth some speciall part of Gods Maiestie, now when God is present w t them it is not as an inferior, but as the Lorde of Magistrates, and the Author of all iust iudgementes, sée Deutron. 1. 2 ver. 17. also 2. Chronic. 19. verse 6.] he iudgeth among Gods [ i. hée kéepeth his authoritye and preheminence, aboue all the Iudges and Gouernors of this worlde.] Verse 2. How long will ye iudge vniustly [ q.d. Will ye go still on for­ward in corruption and naughtinesse? shall not Gods forbearing of you, bring you to amendment?] and accepted the persons of the wicked [ i. peruert 3 iustice and iudgement for their sakes and causes.] Verse 3. Doe right [nowe he teacheth them what they shoulde doe indéede] to the poore and fatherlesse [ i. to those that are in misery & distresse, and not able by any mean of man to helpe themselues, or their causes, sée Hosea 14, 3.] doe iustice [ i. performe that with iustice and equitie requireth at your handes: and this is the same matter ex­pressed 4 in other wordes.] Verse 4. Deliuer the poore and néedy [ vz. from the outrage and iniurie that the mightye men offer them] saue them [ i. set them frée, safe and sounde] from the hande [ i. from the mighte and power of the vn­godly.] 5 Ver. 5. They [ i. these wicked & vngodly iudges or Magistrates] know not [ i. approue not, neither allow or performe good things: for otherwise it is not to be doubted but they had knowledge sufficient, sée Matth. 7.23.] vnder­stand nothing [ vz. of right and iudgement, to put the same in execution & prac­tise, for it must not be vnderstood as though y t they were sencelesse] they walke in darkenesse [ i. they take euen delight and pleasure as it were to bleare their own iudgements and light: and then how great is that darkenesse, Mat. 6.23. albeit al the foundations of the earth be moued [ q.d. al the troubles & confusi­ons of the land procéede from this iniquitye of theirs: and yet they, though all things be out of order, sit stil and take their ease, neuer séeking redresse. Dauid was of another mind, as appeareth Psal. 75.3. vpon which looke, for the better [Page 253] vnderstanding of these wordes, foundations of the earth.] Ver. 6. I haue saide [we may refer these words either to God or the Prophet: but I rather referre them to the Prophet: q.d. I haue before, vz. verse 1. confessed you to be Gods] yeare Gods [ i. not only excellent & great personages, but such as exercise the very iudgements of God when you doe your office rightly, 2. Chron. 19.6, and such as to whome God hath giuen his word, Iohn 10.34, 35. & such as to whom God hath communicated part of his power, Rom. 13.1.2. &c.] and ye are all chil­dren of the most high [ vz, not in name only because he hath communicated vnto you some of his Titles, but because you doe by his appointment succéede into some part of his iudicial authoritie, which he hath cōmitted to you, as princely parents doe to their children.] Ver. 7. But [ q.d. for al your glorious titles, and 7 great renoune, by which you might séeme to promise vnto your selues lōg life, and immortality as it were] ye shall die as a man [ i. a cōmon & ordinary death: q.d. death shal no more feare you then other men, sée Psal. 49. almost thorow­out] and ye Princes [ vz. of the people, for al your great state and pompe] shal fal [ vz. by death] like others [ vz. of the common sort of people: some expounde it thus] like others [ vz. Princes and mighty men which haue gone before you, I would not greatly cōtend, but me thinketh the other sence is plaine ynough.] Verse 8. O God [the Prophet seing iustice to bee perished from the earth, prai­eth 8 the Lord to take the matter into his own hands] rise vp [ vz. to iudge iustly séeing men are so negligent and carelesse] iudge [ vz. with iustice and equitye] the earth [ i. the people inhabiting the earth. He prayeth that God would bring things, which amongst men were confused, into good order] for thou shalte in­herite al nations [ q.d. Thou, whether they wil yea or no, shalt haue power and gouernment ouer al people: and therfore seing that office belongeth vnto thée, take into thine own hand, séeing men neglect the duties and charges that thou hast committed vnto them.

The first verse teacheth two things, Do. first that Magistrates should deale with good consciences seing God beholdeth them: secondly that people should reue­rence Magistrates, seing some part of Gods glory shineth forth in them. Ver. 2. teacheth how wicked men abuse good things to their own condemnation, and other mens hurt. Ver. 3. & 4. set out very liuely the Magistrates duety, whiche consisteth of two parts, in maintaining the good and punishing the euill. Rom. 13.3. Ver. 5. Simple ignorance or malitious ignorance, or both in Magistrates be the very nurses of all confusions in cōmon wealths & kingdoms. Ver. 6 tea­cheth vs to giue iust titles and honors, euen to vniust magistrates, alwayes re­seruing that which belongeth to God, sound and safe to him. Ver. 7. teacheth that no mans honor or office can preuent or put away death. Verse 8 instructeth vs, in the middest of all confusions & disorders amongst men earnestly to pray to the Lord for the redresse of them, for he alone is he, that can and will in good time reforme the same.

Psalme 83.

IT appeareth that this Psalme was made in some time that the e­nemies of the Churche conspired the ouerthrow of it. Di. I suppose that a man may well referre it to the dayes of Hezekiah, where­in Saneherib came vp agaynst Ierusalem and vttered outragious blasphemies against God and his people. sée 2. Kings 18. and 19. chapiters. The Psalm as I take it may be deuided into two parts. In the first 1 the faythfull pray to God for ayd and succour, shewing y e causes that lead them so to doe, from verse 1 to the end of the eyght. In the second part they pray ear­nestly 2 for the ouerthrow of their enemies, that so they might be brought downe in their pride, and confesse God to be their only God, from verse 9, to the ende of the Psalme.

Sée the Title of this Psalme expounded in the title of Psalme 48.] Verse 1. Kéepe not thou silence O God [ vz. at our prayers, Se. and considering the rage of thine and our enemies: q.d. Make no longer shew as though thou caredst not for vs, but by graunting our petitions, and punishing our enemies, shewe thy selfe to haue care ouer vs] be not still [they repeat y e same matter in other words to note the earnestnesse of their prayers] and cease not [ vz. to helpe vs in our distresses.] Verse 2. For loe, thine enemies [ i. they that in vs professing thy 2 truth, set themselues agaynst thée] make a tumult [ vz. not onely in gathering great multitudes together, but also in lowde and loftie speeches, as verse 4. of this Psalme, making a great noyse] they that hate thee [ i. they that testifie their hatred against thy maiestie, by pursuing and persecuting vs] haue lifted vp y e head [ vz. against thy maiestie, & vs thy poore seruaunts: and by lifting vp the head hee meaneth that they had not onely set all feare aside, but that with bold and proude mindes, they prepared themselues, staying vppon their owne 3 strength, to accomplish their mischiefs agaynst God and his people.] Ver. 3. They haue taken craftie counsel [ i. they haue both diuised with themselues and consulted with others] agaynst thy people [ vz. how they mighte hurte and de­stroy them] and haue consulted [ vz. with themselues and others] agaynst thy secret ones [ i. thy faythfull people: and he calleth them Gods secret ones, not only because they were Gods chéefe treasure Exodus 19.5. whiche hee woulde kéepe closely for himselfe, but because he would and did, vnder the shadowe of his wings as it were, kéepe them safe and sound from all iniurie and oppressi­on, 4 Psalme 17.8. Psalme 27.5.] Verse 4. They haue sayde [ i. the enemies a­mongst themselues, as it were to exhort and incourage one another, haue vtte­red these spéeches] Come and let vs cut them from being a Nation [ i. let vs vt­terly destroy them, that they may no more remaine a people vppon the earth: and that word, them, is spoken contemptuouslye of the Iewes or Israelites, as though they would not vouchsafe to name the persons they were so base: and for the expounding of this spéech, from being a Nation, sée Esai 7, verse 8. [Page 255] where he vttereth a prophecy against the tenne tribes] and let the name of Is­rael be no more in remembraunce [ i. let this people so vtterly perrish, that nei­ther person, name or remembrance therof may be thought vpon. By Israell he meaneth that part of the Israelites which remained vnder the gouernment of the kingdome of Iudah, to whome hee giueth this name because they came of Iaakob or Israel, as well as the others.] Verse 5. For they haue consulted [ i. 5 they haue not onely taken counsell how to performe euil things, but haue con­spired and consented to the same] together in hart [ i. not only closely & secretly as before ver. 3. but also couragiously & boldly as it were, and they séeme to bée al of one mind as it were to our destruction] & haue made a league [ vz. amōgst themselues and that by solemne oth and ceremonie as it were, that they might be the more straightly bound to worke their mischiefe] against thée [he sayth a­gaynst God, because that the quarrell which the enemies had agaynst this peo­ple, was for religions cause, which was the very cause of God himself.] Ver. 6 6 The Tabernacles of Edom [that is the Edomites, or Arabians, whose man­ner was to dwell in Tents or Tabernacles: or else hee meaneth their souldi­ers abiding in Tentes or Pauilions, after the manner of warre: this people came of Esau, Genesis 36.9.] and the Ismaelites [adde, and of the Ismaelites: meaning that their troupes, Tabernacles or Tents came, who caried also a hatefull mind towards Gods people: and it shoulde séeme that these came of Ismaell the sonne of Agar, by Abraham: sée Genesis 25.12.] Moab [ i. the Mo­abites: putting the name of the Father, for all the people that came of him, he was the eldest Sonne of Lot, borne by incest, sée Genesis 19.37.] and the Aga­rims [I woulde rather reade it Hagarims, with an H, or aspiration, fyrste it shoulde be read as appeareth by the Hebrew Texte: the Prophet mynding to note them that came of Hagar the mother of Ismaell, of this people, sée 1. Chronic. 5. verse 19.20.] Verse 7. Geball [from whome this people 7 should come, the scripture so farre as I remember, sheweth not, some suppose he meaneth the Gibbians who were borderers vpon Sidon, of whiche sée 1. Kinges 5.18.] and Ammon [this was the other sonne of Lot conceaued and borne in Incest, of whiche sée Genesis 19.38. putting in all these the name of the fyrste Father of them, for all the people thee came of them] and Amelech [these came of Eliphaz Esaus sonne, as appeareth Gene. 36.12] the Philistines [these came of Ham the Sonne of Noah, as appeareth Genesis 10.14.] with the inhabitants of Tyrus [this is the name of a Citie situate vpon the Sea, as appeareth Isaiah 23. thorowout] Verse 8. Ashur 8 [ i. the people of Assyria, who came also of Ham Noahs Sonne as it shoulde séeme Genesis 10.11.] is ioyned with them [ vz. in this conspiracie and mis­chiefe that they minde to doe: for in these verses hee doeth nothing but note out the multitudes of the enemies which Gods Churche hath] they haue bin an arme [ i. they haue ministred courage ayde and strength by the league that they haue made] to the children of Lot [ i. to the Moabites, and Ammonites that came of Lot, of whome before.] Verse 9. Doe thou to them as to the 9 [Page 256] Midianites [ i. destroy them vtterly and ouerthrow them for all their force and multitude, this story is written Iudges 7. Chapter] as to Sisera [ i. confound and ouerthrow them. Sée Iudges 4. Chapter] and as to Iabin who was the King of Canaan, and Sisera was his chéefe Captayne, in whose discomfi­ture and ouerthrow, stoode also the Kings discomfiture and ouerthrowe, Sée Iudges 4.2.] at the Riuer of Kishon [hée nameth the place for the more cer­taintie of the Historye, sée Iudges 4, 7, and it may be vnderstoode, that at the 10 riuer, Sisera and the Midianites were.] Verse 10. They [ i. Sisera, and the Midianites with them] perished [ i. were ouerthrown, confounded, and destroy­ed] at Endor [which is the name of a place nigh to Taanach, and the waters of Megido, as appeareth Iudg. 5.19.] and were dung for the earth [ i. were not on­ly troden vnder féete as mire, but also left vnburied, vpon the vpper face of the 11 earth, as dung layde vppon grounde is.] Verse 11. Make them [ vz. the enemies, that now come to assault vs] euen the Princes [ q.d. the best & migh­tiest men amongst them: and he prayeth agaynst them, because in the dismay, confusion and ouerthrow of the Prince, standeth for the most part the discou­ragemēt and ouerthrow of the people] like Oreb, and like Zeeb [ i. destroy them and ouerthrowe them by death: of both these see Iudges 7.25.] yea all their Princes [ i. all their men of might and power, that they being discouraged, the rest might be confounded] like Zebah and like Zalmana [these were two great Kinges or Princes of Midian, whom Gideon slew, sée Iudges 8. verse 5.21.] 12 Verse 12. Which [ vz. enemies of thine & ours, whose great number hee had rec­koned vp before, ver. 6.7.8.] haue sayd [ vz. euen in our hearing, or as a man would say, euen yet do speake thus] let vs take [ vz. by force and conquest] for our possession [ i. to be a possession to vs and oures] the habitations of God [no doubt he meaneth Iudea and the Cities thereof, wherein God was worship­ped, but especially Ierusalem, where the temple and tabernacle was, and in which places God gaue most manifest testimonies of his presence and dwel­ling. 13 Verse 13. O my God [this speake the faythfull, as it were but one man, or else some particular person amongst them in the name of the rest] make them like vnto a whéele [hée prayeth that they and their counses may be vnsta­ble and inconstant, so that wandring in their consultations and imaginations, they may not hurt thy people] and as the stubble before the winde [ vz. which is tossed hither and thither: an other similitude which hee vseth to expresse their 14 owne inconstancye, and the vanity of their deuises, sée Psalme 1, 4.] Verse 14. As the fyre [ vz. put into the Forrest] burneth the forrest [ vz. if men minde to consume and destroy it after that sort, for fire eateth vp all before it] and as the flame [ vz. of that fyre so kindled and burning] setteth the Mountaynes on fyre [ i. causeth the very mountaynes to melt as it were, and burne before it.] 15 Verse 15. So persecute them [ i. pursue and ouertake them, for it muste not bee vnderstoode, as though God by laying these iudgements vppon them, did offer them iniury or wrong] with thy Tempest [ i. with thy sodayne and fierce iudgementes, as tempestes are wonte to come sodaynelye and fiercelye] [Page 257] make them afrayde [ i. cause them not only to quake or shake for feare, but astonishe them, and take awaye from them all vse of witte and reason, that they maye bée euen as it were deade men] with thy Storme [by storme, hee meaneth the same that he did by tempest: vnder these two Metaphors, noting Gods fierce wrath and iudgement. Whatsoeuer it be, this is his mea­ning, to praye the Lord that the wicked may be enforced, euen in despighte of their heads as it were, to acknowledge thorow the multitude of punishmentes that shall fall vpon them, that they doe in vayne set themselues agaynste God and his people, and shal in the end be confounded and ouerthrowne.] Ver. 16. 16 Fil their faces with shame [ i. poure forth vpon them such abundance of shame and confusion, by destituting them of their hopes, that they may be ashamed as it were to shew their faces] that they may séeke thy name, O Lorde, [eyther this worde, they, must be referred to the faythfull eyther then liuing, or after­wards to come, who in the confusion of the enimies, should haue a good ground offered them continually to hang vpon Gods power: or else the Text must bee mended thus, after Immanuel, that thy name may be sought, O God, making this as it were one end of their deliuery, that God might afterward be prayde vnto and praysed for it: for in my iudgement it can at no hand be referred (as the Geneua note goeth) to the enemies.] Verse. 17. Let them be confounded 17 [ vz. by thy iudgements which thou shalt execute vpon them] and troubled [ vz. in their mindes and bodies, that thorow disquietnesse in both of them, they maye be hindered from doing any euill thing agaynst thine] for euer [ i. all the dayes of their life, and as long as they shall liue] yea let them be put to shame [ vz. before men, and openly in their sight] and perish [ vz. from amongst men] Ver. 18. That they [ i. thine and our enemies] may knowe [ i. féele inwardlye and 18 confesse outwardly though they shall not haue the grace to yeelde to the same: for here he speaketh of knowledge by experience, which goeth not downe into the hart, but is only put into them thorow necessitie and force] that thou which art called Iehouah [sée for the expounding of this name Exod. 6.3.] arte alone [contrary to that opinion which the Gentiles haue, that their idols are Gods] euen the most high ouer al the earth [ i. that doest whatsoeuer pleaseth thée in earth.

Ver. 1. teacheth that the more our dangers and miseries be, Do. the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for y e redresse therof. Ver. 2. sheweth how the enemies of Gods people, in great multitudes, with great noyse, and very proudlye set themselues agaynst the Lord, and those that are his. Verse 3. teacheth also that they doe it, not rashly, but aduisedlye and with great crafte and subteltie. Verse 4 setteth out both the words and purposes of the wicked, who carrye continuallye with them a hart to roote out good and godlye men from off the earth. Ver. 5, 6, 7, 8. teach principally two thinges, the one is the great multitude of enemies that Gods people haue: the other is, howe that al the wicked, though otherwise at iarres, can yet notwithstanding consente together to destroy Gods chosen. They shewe also that they who by nature [Page 258] and kindred, as it were should fauour them, do many times become their dead­ly enimies, as the Edomites came of Esau, Iaakobs brother, and the Ammo­nites and Moabites of Lot, Abraham his nigh kinsman. Verse 9.10.11. teache that we may pray against the enemies of Gods Church: also that iudgments executed vpon former enemies, should be grounds to strengthen our hope, that God will doe the like to ours, if he sée it may serue for his glory and oure com­fort. Verse 13. and all the rest vnto the ende of the Psalme, teach that we maye lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church: that in their ouerthrowe, the children of God, may be incouraged to pray vnto him, and to prayse him for it, and this is conteined in verse 16. also that he himself and his power may thereby be glorifyed, in that the wicked whether they will or no, must of neces­sity confesse his might, and this is in verse 18.

Psalme 84

Di. THis Psalme may be deuided as I take it into two parts. In 1 the first part the Prophet sheweth what great desire hee had in the time of his exile, to ioyne himselfe to the assemblies of Gods people, and what good estate they are in that may so doe 2 from verse 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he maketh his request to God for his returne, assuring himselfe that God in good time will graciously looke vpon him for his good, concluding that they are blessed that stay vpon the Lord, from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal. 8. & Psal. 45. in their titles Ver. 1. O Lord of hosts [ i. O mighty God which hast al things at thy cō ­maundement, as armies or hosts to execute thy will] how amiable [ i. not onely swéete and pleasaunt, but most tenderly beloued of me] are thy tabernacles [by this word he vnderstandeth both the places wher the holy assēblies were made frō whence he was banished thorow the crueltie of his enemies, & also y e people there assembled & namely & principally Ierusalē, & the temple, & the assēblies 2 made there] Ver. 2. My soule [ i. I my self both body and soule, putting one part for the whole] longeth [ i. vehemently and earnestly desireth: wee applye this spéech to women with child, who if they haue not the thing they lust for, are in great daunger] yea and faynteth [ i. with desiring of it, and not obtayning of it, I languish away, and am as it were dead, or entring into a swoone] for the courts of the Lord [he doeth expreslye vse this worde, Courtes, because hée might not go further vnlesse he had bin a Priest] for mine harte and my fleshe [ i. both my inward and outward man] reioyce in the liuing God [ i. take plea­sure in him and his seruices, who alone is the only true God: for by the terme liuing he separateth him from al the dead idols & dum images of the Gentils.] 3 Ver. 3. Yea the sparrow hath found her a house [ vz. in which she maye rest and take her pleasure] and the Swallowe a neast for her [ i. a place of ease both [Page 259] for her selfe and yong ones, as may appeare by that which followeth] euen by thine altars, [ i. not verye farre from them: by many hee meaneth onely one, for it was not lawfull to haue manye Altars to offer Sacrafice vppon: Im­manuel readeth the latter part of the second verse, and this verse otherwise, ioyning them together thus: My harte and my fleshe crye oute, with desire to come to the mighty liuing God, vnto thine Altars, O Lorde of hostes, my King and my God: yea the Sparrow hath found a house, and the swallowe a neast for herselfe wherein she maye laye her yong ones: but the sence varieth not much.] Verse 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house [this hee mea­neth 4 of the Priests and Leuites, who not only had their houses nigh vnto the Temple, but their lodgings also, sée 1. Samuel 3.2. &c.] they will euer prayse thée [ i. they will be continually occupied in praysing thée for thy goodnesse and truth.] Verse 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thée [ i. who renounceth 5 his owne and others strength, and trusteth onelye to thy mighte and power] and in whose harte are thy wayes [ i. that haue a desire and purpose to walke according to thine ordinaunces, and namelye in visiting thy Tem­ple, and repayring to the exercises of thy Religion: And by the worde, Man, he vnderstandeth many, or that number of good men, who vsed that course.] Verse 6. They [Marke the sodaine chaunge of the number] going thorow the 6 vale of Baca [of this valey reade 2. Samuel 5.23.24, and it should appeare to be a very drie place, because of the Mulberry trées therein, whiche thriue best in drie places] make Welles therein [ i. make accounte of the drinesse of the place, as though they had abundaunce of water, for the pleasure that they take in Gods seruice mittigateth the great thirst of this drie place] the raine also [ vz. which falleth from heauen] couereth the pooles [ i. falleth vppon the vpper parts of the waters of the pooles increasing them: But for mine own parte I would haue all this verse wholly referred out of Immanuel thus. Blessed [ i. in good case] are they, that going thorow the valey of Baca, or Mulberrye Trées [of which somewhat is sayd before] make it a well [ i. make that account of it, as of a Well or of a most pleasaunt place wherein are welles and springes] whome also [ i. which men the raine of blessings [ i. rayne that commeth from God, and is bestowed vpon the earth as a blessing of God to make the same fruitfull] and by raine of blessings he vnderstandeth also abundaunce of raine] couereth [ i. falleth much vpon them, and yet hindereth them not from going to the exercises of god. This then is his meaning, in these thrée verses 4, 5, 6, that not only the Priests and Leuites are in better case then he, but the cōmon peo­ple that trauaile thorow many dangers and distresses, to come to the place of Gods seruice, from which he was shut by reason of his exile, and whether hee would haue come with as great payns as they, if he might safely haue done it.] Verse 7. They [ i. the people that thus repayre to the exercises of God and his 7 word] go from strength to strength [ i. the Lord indueth them with al maner of strength, so that they féele no weakenesse or féeblenesse] til euery one appeare [ i. come and place himselfe: not denying but that afterwards also, the Lorde doth [Page 260] graciously strengthen them] before God [ vz. according to the law, Exod. 23.17 meaning also by this spéech, the arke of the couenaunt, which to the children of Israel was a testimony of Gods presence] in Sion [vz. which was y e place wher­in the arke was, & the seruice of God vsed, when Dauid did write this Psalm.] 8 Ver. 8. O Lord god of hosts [this is sundry times expounded before] heare my prayer [ i. graunt my requests and petitions that I make vnto thée] hearken [ i. yéelde to my suite] O God of Iaakob [i. of the faythful ones, putting the name of the father from whom they came, for his holy posteritie] Ver. 9. Behold [ vz. in mercy, our languishing and fainting for the exercises of thy word, & so looke vpon vs that we may be restored thereto: for here Dauid prayeth both for him selfe, and others that were with him in the like case] O God our shield [ i. pro­tector and defender, who kéepeth vs many degrées better then shields and ter­gats are, sée Psal. 18.2.] looke vpon the face [ i. graciously accepte the persons and prayers of thine annointed [ i. of him that was by thy commaundement an­noynted 10 king 1. Samuel 16.12.13.] Verse 10. For a day [ i. one day only & no more: and this verse comprehendeth a reason of his prayers] in thy Courts [sée verse 2. of this Psalm, putting Courts also for the places of publike méetings and assemblies] is better [ i. is more swéete, comfortable, and profitable to me] then a thousand [ vz. dayes] otherwhere [yea though the place it selfe were neuer so delightfull and pleasaunt] I had rather be a dore kéeper [ i. I woulde preferre the basest place and calling in the Churche] in the house of my God [ i. in the place where my God, who is the only true God is serued] then to dwell in the tabernacles [ i. in the most pleasaunt and gorgeous houses] of wickednes [ i. wherein wickednesse is practised and professed: or it may be, that hee putteth wickednesse for wicked men: whatsoeuer it be, he meaneth that he had rather be of the meanest account in the Church of God & amongst good men, then to be in the highest roome out of the church, where nothing raigneth but prophane­nesse 11 and corruption.] Verse 11. For the Lord God is the sunne and shielde, [he meaneth that God is the only author of all excellent good things, and the deliuerer from all euill, for euen as the sunne by his heat and brightnesse quic­keneth, maintaineth, and maketh the creatures ioyfull, so the gracious coun­tenaunce of the Lord filleth mens harts with ioy and gladnesse: and as a shield is an instrument, to put backe darts and daungers, so it is he alone that de­fendeth vs in all distresses: sée before verse 9. of this Psalme] the Lord wil [ vz. in his owne good time, and when it pleaseth him] giue grace [ i. shew fauour and mercy to me and others that are now cast downe] and glory [ i. he will aduance me to that honour and estimation which he hath prepared for me: hee meaneth the kingdome] and no good thing will hee withhold from them [ i. he will giue them all good and necessary thinges for his glorye, and their comforte] that walke vprightly [ i. lead a holy and vpright life voyde of hipocrisie, and being 12 that indéede that they would séeme to be, sée Genesis 17.1.] Verse 12. O Lorde of hostes [ i. O God of al might and power, who haste all creatures in thy hands as armies to commaund] blessed is the man [ q.d. certainly howsoeuer it goeth [Page 261] with other men of wit, wealth, &c. hee is in good case] that trusteth [ vz. al­wayes] in thée [ vz. alone] I take it that the Prophet comforteth himselfe by this spéeche, that though it were a great gréefe vnto him, in respecte of bodily presence to be absent from the exercises of holye assemblies, yet this was his comforte, that in soule, spirite, and fayth, he did communicate with the Church and behelde the Lorde who was worshipped amongste them, Sée Psalme 2.2.12.

Ver. 1.2. Do. teach Gods children how much they ought to estéeme of the publike exercises of the Church, which are Gods effectuall instruments & meanes to nourish and beget vs to the hope of a better, thorow his especial blessing. Ver. 3 sheweth that absence from holy assemblies, should pinch vs to the hart, howso­euer little account men of the world make of them. Ver. 4 teacheth two things: the firste is, that though worldly men iudge such as serue God miserable and wretched, yet they are indéede truely blessed: the seconde sheweth the duetie of them that professe God, that they shold be continually occupied in his seruice. Ver. 5. teacheth that true blessednesse belongeth to true beléeuers only, and that to such as expresse their fayth by the fruites thereof, vz. by purpose of harte to wel doing, and practise thereof so farforth, as God shal inable them. Ver. 6. tea­cheth vs that no want or weather should hinder vs from the exercises of God. Ver. 7. teacheth that God wil furnish those that are his with all abilitie to per­forme his will. Ver. 8. teacheth vs in the time of our sorrowes to haue our re­course to God by earnest prayer. Ver. 9 teacheth vs in our prayers and suppli­cations to looke to the mercies of God: & also to present our prayers vnto him in the mediation of Christ Iesus only, who is that in truth to vs, that Dauid was in figure. Ver. 10. teacheth vs to prefer godlines, and godlie mens com­pany, before all the pleasures and profits of this life whatsoeuer. Ver. 11. tea­cheth vs Gods prouidence towards his seruaunts: whiche appeareth in this, that he will comfort and defend them in danger, that he wil exalt them to dig­nitie after distresse, and that he will mercifully minister vnto them all thinges necessary. It teacheth vs also our dutie in care and conscience without hipocri­sie to walke before him all the dayes of our lyfe. Verse 12 teacheth vs that sure trust and confidence in God only maketh vs blessed.

Psalme 85

THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts. Di. In the first the faithful reckon vp gods mercies of old, as good grounds of their praiers 1 which they should and did make for their presence deliueraunce, from verse 1. to the end of the seuenth. In the second is compre­hended 2 as it were a prophesie, or an assured perswasion that the faythful had of their deliueraunce, from Antiochus his tyranny, at which time it should séeme that this Psalme was made, and this reacheth from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The Title hath ben sundry times expounded before, and namely Psalme 4. and Psal. 45. in their titles.] Ver. 1, Lord thou hast bin [ vz. in times past, and therefore we hope thou wilt be now] fauourable [ i. haste shewed mercye euerye waye: so that they make his frée loue and mercy towards them, the cause of all their goodnesse] vnto thy Land [ i. vnto thy people inhabiting the land of Cana­an, which he calleth Gods land because GOD had chosen it, and appoynted it especially for them.] Thou [ vz. alone, and none but thou] hast broughte a­gaine [ vz. out of Egipt, or else out of Babilon, for it may be vnderstoode of ey­ther of them, but speciallye in my iudgement of Babilon, as which was the greater matter, sée Ierem. 16. verse 14.15.] the captiuity of Iaakob [ i. suche of Iaakobs posteritye as were Captiues: putting the thing, wherein they were held, for the persons: as Psalme 84, 10. Wickednesse put for wicked 2 men.] Verse 2. Thou hast forgiuen [ vz. fréelye and of thine owne accorde, without anye merite or deserte of theirs at all] the iniquitie [ i. the sinnes and transgressions, vnderstanding by one, manye whiche they had committed a­gaynste him] of thy people [ i. of those whome thou chosest to bee a peculiar people vnto thy selfe] and couered [ vz. from thy iudgement] all their sinnes, [whatsoeuer, whensoeuer, wheresoeuer, or howsoeuer committed: for con­cerning of sinnes, sée Psalme 32.1.] Verse 3. Thou hast withdrawne [ vz. from thy people] all thine anger [ vz. whiche they had pulled vppon them iustly by their sinnes, and thou in mercye haste eyther vtterly withholden it: or else laying some 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 [Page 263] 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 7 [ 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 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 [Page 264] verse 10.] shall looke downe [ i. shal manifest and declare it selfe] from hea­uen 12 [ 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 13 [ 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 [Page 265] 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 1 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 2 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 [...]ay life & whole man, either from 2 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 [Page 266] dangers, distresses, and afflictions] that trusteth in thée [ vz. alone, and in none 3 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, 4 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 5 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: 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 thée both in heauen & in earth.] Ver. 9. All nations [ vz. of the earth] whom [Page 267] 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 10 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. 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 w t 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 12 [ 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 13 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 [Page 268] 14 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] 15 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 16 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 17 Church: Sée Psalm. 116.16.] Verse 17. Shew a token of thy goodnes towards mee [ i. declare by some one signe or other, whatsoeuer pleaseth thée, that thou wilt bee good and mercifull vnto mee] that they which hate mee [ vz. with­out a cause] may sée it [ i. plainely perceiue, acknowledge and confesse the same] and bee ashamed [ vz. in themselues, and of that which they haue pur­posed against mee, séeing that I haue not without cause trusted in thee] be­cause thou O Lorde [ vz. onely and no other] hast holpen mee [ vz. out of all my daungers and distresses] and comforted mée [ vz. in the time of miserie and trouble.]

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that the more our néed, misery, & wretchednes is, the grea­ter occasion we haue, with earnestnes & spéed to repayre vnto God by prayer.] [Page 269] Ver. 2. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs, we shal vtterly perish: also that we ought to haue a stedfast trust in Gods mercy and goodnes. Verse 3. Teacheth vs importunity in prayer, and not to leaue of, though God graunt not our re­quests at the first: also that in our prayers, wee must flée to Gods mercy onely, and not to any thing in our selues. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that vnlesse God make vs ioyfull, wée can neuer bée rightly glad: also that the hart as wel as the mouth must consent in prayer, or else our prayers are nothing. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy rightly considered and felt, is an excellent spurre to pro­uoke vs to prayer. Ver. 6. Teacheth that God onely is to be prayed vnto. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs in our afflictions to runne vnto God, and to comfort our selues in this, that if he haue once heard vs, he wil heare vs againe. Ver. 8. Expresseth the vanity of al idoles & images whatsoeuer. Ver. 9. Setteth forth Gods pow­er in all, and ouer all, so that none is exempted from it. Ver. 10. Is a plaine proofe of the vnitye of the godhead. Ver. 11. Sheweth that vnlesse God do teach vs what is good, we are vtterly blinde: also that vnlesse he hold vs in obedience and feare of his maiesty, we shall easily decline, and runne aside. Ver. 12. Tea­cheth vs not onely to cary with vs a purpose to prayse the Lorde, but also vn­feignedly and continually to doe it. Ver. 13. Teacheth that then God worketh the deliueraunce of his, when there séemeth otherwise no way for them. Verse 14. Doeth not onely set out the mischieuous mindes of proude and outragious persons, but also declareth the fountaine of all their sinnes, vz. forgetfulnesse and contempt of god. Ver. 15. Is the same almost with verse 5. of this Psalm, and is a verse of great comfort, as in many respectes, so namely in this, that it setteth before vs, not onely Gods goodnes, but also the faithfull and assured perfourmaunce of all his promises. Ver. 16 Teacheth vs that Gods fauoura­ble and louing countenance, is the onely matter of mirth, strength and deliue­raunce to his seruants. Ver. 17. Sheweth that in the deliuery and safe kéeping of Gods Saintes, not onely Gods glory and power is manifested, & the good are thereby conforted, but also the enemies confounded and ashamed.

Psalme 87

THe whole Psalme it selfe, consisting only of seuen verses, Di. is no­thing else but a commendation of gods Church, which is com­mended sometimes of the firmity and stedfastnes therof. Ver. 1. Sometimes of gods loue towards it. Ver. 2. Sometimes of y e glorious report that it hath abroade euen among the enemies therof. Ver. 3.4. Sometimes for the fruitfulnes of it. Verse 5. Sometimes of the delight and comfort that the faithful haue in it. Ver. 7. And sometimes for one cause, & sometimes for an other which the diligent reader may obserue.

The title, a Psalme and song [sée Psalm. 48. Se. in the title] committed to the sonnes of Korah [this is sundry tymes expounded before.] Ver. 1. God layde [Page 270] his foundations [ i. GOD established and set his Church, Sée 1. Tim. 3.15. where the Church is called the pillar and ground of trueth] among the holy mountaines [hee calleth the mountaines holy, not that they were so of them selues, but because God that was holy, had chosen them to a holy ende: and it is not to be doubted, but that he speaketh here of y e lande of Canaan, which was a hilly Countrey, sée Exod. 15. ver. 13.17. and amongst other parts of that land, the hil of Sion, where the ark was placed in the days of Dauid, and the hil Mo­riah, where the temple was builded by Salomon, and so by consequent also, of 2 the whole City of Ierusalem, sée Psal. 125.1.2.] Verse 2. The Lord loueth [ vz. with a singular and wonderfull loue] the gates of Sion [i. the meanest places of his temple or tabernacle: some thinke that he putteth Sion for Ierusalem, and these wordes gates, for the inclosure thereof, whatsoeuer it bée, this we are to note, that this loue of God procéeded from his frée election, and not from any worthines of the place] aboue al the habitants of Iaakob [ i. aboue al the places wherin Iaakob and his posterity dwelt: the reason, because in Ierusalem where his tabernacle and temple was, he gaue most manifest declaration of his pow­er, 3 presence, and goodnes: Sée Deut. 12. ver. 5. &c.] Ver. 3. Glorious thinges [ i. thinges tending to thy great glory and prayse] are spoken of thée [ vz. both by them that appertaine vnto thee, and by others as may appeare by the ver­ses following] O city of God [ i. O Ierusalem: which is called Gods Citie of God, because the Lorde chose it, as a peculiar place for him to dwell in: Sée 4 Psalm. 48. almost throughout, and Matth. 5.35.] Verse 4. I will make menti­on [this the Prophet speaketh in the name of the Church as it were, noting the inlargement and increase thereof: q.d. by occasion of them that shalbe ioyned vnto me, I will speake of them, to those that are already knit to me] of Rahab [i. of Egipt, putting some part of the land, for the whole, and the people there­in conteined: Sée Psalm. 89.10. also Isaiah. 51.9.] and Babel [ i. the people in­habiting Babel the City of Assyria, of which sée Gene. 10.10.] among thē that knowe mee [ i amongest them that allowe of mée, and are become my familiar friendes and Citizens as it were] behold [ q.d. looke vpon a wonderfull thing] Palestina [ i. the people inhabiting that Countrey called Philistines, sée Psal. 83.7.] Tyrus [ i. the people dwelling in that citie] Ethiopia [ i. the people pos­sessing that land, vz. shall bee ioyned vnto mee: for hee meaneth that the people which were enemies and strangers to Gods people, shalbe ioyned vnto them, and become Citizens of the same City] there [ vz. in the bosome of the church as it were] is he [ i. euery one of the faithful people conuerted, vnderstanding by one, al of the like sort] borne [ vz. by a newe kind of birth, and that according to 5 the eternal purpose and counsel of God.] Ver. 5. And of Sion [ i. of the Church of God] it shalbe said [ vz. to her great prayse and commendation] many are borne in her [ vz. by spirituall regeneration and newe birth] and he [ vz. this al­so shalbe 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 6 preuaile against her: Sée Matth. 16.18.] Ver. 6. The Lord shal count [ i. accept [Page 271] 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 7 commendation of the Church shalbe 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 2 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 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, 5 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 [Page 273] 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 many wordes here to signifie one thing] whome thou remembrest no more [he meaneth not that God, hath no regard at al of them that are dead, but that he séemeth so as it were vnto men: & this hee speaketh as a man grieuously af­flicted, & as one caryed away with the vehemency of his grief] and they are cut off [ i. they séeme to be cut off and remoued] from thy hand [ i. from thy care and custody. Restore this whole ver. out of Immanuel thus: I am counted among the dead I am shut out, as the slaine, lying in the graue, whom thou remēbrest no more: who are cut off by thy hand, i. by thy power & iudgment: & so the sense 6 shalbe more plain.] Ver. 6. Thou hast layed me in the lowest pit [ i. in most great dangers and extreme perils, sée Psal. 86.13.] in darknes and in the déepe [by all these woordes hee signifieth but one thing, vz. greatnes of griefe, and extreme anguish, sée Psalm. 130.1. for déepe, and that darkenes is so vsed many places of scripture shew: and here the proportion woulde bee considered: for darke pla­ces are ful of horror & feare, & horror and feare do by consequent ingender sor­row and grief: déep waters or places are very dangerous for men in thē, that 7 they be not ouerwhelmed or drowned therin.] Ver. 7. Thine indignatiō [ i. sure testimonies & signes of thy heauy wrath] lieth vz. sore vpon me] thou hast vex­ed me [ i. grieued me, & that inwardly & outwardly] with al thy waues [ i. with al thy wrath & iudgments which thou hast laid vpon me, & ouerwhelmed me with, as the waues of a great flood or sea, ouerwhelme somewhat.] Ver. 8. Thou hast 8 put away my acquaintance farre from me [ i. thou hast made mee destitute of al mans aide, & succor, for euē they that should haue pitied my case, haue through thy appointment, their harts hardened against me, sée Psalm. 38.11.] and made me to be abhorred of them [ i. lothed, & as it were hated of them, Iob complai­neth also of this, Chap. 19. almost throughout] I am shut vp [ vz. in dangers & troubles euen as a birde in a cage, so that I can not get out] and can not get forth [ i. I sée no way, as it were, how to be deliuered from thē, or how to escape.] 9 Ver. 9. Mine eye is sorowful through my afflictiō [ i. my afflictions are so grie­uous, that the very signes therof appeare in mine eies & countenance: yea his very sight decayed thereby. Psal. 38.10.] Lord I cal dayly vpon thée [ q.d. yet I do not for al this, discourage my selfe, but call vpon thee] dayly [ i. not only one day after an other, but all the day long as it were, noting his importunity.] I stretch out mine handes vnto thée [ vz. as one that woulde bee glad to receiue some fauour & succor from thée, he putteth in these wordes, the signe of prayer, 10 or a gesture vsed in prayer, for prayer it selfe.] Verse. 10. Wilt thou shewe a miracle to the dead [ i. to mée who am as it were dead? q.d. it shall bee very straunge if thou restore mee, and all this hée speaketh setting out one while the greatnes of his misery: an other while the weakenes of his fayth: and an other while prouoking GOD thereby to hasten his ayde, otherwise that he should not come in time] or shal the dead [ i. & others that séeme to be dead by reason of our afflictions] rise [ vz. out of the great dangers & distresses, wherin [Page 274] they are] and praise thee [ vz. for thy deliuerance and mercy: q.d. there is little or no hope that we shal so do, for I do not vnderstande this of the resurrection 11 of the dead, no more then I do that, Ezech. 37. which I think wel waied, would serue also for the clearing of the sense of this place.] Verse 11. Shall thy lo­uing kindnes [ vz. which thou art wont to shewe to them] bee declared in the graue [ i. either in great distresse or extremity, or else putting it for the persons, vz. for them that bée at the last push, meaning it of himselfe or others: q.d. when I looke vppon the hugenes of my afflictions and griefes, there is litle or no hope thereof] or thy faithfulnes [ vz. which thou vsest in kéeping & perfor­ming thy promises, so that wee may sée, the faith of Gods children, is many times wonderfully shaken] in destruction [ i. in them that are appointed to de­struction, 12 & are as it were at deaths dore.] Ver. 12. Shal thy wonderous works be known [ i. made manifest] in the darke [ vz. places, putting it for afflictions, as before ver. 6. of this Psal.] and thy righteousnes [ vz. which thou shewest to­wards thine, when thou giuest them that which thou hast promised them] in the land of obliuiō [or forgetfulnes, i. in the graue, which he calleth the land of for­getfulnes, because that they which are dead are soone forgotten: and all this hee speaketh by the way of a continual metaphor, as it were to expresse the great­nes 13 of his misery & afflictions, & not otherwise as I take it.] Ver. 13 But vnto thée [ q.d. notwithstanding all my afflictions, & the great combats that I haue indured betwéene faith and dispaire] vnto thée [ vz. alone, & none other besides thée] haue I cryed O Lorde [ i. powred forth mine earnest & hearty supplicati­ons] and earely [ q.d. yea and though thou shalt not heare me at the first, yet I wil not leaue of prayer] and earely [ vz. in the morning, sée Psal. 5.3.] shall my prayer come before thée [ i. I wil pray vnto thée: not meaning as though either God or he were tyed to that time, but because hée woulde vse that time wherein 14 he found himselfe best affected to prayer.] Ver. 14. Lorde, why doest thou reiect my soule [ i. why doest thou séeme to despise and neglect me: vnderstanding by soule, which is a part of man, the whole man] and hydest thy face from me [ q.d. what is the cause, that thou turnest thy countenaunce from mee, as though thou wert angry with mee, and diddest despise both mee and my prayers: all this is spoken of God according to mans capacity, and after the iudgement of 15 flesh.] Verse. 15. I am afflicted [ vz. greatly, and on euery side: the Prophet fet­cheth an argument from his misery, to moue the Lorde with spéede to pity and helpe him] and at the poynt of death [ i. ready euen to dye, and as it were at the last gaspe, vnlesse thou ayd and strengthen me] from my youth [ i. continually, the Prophet noteth his daily griefe & continual exercises] I suffer thy terrors [ i. such punishments and troubles as thou laiest vpon me, which do wonderful­ly pierce me with terror & feare] doubting of my life [ i. doubting what shal be­come of my life, vz. whether I shal dye presently, I know not, or whether these vexations shal cōtinue longer vpon me, I know not, euen al y e days of my life.] 16 Ver. 16. Thine indignation [ i. thy manifold wrath and very many signes and to­kens of the same, for hée speaketh in the plural number] go ouer me [ i. oppresse [Page 275] mee and ouerwhelme me, as waters do the drowned body] and thy feare [ i. the feares that haue béene wrought in mee, by the troubles and afflictions, which thou hast layd vpon mee] haue cut me of [ vz. from liuing in this worlde, or from being amongst men, he meaneth that they had euen vtterly as it were de­stroyed him.] Ver. 17. They [ i. the assured testimonies and tokens of thy wrath] 17 came roūd about me [ i. cōpassed me in on euery side, so that there was no way to escape or get out, yea, they take hold of me, both inwardly & outwardly] dayly [ i. continually, and without ceasing as it were] like water [ i. in great abun­dance, and with great force, as surges or waues that would swallowe mee vp, sée ver. 7. of this Psalm] and compassed mee together [ i. euen at one time, as it were, and with al their violence, they set vpon me.] Ver. 18. This is the same 18 both in sense and almost in worlds with ver. 8. of this Psalme, hee meaneth that none of those which were linked to him either by nature or kinred, would come out for to helpe him.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest and continual in prayer vnto our God. Do. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord to make vs féele vs the effects and force of our praiers. Ver. 3. Teacheth two things: first that very great heapes of afflictions are the ordinary portion of Gods children in this life: secondly that the more miseries we haue, the more spéed we should make to God by prayer for the re­dresse of them. Ver. 4. Sheweth in what regarde, the wicked of the world haue Gods children, in the time of their affliction. Ver. 5.6.7. Teach that Gods hand lyeth very sore many times vpon his dearest children, and yet for all that, hee loueth them neuer a whit the worse.] Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that euen the losse of our friends falleth out according to Gods appointment, which rightly conside­red, should minister no smal comfort to Gods children. Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that as our miseries increase or continue, so our prayers to God should increase or continue. Ver. 10.11.12. Shew how sharply the faith of gods children is in their afflictions assaulted, so that many times there séemeth to be little difference be­twéene hope and dispaire. Ver. 13. Teacheth that howsoeuer the godlines fayth be expressed for a time, yet it is not vtterly ouercome, but bursteth foorth into victory at the length, and to earnest praier. Ver. 14. Sheweth that nothing grée­ueth Gods children so much, as to féele a separation betwéene God and them selues. Ver. 15. Teacheth that the afflictions of Gods children are continuall euen from youth to old age, and from the day of our life vnto the houre of our death. Ver. 16.17. Declare that Gods children are not slenderly tryed with some meane crosse, but that stil the latter end of one trouble with them is the be­ginning of an other, and as one flood or waue commeth thicke and thréefold in an others necke, so do afflictions assault them. Ver. 18. Deliuereth the same doc­trine that ver. 8. doeth: also it teacheth vs that we should not be much dismaid, when wee sée our friendes and acquaintaunce forsake vs in our miseries, for as much as Dauid and many other of Gods Saints haue felt the same.

Psalme 89

Di. 1 THis being a very long Psalme, and handling sundry matters, may yet notwithstanding, be diuided into three partes. In the first part Ethan the Ezraite setteth out and prayseth Gods goodnes, which he manifesteth by many thinges, but especial­ly by the description of his workes and power, and of his mer­cy 2 and loue towardes his owne people, and this reacheth from ver. 1. to the ende of the 7. In the seconde part hee maketh expresse mention of Gods couenaunt made in Dauid, and his séed (a singular testimony no doubt of his vnspeakeable mercy) shewing that hee will establish it for euer, and yet 3 notwithstanding conuert them if they goe astray, from verse 18. to the ende of the 37. In the thirde parte, hee séemeth to bewayle the want of performance of that mercy promised, praying the Lorde, to looke, and that in time, vppon the great desolations of the Lande, concluding in hope of deliuerye with a thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde, and this reacheth from verse 38. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. For the title of this Psalme sée the title of Psalme 88.] Ver. 1. I will sing [ i. I will by song set foorth] the mercies of the Lorde [ i. his manifold and sun­dry mercies: q.d. wee haue tasted of more then of one of his mercies, yea wée haue felt all his mercyes, and therefore I will prayse the same] for euer [ i. all the dayes of my life, Sée Psalme 146.1.] with my mouth will I declare [ i. I will openly speake of in my wordes and with my voyce: for hee putteth the worde, mouth, which is an instrument to frame the voyce by, for the voyce and woordes themselues] thy trueth [ i. the faithfulnesse and constancy that thou hast in all thinges, and namely in keeping thy promises] from generation to generation [ i. to al posterities: meaning that by leauing it in writing behind him, hee woulde bée an instrument as it were to conuay it from hand to hand 2 to all posterity.] Verse 2. For I sayde [ i. I beleeued it in my heart, and spake it with my tongue, as Psalme 116.10. by which he sheweth the assurance of faith that he had in his heart, out of the abundaunce whereof the mouth did speake. Matth. 12.34.] mercy [ vz. of God] shalbee set vppe [ i. shalbee exalted, builded and continue, as a very faire, strong, and artificiall house] thy trueth [ i. the stedfastnesse and stay of thy promises] shalt thou [ vz. O God] establish [ i. rati­fie and confirme] in the very heauens [ i. euen the place appointed for the elect, sée for this sense, Luke 10.20. Others expound the whole verse thus: the pro­mise of God shalbe as certaine, as the state of heauen: vnderstanding thereby not the visible firmament, but the place of eternal ioy, which is exempt from all 3 chaunge.] Ver. 3. I haue made a couenant [a sodaine change of the person from his owne to Gods, for this and the next verse are spoken in the person of God] w t my chosen [ i. with Dauid, whom I haue chosen, & preferred before al others euen his owne brethren, to be king ouer the people of Israel] I haue sworne [not [Page 277] as though there were any distrust to bee had in Gods worde, but for the more strengthening of the couenant in Dauids heart, sée ver. 49. of this Psalme, al­so Psalm. 132.11.] and this is to be vnderstood, that God by an oth had promi­sed the performance of those things that follow, vz. that his séede should conti­nue] to Dauid my seruant [ i. to him whom I haue appointed and chosen to bee my seruant, and to serue me & my people, in the gouernment of the kingdom. Ver. 4. Thy séed [ i. those that shall come of thée, as thy posterity and successors] 4 wil I stablish [ vz. in the kingdome] for euer [ i. for a long time, if you referre it to the outward gouernement: but if you referre it to Christ, it signifieth perpe­tuity and euerlastingnes of time] and set vppe [ vz. to continue and abyde] thy throne [ i. thy kingdome, putting a part of the kingdom for the whole] from ge­neration to generation [sée ver. 1. of this Psalme, there are two partes of this promise: the one is heires and successours: the other, is the kingdome: Sée Genesis 15.3.4.5. where the like order is obserued in promising two things.] Ver. 5. O Lorde euen the heauens [ i. either the firmament it selfe & the thinges 5 therein contained, as the Sunne, Moone, starres &c. or else the Angels, or ra­ther in déede both together, Sée Psalm. 148.1.2.3. &c.] shall praise thy wonde­rous woorkes [ i. they shall magnifie that great power of thine, by which thou doest, as it were miraculously vpholde thy Church] yea [ vz. they shall prayse and set out] thy trueth [ i. thy faythfulnes, in kéeping and perfourming promi­ses made] in the congregation of the Saintes [ i. in the society, fellowship, and assembly of the children of God in the Church, meaning that the Angels and heauenly spirites, should bee Gods instruments, to publish the same vnto men, and to shewe them also matter of praysing God.] Ver. 6. For who is equal [ vz. 6 in name, maiesty, power &c.] to the Lorde [ vz. the onely God] in the heauens [ i. amongest all that glorious company of Angels and blessed spirites, which are in the heauens, putting the thing conteining, for the thinges conteined, q.d. not one of them, no not all of them together, are in any respect equall to him] and who is like to the Lorde [ vz. in power, maiesty, might &c] among the sonnes of the Gods [some vnderstande this Angels: who in déed may be so na­med, because they haue not their beginning from the earth, neither clothed with a corruptible body, but are heauenly spirits, beautified with diuine glo­rye: for mine owne part I woulde rather turne it thus: amongest the sonnes of the mighty, i. amongest the most mightiest of the earth, of what state or condition soeuer they bee: and so haue you the worde vsed before Psalm 29.1. also Ezech. 17, 13. and chapter. 32.21. and then it may bee the same in sense with that which is Psalme 73.25.] Verse 7. GOD is very terrible [ i. hée 7 sheweth manifest tokens of his maiestye and might, which strike terrour into all] in the assemblye of the Sayntes [it skilleth not much whether wee take it for the company of Angels, or for that which verse 5. of this Psalme is called the congregation of the Sayntes: but I woulde take it ra­ther in the latter sense, because of that which followeth in this verse: the Pro­phet meaning in my mynde, that GOD is terrible both to men and angels] [Page 278] and to be reuerenced aboue all [ i. more to be feared then all Angels or whatso­euer else] that are about him [ i. Angels, or heauenly creatures whatsoeuer who are sayd after the manner of men, to bée about as those that are alwaies ready to execute his commaundement: Neither doeth the holy ghost meane, in say­ing, that God is to be reuerenced aboue all, that therefore the Angels and dead Saints may haue a seruice and reuerence dedicated vnto them, for if they will referre it to them, why then should not the Sunne and Moone (which the gen­tiles also worshipped, as well as the Papists do Angels, and dead Saintes) 8 be worshipped, séeing that they are about God, and attend vppon him to exe­cute his will.] Verse 8. O Lorde God of hostes [ i. thou God who hast all thy creatures, euen as it were so many armies, to execute thy will and commaun­dement] who is like vnto thée [ q.d. surely none] for the Hebrews vse by such in­terrogations, strongly to deny] which art a mighty Lorde [ vz. a most mighty Lorde, and an eternall being, for hee vseth the name of God Iah in this place] and thy trueth [ i. thy faithfulnes and constancy in all thinges, and namely in perfourmaunce of thy promises] is about thée [ i. compasseth thee in on euery 9 side: q.d. thou art full of all faithfulnes and trueth.] Verse 9. Thou rulest [ i. thou stillest & makest calme as appeareth by that which followeth in this ver.] the raging of the Sea [ i. the mighty waues thereof, which rage, and roare, and make a feareful noyse] when the waues thereof arise [ vz. by some great wind 10 or tempest] thou stillest them [ i. thou makest them calme and still.] Verse 10. Thou hast beaten downe [ vz. to the ground, and that by thy might and power.] Rahab [ i. Egipt, as before Psalm. 87.4. and here he toucheth the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt, of which sée Exod. 14.15. &c.] as a man slayne [ vz. with the sword, hee meaneth that God by the waues of the Sea, destroyed the E­giptians, as one man doeth an other by the edge of the swoorde] thou hast scat­tered thine enemies [ i. thou hast discomfited them, as men put to flight in a battaile, runne some hither, and some thither, and so being out of aray, lye open to be wounded and slayne of their enemies] with thy mighty arme [ i. with thy great force, power, and strength: so wée haue had armie vsed sundry tymes be­fore.] 11 Verse 11. The heauens [ i. the thinges themselues, and all other things whatsoeuer therein conteined] are thine [ i. at thy commaundement, to be vsed, when, where and howsoeuer it shall please thée] the earth also [ vz. with al things therein conteined] is thine [ i. is at thy commaundement as before, he meaneth that all thinges both in heauen and earth, are at his commaundement, which séemeth wonderfully to expresse the great maiesty and power of God] thou hast layde [ vz. by thy almighty power] the foundations of the worlde [ vz. in such sort, that it shall not bee mooued] and all that therein is [ vz. thou hast created 12 and established.] Verse 12, Thou hast created the North and the South [ i. the whole worlde, putting these two partes of it for the whole] Tabor [it is the name of a mountain towards the West, of this mention is made Iosh. 19.22.] and Hermon [this is the name of a mountaine towardes the East, of which mention is made Deut. 3.8.9. and they are two high mountaines in Iudea, by [Page 279] which no doubt he meaneth the whole land of Canaan] shal reioyce in thy name [ i. shall prayse thy great power and maiestie.] Vere 13. Thou hast a mightye arme [ i. thou art of great power, might and force] strong is thy hande [ vz. 13 thy left hande] vnderstanding thereby the smallest manifestation of Gods power, meaning that euen there is such strength, as none is able to re­sist] and high [ vz. in greatnesse and might] is thy right hand [ i. thy mighty po­wer and the full manifestation thereof.] Verse 14. Righteousnesse and equitie 14 [ q.d. although thou art mightie in all manner of power yet thou gouernest not by power or strength only, but in all vprightnesse, iustly rendring vnto thine e­nemies that they haue deserued, and faythfully perfourming to thy seruaunts that whiche thou haste graciously promised] are the stablishment of thy throne [ i. are such as vphold and magnifye thy kingdome: vsing throne as verse 4. of this Psalme. I suppose he speaketh of God according to mens manners, who haue certayne supporters as it were of their armes, or of their kinglye Charrets, sée 1. Kings 10, 18, 19, 20,] mercy and truth [ i. grace and faythfull performaunce of thy promises, which procéedeth from grace,] goe before thy face [ i. are continually with thée and in thy presence.] Ver. 15. Blessed is the 15 people [ q.d. O indéede, howsoeuer they are condemned of the worlde, yet they are in best case] that can reioyce in thée [ i. that finde such tast in thy blessinges and benefites bestowed vpon them, that they are thereby prouoked to prayse and thanke thée] they shal walke [ vz. the dayes of their pilgrimage here, and that with peace and quietnesse of conscience] in the light of thy countenaunce [ i. in thy fauour and goodnesse, hanging continuallye vppon thy prouidence.] Verse 16. They [ i. such people] shall reioyce [ i. both in word and déede shewe 16 themselues thankefull] continually [this worde importeth firme and stedfast perseueraunce in thanksgiuing] in thy name [ i. for thy great maiestye, good­nesse, might and power, as Psalme 20.10.] and in thy righteousnesse [ vz. prac­tised and performed, partly towards them, and partly toward their enemies] shall they exalt themselues [ i. lift vp themselues, and that with praise vnto thée, not as any thing reioycing in themselues, but as giuing al the honor vnto thée to whome alone it belongeth.] Verse 17. For thou art the glory [ i. thou art hee 17 alone that adornest with glory, and beautifyest] their strength [ q d. if thou with draw thy hand, in stéede of glory they shal haue weakenesse and confusion] and by thy fauour [ i. of thy frée goodnesse and not by our desertes] our horns [ i. our estate, kingdome, authoritie, gouernmente, force, power, might, &c. as 1. Sam. 2.1. sée verse 24. of this Psalme] shall be exalted [ vz. aboue our enemies, and we shall preuayle agaynst them.] Verse 18. For our shielde [ i. our defence and 18 safegard from euill, as it were by a shield to kéepe back our enemies dartes: some referre it, and that not improperly, to the King who was appointed to defend and gouerne them, But I rather allow of the former exposition] apper­tayneth to the Lord [ vz. only: q.d. the helpe and defence that we haue, is from him alone] and our King [ vz. Dauid, whom the Lord hath appointed to be our King, and by whose hand and power as by a meane, wee must be defended] to [Page 280] the holy one of Israell [ vz. belongeth: q.d. he and all the kingly authoritie hee 19 hath is from the Lorde, or else it would not auayle him or profite vs.] Ver. 19. Then [ vz. O God: for here he speaketh eyther of God, or to God] speakest thou [ vz. when Dauid was appoynted King] in a vision [this was then one of the ordinary meanes, whereby God in old time appeared and manifested his will to the fathers: see numb. 12.6.] vnto thine holy one [ i. Samuel the Prophet, sée 1. Samuel 16. and Samuel is here called Gods holy one, not onely because hée was sanctifyed by the spirite, as others his children are: but also because hée was appointed to an holy office, vz. of Priest and Prophet, sée 1. Samuel 3.20] and saydest [ vz. then & at that time] I haue layde helpe vpon one that is migh­ty [ i. I haue appointed Dauid (to whom also I haue giuen force and strength) to be an helpe and ayde to deliuer my people from their opressors, and haue giuen him graces méete for the gouernmente and kingdome] I haue exalted [ vz. to the height of the kingdome and gouernment] one chosen out of the peo­ple [ i. one of meane state and condition, as Psalme 78, 70, 71, and yet notwith­standing thorow my goodnesse apted and aduanced, to that high calling.] Ver. 20 20. I haue found [ vz. out from amongst the rest, or else thus] I haue founde [ i. I haue prouided for me and my people, as 1. Samuel 16.1.] Dauid my Ser­uaunt [ i. Dauid whom I haue chosen to serue me and my people in the gouern­ment of the kingdome] with my holy oyle [ i. with the oyle which I haue ap­poynted to such holy vses, in which respect also it is called holye oyle] haue I annoynted him [ i. appoynted him to be King ouer my people, sée Psalm 45.7.] 21 Verse 21. Therefore [ i. because I haue thus chosen him] my hand shall be estab­lished with him [ i. he shall haue my power and might, as a sure foundation to stay himselfe vpon] and mine arme [ i. my force and strength] shall strengthen him [ vz. agaynst all his enemies, so that I will kéepe and preserue him from all dangers: and marke that vnder hand and arme, which are seueral termes, 22 he meaneth nothing but prouidence, p [...]otection, might, &c.] Verse 22. The e­nemie [ i. whatsoeuer enemye he hath] shall not oppresse [ vz. for any long time, and that eyther by fraude or by force] him [ vz. whom I haue appointed] ney­ther shall the wicked [ i. he that is giuen ouer to wickednesse, howe desperate and bold soeuer he be in his vngodly attempts] hurt him [ vz. any manner of 23 way, or any long time, as before in the word oppresse.] Verse 23. But I will destroy [ vz. by my might and power, and that in iustice and iudgemente] his foes [ i. all his foes, whether they be open or secret] before his face [ i. openlye, he seing and beholding the same, and being mine instrumente to performe that great worke] and plague them [ vz. with death and destruction] that hate him [ vz. any maner of way, eyther inwardly, or testifie their hatred outwardely.] 24 Ver. 24. My truth also [ i. my faithfulnesse in performance of promises] and my mercy [ i. great goodnesse, he noteth the cause of his promises, and the perfor­mance thereof] shalbe [ vz. present and in effect] with him [ vz. continuallye] q.d. I will alwayes shewe my selfe faythfull and mercifull towardes him] and in my name [ i. thorow my goodnesse, strength and power, as Psalme, 20.1.] [Page 281] shall his horne [ i. his maiestie, glory, power and might, as before ver. 17. of this Psalme] shall be exalted [ i. lifted vp and aduanced to great heighte and reue­rence.] Verse 25. I will set his hand also in the sea [some expound it thus: I wil 25 make subiect vnto his power the very sea and riuers, muche more the lande, which is weaker then they: I would rather expounde it thus] I [ vz. the al­mighty Lord] will set [ i. stretche out] his hand [ i. his might, power, gouerne­ment and kingdome] in the sea [ i. euen vnto the red sea, and the sea mediterra­neum: and this was promised Exodus 23, 31. and was accomplished 2. Samuel chapter 8. and 10] and his right hand in the flouds [ vz. of Euphrates, Nylus, Iordan, and others.] Ver. 26. He [ vz. Dauid my seruant] shal crie vnto me [ i. 26 earnestly call vpon me and say] thou art my Father [ i. one that hath a most lo­uing, tender, and prouident care ouer me] my God [ i. my strength and po­wer] and the Rock [ i. the assured staye that I haue, sée Psalme 18.2,] of my sal­uation [ i. that I shall be deliuered from all the daungers and distresses where­in I am, sée Psal. 3.8. al that is here spoken of Dauid, ought in truth also to be referred to Christ.] Verse 27. I will make him [ i. I will haue him in that regard 27 and account] my first borne [ vz. that firste borne children are wont to bee had in, whome the scripture sheweth to haue had great priuiledges and honor, and estimation: q.d. I wil greatly aduance and honour him] higher [ i. I wil aduāce him higher] then al the Kings of the earth [ i. he shal be the most excellēt among them al, by the fauor that I wil shew him, and the graces that I will giue him. And marke, that this cannot appertain to Dauid, but only so farre forth as he was a figure of Christ: and this we must further marke, that when Dauid, So­lomon, and others are set out as figures of Christ, sometimes that whiche is spoken agréeth to the figure only, sometimes to Christ onlye, who is figured by them, and sometimes to both, vz. the fygure and the thing fygured, so that it behoueth the Reader to haue a diligent regard thereto, of this somewhat hath ben sayd before, Psalme 2, and also Psalme 45.] Ver. 28. My mercy will I kéep 28 for him for euer [ i. I will neuer vtterly destitute him of my louing kindnesse & mercy, howsoeuer I séeme for a time to withdraw it] and my couenaunt [ i. the couenant y t I haue made with him] shal stand fast [ vz. for euer: q.d. I wil faith­fullye performe whatsoeuer I haue promised] with him [ i. betwéene him and me.] Verse 29. His séede also [ i. his posterity] wil I make to indure [ vz. in the 29 gouernment of the kingdome] for euer [ i. for a very long time: if you referre it to Dauid. But if to Christ and those children that thorow him are brought and begotten to God by the sanctification of the spirite, of whiche sée Heb. 2.10. then it signifyeth euerlastingnesse of time] and his throne [ i. his kingdome and state, sée verse 4. of this Psalme, here must bee repeated, I will make] as the dayes of Heauen [ i. perpetuall and continuall: Heauen is here put for that state of eternall glorye preserued for the faythfull, whiche shal neuer de­cay.] Verse 30. If his children [ i. if his séede and posteritie] forsake my 30 lawe [ i. departe awaye from it, and that rule of righteousnesse which it pre­scribeth them to walke in, in their conuersation] and walke not [ i. frame [Page 282] not their life, as Psal. 1.1. Ephes. 4.17.] in my iudgements [ i. according to those rules of iustice and iudgement, which I haue prescribed: he meaneth nothing 31 by all this, but if they shall sinne against him and his word.] Verse 31. Is the same altogether in sence, though it differ somewhat in wordes with verse 30.] If they breake [ vz. eyther thorow ignoraunce or knowledge] my statutes [ i. the thinges that I haue ordeyned them to walke in] & kéepe not [ vz. in thought word and déede] my commaundementes [ i. the thinges that I haue commaun­ded 32 them.] Verse 32. Then [ i. when they shal haue dealt thus wickedly with me] will I visite [ i. correct and punish, sée Psalme 59.5. Isaiah 26.21.] their trans­gressyons [ vz. which they haue committed agaynst me] with the rod, and their iniquity with strokes [ i. I wil punish them for their sinnes committed against me, meant by transgressions, as before, and against men vnderstood by y e worde iniquity] with the rod and with strokes [ i. with sundry kinds of punishmentes and all to bring them home to my selfe by repentance and amendment.] Ver. 33 33. Yet [ q.d. for all my threats and punishments] my louing kindnesse, [ i. my riche and vnspeakeable mercy] will I not take from him [ vz. continuallye, or for euer: q.d. I will not vtterly or altogether reiect him] neyther will I falsifie my truth [ vz. promised and sworne vnto him: q.d. I will not faile or breake in 34 the accomplishment of the promises which I haue made him.] Verse 34, My couenaunt [ i. the couenaunt which I of mercy haue made with him] will I not breake [but stand stedfastly to the performaunce of it, and euery part thereof] nor alter the thing [ i. chaunge the sentence or matter] that is gone oute of my lippes [ i. which I haue vttered and spoken [ q.d. I will not be inconstant, for I 35 will neyther chaunge my purpose, nor vnsay that which I haue sayde.] Ver. 35 I haue sworne [this is spoken in the person of God: and the Lordes oth is ad­ded not for any insufficiency that is in him, but to ratifye the matter more suf­ficiently in the mind of Dauid and his posteritie. Gods oth is to promise by an othe, sée Heb. 6. from verse 13. to the end of the 18.] once [and therefore will not goe backe from it: This word importeth that Gods oth was irreuocable] by mine holinesse [ i. by my selfe, because he had no greater to sweare by, as Heb. 6 13. and not as some expound it, by the sanctuary, wherein Gods Maiestie did visibly appeare] that I wil not fayle Dauid [i. disappoint him, vz. in any thing that I haue promised him.] Ver. 36. His séede shall indure for euer [ i. his poste­ritie 36 shall haue a long and continuall roote, sée verse 29. of this Psalme] and his throne [ i. his kingdome, putting the signe of a kingdome for a kingdome, sée ver. 4.29. of this Psalme] shal be as the Sunne [ i. shall continue as long as the Sunne: and he alleageth the Sunne, and verse 37. the Moone, as a witnesse of the continuaunce of Dauids kingdome, not because these creatures are eter­nall, but because they haue more stedfastnesse then the earth, the ayre, &c. whiche 37 are subiect to many things] before me [ i. in my presence and sight.] Ver. 37 He [ vz. in his own person, and the person of his séede] shal be established [ vz. in the seate of the kingdome] for euermore [how this is to be vnderstoode of Da­uid and Christ, sée before verse 29. of this Psalme] as the Moone [sée verse 36. [Page 283] of this Psalme] as the Moone [sée verse 36. of this Psalme] and as a faithfull witnesse [ i. as the faythful witnesses, meaning the starres, Planets, &c. putting also the singular for the plural number] in the Heauen [ i. in the Firmament, for the Lord hath there placed the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, &c. as witnesses faythfully to distinguish betwéene time and time, sée Genesis 1. verse 14. &c. hée meaneth nothing else but that Dauids kingdome and posteritye shall haue a long continuaunce, as the Sunne, Moone, and Starres &c. haue.] Verse 38. 38 But thou hast reiected [ i. cast away, and that from thy fauour as it should séeme q.d. thou that hast promised to be so gracious to Dauid and his séede, séemest now to haue no care of eyther of them. And this he speaketh not as accusing God, eyther of inconstancye or lying, but eyther vsing the wordes and expres­sing the mind of the enimies of God 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 39 [ 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 y e 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 y e 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 40 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 41 way [ q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened, that euen way faring men, can [Page 284] 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, 42 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 43 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 44 [ 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 45 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, 46 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 47 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 [Page 285] 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 48 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 ou [...]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 49 mercies [ vz. whiche thou hast shewed in former time vnto our Fathers] which [ vz. also] thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy truth [ i. which faythfully and true­ly thou promisedst, and that by an oth adioyned to thy promise, to performe to him and his séede, see verse 35 of this Psalme. In the other two verses, vz. verse 47.48. he tooke argumentes from the vanitie of men and their life, to moue the Lorde to pittie them. In this verse he taketh an argument, from the faythfulnesse which GOD vseth towards his seruaunts, to induce him ther­to: and in the two nexte verses, vz. 50, 51. he taketh an argument from the per­son of their enemies.] Verse 50. Remember O Lord [ i. earnestly thinke vpon, 50 that thou mayst also redresse it] the rebuke of thy seruaunts [ i. the tauntes and rebukes wherewith thy seruaunts are laded by their enimies, sée Psalm 123.4] which I beare in my bosome [ i. which I suffer most quietly & patiently louing them, as it were, and making so much of them, as though I fostred them in my bosome, because I know they come from thée] of al the mightie people [ i. which al the mighty people cast vpon me, so the Prophet sheweth who were his ene­mies, vz. not only the meaner sort, but the most mighty of all.] Ver. 51. Thyne enemies [ vz. and ours for thy sake] haue reproched thée O Lord [ vz. because thou hast not holpen vs, saying where is now their god, Psal. 79.10.] because they haue reproched [ i. blasphemed and spoken euil of with taunts & rebukes] the footesteps of thine annointed [ i. the good conuersation and behauiour of him whom thou hast appointed to be King, if you referre it to Dauid. If to Christe then it hath this sence: that they speake euill of the doctrine and profession of Christ, vpbraiding them also that wayted for his comming. Vnderstanding by footesteps the féete themselues, because with our féete we make our steps, and by féete, comming, as Isaiah 52.7.] Ver. 52. Praysed be the Lord for euermore 52 [this is a conclusion, with thanksgiuing, which in all places, and in prosperitye and aduersitie the faythfull vse to giue to the Lord, as Iob 1, 21.] So be it, e­uen so bee it, [this is a consent yeelded to the same thankes giuing, and the doubling maketh both for the earnestnesse and certaintie of it, Sée Psalme 72.19.

Ver. 1 teacheth that it behoueth Gods saints continually to praise god for his Do. [Page 286] mercy, also that their thanksgiuing must not be inward in the hart onlye, but outward also in the mouth. Verse 2. teacheth that the true taste and féeling of Gods mercy and truth, are two principall proppes to our consciences. Verse 3 teacheth Gods goodnesse and mercy, who for the further strengthening of our fayth, and not for any inconstancy in him, maketh an oth for the performaunce of his promises. Verse 4. teacheth that Kinges and their posterity can not in­dure, without the Lord vphold them and blesse them. Verse 5. teacheth men e­uen by the example of heauenly creatures to prayse the Lord. Verse 6 teacheth that none neither in heauen nor earth, is any way matchable with God. Ver. 7 is a notable place against inuocation or prayer to Saynts. Verse 8 sheweth that it is no small comfort to the consciences of Gods children, rightly to con­sider his great power. Verse. 9. teacheth that Gods power and prouidence bea­reth a sway in the stilling of the sea and waues thereof, which otherwise séeme to goe by naturall course. Verse 10 teacheth vs that the ouerthrow of Gods e­nemies is not from man but from the Lorde himselfe and his mightye power. Verse 11 sheweth that God is Lord ouer all things, and that the firmity or stay­ednesse which the world hath, it hath it not of it selfe, but from the Lorde, who in his power and prouidence vpholdeth the same. Verse 12 proueth that God created the earth, and that therefore it is not eternall, as Philosophie affir­meth: also although all the earth belong to the Lord, as ouer which he hath a generall care, yet specially that part which the faythfull inhabite. Verse 13 set­teth out Gods mightie strength and power, which is so great as none is able to resist. Verse 14 setteth out Gods iustice mercy and truth, as matters not only of great comfort to his seruaunts, but of great instruction also to teache them to striue to the lyke in their behauiour and dealings. Verse 15 teacheth first, that only Gods people are indéede blessed: secondly that there is no mat­ter of mirth or ioy but in the Lord only: thirdly that Gods frée fauour and mer­cy is the onely vpholder of our bodily and spirituall life. Verse 16 teacheth that the faythfull neuer reioyce in themselues, but in the Lord and in his strength, and in the faythfull accomplishment of his promises. Ver. 17. teacheth that all the glory, strength and power that the godly haue, is from the Lord only. Ver. 18. teacheth that neyther King nor people, nor weapons, &c. are any thing with­out the Lord. Verse 19 teacheth that Gods word in the mouth of his ministers is a good both warrante and comforte to those that are his: also that it is the Lorde that rayseth vp one and pulleth downe an other. Verse 20 teacheth vs that he is in déede approued whom the Lord approueth, howe much soeuer o­therwise he be reiected of men. Verse 21 teacheth that all the strength and po­wer that Princes haue, they haue it from the Lorde alone. Verse 22 sheweth Gods care ouer his children and how mightily he will defend them, it teacheth also that the wicked cannot doe what they list. Ver. 23 teacheth that the ouer­throw of the vngodly is from the Lord, whatsoeuer instruments he vseth to the performance thereof. Verse 24. teacheth that Gods truth, mercy and power are the proppes of all common wealths and kingdomes. Ver. 25. teacheth, that it [Page 287] is the Lord alone who inlargeth kingdoms. Ver. 26 teacheth not only how ear­nest Gods children should be in their prayers, but also with what a particular apprehension & féeling of his mercy and power, they ought to repaire vnto him Ver. 27. teacheth that meane men, and high men, are so much as God accoun­teth of them indéede, and no more. Ver. 28 teacheth that Gods mercy & the sted­fastnesse of his couenaunt, be singular comforts to the consciences of his ser­uaunts. Ver. 29. teacheth that God will be the God of the faythfull, and of their séede after them. Ver. 30.31. doe euidently declare what sinne is, vz. the breache of the law, and not obseruing Gods commaundements. Ver. 32. teacheth that God wil chastice his for their sins, to the end that therby they may come to a­mendment. Verse 33 teacheth that God in the middest of his punishmentes re­membreth his mercy toward his, secondly that God will neuer vtterly forsake those that are his, howsoeuer it pleaseth him to afflict them for a time. Verse 34. sheweth that God is frée from all chaunge or shadow of turning, Iames 1.17. which is a singular comfort to the afflicted foule. Verse 35 expresseth Gods loue towardes vs, 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 y e 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 1 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 2 excellently paynteth out Gods great prouidence and go­uernment, and our frayle and miserable condition, from ver. 3 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.] 1 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.] 2 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 3 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 [Page 289] 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 4 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, 5 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 the singular to the plural, vn­derstanding by this word, he euery man.] Verse 6. In the morning [ i. before 6 it bee cutte downe, and the heate of the Sunne parche it] it flourisheth and groweth [that is, the grasse prospereth and thriueth] but in the euening [ vz. towardes the declining of the sunne, at whiche time husbandmen suppose the grasse will cutte better, and the mowers (the heat of the daye being somewhat spent) are the better able to indure labour] it is cut down [ vz. by y e mower with his sythe] & withereth [ vz. somewhat that night before the sunne set, and so is more and more withered with the heate of the sunne the daye or dayes follow­ing: q.d. Euen so fareth it with mans life, for by this similitude he noteth the breuitie and shortnesse thereof, a very vsuall thing in the scripture, Isaiah 40.6. 1 Pet. 1.24. Iam. 1.10.11.] Ver. 7. For we are consumed by thyne anger [he sée­meth 7 to allude to some great and particular iudgement layde vpon the people, of which sée Num. 14. q.d. Our case, by reason of thy iudgement sore vpon vs, is more gréeuous then other mens cases are] and by thy wrath [ vz. agaynste vs for our sinnes] wée are troubled [ vz. verye sore, and on euerye syde stricken as it were with greate feare.] Verse 8. Thou hast set our iniqui­ties 8 before thee [ vz. that so thou mightest remember them, and punishe [Page 290] vs for them] and [ vz. thou hast set] our secret sinnes [ i. the sinnes which we our selues though not of, and therefore supposed were hidden before thée] in the 9 light of thy countenaunce [ i. openly in thy sight and before thy face.] Ver. 9. For all our dayes [ i. al the dayes of our life] are past [ vz. already, so that they can­not be called back agayn] in thine anger [ vz. against vs for our sinnes] we have spent our yeres [ i. the yeares of our life are gone] as a thought [ i. sodainly as a thought commeth into our minds, and passeth away again, so sodainly are our dayes passed: some read as a word or a tale that is tolde: whatsoeuer it be the sence commeth all to one end, vz. to note the vanitie & shortnesse of mans life.] 10 Verse 10. The time of our life is thréescore yeares and tenne [ i. ordinarilye and commonlye men liue not beyonde it: yea if there be one that reacheth vnto it, there are a hundred which dye before] and if they be of strength [ i. if eyther the dayes of our life or the parties themselues, haue thorow Gods blessing more strength then other men haue] foure skore yeares [ vz. at the vttermoste: q.d. That is the greatest age which almost they come vnto] yet their strength [ q.d. that strength and excellency whereof commonly they brag & boast] is but labor and sorrow [ i. conteineth nothing in it but al maner of affliction, toile & gréefe, dayly experience of the most aged men doth sufficientlye prooue the same vnto vs] for it is cut off [ i. that same excellent strength and force of men which they bragge of, is by death thorowe Gods appoyntmente made nothing, and that] quicklye [ vz. in the twinckling of an eye, or in the turning of a hande] and wée [ vz. mortall men that were] flie awaye [ i. wee quicklye departe oute of 11 this world and lyfe. Verse 11. Who knoweth the power of thy wrath? [ q.d. None at all, though thy hande bée heauye vppon vs] or of thyne anger according to thy feare [ i. who standeth in awe of thyne anger so much, as thou and it oughtest to be feared: for so must the latter part of this verse be read oute of Immanuel. As for that in the Geneua text, for according to thy feare is thine anger, i. men féele thine anger according to the feare that they haue conceaued of thée, caryeth with it, as little or no sence in regarde of the place, so lesse truth, because Gods iudgements doe many times lye heauie vpon those 12 men that haue no feare of his iudgements at all.] Verse 12. Teache vs so to number our dayes [ i. make vs so to vnderstand how shorte a space we haue to liue] that we may apply our harts vnto wisdome [ i. that we may thereby be­come more circumspecte and héedye, howe we spende euen that shorte tyme 13 that we haue.] Verse 13. Returne [ vz. to vs in mercye and loue, i. shewe some signes of thy fauour and grace: q.d. hitherto thou haste bene angrye agaynste vs, nowe at the length shew some fauoure towards vs] O Lorde howe long [ vz. wilte thou bee angrye with vs, and shewe vs the testimonyes of thy wrath] and bee pacifyed towardes thy seruauntes [ i. take pleasure gentlye and graciously to handle vs, whome thou haste vouchsafed worthye 14 of this honour, to be called thy seruaunts.] Verse 14. Fill vs with thy mercye [ i. make vs féele thy goodnesse in greate abundaunce and plentifullye] in the morning [ i. eyther in the flower of our age, as ver. 5. of this Psalme, or else [Page 291] in time conuenient, as sundry times before, some take it to be put for continu­ally] so shall we reioyce and be glad [ i. so we shal not only haue occasion of re­ioycing and gladnesse, but we wil also performe prayses vnto thée for the same] al our dayes [ i. al the dayes of our life, or so long as we liue, sée Psalm 146.1.] Verse 15. Comfort [ vz. with thy grace goodnesse and fauour] vs [ vz. now afflic­ted] 15 according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs [ vz. in Egypt, as maye appeare from Exod. 1. to the 12. chapter: q.d. graunt that the comfort which we shall receiue from thée, may be equall (yea more) with the calamities which we haue indured] and according to the yeares [ i. let thy comfort be aunswera­ble to the multitude of yeares] that we haue séene euill [ i. wherein wee haue suffered and borne affliction or punishmente. For euill is vsed here, as Amos 3, 6. no doubte in consyderation of the weakenesse and corruption of their owne nature, and of the multitude of afflictions that commonlye lye vp­on them, and of the hardnesse to apply Gods fauour and goodnesse towardes them, the godly had néed to pray that Gods graces may rather excéed their miseries then be equal with them or like vnto them] Ver. 16. More playnly the 16 wordes would be placed thus: let thy worke toward thy seruaunt bee séene [ i. let that which thou wilt doe for thy seruaunts (for vnder one he meaneth all the rest of the people) appeare and be made manifest before men: vnderstanding by the worde, Worke, some singular protection, sauegarde, and delyue­raunce that GOD should worke for his people] and thy glorye [ i. and let thy glory also appeare, not only vpon them or towardes them, but also] vpon their children [ i. vppon their whole race and posteritie: so that there are two endes touched in this verse, the one is Gods glorye, the other is the saue­gard of Gods people, and the defence of their séede.] Verse 17. And let the 17 beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs [first marke how he changeth the per­son from the second to the third: next that by beautie he meaneth the wonderful louing kindnesse and fauour of God, which while it pleaseth God to shewe to his, he doth after a sort adorne them with great glory and comfort, which when also he withdraweth, they séeme to bee in greate reproche and dishonour. This then is as muche: q.d. Shew vs thy fauour, that not only we our selues maye thereby be comforted in our selues, but also that thereby wee maye haue the great credite, glory, and estimation whiche wee were wont to haue with other people] direct [ i. order, guide, and prosper] the worke of our handes [ i. what­soeuer wée shall take in hande] vppon vs [ i. amongst vs, in vs, and to vs: q.d. giue a good successe and blessed issue to al our enterprises: he meaneth that no­thing we take in hand can come to good ende, except that GOD guide vs by his holy spirite] euen directe the worke of our handes [hee repeateth the same request agayne, not onely to set forth his owne earnestnesse in prayer, but also to declare howe necessarye and néedefull the thing it selfe is, for whiche hée prayeth.

Verse 1. teacheth that it is no small comfort of conscience, Do. if wee haue once felte God gracious and fauourable vnto vs. Verse 2. teacheth that the true tast [Page 292] and féeling of Gods eternall election, is an excellent proppe for men to staye themselues on in all assaults. Verse 3 teacheth that the issues both of life and death, are in Gods owne power. Verse 4 teacheth that the longest dayes and yeares of mans life, in respect of God who is all eternity, are nothing. In the 5, and 6, verses by two similitudes, vz. of floods and flowers, he noteth the shortnesse and vanity of the life of all men, of what state or condition soeuer they be. Ver. 7 teacheth that the apprehension and féeling of Gods wrath worketh grée­uous effects in the mindes and bodies of those that be indéed touched therwith. Ver. 8 that the matter of all Gods wrath agaynst vs is within our selues, vz. both our open and secret transgressions against God and man. Ver. 9 teacheth that mans life is nothing how long soeuer it be amongst men, when the wrath and iudgement of God is vpon it. Ver. 10 teacheth that al the dayes of y e stron­gest mans life, is nothing else but sorrow and vexation of spirite. Ver. 11. tea­cheth how hard a thing it is, and how few there are, that doe rightlye and reue­rently thinke of Gods fearefull wrath. Verse 12 teacheth vs to pray to God to giue vs grace to thinke vpon the shortnesse of our liues, and to remember the last ende, a matter which we very easilye and much forget. Verse 13 teacheth that nothing is so comfortable to Gods seruaunts as his fauour and loue, and as when in the same they féele him reconciled vnto them. Verse 14.15. teacheth vs, that if we respecte our wretchednesse, miserye and affliction, we haue great néede to pray for the abundaunce and riches of Gods mercy to be shewed vpon vs, and when we haue felt it to shew our selues vnfeignedly thankefull to him for the same. Verse 16 teacheth in our prayers alwayes to respecte Gods glo­rye, and the saluation of his people. Verse 17. teacheth that nothing that wée doe can come to a good ende, vnlesse the Lorde doth beginne, continue, and fi­nish the same.

Psalme 91.

Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts. In the firste he de­clareth in what safety they are, that in stedfast trust do wholy submit themselues vnto the Lord and hang vppon him, from verse 1. to the end of the 13. In the second he bringeth in god speaking as a sufficient witnesse to confirme and performe the truth of all that he had sayde, from verse 14. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. This Psalme hath no title. The Iewish expositors iudge that Moses pen­ned it, but that is not much materiall: this is to be marked, whosoeuer he was that writ it, did shewe himselfe to haue a very singular féeling of Gods power 1 and prouidence.] Verse 1. Who so [ i. Whosoeuer hée bée, of what state and condition hée bée that] dwelleth [ i. hath his moste vsuall abode] in the secrete of the most high [ i. vnder the prouidence and protection of the most high GOD] shall abide [ q.d. Suche a one néede not doubte, but that hée [Page 293] shall alwayes continue] in the shadowe of the almightie [ i. vnder the plea­saunte and assured defence of GOD. The Prophet sheweth what care the Lorde hath ouer his faythfull people, into whatsoeuer daungers they fall, and therefore exhorteth them to continue sure and stedfast to him, because they that bee in his kéeping shall not be in daunger of blowes, but shal dwel in a sure, quiet, and pleasaunt place, which I suppose he meaneth by secret and shadowe. Verse 2. I [ vz. being thus assured of his fatherlye protection] 2 will saye [ vz. at all times, in what case or distresse souer I bee] vnto the Lord [ vz. vppon whome I doe thus depende by fayth] O myne hope [ i. thou whome alone I hope and trust in] and my Fortresse [sée Psalme 18.2.] hée [ vz. alone, and none other but hee] is my GOD [ i. my defender and safe kéeper] in him will I trust [ vz. all the dayes of my lyfe, euen for euer and euer. Im­manuel readeth these two verses otherwise, and maketh an other sence [which indéede I better allow of thus.] Verse 1. To him [ vz. whosoeuer he bée] that dwelleth [ i. that hangeth continually by a stedfast fayth] in the secrete of the most high [ i. vppon the prouidence of the Lorde, whether it appeare towards him or no] and vnto him that lodgeth all nighte vnder the shadowe of the almighty. By dwelling and lodging, and all the rest of the words, the Pro­phet meaneth nothing else but this, he that daye and nighte by a liuelye fayth stayeth himselfe vppon GOD and his prouidence, neyther careth much for anye worldlye casualtie, (as men terme it) shall in déede be safe (for that muste we vnderstande) euen as Chickens are vnder the Hennes winges. Let then the first verse go thus: To him that dwelleth in the secrete of the most high, and vnto him that lodgeth all night vnder the shadow of the almightie.] Ver. 2. Do I say [ vz. in mine own experience & example] in the Lord is my hope [ q.d. and by my example I woulde haue him to hope in him likewise] and my fortresse [ i. the place of my sure defence, agaynste all mine aduersaries] hee is my GOD, in whome I truste [ i. I trust vnto him, and to no other but him, who both canne and will defende mee.] Verse 3. Surelye [ q.d. 3 without all doubte, if so bee it thou vnfeynedlye trust in him. For the man of GOD in this verse applyeth his owne example to the faythfull] hée [ vz. whiche hath all will and power in himselfe, and neuer deceaueth anye] will deliuer thée [ i. eyther kéepe thée altogether from it, or else, if thou fall into it, sette thée frée] from the snare [ i. from destruction priuilye and closelye prepared for thée as snares are to catche the beastes] of the hun­ter [ i. of him that hunteth and séeketh after thée to destroye thée] and from the noysome pestilence [ i. from the pestilence that bringeth with it hurte, daunger, and destruction. By snares and pestilence hee meaneth all manner of euils, whether they come from men or be layde vppon vs by GOD, giuing vs to vnderstande that God will succour vs, in whatsoeuer daunger we be, because he hath infinite means to deliuer vs out of the same.] Ver. 4. He [ vz. God] wil 4 couer thée vnder his winges [ i. will haue singuler care of thée and thy safety: this is a similitude taken from birdes, & namely from hens, meaning that god [Page 294] by his prouidence and protection woulde safelye defende him] and thou shalt bée sure [ vz. from the rage and force of all thine enemyes] vnder his feathers [ i. vnder his protection and sauegarde: hee repeateth the same thing ( i. the assuraunce that the faythfull are in, being vnder Gods gouernmente) in other wordes and termes] his truth [ i. his faythfull promise keeping] shall bée thy Shielde and Buckler [ i. shall be vnto thée in stéede of a shielde and Buckler to defende thy selfe in all daungers, because hée hath promised, and therefore will 5 performe it, to deliuer thée out of the same.] Verse 5. Thou shalt not bee a­frayde [ i. thou shalte not néede to feare, séeing thou hangest wholye vppon the Lorde. Immanuel readeth it in the Imperatiue Moode, feare not: but methin­keth the former is the better] of the feare of the night [ i. of any, though neuer so great feare, he speaketh this, because that the darkenesse of the nighte it selfe (much more occasions of feare in the same darkenesse) maketh men fearefull] nor of the arrow that flyeth by daye [by arrowe flying in the day, hee meaneth some sodayne mischiefe that commeth vpon a man or euer he bee ware. Wée maye also giue this sence, that because he speaketh of night and daye, he mea­neth that the godlye shall haue no néede to feare eyther in secrete or open mis­chiefs pretended agaynst them, because that louing the Lord, and trusting on­ly 6 in him, all things shall worke to their good.] Verse 6. Nor of the pestilence [ vz. sent from God vpon people for their sinnes] that walketh [ i. that is forci­ble and strong to kill] in the darkenesse [ i. in the night: not that he tieth it only to that tyme, no more then he doth it to the noonetide in the nexte parte of the verse] nor of the plague [ vz. of mortalitye and death] that destroyeth [ vz. all sortes of people indifferently] at noone daye [hée meaneth by these manner of spéeches that the godly néede not to feare any maner of euill, whether it haue 7 force in the daye or in the night, or whether it be open or secrete.] Verse 7. A thousand [ i. a very great number, putting a number certayn for an vncertain] shall fall [ vz. by the ordinaunce and appointment of God, thorow diseases and plagues] at thy side [ i. at one of thy sides, meaning indéede the left side, as may appeare by this, that afterwards he maketh mention of the righte hande] and tenne thousande [ i. an innumerable number as it were, a number certaine for an vncertayne as before] at thy righte hande [ i. at thy other side] but it [ vz. Pestilence, Destruction, or any manner of euill, for of these had hée spoken before] shall not come neare thée [ vz. to hurte or harme thée: the reason is, because GOD will haue suche a speciall care of thée, that though all the rest of the World bée destroyed, yet thou shalte bée safe. Marke here two thinges: that vnder the Worde, hée, which includeth but one man, as it were, he meaneth all the faythfull whatsoeuer, or wheresoeuer. Secondly, that these temporall blessinges are conditionally promised (though the conditi­on be not here expressed) vz. so farre forth as the accomplishmente thereof 8 may serue for Gods glory, and the saluation of his seruaunts.] Ver. 8. Doubt­lesse with thine eyes [ vz. of fayth principallye, though it must bee vnderstoode also of the bodilye eyes] shalte thou beholde and sée the rewarde of the [Page 295] wicked [ i. that great iudgement, which God wil powre forth vppon them as a reward of their sinne. q.d. the godly shal knowe by experience that GOD is [...] iust iudge against the worlde, punishing the wicked thereof.] Ver. 9. For thou 9 [...]ast sayd [ vz. in a stedfast and assured perswasion] the Lorde is mine hope [ i. hee alone in whome I will put my hope and confidence] thou hast set the most high [ i. thou hast accounted and made the eternal God] for thy refuge [ i. a sure place for thee to flée vnto and to dwell in, as Psalme 90. ver. 1. to bee kept safe from all the mischiefes of the wicked.] Verse 10. There shall no euill [ i. maner 10 of punishment] come vnto thee [ vz. from the almighty, as to hurt thee] nei­ther shall any plague [ i. affliction, crosse, or calamitie] come néere thy taberna­cle [ i. the place where thou dwellest, putting the place or house for the people therein contained: q.d. both thou and thy whole housholde or family shalbee safe and sound.] Ver. 11. For he [ i. God himselfe] shal giue his angels charge ouer 11 thee [ q.d. not onely he himselfe will care for thy defence, but also when néed shal bée, he will appoint his heauenly messengers to preserue thée: not that the An­gels helpe is greater then Gods, but to teach vs that wee shall haue God him selfe and all the heauenly armies at his commaundement, to defend vs] to kéep thee [ vz. safe and sound, from all hurts and daunger] in all thy wayes [ i. in e­uery thing that thou shalt take in hande according to thy calling, for Gods glory and thy neighbours good, staying thy selfe continually vpon him by faith which thinges the deuill cunningly dissembled, when hee tempted Christ, Matth. 4.6.] Ver. 12. They [ i. the Angels Gods ministers] shall beare thée in 12 their handes [ i. shall carefully looke vnto thée, as men doe to those things which they haue in their handes: and not that Angels haue handes, or any other part or member of a mans body, for they are spirituall & invisible creatures] that thou hurt not thy foote against a stone [ q.d. the care shalbee so great, that euen the lowest and basest member as it were shalbe preserued, much more the more principal and excellent: sée Psalm. 34.20. hee meaneth that God, will vpholde men from stumbling or falling, vnderstanding by the word, stone, al the hinde­raunces that Sathan casteth in our wayes to let vs in the course of saluation.] Ver. 13. Thou [ vz. which stedfastly trustest in the Lorde] shalt walke [ vz. with 13 out hurt and daunger] vpon the Lion and Aspe [ i. vppon the cruell and vene­mous beastes: for vnder one of either sort, he comprehendeth the rest of the like] the yong lion, [ vz. which by reason of his youth, is fearce, mighty, and raging] and the Dragon [or flying serpent, as it were, this is an other kinde of most noysome and hurtful beast] shalt thou tread vnder thy féete [ i. shalt thou ouer­come, and they themselues shall yeelde obedience vnto thée, vnder these spee­ches, the Prophet meaneth that they shalbe deliuered from all deadly dangers which commonly men are subiect vnto, such like thinges as these are foretold of the kingdome of Christ. Isaiah, 11.6.7.8. Hosea. 2.18. Mark. 16.18. [Verse 14. Because he hath loued mée [these are Gods owne wordes, making an assu­red 14 promise to the faithfull. q.d. because the faithful people haue in a reuerent loue depended on mee and trusted in mee, to the ende that their faith and loue [Page 296] might not be voyde, and I be found inconstant in my promises] therefore will I deliuer him [ i. set him frée, vz. from all daungers, troubles, and feares: and note that this, and al that followeth vnto the end of the Psal. the Prophet spea­keth in the person of God] I wil exalt him [ i. lift him vp and that into a verye high and safe place, meaning hereby that hee will deliuer him and set him frée from all daunger and distresse] because hee hath knowne my name [ i. because hée hath experience of my power and might, féeling by triall what succour is to bée founde in mée, and so hath learned to approue the same and trust in it.] 15 Ver. 15. Hée shall call vpon me [ i. pray vnto mée, and that in the time of his di­stresse and heauinesse] and I will heare him [ i. graciously graunt him his re­quest] I will bée with him in trouble [ vz. not onely to comfort him, that afflic­tion ouerwhelme him not, but also to deliuer him out of the same, as it fol­loweth in this verse] and gloryfie him [ i. I wil aduaunce him to great glory and estimation: q.d. I wil cause my glory for the loue that I beare him, to shine in him, and that shalbee both matter and occasion, why other shall estéeme him 16 as glorious and renowmed.] Ver. 16. With long life, will I satisfie him [ q.d. if hée wish or desire long life, I will giue it him, and that in great measure] and will shewe him my saluation [ i. I will make him féele by effect that I am his sauiour and deliuerer, and I suppose that a man may take it further, referring it to eternal life, meaning by long life, all the benefites and blessinges which concerne this life, and by saluation, eternal life and glory: q.d. he shalbe sure, to haue both the one and the other.

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs alwaies in a stestfast faith, to hang vpon the Lord Ver. 2. Teacheth them, that haue had féeling of his goodnes, to labour to bring o­ther to a stedfast perswasion therein. Ver. 3. Teacheth that if God deliuer vs not from dangers, we shal daily and hourely fal into the same. Ver. 4. Teacheth that they which féele themselues comprised vnder gods prouidence, & within the compasse of his gracious promises, shal neuer miscary. Ver. 5.6.7. Teach that a stedfast perswasion of gods power and goodnes, surmounteth al y e noy­some dangers and distresses of this life whatsoeuer. Ver. 7. Teacheth that in y e middest of the greatest confusion and destruction that can be, the Lord wil pro­uide for the safety of his: as appeareth in the example of Noah and Lot. Ver. 8. Teacheth that it is no smal comfort to the godly sensibly and plainely to per­ceiue, the iudgements of God vppon the wicked, and their vtter ouerthrowe. Ver. 9. Teacheth that whosoeuer stedfastly beléeueth the Lorde onely to be his defence, shal neuer quaile in his afflictions. Ver. 10. Teacheth that God merci­fully preserueth the faithful & all that belongeth to them. Ver. 11. Teacheth vs first in that God vseth Angels, as meanes for our defence, that therefore wee should vse the meanes (not yet trusting in the meanes) that the Lord hath giuē vs to performe any thing by: secondly that God guideth those that are his in all their purposes and attempts. Ver. 12. Teacheth Gods care, not only ouer man himself, but also ouer euery member and part of him, yea the meanest part, as the foote: also it teacheth that vnlesse the Lorde vphold vs, we shall doe nothing [Page 297] else but stumble and fal. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs, that God wil subdue all things vnto his elect and faithful people. The Papists haue done great iniury to this text, in appropriating it to the Pope only, to whom it can no otherwise apper­taine, then to any other christian, if he were a christian, but for as much as hée renounceth Christ, and is the very Antichrist indéed, this doeth no whit at all belong vnto him. Ver. 14. Teacheth two thinges: first, that the loue the faithful beare to the Lorde is neuer lost, but the Lorde doeth rewarde a thousand fold: secondly that this is a ready way to bee rid from daunger and feare in sted­fast fayth to hang vppon the Lorde, and his mighty power. Verse 15. Contei­neth first a singular spurre to prayer, in that the Lorde promiseth to graunt the supplication of his seruauntes: secondly a notable comfort in distresse, for that the Lorde promiseth, not onely to bee present with his in their trouble, but also to deliuer them out of the same, yea, which is more, to aduance them to great glory and safety. Verse 16. Teacheth that they which vnfeignedlye serue God, shall haue abundaunce of all blessings both concerning this life, and the life to come.

Psalme 92

THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes: Di. In the first the 1 Prophet sheweth that it is méete for men to praise the Lorde, and teacheth them howe and wherefore they shoulde doe it, from verse 1. to the ende of the 5. In the seconde he declareth 2 by what meanes and woorkes especially GOD purcha­seth prayse amongest men, and that is by punishing the wic­ked, and maintaining the good, from verse 6. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde, hée Prophecieth of the great blessednesse, that GOD will bestowe 3 vppon his seruauntes, and this reacheth from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme.

The title, A Psal. & song [sée Psal. 48. in the title] for the Sabboth day, Se. [ i. to be sung in the assembly vpon the Sabboth day, vpon which day the people met for the publike exercises of the Church.] Ver. 1. It is a good thing [ vz. because it hath the promise of this life, and of the life to come] to praise the Lord [ vz. 1 for his graces and benefites bestowed vppon vs: hee meaneth by praysing, a thanksgiuing, which is a part of Gods seruice, the performance of his whole seruice prescribed in his worde] and to sing vnto thy name [ i. by prayses and thanksgiuings vnto thy maiesty, to set forth the greatnes of thy excellency and power] O most high [this terme hath béene sundry tymes expounded before.] Ver. 2. To declare [ vz. by al the meanes that we can] thy louing kindnes [ i. the 2 mercy & goodnes which thou shewest to thy seruants] in the morning [ i. not only in that time which is very conuenient for prayer or thankesgiuing, but hee [Page 298] meaneth thereby euery morning, yea continuaunce in the action of thankesgi­uing, as shall afterwardes appeare] and thy trueth [ i. thy faithfulnes in per­formaunce of thy promises] in the night [ i. euery night: by these two woordes morning and night, hée meaneth continuall thankesgiuing, for as his goodnes and trueth abydeth towardes vs continually, so it behoueth vs to giue continu­all 3 all thankes vnto him for the same.] Ver. 3. Vpon an instrument of ten stringes, and vpon the viole [sée before Psalm. 33.2.] with the song vppon the harp [hée meaneth that the song, and the tune of the song played vpon the harpe shoulde both goe together. And in this verse he speaketh not onely according to the vse that was then vnder the lawe, at what times musicall instruments and songes were a part of the tutorshippe of the Iewes, but meaning somewhat further, vz. that men shoulde inforce themselues, what in them laye, to prayse the Lord 4 earnestly by all the meanes they could.] Ver. 4. For thou Lorde hast made mée glad [ vz. both inwardly and outwardly, so that both my soule and my body re­ioyce] by thy workes [ i. by the contemplation, and consideration of thy works, in which thou settest forth thy great maiesty, mercy, power, wisedome, &c. and euen thy whole selfe as it were] and I will reioyce [ q.d. séeing thou hast giuen me so great and so good an occasion I will not faile but be glad therein] in the workes of thine handes [ i. in the excellent things that thou thy selfe hast by thy almighty power created and made: he attributeth handes to God, because hée speaketh of him according to mans capacity, and not that he hath any handes at all.] Ver. 5. O Lorde howe glorious are thy workes? [ q.d. they are so great 5 and ful of maiesty, that no tongue is able to expresse it, nor heart effectually con­ceiue the excellency of them] and thy thoughtes are very déepe [ i. thy counsels, purposes, and manners of doing, are incomprehensible, and passe al vnderstan­ding of men. The interrogation and exclamation, which the Prophet vseth in this place, doe sufficiently declare, that God otherwise gouerneth mankynde, 6 then al mans reason is able to conceiue.] Verse 6. An vnwise man [ i. a wicked man, which also he vnderstandeth by foole afterwardes: the worde, which hée v­seth, signifieth brutish as a beast, meaning him that giueth himselfe ouer to his sensualitie and pleasure beastlike, not regarding either Gods woorkes or his worde: sée Psalm. 28.5. so that wee sée, what account he is of before God, vz. es­téemed as a bruit beast] knoweth it not [ i. neither cōsidereth neither approueth the excellency of thy workes and iudgements] and a foole [ i. a wicked and vn­godly person as Psalm. 14.1. and also generally throughout the whole booke of Prouerbs] doth not vnderstande this [ vz. which followeth, vz. that the wicked and vngodly, for al their florishing state, shall come to perpetual ruine and de­cay: no they vnderstand it not, though it please thée (O Lorde) in other mens persons, to giue them dayly experience and tryall thereof.] Ver. 7. When the 7 wicked growe [ i. increase, and florish, prosper and triumph] as the grasse [hee meaneth hereby not onely their florishing estate, but withall secretly hee set­teth out their quicke and flitting estate, of which see before Psal. 90.5.6.] and al the workers of wickednes [ i. all they that worke wickednesse, with gréedinesse, [Page 299] delight, and pleasure] doe florish [ vz. in this worlde: and here marke, that if the parenthesis in the Geneua text were left out, the sense woulde bee very plaine] that they shalbee destroyed [ vz. from amongest men, and that through Gods iudgements] for euer [yea and for euer meaning the eternall punishment that shall light vppon them.] Ver. 8. But thou O Lord art most high for euermore 8 [Sée the note in the Geneua Bible, for the sense of this text, but I rather like Immanuels translation which readeth it thus: And that thou, O most high, art the Lorde for euermore [ q.d. this is an other thing beside the former, which the wicked forget, vz. that thou rulest and gouernest all thinges according to the good pleasure of thine owne will and power.] Ver. 9. For loe thine enemies 9 O Lorde [ i. those that set themselues againste thée] for loe, thine enemies O Lorde shal perish [ vz. through thy mighty iudgements: and this repeating of the thing twise, together with that terme, lo, doubled, do note the certaintie & assurednes thereof] al the workers of iniquitie [sée before ver. 7. of this Psal. and these words, all the workers of wickednes] shalbe destroyed [ vz. as things broken into pieces, and shal vanish away, as matters of no regarde. Verse 10. 10 But thou shalt exalt mine horne [ i. thou shalt not onely increase, but also cause to be reuerenced my strength] like the vnicornes [ vz. either horne or strength, whose horne howe greatly it is estéemed experience teacheth: & for the strength of it you may sée, Deut. 33.17. Num. 24.8.] and I shalbe annoynted [he speaketh this according to the manner of the countrey wherein hee liued, vnderstanding by annointing, powring forth, vz. of giftes, and hauing also the same giftes, bestowed vppon him] with freshe oyle [ vz. whiche hath not lost his strength and power, hee meaneth that hee shall not onelye inioye but bee adorned al­so, with the graces and benefites of GOD: sée Psalme. 23.5.] Verse 11. 11 Mine eye also shall sée my desire [ vz. executed] against mine enemies [hee meaneth that he shoulde behold his enemies plagued and punished: vnderstan­ding by the word enemies, such as looked narrowly to his behauiour, and ho­ped to sée destruction come vpon him, the same worde is vsed. Psal. 5.8. & when hée speaketh here of desires and wishes: hee meaneth not, such hasty and rash wishes, as we are prouoked to, through the corruption and malice of our own hartes: neither as though hee desired any thing against Gods will: but being throughly perswaded of the obstinate malice of the vngodly on the one side, & Gods iudgements ready to be powred forth vppon them on the other side, for their sinnes, he vttereth these spéeches] and mine eares shall heare [ vz. by true and faithful report: q.d. my hearing, as well as my féeling shalbe satisfied] my wish [ vz. accomplished and performed] against the wicked that rise vp against me [ vz. with al their force and power. q.d. I shal sée them ouerthrown.] Ver. 12. 12 The righteous [ i. he whome God accepteth as righteous, and frameth to righ­teousnes] shall florish [ vz. through Gods grace and goodnes towardes him] like a palme trée [some thinke the iust to bee compared to a palme trée, for the swéetnes of the fruite, which for mine owne part I sée no reason of. The Rab­bines, and amongest the rest, Abeu Ezra, thinke them to be compared to palme [Page 300] trées, for their lastingnes. All knowe this, and Plinie also maketh mention of it, that the nature of this trée is, though when weight is layd vppon, it bende and bowe somewhat, yet the weight being remoued, it standeth vpright again, and spreadeth it selfe: so the faithfull, notwithstanding their affliction, shall when their miseries are remoued, recouer newe strength, and come to more force then they haue had before] and shal grow [ vz. in height, greatnes, & strength] like a Cedar of Lebanon [of these Cedar trées wée haue hearde before, Psalm. 13 28.5. and in other places.] Verse 13. Such as bée planted [ i. such as haue ta­ken déepe roote, and bée well setled: for hee speaketh not here of hypocrites, which kéepe or occupy a place onely in the Church, but of all faithful people] in the house of the Lorde [ i. in the Church, as 1. Timothie 3.15. and it is cal­led Gods house, both because that GOD taketh a delight, to dwell there, as it were, and also because his exercises are there obserued, and hee sheweth him selfe more familiarly to that company, then to the rest beside] shall florishe [ i. shall yéelde great store of fruite through Gods blessing] in the Courtes of our GOD [ i. euen in the Church or assembly of the Sayntes, hee speaketh of Courtes, because both the tabernacle had sundry Courtes, and also after­wardes 14 the temple, vz. one for the Priestes and Leuites: and an other for the people.] Ver. 14. They shal bring forth [ vz. through Gods blessing and great goodnes] fruite [ i. abundaunce and store of fruite] in their age [ i. euen in their olde age. q.d. although they bee neuer so olde, yet they shall not bee barren, but shall plentifully yéelde foorth fruites of righteousnesse, being watred thereto, through the working of the spirite, what these fruites are, hee sheweth in the next verse] they shalbe fat and florishing [vnder these metaphores, he meaneth that they shalbe not onely in good liking, but couragious, and apt, to all good 15 thinges, through Gods goodnes.] Ver. 15. To declare [ vz. abroade, in euery place and to all men] that the Lord my rocke [ i. that the Lorde, who is my sure defence: sée Psal. 18.2.] is righteous [ vz. in all his waies, and namely when hee blesseth the good, and powreth vengeaunce vpon the vngodly] and that no ini­quity [ vz. at all] is in him [ vz. either in respect of his being or doings, so that hee sheweth that this is one excellent fruit, which the godly yéelde, to confesse gods iustice, and righteousnes.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable euen for vs, to praise GOD for his mercy and might. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to yéelde thankesgiuing continually vnto God. Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to inforce our selues to that, whereunto wee are so dull and backwarde. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen the very beholding and consideration of Gods workes, ministreth great ioy vnto many of Gods children. Ver. 5. Teacheth two thinges, first the excellent maiesty of God, which in some measure appeareth in his workes: secondly that Gods iudgements and wayes are a bottomlesse depth vnto man. Ver. 6. Tea­cheth that the wicked haue very litle or no regarde at al of Gods iudgements, workes, or wordes.] Ver. 7. Teacheth two things, first that the wicked and vn­godly haue in this life great prosperity: secondly that they shall come to a per­petual [Page 301] and sodaine destruction. Ver. 8. Teacheth that though man bee weake and wauering, yet the Lorde is full of power and alwayes like vnto himselfe. Ver. 9. Sheweth not onely what great plagues shall fall vpon the enemies of God and his trueth, but also how assuredly they shall fall vpon them. Ver. 10. Teacheth that howsoeuer God punisheth y e wicked, yet he wil remēber his own with an euerlasting mercy. Ver. 11. Sheweth that God will execute iudge­ments vpon the wicked, to the end the godly may bee strengthened, in the assu­red perswasions which they haue in the trueth of his promises. Verse 12. Set­teth out the glorious and prosperous estate of the faithfull. Verse 13. Teacheth that it is a good thing, to ioyne our selues to y e assemblies of Gods Saints, for there is the place of all godly and plentiful fruites. Ver. 14. Teacheth that Gods children are not voyde of the fruites of faith. Ver. 15. Teacheth that this is one excellent fruite of faith, vz. to set out and prayse the strength, power, goodnes, and iustice of almighty God.

Psalme 93

THe faythfull in this Psalme, Di. doe magnifie and prayse GOD for many thinges, they doe commende and prayse him, first for his 1 great glory, and euerlasting eternity: and this is in the two first verses, Secondly for his most excellent and mighty gouernment 2 of all thinges: and this is in verse 3.4. thirdly of the singular re­garde 3 that hee hath of his Church, and this is in the last parte of the Psalme.

This Psalme hath no title, and of this sort are Psalme. 1.2.10. Se. and sun­dry others. Verse 1. The Lorde reigneth [ vz. ouer all the earth, but specially amongest his owne people: and that not onely in ruling and gouerning the course of nature, but specially by his doctrine, and worde: so you shall sée the worde raigning taken. Psalm. 96. verse 10. Psalm. 97.1. Psalme 99.1.] and is clothed with maiesty [ i. decked with great glory, which by effect is declared in euerye place, maintaining mankinde, with a wonderfull power, iustice and wisedome, yet wee must note, that this worde clothed, signifieth not any thing that commeth from an other to him, for hee hath the fulnesse of all thinges in his owne power and possession, but hee speaketh in this and the next verse following of GOD, according to the manner of earth­ly Kinges, who beare rule amongest men, and for their great maiesty are clothed with the most costly apparell and rich iewels] the Lorde is clothed and girded with power [ vz. both to withstande his enemies, and defende his children, hee meaneth by the worde clothing, that the Lorde hath power con­tinually with him as a garment: and by the worde, girding, that he hath it on e­uery side, and in a readinesse, to make it manifest, as pleaseth him] the worlde also [ vz. which hee hath created and made, vnderstanding [Page 302] thereby al things in the world whatsoeuer] shalbe established [ i. preserued and maintained in the right gouernement thereof, though men labour to disturbe it] that it can not be moued [ vz. by any thing, that man can imagine or doe a­gainst it, hee commendeth in this verse Gods great power, which hath so esta­blished the earth, and all thinges therein, that men can not so much as shake the 2 least part thereof.] Verse 2. Thy throne [ i. thy kingdome and the gouernment thereof. Sée Psal. 89.4. putting a part of the kingdome for the kingdome and gouernement it selfe] is established of olde [ i. was not onely setled thē, but hath from that time hitherto indured, and so shall for euer and euer, and that word which we terme of olde, is in Hebrewe, before them [ i. before there was any certaine or set time, of which men might pronounce this worde, then: sée Pro­uerb. 8.22.] thou art from euerlasting [ vz. and so shalt continue for euer & euer.] 3 Ver. 3. The floods [ i. all floods of the seas and waters] haue lifted vppe their voyce [ i. haue made a great noyse, as men doe when they inforce themselues to speake or sing loude, some vnderstande by this manner of speach: the enemies, who with great violence did breake in vpon gods people, as the sea and floods do, when they gayne vpon the lande: but this in my iudgment, is the more sim­ple sense, that hee meaneth, that though the noyse of the floods and sea [vnder­standing thereby, if you will, all the hurliburlies of the earth] bee very great and forcible, yea euident testimonies of Gods power and might, yet if they bée compared with Gods owne maiesty and might, they are as much as nothing: and this sense is confirmed by that which followeth in the next verse] the floods lift vp their waues [ vz. and make a great and fearefull noyse: and this expoun­deth 4 what he ment before, when he ascribed voyce to the floods.] Verse 4. The waues of the sea are marueilous [ vz. considered in themselues, if a man mark their goinges, greatnes, and the noyse of them, but yet more marueilous are they, in the respects before alleadged] through the noyse of many waters [ vz. which fal into them and ioyn with them, sée Ecclesi. 1.7. and so by that meanes the waues and noyse of the floodes are greater] yet the Lord on high [ vz. in heauen] is more mighty [ vz. then them al as who hath the ordering, disposing, and gouerning of them al, at his good pleasure, q.d. though it be true, that the sea and floods make a great noyse, and so expresse a great power, yet that is no­thing if they be compared to God, by whose appointment they doe that which 5 they doe.] Ver. 5. Thy testimonies [ i. thy worde, and all thinges therein contei­ned, as Psal. 19.7. specially thy promises made vnto thy seruants] are very sure [ vz. so that they can not be altered at any time, or by any way] holines [ i. thy ho­lines, or such holines, as thou both appointest and giuest] becommeth thyne house [ i. adorneth and beautifieth thy Church and congregation] for euer [ i. continually.]

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth sundry thinges, first Gods great power and maiesty, the consideration whereof is terrible to the wicked, and comfortable to his chil­dren, secondly it setteth out, not onely the great care that God hath ouer the earth, and the things therein so that they can not be shaken, but also, how litle, [Page 303] or nothing at all mans Counsell can preuaile, to hurt, or hinder, much lesse to vndoe any thing that the Lorde will haue to remaine stedfast and sure. Ver. 2. Setteth out the eternity and euerlastingnes of almighty God. Ver. 3. Tea­cheth that the very creatures may manifest vnto vs some part and piece of Gods excellencye and power, the same thing doeth Verse 4. Teache, but yet so, that it sheweth further, that all that wee can beholde in them, is not so much as a shadowe, to the trueth, if it bee compared with the Creator him­selfe. Verse 5. Is comfortable to the consciences of the godly, because it assu­reth them of the certaintie of Gods worde and promises, also it sheweth, that the holinesse of Gods Church is from GOD himselfe, and not from the Church.

Psalme 94

THis Psalme in my iudgement may very aptly bée diuided into two partes. Di. In the first the Prophet doeth not onely praye a­gainst 1 the vngodly, but reckoneth vp their particular sinnes, and doeth sufficiently comfort all their vayne imaginations: and this part reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 11. In the second part he doth especially shew, in what a good and blessed case they are whose God is the Lorde, interlasing notwithstanding the attempts of the wic­ked, all which the Lorde will for his peoples sake, frustrate & bring to nought, and this reacheth from ver. 12. to the end of the Psalme.

This Psalme, is without title, as the Psalme next going before is, Se. and al­so sundry other Psalmes following, and namely. 95.96.97.99. Ver. 1. O Lorde GOD, the auenger, O God the auenger [ i. O God, to whome alone, it be­longeth to punish the wicked, Roman. 12.19.] shewe thy selfe clearly [ i. open­ly manifest thy power and might, by punishing the wicked, and defending the good, Sée Deutron. 33.2. q.d. punish the vngodly openly and in the sight of all men.] Verse 2. Exalt thy selfe [ i. doe not onely shewe thy selfe vnto the vn­godly, 2 but declare thy selfe to bee great and high: q.d. lift vppe thy selfe, not onely aboue them, but oppose and set thy selfe in thy power and might against them] O Iudge of the worlde [ i. O thou, to whome the iudgement of al men and matter appertaine: Sée Genesis 18.25. Psalme 82.7.] Render a rewarde to the proude [ vz. for their pryde against thée and men. q.d. paye them home, and punish them, for that they haue proudlye set themselues against thee and thy people.] Verse 3. Lorde howe long shall the wicked [this hée speaketh 3 not as though hée would prescribe GOD a time, but as praying that the rage and power of the wicked might not continue long] howe long shall the wic­ked [hée repeateth the same wordes, not onely to set out the great cruelty and pride of the vngodly, but to expresse also his earnestnesse in prayer] triumph [ vz. in their pride and mirth, against thée and thy people: and by this manner [Page 304] of speach hée meaneth a certaine kinde of gladnesse, full of outrage and boa­sting, 4 as though all thinges were lawfull for wicked men to doe. Verse 4. They prate [ vz. with an open and full mouth, not béeing ashamed of their speaches] and speake [ vz. rashly, and that without any feare of thy maiesty, or modesty towardes men] fearcely [ i. not onely rough and harde things, but proudly and presumptuously, Sée 1. Samuel 2.3.] all the workers of iniqui­tie [ i. all they that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne with gréedinesse] vaunt them selues [ vz. in themselues and their transgressions, making that 5 a great part as it were of their glorye.] Verse 5. They smite downe [ vz by their force and might, and that vnto the grounde: meaning by this speach, all manner of affliction, that the wicked laye vpon them] thy people [ i. that peo­ple, whome thou hast chosen for thine owne] and trouble [ vz. very much, with sundry sortes of crosses and afflictions] thine heritage [ i. that people, whome thou hast chosen to bée a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe, Sée Psalm. 28.9.] 6 Verse 6. They slay [ vz. through extortion, rauening, and violence] the wi­dowe and the straunger [ i. all manner of persons, that euen in curtesie should bee fauoured] and murther [ vz. cruellye, and without any remourse of consci­ence, or tendernes of heart] the fatherles [ i. them that bee destitute of helpe and comfort. Sée Hosea. 14.3. q.d. they in their cruelty and rage spare none.] Ver. 7 7. Yet. q.d. for all this wickednesse that they commit] they say [ vz. not so much in their woordes, as in their perswasion and by their factes: Sée Psalm. 14.1. Hée meaneth that without any checke or controlement, of their owne heartes, or woordes, they gaue themselues ouer to commit euil, casting behind them the feare of God, and perswading themselues, that hee regarded not thinges done vpon the earth] the Lord shal not sée [ vz. the iniquity and sinne, that we commit against him: q.d. wee haue meanes to bleare his eyes, and to stop vp 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 8 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 9 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 [Page 305] 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 10 [ 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 11 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. 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 13 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, 14 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 15 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 [Page 306] 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.] 16 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 17 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.] 18 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 19 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.] 20 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 [Page 307] 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 21 [ 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. 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 23 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 shalbe 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 [Page 308] 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. 1 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 2 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 3 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 haue no title, yet it appeareth, Hebre. 4.7. Se. that Dauid was the author thereof and did write it.] Ver. 1. Come [these are the wordes of the Prophet exhorting others with him to prayse the Lorde, Sée Isaiah. 2.3.] let vs reioyce [ vz. together, and that from the hearte singing prayses: by which the Prophet sheweth, that the outwarde seruice of God consisteth not, in dead ceremonies but especially in the sacrifices of prayses and thankesgiuing] vnto the Lord [ vz. our God] let vs sing aloude [ i. with a cleare and high voyce, euen as if it were with a trumpet] vnto the rocke of our saluation [ i. vnto him y t is the assured groundwork & foundation, as it were of our deliuery, meaning by this spéech god who is vnto his people, in stéed of a rock of defēce, & deliue­ry, 2 in which they may bée safe frō al assaults.] Ver. 2. Let vs come [ vz. quickly, and chearefully] before his face [ i. not onely into his presence (for men can bée in no place, but they are in his sight) but also to the tabernacle of witnesse, in which place, the Lord gaue glorious testimonies of his presence & fauor] with praise [ i. with songs conteining his praise for the benefites which we dayly re­ceceiue 3 of him] let vs sing loud [sée ver. 1. of this Psal.] vnto him [ vz. alone, and to none other but him] with Psalmes [ vz. conteining his praises, & our thanks­giuing, for the blessings which he continually bestoweth vppon vs.] Ver. 3. For the Lord [ vz. which we serue, and who giueth vs these graces] is a great God [ i. is the God of al power & might, who hath both wil and strength, to do what soeuer pleaseth him] & a great king aboue al Gods [ i. hee is more mighty & ex­cellent then any thing, or al the things, that haue the name of god giuen vnto it whether they be Angels, or idoles, or magistrates, to all which, Gods name is attributed in one respect or other in the Scripture, sée Psalm. 82.1. Psal. 86.8. Psal. 89.6. Ioh. 10.34.35. 1. Cor. 8.5.] Ver. 4. In whose hand [ i. vnder whose pow­er, 4 prouidence, & gouernment] are the déepe places of the earth [by this spéech he meaneth the most deepe places of the world, which if he guide and gouerne, then much more doth he gouerne those that are not so déepe, & he setteth depths against the height of the mountaines, expressed in the other part of the verse, meaning by both these laid together that God gouerneth al the whole worlde, whether it be high or low] & the heights of y e mountaines [ i. the most high moū ­tains are his [ vz. to guid & gouerne thē, as him liketh best: q.d. God according to his good pleasure ruleth, both the most secret and the most mighty thinges, 5 yea all the things of the world.] Ver. 5. To whom the sea belongeth [ vz. to bée guided and gouerned according to his will] for hee made it [ vz. by gathering the waters together into one place, sée Gene. 1.9.10.] and his handes formed [ i. his almighty power, gaue forme, & being to the earth] the dry land [ i. that part of the earth, which is dry, and separated from the water: which hée calleth drye 6 in respect of the other ouercouered with water.] Verse 6. Come [ vz. toge­ther with me, sée ver. 1. of this Psalm] let vs worship [ vz. by al the meanes we can, this Lord our God] and fal down [the word signifieth to bowe the head to the earth, as they were wont to do which receiued either a blessing, or som good turne from others: q.d. let vs by al meanes testifie the hūbling of vs before god: [Page 310] which also he meaneth by the worde, kneeling, afterwardes put downe] before the Lord our maker [ i. hee that hath made vs. This worde, maker, conteining a double argument, to moue men to his worshippe and seruice: the one taken from Gods excellency, who is the creator: and the other from our basenesse, who are his workemanship, made of the dust of the earth, Gene. 3.19.] Verse 7. 7 For hee [ vz. alone, and no other but hée] is our God [ i. our vpholder, maintai­ner, and defender, and therefore good cause wee haue to serue him] and we are the people of his pasture [ i. such a people as hee with a speciall and fatherlye care nourisheth and defendeth, and to whom hee giueth all sortes of blessings. True it is that this worde, sheepe, shoulde agree better to pasture, but yet the holy ghost hath vsed the worde, people, that hée might the better expounde the metaphor] and the shéepe of his hande [ i. the tender ones (for so are sheepe) which hée guideth and gouerneth, by his Fatherly prouidence and power: meaning also by that worde, his, that GOD himselfe taketh care ouer them, and committeth them not to an other.] To day, if yée will heare his voyce [ vz. speaking vnto you out of his worde: q.d. If yée mynde as yet to yéelde obedi­ence vnto his trueth, then harden not your heartes, as followeth in the next 8 verse, for so must these two verses bée ioyned together.] Verse 8. Harden not your harts [ i. be not obstinate and setled in your sin, by this word, he generally meaneth, al contempt offred to Gods word] as [ vz. your fathers, and ancestors did many times striuing against God and namely] in Meribah [this history is largely handled. Num. 14.] & as in the day of Massah [this history is put down, Exod. 17. Sée also Numb. 20. and conferre all these thrée chapters together, for though it shoulde séeme out of Exod. 17. ver. 7. that Massah, and Meribah, were al one place, yet by comparison of the chapters, and the matters together we shal find, that they tempted the Lord more then once, and more then in one place] in the wildernesse [the holy ghost obserueth these circumstances of place, time, persons, maner of doing, &c. for y e certaintie of the history.] Ver. 9. Where 9 [ i. not only in the wildernes, though that were a principall place but in the o­ther places also] your fathers [ i. your auncestors & progenitors, of whose stocke you come, sée Psal. 78.3.] tempted me [ i. would haue more experience and triall of my power, then I thought méet and good for them] and proued me [ vz. what I could do, through my power & might] though they had séene my worke [ vz. which I did before them, & in their sight: vnderstanding by the worde, worke, in the singular nūber, manifold works: q.d. although they had had sufficient testi­monies of my power & might, and knew wel inough what I was able to do, yet 10 they woulde not leaue off, but still proue my power.] Ver. 10. Fourtie yeeres [ vz. long and together] haue I contended [ vz. striuen by diuers punishments, yea death it selfe, as appeareth Numb. 14.33. and yet haue nothing profited or preuailed] with this generation [I wil rather read, that, noting the rebellious people, which perished in the wildernesse] and [ vz. I haue] sayde [ vz. by rea­son of their continuall wickednesse] they are a people [ i. such a people] that erre in heart [ i. not only without iudgement and reason, but also outragiously [Page 311] following sinne and vngodlinesse] for they haue not known [ i. neither allowed loued, nor walked in] my wayes [ i. eyther my doctrine and law, or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes.] Verse 11. Wherefore [ vz. by 11 this their continuall rebellion being moued] I sware [ vz. vnto them: q.d. I ti­ed my selfe by the vertue of an oth] in my wrath [ vz. agaynst them, he meaneth by this spéech, being angry with them] saying [ vz. in such sort, that they might both heare it and know it] surely they [ i. this wicked and rebellious people] shall not enter [ vz. at all] into my rest [ i. into the land of Canaan, where they should rest after their long trauayles: and he calleth it Gods rest, both because God promised it, and also after forty yeares, by the ministery of Iehoshua per­formed it: vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people, sée Heb. 4. ver. 8.9.

Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues, Do. but also to prouoke o­thers thereto. Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him, publikely, chearefully, and with an vnfeyned hart. Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth, no not all of them together, are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue. Ver. 4.5. teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen, earth, the water, &c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence, to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things: first that in respect of God, and of our selues, we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience: secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word, we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same.] Verse 8. teacheth vs, to cast away and to purge from vs al hard harted­nesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs: it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse, and Gods iustice vpon them for the same, that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them. Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers, also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence, the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises, not demaun­ding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth. Verse 10. tea­cheth vs, that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them: Al­so, that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente, if it woulde bée. Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God, shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome.

Psalme 96.

TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation di­rected to the people, Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his good­nesse: yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde. 1 verse 1.2.3. In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it, verse 2 4.5.6. In the third he doth agayne (because men are dull) prouoke them to that 3 [Page 312] duety of praysing God, ver. 7, 8, 9, 10. In the fourth he desireth, or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue, from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem, differing little or nothing, sauing in the chaunging of certain words, from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 1 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse.] Verse 1. Sing [ vz. with harte and voyce] vnto the Lord [ vz. our good & gracious God] a new song [ i. not only new in respect of making, but an exquisite one, and more then a common song, by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God, but one that is more then accustomed, yea extraordinary: sée Psalme 33, 3.] sing vnto the Lord [vnderstād it as before, in the beginning of this verse] all the earth [ i. all the people inha­biting the earth: meaning specially the people of the Iewes, vnderstanding 2 also by earth, the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt.] Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord [expound this as it was expounded before ver. 1. of this Psal.] and praise his name [ i. set forth his maiesty, power, &c. (as Psalme 20, 1.) with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing] declare [ vz. in your songs, & with your words] his saluation [ i. the gracious deliuerance w ch he performeth for his people] frō day to day [ i. continually & without ceasing, as y e day neuer ceaseth. True it is y t god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new & continuall benefits, but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that, but to shew rather y e fayth­ful, 3 what their duty is in publishing these graces] Ver. 3. Declare [ vz. by your words & déeds] his glory [ i. the things which he hath don for you, getting ther by glory vnto himselfe] among al nations [ vz. of the earth, meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils] and his wonders [ vz. whiche he hath done for you, and 4 on your behalfe] among all people [ vz. of the whole world: q.d. sound & sende them abroad, that other may heare the same and feare.] Ver. 4. For the Lord is great [ vz. in strength, might and power] and muche to bée praysed [ vz. of all men, but specially of his own children and seruaunts, for the graces he be­stoweth vpon them] he is to be feared [ vz. with a reuerent and holye feare] a­boue al Gods [ i. more then al the idols of the Gentils, for of them he speaketh 5 in this place, as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse.] Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people [ i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods, but yet are not so in déed, as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5. and Psal. 115.4.5. &c.] are idols [ i. vanities and matters of nothing, as appeareth 1. Corinth. 8, 4. whereof also in this place, and Leuit. 19.4. they haue their names, as the e­tymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth] but the Lorde [ vz. our God, which we serue] made [ vz. in the beginning, and that of nothing] the hea­uens [ i. al things whatsoeuer, heauen, earth, &c. putting one part of the creatiō 6 for the whole.] Ver. 6. strength [ vz. to strike his enemies, & to defend his own people] and glory [ vz. for those whom he loueth & liketh] are before him [ i. are continually in his sight, and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were [Page 313] to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him] power & beauty [ vz. most excellent and glorious] are in his sanctuary [ i. in the place of his abode & worship, the Pro­phet meaneth as I take it, that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places, yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Ta­bernacle.] Verse 7. Giue vnto the Lord [ vz. only, and to none other but him] 7 ye families of the people [ vz. of God: the Prophet speaking this according to the custome of the Iewes, who were diuided first into tribes, and then into fa­milies, Iehoshua 7.17.18. 1. Sam. 9.21. which maketh me also to dissent from Immanuel, who referreth it generally to al people of the earth: which also is confuted by that which followeth in this Psalm ver. 10. wher they are cōmaun­ded to speake to the Gentils] giue vnto the Lord [ vz. only as before] glory and power [ i. al glory and power, for vnto him only it is due, sée Psal. 115. verse 1.] 8 Verse 8. Giue vnto the Lord the glory of his name [ i. that glory and honoure which is due and méete for his name: q.d. Striue to glorifie God, as much as in you lieth, euen according to his excellency] bring an offring [ vz. vnto him, in token that you doe vnfeignedly worship and serue him: this and that whiche followeth, he speaketh according vnto the law, by which the people were ap­poynted to performe these things] & enter into his Courts [ vz. to praise, serue and worship him. For this word Courts, see Psalme 84. verse 2.10.] Verse 9, 9 Worship [ vz. according to the rule of his word] the Lord [ vz. only, as manye times before] in the glorious sanctuary [ i. in the Tabernacle of witnesse, where his glorye appeareth most liuely] tremble before him [ vz. in token of a lo­uing and reuerente feare] all the earth [sée verse 1. of this Psalme.] Verse 10. Saye [ i. speake aloude, declare and publish that which followeth] among 10 the nations [ i. the other peoples of the world, meaning thereby the Gentiles] The Lord reigneth [sée Psalme 93.1.] surely the worlde shall bee stable [ i. the whole earth and the people therein, shall continue in good order and peace, though the wicked laboure to disturbe the same. He noteth this as an excellent fruite of Gods gouernmente] & not moue [ vz. for all that the wicked can ima­gine or do, and note that this amplyfying by the contrary, as that on the one syde it shall be stable, and on the other side it shall not moue, serueth for the greater certayntye and assuraunce thereof: as Iohn 1, 20. Romanes 9.1. 1. Timothie 2.7.] and shée shall iudge the people [ i. gouerne and guide them, putting one parte of gouernmente for the whole] in righteousnesse [ i. vp­rightlye and iustlye, without any partialitie or respecte of persons, or with­out feare, fauoure, or flatterye.] Verse 11. Let the heauens reioyce [some reade 11 it, the heauens shall reioyce and so they doe reade all these verses vnto the ende of the Psalme, as foretelling of the greate ioye and gladnesse that shall bée a­mong Gods people, for that he exerciseth a gouernmente ouer them. They that reade it, as the Geneua Texte doeth, maketh it an exhortation, that the Prophet should vse the more to sette out Gods grace and goodnesse, euen for this, that hee gathereth men vnder his authoritye and gouernmente: q.d. This grace of GOD is so greate, that euen the dumbe creatures, [Page 314] haue thereby an occasion offered them as it were to reioyce and be glad, take whether of these sences you shall thinke good, yet for mine owne part I allowe rather the latter, because of that which followeth, Psalme 98.7.8. Which also Immanuel turneth as exhorting the creatures to reioyce in it, though he doe not so in this place] let the heauens reioyce [ vz. for this great goodnesse of god ruling and gouerning] and let the earth be glad [ vz. for the same occasion] let the sea roare [ vz. in token and testimonye of reioycing] and all that therein is 12 [ i. euery thing that liueth and moueth in the same.] Verse 12. Let the fielde [ i. the fieldes: putting one for many, as Psalme 95.9. worke, is put for workes] be ioyfull [ vz. for the causes before alleaged] and all that is in it [ i. whatsoeuer groweth and flourisheth in the same fieldes] let all the Trées of the Wood [ i. al trées of what kinde soeuer that groweth in the Woods] then reioyce [ vz. when the Lorde shall beginne this gouernment: here for the better vnderstandinge of this of these two verses, we are specially to marke these two thinges: firste that the Prophet layeth not this duetie vpon the insensible creatures, other­wise then they in their kind are able to performe it, and to no other end but that thereby he may prouoke men, who haue the vse of reason, and the light of the worde, to doe the same. Secondly that he layeth it not only vpon them whom hee here nameth: but that by these which he putteth downe, he vnderstandeth 13 all the rest of the creatures whatsoeuer.] Verse 13. Before the Lord [ i. in his presence and openly: for this as playnly appeareth, must be ioyned to the ende of the other verse] for he commeth, for he commeth [ i. he wil certainly come, the certaintie is noted not only in the doubling of the word, but also in that he say­eth, he commeth, as though he were already present, putting the present tense for the future] to iudge [ i. to rule and gouern, as before verse 10. of this Psal.] the earth [ i. the people inhabiting the earth] he will iudge [ q.d. howsoeuer o­thers rule yet he will gouerne] the world [ i. the people of the world, both greate and smal] with righteousnesse [ i. vprightly and iustly, as ver. 10 of this Psal.] and the people in his truth [ i. in exactnesse and perfection of truth and vp­rightnesse, for that word, his, hath a force in this place, as discerning betwéene men and him, how truely and vprightly soeuer they deale.

Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to striue what in vs lieth, to make our praises aunswe­rable to Gods graces, though in déede we can not performe the same. Verse 2. teacheth vs that our prayses and speakinges of his glory ought to be continu­all. Verse 3 teacheth vs that we should publish it before al men and in al places. Verse 4. Setteth out the excellent power, glory, and maiestie of the Lord our God. Verse 5 paynteth out the vanity and vnprofitablenesse of all counterfeyte Gods and idols. Verse 6 teacheth that all honour, glory, strength, &c. are due only to the Lord. Ver. 7 teacheth the faythfull to ascribe also and yéelde vnto him the same, seing they belong to him, and to none other but to him. Verse 8 tea­cheth Gods people, carefullye to exercise themselues in the seruice and wor­ship of him that is so gracious a God to them. Verse 9 teacheth vs not onelye to frequent the places of publike exercises, but also there and euerye where to [Page 315] shew forth assured testimonies of a reuerent feare that wee carrie to his Ma­iestie. Verse 10 teacheth vs to haue a care to publish Gods gouernment amon­gest others, that they also may be subiected to the same. It teacheth vs further that the vngodly can not, vnlesse the Lord so appoynt it, make any hurlibur­lies or stirs in the Worlde. Verse 11.12. teach vs in the example of insensible creatures to shew our selues thankfull to God, for all his graces, and namelye 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 1 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 2 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 1 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 2 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 3 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 [Page 316] 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.] 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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, [Page 317] 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. 9 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 10 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 11 eternall blessednesse, Sée Ester 8, 16. as by the contrarye, vz. darkenesse, is signifyed myserye] is sowne [ i. is prepared and layde vp, and yet lyeth hid as it were séede committed to the earth, which shall in good time come forth, sée Colossians 3.3.4. 1. Cor. 12.12.1. Iohn. 3.2. The Metaphor that he vseth in this place is excellent: q.d. Euen as wheate or other séede cast into the earth, dyeth and lyeth hidde, for a certayne while, before it waxe gréene and bring forth fruite: so the iust suffer manye thinges, before they féele ioye, but theire ioye shall in good time bee made manifest, and they shall haue great increase and store thereof, as of one grayne cast into the grounde, commeth plentie and abundaunce of Corne] for the righteous [ i. for them whome GOD frameth to righteousnesse of life, and holye conuersation] and ioye [this sheweth playnlye what he meant by light, vz. ioye both in this lyfe, and in the lyfe to come] for the vprighte in harte [ i. for them, that are voyde of hypocrisie and dissymulation, Sée Psalme 33 1.] Verse 12. Reioyce yée 12 vprighteous in the Lorde [ q.d. Let him bee the matter of your ioye, that doth suche great thinges for you] and giue thankes [ vz. vnto him onelye] for his holye remembraunce [these wordes maye haue a double sence: eyther thus] for his holye remembraunce [ i. for that it pleaseth him that is holye, to thinke vppon and to remember you: or else thus] for his holye remembraunce [ i. for that you haue good and often occasion giuen you, by his continuall graces bestowed vppon you to remember and thinke vppon him that is holye and iust, and this latter I take to bee the more simple.

Verse 1. Teacheth vs that it is a matter of great ioye, Do. to knowe that the Lorde ruleth and gouerneth all thinges. Verse 2. teacheth vs what greate power and iustice is in the Lorde. Verse 3. teacheth vs that the wicked and [Page 318] vngodly shall not escape vnpunished. Verse 4. teacheth vs, that the least of Gods creatures is able to terrifie all the world. Verse 5 sheweth that nothing is able to withstand the Lord in his purposes, and that the strongest and gre­test thinges are as nothing before him. Verse 6. teacheth vs that Gods good­nesse and vprightnesse are so cleare euen in his creatures, as none can pretend ignoraunce. Verse 7 teacheth two things, first that we may pray agaynst idols and Idolaters: secondlye it sheweth what greate iudgementes shall ouertake them. Verse 8 teacheth the godly to reioyce, euen in Gods iudgementes exe­cuted vpon the wicked. Verse 9 setteth out the excellency, maiestie, and almigh­tie power of God. Verse 10 teacheth first that our hatred and lothing of euill, must be a seale of the law of God in our harts, secondlye that God hath more then a fatherly care ouer the liues of those that be his: and thirdly the wicked for all their power can not doe what they would against Gods children. Verse 11. teacheth that howsoeuer the good be afflicted for a time, yet is abundaunce of ioy layde vp for them. Verse 12 teacheth the faithfull to shew themselues al­wayes thankefull to God.

Psalme 98

Di. THis Psalme contayneth thrée speciall parts. In the first hee ex­horteth 1 the faythfull to prayse the Lord, shewing some cau­ses that should lead them so to doe. Verse 1.2.3. In the seconde 2 he sheweth how this thanksgiuing and prayfe should be yéel­ded to the Lord, and that is partly with the voyce and songes, and partly with musicall instruments. Verse 4.5.6. In the 3 thyrde parte by exhorting dumbe creatures to yéelde thankes vnto the Lord, he prouoketh men to the performaunce of that excellente and holye duetye, Verse 7.8.9.

Se. The Title, a Psalme [this hath bene expounded before, and namely Psal. 3. 1 and Psalme 4 in the title.] Verse 1. Sing vnto the Lord a new song [sée for this, Psalme 96. verse 1.] for hée [ vz. alone] hath done [ vz. by his power and might] marueylous thinges [ i. matters to be wondred at, and farre passing the reache of man] his right hand [ vz. alone: meaning by right hand, his almigh­tye strength and power] and his holy arme [ i. the arme of him that is holye, yea holinesse it selfe: vnderstanding by arme the same thing hee did by hande, vz. might and strength] hath gotten him [ i. him, himselfe, and in him his Church] the victory [ vz. against all his and their enemies. The Prophet meaneth, that God deliuered his Church from the enemies thereof, not by the meanes of man, or any accustomed order, but by his owne power and strength: sée Psalm 2 44, 2.3. also Isaiah 59, 16. and agayne Isaiah 63.5.] Ver. 2. The Lord declared [ vz. by the meruailous and great workes which he hath done] his saluation [ i. his gracious deliueraunce of his Church out of al daungers and distresses: [Page 319] and this is called his saluation, because he is the only worker of it, and doeth fréely bestowe the same vppon his people] and his righteousnesse [ i. his faythfull and vprighte executing of iustice and iudgemente] hath hée re­uealed [ vz. in his mightye and marueylous workes] in the sighte of the Nations [ i. openly, not only before the Iewes, but before all other Nations of the worlde.] Verse 3. He hath remembred [ i. he hath not onelye thoughte 3 vpon, but in his remembraunce performed] his mercye and his truth [ i. his gracious goodnesse and his faythfull promises made] towardes the house of Israell [ i. to the people of the Iewes, whome hée calleth the house of Isra­ell, because they procéeded from Iaakob who was also called Israell, and came from him as from one stocke or Fountayne] all the endes of the earth [ i. all the partes and quarters of the worlde and some people inhabiting the same] haue séene [ vz. playnly and sensibly: meaning by this spéech that they haue bin made partakers of] y e saluations [ vz. mercifully promised, & graciously to be perfor­med in Christ] of our GOD [ i. of that true and euer liuing GOD whome we serue. He speaketh here no doubt of the calling of the Gentiles, and of those gracious promises expressed Genesis 12.3. Genesis 22.18.] Verse 4. 4 All the earth [ i. all people inhabiting the earth: q.d. Consider this great be­nefyte euerye one of you, and chearefullye prayse the Lorde for it] sing yée lowde [ i. prayse him willinglye and openlye] vnto the Lorde [ vz. who hath bestowed these greate graces vppon you] crye out [ q.d. inforce your selfe to prayse him] and reioyce [ vz. for the mercies which you haue re­ceaued] and sing prayses [ vz. continually and that to the Lorde, who hath dealt so fauourablye with you, as to make you of no people, a people vnto him­selfe. The Prophet repeateth one and the selfe same thinges vnder diuers termes, not only to expresse his own earnestnesse, but also to declare mens dul­nesse in the performaunce thereof: and with all to expresse that the thinges themselues giuen from God, and receaued of vs, are so excellent, that we can neuer be sufficient thankefull for the same.] Ver. 5. Sing praise [ vz. for the 5 grace and blessinges receaued] to the Lorde [ vz. who hath freely giuen the same] vppon the Harpe [ i. vppon musicall instrumentes: vnderstanding by one many or all. This he speaketh according to the law then in force: sée Psalme 33, 2. and not to tie vs to the vse of the same] euen vppon the Harpe [he repeateth the same thing agayne: d.q. vse all the meanes you maye, the bet­ter to prouoke you to performe that dutie] with a singing voyce [ d.q. ioyne to your Musicall instrumentes, songes expressed and vttered with your owne voyces, because that without them the sounde of the Harpe, or any other musi­call instrument is to little or no purpose.] Verse 6. With shalmes and sounds 6 of Trumpets [he addeth other instruments, vnderstanding as was before no­ted the vse of all musicall instruments allowed by the Lord to his people] sing loude [ i. blowe them vp chearefully and couragiously, and make them to giue a loude noyse or sounde for I rather referre this to the musicall Instru­mentes, then to mens voyces] before the Lorde the King [ i. before the [Page 320] Lorde whome we serue, who is King and ruler ouer all the Worlde.] Verse 7 7. Let the Sea roare [ vz. in token of ioy and thankefulnesse] and all that therein is [sée Psalme 96. verse 11.] the World [ q.d. Let the Worlde [ i. the frame of the worlde, as the heauens, earth, &c.] reioyce and be glad al­so] and they [ i. all creatures whatsoeuer] that dwell therein [ i. haue their li­uing, 8 being, and continuaunce or aboade in the same.] Verse 8. Lette the floudes [ vz. of the earth, he meaneth by this worde eyther the standing water or the running riuers whiche are different from the sea] clappe their handes [ vz. for ioye and gladnesse, meaning by the signe of gladnesse the thing it selfe, and not that flouds haue handes] and let the Mountaynes [ i. the greate and huge hils] reioyce together [ i. testifye also their ioyfulnesse and gladnesse, with the rest of the creatures. In that he ascribeth this reioysing to dumbe and insensible creatures, it is q.d. Let euery one inforce himselfe, as muche as he can or will, and yet he shall neuer yéelde prayses sufficientlye aunswering the 9 greatnesse of Gods grace.] Verse 9, Before the Lorde [for the sence of this whole verse, sée before Psalme 96.13. where you shall fynde it almost worde for word.

De.Verse 1 teacheth vs, to be thankefull to God, for his greate workes and po­wer, also that the Lord alone, without any helpe or ayde of man is hee, that de­fendeth his Church. Verse 2 teacheth that God doth his workes openly, not on­ly to the end that no man might pretend ignoraunce thereof, but also that ther­by euery man might be prouoked to prayse him. Verse 3 sheweth that God in déede is euer as good as his worde, whether it be in respecte of particular per­sons or generall persons. Verse 4 teacheth vs to inforce our selues by all the meanes we can to prayse the Lord. Verse 5.6. deliuer the same doctrine vnto vs. Verse 7.8. teach vs euen by the example of insensible creatures, to be stirred vp to performe the same. Ver. 9. teacheth that Gods iustice and iudgement is alwayes vpright, howsoeuer corrupt mans is.

Psalme 99

Di. 1 THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes. In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse God, for the great­nesse of his excellency and power, and for his singular gra­ces and goodnesse bestowed vpon them, from verse 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he expresseth Gods loue towardes 3 their fathers and auncestors, for which also he prouoketh thē to worship and praise the Lord, from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme.

Se. This Psalme hath no title] Verse 1. The Lord raigneth [sée Psal. 93. ver. 1.] and he meaneth specially amongst his people, the people of the Iewes] let the people [ vz. which border round about them, & other their enemies. though they be neuer so far of] tremble [ vz. euen for feare of this Lord, who wil defend his [Page 321] own, and punish them] he [ vz. that ruleth and gouerneth al thing according to his good pleasure] sitteth betwéen the Cherubins [this is a description of god: q.d. euen that God, which hath shewed himself familiarly to Israel, he it is that ruleth & beareth the sway: sée Exod. 25.22.] let y e earth be moued [ i. trēble and be afrayd as it were, at his presence: q.d. Let al creatures hauing life, or without life, striken with his presence and Maiestie, yield him singular reuerence and honour.] Ver. 2. The Lord is great [ i. hath declared himself to be mightye and 2 strong in al places, but specially] in Sion [i. amongst his own people: amongst whom he hath shewed the greatest testimonies of his power, putting Sion the principall place of their abode for y e people themselues] & he is high aboue all the people [ vz. of the world: he meaneth not by this that he ruleth and gouer­neth them for [...]eir saluation, but that he is exalted ouer them, to scatter their counsels, and to beate downe and ouerthrow their enterprises.] Verse 3. They 3 [ i. the faythfull and godly people] shall prayse [ vz. both in word and déede] thy great and fearefull name [ i. thy Maiestye and power, whiche is full of mighte and feare] for it is holy [and therefore méete to bee praysed and magnifyed.] Verse 4. And the Kinges power [ q.d. yea they shal praise the power of y e great 4 and mighty King] that loueth iudgement [ i. that not onely liketh and alloweth but also executeth vpright iudgement: and marke that after he had as it were set vp God in his seat, he speaketh of the maner of his gouernment, affirming that God is in such sort mighty and strong, that yet notwithstanding hee hath not a tyrannous force with him, but that his power is ioyned with his iustice and vprightnes] for thou [ vz. O Lord: a sodain change of the person from the third to the second] hast prepared equitie [ i. hast appointed and established a­mongst thy people, a good and vpright forme of gouernment, which is a verye good rule to liue well and righteously one with another] thou hast executed [ vz. faythfully, and with all vprightnesse] iudgemente and iustice [ i. true iudge­ment & sound iustice] in Iaakob [i amongst the people of Israel who discended frō Iaakob, meaning no doubt further vnder these terms, a iust & holy gouern­ment of the Church and people of God.] Verse 5. Exalt [ vz. with your songes 5 of praise and thanksgiuing] the Lord our God [ i. the Lord whom we his peo­ple serue, who is indéede the only true God, Iohn 17.3.] and fall downe [ vz. be­fore him, and that in token of true reuerence and worship, sée Psalme 95.6.] be­fore his footstoole [y e Chaldean paraphrase expoundeth it thus: before his foote­stoole, i. in his Temple, others thus: Before his Footestoole, i. before the Arke of Couenaunt: whiche is therefore, as they suppose, called God his Footestoole, because the Iewes shoulde not staye too muche vppon the out­ward signe, but shoulde lifte vp their harte to Heauen, that they might there beholde the incomprehensible glory of God. I would expounde it thus, Before his Footestoole, i. fall downe euen vnto the grounde or pauement of the Tem­ple, vpon which GOD should as it were set his féete, sée 1. Chronicles 28.2.] for he [ vz. alone] is holy, and therefore méete to bee worshipped.] Verse 6. 6 Moses and Aaron were [ vz. as chéefe and principall] among his Priestes [Page 322] [ i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices, and to expounde the Law] and Samuel [ vz. the Prophet, was as chéefe and principall] a­mong such as call [ i. called] vpon his name [ i. professed his religion, and made prayers vnto him: sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out] these [ vz. before re­hearsed, and manye other such like] called vppon the Lorde [ i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce] and hee hearde them [ i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes, as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth. The Prophet alleageth these men, that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God: and hee nameth rather these thrée then other, because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was com­mitted the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people. For the truth of this verse, sée Exodus 32.31, &c. to the end of the Chapter, 1 Sa­muel 7 12, 20, &c.] Verse 7. He, vz. God, whome they serued] spake [ vz. plain­lye and audiblie] vnto them [ vz. Moses and Aaron] in the cloudye piller [ i. in or out of the Cloude, which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller: sée Exodus 14, 19. sée also Num. 17.5.] they kept [ vz. themselues, and caused o­thers what in them lay to kéepe] his testimonies [ i. his commaundementes, which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God, sée Psalme 19.7.] and the lawe that he [ vz. the Lorde himselfe] gaue them [ vz. as a rule of their life, and to be a light vnto their féete, and a Lanthorne vnto their steps.] 8 Verse 8. Thou heardest them [ vz. quickly] when they prayd vnto thée: for the Lordes hearing, sée verse 6. of this Psalme] O Lord our God [a sodain, but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God, by which the Prophet sheweth, that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Coue­naunt, and of his grace only, without any other cause] thou wast a fauourable God vnto them [ vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée, but continually, spe­cially when thou pardonest their sinnes] though thou diddest take vengeaunce [ i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them] for their inuen­tions [ i. for deuyses of their owne, by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them. I knowe others expounde it otherwise, but yet me thin­keth 9 that this is a moste simple and playne fence.] Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD, and fall downe [sée before verse 5. of this Psalme] be­fore his holye Mountayne [hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Mo­riah, vppon whiche the Temple was builded, sée Genesis 22, 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche, that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple] al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5, of this pre­sent Psalme.

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know y e God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods peo­ple. Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where, yet in no place more plainly thē in his church. Ver. 3 teacheth y t it becommeth y e righ­teous to praise Gods great power & might. Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in y e Lord in al his iudgemēts, but also how iust & faithful [Page 323] he is to his people. Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god, but that we are bound therto also, in respect of the holines of his maiesty & person: also that it is a good thing to do it pub­likely with the rest of the Church. Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people, are neuer frustrate. Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde, and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes, obe­dience to his truth, and performaunce of it. Verse 8 Is full of great comforte, teaching vs these points, firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those, whome he loueth most tenderlye: secondly that though hee doe correct them, yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them. Verse 9 is the same with verse 5, and deliuereth the same doctrines.

Psalme 100

THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts. In the one parte, Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde har­tilye, 1 and with ioyfulnesse, verse 1, 2, 3. In the second he v­seth 2 the causes, wherefore they shoulde prayse him, vz. for his frée election, and the continuaunce of his mercye. verse 3, 5.

The Title, Se. a Psalme of prayse [ i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord: and not so much for that the Psal. it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God] sing ye loude vnto the Lord [for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98, 4.] all the earth [ i. all the people of God inha­biting the promised lande, for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here, for that part of the earth.] Verse 2. Serue [ vz. according to the rule of his 2 worde, and not after your owne inuentions] the Lord [ vz. only: for vnto him all honour is due] with gladnes [ i. readily and ioyfully: because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure] come before him [ i. appeare before the arke, which was the place of his worshippe and seruice] with ioyfulnesse [ vz. both inwarde and outwarde, of the hearte and of the body, meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing.] Verse 3. Knowe 3 yée [ i. professe this muche, and yéelde him this honour (for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely) to disreaue him from all false Gods, and such as mans fantasie hath forged] that euen the Lorde [ vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée] is GOD [ i. our GOD, and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs] hée hath made vs [marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely, for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue, but of spiri­tuall regeneration, wherein by the ministerye of his worde, and the wor­king of his spirite, he begetteth men agayne to his owne image, to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life] and not we our selues [Page 324] [ i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues: no, no, righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye, but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse, sée Deutronomie 7, 7, 8.] also Deutro­nomie 9, 4.] we are his people [ i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite] and the shéepe of his pasture [sée Psalme 95, verse 7.] meaning by this manner of spéeche, that GOD of his frée goodnesse chuseth men to be a peculiar inheritaunce to himselfe, to the end he may alwayes mayntayne them vnder the shaddow of his winges.] Verse 4 4. Enter [ q.d. Because hée hath adopted you, therefore striue to serue him] into his Gates [ i. into the Gates of his Temple or Tabernacle, he putteth a parte for the whole, and the beginning of Gods seruice, vz. repayring to the publique place for the execution of that seruice and Worshippe] with prayse [ vz. vnto his name, for that and many other his great goodnesses and mercye, and into his Courtes [hee speaketh according to the number of Courtes in the Tabernacle, meaning as before, the places of publike assem­blies, and Gods seruice, sée Psalme 94.2.10.] with reioycing [ vz. for the bles­singes and benefites which he hath bestowed vpon you] prayse him [ vz. for his great goodnesse and kindnesse towards you [and blesse his name [ i. thanke his maiestye and power for those his mercies: sée the word blessing so vsed Mat. 5 14.19.] Verse 5. For the Lorde is good [ vz. towardes all, but speciallye to his owne people, meaning by the worde, good, fauourable, louing, and gra­cious] his mercye [ vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes] is euerla­sting [ i. indureth and lasteth for euer, and is neuer subiect to alteration nor chaunge, sée Psalme 136. thorowe out] and his truth [ i. the truth and sted­fastnesse of his promises made vnto his seruauntes, for so doeth the Hebrew worde vsed in this place alwayes signifye] is from generation to generation [ i. is continuall, and neuer decayeth, euen as one generation succéedeth an o­ther: not meaning but that Gods mercy shall indure when all carnall genera­tions of men shall fayle.

Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that it becommeth Gods people, neuer to be ashamed to prayse the Lord. Verse 2 teacheth vs to yéelde that seruice which we performe to God chearefully and with a good hart. Verse 3 teacheth vs that we haue ney­ther our bodily creation nor our spirituall regeneration of our selues, but all from the Lord only. Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods children should shew them selues in publike assemblies publikely thankfull for publike benefits receaued, at his mercifull hands. Verse 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer man be variable in his loue and promise, yet God in goodnesse and truth abideth alwayes faith­full to his.

Psalme 101

THis Psalme as I take it, may be deuided into two parts. Di. In the first the Kingly Prophet Dauid declareth what hee will 1 performe in respecte of his owne particular person, from verse 1 to the end of the 4, In the second he sheweth what hée 2 will doe concerning other, vz. punish the wicked and foster the good, from verse 5 to the end of the Psalme.

The Title, a Psalme of Dauid [ i. a Psalme that Dauid made, Se. whether be­fore he came to his kingdome, or at the beginning of his raigne is vncertain, but I suppose rather when he first entred into his kingdome.] Ver. 1. I wil sing [ i. I will both speake of and practise, sée Isaiah 5.1.] mercy [ i. fauor & maintai­nance towards my good subiects] and iudgement [ i. execution of punishmente vpon the wicked, in which 2 parts consisteth the Magistrates dutie, as appea­reth Rom. 13. sée for the performaunce of this promise 2. Sam. 9.1.] vnto thée O Lord will I sing, the Prophet meaneth not only that he will prayse God for aduauncing him to the kingdome, but that euen for his sake: & in repect of his own office, he wil performe these matters.] Ver. 2 I will doe wisely [ i. I wil be­haue 2 my selfe vprightly and circumspectlye, according to the rule of thy word, which is only true wisedome] in the perfit way [ i. in the gouernmente of my kingdome, & the execution of my office, which he calleth a perfit way, because there is prescribed in Gods word a perfit rule therof] til thou commest to mée [ vz. to take me out of this life and to cal me to an account for the discharge of my dutie] I wil walke in the vprightnes of my hart [ i. I wil behaue my self vp­rightly and soundly so that mine own hart & conscience shal witnes vnto me my good dealing and holy cōuersation] in the middest of mine house [ i. priuatly and within mine owne walles as it were, yea in the eyes and sight of my whole fa­mily: the Prophet in this verse promiseth two thinges as I take it: in the first part of a faythfull executing of his publike charge, & in the second a godly con­uersation priuatly.] Verse 3. I wil set no wicked thing before mine eyes [ vz. 3 to performe or doe it: yea he meaneth that he wil not only kéepe himselfe, from doing wickednesse, but that he will so turne himself away from it, that his eyes shall not behold it] I hate [ vz. earnestly and from the bottome of my hart] the worke of them that fall away [ vz. from thy truth, and from that righte waye, that thou hast prescribed, meaning by the word worke, not only that defection of theirs, w ch is y e principal, but al other transgressions whatsoeuer, putting one for y e whole] it [ i. such maner of dealing] shal not cleaue vnto me [ i. either raign or dwel in me, this the Prophet speaketh as assuring himselfe of gods strength to continue y e profession of his truth.] Verse 4. A froward hart [ i. a peruerse & 4 rebellious mind, noting in these words y e séed or foūtain of sin] shal [ vz. thorow Gods goodnes and strength] depart from me [ vz. farre off: he meaneth by this [Page 326] spéeche, that he wil indeuour to put of the old man with the lusts therof, Ephe. 4, 22] I will know none euil [ q. d. as I wil be far from performing wickednes in acte, so I will not allow or like of the same in my iudgement, or vnderstan­ding, for so is the word knowing, vsed in this place as in sundrye other places 5 before.] Ver. 5. Him that priuily slaundereth [he meaneth not that he wil spare them y t shal do it openly: for if he punish the lesse offence thus, he will not spare the greater, which is open slaunder] his neighbour [ i. any, whether hée dwell nigh or farre from him, for so generally and largely doe I take this worde, sée Psalme 15.3.] will I destroy [ i. most sharply punish, and that euen by death if the hainousnes of the offence require it] him that hath a proud looke [ i. he that is lofty & proud, for pride appeareth many times euen in the very eye brées, and eyes themselues, whē they be lifted vp] and high harte [or as it is in the He­brew text, large in harte, meaning by that maner of spéech, one that hath a mind to aspire to great matters, & therefore is puffed vp with ouerwéening of him­self] I cannot suffer [ vz. or indure at any hand, he meaneth by these spéeches, 6 that he cannot abide pride, nor the tokens nor signes thereof, nor the persons giuen thereto.] Ver. 6. Mine eyes shalbe [ i. I wil carefully looke vnto, and haue special regard of] vnto the faithful of the land [ i. vnto the good and godlye peo-people that dwell in the lande, wheresouer it be] that they maye dwell with mée [ i. continue and abide with me, not onely as my counsellors and houshold ser­uaunts, but as friends and familiars being alwayes in my fauour, for I take it that the Prophet meaneth two thinges here: the one is that hee will haue a great care generallye ouer all the people of the lande: the other is, that out of that good people hée will chuse the best, to bée continually about him] hée that walketh in a perfecte waye [ i. hée that is vprighte in his dealinges, and of good conscience and holy conuersation: and hée calleth this waye perfecte, not be­cause men walke perfectly in it, but because it is perfecte of it selfe, and lea­deth to perfection in the other life] hée [ q.d. he and no other, for so muche I take it the doubling of the worde meaneth] shal serue mée [ vz. both in the pub­like offices of my kingdome, & in the particular offices of my priuate affairs, & 7 houshold] Ver. 7. There shall no deceitfull person dwell within my house [this must be vnderstood so far forth as Dauid could know or vnderstand, q.d. If I might know it, there should none such remain in my seruice: not but that good men many times haue wicked Seruauntes, yea and that those Seruauntes which make the fayrest shewe of goodnesse are many times déepe dissemblers] he that telleth lies [ i. giueth himself ouer either to tel them or to heare them, sée Reuel. 22.15.] shal not remain [ vz. long] in my sight [he meaneth by this spéeche 8 that such a one should not abide long in his house or seruice.] Verse 8. Betimes [ i. not onely in good season and quickly, but also continually] will I destroye [sée before verse 5 of this Psal.] all the wicked of the land [ i. all the vngodlye that inhabite it. Dauid meaneth that hee will not bee negligent or slouthfull to execute good, quick, and continuall iustice, against all malefacters, of whose transgressions he shall haue knowledge] that I maye cutte off [ i. remooue [Page 327] and take away, vz. by execution of iust iudgement] all the woorkers of ini­quity [ i. them that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne] from the Citie of the Lord [ i. from Ierusalem, but yet so, that therin hée comprehendeth the whole kingdome, because if the chiefe place be reformed, it is very likely the other will followe.

Ver 1. Teacheth magistrates, to haue a great care to foster the good, Do. & sharp­ly to punish the badde. Ver. 2. Teacheth magistrates thrée thinges, first to haue an eye to the faithfull execution of publike iustice and iudgement: Secondly to indeuour with care and conscience good dealing priuately: and thirdly to con­tinue, and that vnto the last gaspe, in all good dealing both publike and pri­uate, that so they may haue peace in their owne conscience, and the Lorde finde them well occupied. Ver. 3. Teacheth all men, but specially magistrates, so to lothe euil, that they can neuer behold it, but with great griefe: also to cary with them this holy purpose, that howsoeuer other men fall away from God, yet that in his strength, they will sticke fast vnto him. Ver. 4. Teacheth al, but spe­cially magistrates, more and more to indeuour the crucifiyng of the old man, with the workes thereof: and neuer to allowe of any thing that is euill. Ver. 5. Teacheth magistrates to punish malefacters according to the notoriousnes of their offence: it also sheweth howe grieuous both before God and man backbi­tings and pride are. Ver. 6. Teacheth magistrates to haue a speciall regard for the defence and preferment of the good: also it teacheth all both high and lowe to make choise of the best men they can get, to bee their officers and seruantes. Ver. 7. Teacheth magistrates and masters, that whē the sinnes of their inferi­ours or seruaunts are once layed open, they shoulde not beare with them in the same. Verse 8. Teacheth magistrates, in tyme to cut off sinne and iniqui­tie, lest the infection thereof growe so great, that when they woulde they shall not bee able to doe it.

Psalme 102

THis Psalme being an earnest prayer of an afflicted soule, Di. may 1 bee diuided into thrée partes. In the first hee prayeth vnto the Lorde for deliueraunce out of his great distresses, the parti­cularities whereof he doeth plainely declare, from ver. 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he sheweth by what arguments as 2 it were he was prouoked to pray vnto the Lord, vz. because he was assured of his goodnes, power, &c. and this recheth from ver. 12. to the end of the 23. In the third part he returneth to his prayer againe, assuring himselfe 3 of gods goodnes towardes him because those whom God loueth, he loueth for euer, from ver. 24. to the end of the Psalme.]

The title] a prayer [ vz. to bee vsed] of the afflicted [ i. Se. of him that féeleth him­selfe either inwardly or outwardly wounded with Gods iudgments & wrath] [Page 328] when hée shalbe in distresse [ vz. any manner of way either inwarde or outward] and power foorth his meditation before the Lorde [ i shall in prayer vnto the Lorde expresse that with his mouth, which hee hath meditated on in his heart, note that the holy ghost myndeth not to tye vs in our afflictions onely to this forme. And though wee can not certainely determine, who shoulde write this Psalme, or about what time it was penned: yet it is very likely that either Daniel or some other holy Prophet did write it, about the tyme that the peo­ple of the Iewes were caried captiues into Babylon.] Verse 1. O Lorde heare my prayer [ i. graciously graunt the request which I make vnto thee now] and let my crye [ i. mine earnest supplication] come vnto thée [ i. appeare in thy sight as well accepted and allowed of: q.d. let it haue frée and bolde accesse vn­to 2 thy maiesty, Sée Psalm. 88.1.2.] Verse 2. Hyde not thy face [ i. withdraw not thy fauour and goodnes] from me [ vz. as though thou wert offended with me, he speaketh this of God after the maner of men, who when they are not dis­posed to shew fauour, wil turne their faces from others, or kéep them out of the way, signifiyng vnto them, by withholding the signe of fauour, that they cannot haue fauor it selfe shewed thē] in the time of my trouble [ i. at what time I am any maner of way troubled, either inwardly or outwardly] incline thine eares vnto me [ q.d. shewe thy selfe ready to heare and graunt my petition. sée Psalm. 86.1. and note that eares are attributed to God, not that hee hath them, but that we might the better conceiue somewhat of his maiesty] when I cal [ vz. vppon thée by prayer] make haste to heare mée [ i. graciously and quickly grant mee my request: the Prophet vttereth not this as appointing God a time, but in respect of his owne great misery and want as may appeare by that which 3 followeth.] Verse 3. For my dayes [ i. the dayes and tyme of my life] are con­sumed [ i. vanish and weare away] like smoke [ i. quickly. q.d. euen as sodainely as smoke vanisheth away in the ayre] and my bones [ i. the strength of my bo­dy, because that specially the strength consisted in the bones] are burnt like an hearth [ i. are euen vtterly consumed away through drought, and for want of natural moysture: Sée Psal. 38.3.4. &c. These large maner of spéeches declare howe much the desolation of the Church, shoulde wound al good mens harts.] 4 Ver. 4. Mine heart is smitten [ vz. with griefe, and heauinesse] and withereth like grasse [ vz. through the same sorrowe, meaning that it was as it were shrunke and dryed vp, and then in what case coulde the body bee] because I forgate to eate my bread [ i. mine ordinary vitaile and foode. The Prophet in these wordes, doeth not onely note the cause why his heart was dryed vp, but 5 also hee sheweth, that his heauinesse was so much, and so continual, that it caused him to forget and lothe his foode.] Verse 5. For the voyce of my groning [ i. through my great and continuall groning and sighing] my bones do cleaue to my skinne [ i. my bones & skinne doe cleaue together, and I am vtterly consumed as it were, so that there is nothing, but skinne and bone left, Sée Iob. 19.20.] Ver. 6. I [ vz. in this distresse and heauinesse] am like a Pelicane of the wildernes [ i. to Pelicane that abydeth continually in the [Page 329] wildernes] and like an owle of the deserts [ i. that kéepeth himselfe continual­ly in desert and solitary places. Either the Prophet, or the faythfull people vnder the name of one, chuse you whether, doeth in a double respect resemble himselfe to these foules or birdes: vz. both in respect of his mourning, these birdes mourning rather then singing in déede. I meane it of the Pellicane and of the owle: and also in respect of his solitaries, all birdes flying these birdes companies, specially the owles, as to which they neuer come or re­payre, but to kéepe a wondering at her.] Verse 7. I watch [ i. I doe with 7 great care labour to consider what I am, and at the length I finde my selfe to bée] as a sparrowe alone vppon the house toppe [ i. like a sparrowe, de­priued of all her company: meaning by this manner of speach also his soli­tarinesse, whome in déede all men did as it were forsake.] Verse 8. Mine 8 enemyes reuile mée [ vz. both by worde and déede] dayly [ i. daye, by daye, or one daye after another, meaning continually, and as though they ne­uer ceased] and they that rage against mee [ vz. with all manner of cruel­tye and madnesse as it were] haue sworne against mee [ vz. to take awaye my life: q.d. they haue bounde themselues by an othe that they will kill mee. Immanuel and others reade it thus, sweare by mee, and giueth this sense of it, they make a certayne fourme, of an othe or course of my name, and alleadgeth Numb. 5.27. and Isaiah. 65.15. but I sée no great reason, neither of the sense, nor of the allegation of the places.] Verse 9. Surely I haue 9 eaten of ashes as breade [some expound it thus, I like a miserable man am cast downe to the grounde: other some thus: when I was to take my refre­shing, I had no table prepared for mée, but my breade was as it were vn­cleanly layde, vppon the grounde or earth: but I sée no great reason in either of these senses. If this that followeth bee not the meaning of it, I knowe not what it shoulde be: I haue founde no more taste or sauour, in my meate, by reason of my wonderfull heauines, then a man findeth in earth, or ashes: and then it woulde be read thus by transposing of the wordes: surely I haue eaten breade as ashes] and mingled my drinke with wéeping [ i. I haue shedde abundaunce of teares, in so much that I coulde not absteine, no not when I haue béene drinking.] Verse 10. Because of thine indignation 10 and wrath [ vz. against mee. q.d. all these heauinesses and griefes haue fallen vppon mée, because I perceiued and felt that thou wast angry against mee] because thou hast heaued mée vppe [ vz. verye high] and cast mee downe [hée meaneth by this that the Lorde did correct him verye strongly and grieuously. It is a metaphor borowed from men, who if they will throwe any thing in their handes vyolentlye against the grounde, they stretch out their armes, and lift them vp on high, that they may doe it the more forcible: q.d. euen so hath the Lorde dealt with mee, and this must bee vnderstoode, not as though hee accused God of harde dealing, with him, but that he might thereby the better expresse, the greatnes of his grief Ver. 11. My 11 dayes [ i. the dayes of my life] are like a shadow that fadeth [ vz. away quickly [Page 330] and here marke, that when hee speaketh of a shadowe, hee meaneth it of those shadowes which goe immediatly before the sunne set: seeming in déede then to be very long and great, but by and by the sunne goeth away, and then they no more appeare: such a thing sayth he is my life, it vanisheth away sodainely, yea euen then when it séemeth to bee greatest, much more in this state of mine af­fliction] and I am withered like grasse [ i. for want of naturall moysture, my bones and body are dryed away, and therefore haue no hope of my life.] Verse 12 12. But thou O Lorde [ q.d. though mans life be neuer so brittle and inconstant yet thou remainest stedfast and vnchangeable, which is no smal comfort to thy afflicted seruants] doest remaine [ vz. like vnto thy selfe, and frée from all alte­ration or shadowe of turning] for euer [ vz. and euer] and thy remembraunce [ vz. which either thou hast of thy seruants, or else thy seruantes haue of thee] from generation to generation [sée Psal. 100.5.] Ver. 13. Thou wilt arise [ vz. 13 at the length, to ayde and helpe thy people, howsoeuer thou séemest for a tyme, to deferre and put of thy succour] and haue mercy [ vz. according to thy accu­stomed goodnes, and gracious promise] vpon Sion, [i. vppon thy Church, as Psal. 51.18.] for the time [ i. the due and fit time] to haue mercy thereon [ i. to shew mercy and compassion vnto] for the appoynted time [ i. the time which thou thy selfe diddest appoint and set. Sée 2. Chro. 36.21. Ierem. 25.12. Ierem. 29.10.] is come [and therfore we hope that thou wilt in mercy looke vpon vs, and deli­uer 14 vs out of captiuity.] Ver. 14. For thy seruants [ vz. distressed in afflictions, and yet notwithstanding remaining faithful to thée: and not Cyrus & Darius, as some suppose] delyte [ vz. greatly and much] in the stones therof [ q.d. they more esteeme, euen that disordered forme, that remained after the ruine and o­uerthrowe of the temple, then all the excellent pleasures of Babylon, or of the whole worlde besides] and haue pity on the dust thereof [ i. in a pitiful loue they lament ouer it, and yet notwithstanding do estéeme it, and haue it in great re­garde.] Ver. 15. Then [ vz. when thou shalt performe this grace to thy people] 15 the heathen [ i. all other nations besides thine owne people, for so they vsed to call all besides the Iewes] shall feare the name of the Lorde [ i. shal tremble at his great power and maiesty, though not with the reuerent and right feare thereof, which his owne children only haue] and al the kings of the earth [ q.d. this feare shal not onely sease the heartes of their common people, but euen of their greatest and mightiest princes] thy glory [ i. they shal feare thy maiesty & 16 glory, which doest such great and glorious thinges for thy people.] Verse 16. When the Lorde [hee noteth the time of the trembling of the kings and people shall builde vp Sion [i. his Church, vz. decayed and cast downe: hee vseth this worde Sion generally, for the place of Gods seruice, because that sometime the arke of couenant was placed there] and shal appeare in his glory [ i. shall shewe himselfe glorious and triumphant, which shall no doubt be comfortable to his 17 children, and feareful to his enemies.] Ver. 17. And shal turne [ vz. his gracious and louing countenance, meaning by this speach, yéelding or graunting] vnto the prayer [ i. to the harty supplications and requests] of the desolate [ i. of thē [Page 331] that are forsaken of all, whom, though they stand in néede of euery mans helpe, yet no man helpeth. The worde properly signifieth a kinde of shrubble, which groweth in vntilled places, as a brier, or such like, by which he noteth also, the people, that were in the captiuity of Babylon, as in a deserte and wilde place] and not despise their prayer [ vz. which they make vnto him in their affliction, hee speaketh one thing twise, as it were, of which sundry times before, and not as though god did euer despise the supplications of his poore seruants.] Ver. 18. This [ vz. gracious hearing of his poore seruants prayers, and deliuery of 18 them out of captiuity] shalbe written [ vz. as an excellent thing, and worthy of continual remembrance] for the generation to come [ vz. that they therby may be instructed both of the power of God, and his faithfulnes and trueth in per­forming his promises] and the people [ vz. of Israel and Iudah] which shalbée created [ i. which shal returne out of the captiuity of Babylon, which hée com­pareth to be a second birth or creation, as it were, because they séemed therin to bée as dead, Sée Ezech 37. from ver. 1. to the ende of the 14. of which also for the greatnes of it, it is sundry times sayd in the Prophets: It shalbée no more sayd the Lord liueth, that brought the people out of Egypt, but that brought the people from the lande of the North] shall prayse the Lorde [ vz. for his great goodnes and mercy towardes them.] Ver. 19. For hée hath looked downe [ vz. 19 vppon the great outrage of his enemies, and the wonderfull affliction of his people] from the height of his sanctuary [ i. euen from the very heauens, as hée séemeth to expound it, euen in this verse] out of the heauē [which is the throne of his maiesty] did the Lorde behold the earth [ i. not onely the earth it self, but specially and chiefly men inhabiting the earth, and amongest the rest his owne people, as may appeare in the verses following.] Verse. 20. That hee might 20 heare [ vz. and so take pity of] the mourning [ i. the sighings, gronings and la­mentable cryes] of the prisoner [ i. of the prisoners, one number put for an o­ther, meaning those that were bound and helde as captiues in Babilon] and deliuer [ vz. out of daunger, distresse, and all manner of feare] the children of death [ i. them that were at deaths doore, or appointed to death as it were. Sée Psal. 79.11.] Ver. 21. That they [ vz. so deliuered: noting also the end why god 21 giueth deliueraunce vnto his seruants] may declare [ i. set out and publish, and that both by word and déede] the name of the Lord [ i. his power, maiesty, good­nes, &c. as Psal. 21.1.] in Sion [i. in his Church] and his prayse [ i. the prayse which is due vnto him for the same: not that any is able to prayse him suffici­ently for his power and goodnes] in Ierusalem, [i. in the Church as before: Sion and Ierusalem being the principall places of his worshippe put for his whole Church, and the publike assemblies and congregations thereof: sée Psal. 2.6.] Ver. 22. When the people [ vz. which are nowe in captiuity and dispersed a­broad, 22 shalbe gathered together [ vz. to serue the Lorde in these places, and af­ter that sort which he himselfe hath prescribed] and the kingdomes [ vz. of the earth, meaning hereby the calling of other people besides the Iewes] to serue the Lord [ vz. according to the prescript rule of his word. The Prophet noteth [Page 332] two thinges specially in this verse: the one is the returning of the people out of Babylon, the other is, the calling of the Gentiles, to the religion and seruice 23 of God.] Ver. 23. He [ i. the Lorde] abated [ vz. by outwarde and inward afflic­tions] my strength [ i. whatsoeuer séemed excellent in mee, putting one excel­lent thing for many] in the way [ vz. wherein I walked, meaning the daies and course of his life, as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse] and shortened [ vz. in mine owne iudgment and as I supposed, for otherwise in re­spect of God, our dayes are certainely numbred] my dayes [ i. the dayes of my 24 life.] Ver. 24. And I sayd [ vz. in that great affliction and griefe] O my God, take mee not away [ vz. out of this life: q.d. let mee not vanishe awaye, but shewe mée thy fauour, in continuing my life] in the middest of my dayes [ i. before I come to the full ende of my race: and all this, and that in the former verse the Prophet speaketh, not onely in his owne person, but in the name of the rest of the faithful] thy yéeres indure from generation to generation [ i. thou continuest and abidest for euer, and art alwayes one, make mee therefore, q.d. 25 like vnto thy selfe.] Verse. 25. Thou [ vz. O GOD] hast afore tyme [ vz. in the beginning] layde the foundation of the earth [ i. created and mainteined the earth and all thinges therein, hee sheweth Gods eternitie, because hee was before all thinges created, and was the maker of all thinges whatsoe­uer] and the heauens [ vz. and all thinges therein conteined] are the worke of thine handes [ i. thou hast made them: handes attributed to GOD for our 26 vnderstanding sake.] Verse. 26. They [ vz. the heauen, the earth, and all thinges therein] shall perish [ vz. not in respect of their substance, but in respect of their qualities: sée Isaiah. 65.17. Isaiah. 66.22. Reuelat. 21.1. 2. Peter 3.12.13. and this perishing, hée calleth afterwardes in this verse, a chaunging] but thou shalt indure [ vz. frée from any alteration or chaunge, as Iames 1.17. and that for euer and euer, hée here commendeth Gods eternity, by comparison] euen they all [ q.d. not one of them accepted] shall waxe olde as doeth a garment [ i. shall through continuaunce of tyme decay, as doeth a garment] as a vesture shalt thou chaunge them [this is a metaphor taken from men, who changing their garmentes from worse to better of which chaunge of the creatures the Apostle speaketh Roman. 8.19.20.21.22. verses. Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shalbe imployed, I an­swere, that for as much as GOD in his worde, hath not reueiled that, it is more then curiositie to aske the same] and they shalbee changed [ i. they shall certainely, and without fayle bée chaunged, for so much doeth the 27 doubling of the worde, chaunge, import. Verse 27. But thou art the same [ i. alwayes one and the selfe same, without any shadowe of chaunging: q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable, yet thou the creator art alwayes vn­chaungeable] and thy yeeres [ i. the time of thy essence and beeing] shall not fayle [ vz. for euer and euer: q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting, 28 and so shalt continue.] Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes [ i. thy godly ones, and their godly posterity] shall continue [ vz. stedfast and sure, al­wayes [Page 333] safe vnder thy almighty defence, whatsoeuer great alteration shalbee in heauen or earth] and their séede [ i. their race and posteritie] shall stande fast [ vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer] in thy sight [ i. be­fore thée, hée meaneth that GOD will care for, and preserue for euer the godly.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests. Do. Verse. 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children, then to perceiue God any long time absent.] Ver. 3.4.5. Do de­clare, what great affliction the godly are in, for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them, for the same. Verse 6.7. Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men, Verse 8. Noteth two things, the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly: the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede. Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes, our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things: first, howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and in­dignation of the Lorde: Secondly, that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate: and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing, is not by for­tune as they say, but from the Lorde onely. Verse 11. Setteth out the short­nesse and troublesomnesse of mans life. Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie. Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assu­red trust, that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church. Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges, first to delyte more, euen in the verye ruines of the Church, then in the palaces of the vngodly: secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof. Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs, that Gods fauour shewed to his Church, shalbée matter of suffi­cient terrour to the wicked and vngodly. Ver. 17. Is comfortable, shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people, shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde. Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity, that both Gods mercy towards them, and his iudgements vpon the wicked, might be conuey­ed to their children. Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth, contrary to the imagination of them, who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen. Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his, and namely when they are in the greatest distresse. Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares, specially to this end, that they might publish his prayse for the same, in the Church. Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be, for the seruice and glory of god. Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children, layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life. Verse. 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life, but yet so, that that life may bée referred to Gods glory. Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth. Verse. 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature, which shoulde instruct vs, so to vse the worlde as though wee [Page 334] vsed it not, and no otherwise, but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life. Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is, yet the crea­tor is altogether vnchaungeable. Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly, their continuaunce.

Psalme 103.

Di. 1 THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes. In the first hee 2 doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord: and this is conteyned in the two first verses. In the seconde hee sheweth causes, for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde, as for 3 the forgiuenesse of their sinnes, for their deliuery from daunger, and the continuall course of his mercies, from ver. 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord, for the largenes of his goodnes, from ver. 20. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title of this Psalme, hath beene expounded before, in others of the lyke inscription. Ver. 1. My soule [hee exhorteth the soule, to this great worke, be­cause if that be ready, the other cannot be much backward: and the word, soule, is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions] prayse thou y e Lord [ vz. for his great mercies] and all that is within me [as my thought, my hart, and all the powers both of the one and the other, and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges, because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde, as Psal. 51.17. Ioh. 4.23. prayse his holy name [ i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his 2 maiesty, power, goodnes, &c. name is here vsed as Psalm. 20.3.] Ver. 2. My soule, praise thou the Lord [this is expounded before ver. 1. and forget not [ vz. through negligence or otherwise, but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power] al his benefites [ i. not onely all, but any one of them, as possible thou canst: and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the bles­sings, 3 which afterwardes he reckoneth vp.] Ver. 3. Which [ vz. alone] forgiueth thée [fréely, vz. and of his owne mercy onely, without any merites or deserts of thyne at all] all thine iniquity [ vz. committed either against God or man, ei­ther of ignoraunce or of knowledge: and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes, because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe: many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes, which are nothing else, but the effects of that reconciliation] and healeth [ vz. of his great goodnes, & his mighty power] all thine infirmities [ vz. bodily, or spirituall, outwarde, or in­ward.] 4 Ver. 4. Which [ vz. alone, as before ver. 3.] redéemeth [ vz. by his great and mighty power] thy life [ i. thy whole man, both body and soule, putting a part for the whole] from the graue [ i. from death and destruction, Sée Psalm. 16.10. putting that which followeth death, for death it selfe] and crowneth thée [ i. adorneth and compasseth thée about: as the crowne is a testimony of glory and honour, and compasseth the whole head round about] with mercyes and compassions [Page 335] [ i. with great abundaunce and varietye of mercies, which appeareth both in that hée vseth two woordes signifiying almost both one thing, and also be­cause hée putteth the latter in the plurall number.] Verse 5. Which satisfi­eth 5 the mouth [ i. which filleth thine affection and appetyte, Sée Psalm. 81.10. hee séemeth to alude to men, which take great licence to themselues, in eating and drinking, meaning that God will abundauntly satisfie vs, and giue vs all that wee can wish] with good thinges [ i. with all manner of good thinges, so that nothing should bee wanting] and thy youth [ i. the dayes and times of thine age, yea euen though thou bee olde, yet shall it bée as youth] is renued [ vz. through the speciall blessing and goodnes of GOD] as the Egles [which liue long, and dye not but through want of abilitie to take in their meate, as Aristotle, and Plinie both shewe.] Verse 6. The Lorde [ vz. himselfe 6 executeth [ vz. both in word and déed, specially when men are negligent] righ­teousnesse and iudgement [ i. suche sentence, as are righteous and iuste, Sée Psalm. 97.2.] to all [ vz. of his children and seruauntes] that are oppressed [ vz. by wicked and vngodly men.] Verse. 7. Hée [ vz. God the Lorde] made his 7 wayes knowne [by wayes, hee vnderstandeth, not onely the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt, and all that hée did for them, till hée brought them into the lande of Canaan, but euen his whole lawe] vnto Moses [ vz. first and be­fore others: and afterwardes by him to all his people] and his workes [ i. the excellent and noble workes which hée did, and that for their sakes] vnto the children of Israel [vz. which hee had chosen to bee a peculiar people to him­selfe.] Verse 8. The Lorde is full of compassion and mercye [ vz. to them 8 that come vnto him] slow to anger [ vz. though men by their wickednesses pro­uoke him much thereto] and of great kindnes [ vz. towardes them that turne vnto him, this sentence seemeth to bée taken out of Exodus 34.6. where the na­ture of GOD is so farre set foorth vnto vs, as is profitable for vs to knowe: and séemeth to bée the same, with Nehe. 9, 17. Psalm. 86.15.] Verse 9. Hee 9 will not alway chyde [ vz. with men, and specially with his children] neither keepe his anger for euer [ vz. towardes them, Sée Leuitic. 19.18.] Ver. 10. 10 Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes [ i. hee hath not punished vs, accor­ding to the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of our sinnes] nor regarded vs [ vz. in his iustice and iudgements: heare wée sée what rewardes wee may looke for, from the Lorde in respect of our selues] according to our iniquities [ vz. com­mitted against him and our brethren.] Verse 11. For as high as the heauen 11 is aboue the earth [ q.d. looke what distaunce there is betwéene heauen and earth, which is very great and wonderfull, yea infinite as it were] so great is his mercye [ i. the mercy which hée sheweth: for if hee had it in himselfe, and powred it not foorth vpon others, it were to litle purpose] towardes them that feare him [ vz. with an vnfeigned heart, putting the feare of GOD, for care, conscience and obedience to his trueth.] Verse 12. As farre as the East 12 is from the West [ vz. which wee knowe to be so farre asunder, that they shall [Page 336] neuer come together] so farre [yea and further to, if further possible can bée: hee meaneth by this comparison, that the Lorde hath vtterly remo­ued our iniquities from vs] hath hee remooued our sinnes [ i. the sinnes that wee haue committed] from vs [ i. who were the doers thereof.] Verse 13 13. As a Father [ vz. earthly or naturall] hath compassion on his chil­dren [notwithstanding that manye times they doe prouoke him to displea­sure] so [yea and in farre greater measure, by howe much GOD is greater then man, and his afflictions more certaine and sure] hath the Lorde compassion [ i. hée vouchsaueth them mercye, notwithstanding they deserue it not] on them that feare him. [Sée verse 11. of this Psalme.] 14 Verse 14. For hee knoweth [ vz. by manye degrees, better then wée our selues] whereof wée bée made [ i. of howe brittle a matter wée are crea­ted, for so much doeth the Hebrewe woorde import, which sense also maye bee gathered by that whiche followeth in this verse] hee remembreth [though men many times forget it] that wee are but dust [and that into 15 the same, wee shall returne, Sée Genesis 3.19.] Verse 15. The dayes of man [ i. the course of his yéeres and age, or the tyme of his life] are as grasse [ vz. which is cutte downe, withered, and quickely consumed: hee meaneth by this speach, the breuitye and shortnesse of mans lyfe] as a flowre of the fielde so florisheth hée [ i. hee is nowe florishing, and by and by withered: and note that hée speaketh of a flowre of the fielde, rather then of a garden flowre, because that fielde flowres, are more subiect to stormes, tempest, heate, &c. then the garden which haue more shelture and couerture.] 16 Verse 16. For the winde [ vz. sent from GOD, meaning by wynde, which is one meane to marre the beautye of blossomes and flowres, all o­ther whatsoeuer] goeth ouer it [ vz. with violence, and so [...]ppeth it, either with extreme colde as the Easternewynde, or with partching heate, as the Westerne wynde] and it is gone [ vz. out of mens sight: hée mea­neth that it is decayed] and the place thereof [ i. the grounde wherein it grewe] shall knowe it no more [ vz. in mans iudgement, meaning also by the woorde, it, the selfe same, and not any other of the same kynde. In these two last verses hée doeth nothing else, but by a similitude sette out the shortnesse and vanitye of mans lyfe, which is no better, then an hearbe or grasse, subiect to cutting downe, weather, wynde, and such 17 lyke.] Verse 17. But the louing kindnesse of the Lorde [ vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes] indureth for euer and euer [the reason is be­cause those whome the Lorde loueth hee loueth for euer] vppon them [ i. playnelye testified towardes them, and plentifullye powred foorth vp­pon them] that feare him [Sée verse 11. and 13. of this Psalme] and his righteousnesse [ i. his iust and faythfull kéeping of his promise, and the succour and ayde, by which hée maynteyneth and preserueth his] vppon childrens children [ i. to all posteritye.] Verse 18. Vnto them that kéepe [Page 337] [ vz. in their behauiour and conuersation] his couenaunt [ i. his Lawe, which is called a couenaunt, because it conteyneth the conditions of bar­gayne, as it were, betwéene GOD, and his people] and thinke vp­pon them [ vz. in their déepe thoughts and secret heart] his commande­mentes [ i. the matters which hée hath commaunded] to doe them [ vz. in their outwarde conuersation and dealing.] Verse 19. The Lorde hath 19 prepared his throne in heauen [ i. hée hath a kingdome and exerciseth the same euen in heauen, and yet that letteth not, but that his iurisdiction] ruleth our all [ vz. what soeuer either in heauen, or in earth. And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD, vz. for his gracious and large gouernement.] Verse 20. Prayse 20 the Lorde yée his Angels [Angels are sayde to bée Gods, not onelye because hée created them, but also because hee vseth them at his plea­sure, in the execution of his will] that excell in strength [ vz. all o­ther creatures: vnderstanding also by strengthe, whatsoeuer is excel­lent in them, so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23.] that doe his commaundemente [ i. the thinges hée commaundeth you] in obey­ing the voyce of his woorde [ q.d. you are so readye in obeying, that so 21 soone as the Lorde speaketh, you are readye to doe it.] Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes [some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures, because the Lorde hath them at commaundement, as a Captayne hath his armed men, and Souldiers to vse them, as plea­seth him: some onelye to Angels: but I allowe rather the former rea­son by that which is written, Genesis 2.1.] Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure [ i. what pleaseth him, before hee called his creatures hostes, for the multitude of them: Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts, because hée hath them at commaundemente.] Verse 22. Prayse the 22 Lorde [ vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse] all yée his woorkes [ i. all his creatures, of what order or condition so euer yée bée] in all pla­ces of his dominion [ i. euerye where, because hee ruleth euerye where, and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen, and in earth] my soule prayse thou the Lorde [hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it, and therefore, Sée verse 1. of this Psalme. And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence: Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last, al­so Psalme 147. verse 1. and last. Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last.

Verse 1. Teacheth vs, first to inforce our selues, Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces: Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly, as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man. Verse 2. Tea­cheth also two thinges: the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation, to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings [Page 338] of almightie GOD: Secondly that they rightly thought vppon, are strong arguments, to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4. He teacheth vs for what causes and graces, wée shoulde bee thankefull, vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings: they teach also, that all the graces which wee haue, wee receiue onely from the Lorde, but yet let vs somewhat more particularly con­sider them. Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes: secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely, which ouerthroweth mans merites: thirdly, that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them, originall, actual, &c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued, who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ, and as for actuall sinnes com­mitted after baptisme, men must satisfie for them. Lastly it teacheth, that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured, no though wée vse all meanes, vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke. Verse 4. Teacheth, first that the issues of life and death, are in Gods owne hande: Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely, and not by his owne strength, or any thing in him: Thirdly, that the Lorde is not skant, or pinching in his goodnesse, but plentifullye powreth it foorth, vppon those that are his. Verse 5. Teacheth vs, that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is: Second­ly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age, and ma­keth them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye, as in the dayes of their youth. Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye, yet the Lorde will deale vprightly, which is a great comfort vn­to his children. Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde, and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers. Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye, the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye. Verse 9. Teacheth vs, that this is no small comfort, that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children: Sée Psalme. 30.5. Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death: yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe, to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come. Verse 11. Tea­cheth vs, that Gods mercye is infinyte, and incomprehensible. Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect. Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD, to­wardes his sonnes and seruauntes. Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition, doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16. Vnder the similitude of the grasse, flowre, wind &c. doe set foorth, not onely the shortnes, but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life. Verse. 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge, yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe: and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him. Ver. 18. Tea­cheth vs, that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde, [Page 339] practise and obedience: also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde, and his commaundementes, to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same. Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome, which is comfortable to the godly, because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list. Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience, to the voyce and worde of the Lorde. Verse 21.22. Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde, much more man that excellent creature, not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created, but also because hée hath receiued infi­nite numbers of benefites aboue the rest. Ver. 22. And these woordes, in all places of his dominion, teach Gods children, neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD: and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme, with the same sentence, that hee did beginne it, hee doeth not onely shewe, howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is, but also howe dull men are thereto, and that maketh him in this Psalme, to double and treble that sentence, that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety.

Psalme 104

THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry mat­ters, and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided. Di. Not­withstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke. In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and o­thers 1 to praise God for his power, from ver. 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of 2 God towardes his creatures both generally and particularly: and this rea­cheth from verse 11. to the ende of the 23. And in the thirde parte hee doeth 3 not onely expresse Gods excellency manifested in his creatures, but spea­keth also together both of his power and prouidence, sometymes wonde­ring at the Lordes woorkes, sometimes praysing him for the same, and sometyme praying against the wicked, from verse 24. to the ende of the Psalme.

This Psalme hath no title, as many other Psalmes haue not: Se. yet notwithstanding a man may probably coniecture, that hee which penned the other, penned this also, adding it to the former thus, whereas hée had in the other set foorth Gods graces to the Church, hee doeth in this set foorth Gods goodnes to all creatures. Verse 1. My soule prayse thou the Lorde 1 [Sée Psalm. 103.1.] O Lorde my GOD [ i. the onely true God, whome I thy poore seruant worshippe] thou art exceeding great [ vz. in maiesty, power glory, &c. as may appeare by that which followeth] thou art clothed with glo­ry and honour [ i. thou art compassed about on euery side with it, and haste [Page 340] it in great abundaunce: and all this as many other things in this Psalme, are spoken of GOD according to mans capacity.] Verse 2. Which co­uereth himselfe with light as with a garment [ i. his honour and glorye doth greatly appeare, euen in the creation of the light: so that though GOD be inuisible in respect of his owne nature, yet his glorye is sufficiently manife­sted and shining foorth, throughout the worlde] and spreadeth out the hea­uens like a curtaine [ i. layeth them abroade, so that they may euidentlye bée séene, as a thing spred out: by heauens he vnderstandeth the firmament, which also hath his name in the Hebrewe tongue of stretching out or ouer­spreading, it shoulde séeme that in this ver. hee meaneth that which is expres­sed, Genesis 1.3.6. And marke howe in this verse and the rest following, 3 hée sodaynely chaungeth the person.] Verse 3. Which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters [ i. whose gouernement stretcheth euen vnto the verye deapthes of the waters. The speach is somewhat darke, but it is vttered to bring men into the greater admiration, meaning that wee néede not to ascende so high as heauen to finde GOD out, for if we looke belowe, wée shall finde liuely portraitures of his glorye] and maketh the cloudes his chariotes [hee meaneth that GOD the gouernour of the world, turneth the cloudes, windes &c. according to his good pleasure, euen as ea­sily as the cocheman doeth his chariot] and walketh [ vz. as a ruler and go­uernour] vppon the winges of the wynde [hée meaneth that hee gouerneth 4 also the wyndes, Sée Psalm. 18.10.11. Also Isaiah. 19.1.] Verse 4. Which maketh the spirites his messengers [ i. hée vseth the windes and fire, as messengers, ministers and executioners of his will and iudgements: so that in respect of their obedience, they haue euen the name of Angels, as it were, giuen vnto them] and a flaming fire his ministers [ i. hée sendeth forth thun­dringes, lightninges, and such other like straunge thinges in the ayre, both to terrifie men, and to perfourme whatsoeuer hee appointeth them. The Apostle, Hebrewes 1.7. applieth this to Angels and ministring spirits.] Ver. 5 5. Hée set the earth vppon her foundations [ i. by his vertue and power, hée hath made it firme, stable, and sure, euen as a frame set vppon a good foundation standeth fast] so that it shall neuer moue [ vz. ordinarilye, and in a continuall course, otherwise this place letteth not, but that through Gods speciall appoyntment there may bée terrible and fearefull earth­quakes. And that worde, neuer, must bée vnderstoode, so long as the world indureth: and also hauing respect vnto other creatures: which by reason of 6 their owne lightnesse, and Gods appointment are caried hither, and thi­ther, whereas the earth remayneth firme and sure.] Verse 6. Thou [ vz. O Lorde: obserue the sodaine chaunge of the person] coueredst it [ vz. the earth] with the déepe [ vz. waters. This may bée vnderstoode, either of that which is spoken Genesis 1.2. or of the generall flood, at both which times all the earth was ouercouered with waters] as with a garment [ i. eue­ry where, and in euery place] the waters will stande [ vz. euen at this day] [Page 341] aboue the mountaines [ vz. vnlesse they were kept through thy power and pro­uidence within the boundes and borders which thou hast set them.] Verse 7. 7 But at thy rebuke [ q.d. euen at thy bare worde, and angry countenance only] they flée [ vz. backewarde, euen as though they were discomfited, so that wee sée they can not rage whither they woulde: and by that meanes they are in stéed of an ornament and beautifying vnto the earth: some, and that not amisse ney­ther, referre it to the parting of the waters from the drie lande, mentioned Genesis 1.6.] at the voyce of thy thunder [by rebuke before, and thunder in this place, hee meaneth nothing but that commaundement of GOD, by which hee represseth the raging of the Seas] they haste awaye [ vz. into the places that thou hast appointed them.] Verse 8. And the mountaines ascende 8 [ i. appeare and shewe foorth themselues after the departure of the waters] and the valleis descende [ i. are made manifest also] to the place which thou hast established for them [ i. they lye and are setled in those places, which thou hast appointed them. Though this sense carry with it some probabilitye, yet by reason of that which goeth before, spoken of the waters and floods, and by reason of that which followeth in the next verse spoken of them also, I woulde this verse wholly restored out of Immanuel thus.] They [ vz. the waters] went vppe by the hilles, and went downe through the valleis, in to the place, which thou haddest establisted for them. q.d. thou haddest no sooner spoken the woorde, but they made a way for themselues, euen through thicke and thinne as wée woulde saye, sparing nothing, till they came to the place that thou haddest appointed and set for them: so that neither the high mountaines coulde hinder them, nor the lowe valleyes conteine, but of necessitie, to that place they must goe, which thou haddest set for them.] Verse 9. Thou [ vz. O Lorde onely, and none 9 but thou] hast set [ vz. by thy almightye woorde, and commaundement: as Iob. 38.10.] them [ i. all waters, either of Seas, or otherwise] a bond [ i. a certaine compasse and course] which they shall not passe [ vz. though they doe what they can and rage neuer so sore. Sée Iob. 38.10.11. also Ieremie 5.22.] They [ i. the waters generallye] shall not returne [ vz. by any strengthe they haue of themselues or otherwise] to couer the earth [ vz. as they haue doone heretofore. Genesis 1. verse 2.6.9. or else as they did in the time of the flood. Genesis 7.19. &c. it may well bee refer­red to bothe: to the former, because GOD by creation hath set them an ordinarie course, and to the latter, because hée hath promised hee will neuer destroye the worlde with water againe, Genesis 9.15.] Verse 10. Hée [ i. 10 GOD: and marke the sodaine chaunge of the person, from the second to the thirde] sendeth [ vz. by his eternall appoyntment and power] the springs in­to the valleyes [the Prophet meaneth, that by Gods decree and appoynt­ment, the fountaines and springes keepe their course, euen in those pla­ces, that he hath assigned them, that is in the vales and lenelles of the lande] [Page 342] which [ vz. fountaines or springes runne betwéene the mountaines [ q.d. not withstanding that they séeme to bee little thinges, yet God doeth sometimes so increase them, that they rise as high as some part of the mountaines. This serueth to set out Gods power in the ordinarye gouernement: euen of his creatures also.] Ver. 11. They [ i. the waters and springes] shall giue drink [ vz. in great plenty and abundance] to all the beastes of the fielde [ vz. so that not one of any kinde shalbee excepted, and hee speaketh rather of beastes then of men, the better to set out the grace of GOD, not only in that he prouideth for bruite beastes, but also in that hee giueth them, which drinke more then men, such great abundaunce of it] and the wilde asses, shall quench their thirst [ q.d. euen the beastes that drinke most, by reason of their heate shall not onely be satisfied, but leaue abundaunce beside: of the wilde asse, Sée Iob. 39. ver. 8.9. 12 10.11.] Ver. 12. By these springes [ vz. spoken of before] shall the foules of the heauen [ i. the birdes of the ayre: heauen put for the aire, Sée Matth. 6.26.] dwell [ i. abide and continue, and that with delight, which hée expresseth af­terwardes] and shall sing [ vz. for ioy and pleasure that they shall take therein] among the braunches [ vz. of the trees, that stande along by the riuers sides.] 13 Ver. 13. He [ i. God] watereth the mountaines [ i. powreth downe abundance of waters vppon the mountaines, so that by reason of the rayne which he sen­deth, hee maketh, the mountaines otherwise barren, very fruitfull] from his chambers [ i. from the cloudes: which are sayde to bee Gods chambers, be­cause it séemeth to vs, that the Lorde dwelleth in and aboue them, so that chambers is taken in an other sense here, then in verse 3. of this Psalme] and the earth [ i. the whole worlde so that there is no part exempted, no nor no crea­ture either man or beast, as may appeare by that which followeth in this Psalme] is filled [ vz. plentifully, and in very great abundaunce] with the fruite of thy workes [ i. with those fruites which by thy workes thou doest gra­ciously minister vnto them: which fruites also through thy blessing and com­maundement the earth it selfe doth yéeld. And marke the sodaine chaunge of the 14 person from the thirde to the second.] Ver. 14. Hée [ i. God] causeth [ vz. by his almighty power, as the first cause, and by rayne and dewe from heauen, as the seconde cause] grasse to growe [ vz. vppon the earth] for the cattle [ i. for the vse of cattle, that it may bee meate vnto them] and herb [ i. euerye gréene thing, sée Genesis 1, 29.] for the vse of man [ i. for man to vse eyther neces­sarily or of pleasure] that he [ vz. man, being strengthened by the vse of the hearbes, trées, &c.] may bring forth [ vz. by his ordinary labour and trauayle] bread [though the Prophet meane it principally of bread, yet he vnderstan­deth also thereby all manner of sustenaunce] out of the earth [ vz. laboured and tilled, in the sweat of mans face, Gen. 3.18.19. Immanuel readeth the latter part of the ver. thus] that they [ i. both man & beast, reading it in the plural number] may fet meat out of the earth [ i. may haue al maner of food ministred vnto them out of the earth, for the maintaynaunce of their life: whatsoeuer it be, all com­meth [Page 343] to one end, vz. to shew that God by his power doth this and doth that.] Verse 15. And wine [ vz. God giueth] that maketh glad the hart of man [ i. ma­keth 15 mans hart to reioyce when it is striken downe with heauinesse, sée Pro­uerb. 31.6.7.] and oyle to make the face to shine [ i. to make him séeme to haue a merry and chearefull countenaunce: he speaketh this according to the man­ner of those hote countries, wherein men vsed with sauours and oyntmentes, both to strengthen and refresh themselues] and bread [ vz. he giueth also vnder­standing by bread, as before verse 14] that strengtheneth mans hart [ i. whiche is a good meane to ad strength and courage to a mans stomach. And mark the Prophets course: he sheweth in this place that God plentifullye giueth vnto all his creatures, and namely vnto man, not only life, but al thinges necessary for the maintaynaunce thereof. Whether they be thinges necessary, as breade and foode, or profitable as wine and drinke, or seruing to pleasure, delighte, or comlinesse of the body, as oyle and oyntments, &c.] Verse 16. The high Trées 16 [he passeth from men to trées, shewing that euen Gods power and prouidence also watcheth ouer them] are satisfyed [ vz. with moysture, dew, and rayne, sent from the Lord to make them grow and increase] euen the Cedars of Lebanon [sée Psalme 29, 5.] which he hath planted [ i. which the Lord himselfe hath cau­sed to grow: which sort of Trees must néedes excell them that are set by Art.] Verse 17. That the birdes [ vz. of the Woods and Forrests, yea the very foules 17 of heauen] may make their neasts there [ vz. in those trées, because they are so great, high and mighty. The Prophet doth not meane only as I take it, that God ordeyned the Trées to this end, that birdes might build their neasts ther­in, but also to shew the greatnesse of Gods power in creating such great trées, as are able to receiue the Fowles of the ayre] the storke dwelleth in the Firre trées] he meaneth not only that they build their neasts there for their yong ones 18 but also haue as it were their continuall abode.] Verse 18. The high Moun­taynes [ vz. otherwise barren and bare, are yet notwithstanding good and pro­fitable] are for the Goates [ vz. good to féede on and to liue in] the Rockes are a refuge for the Conies [ vz. to kéepe them safe in, as it were from al distresse and 19 feare.] Verse 19. He [ vz. God] appoynted [ vz. by the order which he himselfe set in creation] the Moone [ i. that glorious and excellent creature] for certayne seasons [ i. not only to distinguish the night from the day, and other times spo­ken of, Gene. 1.14. &c. as monethes, yéeres, &c. but also for some principall feastes obserued in the lawe] and the sunne [ i. that other great and excellent creature] knoweth [ vz. by the boundes and orders which God hath set out] his going downe [ i. in what part it shoulde set, according to the seuerall quarters of the yéere.] Verse 20. Thou makest darkenesse [ i. thou cau­sest darkenes to come in an ordinarye course. And not as though GOD did euery night make newe darkenesse, for hee did once create the same, Gene. 1.2. to continue as the rest of his creatures] and it is night [ i. night commeth presently, for none is able to let or withstande it] wherein [ i. in which darkenesse and night] all the beastes of the forrest [ i. a great number [Page 344] of rauening and deuouring beastes, whiche in the daye tyme durste not for feare of man shew their heads: amongst these hee reckoneth vp the Lyon in the nexte verse] créepe forth [ vz. out of their holes and dennes, where they 21 had lurked all the day long.] Verse 21. The Lions [ i. euen the yong, lu­stie, and strong Lyons] roare [ vz. in that darkenesse and nighte] after their praye [ i. after a praye that they woulde gladlye gette and obtayne, to satisfye their hunger withall] and séeke their meate at GOD [the Pro­phet meaneth not that they staye themselues vppon the care which GOD hath ouer them, for that they cannot doe, but hée sheweth that GOD doth myraculouslye giue meate to the Lyons and other deuouring beasts, yea al­though they liue by spoyle and rauening, whiche serueth wonderfullye to sette foorth God his power and prouidence, whiche is the special marke, 22 that the Prophet aymeth at in this Psalme.] Verse 22. When the Sunne ryseth [the Prophet sheweth that GOD so distributeth the tyme, that the daye belongeth vnto man, and the nighte to rauenous beastes: whose cruelty is in parte also restrayned by the lighte of the Sunne or day: so that they are thereby as it were constrayned, to kéepe themselues in their dennes to the ende that man may more safelye goe aboute his busi­nesse] they retyre [ i. those rauenous Beastes of the Forrestes] and couche in their Dennes [ i. lye still and quietlye there, without annoying 23 or hurting man any waye.] Verse 23. Then [ i. at the Sunne rysing, and when the wilde beastes are in their Caues and holes] goeth man foorth, [ i. mankinde or the people whiche inhabite the earth] to his worke and to his labour [ i. to the affayres and businesses whiche thou haste appointed him to doe: whiche is called his, because hée is Gods Instrumente in the per­formaunce thereof] vntill the euening [whiche tyme thou of thy good­nesse, 24 O Lorde, haste ordayned for his rest.] Verse 24. O Lorde [the Pro­phet in this sentence vseth both an exclamation, and a wondering, after that hee had, as before, spoken of the merueylous vses of GOD his go­uernmente] howe manifolde [ i. not onely dyuers in respecte of kynde, but innumerable in respect of multitude] are thy workes [ i. the thinges that thou haste created and made] in wisedome [ i. in suche greate and excellent wisedome haste thou made them all [ vz. generally and particu­larlye, as none is able to controll eyther the whole, or any parte thereof. The Prophet meaneth, that Gods workemanshippe is so exquisite, that there is no confusion eyther in the whole or in parte: some expounde it thus] In wisedome hast thou made them all [ i. by wisedome, meaning his eter­nall Sonne, as Prouerbes 8, verse 22, &c. vnto the ende of the Chapter, but notwithstanding I lyke the former sence better] the earth [ i. the whole worlde, and the people that dwell therein] is full of thy riches [ i. is plentifullye replenished with varyetie of thy greatnesse, whiche are greate te­stimonyes 25 of thy grace.] Verse 25. So is the Sea [ q.d. as the earth is filled with thy riches, so is the Sea lykewise, from the testimonyes of [Page 345] Gods grace and goodnesse vpon the Lande, he commeth to the Sea which hée setteth out as it were a new glasse, wherein men may behold Gods power and wisedome] greate and wyde [hée attributeth two Titles to the Sea: the one noting the force thereof, the other the largenesse, both yet tending to many­fest Gods power, which had replenished so huge a place with such wonder­full store and varietye of creatures] for therein [ i. in the Sea] are thinges, [ vz. whiche thou haste created] créeping [ vz. according to the order whiche thou haste sette: meaning by this terme, swimming, and liuing in the Wa­ters] innumerable [hée sheweth that the creatures of GOD in the Sea can not bée numbred, muche lesse can those in Heauen, and these in earth, and al­together] both small Beasts and great [ q.d. There is not onely innumera­ble store, but varietye of kindes also, all which setteth forth still Gods migh­tye power.] Verse 26. There [ i. in that Sea] goe the Shippes [ i. they 26 sayle to and fro: a Metaphor taken from liuing Creatures, and applyed to insensible thinges] yea that Leuiathan [ q.d. Euen that same greate monstrous Fishe is in the Sea also, sée Iob. 40. verse 20. to the end of the Chapter, and Iob 41. throughout] whome thou hast made to play therein [ i. to swimme vp and downe at his pleasure: q.d. This onely Sea beast, doth sufficyently sette out vnto vs the fearefull power of GOD, whose styr­ring though it trouble the seas, yet is it nothing but sporte in respecte of GOD.] Verse 27. All these [ vz. thy creatures, whether they bée in the 27 ayre, or in the earth, or in the Sea] wayte vppon thée [ vz. not only to haue foode and sustenaunce as followeth, but to bée disposed of euen as shall please thée, without whome they canne doe nothing] that thou [ vz. tho­rowe thy prouidence and appoyntment] mayest giue them [ vz. of thy graci­ous goodnesse and mercy] foode [ vz to eate vppon and lay by] in due season [ i. in that time wherein thou thy selfe haste appoynted with thy selfe to be­stowe it vppon them.] Verse 28. Thou giuest it [ vz. graciously and plenti­fullye] 28 vnto them [ vz. when they are in néede and wante] and they gather it [ vz. to their comforte and sustentation] thou openest thine hande [hée séemeth here to resemble GOD to a good Father or Mayster of a house­holde, who many tymes with holdeth from his children and Seruauntes, to the ende that they might learne to sette a better price vpon them, which when he séemeth then inclined vnto, then hée bestoweth these thinges vppon them] and they are filled with good thinges [ vz. from thée: by opening of the hande, hée meaneth Gods greate liberalitye: and by filling with good thinges hée vnderstandeth the effecte of that grace.] Verse 29. But if 29 thou hyde thy face [ i. if thou shewe not thy selfe fauourable and mercy­full vnto them but leaue them. Hée sheweth that euen GOD his verye countenaunce giueth euen béeing and moouing, and lyfe vnto all thinges.] they are troubled [ vz. beyonde all measure, so that they euen seeme to bee withoute all lyfe or béeing.] If thou take awaye their breath [ i. that kinde of lyfe whiche thou hast giuen them, sée Genesis 1, verse 24.] they [Page 346] die and returne to their dust [ vz. out of which they were taken: and not that it 30 is their owne.] Verse 30. Againe, if thou [ vz. O Lorde: the Prophetes minde is to shew, that the death and life of all creatures is in the Lords power only] send forth thy spirit [ i. thy quickening and liuely power: some referre it to the holy Ghost, I suppose both sences may very well stand, prouided also that wée fall not into the error of some who supposed that the spirit did essentially dwell in men and other creatures] they are created [ i. not only restored into their for­mer state, by thy fauourable countenaunce, after they haue bene troubled by withholding thy goodnesse from them, as verse 29 of this Psalme, but also by propagation of séede and ofspring, they are as it were anew, thorow y e strength of thy commaundement and blessing, Gen. 1. in sundry places created] and thou renuest the face of the earth [ i. though thou séeme to man, by reason of the death which falleth vpon creatures to be a wonderful decay of earthly creatures, yet by raising vp the like in their roomes, vpon the vpper part of the earth, thou gi­uest as it were a new face and countenaunce agayne vnto the same.] Verse 31. 31 Glory be to the Lord for euer [after the particular description of Gods po­wer and prouidence in his creatures, he bursteth forth to Gods prayse for the same: and wisheth as it were that both he and all men would yéeld continuall thankes and prayse vnto him therefore] let the Lord reioyce [ i. take singular delight and pleasure] in his workes [ i. in the workes and creatures whiche hée hath made. The Prophet addeth vnto his former praysing of God for his po­wer and goodnesse, a praier to the Lord for the continuance of the same towards his creatures. I know others expound it otherwise, but me thinketh this is a 32 simple sence.] Verse 32. He [ vz. God] looketh [ vz. with his angry countenāce as it were] on the earth [ i. on the world it selfe, and all things therein contay­ned] and it trembleth [ vz. for feare and reuerence of his maiestie] hee toucheth the mountaynes and they smoke [ q.d. the Lorde néedeth not to doe much to te­stifie his wrath, for euen the very Mountaynes by touching them shall burne and consume. All this is nothing else but a consideration of the greate power 33 and Maiestie of God, of which sée more Psalme 18, 7, 8, 9. &c.] Verse 33. I will sing vnto the Lord [ i. I will prayse him, pray vnto him, and serue him, for hée putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole: q.d. Euen the greatnesse of his power and maiestie, shall be one meane to draw me on to the seruice and obedi­ence of him, and that not for a small time onely, but all my life long] I will prayse my God while I liue [this is the same with that which went before, the doubling of it noteth the resolute purpose whiche the Prophet had to performe 34 this his vow.] Verse 34. Let my wordes be acceptable vnto him [hee promised before prayse and thanksgiuing: and now he desireth that that seruice maye be pleasaunt in his sight. I vnderstand by wordes not only the words of his prayers, though them chéefely indéede, but all his other spéeches whatsoeuer, sée Psalme 19, 14.] I will reioyce in the Lorde [ q.d. I will remooue all my thoughts, from the pleasures and profits of this life, to the ende I may staye 35 my selfe vpon a spirituall ioy and contentment in God only.] Verse 35. Lette [Page 347] the sinners [ i. the notorious wicked men sée Psalme 1. ver. 1.5.] be consumed [ vz. vtterly, lest they should infect others, & stay from the y e godly abundance of graces & blessings] out of the earth [ vz. wherein they dwell: and thus he pray­eth agaynst the vngodly, whom the Lord had sealed vp agaynst the day of his wrath] and the wicked [ vz. men of the worlde, meaning by wicked men, them that foster and foode themselues in wickednesse] till there bee no more [ vz. of them left vpon the earth: he desireth an vtter taking awaye of the vngodlye, both of their persons and memories] O my soule prayse thou the Lorde [sée verse 1. of this Psalme, where you haue the same wordes. In these wordes hée prouoketh himselfe to prayse the Lorde, as in these wordes following] prayse yée the Lorde [he prouoketh the rest of the godlye and faythfull to doe the like. And thus muche for the sence of this Psalme: the doctrines follow in order.

Verse 1 teacheth vs, to stir vp our selues to the prayses of God: De. it teacheth vs also that Gods power and glorye, doth after a sort craue the same at our handes. Verse 2 sheweth that euen in Gods creatures, we haue euident glasses wherein to beholde his Maiesty, power, &c. the selfe same thing doth ver. 3 and and many other verses in this Psalme teach. Verse 3 teacheth that God by his power ruleth the waters, the cloudes, the windes, &c. the same doctrine doeth verse 4 deliuer. Verse 5 teacheth that whatsoeuer firmity the earth hath, it hath it from the Lord, and not of it self. Verse 6, 7, teach that neither the waters nor any other creature can go further then the Lord appoynteth them: and that his onely word without any déede as it were, is sufficient to staye the rage of them all. Verse 8, and 9. teach the selfe same doctrine: sée Prouerbes 8.29. Verse 10.11, teach that all blessings whatsoeuer, yea and the abundaunce of them come from the Lorde only. Verse 12 teacheth that God hath made his creatures not only profitable for man, but one of them ioyfull and delightful to another. Verse 13 teacheth that God can by moysture as a meane, make barren places plentifull: also that there is no place of the world wherein there is not to be séene abundaunce of his blessinges, though in some places more then in other some, as must be confessed. Verse 14 teacheth what care God hath ouer his creatures, in giuing them all thinges necessarye for the mayntainaunce of life. Verse 15 setteth out Gods large liberalitie, who giueth vs all thinges of pleasure, as well as of profite, contrary to the assertion of Anabaptistes, who would haue vs vse nothing for necessitie only. Verse 16 teacheth that which god doth, farre excelleth all done by arte or witte of man. Verse 17, 18. shewe that God hath made all creatures one of them to be delightfull and profitable to an other, sée before verse 12. Verse 19 doth not onely expresse Gods power and pro­uidence in the Sunne and Moone, but their obedience also to that course sette them: which shoulde teache vs to walke with care and conscience before him. Verse 20.21.22.23. set forth Gods great care for man and beast, who hath distri­buted to eyther of them times for their labour, and times for their rest, whiche also teacheth vs to beware that we turne not the day into night, nor the nighte [Page 348] into daye, withoute some verye speciall and vrgent occasion. Verse 24 teacheth vs that the variety and plentye of GOD his creatures, shoulde not on­lye draw vs into a maruayling at them and their Creator, but also into a pray­sing of him for the same. Verse 25 teacheth vs that euen the Sea as well as the Lande, doth lyuely expresse the greatnesse of GOD his power and good­nesse. The same in particularitye doth verse 26. whiche verse 25 did gene­rallye. Verse 27 doth not onely set out the largenesse of Gods prouidence, which stretcheth it selfe to all creatures: but also it teacheth vs with patience to attende for euerye thing necessarye, from the Lordes hande in due season. Verse 28 teacheth that Gods frée and only liberalitye, is the very cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures. Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour, is the fountayne of all woe, disquietnesse, death, &c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature, but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy, and to pray for the continuaunce thereof. Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye, as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth. Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue, and carefully to labour the performance thereof. Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regar­ded in Gods sight. Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly: also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde.

Psalme 105

Di. 1 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes. In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies, shewing who they are that shoulde doe it, from the first verse, 2 to the ende of the sixte. In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them, from the tyme of their firste calling, till their comming oute of E­gipt, 3 from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes, and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme.

Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme, declaring who made it, yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8. &c. that Dauid made it, and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it. And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going, vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107. following, al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God: partly for his graces towards the Church, Psalme 103, and generallye towardes all crea­tures, [Page 349] Psalme 104: and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by try­ing and correcting them, Psalme 105, 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men, Psalme 107.] Verse 1. Prayse the Lord [ vz. all ye good and faythful peo­ple, 1 he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull, and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued] and call vpon his name [ i. feare his Maiesty, but specially pray vnto him, putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole] de­clare [ vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place] his workes [ i. the mar­uaylous thinges that hée hath done] among the people [ vz. not onely of Iu­dea, but of the whole earth.] Verse 2. Sing vnto him, sing prayse vnto 2 him [ vz. alone: the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp, and al­so to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing. Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes, that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth, and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe] and talke [ vz. amongest your selues, openlye and euerye where] of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you, and your Fathers: so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remem­braunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs.] Verse 3. Re­ioyce 3 in his holye name [ i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his: which besydes the excellencye thereof, contayneth in it holinesse also] lette the hearte [ i. the inwarde affection, as well as the out­warde behauiour] of them that séeke the Lorde [ vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte, vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde, seruing of him accor­ding to his will reuealed in his worde] reioyce [ vz. in the Lorde, and bée glad euen for this, that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him.] Verse 4 4. Séeke the Lorde [ vz. earnestlye, and that euen now while hée maye bée founde, as Isaiah 55.6,] and his strength [ 1. the Arke of the Coue­naunte, from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte: Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61.] séeke his face [ i. the arke of couenaunte, whiche is also called Gods face, because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse to­wards his people] continually [ i. so long as you liue: q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie.] Verse 5. Remember [ i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon, 5 that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him] his marueilous workes [ i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people: & he calleth thē maruailous, because y e Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē, euen so y t a man might easily iudge y t they came from him] that he hath done [ vz. in time heretofore, and that for you & your fathers] his wonders [ i. the strange things which he hath done, far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit] and the iudgementes of his mouth [ i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others, and also the law and word he hath giuen vn­to you, for I would referre it to both these.] Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham 6 [ i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh] his seruaunt [ i. that serued GOD: hee setteth before them their Fathers [Page 350] example, the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye] ye children of Iaakob [ i. O ye that come of Iaakob] w ch are his elect [ i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations: and here he vseth another 7 reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience.] Verse 7. Hée [ vz. alone, and none other but he is the Lord our God [ i. he that gouerneth vs, and vpon whome we our selues depend] his iudgementes [ vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse, meaning by iudgements, punishments] are thorow all the earth [ i. are made manifest in all the world, though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same: or else we may take iudgements for rule, guiding and gouernment: so you haue the word, to iudge, vsed Psalm 98, 9. meaning that Gods gouern­ment 8 was stretched thorow out all the world.] Verse 8. He hath alway remem­bred his couenaunt and promise [ vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts: me­ning by remembred not only thinking vppon it, but also the execution and per­formaunce of it] that he made [ vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse] to a thousand generations [ i. not only to infinite numbers of people, putting a nū ­ber certayne for an vncertayne, but also to last and indure for euer. Verse 9. E­uen 9 that [ vz. couenaunt] which he made with Abraham [ vz. our Father, sée Genesis 12, 2, 3] and his oth vnto Isaak [sée Genesis 26.3.4. &c. and hee vseth the word, oth, to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed 10 betwéene God and the people.] Verse 10. And since [ vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak, meaning after their death] hath confirmed it [ vz. both by word and déede] to Iaakob [Isaaks sonne, yet so, that he vnderstandeth vnder him his po­sterity also] for a law [ i. as a thing that should continue and abide without any alteration or chaunge] and to Israel [ i. vnto Iaakob, for he had two names, as appeareth Genesis 32, 28.] for an euerlasting couenaunt [ i. referred to Iaakob and his posteritie, to last and continue for a long while, sée Genesis 28, 13, 14, 15, for his séede hath not alwayes possessed that lande: but referred to Christe 11 and his, it is true for euer and euer.] Verse 11. Saying [the Prophet reciteth Gods owne wordes] vnto thée [ vz. and thy posteritie after thée, but he nameth him as the chéefest] will I giue [ vz. of my frée goodnesse and mercy onlye] the land of Canaan [he meaneth the whole Countrie wherein dwelt seuen nati­ons greater and mightier then the Iewes, sée for this promise also Gen. 35.12] the lotte of your inheritaunce [ q.d. which lande falleth for your inheritaunce, as it were by lot, sée Deut. 32, 9. the worde that we turne lot, is in the Hebrewe text corde or line, because that by cordes or lines in those dayes they vsed to measure out inheritaunces: see Psalme 16. verse 6.] and that word, your inheri­taunce, that God made his couenaunt in that respect with the whole people ge­nerally.] 12 Verse 12. Albeit they were few in number [ q.d. in this gracious coue­naunt making, as the multitude did not moue him, as Deut. 7, 7. so the pauci­tie or fewnesse of them did not discourage him] yea very few [and as a man would say, scarse two persons in respect, sée Genesis 34, 30.] and straungers 13 in the lande [ vz. which he had promised them and they possessed.] Verse 13. And walked about [ vz. so vncertaine was their estate, being inforced so to doe, [Page 351] sometimes by occasion of famine, and somtimes thorow other means: sée Gen. chap. 12, 10, also chap. 20, 1, 2. &c. chap. 26.1. &c. sée also chap. 46. throughout] from nation to nation, and from one kingdome to another people [he meaneth that they had no long continuance in any place, but were stil flitting and remouing too and fro, sometimes here, sometimes there.] Ver. 14. Yet [ q.d. for all their di­stresses 14 & miseries] he suffered no man to doe them wrong [he meaneth by this spéech vtter oppressing & iniuring of them, for otherwise it cannot bee denyed but the taking away of Sarah, the deflowring of Dinah, and such lyke, were all iniuryes] but reproued Kings for their sake [as appeareth Gen. 12.17. also 20.3.] Verse 15. Touch not [ vz. to their hurt or hinderaunce] mine annoynted, 15 [ i. those whom I haue annoynted to my selfe with the graces of the holy spirit: and he meaneth y e holy fathers vnder this name, because he had peculiarly con­secrated them vnto himself, or as it were sanctified them for his speciall inhe­ritance] & do my Prophets no harm [he calleth y e Fathers Prophets, not only because God did sundry wayes declare himselfe vnto thē, but also because they were his instruments faithfully to spread abroad y e heauenly doctrine, y t the re­membrance therof might be in force among their posterity: sée Gen. 18.19. Gen. 20.7. & compare thē with this place] Ver. 16. Moreouer [ d.q. besides their wā ­dring 16 to & fro, ver. 13. of this Psal and as he did not destitute thē in that, so not in this famine.] he called [ i. by his mighty word & power he caused to come: sée 2. Kin. 8.1. Hagg. 1.11] a famin [which was as y e minister & messenger of his wrath to the wicked, so a rod of trial to the good] vpon the land [ i. vpon the people of the land: meaning also y t he did strike y e land with barrēnes, which was y e cause of famine amongst the people: sée this history Gen. 42 in the beginning] & vtter­ly brake [ i. tooke away, so that it was of no force] the staffe of bread [ i. y e strength of foode and sustenance. I take this prase in this place to mean, not only y e God did withdraw the secret force & power that bread hath by his appointmente to nourish & maintain mans life, which is threatned in the Law Leuit. 26. ver. 26. because men leaue vpon bread for their maintainance, as they doe vpon a staffe for their defence & vpholding, but also, yea & rather this then the other, y t God sent a gréeuous famine vpon thē, so that they had little or nothing to [...]at.] Ver. 17 17. But he [ vz. God: q.d. He did not for al that famin forsake them] sent a mā [ vz. an excellēt and singular man] before thē [ vz. into Egipt to prouide both for himself and them, that they should not perish by famine, sée Gen. 45.5. This declareth y t whatsoeuer fell vpon this people was guided by the hand & coun­sel of god] Ioseph [now he nameth that excellent mā] was sold [ vz. euen by his brethren] for a slaue [ i. to be a slaue, & not as though he were changed for a slaue read this history Gen. 37, 28.] Ver. 18. They [ i. eyther the Egiptians thorowe 18 their cruelty, or else his brethren by wickedly selling him thither] held his féete in the stocks [ i. kept him a long while in prison, and dealt hardly with him, as though he had bin guilty of some deadly crime, sée Gen. 39.20.] and he was layd in yrons [ i. hee was hardly and roughly handled.] Ver. 19. vntill his ap­poynted 19 time came [ i. vntil the time which the Lorde had appoynted for Io­sephs [Page 352] deliuery was fulfilled. But it shal be good to amēd it out of Imma. thus] vntil the time, in which his word [ i. gods word] should come [ vz. to be fulfilled & performed by god himself, who had in a dream shewed to Ioseph what shuld come vnto him, Gen. 37, 7, 9] & the councell of y e Lord had tried him [ vz. so far forth as to him séemed good: he meaneth by this spéech, al y t which god had ordei­ned 20 & decréed should fal vpon him.] Ver. 20. The King [ vz. Pharaoh] sent [ vz. his seruants & messengers] & losed him [ vz. out of prison, meaning y t by special cōmandemēt, he appointed him to be set at liberty] euen y e ruler of y e people de­liuered 21 him [ vz. out of prison & danger, sée Gen. 41, 14.] Ver. 21. He [ i. y e King of Egipt] made him [i. Ioseph] Lord of his house [ i. gouernor of all both men and things in his family] & ruler of al his substāce [ i. of al y t he had, whether it were 22 at home or abroad, sée Gen. 41.40.] Ver. 22. That he [i. Ioseph] should bind his Princes [ i. Pharaohs noble men & gouernors] vnto his wil [ i. to y e executiō and performāce of that, y t Ioseph himself wold haue & cōmaund: in these words, he noteth the largenes of gouernmēt which Pharaoh gaue to Ioseph, so y t all (the King himself only excepted) was at his beck, sée Gen. 41.44] teach his antiēts wisdom [as he did Gen. 41, 33, 34, &c. vnderstāding by antients, al his wise no­ble 23 men & counsellors, how wise soeuer they were.] Ver. 23. Thē [ vz. after that god had thus aduāced Ioseph] Israel [i. Iaakob & al his people, for he putteth y e principal man of y e familye for y e whole] came to Egipt [ vz. not only to sée Io­seph, but also to tary & abide there, sée Gen. 46.1, &c.] & Iaakob [ i. he and his po­sterity] was a stranger [ i. dwelt & soiorned as a stranger] in the land of Ham [ i. in Egipt, which is called the land of Ham, because they came of Ham, Noahs secōd son, as appeareth Gen. 10.6. sée before Psal. 78, 51. & ver. 27. of this Psal.] 24 Ver. 24. And [for this word read, where, & then the sence wil be more plaine] he [ i. God] increased [ vz. thorow his especial blessing] his people [ vz. of Israel] excéedingly [ vz. into an infinit multitude & number in respect of them w ch went down into Egipt] and made them stronger [ vz. both in power & might] then their oppressors [ i. then y e Egyptians who oppressed them, & by reason of their multitude & increasing of thē stood in feare of thē, sée for this Exod. 1.7, 8, &c.] 25 Ver. 25. He [ vz. God] turned their harts [ i. the harts of the posterity of y e king and the people of Egipt, as appeareth also Exod. 1.8, &c.] to that his people [wheras their predecessors loued & fauored the] and to deale craftily [he mea­neth by this spéech y e subtil, wicked & cruel deuises, that the Egiptians had, to kéepe the people of Israel vnder, mentioned Exod. 1. ver. 8, 10, 11, &c.] with his seruants [ i. with those whom the Lord had chosen & called to serue him. These spéeches in outward shew séeme to make god y e author and cause of sinne: but we must note that the Prophet meaneth not any such thing thereby, but to de­clare y t in that the Egiptians hated and dealt cruelly with the children of Isra­el, it was not don without Gods prouidēce & counsel, yet so that the roote & séed of malice, corruption, and cruelty was wholy in the Egyptians, and that no 26 péece of fault could therfore be ascribed to God.] Ver. 26. Then [ i. when the E­giptians did deale so wickedly and cruelly agaynst his people] sent he [ vz. of [Page 353] mercy and goodnes pittying their misery] Moses his seruaunt [ i. that excellent man, whom he had appoynted to serue his turne in the deliuery of his people] and Aaron whom he had chosen [ vz. to go with Moses and to be his mouth, in that great busines: sée for this matter, Exod. chapt. 3 & 4 thorowout.] Ver. 27. 27 They [ i. Moses & Aaron] shewed [ vz. by the power that God had giuen them, and according to his commaundement] among them [ i the Egiptians and the Israelits both, but chéefely y e Egiptians] the message of his signes [euident demonstrations and proofes, that the signs and wonders w ch they wrought, they did by his power, & not otherwise] and wonders [ i. wonderful things, meaning that they did them, a particular resitall wherof followeth in the next verses] in the land of Ham [ i. in Egipt] sée before verse 23 of this Psalme.] Verse 28. Hée 28 [ i. God: true it is that it may be referred to Moses or God, but I rather vn­derstand it of God, without whom Moses could do nothing, and by whom alone Moses was inabled to do y t which he did] sent darkenesse [ vz. amongst the E­gyptians] and made it darke [ i. made the whole land darke, so y t nothing in it could behold any light: sée this story Exod. 10.21. where you shall finde it to bee one of the last plagues though here the Psalmist reckon it vp first, by which we sée y t the holy Ghost is not greatly curious of order] and they [ i. as some think, Moses and Aaron, othersome vnderstand it of y e signs and wonders] were not disobediēt to his cōmission [ i. they did perform those things which he had enioi­ned and laid vpon thē. It is not much material whether we refer it to the men, or to the signes, but I had rather refer it to the wonders themselues: q.d. They did readily performe that which god had enioyned, they were not vnef­fectual, but were performed euen as Moses had sayd.] Ver. 29. Hee [ i. God, by 29 the ministery of his seruant Moses] turned their waters [ i. the waters of the Egiptians] into blood [so that they could not drink thē] and slew their fish [ vz. which were in y e waters, sée Exod. 7, 20, 21] Ver. 30. Their lād [ i. Egipt, brought 30 forth frogs [ vz. in great abūdance and multitude, and that by gods specyal ap­pointmēt] euē in their kings chambers [ q.d. there was no place frée from thē: Kings is here a word of the plurall number, whiche we must not vnderstande as though Egypt had many Kinges, for wee knowe it had but one, but he meaneth thereby eyther the King and the Nobles of his kingdome, who ioyned with him, were as it were little Kinges, or else the Kinges children, who were nourished and brought vp in the hope of the kingdome. Sée this more largely set out Exodus 8, verse 5, 6, &c.] Ver. 31. Hee spake [ q.d. The 13 Lord made not much adoe to plague Egypt, for euen as soone as hee spake a­ny thing it was performed] and there came [ vz. immediately being sente from God] swarmes of Flyes [ i. wonderfull abundaunce, so that men could not say it was naturall: and the word which we turne swarmes of Flies, doth in déede signifye troupes of all sortes of creatures, which serued also to make the my­racle so much the more straunge] and lice [ vz. hee sente, and that in greate store and aboundaunce] in all their quarters [ i. in all the quarters of the land of Egypt, sée Exodus 8, verse 17, &c. vnto the end of the chapeer.] Verse 32. 32 [Page 354] he gaue them haile for raine [ i. wheras by reason of the drouth of y e country they did much desire rain, the Lord gaue them in stéed therof terrible & fearful hail] and flames of fire [ vz. sent frō heauen] in their land [ i made manifest in y e land 33 wherin they dwelt, sée Exod. 9, 23, 24, &c.] Ver. 33. He smote their vines also, & their fig trées [ vz. with that haile, thunder, lightning, &c. sent from heauen] and brake down [ vz. euen to péeces] the trées in their coasts [ i. the trées that 34 were in al the coasts and quarters of their country, fée Exod. 9, 25.] Ver. 34. He spake [ i. so soone as he spake, sée verse 31 of this Psalme] and the grashoppers came [ vz. in great number sent from him] & caterpillers innumerable [ vz. to 35 destroy the fruit that the Grashoppers had left.] Ver. 35. And did eate vp [ vz. the grashoppers & caterpillers did euen consume and deuour] al the gras [ i. al the gréen and flourishing things y t were sprouted forth] in their land [ i. in the land of Egipt, and deuoured the fruit of their ground [ i. did also consume and 36 wast the fruit that their ground yéelded, sée Exod. 10, 13, 14, &c.] Ver. 36. Hée smote also [ vz. in his wrath and anger, and y t not with pain and sicknesse only, but euen with death] all the first born in the land [ vz. both of man and beast: sée Psal. 136.6. also Psa. 78.51. Exod. 12.29.] euen the beginning of al their strēgth [this is another Peraphrasis of their first born or eldest: and they are so named because their parents are of principal force, then in the beginning of them, and their force doth specially then appeare, sée Gen. 49.3. Psal. 78.51. Sée this sto­ry 37 Exod. 12.29.30, &c.] Ver. 37. He [ i. the Lord by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses] brought them [ vz. the people of Israell] forth [ vz. out of the lande of Egipt, and y t with a mighty hand and outstretched arm] also [ i. euen as wel as punished y e Egiptians: I suppose y t the word may note y e time whē god perfor­med it, vz. after y t he had plagued and punished y e Egiptians] w t siluer & golde [ vz. euen as it were faden, they had such great abundance of it, which they tooke from the Egiptians: sée Exod. 12.35, 36.] and there was none féeble among their tribes [ q.d. they came al out of Egipt safe and found frée from al, not only out­ward but inward hinderaunces, as the Lord had promised Exod. 11.7.] Ver. 38 38. Egypt [ i. the Egiptians putting the land for the inhabitants] was glad at their departure [ vz. from amongst them] for the feare of them [ i. of the Israe­lites: meaning y t God then had made thē terrible and fearful to their enemies, who but a little before did cruelly oppres them] had fallen vppon them [ i. had seased, taken hold of and possessed the harts of the Egiptians, sée Exod. 11.8. 39 also Exod. 12.33.] Verse 39. He spread a cloud [ vz. in the day time] to bee a co­uering [ vz. vnto his people of Israel, and that to kéepe them from the heate of the sunne] and fire [ i. a piller of fire] to giue light in the night [ vz. to lead them 40 in the way that they went, sée Exod. 13, 21.] Ver. 40. They [ i. the Israelites] as­ked [ vz. of god, and y t temptingly, as Psal. 78.18.] and he broughte quailes [ i. most dainty & delicate things, so gracious was God vnto them] and hee filled thē with y e bread of heauen [ i. with Māna w ch is called the breade of heauen, be­cause it came from the Firmament, sée for this Exodus 16. thorow out, also 41 Psal. 78. verse 23.24, &c.] Ver. 41. He opened [ vz. by his almighty power] the [Page 355] rock [ vz. in the Wildenesse: & he putteth rock for rocks, for this miracle was performed more then once, as may appeare Exod. 17, 6, & Num. 20, 11, & by di­ligent cōparing of these two places together] & the waters flowed out [ vz. in great abundance] and ran in the dry places [ vz. where there was no water be­fore] like a riuer [ i. in great plenty & abundance, so that both men & beasts were satisfied therwith, as Num. 20, 11. sée also Psalme 78, 15, 16.] Verse 42. For he re­membred 42 [ vz. euen to performe it, sée verse 8. of this Psalme] his holy promise [ vz. which he had made, & the promise is called holy, both because it came frō him that is holines it self, and also because it conteineth holy things] to Abra­ham his seruant [sée ver. 6 of this Psal. Now he made him this promise, when he promised to bring his séed into y e land of Canaan after 400 yeres: sée Gen. 15, 13, &c. also Iosh. 24.4, 5, &c.] Ver. 43. And he [ vz. God] brought forth [ vz. after that he had plagued y e Egyptians] his people [ vz. of Israel] with ioy [ vz. both 43 on the behalfe of the Egiptians, who were glad to be rid of them, and of the Is­raelites, who reioyced to be set free from bondage] and his chosen [ i. that peo­ple whom he had chosen] with gladnes [ i. with mirth and singing, the truth of this appeareth Exo. 15.1. &c. also, Num. 33, 3] Ver. 44. And gaue them [ vz. frée­ly 44 and of his own accord and goodnes, and that for an inheritaunce, as ver. 11. of this Psalme] the lands of the heathen [ i. the lands that the heathen did inha­bite and dwell in: vnderstanding by Heathen the Amonites, Hittites, & other people that dwelt in the lande of Canaan] And they [ vz. the Israelites] tooke [ vz. vnto themselues] the labours of the people [ i. those things that y e people, by great labour and trauayle had got vnto themselues] in possession [ i. to bée a possession or inheritance for thē.] Ver. 45. That they [ vz. the Israelites] might 45 kéepe [ vz. with al their harts] his statutes [ i. Gods cōmandements] & obserue [ vz. in thought, word, & déed] his lawes [ i. those thinges which by his laws he commaunded them to do. So that here he noteth the end wherfore God gaue them those graces] prayse ye the Lord [sée the last verse of Psalm 104.

Verse 1 teacheth vs to prayse God for his mercies, Do. secondly to ioine with our praises, praier vnto him for the things we want: thirdly to indeuor that other as well as we may come to the knowledge of his maiestie and power. Verse 2 teacheth vs, both with hart and mouth to glorify our god, & that this should be one péece of our spéech to set forth his wonderful workes. Ver. 3 teacheth vs, that we can not rightly reioyce in any thing, but in the power and goodnesse of God: it teacheth vs also that none can in déed reioyce but those that loue & fear the Lord: Ver. 4 teacheth vs to ioin our selues to the publike assēblies of gods church, for there y e Lord is to be found, also it teacheth vs the doctrine of perse­uerance, that we should neuer be weary of well doing. Ver. 5 teacheth vs that in our meditations it is good for vs to ioyn Gods works & his word together, because al the life & light that the works haue, they haue it frō the word. Ver. 6 teacheth that chéefly and only indéed it appertaineth to the faithful & their séede to praise God. Ver. 7 teacheth the faithful to comfort themselues in this, y t God is their God, & that they are vnder his gouernment. Ver. 8 sheweth that this is [Page 356] very comfortable to Gods children, that he thinketh alwaies vpon his mercies promised them to perform the same. Ver. 9, 10 setteth out Gods great goodnes who for the strengthning of our faith in the truth of his promises, doth not on­ly oftētimes repeat & confirm the same, but as it were tieth himself vnto vs by an oth. Ver. 11 teacheth y t whatsoeuer benefits either outward or inwarde God bestoweth vpō his seruants, he giueth thē of his méere liberality & goodnes on­ly. Ver. 12 teacheth vs y t God respecteth not the person of men, nor their mul­titude. Ver. 13 sheweth y t Gods children are vpō the earth strāgers & pilgrims. Ver. 14 teacheth y t God doth neuer destitute his in any distres. Ver. 15 teacheth how deare Gods children are vnto him, and what care he hath ouer them, so y t he wil not haue them so much as once touched. Ver. 16 teacheth that God many times euen by outward things exerciseth y e faith of his dearest seruants. Verse 17 teacheth that he doth not at any time for all that, faile thē of any thing that is méet for thē, it teacheth also y t nothing is done without gods prouidēce. ver. 18 setteth out the hard hartednes of the wicked, & the miserable estate that the Godly many times are brought vnto. Ver. 19 sheweth y t there is a time set with God, wherein he wil deliuer his out of danger, & cleare thē from al false & slan­derous accusations, w ch time it behoueth thē with patience to wayte for. Ver. 20 sheweth that God wil make euen Princes to pity his poore seruants. Verse 21 sheweth that after long humbling God wil exalt his seruants very highly: the same lesson doth ver. 22 deliuer. Ver. 23 sheweth that God hath many wayes to bring his purposes to passe as for y e deliuery of his people out of Egipt, which he had promised, to bring them into Egipt by the means of the famin & Iosephs being there. Verse 24 teacheth iij. things: first y t al increase is of y e Lord: second­ly, that do men what they can to hinder Gods purposes, they cannot preuaile: thirdly y t euen thē whē men striue most against God & his people, then doth he make them principally to flourish. Ver. 25 teacheth that gods prouidence and counsel entreth euen vnto wicked mēs harts, & that they cānot hate or loue the good, without Gods sufferance, & the power that he giueth thē therto, & yet hée remaineth pure frō al euil, holy, and as it were an excellent workeman, who in performing his work, bringeth good out of euil, & light out of darknes. Ver. 26 teacheth y t God doth by means worke the deliuerance of his people w ch should teach vs to vse means: secondly it sheweth y t none should take vpō them any of­fice, but they y t are sent of God, as was Moses & Aaron. Ver. 27 Teacheth men faithfully to do those things y t God hath giuen them in charge to perform. Ver. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, teach especially two things: First that nothing is don either in heauen or earth, but by the very finger & power of almighty god, secondly y t God hath al his creatures at cōmaundement, to vse thē at his plea­sure for y e plaguing & punishing of the vngodly. Besides this, Ver. 30. teacheth that God in pouring forth his iudgemēts is not partial to any person sparing kings or Princes. Ver. 31.34 declare y t euen Gods word, is his déed, for when he speaketh any thing it is done as appeareth in the creation Gen. 1. Ver. 37.38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, teach, first that God maketh al his creatures to serue, [Page 357] for the good of his children: secondly that euery good thing they haue, they haue from the Lord only. But more particularly. Verse 37 teacheth vs, that siluer, gold, strength, &c. are the Lords gifts. Ver. 38 sheweth that God can make the very name and countenances of his seruaunts, feareful to them which had op­pressed them. Ver. 39 teacheth what a cōtinual care & watchfulnes y e Lord hath ouer his seruants, to kéep thē frō dangers & things y t might annoy them. Ver. 42 teacheth vs that Gods frée promises are the cause of all our goodnes & bles­sednes both in this life & the life to come. Ver. 45 teacheth vs y t the end, where­fore God bestoweth al blessings vpon vs, is, that we should imploy our selues more diligently and faithfully in his seruice, which if we do, we shalbee sure of his graces in great abundaunce and continuance: which if we do not, we may for a time haue and inioy many outward things, as the vngodly haue, but the very hauing of them, will be in the end to our great iudgement.

Psalme 106

THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée especiall partes. Di. In the first 1 the Prophet exhorteth men to praise God, and yet considering his own weaknes & the excellency of gods works, he thinketh himself and others far vnméete for it, and yet notwithstanding goeth for­ward to pray both for himself and his people, from verse 1 to the ende of the 6. In the second part he doth largely resite, as the singular graces and goodnes of 2 God towardes their forefathers, so their particular rebellions and iniquities, multiplyed against God, who had bene so good vnto thē, with y e iudgements al­so that for those sins he layd vpon them, from verse 7. to the end of the 46. Now gods mercies are resited, ver. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 21, 22, 30, 31, 43, 44, 45, 46. Their sinnes, ver. 7, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. Their punishments verse 15, 17, 18, 23, 26, 27, 29, 32, 40, 41, 42. In the third part, hée 3 prayeth the Lord to gather together the dispersion of his people (by which it should séeme that this Psalm was made when they were in some captiuity ey­ther in Babilon, or vnder Antiochus) promising therefore to prayse his holye name and inuiting others to doe the like, and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme.

The title is, praise ye y e Lord [by this we may sée that it was a Psal. appoin­ted Se. to stir vp men to the praysing of god. Sée the last verse of Psal. 104. & also in some measure to cōfort thēselues w t the consideratiō of gods former graces. Ver. 1. Praise ye [ vz. O ye faithful and good people] the Lord [ vz. only and none 1 but him] because he is good [ vz. towards al, but specially towards you] for his mercy endureth for euer, [this is another cause why they shoulde prayse the Lord, because his mercy towards his is perpetual, & neuer shal haue end] Ver. 2. Who [ vz. amongst al his creatures] can expresse [ i. is able eyther by thought 2 to conceaue, or by words to declare] the noble actes of the Lorde [ i. the greate and singular workes of creation, preseruation, &c. of all his creatures, more [Page 358] particularly of men, but most specially of his children] or shewe all his prayse [ i. the prayse that he doth deserue for the same. The Prophet vttereth not this as though he would haue vs vtterly leaue off to prayse God, because we cānot thorowly & sufficiently perform it: but that considering on the one side our own weakenes, we should earnestly pray the Lord to strengthen vs thereto: and on the other side the excellency of his works, shoulde indeuour what wee maye to praise him therfore, knowing that he accepteth vs according to that we haue, 3 & not according to that we haue not.] Ver. 3. Blessed are they that kéepe iudge­ment, Imman. readeth it in my mind better thus] that kéepe this order [ vz. of praising & magnifying God for his graces, though they cannot do that which either they would or should] & do righteousnes at al times [ i. that do continual­ly frame their life as an euident patern, and a constant and perpetuall example of the prayse of God: for so I suppose righteousnesse in this place, to be vsed.] 4 Verse 4. Remember me [ vz. thy poore and vnworthy Seruaunt: hee meaneth not that God doth at any time forget those that are his: but rather hee prai­eth the Lord to shew by effect that he hath care ouer him: sée Genesis 8, 1.] O Lord [ vz. in whom alone I put my trust, and therfore as a sure testimony there­of call vpon them] with the fauour of thy people [ i. with that fauour, that thou hast promised and art wont to shew to thy people: he calleth that frée loue and mercy which God carieth towards his, the fauour of his people] visit [ vz. with mercy and goodnesse: for to visit in this place is taken in the good parte, euen for the accomplishment of Gods gracious promises towards his seruauntes, sée Gen. 21.1.] me [ vz. oppressed with mine own gréefe, & the gréefe of my peo­ple] with thy saluation [ i. with gracious fauour & deliuerance from thée, so you haue had the word saluation sundry times vsed before, & namely Psal. 3.8.] ver. 5 5. That I may sée [ vz. not only with my bodily and spiritual eyes, but also pos­sesse & inioy, sée Psal. 34.12. fight put for inioying] the felicity of thy chosen [ i. the blessednes and goodnes that thou bestowest vppon them whome thou hast chosen to thy self] & reioice in the ioy of thy people [ i. haue an occasion giuen me to reioyce as thy saints and seruaunts doe] and glory [ vz. not in my selfe, but in thée] with thine inheritaunce [ i. with thy people, whom thou hast elected 6 an heritage to thy selfe: for inheritance sée Psal. 28.9.] Ver. 6. We haue sinned [ vz. against thy Maiesty] w t our fathers [ i. as our fathers haue done also [ q.d. we & they also haue sinned: not as though they had both sinned at one time, but that they were al culpable of sin against him] vnderstanding by fathers, al their ancestors] we haue cōmitted [ vz. continally & without ceasing] iniquity, & done wickedly [ vz. both agaynst God & man. The Prophet cannot content himselfe with any words, to set forth y e notoriousnes of his own sins, and the sins of his 7 people.] Ver. 7. Our Fathers [ i. our ancestors, as before ver. 6. of this Psal.] vn­derstood not [ i. did not rightly or wisely consider of] thy wonders in Egipt [ i. those great works that thou diddest for their sake in that land] neither remem­bred they [ vz. as they should haue don, to haue prouoked thē to thankfulnes to­wards thée for y e same] y e multitude of thy mereies [ vz. shewed euē frō the time [Page 359] of Abrahams calling, vnto this present, but speciallye those thinges that were done in Egipt before their eyes] but rebelled [ vz. against thée] at the sea, euen at the red sea [for the more assurance he nameth the sea. And this may bée vn­derstoode, either of their rebellion, Exod. 14.11. before they passed through the sea: or else of their murmuring and rebellion after they came through the sea. Exod. 16.2. &c. q.d. they were no sooner passed the sea but immediatly they be­ganne to rebell: or of both of them together. Immanuel readeth it farre other­wise, and giueth an other sense, but methinketh this is playne.] Ver. 8. Ne­uerthelesse 8 [ q.d. notwithstanding all their sinnes] hee saued them [ i. hée deliue­red them from daungers and distresse, as sundry times before] for his names sake [ i. because hee woulde not haue his maiesty, goodnes and power ill spo­ken of amongest the Heathen] that hée might make his power to bee knowne [ vz. thereby, and that euen among all his and their enemies.] Ver. 9. 9 And he rebuked the red sea [he now prayseth and setteth out the power of God, because that at his onely commaundement and will, the sea gaue frée passage to his people, for the word, rebuke, sée Psalm. 104.7.] and it was dried vp [ vp. in that place through which the people had passage, for otherwise the waters were as a wall vnto them, on their right hande, and on their left, sée Exod. 14.21.22.] and he led them [ vz. safely] in the déepe [ vz. of the redde Sea: mea­ning that God caried them betwéene two heapes of waters, which waters gaue place vnto the Israelites by Gods appoyntment, as if that the place it selfe had béene by nature dry, sée Exod. 15.5.] as in the wildernes [ i. as vpon the dry land, in a safe and playne way.] Ver. 10. And he saued them [ i. deliuered them, 10 vz. the Israelites] from the aduersaries hand [ i. from the power and force of them, that pursued them with a deadly hatred, meaning the Egiptians] and deliuered them from the hande of the enemy [ i. set them frée, from the power & rage of the Egiptians, counting them all but as one enemie, because they were all of one heart and mynd to do mischiefe to Gods people.] Ver. 11. and the wa­ters 11 [ vz. of the red sea] couered their oppressors [ i. ouer whelmed and drowned them] so that not one of them was left [ vz. aliue, to carry backe any tydinges, Sée Exod. 14.28.] Ver. 12. Then [ vz. when they had séene, al these gret things] 12 beléeued they his words [this is not spoken for their prayse, but to amplifie the fault of their rebellion, for that they continued not, but immediatly fell to di­strust and vnbelief] and sang prayses vnto him [ vz. for his great mercies prac­tised towardes them. Sée the history of ver. 9.10.11.12. in the 14. and 15. chap­ters of the booke of Exodus.] Ver. 13. But incontinently [ i. they were almost no 13 sooner deliuered] they forgate his workes [ vz. which he had done for them, hee meaneth not by forgetting, that the remembrance of them, was vtterly rased out of all their myndes, but that they had them not in that due and reuerent re­garde, they should haue had for the strengthening of their fayth: sée for their so­daine chaunge, Exod. 15 22.23.] and wayted not [ vz. with patience] for his coū ­sell [ i. for the thinges, which in his eternall counsell he had purposed to bestow vpon them: his purpose is to note, that as they would not be gouerned by god, [Page 360] suffering him to do all according to his good pleasure, but woulde followe the deuises of their owne heads and hearts: so they did it, though the remēbraunce of gods benefits were fresh before them, which circumstance aggrauated their 14 sinne.] Ver. 14. But lusted with concupiscence [by doubling the word, the Pro­phet mindeth not onely to note the sinne of their lust, but the very burning and rage of that sinne of theirs] in the wildernes [he noteth also the place, for the more certainety of the story] and tempted God in the desert [to tempt God, is in this place, put for not staying themselues vppon Gods will, but laying the raynes in their neckes, and following their owne concupiscences, to aske more of God, then hee would giue them, and when he speaketh of lusting & tempting we must vnderstande, that they did it more then once, as may appeare, Exod. 15.24. Exod. 16. throughout. Exod. 17.2. &c. Numb. 11.1. Numb. 20.3. &c.] Ver. 15 15. Then he gaue them their desire [ i. the things which they desired and deman­ded, so gracious was God, howsoeuer rebellious they were] and sent leanenes into their soule [ i. into their body, one part being put for an other: or else thus] he sent leauenes into the soule [ i. he punisheth, and that with pining away their whole man, vnderstanding by a part the whole, whatsoeuer it is, the Prophet meaneth that God in such sort yéelded vnto the desire of this people, that yet notwithstanding in the middest of his benefits he plagued and punished them 16 for their sinne and transgression.] Ver. 16. They [ i. the people of Israel, but specially Corah, Dathan, and Abiram. Sée Num. 16.1.2. &c.] enuied Moses in the tents [I suppose that the Prophet meaneth, that these rebels did secret­ly murmure at Moses in their tents, and that afterwards their rebellion and sins burst forth as at y e noone tyde] and Aaron the holy one of the Lord [ i. him. whome the Lord had sanctified and separated to serue him in the ministery and Priesthood declaring also in déed that hée was holy: Sée Numb. 16.5.7.] Ver. 17 17. Therefore [ i. for this their great sinne] the earth opened [ vz. her mouth as it were, and that by Gods appoyntment] and swallowed vp Dathan [ vz. a­liue] and couered the company of Abiram [ i. he, and all those that tooke part 18 with him. See, Numb. 16.31.32.33. Deut. 11.6. Ver. 18. And the fire [ vz. sent out from the presence of the Lord] was kindled in their assembly [ i. began with Corahs cōpany] the flame [ vz. of that fire sent from God] burnt vp the wicked [ i. consumed them vtterly: hée sheweth how they that tooke part with Korah, were punished, otherwise then Dathan and Abiram and their companies: sée 19 Numb. 16.35.] Ver. 19. They [ vz. the Israelites] made a calfe [ i. caused a calfe to be made, which they might worship in stéed of God] in Horeb [he noteth the place, for the certaintie of the history] and worshipped [ vz. with outward reue­rence of the body, and speach of the mouth] the molten image of a calfe, which 20 they had caused Aaron to make, in the absence of Moses. sée Exod. 32. through­out.] Ver. 20. Thus [ i. by this means] they turned [ vz. foolishly and wickedly] their glory [ i. God himselfe, who, so long as they serued him onely was glori­ous vnto them, but when they worshipped others besides him, they were naked and laye open to their enemies, Sée Exodus. 32.25. The Prophet meaneth, [Page 361] that they forsooke the true God, who was their only glory and honour in déed] into the similitude of a bullocke that eateth grasse [hee noteth the grosenes of their idolatry, not onely for that they worship somewhat besides the true God, but for that also it was not a liuely and quicke thing. sée Rom. 1.23.] Verse 21. 21 They forgate [ vz. quickly, as before, ver. 13. of this Psalme] God their sauiour [ i. he that had saued & deliuered them, from manifold dangers, so you shal haue the word sauiour vsed. 1. Tim. 4.10.] which had done great things in Egipt [vz. for them and their sake, a short summe wherof you may sée, psal. 105.28.29. &c.] Ver. 22. Wonderous works in the land of Ham [ i. in Egipt as before psal. 78.51. 22 Psal. 105.23.27.] and feareful thinges [ vz. both to them and their enemies, but specially to their enemies] by the red Sea [ i. when they were at the sea, & passed through it: I suppose that both in it, and on this side of it, and on the further side, the Lord shewed terrible things for his peoples sake, some particulars sée Exod. 14.21.24.25. Exod. 16. ver. 1. &c.] Ver. 23. Therefore [ i. for these their 23 great and horrible sinnes] he mynded [or as it is in the Hebrew text, he said: al commeth to one sense: for Gods purpose is his word, and his word, is his pur­pose to vs ward: alwayes prouided that we accuse not God either of inconstan­cy, as though he had sodainly altered or changed his mind, or of insufficiency, as though he could not do that he woulde, or of hypocrisie, as though hee spake one thing & ment another] to destroy them [ vz. vtterly, & to haue left none but Moses, as should appeare Exod. 32.10.31. &c.] had not Moses his chosen [ i. had not Moses whom hee had chosen to bée his ruler and leader of that people, Sée Psalm. 105.26.] stood in the breach before him [this is a metaphor taken from warrefare or battry: meaning that Moses did so oppose himself against wrath, by earnest and hearty prayer made on their behalfe that the Lorde woulde not destroy them, euen as after a rupture or breache is made in the wall of a Citie or Towne, those that are within, runne immediatly to put backe them that woulde giue the assault: Sée verse 30. of this Psalme concerning Phi­nehas: also Ezech. 13.5.] to turne away his wrath [ vz. ready to bée powred foorth vppon that people for their sinnes] lest hee shoulde destroy them [ vz. vtterlye in that his great iudgement.] Verse 24. Also [ q.d. besides other 24 signes] they contemned [ i. not onely had not in right regarde, but re­uiled and spake euill of] that pleasaunt lande [ vz. of Canaan, which GOD had giuen and appoynted vnto them, to the ende that therein they might bée nourished as in his fatherly lappe, and haue as it were a gage of the heauenly inheritaunce: and hee calleth it a pleasaunt or desirable lande, because it abounded with all fruitfulnesse: Sée Deutronomie 8.7. also Deutronomie 11.10. in which respect also it is called in scripture, a lande that floweth with milke and hony] and beléeued not his woorde [ i. the promi­ses that hee had made them, both for the goodnesse and possession of that land, Sée for this history, Numbers, Chapters 13. and 14. throughout] Ver. 25. 25 But murmured [ vz. against GOD, and his Seruauntes, Moses, Ioshua, Caleb, &c. i. secretly and closely as before verse 16. of this Psalme, [Page 362] yet so, that this brake forth into an opē sinne, as appeareth in the chapters be­fore alleaged] and hearkened not [ vz. to doe and perfourme, for otherwise they coulde not chuse but heare, that which the Lorde spake vnto them, in that re­spect] vnto the voyce of the Lord [ i. vnto Gods commaundement, which is ex­pressed 26 Deut. 1.21.] Ver. 26. Therefore [ vz. because they would not yéelde obe­dience vnto this his commandement] he lifted vp his hand against them [to lift vp the hande in the scripture, is taken for swearing, because it was a signe ce­remony and gesture, vsed in swearing. Sée Gene. 14.22. Numb. 14.30. Nehe. 9.15. and neuer vsed in the scripture (so farreforth as I remember) for to punish: besides that the punishment followeth in this verse presently: and therefore I take the latter part of the note in the Geneua Bible to be superfluous: it is then q.d. he certainely sware against them] to destroy them in the wildernes [ i. that woulde ouerthrowe them there, and that they shoulde not enter into the lande: 27 the execution of this, Sée Deut. 2.13.14. &c.] Verse. 27. And to destroy their séed [ i. their posterity: this is an other part or parcell as it were of Gods othe] among the nations [ i. in the middest of them, and by their force and might: the threatning of this, Sée Numb. 14.33. Ezech. 20.23. and the perfourmance ther­of you may behold. Numb. 14.45. Numb. 21.1. Deut. 1.44.] and to scatter them [ vz. by reason of captiuity and bondage into which they shoulde fall] through out the countries [hee meaneth strange countries, which either lay nigh about 28 them, or else farre of.] Verse. 28. They ioyned themselues [ vz. euen as it were two oxen in one yoke: such a metaphor also the Apostle vseth. 2. Corinth. 6.14. he noteth hereby the straigth coniunction that was betwéen the idole, & the ido­later] vnto Baalpeor [this was the idole of the Moabits as appeareth Num. 25.3. meaning that they worshipped the idoles and gods, that idolatrous peo­ple worshipped] and did eate [ vz. with the idolaters] the offringes of the dead [ i. such things as were offred to their idoles, whome hée here calleth dead, not because they were at any time liuing, but because they neuer had life or breath in them. of the vanitie of idoles, Sée Psalm. 115.45. &c. and of meats consecrated to idols, sée 1. Corinth. 8. throughout, and 1. Corinth. 10. in sundry 29 places.] Ver. 29. Thus [ vz. in maner before rehearsed, ver. [...]8.] they prouoked him vnto anger [ vz. against themselues and their soules] with their own inuen­tions [ i. with those thinges that they themselues had deuised, both in his ser­uice, and for the satisfiyng of their owne lustes: for so largely would I take the worde, inuentions, in this place] and the plague [ vz. sent from God] brake in vpon them [ i. did vehemently and violently destroy sundry of them as a breach in a battry doth, for such a metaphor I suppose he vseth in this place.] Verse 30 30. But Phinehas [who was Aarons sonne] stoode vppe [ vz. beeing mooued with the vilenes of the peoples sinne] and executed iudgment [ vz. vpon Zimri and Cozbi and the plague [ vz. sent from God, wherein there dyed 24. thou­sand] was stayed [ i. ceased Phinehas did this, by a secret, particular, and ex­traordinary motion of Gods spirit, being assured in his conscience, that though hee had no publike power of the sword in his hand, yet hee ought to doe it: the [Page 363] like did Moses in slaying the Egiptian: but these particulars ought not to bée drawne into examples.] Ver. 31. And it [ vz. that fact of slaying Zimri & Cozbi] 31 was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse [ vz. through Gods frée goodnes: hée meaneth not that Phinehas was iustified by this worke, for no man can bee iu­stified by the workes of the law, vnlesse hée perfectly accomplish them, but that this worke was imputed vnto him for righteousnes, as the worke of the faith­ful people are, not for any merite that is in them, but of his frée mercy onely. Sée for this phrase Gene. 15.6.] from generation to generation for euer [ i. al­ways and continually, he meaneth that both God and men approued Phinehas for his fact. Sée for this story Numb. 25. throughout.] Ver. 32. They [ i. the 32 people of Israel] angred him [ i. God: meaning by the worde, angred, prouo­king of him to fearce wrath against them] also [ i. besides their other sinnes be­fore recited] at the waters of Meribah [hee meaneth the place for the more cer­tainetie of the history: and they are called the waters of Meribah, that is the waters of strife and contention, because there, for want of waters, they conten­ded with the Lorde, and with Moses] so that Moses [ vz. so notable a Prophet, and so excellent a man of God, sée Psal. 90. in the title] was punished [ vz. grie­uously, for hée was not onely rebuked, but depriued of entrance into the land of promise] for their sake [hée meaneth not that God punished him for their sin, for that had béen iniustice, but because he did after a sort doubt with them, hée was punished for that transgression.] Ver. 33. Because they vexed his spirite so 33 [ i. they so troubled him with their continuall murmuringes and rebellions] that he spake vnaduisedly [ vz. of God and his power] with his lippes [ i. open­ly, not onely conceiuing it in his heart, but vttering it with his mouth. All this history is largely described, Numb. 20. from ver. 1. to the end of the 13.] Ver. 34. Neither destroyed they the people [ vz. which inhabited the land of Canaan 34 and by destroying, he meaneth an vtter destruction of them, and rooting of thē out, but left some remaining, Sée Iudges. 1. euen to the ende of the 21. also Iudges 2. and 3. chapters throughout] as the Lorde had commaunded them [ vz. by his faithful seruant Moses. Sée Deut. 7.1.2.3. &c.] Ver. 35. But were 35 mingled among the heathen [ vz. not onely in that they dwelt among them but also in that they matched with them in mariages, and were sundry times brought into captiuity by them, as the booke of Iudges doth plainly declare] and learned their workes [ i. they did not onely knowe, but also practised al the wickednes of the Gentiles, as may appeare by the verses following.] Ver. 36. 36 And serued their idoles [ i. worshipped the same images & counterfeited gods, that the heathen did which were their ruine [hee meaneth that their straunge worships and idolatries, were the cause not onely of their sinning, as God had foretold. Exod. 23.33. but also of their destruction, as appeareth in the very same 37 place.] Ver. 37. Yea [ q.d. they procéed to such height of iniquitie] they offered [and that against Gods commaundement, Leuit. 20.2. Deut. 12.31. Deut. 18.10.] their sonnes and their daughters [ i. such was their rage to idolatrie, that they spared not that which was most deare] vnto deuils [sée Deut. 32.17.1. Cor. [Page 364] 10.20. and specially he meaneth Molech, as may appeare 2. king. 23.10.] Verse 38 38. And shed innocent blood [he calleth it innocent blood, both because they had not done euil, to deserue death, and also because it was shed, as without cause, so without warrant of a sufficient and lawful magistrate] euē the blood of their sonnes and of their daughters] hee sheweth in these two verses a monstrous kynd of idolatrie, because the people caryed with a rage, spared not their owne children, but defiled their owne handes, and the whole land also, with innocent blood] whom they offred [ vz. as burnt sacrifices or offrings] vnto the idoles of Canaan [i. vnto the idoles which were worshipped in the land of Canaan, by y e inhabitants thereof] and the land [ vz. of Canaan, wherein they dwelt] was de­filed 39 with blood [ vz. shed guiltlesly and without cause, Sée Num. 35.33.] Ver. 39. Thus were they steyned [ i. fouly defiled, and had receiued such spots and blots as hardly coulde bee gotten away] with their owne workes [ i. with the sinnes and iniquities which they themselues had deuised and done] and went a who­ring [ i. leauing the mariage duety which they ought to God, they chose, rather to follow any thing, according to the lust of their owne heartes, then God him­selfe, sée Numb. 15.39. The Prophet meaneth, that they brake their faith giuen vnto God, as if a wife should breake her faith in committing whoredome, for this is spiritual chastity to cleaue wholy to God and his worde, 2. Corinth. 11.2.] with their owne inuentions [ i. with the idoles and Gods which they them­selues had deuised to themselues, meaning also, by whoring, that they followed 40 it earnestly and with delight.] Ver. 40. Therefore [ vz. for their great & grie­uous sinnes] was the wrath of the Lorde kindled [ vz. very hote, meaning by kindling, the preparing of it] against his people [ i. against that people that hée had chosen to bee his owne] and hée abhorred [ i. lothed and hated as it were, and that for their sinnes sake] his owne inheritance [ i. both the land & the peo­ple, 41 whome hee tooke for an inheritaunce vnto himselfe.] Ver. 41. And he gaue them [ vz. for their great sinnes committed against him] into the lande of the Heathen [ i. into their power and possession] and they that hated them [ i. the gē ­tiles, who could at no hand away with them, because they came to enioye their lande] were Lordes ouer them [ i. ruled them at their owne pleasure: sée for this speach: Isaiah. 26.13. and for the truth of the matter, the whole booke of Iudges 42 and namely chap. 2.14.] Ver. 42. Their enemies also oppressed thm [ vz. sore and hardly, and many times] and they were humbled [ i. subiected, and that sun­dry tymes] vnder their hand [ i. vnto their power and authority.] Ver. 43. Ma­ny 43 a time did hée [ vz. God] deliuer them [ vz. out of the hande and power of their enemies] but [ vz. notwithstanding these great graces] they prouoked him [ vz. to wrath against them, and that sundry times also] by their counsels [ i. by those things which they themselues had grauely and as it were in coun­sel, concluded and resolued vppon to perfourme] therefore they were brought downe [ vz. from that high state of liberty and fréedome, wherein God had set them, to miserable captiuity and bondage] by their iniquity [ vz. committed a­gainst 44 his maiesty.] Ver. 44. Yet hee sawe [ q.d. notwithstanding these grie­uous [Page 365] sinnes of theirs, he did not onely behold them afflicted, but pitied them] when they were in affliction [ i. in any trouble] and hee hearde their cry [ i. gran­ted them al things they prayed for, when they prayed, which was a sure token of compassion towardes them.] Verse 45. And hée remembred his couenant 45 [ vz. which hee had made with their Fathers and them: the Prophet in these two verses, noteth two meanes, whereby God was moued to doe good to this people: the one was his frée mercy, and the other was his gracious couenant] towardes them [ i. for their good, and on their behalfe] and repented [ vz. of the punishmentes, that hee had purposed to bring vppon them: meaning hereby that God after a sort, chaunged as it were his purpose: not that God is subiect to alteration or chaunge, but because pardoning both the fault and the pu­nishment hée séemeth vnto vs to chaunge: and this manner of speach is applied to the weakenes of our capacity, Sée Gene. 6.6.] according to the multitude of his mercies [ q.d. euen as hee is inclined to shewe abundance of fauour so he shewed them the riches of his grace.] Ver. 46. And gaue them fauour [ i. made 46 them to finde fauour, Sée Gene. 45.14.] in the sight of all them that led them captiues [the Lorde who hath the disposing of all mens heartes, so inclined their heartes to his people.] Ver. 47. Saue vs O Lorde our God [ i. deliuer 47 vs and set vs frée from the daungers and distresses wherein wée are] and ga­ther vs from among the Heathen [whose captiues we are for our sinnes, and amongest whome we heare and sée things, tending much to thy dishonour, and the griefe of our soules: and marke the Prophets zeale and loue towardes the people: though hée were king and the gouernement well established, yet because that by the confusion that was in the dayes of the Iudges and Saul, many people were out of their owne countrey, hée prayeth the Lorde, as for himselfe, to reduce and bring them backe agayne] that we may prayse thy holy name [ i. thy maiesty, power, goodnesse, &c.] which is full also of all holinesse] and glorye in thy prayse [ i. reioyce and boast as it were of this, that wee haue him for our GOD, who alone is wor­thy all prayse and glorye.] Verse 48. Blessed [ i. praysed] bée the Lord GOD of Israell [ i. hée that is the defender of the people of Israel, who 48 are called Israell, because they came of Iaakob, otherwise called Is­raell] for euer and euer, and let all the people say, so bee it, [ i. let all young and olde, one and other, acknowledge that hée alone is woorthye prayse, and giue their frée and willing consent vnto it, for so much hee meaneth, by, so bée it] prayse yée the Lorde [Sée Psalme 104. and 105. in the ende.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the greatnesse of Gods goodnes, Do. and the continu­aunce of his mercies, shoulde prouoke vs earnestly and continually to praise the Lorde. Verse 2. Teacheth, first that Gods graces and woorkes are in­finite: Secondly that though wée can not so sufficiently prayse him as wee shoulde, yet wée shoulde not for all that leaue off to doe that which hée hath giuen vs grace to doe. Verse 3. Teacheth vs to deale well, and to [Page 366] continue in well doing, and that so wee shall in the end atteine true blessednesse. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs in distresse to cal vpon the Lord. Ver. 4. and 5. Teach vs to set before vs Gods mercies towardes his children, that wee may assure our selues in hope to receiue the like. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs, humbly, vnfeignedly, & fully confesse to our sins. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that forgetfulnes of Gods gra­ces, is the high way to all rebellion and sinne: it teacheth vs also, that forefa­thers are not always to be followed. Verse 8 teacheth, that though the sinnes of his children be very great, yet they doe not alwayes set or hinder, the riuers of his mercies towards them. Ver. 9. Teacheth first that for the benefite of his children, he will make things go contrary to their natural course: Secondly, that when his children in mens eyes séeme to bée in the greatest daungers, hée will lead them as safely, as though they were in none at all. Ver. 10. Sheweth that al maner of deliuerances come from the Lord onely and his power. Ver. 11. Teacheth that the same things that God maketh to giue place to his childrē, shall serue, to the vtter destruction of his and their enemies. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs alwayes to beléeue the trueth of Gods worde, yea though wee sée no meane how it can be performed: secondly that wée should continually prayse God for his mercies. Ver. 13. Teacheth that it is a very easie thing to fall into sinne: it teacheth also that forgetfulnes of gods graces, is as it were the nurse & mother of many other transgressions: also that we should tary the Lordes leasure, for the accomplishing of that which hée hath appoynted vs. Ver. 14. Teacheth that lust or concupiscence is sinne also, also that we should not tempt or try y e Lord: Ver. 15. Teacheth that God bestowing h [...] benefits vpon the wicked, doth ma­ny times with all lay punishments vpon them. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs to loue and reuerence the 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 [Page 367] 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 1 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, 2 [Page 368] 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 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 inhabitauntes being cast out of it, they themselues, might possesse enioy and dwell in, the Prophet mea­neth not, that they that were dead, coulde amongest men prayse the Lorde for these thinges, but in as much, as the benefite thereof did reach vnto their posterity, hée exhorteth their séede being aliue, to acknowledge Gods mer­cyes 8 in that behalfe, and to prayse him for the same.] Verse 8. Let them [ i. their posterity after them] therefore [ i. for the benefites and blessinges be­fore rehearsed] confesse [ i. prayse and magnifie God] before the Lorde [ i. in his presence and from a good heart, whether it bee secretly in their owne selues, [Page 369] or openly before the Arke, according to the custome of those dayes] his louing kindnes [ vz. fréely and plentifully bestowed vppon them] and his wonderfull workes [ i. the wonderfull workes that hee hath done for his people] before the sonnes of men [ i. openly in mens sight, and to them and their posterity.] Ver. 9. For hee satisfied [ vz. with abundaunce of all good thinges] the thirsty soule 9 [ i. him that stoode in néede of any good thing: putting the word, soule, a prin­cipall part of man for the whole person] and filled the hungry soule [ i. the hungry man] with goodnesse [ i. with abundance of good thinges.] Ver. 10. 10 They that dwell in darkenesse [ i. such as were kept prisoners in darke pla­ces] and in the shadowe of death [ i. in great extremitie of death and daunger, Sée Psalme 23.4. Isaiah. 9.1.2.] being bounde in misery and yron [ i. being kept in miserable and harde bondage, hée beginneth here to recite, how ma­ny sortes of people, afflicted with diuers afflictions, haue alwayes founde the Lorde mercifull and fauourable, specially when they came vnto him.] Verse 11. Because they rebelled [ vz. both in thought, woorde, and deede] 11 agaynst the woordes of the Lorde [ vz. manifested and put downe in his Lawe] and despised [ i. regarded not, and set nought by] the counsell of the most high [ i. the purpose, ready inclination and power that the Lorde had to doe them good, if they had yéelded obedience vnto him, hée sheweth in this verse the cause of mens correction, that hee might thereby deliuer Gods iustice from mens slaunders and reprehension: And withall he tea­cheth, that the onely rule of good life, is to followe Gods commandement.] Verse 12. When hee [ i. God] humbled [ vz. though not rightly and truely: not 12 that God was not able to doe it, but because hée woulde not vouchsafe them that grace: by humbling, hée meaneth casting downe: Sée 2. Kings. 21.29.] their heart with heauinesse [ i. hée made them heauy, sorrowfull and sadde] there they fell downe [ vz. before their enemies] and there was no helper [ i. there was none that woulde helpe them. This is the Prophetes mea­ning: when they were wounded with a worldly sorrowe in their heartes, and by meanes thereof, their courages and stomackes, were decayed, then they laye as an open pray to their aduersaries, and none pitied their cases, or were able to helpe them.] Verse 13. Then [ vz. when they were thus 13 destituted of mans ayde] they cryed vnto the Lorde [ i. they called ear­nestly vppon him: this and all that followeth in the verse, is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 6. of this Psalme.] Verse 14. 14 Hee [ i. GOD] brought them [ vz. by his almightie power] out of darkenesse and out of the shaddowe of death [ i. out of affliction, op­pression, anguish, &c. Sée before verse 10. of this Psalme.] And brake their bandes [ i. the bandes wherewith they were bounde, whether they were the bandes of affliction, captiuity, &c.] a sunder [ i. in pieces, and so set them at libertie. For the better vnderstanding of this speach. Sée Sampsons story. Iudges 15.13.14. also Iudges 16.11.12.] Verse 15. 15 Is the same both in woordes and sense, with verse 8. before going.]

Ver. 16. For hée [ vz. the Lorde] hath broken [ vz. by his almightie power] the gates of brasse, and brast the barres of yron a sunder [ vz. for his peoples sake, vnderstanding by brasen gates and barres of yron, either most straite bandes and prisons, Sée Acts 12.10. or else the bandes of cruell and perpetu­all bondage. In which respect also Egipt is called in the Scripture, a house 17 of bondage.] Verse 17. Fooles [ i. wicked and vngodly men, as may ap­peare throughout all the booke of the Prouerbes, and Psalm. 53.1.] by rea­son of their transgression [ vz. committed against GOD] and because of their iniquities [ vz. against men] are afflicted [ vz. by the Lord, and that with sun­dry sortes of his iudgements. And hée calleth them fooles because they haue no feare of God before them, which is the beginning of wisedome Prouerbs. 1.7. So that wée may perceiue, that he meaneth not, that wicked men, who are here called fooles, fall through ignoraunce or error onely, but that their affec­tions 18 being blinded doe take away from them all right iudgement.] Ver. 18. Their soule abhorreth all meate [ i. they themselues, putting one part of man, for an other, and not as though the soule were fed with bodyly foode, hée mea­neth that they are withoute all appetite, and lothe euen the verye sighte of meate, a punishment wherewithall GOD many times plagueth the glut­tonous persons] and they are brought to deathes dore [ i. they are euen ready to dye: hée speaketh in this place of vncurable diseases, and of which seldome fewe or none at all escape, for deathes doore, Sée Psalm. 9.13. where he spea­keth 19 of the gates of death.] Verse 19. Is the same with verse 6.13. of this Psalme, both in wordes and meaning: and there is no difference, sauing that 20 the former speake it in the tyme past, and this in the tyme present.] Verse 20. Hée sendeth his woorde [ i. hée commaundeth, or speaketh but the word onely. Matth. 8.8.] and healeth them [ vz. of all their infirmities, and diseases] and deliuereth them [ vz. through his great goodnesse and almightie power] from their graues [ i. from present death and the graue made ready as it 21 were, for them, by their sicknesses, and maladyes.] Verse 21. Is the 22 same with verse 8. and 15. of this Psalme.] Verse 22. And let them offer [ vz. vnto GOD for these his graces] the sacrifices of prayse [ i. not only of praysing, but also of thankesgiuing: Sée Hebrewes 13.15.] and de­clare his woorkes [ vz. which hée hath graciously done for them] with re­ioycing [ vz. both to himwarde, and chearefully and gladly in respect of 23 themselues, for God requireth chearefulnes in our actions.] Verse 23. They that doe come into the Sea by shippes [ i. the mariners, for I take it to be a special periphrasis of them] and occupy [ vz. into diuers quarters and coun­treyes] by the great waters [ vz. of the Sea. This I doe especially referre to marchauntes: q.d. whether they bée mariners or marchauntes, trading by Sea, or the armes thereof, and that woorde of going downe into the Sea woulde bée marked, because the waters séeme to bée belowe the earth.] 24 Verse 24. They sée [ vz. sensibly and playnely, and that with bodyly eyes, if they haue any grace to beholde it] the woorkes of the Lorde [ i. the great [Page 371] workes that 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 25 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 26 they are: neither deny, I also but y t 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 27 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 28 both in woordes and meaning with ver. 19. of this Psal.] Ver. 29. Hee [ i. God] 29 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 30 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 31 this Psalme.] Verse 32. And let them [ vz. so deliuered and brought to the 32 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 [Page 372] 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 33 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.] 34 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 y t 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 35 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] 36 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 37 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 38 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 [Page 373] one sort, for all sortes.] Verse 39. Againe [ q.d. beholde on the other side Gods 39 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 [ vz. layde vppon them by others and the griefe and anguish of their owne heartes.] Verse 40. Hée powreth 40 contempt vppon Princes [ i. hée maketh them plentifully to bée contemned and despised: this the Prophet addeth, least men shoulde thinke it did méete with none, but the poore sort] and causeth them to erre [ vz. for shame of men, and want of things necessary, vnderstanding by erring, wandering vp and down] in desert places out of the way [ i. in wildernesses, which haue no ordinary or common way in them, and all this they doe, because they woulde flie the sight of men.] Verse 41. Yet [ q.d. though hée deale thus hardly with wicked and vn­godly 41 Princes, yet hée dealeth otherwise with the godly poore] hée rayseth vp [ vz. into honour, wealth, estimation, riches, &c. Sée Psalm. 13.7.] the poore [ i. him that standeth in néede of his helpe and grace, and féeleth that want of his owne] out of misery [ vz. wherein hée is or lyeth] and maketh him families [ i. increaseth his housholdes, stockes, and ofspring] like a flocke of sheepe [ i. in very great number: for shéepe doe yéeld a great increase, and a flocke of shéep, comprehendeth many in number.] Verse 42. The righteous [ i. such good 42 men, as haue their sight lightened by fayth, and whome the Lorde accoun­teth as righteous] shall sée [ vz. both with their bodily and spirituall eyes] it [ vz. the effectes and testimonies of Gods prouidence spoken of before in this Psalme] and reioyce [ vz. greatly in the Lord, who doeth the same, whereas the vngodly, being blinde in their vnderstanding, not knowing that the worlde is gouerned by Gods prouidence, but by blind fortune, as they imagine, shall remayne blynde, confounded, and dumbe in themselues, not hauing any thing to say against this] and al iniquitie [ i. euery man giuen to iniquitie, na­ming the person by the thing, by reason of the abundance which is in the man. Sée Iob 5.16.] shall stoppe her mouth [ i. hée or they shall haue nothing to say a­gainst this great worke of Gods prouidence. [Verse 43. Who is wise [ vz. 43 according to GOD, for it must bée Gods wisedome, and not mans, that must perfourme this great thing] that hée may obserue [ vz. in his vnderstanding and heart, and that diligently and déepely] these thinges [ i. these great and ex­cellent matters which the Lorde worketh: the Prophet meaneth both that the number of them that beholde Gods workes with earnest consideration is ve­ry smal, and also that by reason of the excellency of them, a man had néed to im­ploye, all the power of his bodye and mynde, to the comprehension there­of: Sée Hosea 14.9.] for they shall vnderstande [ i. sensibly perceiue and feele] the louing kindnes of the Lorde [ vz. towardes them, that bee his, the Prophet addeth this reason as an incouragement vnto men to prouoke them diligently to looke into Gods wonderfull workes, shewing that then men in déede begin to bee wise, when they beginne to apply themselues rightly to way Gods workes.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, both in our owne persons, and to prouoke others also, to praise God for his mercies towardes vs, and for the continuaunce of the same. Verse 2. Sheweth that they especially are bounde to publish Gods prayses, which haue receiued greatest testimonies of his fauour. Ver. 3. Shew­eth Gods mercies towardes his people, in gathering together, those that were dispersed. Verse 4. and 5. Shew that then are Gods mercies most swéete when men are in greatest distresse and misery. Verse. 6. Teacheth, first that afflicti­ons and wantes are notable spurres to earnest prayer: Secondly that the Lorde onely is to be called vppon: Thirdly that hée refuseth none that call vp­pon him, specially if it be in spirit and trueth. Verse 7. Teacheth that when God is our guide, wée shall goe right, and prosper in those thinges, which wée take in hande. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs, that Gods mercies bestowed vppon vs require at our handes, both a priuate and a publike or open confession there­of. Verse 9. Teacheth that God alone is hée, who relieueth the néede of his, and that with all goodnes. Ver. 10.11. Teach that contempt of Gods word, and rebellion against his maiesty, is the occasion of all misery, bondage &c. Ver. 12. Teacheth first, that when God forsaketh a people, then they must néedes come to ruine: Secondly, that for the sinnes of the people, hée stoppeth vp the bowels and compassion of those that might helpe them. Verse 13. Contey­neth the same doctrines that ver. 6. doeth, as it is the same in words and sense. Verse 14. Teacheth that God alone is hee, that deliuereth out of captiuitie or distresse, whatsoeuer meanes hée vseth therein. Verse 15. Deliuereth the fame doctrines, that verse 8. doeth. Ver. 16. Teacheth that there is no thing or creature able to withstande Gods power, or to let his purpose. Ver. 17. Tea­cheth that all wisedome and wife men without godlines is nothing but folly: also that inquities, are as strong as cartropes to pull vppon vs all man­ner of punishments. Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euen appetite to our meat is a good gift of the Lorde: also that when men are in greatest extremitie, then is GOD most commonly nigh vnto them. Verse 19. Teacheth the same doctrines that verse 6. doeth. Verse 20. Teacheth that Gods only word, is of power sufficient, to doe whatsoeuer it shall please him. Verse 21. Setteth out the same doctrines with verse 8. Verse 22. Teacheth vs, not onely to publish Gods great woorkes, but also to doe it chearefully, glad­ly, and willingly. Verse 23. Teacheth that nauigation, the calling of a mariner, and the trade of mar [...]haundife, are not of themselues thinges vn­lawefull. Verse 24. Sheweth that Gods power and glory appeareth, as well on the Sea as on the Lande. Verse 25. Sheweth that stormes, tem­pestes, and the swelling of the Sea arise not by fortune, or vppon naturall causes onely, but by the speciall commaundement and appoyntment of God. Verse 26. Doeth not onely set foorth gods great power, that worketh such great thinges: but sheweth that men are not blockes, and voyde of af­fection as the Stoickes imagined, but haue their passions, which of them­selues in some respect are not euill, but the extremitie of them onelye. [Page 375] Verse 27. teacheth that there is no policy, wisedome witte or cunning agaynst the Lord. Verse 28 is the same in words, meaning and doctrines, with verse 6. Verse 29 teacheth that God only maketh the weather and seas calme, sée Mat. 8, 26, 27. Verse 30 teacheth that men deliuered from some perill, may & oughte to reioyce: also that God graciously graunteth men euen the things they desire and many times more then they wish also. Verse 31 conteineth the same doc­trines that verse 8 doth. Ver. 32 teacheth vs, that no place or people should hin­der vs from praysing of God for his graces: nay the more & the greater men the rather we should do it, to the end that they by our examples might be drawn on to the like, Ver. 33 teacheth first that God guideth and gouerneth thinges here below, whatsoeuer a company of dizy headed men dreame to the contrary: secondly y t he doth vpon the earth euen whatsoeuer pleaseth him. Ver. 34 tea­cheth that sin and vngodlines is the mean to turn al plenty into pouerty, and al blessings into cursings. Verse 35 teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of ground, and plenty of al things is Gods only gift. Ver. 36 teacheth that God in great mercy prepareth abundance for them that want, and giueth them safety & shil­ter from al their enemies. Ver. 37. Teacheth Gods children euen in y e mid­dest of Gods blessings and abundance, yet notwithstanding to imploy them­selues in ordinary trauayle and labour. Ver. 38 teacheth vs, that it is not y e tra­uayle of man, but Gods blessing that maketh men rich, sée Psal. 127.2. Verse 39 teacheth that afflictions are good means to bring men to y e right knowledge of God and themselues. Verse 40 teacheth that the estate of Princes and great men is not so sure as they commonly fantasie. Ver. 41 teacheth vs that prefer­ment commeth not from the east nor weast, but from the Lord only, sée Psalme 75, 6. Verse 42 teacheth that godly men may reioyce as in the benefites of God bestowed vpon others, so in his iudgements poured forth vpon the wicked: it teacheth also that Gods mercies vpon his children, and his punishments vpon the vngodly, bring forth an other effect in the wicked, that is, taketh from them all sence, so that they neyther haue harts to conceiue, nor mouthes to speake, ei­ther with or against god in his dealings. Ver. 43 teacheth, first that men ought déeply to weigh Gods wonderful workes: secondly that the number of thē that do so in déede is very small, in respect of the other: thirdly that the consideration of his works is one good means to make vs sée and féele, not his power and pro­uidenee only, but also his eternall goodnes, and incomprehensible mercy.

Psalme 108

THis Psalme, as I take it, may be deuided into two parts. Di. In the 1 first the Prophet stirreth vp himself to prayse God, calling also vpon him for helpe and deliuerance, from verse 1. to the ende of the 6 verse. In the second the Prophet assuring himselfe by rea­son 2 of Gods promises, that his enemies should be ouerthrowne, [Page 376] maketh his prayer vnto God for strength to performe it. And this part rea­cheth from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title, A song or Psalm of Dauid [sée before Psal. 48. in the title, and in that it is sayd here a Psalm of Dauid, it is euident that he was the author of it. Though it be true y t this Psal. be made of two Psalmes before going, that is of Psal. 57 from ver. 7 to the end of the Psal. and of Psal. 60 from verse 5. to the end of the Psal. frō whence also the sence & doctrines might very wel be fet, yet notwithstanding because there is some difference, somwhat shalbe sayd in this 1 place.] Ver. 1. O God mine hart [ i. my inward man] is prepared [ vz. to prayse thée for thy mercies] so is my tongue [ i. mine outward man also, putting a part for y e whole: q.d. I am ready both in the inward man & outward mā to magnify thée for thy graces] I [ vz. my self, & none other for me] wil sing & gyue praise 2 [ vz. vnto thée alone.] Ver. 2. Awake Viol and Harpe [he incourageth not only himself, but also his instruments to praise God, that euen thereby hee himselfe might be the better prouoked thereto] I will awake [ vz. from my sléepe, and rise vp from my bed] early [ vz. in the morning: the Prophet meaneth that he 3 will euen breake his sléepe to performe seruices to God.] Verse 3, I wil praise thée O Lord [ vz. for thy mercies great and vnspeakeable] among the people [ vz. whom thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe] and I will sing vnto thée [ vz. prayses and thanksgiuing] amongst the nations [ vz. round about vs: the Pro­phet meaneth that he would so publish Gods prayses, that euen the Gentiles 4 should heare of it.] Ver. 4. For thy mercy [ vz. towardes all men but speciallye towards thy sonnes and seruaunts] is great [ i. is so great, that it is] aboue the heauens [ i. higher then the heauens themselues: so that as the space be­twéene heauen and earth is infinite, so is thy mercy] and thy truth [ vz. reacheth: he vnderstandeth by truth, Gods faythfulnesse, in making, kéeping, and performing promise] vnto the Cloudes [by these maner of spéeches, hée meaneth nothing else but that Gods mercy is vnmeasurable, and incompre­hensible 5 as it were in respecte of the greatnesse of it.] Verse 5. Exalt thy selfe O GOD [ vz. by thy mighte and power] aboue the heauens [ i. aboue the highest thinges that may be: not that he meaneth that God was not then, and alwayes is exalted, but that he prayeth the Lorde by effect to shew it amongste men] and let thy glory [ i. the praise that appertaineth vnto thy glory] be [ vz. dispersed farre and wide] vpon al the earth [ i. in euery place of the worlde. The Prophet sheweth in this verse, that the firste thing that moued him to make this request, is Gods glorye. In the nexte Verse hée sheweth that an o­ther 6 reason is, the saluation and deliueraunce of his people.] Verse 6. That thy beloued [ vz. people, that is, suche people, as thou fauourest and louest of thine owne mercye onely, without any merites of theirs] may be de­liuered [ vz. out of the great daungers, distresses, and feares, wherein they are] helpe [ vz. both them and me, and euerye one of vs in this case: for it shoulde séeme that Dauid made this Psalme at the beginning of his King­dome, when thinking vppon his enimies and his owne weakenesse, it was [Page 377] tyme to craue helpe at the Lords hands for himselfe and his people] with thy right hand [ i. with thy mighty power and strength, that so thereby I may o­uercome these enemies] and heare me [ vz. praying vnto thée for my selfe, and my people, vnderstanding by hearing, graunting his requestes.] Verse 7. 7 GOD [ vz. himselfe] hath spoken [ vz. openlye and playnlye, and that by his holye Prophet Samuell, that hee will establshe and inlarge the kingdome in my hande, yea he hath spoken it] in his holinesse [ i. hée hath holilye, and assuredly promised it mée, so that I néede not doubte any more of it, then of his holinesse] therefore [ vz. for this his mercye] I will reioyce [ vz. greatlye, for séeing he hath promised mée, I knowe that] I shall diuide [ vz. as the right owner and possessor of it] Shechem [Shechem is the name of a place on this side Iordan, as the valley of Succoth was beyond Iordan. Hée nameth certayne places of the land, whiche by reason of Saules stocke, and those that tooke part with him, as Abner and such like, he had not at the ente­rance into his Kingdome in his possession, and yet notwithstanding assured himselfe that he should haue them] and measure [ vz. to euery man his portion as Ioshua did, by which the prophet noteth his gouernment & kingdome ouer it] the valley of Succoth [this is expounded alredy before, euen in this verse] Verse 8. Gilead [ i. the whole lande & countrie of Gilead, with the people inha­biting 8 the same] shall be mine [ i. subiect to my power and authority] and Ma­nasseh [ i. the whole tribe of Manasseh] shalbe mine [ i. subiect to me, though now for a while they follow the house of Saul] Ephraim also [ i. the tribe of Ephra­im] shall be the strength of mine head [ i. shall be a principall proppe and staye of my kingdome: and this the Prophet speaketh, not only for any affiaunce he had in y t tribe, but also and chéefly because that tribe was mighty & much peo­ple: and when he sayth the strength of his head, he vseth a Metaphor taken from beasts w t hornes, who vse also to defend thēselues therwith, q.d. Ephraim shalbe one of my principall meanes of defence] Iudah [ i. the tribe of Iudah, or the place where that Tribe dwelt] is my lawgiuer [ i. is the place or people, frō whence, or from whom my lawes and ordinaunces procéed.] Verse 9. Moab [ i. 9 the whole land & people inhabiting it: q.d. not only the Israelites, but euen the Gentiles, shalbe added to my kingdome] shalbe my washpot [ vz. wherein I wil wash my féet, meaning hereby y t he would handle them more hardly, & make les account of them then of y e Israelites, because they were vncircūcised: q.d. I wil make no more account of them then of an earthen pot vnder my féete, and yet if I will reserue any of them, I wil vse them in base seruices, sée 2. Sam. 8.2.] ouer Edom [ i. ouer the Edomites and their lande] I will cast my shoe [ i. I will ouercom them, & when they are cast down tread vpon thē, as it were, meaning nothing else, but that he would bring thē, euen easily into his subiection & obe­diēce] vpō Palestina [ i the country it self, & the people inhabiting it, who were called Philistines] wil I triumph [ vz. boldly & chearfully: q.d. whereas they were wont ieastingly and scoffingly to triumph ouer vs, as appeareth Iudges 16, 25. 1. Samuel 4.7.8.9. Nowe wee will doe the like vnto them, as though he [Page 378] should say, now let them brag that they haue vanquished vs heretofore, if they 10 can or dare.] Verse 10. Who [ vz. besides God: q.d. there is none able but he a­lone, as may appeare by the next verse following] wil lead me [ vz. the righte and ready way] into the strong Citie [ vz. of mine enemies: he putteth one ci­tie for many, and he calleth thē strong because they that possessed thē, thoughte them so to be, and not that they were able any maner of way to resist Gods po­wer in him] who will bring me to Edom [ vz. to vanquish and subdue it, and 11 the people there inhabiting.] Ver. 11. Wilt not thou O God? [ q.d. I am sure thou wilt, for so significant is the interrogatiō in this place] which haddest [ vz. heretofore] forsaken vs [ vz. vtterly leauing vs in the hands of our aduersa­ries] and diddest not go forth [ vz. as thou wast wont to doe in fauour & loue] with our armies [ i. with those armies which we sent out agaynst our enemies: q.d. Though heretofore we haue receaued a repulse, yet now we perswade our 12 selues, y t thou wilt giue vs victory.] ver. 12 Giue vs? [ vz. thorow thy mercy and goodnesse only, for we craue it as a gift] helpe [ i. aid, strēgth, grace, &c.] against trouble [ i. against al trouble that we shall indure, eyther outward or inwarde] for vayne is the helpe of man [ i. the ayd that man can giue or bring, is to little 13 or no purpose.] Ver. 13. Thorow God [ i. thorow the ayd and strength we haue of him, and in that assurance that we haue of his succour and assistance] we shal doe valiauntly [ vz. against his and our enemies, howsoeuer men be not able to ayd vs] for he [ vz. alone, without the helpe of any other] shall tread down [ vz. vnder our féete, meaning by that spéeche vanquishing and subduing of them] our enemies [ i. all that shall rise vp agaynst vs, either at home or abroad.

Do. Ver. 1. teacheth to come to Gods seruice with purpose and preparation: also to serue him with our inward and outward man both. Verse 2 doth teach vs two things, first to vse all the meanes that may prouoke to the seruice and wor­ship of God, secondly to forgoe some parte of our pleasures and profits to per­forme it. Verse 3 teacheth vs to prayse God so, that other men may knowe it, and by our example be stirred vp to do the like. Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods mercy and truth, and the greatnesse and assurednesse thereof, are two singular comforts to the consciences of his children. Verse 5 teacheth vs in all our prai­ers to set before vs Gods glory as the speciall marke to aime at. Ver. 6 tea­cheth vs also in our prayers to remember the safety and deliueraunce of our brethren. Verse 7 teacheth vs that Gods worde and promise is ground suffici­ent ynough for the stay of his childrens perswasion. Verse 8 teacheth vs, that if the Lord haue promised vs a thing, we should make as certayne account of it, as though we had it in possession. Verse 9 teacheth vs, that no enemies what­soeuer, shal be able to resist Gods purpose in his seruants, but that he wil both with ease and in assurance cast them down. Ver. 10 teacheth, that the ouerthrow of cities and peoples, is from God only, though he vse sundrye meanes for the performance therof. Verse 11 teacheth that though God séeme to destitute his children for a while, yet he will not forsake them for euer. Ver. 12 sheweth that all mans ayde, helpe, counsell and countenaunce, is as much without God, as [Page 379] nothing. Ver. 13 teacheth that all the strength, power and victory that God his seruaunts haue, is from the Lord only.

Psalme 109

THis Psalme as I take it, Di. doth principallye propounde two 1 things, first the Prophet prayeth for himselfe, alleaging his own misery, and the mischiefe of his aduersaries, as a mean to moue the Lord to mercy, promising also praise & thanks­giuing, if the Lord will performe it: verse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 21, 22, and so forth to the end of the Psalme. In the second he praieth 2 agaynst his aduersaries, who were voyd, as of all godlinesse in respect of the Lord, so of all curtesie in respect of men: and this reacheth from verse 6, vnto the end of the 20 verse.

The title of this Psalme is all one with Psal. 13. and Psal. 14. in their titles, Se. and many others. Likely it is that Dauid made this Psalm, at some one time or other, while Saule was king, in whose dayes all the thinges were oute of order, and if we compare the second verse of this Psalme with 1. Samuel. 26.19, it shall appeare it was not made long before Saules death.] Verse 1. Hold not thy tongue [ vz. at these things which the vngodly practise agaynst me, leste thou shouldest be thought eyther not to sée, or else not to regarde the iniuries that they lay vpon me, when they falsly accuse me before Saule: the Prophet desireth God to shew by effect, that he doth vtterly disallow, that wicked dea­ling of the vngodly, as Psalme 28? ver. 1. He prayeth the Lorde that he woulde not be deafe] O God of my prayse [ i. thou O God that art the argumente and matter of my praises: or else thus, thou O God in whom all my prayse consi­steth, because thou mayntainest and vpholdest me in my iust cause, whereas all the rest besides as it were, do oppresse me by false slaunders, and euery one ac­coūteth me for a wicked man, but I doe better like of the former sence,] Ver. 2. 2 For the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth full of deceyte [ i. wicked and de­ceitfull men, with their wicked and deceitfull words] are opened vpon me [ vz. readie to deuoure and ouerwhelme me with the great waters of vniust reports w ch they cast out against me: sée 1. Sam. 24.10. 1. Sam. 26.18. Psal. 12.2] they haue spoken to me with a lying tongue [ i. they haue spoken me fayre in words, when they caried swords in their harts.] Ver. 3. They compassed me about also with 3 words of hatred [ i. they did not only dissemble with me one while, but an other while they vttred hatefull spéeches agaynst me] and fought agaynst me [ vz. both by words and déedes] without a cause [ i. when I gaue them no cause ey­ther of the one or other.] Verse 4. For my friendship [ vz. shewed towards the] 4 they were mine aduersaries [ i. they wrought me much euill and hurt] but I [ vz. in these afflictions and distresses] gaue my selfe [ vz. readily, earnestly, and diligently] to prayer [ vz. not only for my selfe, that I might patiently beare al [Page 390] 5 these calamities, but euen for my enemies also, sée Psal. 35.13.] Ver. 5. And they [ vz. in y e vnkindnes & frowardnes of their own harts] haue rewarded me euill for good [ i. haue don me much mischéef, for y e good y t I haue performed towards them] and hatred for my friendship [ i. for my good will: the Prophet meaneth, 6 that both in action and affection they had dealt wickedly with him.] Ver. 6. Set thou the wicked [ i. a more vngodly & wicked man then he himself is] ouer him [ i. to beare rule ouer him. It is likely that vnder one wicked man, he meaneth many: but whatsoeuer it be, the prophet meaneth y t he would haue y e Lord to cast him down, vnder most hard & tirānous gouernment] & let the aduersary [ i. his aduersary, or aduersaries, some refer it to the deuil and his angels] stand at his right hand [ i. be continually present with him, to vex, pursue, and gréeue him, 7 sée ver. 31 of this Psalme.] Ver. 7. Whē he shalbe iudged [ i. when he shall come before a Iudge to haue causes of his heard, or else his own person to stande in iudgement] let him be condemned [ vz. as a wicked and vngodly man, and pu­nished without pity & compassion] & let his prayer [ i. the suit & supplication w ch he maketh to the iudge for fauour] be turned into sin [ i. serue to increase & ag­grauate his offēce, rather thē to lessē it any ways: the prophet meaneth, y t looke whatsoeuer y e vngodly should vse in his own defēce, either as to clear himselfe, or to moue others to pity him that al y t should stand in stéed more & more to bur­thē 8 & charge him.] Ver. 8. Let his dayes [ i. the days of the life y t he hath to liue] be few [ vz. in nūber, & in respect of thē that liue long, and not as though mens dayes could be shortned in regard of y t time which the Lord hath alotted them] and let another man take [ vz. to execute & performe it] his charge [ i. y e charge 9 & office which he had, S. Peter Act. 1.10. applieth this to Iudah.] Ver. 9. Let his children [ i. the children he hath and shal leaue behind him in y e world] be father­les, & his wife a widdow [ i. let him die, & let the punishment of his death light not only vpon him, but vpon his wife and children, as a thing most gréeuous vn­to 10 them.] Ver. 10. Let his children [ i. his posteritie] be vagabondes [ vz. vppon the earth, and without dwelling place, sée Gen. 4.14.] and begge [ vz. of other men, hauing nothing of their own, neither any man in pitie to giue them anye thing, as followeth afterwards verse 12.] and séeke [ vz. gréedily, and that at o­ther mens hands, who shal not pitty thē] bread [ i. al maner of maintainance for their life] cōming out of their places destroid [by places he meaneth both their dwelling houses & whole stock: q.d. after y t they, and al that belongeth vnto thē, haue ben destroyed, let thē run vp & down a begging, &c. and in this and the o­ther verse, vz. 9. hee prayeth agaynst the wickeds race and posteritye, as verse 11 6, 7, 8, he prayed agaynst the vngodly man himself.] Ver. 11. Let the extortioner [ i. the couetous and cruel man or vsurer, into whose debt he is falne] catche all that he hath [ vz. remayning of his substance, yet vnspent, or vnwasted. The Metaphor of catching would be marked, for it is taken from nets or snares out of which birds or any thing caught in them, cannot only not escape, but also be in continual daunger of death] and let the straungers [ vz. which are wont to shew no pitty and compassion, for one naturall countreiman wil shew affection [Page 391] to another, whereas Foreiners are giuen altogether to rapine and spoyling] spoyle [ vz. without pitty or compassion, or giuing him any thing back agayn] his labour [ i. the thinges that he hath trauailed for, how good, or how bad soe­uer they be. The straunger when he commeth once to rifling, refuseth almoste nothing.] Ver. 12. Let there be none [ vz. found amongst mē] to extend mercy vn­to 12 him [ vz. in the time of his distres and affliction] neither let there bee any to shew mercy vpon his fatherles children [whose case is pittiful as hath bin sun­dry times shewed before, & whom we ought to tender, because God commēdeth them the widdowes & the stranger vnto vs.] Ver. 13. Let his posterity [ i. those 13 that shall come after him, or which he shall leaue behind him] be destroyd [ vz. from amongst men, meaning y e cutting of thē of, or the rasing or rooting of thē out of remēbrance] & in the generatiō following [ i. in y e very next age] let their name [ i. the glory & renowne, both of y e wicked fathers & their children] be put out [ vz. of mans remēbrance: q.d. let there be no more any remembraunce of him or his séede] Ver. 14. Let the iniquities of his fathers be had in remēbrāce 14 with the Lord [ i. let him be punished for the sinnes of his father & his mother, whose vngodlines he hath followed: and so must both this place and the threat conteyned in the second commaundement be vnderstood: and when he sayth] be had in remēbrance with the Lorde [he meaneth not y t God forgetteth any sinne cōmitted against him, but y t he would haue the Lord by effect, i. by punishmēts to shew, y t he thinketh vpō the wicked mās vngodlinesse] and let not the sinne of his mother be done away [ vz. out of y e Lords sight, but let it stand fast there, as to craue continual punishmēt vpon her children, resting in y e like.] Ver. 15. But let thē [ i. their sins & transgressiōs] alway be before y e Lord [ i. let y e Lord conti­nually 15 remēber thē, for we do not forget these things, that are alwayes in our sight] y t 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 y e place wher they dwel, w ch cannot properly be said to haue a­ny remēbrance of thē, but chéefly & specially frō the people inhabiting those places, or that part of y e world.] Ver. 16. Because [now he beginneth to shew some causes of his praier, & of gods iudgemēt] he [ i. the wicked mā] remembred not 16 [ i. did of purpose forget, & put out y e remēbrance of it in himself] to shew mercy [ i. to haue pity & cōpassion vpō others distressed] but persecuted [ vz. with great rage & egernes] y e afflicted & poore mā [ i. him whom the Lord had cast downe & brought to the state of néed] & the sorrowful harted [ i. him, y t was wounded and pearced with sorow at his hart, for the calamities & miseries y t 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 y t the vngodly was giuen to] so shal it come vnto him [ vz. frō y e Lord: the Prophet meaneth, y t the vngodly multiplying sins against the lord, shal frō y e Lord receiue abūdance of plagues, w ch 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 [Page 392] from him [ vz. so farre, that it shall neuer come nigh him, nor he in any hope, to 18 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, 19 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.] 20 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 21 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 [Page 393] almost dead, because they y t be wounded at the hart, can hardly escape, so y t that metaphor expresseth the great daunger he was in.] Ver. 23. I depart [ vz. from 23 amōgst men, or out of this life] like y e shadow y t 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 y e 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 y t he was wonderfully tossed from post to piller] as y e grashopper [w ch leapeth hither & thither, & continueth not long in a place: how true y t was in Dauid, sée 1. Sam. frō chap. 18. til ye come almost to y e end of y e booke, & namely chap. 23.26.] Ver. 24. My knées are weake through fasting [he meaneth by fasting, not an abstinence willingly layd vpon 24 himself, by himselfe, but a long abstinence by reason of weakenesse of stomack: q.d. I haue so lōg abstained frō meat & nourishment, y t 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. 25 I [ vz. thus in misery, became also a rebuke vnto thē [ i. to y e wicked & vngodly: he meaneth y t the wicked did tauntingly & scornfully rebuke him] they y t looked vpō me [ vz. in my misery] shaked their heads [ vz. at me, & that in sign of moc­kery & contēpt: sée 2. King. 19.21. & this verified in Christ, as appeareth Mat. 27.39.] Ver. 26. Help me [ vz. in these distresses] O Lord my God [ q.d. vnles thou 26 help I shalbe ouerthrown] saue me [ i. deliuer me, frō the power of the wicked] according to thy mercy [ vz. promised to thy seruants & performed to many of them.] Ver. 27. And they [ i. euen the very wicked & vngodly] shal know [ i. féele 27 & confesse] that this [ vz. my deliuerance and help] is thine hand [ i. is done and wrought by thy mighty power] & that thou Lord [ vz. alone, & none other with thée] hast done it [ vz. for my good and safety.] Ver. 28. Though they [ i. the wic­ked] 28 curse [ i. speake and doe all manner of euil against me] yet thou wilt blesse [ vz. me, meaning by blessing a plentiful giuing of al graces, this the Prophet speaketh in the assured perswasion of Gods mercy, & in contēpt of his aduer­saries enterprises: q.d. let thē curse as much as they wil or can, yet this is my cōfort, that thou wilt blesse me with thy fauour] they shal arise [ vz. vp, and that to do mischéef against me] and be cōfounded [ vz. by thy mighty power in their wicked enterprises] but thy seruants shal reioice [ vz. in thy goodnesse towards him, & the destruction of his and thine enemies: & marke that in these 3. verses, 26, 27, 28. He prayeth for his own safety & deliuerance, as in the next for his e­nemies ouerthrow.] Ver. 29. Let mine aduersaries be clothed with shame [ i. let 29 them be vtterly confoūded & ashamed, or couered with shame, as men are with their clothes] & let thē couer thēselues with their cōfusion as with a cloke, [he meaneth y t they should be compassed in on euery side w t shame & confusion: wi­shing also y t the best couerture that they might haue for themselues in the daye of distresse, might be but only shame & confusion of face. This doubling of the [Page 394] sentence serueth, not only to note the Prophets earnestnesse, but also to set out the abundance & continuance of shame to be poured forth vppon the wicked.] 30 Ver, 30. I [ vz. being thus deliuered from the vngodlies power] will giue thanks vnto the Lord greatly [ i. will oftē and as it were continually prayse his name for it] with my mouth [ i. openly and before others: q.d. I wil not do it in­wardly only in my hart but openly with my mouth and tongue, putting y e word mouth, wherby voices are vttered, for y e very words of praise & thanksgiuing] and praise him [ vz. for his great power, goodnes, & mercy towards me] amōg 31 the multitude [ vz. of his people assembled also for to praise him.] Ver. 31. For he [ i. the Lord] wil stand [ vz. continually] at the right hand of the poore [ i. hard by him that is afflicted, meaning by standing at the right hand, the continuall power, prouidēce & goodnes of God, watching ouer those y t are his] to saue him [ i. to deliuer him and set him frée: & though he speake but of one, yet hee mea­neth al the faithful: for y t which God is to one of his, he is to all of them] from them y t would condemn his soule [ i. from thē that would condemn him to death. By soule he vnderstandeth the whole man: and by the word, condemn, he shew­eth that he had to do with the King and other mighty enimies.

Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestly to cōmend our selues & our causes into gods hāds by prayer. Do. Ver. 2 setteth out the deceit, hipocrisie & lying of y e vngodly. Verse 3 sheweth how y e wicked spare not, to speake & do euil also, though they haue no cause giuen them. Ver. 4 sheweth y t the wicked many times recompence good w t euil: it teacheth y e faithful also in y e midst of alcōfusion to betake themselues to praier. Ver. 5 sheweth y t it is a portion alotted to Gods childrē in this life to be many times molested of them of whom they haue best deserued, y e Lord working this, because he would thereby bring them out of loue with this life, & teach thē not to hang to much vpō men. Ver. 6, 7. &c. teach first that we may pray against the malicious & obstinate enemies of Gods people. Ver. 6 teacheth further, y t it is a sign god is very angry, whē he causeth one wicked man to punish another. Ver. 7 sheweth y t god wil somtimes make y e very intreaty of y e wicked serue to his own hurt. Ver. 8.9.10 teach, y t it is many times a token of Gods wrath, to be cut off in the middest of our dayes, to haue our offices giuen to other, & to leaue behind vs poore fatherles children & widdows. I say many times, because it is not always so. Ver. 11 doth liuely describe the nature of the hard harted extorti­oner, & cruel stranger. Ver. 12 teacheth, y t it should be no smal gréefe vnto vs, if mens bowels & compassion be shut vp against vs. Ver. 13 sheweth y t God in his iudgmenes doth many times root out men & their rases. Ver. 14 teacheth y t god punisheth y e sinnes of vngodly fathers, in their wicked children walking in the same ways. Ver. 15 teacheth y t it should déepely wound vs to know y t God behol­deth al our sins. Ver. 16 teacheth y t God in his iustice doth punish men w t those sins y t they haue cōmitted against other. Ver. 17 teacheth vs y t they w ch delighte & continue in euil, shal frō the Lord haue abundance of euil poured vpon them. The same thing doth verse 18, 19 teach. Ver. 20. teacheth y t al punishmēts pou­red vpon y e wicked procéed frō the Lord. Ver. 21 teacheth y t whē men sée or know [Page 395] that God wil deale in punishment against the wicked, it then behoueth y t godly to flie to his mercy by praier. Ver. 22 teacheth vs y t euē our own miseries shold moue vs to make harty supplicatiō vnto the Lord. Ver. 23, 24 shew into what pittiful estate, Gods children are many times brought. Ver. 25 teacheth, that it is no new thing for y e wicked to scoffe & skorn at y e godly. Ver. 26 teacheth vs in al our praiers to flie to Gods mercy. Ver. 27 teacheth y t the very wicked shal be constrained to confes gods hand in their punishment, & the deliueraunce of his children, so did Pharaoh & the Egiptians. Ver. 28 teacheth y t mans cursing cannot hurt, where God hath promised his blessing. Ver. 29 teacheth vs that we may pray against y e wicked: & in y t the Prophet doubleth his praier, he teacheth vs y t we should do so, specially then when Satan bewraieth his subtilties and crafts. Ver. 30 teacheth vs both secretly and openly to giue thanks to the Lord for his mercies. Ver. 31 teacheth y t God is nigh to his children euen to deliuer them in their greatest distresses and feares.

Psalme 110.

THis Psalme being principally a prophecie of the kingdom & priest­hood of Christ, consisteth especially of two parts. Di. In the first are de­scribed 1 the offices which god the father hath committed to Dauid in figure, but to Christ in truth, frō ver. 1 to the end of the 5. In y e seconde 2 are described what things both Dauid & Christ shal do, according to y e seuerall offices cōmitted to thē, & this is comprehēded in the 2. last verses of this Psalm.

The Title is, Se. a Psalm of Dauid [i. a Psalme which Dauid in the spirite of Prophecie made, as appeareth Mat. 22.43.] Verse 1. The Lorde [ i. God the fa­ther] sayd [ vz. in the truth of his word] vnto my Lord [ i. vnto Christ the Mes­siah, who is called Dauids Lord by right both of creation and redemption, as who is God eternall with the father and the holy Ghost, and yet became man, at the fulnesse of tyme, Galat. 4.4. If we referre it to Dauid, then it must haue this sence: either that Dauid speaketh of himself, calling himselfe a Lord, be­cause God had aduaunced him to the kingdome of Israel, or els penneth it, as though some other should speake it of him. We cannot offend in referring it to Christ, because Christ doth account it as a prophecy of his kingdom, Mat. 22, 43, &c. and the Apostle also Heb. 1.13.] sit thou at my right hand [ i. receaue chéef rule and authority from me, and exercise iurisdiction and power ouer al. And this is spoken according to mens vse, specially Kings, who are accustomed to set them on their right hand, whom they wil highly aduance, sée 1, King. 2.19. also Psalme 45.9. and this is the right sence of that article, hee sitteth at the right hand of God] vntil I make thine enemies thy footestoole [ i. til I make thē that oppose thēselues against thée obediēt & wholy subiect vnto thée. He spea­keth this speciallye of y e reprobate, who wil they, or nil they, must bée broughte down, 2. Cor. 10.5. these words are largely expounded 1. Corinthians 15.25, &c. The word, vntil, doth not here note a péece of time, but a perpetuity, for Christ [Page 396] shalbe as he hath alwayes ben, God coequal & coeternal with his father, sée the word, vntil, so vsed 2. Sam. 6.23. and in the new testament, Mat. 5.26. Mat. 28.10,] Ver. 2. The Lord [ i. God the father as before ver. 1.] shal send [ vz. forth a­broad 2 into al the world] the rod of thy power [ i. thy powerfull and mighty rod, or the rod and scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might, notwith­standing al the resistance of thine enemies, sée for the better vnderstanding of this word, rod, Psalm 2, 9 and by this rod no doubt he meaneth speciallye the preaching of the word, which is the mighty power of God to saluation, to al y t beléeue, Rom. 1.16. & is able to cast down strong holds & euery hie thing, 2. Cor. 10.5,] out of Sion [ i. out of the Church of the Iewes, yet so that it shall bee spread abroad euen amongst the Gentiles also, sée Isai. 2, 3. Micah. 4, 2.] bee thou ruler [ vz. by thy word and spirit in thine own children, and by thy migh­ty iudgements amongest the wicked] in the middest of thine enemyes [ i. euen where their greatest force is. He meaneth that the kingdome of Christ shall be alwayes assaulted by the enemies, but yet al that notwithstanding, he shal rule 3 and remayne a Conqueror.] Verse 3. Thy people [ i. the people that thou shalte beget vnto thy selfe, and shall be subdued vnto thée] shall come willinglye [ i. shall fréely and of their own accord present themselues before thée, to yéeld al o­bedience vnto thée] at the time of assembling [ i. at y t time when by the exercises of thy word, and working of thy spirit, thou shalt assemble and gather people vnto thy self] thine armie [ i. great troupes of thy children, vz. shall come be­fore thée, and appeare in thy presence] in holy beauty, [ i. either in suche comli­nesse, as shall carrye holinesse with it: or else thus: in holye beautye [ i. in thy Temple, which is called holy beautye, because that holinesse and glo­ry of God, did most plainly appeare in the same: and therefore it is called a glo­rious sanctuarye also Psalme 29, 2] the youth of thy wombe [ i. the people that thou shalte beget and bring forth] shalbe as the morning dew [ i. not onely plea­saunt and delightfull to thée, as the dew is to the grounde, but also plentifull and aboundaunt, as there is most store of dew in the morning, and as the Phi­losophers saye, great abundaunce falleth after the appearing of the daye star. Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise, and maketh another sence of it, but 4 methinketh this is plaine and euident ynough.] Ver. 4. The Lord hath sworne [ vz. by himself as Heb. 6.13.] & wil not repēt [ vz. himself, of the thing y t he hath promised & sworn to perform: he meaneth by al this to assure vs that god will not change his purpose] thou [ vz. O my sonne] art a Priest for euer [ i. an eter­nall Priest, to put a difference betwéene him and the Priestes in the lawe] af­ter the order of Melchizedech [what his priesthood was appeareth Genesis 14. verse 18. reade also for this matter Hebrewes chapter 5, and also chapt. 7. The Prophet meaneth that that was truly fulfilled in Christ which was figu­red in Melchizedech, to wit, that the eternall priesthoode, and the crown and royall seat was ioyned together in one person, which otherwise coulde not bee as appeareth 2. Chronicles 26, 21. but by some speciall commaundement from 5 God.] Ver. 5. The Lord that is at thy right hand [ i. Christ, of whom is spoken [Page 397] before ver. 1 of this Psal.] shal wound [ vz. by his mighty power vnderstanding by wounding, y e debasing & throwing of thē down, some after one sort, and some after an other] Kings [ i. the greatest & mightiest enemies y t can be] in the day of his wrath [ i. in y t time, wherin he shalbe prouoked to wrath and manifest the same. He describeth in this place y e power of Christ, against his most great ad­uersaries & enemies, vpon whom he wil in good time pour forth y e testimony of his wrath.] Ver. 6. He [ i. Christ the Lord & Messiah] shalbe iudge [ i. ruler and 6 Gouernor, sée Psal. 96.13.] among the Heathen [ vz. and not only amongste the Iewes, he prophecieth of the inlargement of Christs kingdom euen vnto y e gē ­tils] he shall fill all [ vz. places] with dead bodies [ i. with the bodies of his ene­mies and aduersaries being deade] and smite [ vz. with his power & might] the head [ i. the chéefe ruler and gouernour, by one vnderstanding many, vnlesse wée would vnderstand it of the whole body of Antichrist, whom the Lorde shall de­stroy with the spirit of his mouth, 2. Thessal. 2.8.] ouer great countries [ i. ouer large and manye landes. In this verse the Prophet setteth out Christ as a va­liant conqueror ouer his enemies.] Ver. 7. He shall drinke of the brooke in the 7 way [this may haue a double sence, eyther thus] he [ i. the Messiah] shal drinke of the brooke [ vz. which shall be made by the blood of them which shalbe slayne: q.d. there shalbe so much blood shead, that the conqueror may drink as it were of a riuer of blood] in the way [ vz. as he pursueth his enemies: or else it is a simi­litude taken from valiaunt and mighty captains, who egerly pursuing their e­nemies, stay not vpon dainties or pleasures, but content thēselues with flouds and brookes which they finde in the way, as they follow the chase] therfore shall he [ i. God the Father] lift vp his head [ i. Christs head: meaning by this phrase, that he shal giue him a ful victory, and aduance him to excéeding glory, for this phrase or maner of spéech, sée Gen. 40.13.20.

Ver. 1 teacheth many things: Do. first a distinction betwéen the person of y e father and the person of the sonne in y e godhead: secondly it proueth Christ to be God equal with his father: thirdly y t howsoeuer christs enemies prosper for a while yet they shal al be brought down & come to nothing. Ver. 2 teacheth that Gods word is as it were the réede and scepter of Christs kingdom: secondly y t he shal rule notwithstanding al the force & power of his aduersaries. Verse 3 teacheth that gods people shal come willingly to Christ: also that Gods people, are not only a great nūber, but also a holy & sanctified sort. Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God is certayne and sure in al his promises and purposes: also it doth liuely & effec­tually describe the eternall priesthood of our Sauiour Christ. Ver. 5 teacheth that there is no power or might able to withstand the power of Christes king­dom. Ver. 6 setteth out, first the inlarging of the bands of Christs kingdom: se­condly the confusion of his malicious enemies: and thirdly the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of Antichrist and all his supposes. Ver. 7 describeth not only y e redi­nesse of our sauiour Christ in pursuing the victory vpon his enemies, but also how that though he be for a while debased, yet he shal in the end maugre their heads, rise vp to great glory.

Psalme 111.

Di. 1 I Suppose that this Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes. In the first the Prophet promiseth to praise God for his works ge­nerally 2 shewed, from verse 1 to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth his graces & goodnesse particularly towards his church: and this reacheth from verse 5 to the ende of the 9. The third is a commendation of Gods feare, and reason alleaged to moue men to imbrace it: and this is comprehended in the last verse.

Se. For the Title of this Psalm, sée the title of Psal. 106. which is the same with this, and the two next following] This Psalm & that which followeth was in y e verses written according to the order of the Alphabet, euery verse beginning in the first and second part of it, with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The Iewes suppose that the Psalmes which begin so, are very excellent, as Psa. 25. also Psal. 119. &c. and I take it to be true, but I suppose there may be another cause added, and that is to helpe memory.] Ver. 1. I wil praise y e Lord [ vz. for his graces & mercies bestowed vpō me, with my whole hart [ i. earnestly, & with a sincere affectiō, meaning also y t he would do it priuately, & as it were within himselfe as by the next words, he noteth y t he wil do it openly] in y e assembly and congregation of the iust [ q.d. yea I wil perform it, not inwardly only, but out­wardly and openly also, & that in these méetings which the faythful vse, wherin 2 they assēble to offer the sacrifices of praise & thanksgiuing.] Ver. 2. The works of the Lord [ i. the things y t the Lord hath done] are great [ i. conteyne in them great matter to moue mē to praise God for the same] and ought to be soughte out [ i. should diligētly be looked vnto & considered of, not y t the things thēselues are so hard, as to note what mēs duty is in y t behalf] of al thē that loue them [ i. 3 take delight & pleasure in thē, as the godly alwayes do.] Ver. 3. His worke [ i. al the creatures of God both generally and particularly, & euery thing that he hath don, whatsoeuer it be: and he shutteth them al vp as it were, vnder one, be­cause with the Lord it is alone, to make one or many or all] is beautifull and glorious [ i. is ful of comlines, maiesty, excellency, &c. so y t nothing can be added therto, to make it more maiestical] & his righteousnes [ i. the vpright & faithfull dealing, which God vseth toward al his creatures] indureth for euer [ i. is al­wayes like vnto itself, & frée from alteration or change.] Ver. 4. He [ i. God] 4 hath made his wonderful works [ vz. by the excellēcy & wonderfulnes of them] to be had in remembraunce [ vz. amongst men: q.d. God hath done such excellēt and notable things as are not only worthy to be remembred, but suche as the remembrence thereof indéede shall neuer perish] the Lord is merciful and full of compassion [ vz. generally towards all, but especially towardes his owne 5 seruauntes and people, sée Psalme 86.5.15.] Verse 5. He hath giuen [ vz. of his rich and large liberality] a portion [ i. a plentiful and iust measure of mercy, euē [Page 399] so much as he thought good to be néedful & necessary] vnto them y e feare him [ i. vnto them y e worship & serue him acording to his wil reuealed in his word, this he speaketh specially of y e Iewes, because they at y t time were his only people] he wil euer be mindful [ vz. not only to think vpon, but also to performe] of his couenant [ vz. made with his people: he meaneth of the couenant it self, & of the things conteined therin.] Ver. 6. He hath shewed [ vz. in déede, effect, and truth] 6 to his people [ i. to that people whom he hath peculiarly chosen to be his own: for otherwise all the people of the world are his] the power of his works [ i. how mighty and powerful his works are, who doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him] in gi­uing [ vz. of his frée mercy] vnto them [ i. vnto his own people] the heritage of the heathen [ i. that land which the heathen did possesse and inhabit as their own inheritaunce: And this he speaketh of the lande of Canaan, wherein dwelte the Ammorits, the Hinnits &c.] Ver. 7. The works of his hands [ i. the works that 7 he doth: putting this word, works, for al y t cōmeth frō god, whether it be words or déeds] are truth [ i. faithfulnes & mercy, and y t towards his children] & iudg­ment [ i. punishment, vz towards the wicked] al his statutes [ i. the lawes and commaundements y t he hath prescribed] are true [ i. not only faithfull, but con­stant also & durable: so y t they ar neuer called back of him, neither cā any escape thē by shifts & starting holes] Ver. 8. They are established [ vz. in the heauen, & 8 euen on earth amongst men] for euer and euer [ i. to last and indure for euer] and are done [ i. ordained made and ratifyed] in truth and equity [ i. in al vprightnes so that they cannot be charged with iniustice or vnfaithfulnes] Ver. 9. He [ i. the 9 Lord alone] sent [ vz. by y e hands of Moses & Aaron, meaning by the word sen­ding, bestowing or giuing] redēption [ i. deliuerance, vz. out of Egipt] to his people [ vz. Israel, when they were bōdslaues & captiues] he hath cōmanded his couenant [ vz. to remain sure & certain] for euer [ i. continually] holy, and feare­full is his name [ i. his maiesty, goodnes, power, &c. is ful of holinesse, feare, re­uerence, &c. The Prophet meaneth y t God in deliuering his people, was not a father vnto them for one day only, but established his grace, and confirmed his couenant made with Abraham, to the end that the hope of eternall life, and the reuerent feare of his Maiesty might remaine continually in his church: and he addeth these words, holy and feareful is his name, not only to discern betwéene him and al counterfeit Gods whatsoeuer, but also to teach his children thereby to walk in the obedience of his maiesty.] Ver. 10. The beginning of wisdome [ i. 10 of true & holy wisdom, such as is acceptable before god] is y e feare of y e lord [ i. a right & a reuerēt fear of gods maiesty imprinted in mēs harts, he meaneth not by beginning y e A, B, C, as it were, but y e top & height as it were, of all holy & heauenly wisdom, sée Deut. 4.6. & vnder y e word, feare, he containeth al piety, & the seruice of God: q.d. They y t haue not gods feare, and order themselues ac­cording to his law, are altogether brutish. Now we may try whether the feare of God be in vs by this touchstone, to wit, whether wee willingly receiue his yoke, and suffer our selues to be gouerned by his word] al they that obserue thē [ i. his commaundements or statutes, as before ver. 7 of this Psal.] haue good [Page 400] vnderstanding [ i. are truely wise indéed, wheras without these, there is nothing else but foolishnes] his praise indureth for euer [ i. the praise that is due vnto God, for his goodnes and mercy indureth, yea and ought to indure amongste his to al posterities.

Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs, first to thank God for his benefits: secondly to do it vnfei­nedly, & with al our affection: & thirdly to do it both priuatly and openly. Ver. 2 teacheth vs y t Gods children ought to exercise thēselues in déepe meditation of Gods works. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that al gods works do wōderfully set forth his glory & maiesty. Ver. 4 teacheth vs first y t we cannot deface y e excellēcy of gods works though we would: secondly it describeth the excellency of loue and mer­cy that is in the Lord, specially towards those that are his. Ver. 5 teacheth vs, that God giueth his children whatsoeuer he féeth good & meet for them, also that God promiseth nothing to his, but he performeth it. Verse 6 sheweth y t though gods power be known to al yet chéefly to those y t are his people. Ver. 7 teacheth vs that al y t God doth, he doth in mercy to his seruaunts, and in iudgemente to his enemies. Verse 8 noteth the certaintie, assurednesse, and cōtinuance of gods word. Ver. 9 teacheth that God in y e middest of their greatest miseries remem­breth and deliuereth his own people. Ver. 10 teacheth vs that this is true wise­dome, to yéeld God that seruice only that he requireth at our hands: also that it is not ynough to know, but that we are bound to do Gods commaundemēts.

Psalme 112.

Di. 1 THis Psalm may be diuided specially into two parts. In the first the Prophet sheweth the great blessings of God vpō those that feare 2 him, frō ver. 1 to the end of the 4. In the secōd he sheweth certain qualities or notes wherby to discern good men, & describeth all the cursed estate of the wicked. Frō ver. 5 to the end of y e Psalm. For the title of this Psal. Se. also, sée before Psal. 106. in the title.] Ver. 1 Blessed is the man [ i. fulnes of blessings is to him, of what sexe or state soeuer he be, sée Psal. 1.1] that feareth the Lord [ vz. vnfeignedly & with his whole hart. Vnder this word, feareth the Lord, he comprehēdeth al the whole worship & seruice of God] and delighteth greatly [ i. taketh much and continual pleasure, as Psal. 1.2.] in his cōmandements [ i. in the cōmandemēts which God hath prescribed] 2 Ver. 2. His séed [ i. the houshold, race and posterity of such a good man] shall bée mighty [ i. shal grow not only to a great increase, but also to strength & continuance that shal not rot away] vpon earth [ i. in this earth, y t the Lord hath giuen to the sonnes of men] the generation of the righteous [ i. the godly race and po­sterity of good men continuing in their fathers goodnesse] shalbe blessed [ vz. w t plentiful blessings, & that from the Lord.] Ver, 3. Riches & treasures [ i. al ma­ner 3 of wealth w ch is noted, both because y e prophet vseth 2 words, signifying al­most one thing, and also because hee speaketh of them in the plural nūber] shal be in his house [ i. in his possession and vse to serue his own turne and the turne [Page 401] of all those that any manner of way depend vpon him] and his righteousnes [ i. his vprightnes and goodnes, both towards God and men] indureth for euer [ i. shall neuer decay. q.d. though many rich men through deceitefulnes of riches, fall away from their former goodnes, yet this good man neuer shall doe so, be­cause he is vpholden in the same, by the strength of God, and his spirite, yea and withall he sheweth what difference there is betwéene the good and the bad: wicked mens riches goe away by and by, but good mens righteousnes conti­nueth for euer. True it is that the good are oftentimes poore, but the Prophet herein specially magnifieth the grace of god, that the godly content themselues with mediocritie, and that on the other side, the prophane men are neuer satis­fied, 4 what abundaunce so euer they haue. Ver. 4. Vnto the righteous [ i. vnto thē that striue, to a righteous life, and holy conuersation] ariseth [ vz. through Gods speciall appoyntment, gift, and grace] light [ i. all maner of prosperity and blessednes both inward, and outward] in darkenes [ i. in the greatest dis­tresse, misery, and aduersitie, that can come vppon him: the Prophet meaneth, that God maketh them to féele his grace and goodnes, which are vpright in heart, in the middest of their greatest afflictions, they knowing this, that all that is layd vpon them shall turne to their good] hee [ i. the godly and faithfull man] is mercifull and full of compassion [ vz. towardes such, as are in neede and distresse] & righteous [ i. vpright and faithful in al his dealings with other. Some referre this to God, but methinke the other is the more apt sense.] Ver. 5. A good man [ i. one whome God hath framed to goodnes, for otherwise none 5 is good saue God onely. Mark. 10.18.] is mercifull [ vz. to the poore and néedy, vnderstanding by mercifull, curteous in speach and ready in déede to performe what in him lyeth] and lendeth [ vz. vnto another that wanteth yea he lendeth fréely, looking for nothing againe, Luke 6.35. This is a fruite of mercy, the v­surer lendeth also, but that is to sucke away the wealth of an other] and mea­sureth his affaires [ i. ordereth and disposeth the thinges he hath to do, not do­ing any thing rashly, or yet forslowing the occasion when hee may doe a thing well, not being prodigall on the one side, or miserable on the other side, but in all his dealings, obserueth the rule of equitie and right] by iudgement [ i. by 6 sound iudgement and good aduise.] Ver. 6. Surely hee shall neuer bee moued [ vz. vtterly or altogether: q.d. he shall remaine always stedfast and sound, what soeuer aduersities come vnto him: Sée 2. Corinth. 4.8.] but [I woulde rather read, and,] the righteous [sée before ver. 4. of this Psalm] shalbe had in euer­lasting remembraunce [ vz. before God, and his Angels and amongest all the company of good and godly people.] Ver. 7. He will not bée afrayd of euill ty­dings 7 [ i. of any euill tydings how heauy soeuer they bee, which shalbée brought to him, by euil tydings he meaneth reports of some euill or mischiefe, that sée­meth to drawe nigh, or hang ouer mens heads] for his heart is fixed [ vz. sted­fastly vppon God and his prouidence] and beléeueth [ vz. with all his heart] in the Lord [ vz. who is able, and will also in good time deliuer him: q.d. whatsoe­uer euill newes he may heare, hée will not be afrayd, but will alwaies remaine [Page 402] quiet in his spirit: the reason is, because he hath wholy reposed himselfe, vppon Gods fatherly prouidence and care euen as though hee were in his bosome or 8 lappe.] Ver. 8. His heart [ i. the perswasion of his heart] is stablished [ i. surely and firmely set, vppon God and the trueth of his promises] therefore hee will not feare [ vz. any thing, whatsoeuer that man can doe against him. Sée Psalm. 118.6.] vntill he sée his desire vppon his enemies [ i. vntill he sée them through Gods might and power ouerthrowne, as hee himself hath wished: by the word, vntill, hée meaneth not that when they are ouerthrowne, then hée shoulde bée a­frayd, for that were to feare, where no feare is, but, vntil, is vsed here for per­petuity 9 of tyme, as before Psalm. 110.1. q.d. hée shall neuer feare.] Ver. 9. Hée [ i. the good and righteous man] hath distributed [ vz. vnto others, the things hée had, and that not slenderly, or niggardly, but fréely, and as euery mans ne­cessitie requireth, and his power able to perfourme] and giuen [ vz. of his owne, and that fréely and liberally] to the poore [ i. to the néedy, and such as wanted] his righteousnesse remayneth for euer [ i. hée shall continually haue a meane and ability to doe well, it may bée also vnderstoode, of the fruit of righ­teousnesse: Sée before ver. 3. of this Psalme] his horne [ i. his head, as 1. Sam. 2.1.10. vnderstanding also therby his force, strength, state, dignitie, prosperity, and whatsoeuer was excellent in him] shalbe exalted [ vz. mightily and great­ly] with glory [ i. with abundance of glory: q.d. hée shal increase and grow from 10 glory, to glory, till hée come to the height or toppe of glory.] Verse 10. The wicked shall sée [ vz. both with his mynde and eyes] it [ i. the felicity and the prosperity of the good] and be angry [ i. grieue, despite, and freate at it] hee shal gnash with his téeth [ vz. euen not only for anger, as the Bore which whet­teth his tushues, but also for griefe and payne as Matth. 8.12.] and consume away [ vz. out of this life, and from amongest men, and that through despite and enuy] and the desire of the wicked shall perish [ i. the wicked shal not attain and performe that which they wish and desire, but shalbee frustrated of their hope: by desire, he vnderstandeth their wicked thoughts, counsels, indeuours, labours and attempts, against the good: and by perishing, he meaneth that they shalbe made frustrate and come to nothing, sée Psal. 146.4.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth first that the way to attaine true blessednesse is to serue the Lorde according to his worde: Secondly that Gods seruants shoulde haue a very great and continuall delight in his lawe. Ver. 2. Teacheth first y t Gods people shall both inwardly, and outwardly growe much euen in this life, se­condly that the riches of Gods blessings, reacheth not onely to the godly, but also to their godly séede and posterity. Verse 3. Teacheth vs, first that riches are not euil, because they are reckoned amongst Gods blessinges: secondly that we can not haue them, vnlesse it please him in fauour to bestow the same vppon vs, thirdly that the godly through the strength and power of GOD, continue stedfast in goodnes vnto the end. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs, first that the godly shalbe [...] middest of their greatest heauinesse: secondly that godly men [...] hearted, and [...]ithful in all their dealings. Ver. 5. [Page 403] Teacheth men that are able to lend fréely, and vtterly condemneth al vsury: se­condly it teacheth men holy wisedome, to doe euery thing they doe with aduise and vprightnes. Verse 6. Noteth, not onely the continuaunce and sure footing as it were, that the godly haue, but also euen the great glory and renoune wher­with the Lorde crowneth them. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs, that whosoeuer stedfastly trusteth in the Lord, néed not feare any thing whatsoeuer. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that we ought to haue a stedfast and an assured perswasion of the truth of gods promises: also that the wicked shall come to ruine and destruction. Ver. 9. Tea­cheth vs, that this is one good note to knowe good men by, that they are libe­rall handed to the néedy: also that the Lorde will make the glory of his children more and more to increase. Ver. 10. Teacheth first, that it is the nature of the wicked, to pine away at the prosperitie of the good: Secondly that all the deui­ses and attempts of the vngodly, agaynst the good, shall through Gods migh­tie power, either come to no effect, or else fall in his iust iudgement vppon their owne heades.

Psalme 113

I Thinke this Psalme doeth specially consist of two partes. Di. In the 1 first the Prophet exhorteth men to prayse the Lorde, deliuering them also a forme thereof, and this is comprehended in the thrée first verses: In the second hee sheweth as it were causes wherefore 2 he is to be praysed, vz. for his infinite power, and wonderfull prouidence, from ver. 4. to the end of the Psalme.

The title of this Psalme, is the same with the title of Psalme 106.] Verse 1. Se. Prayse [ vz. the Lorde] O yee seruantes of the Lorde [hée speaketh both to the Leuites and other people, whome the Lord had chosen to serue him, but spe­cially to the Leuites, whom the Lord had appoynted for leaders and guydes vnto the rest] prayse [ vz. both in the inwarde man and in the outwarde man, i. both with heart and mouth] the name of the Lorde [ i. his maiesty, pow­er, and goodnesse, manifested to all but especially to you: and in that hee doubleth this woorde, prayse, hee doeth not onely labour to whet our coldnesse and dulnes, but sheweth that God is he, who alone is worthy all prayse.] Ver. 2. Blessed [ i. praysed and magnified] hée the name of the Lorde [ i. Gods maie­sty, 2 power, and goodnes, as before ver. 1. of this Psalme] from henceforth and for euer [ i. from this tyme, and so forward alwayes. In this verse the Prophet amplifieth Gods prayse, by the circumstance of tyme: q.d. hée would haue it to continue alwayes in mens mouthes: as in the next verse hée amplifieth it by the circumstaunce of place: q.d. hée woulde haue it remaine and abyde also in all places.] Ver. 3. The Lordes name [ i. his maiesty, power, goodnes &c. as be­fore. 3 verse 1.2. of this Psalme, and also Psalm. 20.1.] is praysed [ i. is meete and worthy to bee praysed, for the excellency and woorthinesse thereof: [Page 404] some read it thus, let it be praysed: both senses may stand well with the pur­pose of the Prophet] from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same [ i. in and through all the world, he putteth two of the chiefest parts of the world, for the whole world, because these two partes, vz. East, and West were most inhabited, for the North by reason of colde, and the South by reason of 4 heate, are not so well peopled as the other quarters are.] Ver. 4. The Lorde is high aboue all nations [ i. is renowmed and more glorious, then al the peo­ples of the world, or any one of them: and it is a secret reproof: q.d. Is there any thing more absurde amongest reasonable men then this, that they which haue certaine experience and knowledge, of Gods glory amongst them, should cease to prayse him for it, séeing it shineth euen amongest them that are blinde] and his glory aboue the heauens [ q.d. God doeth not onely excéede, and excel al na­tions in glory, but euen the very heauens themselues, which are not able to 5 conceiue or conteine his glory.] Ver. 5. Who [either in heauen or in earth] is like [to wit, in power, strength, prouidence, goodnes, &c.] vnto the Lorde our God [ i. vnto him whom we serue] that hath his dwelling on high [ i. that dwel­leth 6 in the heauens, as Psalme 2.4.] Ver. 6. Who abaseth himselfe [ vz. in loue and mercy towardes his] to behold thinges [ vz. which are done] in the heauen and in the earth [he meaneth that God foreseeth all thinges both aloft and be­lowe, 7 and by his power disposeth thereof.] Ver. 7. He rayseth ( vz. through his almighty power, and of his goodnes) the needy ( i. the poore and abiect amongst men) out of the dust ( i. out of a vile and contemptible estate) and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung, hee speaketh the selfe same thing in other tearmes, meaning, that God many tymes aduanceth the most base persons, sée 1. Sam. 2.8. also 2. Sam. 7.8. and note that hée speaketh not here of an ordinary course, as in other places, but of vnaccustomed workes, in which Gods hand & power is more manifest, as when he exalteth a poore man not onely to a simple degrée of honour, but also to haue authority ouer his people. True it is, that this ap­peareth plainely in the ciuill gouernement, but yet especially in the state of the Church, which is the principall theatre as it were of the worlde, and wherein God giueth the plainest testimonies of his power, wisedome, and wonderfull 8 iustice.) Ver. 8. That he may set them with the princes ( i. that he may giue and commit vnto them gouernement, as other princes haue, and not onely as eue­ry other Prince, but euen such gouernement, as the princes of his owne peo­ple haue, whome hée hath not onely chosen, but also most tenderly loued) Ver. 9 9. Hée ( i. God) maketh ( vz. by his almighty power and working) the barren wo­man [ i. shee that was barren] to dwell with a family ( i. to haue plenty of chil­dren about her: the Prophet putteth the whole family, for the principall part thereof, that is children) and ( vz. God maketh her also) a ioyfull mother of children ( i. to reioyce in her children and fruitfulnes: hee ascribeth here ioy vnto mothers, because they preferre posterity, before all other thinges which they desire: that barrennes bred griefe, and fruitfulnes, ioy, appeareth in Hannah the mother of Samuel, 1. Sam. 1.2. chapiters throughout) prayse [Page 405] yee the Lorde (sée Psal. 106. and the last verse.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all men, Do. but specially the ministers of Gods worde, to set forth the noble prayses of the Lord. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that Gods prayses should be continuall. Ver. 3. Sheweth that they shall bée publike in all places. Verse. 4. Sheweth that all the glory both of heauen and earth, and of all the creatures therein conteined, is not so much as a shaddow of the glory and maiesty that is in God. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs, that none is any manner of way comparable with God, or like vnto him. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs, that God looketh vppon all thinges both in heauen and earth, which shoulde teach vs to walke with feare and trembling in his sight. Ver. 7. and 8. Teach vs, that preferment commeth not from the East, nor from the West, but from the Lorde onely, as Psal. 75.6.7. Ver. 8. Teacheth further, that christian prin­ces, and those which gouerne Gods people, are more to be estéemed, then vnbe­léeuing magistrates are. Ver. 9. Teacheth vs, first that barennes and fruit­fulnes are both from the Lord. Secondly that wee may, yea that wee ought to reioyce, when God blesseth vs with posterity.

Psalme 114

THis Psalme may be diuided into two partes. Di. In the first the 1 Prophet sheweth how the people were deliuered out of Egipt, and the wonderfull works which God did for their sake, from ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is comprehended as it 2 were a dialogue, or disputation betwéen the Prophet and the creatures, from ver. 5. to the end of the Psalme.

This Psalme hath no title, as sundry other haue not, and namely Psal. 10. Se. also Psal. 91. also Psal. 93. &c,] Ver. 1. When Israell [ i. the people of Israell: who are called Israel, because they descended of Iaakob, who was also called Israel] went out of Egipt [i. were deliuered out of it, by the handes of Moses & Aaron] and the house of Iaakob [ i. his race and posterity] from the barba­rous people [ vz. of the land of Egipt, the Hebrew worde vsed in this place, sig­nifieth such as spake an other tongue besides the Hebrewe, Sée Psalm. 81.5.] Ver. 2. Iudah [ i. not onely that tribe, but all the rest of the people of Israel, for 2 that which hee attributeth to that tribe, because it was one of the chiefest ap­pertaineth also euen vnto the whole body of the people] was his sanctification [ i. was a people whom hée had sanctified, and seperated from other nations, to bée a peculiar & holy people to himselfe.] And Israel [ i. the people that came of Israel, as ver. 1. of this Psalm.] his dominion [ i. God had purchased vnto himselfe, a Lordship and rule ouer them, because he had brought them out of the lande of Egipt. The Prophet meaneth, that the Israelites were gods peo­ple, and that he againe was the God of the Israelites: Sée Exod. 6.7. Exod. 19.5.6.] Ver. 3. The Sea [ i. the red Sea] sawe [ i. felt and perceiued, after the 3 [Page 406] manner that it could] it [ i. the great power of God, waking for his people in their deliuery and his loue towardes them] and fled [ vz. from before the pre­sence of the Lord and his people, some this way, and some that way: sée Exod. 14.21.] Iordan was turned backe [ vz. from his naturall course and running, sée this history in Ioshua. 3.13.14. &c. Hée toucheth here some miracles, y t God wrought for his people. q.d. Though the Sea were a dead element, and the o­ther creatures insensible, yet they were as it were striken with a certaine feare of Gods power, and did of their owne accorde yet at Gods appointment, wil­lingly 4 yéeld to the passage of his people.] Ver. 4. The mountaines [ i. not only Sinai, but the mountaines round about it] leaped like rammes [ i. were moued, as rammes when they leape or skippe, at the presence of the Lorde, when hee gaue the lawe vnto Moses: Sée Exod. 19.18,] and the hilles [ i. litle hilles, vz. leaped or skipped] as lambes [ vz. when they play together, hée meaneth that the presence of the Lord, made both the great mountaines, and the litle hilles 5 to tremble.] Ver. 5. What ailed thée [ q.d. what was the cause, or was the mat­ter in thy self? no, no, there was an other thing in it, and that was gods power and presence, as ver. 7.] O sea [ i. O red sea, as before ver. 3. of this Psalm] that thou fleddest [ vz. at the presence of the Lorde and his people, Sée for the sense of this and that which followeth in this verse, the third verse of this Psalme.] 6 Verse. 6. Yee mountaines &c. [sée for the meaning of this verse, ver. 4. of this Psal. and note for both these verses together, that the Prophet demandeth the question, not as though he either doubted, or were ignoraunt of the cause, but that he might the more euidently declare, that whatsoeuer was done, was by the almighty power of God done, besides or contrary to the course that had set 7 them.] Ver. 7. The earth [ vz. it selfe, which séemeth to bée insible, yea and as it were vnmoueable] trembled at the presence of the Lorde [ i. shooke as it were for feare, when the Lord gaue forth testimonies of his presence. Sée Exod. 19.18. The Prophet giueth in these woordes, an answere to his questions. q.d. Gods power & presence, was the cause of this and that, he putting the worde, earth, for the sea and waters also, which by the figure finecdoche, are compre­hended vnder that name Immanuel readeth it thus] at the presence of y e Lord, I the earth tremble [ q.d. then I did tremble at his presence, and nowe and at al other times, I am so striken with his presence, when he sheweth it, as it were extraordinarily, so that I can not but tremble at it. Though the wordes vary, yet the sense is all one] at the presence of the God of Iaakob [ i. at the presence of the onely true God, whom Iaakob, that is such as came of Iaakob worship and serue: and by this title he seuereth God, from al other counterfeit and sor­ged 8 gods whatsoeuer.] Ver. 8. Which turneth [ vz. by his almightie power] the rocke into water pooles [ i. maketh fountaines to come out of the rocke: and when he calleth them water pooles, he noteth the abundance of water that issu­ed out of them] & the flint into a fountaine of water [ i. brought euen abundance of water out of the most hard rocke. sée Psal. 78.15.16. we may also referre this, to the histories written Exod. 17.6. and Num. 20.11. &c. if any wil expound it [Page 407] of Gods power, what he is able to doe, I will not contend, for I suppose both senses may stand very well.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that God hath a speciall care ouer his people, Do. when they are most distressed. Ver. 2. Sheweth that it is a singular fauor, when god choo­seth any to be a holy, and peculiar people to himselfe. Ver. 3. and 4. Teach that when the Lorde will haue any thing done, hee wil make the very creatures to turne vpside downe their ordinary courses. Verse. 5.6. Teach vs that wee may many times aske questions, and yet neither doubt of the matters, nor be igno­rant in them. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs to stand in awe of God, séeing that the very dumbe and insensible creatures feare before him. Ver. 8. Teacheth that y e Lord doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth.

Psalme 115

THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts. Di. In the first the 1 faithful pray to the Lord, shewing that they trust in him, & not in the idoles of the gentiles any maner of way, from ver. 1. to y e end of the 8. In the seconde is conteined an exhortation to the 2 faithful to trust in the Lorde, with promises of great graces if they wil abide therein, from ver. 9. to the end of the Psalme.

It is vncertaine who penned this Psalme, and at what time it was written. Se. If I should goe vpon coniectures and gesses, I suppose rather that the faith­ful people of God, in some captiuity, either of Babilon, or vnder Antiochus made it, then Dauid, as Immanuel Tremelius affirmeth.] Ver. 1. Not vnto 1 vs, O Lord, not vnto vs, [ q.d. deliuer vs from the tyranny of the Gentiles a­mongst whom we are, not that we might haue glory therby, but that it may re­dound to thine owne glory & honour: & this doubling of the words sheweth that they cast from themselues al trust in themselues] but vnto thy name [ vz. only: vnderstanding by name, his goodnes, maiesty, power, &c. as Psal. 113.1.2.] giue the glory [ vz. of one deliueraunce and fréedome] for thy louing mercy [ vz. to­wards vs] and for thy truths sake [ vz. which thou hast promised vs: vnderstan­ding by trueth, not only his promise, but also his faithful performance thereof. q.d. for the glory of thine owne name, and that thy mercy and trueth may bée 2 made manifest, worke this deliueraunce for vs. Verse. 2. Wherefore [ i. to what end, otherwise then tending to thy dishonour] shall the heathen [amongst whom we are, and vnder whose power we be subiected] say? [ vz. with open mouth, & that in disprayse of thy name] where is nowe [ i. at this pinch, and at this di­stresse] their God [ i. the God which they worship: q.d. if thou nowe helpe vs not the mouthes of the enemies will bée open, to blaspheme thée, as though thou caredst not for thy people, and so to wound and grieue vs at the heart.] Verse 3. But [ q.d. for all their blaspheming, this is our assuraunce of fayth, 3 that] our God [ i. the God whome wee serue] is in heauen [ i. is farre aboue all thinges, in maiesty, power, &c.] hée doeth [ vz. without either the helpe [Page 408] or hinderance of any] what soeuer he will [ vz. both in heauen and earth. This verse and the verses following conteine and answere, to the blasphemous scor­ning of the aduersaries conteined ver. 3. and in this answere, the true GOD is manifestly set out, ver. 4. and further it is declared, that the false, may not onely not be compared with him, but not with men, no, not so much, as with y e smallest creature liuing, ver, 4.5.6.7. and therefore that men shoulde no more feare the worshippers of idoles, then the idoles themselues. ver. 8. so that here he opposeth the assurance of fayth against the blasphemies of vnbeléeuers, and declareth that God hath an infinite power, and such a one as can not bee limi­ted, in so much that all the worlde being vnder his gouernement hée fréely exe­cuteth whatsoeuer pleaseth him, no man being able to let him therein, yea that he is not onely aboue all lets and hinderaunces, but also that he vseth the same to serue to the furtherance of his purposes, and therefore hée addeth that hee 4 doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him.] Ver. 4. Their idoles [ i. the idoles of the hea­then, ver. 2. of this Psal. and which they serue] as siluer and golde [ i are made of siluer and gold: q.d. that is the best they can bee made of] the worke of mens 5 handes [ i. they are such woorkes as mens handes haue made.] Verse. 5. They haue a mouth [ i. the proportion and similitude of a mouth] and speake not [ i. can not speake therewith] they haue eyes [ i. a shewe and likenes of eyes] and sée not [ i. can not sée therewith: and after the same sort must you vnderstande all that is sayd of them, ver. 6.7. The faithful do hereby declare, that it is an ab­surd thing for men demaund of idoles that which they want, or to put any trust in them, séeing that they haue neither mouing, féeling, nor any other sense. And in these verses, hée maketh an opposition betwéene the true God, and the false gods, which are nothing but dead idoles, and haue no power at all, & in these verses, is conteined also a laying of that iustly vpon these false gods, which the idolaters vntruely did charge the true God withall, and the argumentes are taken, first of the effect, because their idoles were nothing but terrors, and such as did trouble mens myndes, with grieuous superstition (from whence also they séeme in Hebrewe to haue their names) and not comforting, and sa­uing any, as God doeth all his continually: Secondly of the matter, because that though they bee very precious, yet they are earthly thinges and without life, but God is the author of life, and dwelleth in heauen: thirdly, of their be­ginning because mens handes made them, whereas God is eternall and vn­created, who also by his very word, made al things: lastly, because they are idle and vnprofitable, and not indued with any power of life, but rather vaine sha­dowes of liuing thinges, whereas the Lorde doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him. And by this meanes hee beateth downe, the vayne confidence and pride of the wicked, who bragged of the helpe of their gods, to whome they themselues gaue a beginning and though they bee made of golde and siluer vnderstanding thereby any other precious matter whatsoeuer, yet so it is, the value of y e mat­ter causeth not, that the idoles should bée more excellent, if they might be com­pared 8 with GOD.] Verse. 8. They that make them [ i. the caruers, grauers, [Page 409] painters, &c.] are like vnto them [ i. brutish, as it were and insensible. q.d. they are no more able to resist thée, and thy power, then those dead images are able to resist a liuing man: neither are they able more to hurt thy people, then a blocke or a stocke of it selfe can hurt a liuing creature] so are [ i. in the like case and condition also are] all [ vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee] that trust in them [ vz. either litle or much: and here they shewe one cause wherefore God hateth idoles, vz. because the honour due to him alone, is giuen to thē.] Ver. 9. O Israel [now he speaketh to the faithfull, and exhorteth them to trust 9 in God onely: q.d. But thou O Israel, séeing thou hast had proofe of the alsuffi­ciency of God, and of the vanity of idoles] trust thou in the Lorde [ vz. alone, & ioyne no other with him] for hee is their helpe [ i. of the faithfull, and of those that truste in him: q.d. he alwayes helpeth them] and their shield [ vz. in the day of distresse, meaning vnder this terme, shielde, his protecting and de­fending 01 of them. Sée Psal. 18.2.] Ver. 10. O house of Aaron [i. O ye priests and Leuites, which were ioyned vnto the priests for their ease, & he speaketh speci­ally vnto these, because they should shew the way vnto others] trust ye in y e Lord [ vz. also, that ye in féeling the same your selues, may the better teach and per­swade other men to imbrace it] for he is their helpe and their shield [sée ver. 9. of 11 this Psal.] Ver. 11. Yée [ vz. of what nation soeuer ye be, and are now come to the knowledge of God] that feare the Lord [ i. worship him and serue him accor­ding to his word] trust in the Lord, for he is their helpe and their shield [sée ver. 12 9.10. of this Psalme.] Ver. 12. The Lord [ vz. himselfe] hath beene mindfull [ i. by effect and déede hath declared his care and remembraunce] of vs [ vz. being in distresse, and that by reason of the couenant which he made with vs] hee will blesse [ vz. vs al, of what state or condition so euer we be, vnderstanding by bles­sing all maner of prosperity whatsoeuer] hée will blesse the house of Israell [ i. all the race and posterity of Israel: nowe hée applieth that particularly, which hée spake before generally] hée will blesse the house of Aaron [ i. the Priestes 13 and Leuites, as before verse 10.] Ver. 13. Hée will blesse them that feare the Lorde [ i. such as worship and serue him: as before verse 11. Marke also howe he speaketh of God in the thirde person. And this often repeating of the woorde, blessing, serueth not onely to note the continuall course of Gods graces vpon his children, but also to expresse the certaintie and assurednes thereof] both small and greate [ i. as well those that are vile and contemptible in the world, as those that are in greatest estimation and regard, the reason of it is, because 14 GOD respecteth no mans person.] Verse 14. The Lorde will increase [ vz. through his great goodnesse and mercy] his graces towardes you [ vz. which are his people, hée meaneth that he will giue them a dayly supply of new bene­fites, and greater then they haue had before] towardes you and towards your children [hée noteth in these woordes the largenesse of Gods blessing, to be be­stowed 15 vppon the godly, and their godly posterity.] Verse 15. Yée are the blessed of the Lorde [ i. you are such as the Lorde himselfe hath not onely promi­sed bur perfourmed great blessinges vnto, and therefore you néede not doubt or [Page 410] feare] which made [ vz. by the worde of his power, in the beginning, and euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same] the heauen and the earth [ vz. and al thinges therein conteined: q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing, séeing that he who blesseth you, is the author, preser­uer, & gouernor of heauen & al things therin, & of the earth, & al things therin, 16 which also he hath giuen to vs, as verse following.] Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens [ i. the most high heauens] are the Lords [ i. apperteine and belong vnto him, as the special place of his delight and dwelling, and yet we must not so vnderstand it, as God were tyed to any one certaine place, for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth] but he hath giuen [ vz. of his large liberality and goodnes] the earth [ vz. wherein men dwel] to the sonnes of men [ i. to men and their séede after them, that they should inhabite and vse it: so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God, and stirred vp 17 thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity.] Verse. 17. The dead prayse not the Lord [the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church, the whole order and course of the worlde, shoulde bee turned vpside downe, for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue, if there were not a people to call vpon God, whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some, which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world: and so with al there is set out the end, wherefore men are placed in the world, vz. to prayse & serue God: q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory, & therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise, sée Psal. 6.5.] whether they y t go downe into the place of silence [ i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them, sée for this speach, Psal. 94.17. sée also Isaiah. 38.18. 18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one & the selfesame thing.] Ver. 18. But we [ vz. which shal liue, and be deliuered from our distresses] wil prayse y e Lord [ vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him] from hencefoorth, and for euer [ i. continually and alwaies] prayse ye the Lord [sée Psal. 104. and Psal. 105. in the very end.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes, vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confi­dence in our selues, & to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people, when his own people are discomfited or disgraced▪ Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God, the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power, because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them. Ver. 4.5.6.7.8. doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles, themselues, and of al such as either make or worship them. Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a who­ring after idols, to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers & preachers of Gods word, to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God. Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god, there must be ioyned faith in God, and his word, or else it is nothing. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs [Page 411] that God neuer forgetteth his children, and merciful couenant made w t them: also that the godly shal haue from the Lord, both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings. Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person, but in euery nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him. Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly, and their posterity after them. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor, shal not, nor can not want any thing that is good. Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men, also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life, we shold vse them wel, and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life. Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world, he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs, to set forth his glory and praise. Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things: first, that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies, for euen to y e ende haue we our life giuen, and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs: secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual, and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like.

Psalme 116.

THis Psalme, as I take it may bée diuided into two partes. Di. In 1 the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side, his loue & fayth towards the Lord, and on the other side Gods mercy and good­nes towards him, from ver. 1. to the end of the 11. In the second 2 part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde, for that continuall heape of benefites, which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes, from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme.

This Psalme hath no title, as many other Psalmes, both before it, Se. and after it, haue not, sée Psal. 114.115.117.118. &c.] Ver. 1. I loue [ vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly] the Lord [ vz. only and alone, and none either with him or be­sides him, and vnder the word of loue, the Prophet sheweth that there was no­thing without god, that either could like him or please him] because hee hath heard [ i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted] my voyce [ vz. sent forth vn­to him] and my prayers [ vz. which I made vnto him: vnder these words, voice, and prayers, the Prophet meaneth such prayers, as he powred forth vnto the Lord, not only with his heart, but also with his mouth and words.] Ver. 2. For 2 he hath inclined his eare [ vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee, this is spoken of God according to mans capacity] vnto mée [ vz. being in distresse, and when I prayed vnto him, as followeth] when I did call vppon him [ vz. for helpe and ayde, by earnest and hearty prayers] in my dayes [ i. in the tyme of my affliction, as may appeare by the next verse following: sée Psal. 137.7. also Lament. 1.21. and by the woorde, dayes, hée noteth that hee had [Page 412] continuaunce and length of trouble.] Ver. 3. When the snares of death com­passed mee [ vz. on euery side, and rounde about, so that there was almost no hope of escaping, no more then of a bird, or wild beast taken in a snare or grin, by this manner of speach, hée meaneth, that euen then when hee was ready to dye, the Lord in mercy looked vppon him. Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6. also Psalm. 18.4.5.] and the griefes of the graue [ i. great and extreme griefes, which brought me almost to the graue, & made me as it were ready to bee put into it] caught 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 plū ­ged in abundaunce of griefe, for so much I take these two words, trouble, and 4 sorrow, ioyned together, to import.] Ver. 4. Then I called vpon the name of y e 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 5 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 6 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 y e 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 7 [ 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 8. Because [this is a proof, by his own experience of that which he spake before, y t 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 [Page 413] from me al sadnes and heauines, he putteth the outward signe, both for y e 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 9 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. 10 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 11 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. 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 13 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 [Page 414] 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, for some deliuerances, he addeth the cup of saluation, that is deliuerances: how Dauid performed this: sée 1. Chro. 16.1.2.3. &c.] and will call vpon the name of the Lord [ i. pray vnto him also. q.d. I wil not only thank him for his benefites, but pray vnto him for the increase and continuance thereof.] 14 Ver. 14. I will pay [ vz. with a frée and willing heart] my vowes [ i. the thinges y t I haue vowed: or the sacrifices of thanksgiuing which I promised vnto him, if he deliuered me out of distresse: for amongst other that vsed to make vowes, they did it, y t were in extreme danger & distresse: q.d. I wil not only by wordes confesse my self to be safe from danger, & so witnes y e thankfulnes of my mind, but I wil declare it also by offring the sacrifices which I vowed to the Lorde, at what time Saul did pursue me very hardly. The ende of vowes was to seale in the hearts of Gods children, a hope to obtaine that, which they did aske: and moreouer to prouoke and bind them to thanksgiuing, and this liberty to vow, is permitted vnto Gods children, to comfort them in their infirmities and not otherwise, and that word, pay, noteth that it is due debt, and that it can not be omitted without sinne, if the thing vowed be lawful] euen now [ q.d. I will not deferre it] in the presence of all his people [ i. in the temple, or place of publike exercise, whether al Gods people resorted: or else before all the Israelits whom he gathered together to Ierusalem, to bring the arke of the Lorde thither: Sée 15 1. Chro. 15.3.] Ver. 15. Precious [ i. deare, and of great account and regard] in the sight of the Lord [ i. before him, and his iudgement] is the death of his saints [ i. death or mischief imagined or performed, towards those whom he al­loweth of q.d. God by my example hath declared how deare vnto him is the life of faithfull men, séeing that hee hath so often preserued me, assaulted so many wayes, and with so great force: or thus: God doeth grieuously take good mens deathes, and therefore they shall not escape vnpunished that kill them. And marke this, that for his comfort, he setteth this against the malice of his ene­mies, that God doth not at al aduenture deliuer his vp to death, but maketh 16 great account of them: for the word, saints, sée Psalm. 30.4.] Ver. 16. Beholde Lord [ q.d. most true is it Lorde, that thou wilt not haue the godly slayne, for thou hast preserued me thy poore seruant] for I am thy seruant [ vz. and thou hast shewed mée this grace and fauour] I am thy seruaunt [hee repeateth the same againe, as a matter of no small comfort vnto himselfe, neither must wee so vnderstand him, as though hée grounded the causes of his deliuerance vpon his seruices perfourmed to God, but vppon Gods frée election: q.d. from my mothtrs wombe, yea before I was borne, this honour, and goodnes was pre­pared for mee] and the sonne of thy handmayde [ i. of a woman who did purely [Page 415] worship thée: and this he speaketh, because that children by reason of their first education, imitated the disposition and manners of their mothers: for which cause also it should séeme, that the names of the kings mothers, are so common­ly expressed in the bookes of kings: sée for this phrase Psal. 86.16.] thou [ vz. a­lone] hast broken [ vz. in pieces or a sunder, by thy almighty power] my bands [ i. either the bands that I was bound in, or else the bandes that were prepared to bind me in, by this maner of spéech he meaneth y t god had deliuered him from the danger wherin he was, or else he had kept him, y t he came not into the trou­bles, y t his enemies had prepared for him.] Ver. 17. I will offer vnto thee a sa­crifice 17 of praise [ vz. for thy mercy & goodnes shewed vnto mee, he meaneth that he wil acknowledge & confesse gods goodnes, & praise him for the same, for here he protesteth again, as he had done before, ver. 13.14. that hee would giue God thanks: which is a signe that he was not vnthankful] and I will cal vppon the name of the Lord [marke the sodaine change of the person from the seconde to the third: he meaneth by this speach, that he wil neuer cease to worship God & to praise God, sée before ver. 13. of this Psal.] Ver. 18. I wil pay &c. [This is the 18 same, with ver. 14. before going, both in words & meaning, & therfore we shall not néed to stand vpon it.] Ver. 19. In the courtes of the Lordes house [ i. in the 19 place of publik resort and assembly, whether the people came together to serue God: meaning no doubt the Church] euen in the middest of thée, O Ierusalem, [i. openly in that most famous City, in which was at that time, the only place appointed for gods sacrifices and seruice, because there was but one only al­tar, and that was placed there, from which also it was not lawful for any man to withdraw himselfe.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue the Lord: Do. also y t he is nigh to the sup­plication & praiers of the faithful. Ver. 2. & 3. Teach vs y t the time of affliction is an acceptable time to pray to God in, & that affliction it selfe addeth also an edge vnto our praiers. Ver. 3. Doth further teach into what great anguish & di­stresse the children of god are many times brought. Ver. 4. teacheth vs earnest­nes & continuance in praier vnto almighty God. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the consideration and féeling of Gods mercy, is & ought to be a notable spurre vn­to prayer. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs, y t Gods mercy towards other men & our selues also, should assure vs that our prayers shal be heard and we deliuered. Verse 7. Teacheth vs, to comfort our selues what wee may in our distresse and heaui­nesse: also that God himselfe, is the onely proppe and stay of those that are his. Ver. 8. teacheth that god doth graciously preserue those that depend vpon him, how great or how many soeuer their troubles bee. Ver. 9. Teacheth that those which are vnder the sauegarde, prouidence, and protection of almightie God shal neuer miscary. Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that faith in God and his promises, maketh vs bold in prayer to him, and ouercommeth all assaults of Satans ma­lice & our owne corruption. Ver. 11. Teacheth into what extremities gods chil­dren oftentimes fal, specially whē they do not presently see the accomplishmēt of Gods promises. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that Gods benefites are so many and [Page 416] excellent that wee are not able to comprehende, much lesse to answere, the least part of them. Ver. 13. Teacheth that vnfeigned and humble thankesgiuing is the most acceptable sacrifice to almighty God. Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that when we haue vowed any thing which is lawfull and holy, wee ought to performe it, but what serueth this, for vowes of monkery, single life &c. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that god careth for, & that very tenderly, those that are his, which is a mat­ter of no smal comfort. Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that it is a good thing to be borne of good parentes, but that it is much better, to haue our names written in the booke of life: also that though mischief be deuised against Gods seruauntes, or they themselues somewhat fal into it, yet that God, will either preuent y e mis­chiefe, or else dispatch them out of distresse. Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that thankes­giuing and prayer, should alwaies be ioyned together. Verse 18. Is the same with ver. 14. and deliuereth the same doctrines: also it teacheth vs not to be a­shamed openly to praise God for his mercies. Ver. 19. teacheth vs also to yéeld him that sacrifice publikely in his Church, and in the assemblies of his saints. It teacheth vs also to prouoke others to praise the Lord.

Psalme 117.

Di. 1 AS this Psalme is the shortest Psalme in al the booke, and hath but only two verses, so it specially propoundeth two things. The first is a generall exhortation, to al people to praise the Lorde, & this 2 is in ver. 1. The second comprehendeth a double reason why they should praise him, vz. for his mercy in making promises, and for his faithfulnes in performance of them, ver. 2.

Se. It hath no title or inscription.] Ver. 1. Al nations [ vz. of the world whether ye be gentiles or Iewes] prayse, ye the Lord [ vz. both with heart and voyce] al ye people [ vz. of the whole earth: some vnderstand by nations all the Gentiles onely, and by people, the people of Israel only, but I sée no reason of it, for the Prophet speaketh generally to al] praise him [ vz. incessantly, and in all places. This doubling of the word, noteth not only how necessary the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing is, but how backwarde also wee are in it; that must so often 2 be called vpon.] ver. 2. For his louing kindnes [ i. his mercy] is great towards vs [ i. is multiplied very much, and sufficiently confirmed vnto vs. The He­brew word may be turned, is strengthened [ vz. so that it hath preuailed against vs: q.d. though we would pue it backe yet it wil ouercome vs, meaning that it hath bene excéeding great and mighty, one example of the continuance and in­crease of Gods fauour and graces, read 1. King. 17.14.] and the trueth of the Lord indureth for euer [ i. Gods faithfulnes in performing his promises, con­tinueth stedfast and sure, and therefore hee is worthy to be praysed of al. This is to bee referred to the continuall testimonies of Gods fatherly fauour and grace, which is, as it were decked with stedfastnes and firmity.

Verse 1. teacheth vs that it behoueth all men of the world, Do. and euery parti­cular person in the same, to praise God. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods mercye and faithfulnes be the principall causes which should moue vs to thankfulnes and praysing of his name.

Psalme 118

THis Psalme séemeth to bee made eyther after that Dauid was 1 deliuered from some great trouble in the dayes of Saule: Di. or after Saules death when he was aduanced to the kingdom or after victory obtained amongst and against sundry nations with whom he fought. Whatsoeuer it is it doth specialy pro­pound thrée thinges: the one is, an exhortation to men to praise God, and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses. In the seconde hée 2 sheweth the causes why men should doe so, which though they bee many parti­cularly expressed in the Psalme: yet generally they are but these two, his mer­cy towards his children, and his iustice towards his enemies, from verse 5. to the end of the 20. In the third is contayned a harty reioycing both of the peo­ple 3 and Priests, for the establishment of Dauids Kingdom, and this reacheth from verse 21 to the end of the Psalm.

This Psalme hath no title, as many other before haue not.] Verse 1. Se. Praise ye the Lord [ vz. O ye seruaunts of the Lord, as Psalm 113.1.] because hee is good [ vz. towards all, but specially towards you] for his mercy [ vz. towardes you] indureth for euer [ i. lasteth for euer and euer, he noteth y e cōstancy of gods mercy towards his children: and withall sheweth that the righte occasion of praysing God, is rather set forth vnto vs in his mercye then in his iustice and power, because we shall neuer be well disposed to prayse God vnlesse wee bée drawne vnto it by the swéetenesse of his mercy.] Verse 2. Let Israel [ i. not only 2 them that came of Israel or Iaakob, according to the flesh, but the true & faith­ful Israelites] now say [ i. presently and without any delay confesse from their hart] that his mercy indureth for euer [ vz. euen as they themselues by their owne practise and experience, are very well able to report. These wordes are expounded before verse 1.] Verse 3. Let the house of Aaron [ i. those that are of 3 Aarons stock, and come from him, meaning especially the Priests and Leuits: sée Psalme 115, 10.] now say, &c. [this is expounded before, verse 1.2.] Verse 4. 4 Let them that feare the Lord [ i. that serue and worship him in al holy reuerēce, sée Psalme 115, 11, 13, All the rest is expounded before in this Psalme, & marke that he tieth his spéeche to the true seruaunts of God, because that although many Israelites according to the flesh, occupied a place in the church, yet they were notwithstanding straungers from it.] Ver. 5. I called vpon the Lord [ vz. 5 by earnest and harty prayer] in trouble [ i. when I was in trouble: sée Psalme 1.20, [...].] and the Lord heard me [ i. graunted me the requests and prayers which [Page 418] I made vnto him] and set me at large [ i. at liberty, taking me out of y e distresse wherein I was, sée for this purpose Psal. 4.1. In this verse also marke, that the Prophet commeth from the generall to his owne particular person, decla­ring that as he himself had marks and tokens of Gods goodnesse towards him, so hee had also thereby occasion giuen him as well as the rest, to prayse the 6 Lord.] Verse 6. The Lord is with me [ vz. in all distresse: hee meaneth by this spéech y t God tooke his part against al his enemies] therefore I will not feare what man can do against me [ i. I wil not care for al that man can doe or deuise whatsoeuer it be: by man he meaneth multitudes of men and great personages q.d. be they neuer so many or neuer so great, yet I wil not feare. Thus wee sée, how the Prophet hauing felt Gods assistaunce in former time, and obtayned sundry victories, assureth himself of Gods perpetual aide in time to come: such 7 confidence and assured perswasion, sée before Psal. 3.6. also Psal. 27, 3.] Ver, 7. The Lord is with me [ i. not only present, but also on my side, and taketh my part] among them that helpe me [ vz. being thus cast down and afflicted, y e pro­phet meaneth, y t seing God taketh his part, he shal preuaile: otherwise if he had al y e helpe in the world, it could not stand] therfore shal I sée my desire vpon my enemies [ i. I shall sée that fall vpon them that I haue long desired and wished, [ vz. destruction and confusion. Immanuel readeth it thus] therefore doe I despise mine enemyes: q.d. I make no more account of them and their for­ces, then of thinges whiche I contemne, so safe, sound, and vnfearefull am I, 8 being vnder Gods defence.] Verse 8. It is better [ vz. by infinite degrées, and marke that the worde, better, is not spoken here as though confidence in men were good, for to trust in men, is to rob god of his glory] to trust [ vz. stedfastly] in the Lord [ vz. only] then to haue confidence [ i. any maner of trust or cōfidēce at al] in man [ vz. of what calling soeuer he be, or how many in number soeuer 9 they are.] Ver. 9. is the same almost with ver. 8, & therfore looke vpon y t again] in Princes [this is a certaine kind of amplification: q.d. We must not put our trust neither in men of low estate, nor in mighty men & those that séeme to haue all the power and authority in the world, for they that wil cleaue to them shall 10 be deceaued also, because they be but men.] Ver. 10. All nations [ vz. whiche lie round about me, & my kingdom, as y e Philistines, Moabits &c.] haue cōpassed me [ vz. and my people, & that round about, sometimes by fraude, sometimes by force, and somtimes by one mean, & somtimes by another] but in the name of the Lord [ i. thorow the goodnesse, power & strength of God] shal I destroy thē [ vz. al, with al their imaginations & deuises. In this verse and some other fol­lowing, the Prophet rehearseth the great daunger hée was in, hee setteth out also, the power, cruelty, & multitude of his enemies, and al to this end, that hée might the more manifest the grace & power of God in his deliueraunce, which could not be performed by mans ayd, but after a certayn meruailous & diuine 11 sort.] Ver. 11. They [ i. the nations round about me, being my deadly enemies] haue cōpassed me [sée before ver. 10] yea they haue cōpassed me [ i. they haue of­tentimes enuironed me, & also very hardly and straitly beset me, so that there [Page 419] was no likelyhood of escaping: for so much I suppose the doubling of y e phrase importeth: al that followeth in this ver. is the same in words & sence w t ver. 10] Ver. 12. They [ i. mine enemies] came about me [ vz. on euery side] like bées [ i. not only in great multitudes as though there had bene many hiues of bées to­gether, 12 but also with great fiercenesse, euē as though they would haue ouer-run me, sée Deut. 1.44. for this phrase. True it is that these little creatures haue no great power, & yet they are wonderfully fierce and angry, specially if they be prouoked, and make men somewhat afrayd if they set vpon them at the so­daine, or vnawares] but they [ i. mine enemies] were quenched [ vz. thorow the strength and power which the Lord gaue me. He meaneth by this spéeche, that they were euen as it were vtterly and sodainly confounded, as fyre that hath abundaunce of water cast vpon it: as a fyre of thornes, whiche though it make much noyse at the beginning, by reason of the crackling thereof, as our expe­rience teacheth vs, and yéeldeth a greater flame, then greater woode doth, yet notwithstanding it quicklye vanisheth awaye: q.d. for all the vngodlye mens bragges, they shall sodainlye perish, and come to nothing: sée for this spéeche, Ecclesiasticus 7, 8. the rest that followeth is expounded before in the other ver­ses.] Ver. 13, Thou [ vz. O mine enemie: some refer it to Saule as though Da­uid 13 spake it particularly of him. I rather thinke that vnder one, who was as it were the chéefest, he meaneth all or manye] hast thrust sore at mée [ vz. with al thy power, force, and deuises whatsoeuer. The Prophet meaneth by this, y t hée had left no way vnassa [...]ed to hurt him] y t I might fal [ vz. either by death, or into some dangerous state, from y e high cōditiō wherin I now am] but y e Lord [ vz. alone] hath helpen me [ vz. thorow his mighty power, meaning y t the Lord had deliuered him frō the dangers & distresses y t were deuised against him. Ver. 14 14 The Lord [ vz. alone] is my strength [ i. is y e strength y t I haue to withstande or to ouercome al mine enemies] & my song [ i. the only matter & mean of my ioy: q.d. I haue nothing else in my selfe to reioyce in, but onely in the Lorde, who doth thus and thus for me] for he hath bin my deliueraunce [ vz. oute of all my feares and daungers: q.d. he alone hath deliuered me.] Ver. 15. The voyce of 15 ioy and deliuerance [ i. ioyful voices and soundes for deliuerance, vz. bestowed vpon me] shalbe [ vz. continually] in the tabernacles of the righteous [ i. in the dwelling places & houses of good men: q.d. the righteous shall sing praises to god, for the great deliuerances w ch he hath wrought for them & me] saying [ vz. amongst themselues, & yet so that other may heare it] the right hand of y e Lord [ i. his great glory, power, and might] hath done valiauntly [ vz. againste his e­nemies, and for the defence of his own children: he meaneth that they shoulde 16 confesse that God had nobly displayed his power.] Ver. 16. The right hand of y e Lord [ i. his great power & might] is exalted [ vz. aboue euery thing y t setteth it selfe against it, how high or great soeuer it be: the rest of this verse is expoun­ded before.] Verse 17. I shall not die [ vz. yet: as mine aduersaries supposed and wished, and as my weake state did make shew of] but liue [ vz. vppon the 17 earth amongest men: suche doubling of spéeches haue bin touched before [Page 420] sundry times: such a one there is also Psal. 110.4.] and declare [ vz. amongest men, and vnto the people which shal come hereafter] the workes of the Lorde [the great and excéeding workes that he doth, specially for his seruauntes and 18 childrē.] Ver. 18. The Lord [ vz. by the hand and rod of his and mine enemies] hath chastened me sore [ i. sharply: q.d. It was Gods purpose to correct me by the meanes of mine enemies, but the wicked went about thereby to destroy me but this God would not suffer, sée Isaiah 10.6, 7. also Zacha. 1, 15.] but he hath not deliuered me to death [ vz. which mine enemies purposed and practised a­gainst 19 me: q.d. thorow his goodnesse I haue escaped that daunger.] Ver. 19. O­pen ye [ vz. ye Priests and Leuites, that haue the watch, garding, and kéeping of the Lords house: sée Psalme 134.1.] vnto me [ vz. vpon whome God hath bestowed such graces and mercies] the gates of righteousnesse [ i. the dores of the Tabernacle or Gods house: which is called righteousnesse, either because none ought to enter therein but wise and good people: or else because that in that place there was only reade and expounded the law of God whiche is the only true rule of all righteousnesse: And by this maner of spéech hee testifyeth his ardent zeale when he desireth that the dores of the Tabernacle may be set open vnto him, euen as though the Sacrifices were already present and ready] that I may go into them [ vz. willingly, chearefully, and gladly] and praise the 20 Lord [ vz. with all my hart, for his graces bestowed vpon me.] Ver. 20. This is the gate of the Lord [ q.d. seing that these gates belong vnto the Lord, it is very méete they should be opened to his seruaunts] the righteous shal enter in­to 21 it [ vz. there to prayse the Lord, and to pray vnto him.] Ver. 21. I [ vz. the peo­ple of Israell and Iudah: the holy Ghost speaketh of them all as though they were but one, because they all make but one body, and here beginneth the third part of the Psalme] will praise [ vz. with my whole hart and continuallye] thée [ vz. O Lord] for thou hast heard me [ i. granted my praiers and requests made vnto thée] and hast ben my deliueraunce [ i. him that hath deliuered me out of al 22 trouble.] Verse 22. The stone [ vz. which God himselfe had appointed as méete for the building, to stay, vphold and bind together the whole kingdome] whiche [ vz. stone also] the builders refused [ i. the principal gouernors both in y e church and in the Kingdome, in Saules time and in the dayes of Ishboseth if wee re­spect Dauid, but if we respect Christ, then the Priests, Pharises, and all the rest, who by duty should haue built vp the Church, and not destroyd it] is [ vz. now thorow Gods appointment] the head of the corner [ i. the chéefe stone in the building, not only because it is sette in the most excellentest place of the whole building, but also because it doth sustayne the whole waight of the house. In this verse referred to Dauid, the people shew how that though the greate men stood agaynst him, yet God exalted him to the kingdome maugre all their deui­ses, which as it followeth in the next verse, was a wonderfull thing. But it is truly accomplished in our Sauiour Christ, as appeareth Matt. 21.41. Act. 4.11. who is indéede the true corner stone, Ephe. 2, 20. in whome all the building 23 coupled together, groweth vnto a holy Temple in the Lord] Ver. 23. This [ vz. [Page 421] exaltation of the chéefe corner stone so contemptuouslye reiected of the greate men of the world] was the Lords doing [ vz. only, and that in mercy towardes vs miserable men, whether wee respect Dauid as the figure, and so apply it to the people of the Iewes, or else referre it to Christ, as the truth and sub­staunce] and it is meruaylous in our eyes [ i. we déeme it and take it to be a wō ­derfull thing, far beyond the reach of our wit and reason, and yet we know and beléeue the same to be faithfully performed.] Ver. 24. This is the day [ vz. in 24 which the Lord sheweth by effect, that he is gracious towards vs in giuing vs so good a King] which the Lord hath made [ vz. for our comforte and good] let vs reioyce [ vz. before the Lord] and be glad in it [ vz. for the graces which hée hath bestowed vpon vs.] Verse 25. O Lord I pray thée [ vz. euen for thy owne 25 names sake, and for thy mercy sake: and the word, I, is to be taken here, as verse 21 of this Psalme] saue now [ vz. our King, thy seruaunt: vnderstanding by the word sauing, not only deliueraunce from daunger, but aid and succoure to ouercome al our enemies: and that word, now, importeth a present supplye, without delay, not that they prescribe God a time, but to the ende the enemies might be quickly ouerthrowne] O Lord I pray thée, now [ vz. at this present, wherein good occasion is offred] giue prosperity [ vz. to our King, and to vs in his ministery: These be the prayers of the people, wishing good vnto their King and themselues: sée for this purpose Psalme 20. thorowout.] Verse 26. Blessed be he [ vz. with all kind of graces both outward and inward] that com­meth 26 [ vz. to rule and gouerne amongst vs] in the name of the Lorde [ i. by po­wer and authoritie giuen him from the Lord: q.d. That thrusteth not in him­selfe, but taketh the kingdome vpon him by the commandement and appoint­ment of God: Sée this applyed to our Sauiour Christ Mat. 21, 9,] We [ vz. which are the Lords Priests, and wayt vpon the Altar] haue blessed you [ vz. both King and people: vnderstanding by blessing, praying for them and wi­shing them all good: which was a part of the Priests office, as appeareth De­utron. 10.8. Num. 6, 23, &c.] out of the house of the Lord [he noteth the place frō whence this blessing was pronounced: vz. euen in that place, where God was serued, and in which place both Priests and people were assembled to worship him: and these are the Priests words and prayers.] Verse 27. The Lord [ vz. 27 which hath done these things for Dauid and vs] is mighty [ vz. aboue all both in heauen and in earth] and hath giuen vs [ vz. thorow his great mercy & good­nesse] light [ i. prosperity and al kinde of gladnes, for so much do the Hebrewes comprehend vnder the word light: sée Esth. 8, 16.] binde the sacrifice [ vz. of praise and thanksgiuing, which you offer to the Lord, putting one number for an other, and vnderstanding by one many, as may appeare, because he addeth, with cords, for many cords néed not, for the tying of one sacrifice, but hee mea­neth that they should bind and bring al their sacrifices together, and haue them in a readinesse as it were, presentlye to offer them vp to the Lord] vnto the hornes of the Altar [he meaneth by this spéech that they shoulde bring them to­gether, and fill as it were the whole court of the Lord, for further then y t place, [Page 422] it was not lawfull for the people to goe: so that he meaneth by bringing them to the hornes of the Altar, nothing else but presenting them before the Lord, & that as nigh as they might by warrāt of y e law go: so y t Dauid minding to ioin the outward ceremonies of the law, w t the inwarde affection and seruice of the hart, exhorteth euery one to prepare, & to present y t which is necessarye to offer vp to God for y e sacrifice of thanksgiuing. The hebrew word whiche is here turnd sacrifice, doth properly signify a sacrifice offred on some feast day: & the word that is translated cords, signifieth a cord made of many thréeds or ropes put together, and hath his name as it should séeme, of the thicknes of it.] Ver. 28 28 Thou art my God [ i. he y t alone hath mightily deliuered me from mine ene­mies. These be Dauids words, vttered either in his own name, or in y e Priests name, concluding the Psalm with thanksgiuing, as he had before taken vpon him y t person both of the people & Priests, ver. 21. & ver. 26. of this Psalme] & I wil praise thée [ vz. for thy goodnes, mercy, & power manifested vnto me] euen my God [ q.d. Though thou art a God vnto al, yet by particular experience, I haue found thée so chéefely vnto me] therfore I wil exalt thée [ vz. amongst men, 29 with praise & thanksgiuing.] Ver. 29. which also is the last verse of the Psalm is the same with the first verse of this Psalm, both in words and sence, & ther­fore haue an eye back to that.

Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs to prouoke others to praise the Lord: also that we & they should do it, for the continuance of his mercy towards vs. Ver. 2 teacheth vs, y t the sacrifice of thanksgiuing doth generally belong vnto al of the housholde of faith. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that it doth specially appertain to Gods ministers, as who euen in that respect also, should be examples to Gods people. Ver. 4 tea­cheth al to profes, & that presently without any further delay, the assurednesse of Gods goodnesse & mercy. Ver. 5. teacheth vs to pray to y e Lord in affliction, also y t the Lord doth graciously heare the prayers of his seruaunts. Ver. 6 tea­cheth vs that an assured féeling of Gods fauor & presence, driueth away al fear of man whatsoeuer. Ver. 7 teacheth vs y t God & men many times ioin together for the defence of his seruants. Ver. 8, 9 teach vs only to hang vpon the Lorde, and to trust in none other, how many or mighty soeuer they bee, but in him a­lone. Verse 10 teacheth that no multitude shall bée able to preuayle agaynste God and his people. Verse 11 teacheth vs that no force or fraude shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them. Verse 12 teacheth that no rage or cruelty shall bée a­ble to preuayle agaynst them: also that the enemies of God and his people shalbe sodaynly ouerthrowne. Verse 13 teacheth y t there is no wisdom, strength, power or policie against y e Lord and his annointed ones. Ver. 14 teacheth that al the strength and deliuerance of the godly is from the Lord only. Ver. 15 tea­cheth that God will graciously giue his children great occasions of reioycing in him: also that the faithful wil fréely and willingly confesse, that whatsoeuer they haue, they haue it from the power and goodnesse of God. Ver. 16 teacheth vs that Gods power is aboue all. Ver. 17 teacheth vs that our life in this life, ought to be referred to the setting forth of Gods glory, Ver. 18 teacheth, that [Page 423] howsoeuer God doth correct his for a time, yet hee doth neuer destitute thē for euer. Ver. 19 teacheth vs to haue an earnest care to praise and thanke God, in the assemblye of his Saints. Ver. 20 teacheth that howsoeuer hypocrites thrust themselues into the Churche, yet that place doth properlye and peculiarly be­long only to the faythfull. Verse 21 teacheth vs to giue thankes to God for graunting our requestes, and working our deliueraunce. Verse 22 teacheth vs that y t which is reiected of mā, is highly estéemed of y e Lord, & those that be his. Ver. 23 teacheth vs that all Gods workes are far beyond the reach of our rea­son, specially y t great mistery of sending his sonne into the world. Ver. 24 tea­cheth vs that because we are dul and heauy to consider of matters of spirituall mirth which the Lord giueth vs, we should prouoke and stir vp one an other to doe the same. Ver. 25 teacheth vs to pray for the safety and prosperity of our Princes. Ver. 26 teacheth vs that no man either in Church or common wealth should take vpon him an office without warrant from God, also that it is the duty of the ministers to blesse and pray for both their Princes and people. Ver. 27. teacheth vs that whatsoeuer prosperity we haue, we haue it from the Lorde onlye, and of his mere mercy alone: also that we should prepare and present our sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 28 teacheth vs that the more parti­cular féelings we haue of Gods graces, the more we should labour to prayse his name. Ver. 29 deliuereth the same doctrines with verse 1.

Psalme 119

Aleph.

FOr as much as the holy Ghost it selfe hath diuided this long Psalm into 22 partes, Di. according to the number of the letters of the hebrew Alphabet, I take it that it should be at the least superfluous, if not vngodly to vse or make any other diuision of it. Euery part of this Psalme containeth eyght verses, e­uery verse also beginning with the same letter that the parte beginneth withall, which was vsed as I suppose, both to note out the excellen­cy of the Psalme, and also to helpe memory: sée before Psal. 111. in the verye be­ginning.

This Psalme as manye other Psalmes before going, hath no Title: Se. and therefore nothing can be sayd of certaintie: notwithstanding very likely it is, that Dauid was the pen man which the holy Ghost vsed in making & writing this excellent Psalme.] Aleph [this is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet: and is here put downe to note and sette out the firste parte of this Psalme. Whiche I thinke dothh specially consist of two parts or points. Di. In the first the 1 Prophet putteth down a general proposition, teaching the blessednesse of those whiche yéelde obedience to God and his law, and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses. In the second is contained a particular applying of the same to [Page 424] his own person, who earnestly wisheth grace and strength to performe y e same: 1 and this is in the foure other verses.] Verse 1. Blessed [ i. abundaunce of blessed­nesse is vnto those] that are vpright in their waye [ i. that haue a pure and vp­right affection to follow righteousnesse, and which referre their whole life to that marke: the word, way, is put here for maner of liuing or course of life, as Psalme 1, ver. 1.6.] and walke in the law of the Lord [ i. order and rule their life and conuersation according to Gods law. Vnder the word, walking, hée com­prehendeth life and conuersation: and vnder the word, law, hee comprehendeth all the doctrine of Gods word, contained in the law and Prophets, he sheweth by this that true blessednesse is not in them that are wise in their own eyes, and imagine in their own fantasie some holinesse in themselues, but in them that 2 giue themselues ouer to the obedience of Gods word.] Ver. 2. Blessed are they, [sée verse 1. of this Psalm] that kéepe [ vz. not only in their hart to beléeue them as true and righteous, but obserue them also in their outward acts and behaui­our] his testimonies [ i. his commaundements whiche testifye and witnesse to vs his will. For these seuerall words, law, testimonies, statutes, &c. whiche are so often vsed in this Psalme, and for the difference of them, sée before Psalm 19.7, 8, 9,] and séeke him [ i. the Lorde, vz. according to his will reuealed in his word] with their whole hart [ i. not giuing part to him, and part to the worlde, but giuing all to him to whome it alone is due. Hee declareth by this manner of spéech, that God will not be serued with eye seruice only, but also with a frée 3 and sound affection of the hart.] Verse 3. Surely they work none iniquity [ vz. whiche is able to condemne them, because all their sinnes are fully aunswered in Christs obedience: for he meaneth not that they are without sinne] that walk in his waies [ i. that lead a life according to such rules as he hath prescribed vn­to them. Immanuel readeth this verse thus] who also worke no iniquitye [ q.d. They also are blessed, who labour & indeuour to the vttermost of strength and grace receaued from God. to put downe iniquitie and vniust dealing, either in themselues, or others, or both] but walke [ vz. as much as in them lyeth] in his wayes [ i. in the rules of life which he hath appointed them: both texts are good 4 and also both the sences, but I rather allow of the latter.] Verse 4. Thou [ vz. O Lord] hast commaunded [ vz. men, or vs thy seruants] to kéepe [ i. to indeuor, and in déede what they may to performe, both in thought, word and déede, the obedience of thy law] thy precepts [ i. the thinges whiche thou in thy lawe haste commaunded vs] diligently [ i. with care and conscience, and continually, as it were, all the dayes of our life. Immanuel varieth also somewhat in this verse reading it thus] which [ vz. wayes, mentioned in the latter ende of the thirde verse] thou hast commaunded by thy commaundements, to be greatly (or dili­gently) kept [the Prophet that he might somewhat terrifie men, declareth that the obseruation of the law, is euen of God himselfe required, and that with some seuerity, to the end also that men might know, that the breach therof shal 5 not remain vnpunished.] Verse 5. Oh that my wayes [ i. my life and conuersati­on: as verse 1 of this Psalme] were directed [ i. might be directed, that is, dispo­sed [Page 425] and ordred thorow thy power, prouidence and goodnesse] to kéepe [ vz. vn­feignedly and with a good hart] thy statutes [ i. the thinges that thou hast esta­blished as statutes for me to obserue and kéepe. This wish of the Prophet no­teth both the want of abilitie in himselfe, and also the great desire he had ther­to.] Verse 6. Then should I not be confounded [ vz. either before thée or men] 6 when I haue respect [ i. regard, both outwardly and inwardly vnto all thy com­maundements [ vz. to do and performe the same. He meaneth that after he shal haue learned of God, and bin taught of him, he wil both acknowledge and hold the same fast, and so by that meanes escape shame and confusion.] Ver. 7. I wil 7 praise thée [ vz. alone] with an vpright hart [ i. with a sound and sincere affecti­on, voyd of hipocrisie and counterfeiting] when I shal learn [ vz. being taught and instructed by thée] the iudgements of thy righteousnesse [ i. thy righteous iudgements, vnderstanding by iudgements Gods commaundements, whiche 8 containe nothing in them but perfect righteousnesse.] Verse 8. I wil kéepe [ vz. very much or very earnestly and diligently: he speaketh this not as though he were able of himself to performe them, but to shew what a minde and purpose he caried with him, and what a great good will he had thereto] thy statutes [ i. thy lawes and commaundements: and note, that there is neuer a verse in all this Psalme, but you haue in it eyther word, law, statute, iudgement, cōmaun­dement, or some such like, equiualent therto, to signifie Gods word by] forsake me not [ vz. in the middest of mine assaults, temptations and infirmities] ouer­long [ i. a long season. He prayeth the Lord, not only not to leaue him in temp­tation, but also to respect his infirmity and weakenesse, least he should go aside from the right way.

Ver. 1 teacheth vs, Do. that obedience to Gods law is the high way to al blessed­nesse. Ver. 2 teacheth vs first that with knowledge there must be ioyned obedi­ence and practised: secondly that we must séeke the Lord with all our soule and affection. Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods children frame not a conuersation to thē ­selues according to their own fantasie, but according to the rule of Gods word Verse 4 teacheth vs to haue care, conscience, and diligence in the obseruation of Gods lawe, least otherwise wee heape iudgement against our owne soule. Ver. 5 teacheth vs to carry with vs both purpose and prayer, that we may walk in obedience of Gods law. Ver. 6 teacheth vs that obedience to God & his truth is the way to auoyde shame both before God and men. Ver. 7 teacheth vs first to praise God for his mercies, secondly to do it sincerlye and with a sounde af­fection: thirdly that we can neuer rightly praise God or serue him, til we haue learned his law. Verse 8 teacheth vs what holy purposes we should carry with vs of obedience to Gods law: and how for the better informing of vs that way wée should as it were lay vowes vpon our selues, thirdly that féeling our owne misery and weakenesse, we should by earnest prayer haue recourse to the Lord for his mercy.

Beth.

Di. 1 THis is the seconde letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, and serueth to sette out the seconde part of the Psalme. In which the Prophet sheweth, firste that GOD his worde is the onlye rule to reforme corruption by, in what 2 state soeuer, verse 9. Secondlye, what care and conscience hée hymselfe had, to walke in the obedyence of GOD and his Lawe, verse 10, 11, 13, 14, 3 15, 16.Thirdlye hée praysed GOD for his graces, and prayeth vnto him more and more to instructe him in his truth, and this is contayned in the 12. verse.

Se. Verse 9. Wherewith [ i. by what mean, or with what thing] shall a yong man [ i. hée that is the sonne and seruaunte of GOD, whosoeuer hée bée, but hee chéefelye speaketh of yong men, because affection of sinne is most raging in them] redresse [ i. reforme: it is in Hebrewe, purge or make cleane] his waye [ i. the waye that hée is naturally inclined to walke in: and this hée propoundeth in the way of a question, aunswering the same himselfe, which is also vsuall in the scripture and namely Psalme 15, 1, 2, also Psalme 24, 8, 10,] in taking héede thereto [ i. in diligent caring and looking to it, that he fal not, or stumble not in the fame] according to thy word [ i. according to the commaun­dements and counsels which in thy word thou giuest to that end. The Prophet here prouoketh men, in good time to dispose of their life, and euen speciallye then when affections begin to boyle within them. Now when men will chuse vnto themselues an order of life wherein to liue, there is no better counsell more readily to direct them in the right way then this, to wit, to haue an eye 10 to the Lawe, and to looke what is prescribed vnto them therein.] Ver. 10. with my whole hart [ i. soundly, sincerely, and vnfeignedly, sée verse 2 of this Psalm] haue I sought thée [ vz. O Lord, and that according vnto thy worde, whiche I haue in part learned and layd vp in my hart, as ver. 11. and which I do further desire to bée taught and instructed in, verse 12.] let me not wander [ vz. hither and thither, as one that is out of his way, and knoweth not whether he goeth, but followeth his owne imagination, and yet strayeth from the righte waye] from thy commaundementes [ vz. which thou hast proposed as the rule of my 11 life.] Verse 11. I haue hid [ vz. as it were in a case or chest] thy promise [ i. thy worde: he putteth one part of the word for the whole] in mine heart [ i. se­cretlye and within me: not meaning otherwist but that he had them there to remember them to his comfort and profite. In the new Testament, Luke 2, 18, 51, it is expressed by an other phrase, as where Mary is sayd to haue kepte all these sayings in hir hart, and to haue pondered them there. Hee meaneth that hée locked vp as it were Gods lawe in his hart for feare of Sathans em­bushes and assaults] that I might not sinne [ vz. any manner of way, or at a­ny time, such a minde and will he had, though there wanted abilitie to perform 12 it] agaynst thée [ vz. O Lord] Verse 12. Blessed art thou O Lord [ i. praysed, or [Page 427] worthye of all prayses, by reason of thy goodnesse, wisedome, iustice and mer­cy] teach me [ vz. not only to knowe but also to doe] thy statutes [ i. the rules that thou hast appointed for me to walke in, so that nothing is or ought to bée the rule of our life, but Gods ordinaunce only.] Verse 13. With my lippes 13 [ i. with my mouth and the wordes of my mouth: hee putteth one instrumente whereby the voyce is framed, for all instrumentes appertaining thereto, and for wordes expressed by the same] haue I declared [ vz. openly, that others al­so might thereby learne them] all the iudgementes of thy mouth [ i. all thy com­maundements, which thou hast vttered as playnely as can bée, sée iudgements put for commaundements ver. 7 of this Psalme: and mouth is attributed to God according to mans capacity: q.d. I haue not only hidden thy lawe in my hart, as ver. 11. but I haue often and openly spoken of the same. And this is not a vaine brag that he maketh, but rather serueth to shew that he did the part of a good and faithful scholler, and to make himselfe an example that others might follow him. [Ver. 14. I haue had as great delight, in the way of thy testimonies 14 [ i. to walke according to the rules & orders that thy law prescribeth] as in all riches [ vz. that euer I had or might haue had: q.d. I haue taken as great plea­sure in kéeping thy statutes, as euer I did in gathering great riches together] Ver. 15. I will meditate [ vz. earnestly and continually, as Psal. 1.2.] in thy pre­cepts 15 [ i. in thy law which thou hast giuen and commaunded as a rule of life] and consider [ vz. déepely and diligently] thy wayes [ i. those wayes that he had prescribed men to walke in, meaning his law and commaundements: sée ver. 3. of this Psalme, and not as though God were tied to any wayes in respecte of himselfe.] Verse 16. I will delight [ vz. all the dayes of my life: and this the 16 Prophet speaketh, not as though he had strength of himselfe, but assuring him­selfe of the continuaunce of Gods loue towardes him, in whome he shoulde bée made able to doe it] in thy statutes [ i. in thy law and word] and I will not for­get [ i. I carry with me this minde and purpose not to forget] thy word [ i. not only the word it selfe, but the thinges layde vpon men by the same worde to bée performed and done.

Verse 9 teacheth, Do. firste that yong men had néede to striue the subduing of e­uill, because affections boyle most in them: secondly that Gods word rightlye and reuerently vsed is an effectuall meane to ouercome iniquity. Ver. 10. tea­cheth vs vnfeignedly to cleaue to the Lord our God: also to pray the Lord to kéepe vs, for otherwise we can not stand in the obedience of his truth. Ver. 11. teacheth vs that euen the promises of Gods word rightly considered, are good means to beat down sinne. Verse 12 sheweth that till God instructe vs, wee are blind and ignoraunt, also that we should dayly pray for increase of knowledge and vnderstanding. Verse 13 teacheth vs boldly and openly to make profession of Gods word. Ver. 14 teacheth vs that Gods word should be more pleasaunte vnto vs, then all worldlye Treasure. Verse 15 teacheth vs not onely bare­lye to reade, but also déepelye to consider and continuallye to meditate in Gods word. Verse 16 teacheth vs first that our delight in Gods law, is a good [Page 428] step to godlinesse: secondly that forgetfulnesse of Gods word, is a great meane why sinne preuaileth against many.

Gimel.

Di. 1 THis is the third letter of the hebrew Alphabet, and serueth to note out the thirde part of the Psalme, which containeth thrée speciall things: first the 2 prayers that the Prophet maketh for himselfe, ver. 17, 18, 19, 22, secondly Gods iudgements against the wicked, verse 21. Thirdly the earnest desire which the 3 Prophet had to walke in the obedience of Gods law.

Se. Verse 17. Be beneficial [ i. be thus mercifull] vnto thy seruaunt [ i. vnto mée thy seruaunt] that I may liue [ vz. here vpon the earth so long time, as thou shalt sée the same to be good and conuenient] and kéepe [ vz. vnfaigned­lye, and with a good hart, what I maye both in thoughte, worde, and déede] thy word [ vz. reuealed and made manifest vnto mée: q.d. shewe thy selfe fa­uourable vnto me, and graunt me grace to imploy y e whole life that thou shalt giue mee in the seruice of thée, according to thy lawe: and this is the ende 18 of our life here.] Verse 18. Open [ vz. by the mightye working and brightnesse of thy holy spirit] mine eyes [ vz. of my mind and vnderstanding] that I maye sée [ vz. by the eyes of fayth] the wonders of thy lawe [ i. the secretes which are contayned therein: and he calleth the doctrine and precepts of the lawe, won­ders, or wonderfull, because they excéede mans vnderstanding and reason. The Prophet did well know the blindnesse which was in him, and in all men natu­rally, which hindereth them from beholding the clearenesse of Gods word, and therfore beséecheth y e Lord to open the eyes of his vnderstanding, & to deliuer 19 him out of that great darknesse wherein he was.] Ver. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth [ vz. as all men haue bin, are, and shall bee, during this mortall life, sée Psalme 39, 12, vnder the word, straunger, he noteth not onely the shortnesse of his life in this life, but his ignoraunce and lack of knowledge: q.d. I am as a poore pilgrime, not knowing what waye to kéepe vnlesse thou shew it mée by thy lawe, hyde not thy commaundements from me [ i. leaue me not to my selfe in suche sorte that I shut vp mine eyes, or stoppe mine eares from the know­ledge of thy lawe, for God hideth his commaundementes from them, whose 20 eyes he openeth not.] Verse 20. Mine hart breaketh [ vz. within me: he mea­neth by this spéech that he had an earnest thirsting, hungring, or longing as it were after Gods law: in an other place he vseth, panteth and thirsteth af­ter GOD [sée Psalme 42, 1, 2,] for the desire [ vz. which I haue within mée] to thy iudgements [ vz. not only to know them, but also to execute and perform 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.] 21 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 [Page 429] 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 22 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: 23 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 24 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 [Page 430] 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 26 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 27 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 [Page 431] 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 this, restoring of him to a better estate, and refreshing him ouer all his miseries] according to thy worde [sée verse 25 of this Psalme.] Verse 29. Take [ vz. thorowe thy 29 goodnesse and mercye] from mée [ vz. which am so much inclyned thereto] the way of lying [ i. the order, trade and course of lying: vnderstanding there­by all manner of corruption whatsoeuer agaynst GOD or man] and graunt me graciously [ i. of thy great grace and goodnesse giue to mee] thy Lawe [ i. the knowledge and practise of it, that according to the same I maye leade my lyfe: for it is not to bée doubted but that he had the Law: q.d. Kéepe mée from all lying, vanitie and sinne: from the whiche that hée mighte bée the better preserued, hée desireth to bee instructed in the doctrine of GOD his law.] Verse 30. I haue chosen [ vz. thorow the light that thou hast reuealed vn­to 30 me, by the worke of thy spirite] the waye of truth [ i. that path that leadeth into truth and well doing,] and thy iudgementes [ i. thy Lawe and com­maundementes, whiche hee calleth iudgementes, because according to the same will he pronounce sentence] haue I layde before mee [ vz. not onlye to looke vpon them, but also as the rule of my life and behauioure. Immanuell readeth this verse thus:] The way of truth which I chose, and of thy iudge­mentes which I set before me: making it as it were an exposition of the lat­ter part of the other verse: q.d. Graunt me graciously thy lawe, which I ac­knowledge and take to be the way of truth, &c.] Ver. 31. I haue cleaued [ vz. 31 vnfaignedly, and with a good hart: meaning by this Metaphor of cleauing, continuing and perseuering in GOD his Lawe, sticking so fast vnto it, as nothing coulde remooue him from it: sée Romanes 12, 9.] to thy testimonies O Lord [ i. to thy law] confounde me not [ i. let me not bee confounded and asha­med: q.d. suffer me not to slide or fall into suche infirmitie, eyther of woorde or déede, that my life shoulde be shamefull vnto mée, and I skorned of the ene­mies of thy law.] Ver. 32. I will runne [ vz. chearefullye and swiftlye] the waye of thy commaundementes [ i. that waye, order, and course of life whiche thy commaundementes shewe me: he meaneth that he will bee prompte and ready to kéepe Gods lawe] when thou shalt inlarge mine hart [some expounde it thus, when thou shalt haue set mée out of daunger, and giuen me thereby an occasion of great reioycing. I rather would expounde it thus: when thou shalt haue made my vnderstanding and spirite (which of it selfe is narrow and straight, not able to contain or conceaue any good things) capable by inlarging and opening of it, to containe and conceaue thy gifts and graces, sée 1. King. 4, 29, concerning the inlarging of Salomons hart, which in my iudgemente ser­ueth very wel to open this place.

Do. Verse 25 teacheth vs in distresse and affliction to call vppon GOD, by ear­nest prayers, also that one good grounde of our prayers, is Gods promises made vnto vs in his word. Verse 26 teacheth vs that God is nigh to the fayth­full prayers of his poore seruaunts: also that we are ignoraunt of Gods law, till it please him in mercye to vouchsafe to teache vs. Verse 27 teacheth vs carefullye and continuallye to meditate in Gods worde. Verse 28 sheweth that Gods children are many times broughte verye lowe, but yet the hope that they haue in GOD his promises doeth raise them vp agayne. Verse 29 teacheth vs to abhorre, as all sinne generally, so particularlye lying and falshood: also that Gods worde rightly vsed, is a great mean to vanquishe sinne by. Verse 30 teacheth vs that GOD his word shoulde be sette before vs in all the particular actions of this life. Verse 31 teacheth vs, to perse­uer and continue in the profession of Gods truth, all the dayes of our lyfe. Verse 32 teacheth vs to go on forward in the race that is set before vs, and ne­uer to be weary of wel doing.

He.

Di. IN this whole part which consisteth of earnest prayer vnto God, the Pro­phet first beséecheth the Lord to giue him good things, as amongst others, the knowledge and obedience of his law. Ver. 33, 34, 35, 38, 40, secondly he prai­eth him to giue strength to auoyd euil things. Ver. 36, 37, 39.

Se. Verse 33 Teach me [ vz. which of my selfe am so blind, ignorant, and vnapte to euery good thing] O Lord [ vz. whom alone I feare and worship] the way of thy statutes [ i. that order of life which thy law setteth out ver. 32. he called it the way of his commaundements] and I will kéepe it [ vz. thorow thine assistance and goodnesse, for otherwise no man can do any thing that good is] vnto the end [ vz. of my life, meaning that he would obserue Gods law al his life long, sée 34 verse 112 of this Psalme afterwards.] Ver. 34. Giue me vnderstanding [ vz. of thy will reuealed in thy word] and I will kéepe thy law [ vz. thorow thy good­nesse and assistaunce (as before) not onlye in my hart, but in my conuersation outwardlye] yea I will kéepe it with my whole hart [ i. soundly, sincerelye, and with an vnfeigned affection, Meaning that in the obseruation and obedy­ence 35 of Gods lawe, he would auoyde all hipocrisie.] Verse 35. Directe mée [ vz. which thorow mine owne corruption am readye to runne out of the way] in the path of thy commaundements [ i. in the waye and order of life which thy commaundements would haue me to tread] for therein [ i. both in thy Lawe, and in a conuersation according to the same] is my delighte [ i. I take 36 singular ioye and pleasure.] Verse 36. Inclyne [ vz. thorowe the ex­ercises of thy worde, and the working of thy spirite] mine hearte [ i. the affections and desires of my harte] vnto thy Testimonyes [ i. to imbrace the knowledge and practise of thy worde] and not to couetousnesse [ i. gréedye affecting and desyring of that whiche appertayneth to an other [Page 433] man, hee putteth one kinde of sinne, which is in déede the roote of all euill, for al other transgressions and vices whatsoeuer, as he did before, the word ly­ing, ver. 29. of this Psalme.] Ver. 37. Turne away mine eyes [by the eyes, he 37 meaneth all other senses, because they are the messengers which conuey or bring things to our other senses: and the windowes, or gates as it were, by which euil entereth into vs] from regarding [ i. from beholding or looking vp­on: he prayeth against the beginning of euill, which being once ouercome, pro­cesse and procéeding in it, néed not to be feared] vanity [ i. vaine things with the loue whereof men may easily bee ouertaken: q.d. remooue the affections of my mind from these things, which men do greatly desire and delight in, lest other­wise I being caryed away from thy word, I imbrace vayne things with other men] quicken mee [ i. make me not only liuely to do thy will, but giue me grace to liue in it, all the dayes of my life] in thy way [ i. in thy lawe, see ver. 15. of this Psalme.] Verse. 38. Stablish [ i. performe and accomplish: for though Gods 38 worde bee alwayes sure both in respect of his maiesty, from whome it cōmeth, and of it selfe, and the things propounded in it, and of vs also in respect of as­sured faith, yet it is then most liuely confirmed vnto vs, when it is performed, and it declared to bee true and certaine, by effect as it were] thy promise [ vz. made to me, he putteth one promise for many: vsing also promises for the word it selfe conteining promises, as ver. 11. of this Psalm] to thy seruant [ i. to me, for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person. q.d. make the effect of thy pro­mises to come vnto me who serue thée with a good heart, for though it be true, that Gods promises perfourmed to others, may comfort men: yet nothing so much can they comfort vs, as this, which we féele perfourmed to our particu­lar persons] because he feareth thée [it woulde rather be turned thus, who fea­reth thée, for our feare of God, is not a cause why God shoulde performe his promises to vs, and the Prophet meaneth by the word, feare, not onely a reue­rent perswasion which he had in his heart of God, but the effects and fruits of that reuerence, that is, the worship and seruing of him according to his word.] Ver. 39. Take away [ vz. of thy mercy and goodnes] my rebuke [ i. the euil which 39 I might commit against thy good lawe, and so it might tend to my shame, as though hée prayed to be kept from notorious transgressions, as ver. 31. of this Psalm: or else thus, for as much as by some sinnes, and namely the sinne of ad­ultery with Bathsheba, and murther of her husband Vriah, hee had purchased rebuke and shame amongst men, hée beséecheth the Lord euen to remoue that] that I feare [ vz. will not onely fall, but increase vppon mee, vnlesse in mercy thou cure and couer it] for thy iudgements [ vz. which thou hast pronounced in thy word] are good [ vz. to them that rightly vnderstand them, vnderstanding by iudgements not onely the threates of the lawe, but also, euen those com­forts which God hath pronounced in the same.] Ver. 40. Beholde, I desire [ vz. 40 earnestly and with a very good affection] thy commandements [ i. both y e know­ledge and obedience of thy commandements] quicken mee, [Sée ver. 25.37. of this Psalme] in thy righteousnes [ i. in thy woorde and lawe, which is called [Page 432] [...] [Page 433] [...] [Page 434] righteousnes, because it is the onely rule of that righteousnes, which we ought to performe to God, or man.

Do. Ver. 33. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord onely, for light and instruction out of his holy worde: also to cary with vs a holy purpose of perseuerance and con­tinuance in the obedience of God, all the dayes of our life. Verse. 34. Teacheth vs that the vnderstanding, & kéeping of gods law, is a singular gift of his own bestowed vpon his children: also that our obedience to god, should be vnfeigned and without hipocrisie. Ver. 35 Teacheth vs that vnlesse God kéepe vs in obe­dience, wée shall continually wander out of the way: also that our continual de­light and pleasure should be in Gods word. Ver. 36. Teacheth vs what a foule fault the sinne of couetousnes is: also that there is no better meane to subdue it in our selues, then care and conscience to walke in y e obedience of Gods worde. Ver. 37. Teacheth vs, first to nippe off sinne in the beginning thereof: secondly to labour the mortification of our earthly members, and the partes of our bo­dyes inclined to euill, and thirdly to pray for liuelines & continuance in the o­bedience of Gods trueth. Ver. 38. Teacheth vs that if wee haue by experience either in our selues or others, but specially in our selues, felt the trueth of gods promises perfourmed to vs, wee haue not onely a notable testimony of Gods goodnes, but a seale set vpon our fayth for the greater strengthning of it in the same. Ver. 39. Teacheth vs to pray the remouing of shame amongst men: spe­cially if our shame shal bring with it some dishonour to God: also it teacheth vs not to be shameles as many men are, who are without blushing, and haue gotten to thēselues harlots faces. Ver. 40. Teacheth vs to haue an earnest de­sire, both to knowe and walke in the obedience of Gods lawe. This part in summe declareth what great weaknes there is in man, to vnderstande loue and followe Gods lawe, vnlesse he be taught and renued by the power of his spirit.

Vau.

Di. THis is the sixt letter, and noteth out the sixt part. In which the Prophet 1 specially propoundeth two thinges. first he maketh prayer vnto God, for the continuaunce of his mercies, specially for manifesting his word vnto him 2 with the fruites and effectes which shall follow thereof, ver. 41.42.43.44. Se­condly hée promiseth, and voweth as it were a thankefull heart to y e Lord, for his benefits, which he wil declare openly before all men, yea euen kings & ma­gistrates. Ver. 45.46. By a holy and religious life towards God himselfe. ver. 47.48.

Se. Ver. 41. And let thy louing kindnes [ i. thy most tender and infinite mercy] come vnto mée, O Lorde [ vz. from thée. q.d. let me haue it plentifully powred forth vpon mée, and make mee to féele it effectually] and thy saluation [ i. ayde, helpe, yea, and eternall life it selfe: hée setteth louing kindnes, or mercy, before saluation, as the cause before the effect] according to thy promise [ vz. graci­ously [Page 435] made vnto me. q.d. make mee to féele, that louing kindnesse and saluati­on of thine, which thou hast promised and I pray for.] Ver. 42. So [ i. by that 42 meanes onely and no other] shall I make answere [ i. bee inabled sufficiently to answere] vnto my blasphemies [ i. vnto them that reuile and speake euill of mee: q.d. I will not then dissemble any whit at all, but speake, euen as the thing it selfe shall require] for I trust in thy worde [ vz. which thou hast giuen mee: q.d. I perswade my selfe in the trueth of thy woorde, that when I shall once sensibly féele thy mercy and goodnes, I shalbe wel able to answere all my gain­sayers, Sée Luke 21.14.15.] Verse 43. And take not [ vz. though for my 43 sinnes in iustice thou mightest] the worde of trueth [ i. thy worde, which only conteyneth trueth in it] vtterly [ i. altogether, or for euer. Immanuel readeth this part of the verse thus. But take not out of my mouth, the very true word [ i. y e word which is most true, referring the word which is here translated vt­terly, not to the word, take away, as our English text doeth, but to the worde of God, which in déede is most true] out of my mouth [in this speach hee doeth not exclude the heart, by which we must beginne, but it is, q.d. vpholde not only my heart in faith, lest I bee ouerthrowne through temptations, but bring to passe also that my tongue may haue full liberty, so that I may praise thee a­mongst men, without any feare: so also Saint Paul prayeth the Church, to pray for him, that vtterance might bée giuen vnto him, that he might open his mouth boldly. Ephes. 6.19. and if we read, as it is in the English text, vtterly, it declareth that hee had not such a great boldenesse to speake, as were to bee wished] for I wayte [ vz. with diligence and patience] for thy iudgments [ vz. to bee executed vppon the wicked in iustice, and vppon thy children in mer­cy: the worde iudgementes being vsed here, for the promises which God hath made, conteining either the punishments of the vngodly, or his mercies to his children: Sée verse 39. of this Psalme.] Verse 44. So [ vz. by this meanes, 44 when thou shalt continue with mée the woorde of trueth] shall I alway keepe [ vz. through thy goodnes and strength] thy lawe [ vz. which thou hast pre­scribed for mee to walke in] for euer and euer [the Prophet meaneth, that through Gods strength hée shall continue, in the knowledge and practise of Gods woorde all the dayes of his life.] Verse 45. And I [ vz. thy poore and 45 vnworthy seruaunt] will walke [ vz. through thy mercy and goodnesse: mea­ning by walking, that hee woulde liue, and bée conuersaunt amongest men] at libertye [ i. in playne and easie wayes, or in great and broade wayes, or as a man woulde say, in the kinges high way: which Saint Iames chapter 2.8. calleth the royall lawe, meaning also that he would walke with­out feare of daunger as they doe most commonly, which are in a kingly or broad way] for I séeke [ vz. with an vnfeigned heart and continually] thy pre­ceptes [ i. the vnderstanding of them, and obedience to them.] Ver. 46. I will 46 speake also [ vz. fréely, boldly, and plainely] of thy testimonies [ i. of thy lawe, and the pointes and matters therein propounded] before kinges [ i. mighty men of the earth, and magistrates. q.d. I will doe it in deede, [Page 436] and that not only before inferiour persons, and in their sight and hearing, but euen before them, who for their greatnes, are wont to stoppe vp other mens mouthes, and command thē silence. Surely it is a good token, that men haue well profited in Gods word, when men are armed against all terrors of men] 47 and will not bee ashamed [ vz. to speake of it, fréely and boldly.] Verse. 47. And my delight shalbe [ vz. continually, and all the daies of my life] in thy comman­dements [ i. in thy lawe, by which thou hast commanded mee what I should do, and what I should leaue vndone] which I haue loued [ vz. not in words onely, 48 but in déede and trueth, and with an vnfeigned loue.] Ver. 48. Mine hands al­so, will I lift vp, vnto thy commandements [ q.d. I will stretch out my handes, that I may readily receiue, turne ouer, and search out thy commaundements: and this similitude declareth, the earnestnes of his desire, because that looke whatsoeuer we desire to haue, we do straine our selues to take it, and lay holde of it, by stretching out our hands] which I haue loued [sée ver. 47.] and I will meditate in thy statutes [sée ver. 23.27. of this Psalme.]

Do. Ver. 41. Teacheth vs, that Gods promise is a sure grounde vnto vs of his loue and our saluation. Ver. 42. Teacheth vs, that grounded perswasion out of the word maketh vs bold to speake, euen in the face of our aduersaries. Ver. 43. Teacheth vs that there can no greater punishment be laid vpon vs in this life, then to lacke Gods word: also that we should in all cases with patience, tary the Lords leasure. Ver. 44. Teacheth vs to indeuour what in vs lyeth, conti­nually to keepe Gods lawe. Verse. 45. Teacheth vs that he walketh simply and surely, that walketh according to the prescript rule of Gods worde. Ver. 46. Teacheth vs that no feare of men, nor shame of our selues, should cause vs to conceale or kéepe backe anye part of Gods trueth. Ver. 47. Teacheth vs, vn­feignedly to loue, and continually to delight in the lawe and word of GOD. Ver. 48. Teacheth vs, with earnestnes and readines, to labour to apprehende Gods trueth, and to holde it fast when wée haue obteyned it: also, to vse not only hearing and reading of Gods word, but dayly meditation therein.

Zain.

Di. 1 THe Prophet in this vii. part, doth first pray vnto God, that hee might in himselfe effectually féele the accomplishment of Gods promises: and this 2 conteyned ver. 49. Secondly he sheweth what great comfort and consolation he had in the word of God, and by the keeping thereof, and this is ver. 50.52.54.55.56. Lastly hee shewed, that no scornes of the wicked woulde turne him a­way from God and his truth, and that he recompensed that euil of theirs, with this good, fearing greatly the great iudgements, which for the contempt of God and his trueth, should fal vpon them. ver. 51.53.

Se. Ver. 49. Remember [ i. declare by effect, that thou doest remember. Sée Gen. 8.1.] the promise made [ i. the promise which thou hast made] to thy seruaunt [ i. to me thy seruant, he speaketh of himselfe in the third person] wherein [ i. in [Page 437] which promise] thou hast caused mee to trust [ vz. not onely because thou hast made and giuen me the same promise, but also hast commaunded mee to take sure hold thereof. The Prophet here desireth God, in déede to perfourme that which he had promised him, whereby hee sheweth, that though God séemed to be farre off, yet he would stay himselfe vpon his worde.] Ver. 50. It [ i. thy pro­mise 50 made vnto me] is my comfort [ i. doth greatly comfort me] in my trouble [ i. when I am in any trouble whatsoeuer, when I thinke of it: this is as it were the speach of his heart, receiuing singular comfort, by meditations in Gods promises] for thy promise [ vz. made vnto me in thy word] hath quickened me [ i. hath not onely strengthened and confirmed mee at all times, but euen then when I séemed to be nigh vnto death, or as it were dead already, it did after a sort restore me to life.] Ver. 51. The proude [ vz. men of the worlde, meaning thereby, the wicked and vngodly, whome hee calleth proude, because they did 51 despise God himselfe, and treade vnder foote, as it were, all his holy doctrine] haue had me excéedingly in derision [ i. haue scoffed and ieared at me, not onely very much, but also continually: for that word excéedingly noteth also, that day by day, and one day after an other, they did assault him with newe and fresh combats of scoffes and taunts] yet [ q.d. for all that they haue done] I haue not declined [ i. gone aside or astray] from thy law [ vz. which thou hast prescribed for me to walke in. q.d. no floutes, or taunts of men, could pull mee from the o­bedience of thy trueth.] Ver. 52. I remēbred [ i. I called to mynd in my medi­tations, 52 and déepely thought vpon] thy iudgements [ i. such examples, as wher­by thou shewedst thy selfe, to be iudge of the world] of old [ i. which thou diddest and madest manifest in former ages, hee meaneth, that he thought vppon, such iudgements, as God in former times had declared vnto the worlde, for iudge­ments read ver. 43. of this Psalme, vnderstanding thereby Gods punishments vppon the wicked, and his mercy towards his seruants] and haue beene com­forted [ vz. excéedingly, specially in the inward man, by the sight and beholding thereof.] Verse. 53. Feare [ vz. of heart and trembling; meaning thereby also 53 great feare] is come vppon me [ i. hath taken strong holde vppon mee] for the wicked [ i. because of these great iudgments, which shall fall vpon the wicked] that forsake thy lawe [ i. that breake and transgresse thy lawe, in their wordes, thoughts, and déedes, others I knowe giue other senses, but methinketh, this is plaine and right, vz. that the prophet considering Gods horrible iudgmēts against the wicked, was, as it were, seased and striken with a very great feare.] Ver. 54. Thy statutes [ i. thy worde and lawe] haue béene my songes [ i. 54 as some interpret it, haue giuen me occasions to write songs. I woulde rather expound it thus, haue giuen me pleasure, ioy, and contentment, because men greatly reioyce and content themselues in musicke] in the house of my pilgri­mage [some thinke that he meaneth his banishment, when he was persecuted by his enemies and fled, from the face of Saul, Abshalon, or others, in which di­stresse he wandered vp and downe, and yet because he was long in it, hee did count it as it were, the house of his dwelling. I rather thinke, that hee vnder­standeth [Page 438] hereby, the whole course, and race of his life, both that time, and all o­ther times, for the Prophet had not then comforte only, but al the dayes of his life: so that, in the house or place of his pilgrimage, is as much as if he should say, in whatsoeuer place of the world I am, haue béen, or shalbe, yea al the days of my life, and this the rather, because the godly haue alwayes estéemed their liues, for a pilgrimage, as Gene. 47.9. Psal. 39.12. also ver. 19. of this Psal. Sée 55 also Heb. 11.9.10.] Ver. 55. I haue remembred [sée ver. 52. of this Psalme] thy name [ i. thy maiesty, goodnes, and power, as Psal. 20.1.] O Lord [ vz. whom I serue] in the night [ vz. when others sléepe. q.d. euen then doe I watch and re­member thée, when others take their rest] and haue kept thy lawe [ vz. with a good and sincere heart.] Ver. 56. This I had [ i. al these graces were giuen me, from thy goodnes only] because I kept [ i. indeuored what in mee lay to kéepe & performe] thy precepts [ i. thy law and commandements, he bosteth not here of any merit of his owne, but saith, y t God in working a special deliuerance, did yéeld a notable testimony to that goodnes which was in him. Immanuel redeth this verse thus.] This is a comfort vnto me, that I kéepe thy cōmandements [ q.d. euen the litle or slender obedience that I yéelde to thy lawe, doeth much comfort me.

Do. Ver. 49. Teacheth vs that Gods promises made vs in his worde, ought to be special grounds, of our perswasions, touching his mercies towards vs. ver. 50. Teacheth vs that Gods promises are speciall comforts vnto vs, in y e time of our distresses. Ver. 51. Declareth what is the nature of the vngodly, vz to scoffe continually at gods religion, & the professers therof: also, that no contēpt or ignominie in this life, should draw vs away from the obedience of our God. Ver. 52. Teacheth Gods children to receiue comfort, not only in his mercyes practised towards them, but also in his punishments powred forth vppon the wicked. Ver. 53. Teacheth vs, that we should not only be grieued, when we sée gods law broken but to be striken with feare of those iudgments, y t from God shal fal vpon the wicked. ver. 54. teacheth vs that nothing should minister more ioy & contentment to vs in this life, then gods word. Ver. 55. teacheth vs conti­nually to meditate on gods power, goodnes, maiesty, &c. also that wee shoulde many times forbeare, euen our ordinary rest and sléepe, to the ende wee might performe that duty. Ver. 56. Teacheth vs that God giueth continual blessings to them that haue care and conscience to obserue his lawes.

Cheth.

Di. AL that the prophet speaketh in this eight part of the Psalme, may be refer­red, 1 either vnto God, before whom he powreth forth earnest supplications, 2 for the assistance of his grace, in the obedience of his word. ver. 57.58.64. or else vnto himselfe, wherin he declared what care he had of obedience to gods law, and to obserue al the meanes that might cause him to grow therein, neglecting also all things that might hinder him therein, and this is conteined in ver. 59.60.61.62.63.

Ver. 57. O Lord thou art my portion [ vz. alone, q.d. I haue none that I hang or depend vpon, but thée alone, Sée Psalme. 73.25.] I haue determined [ vz. with my selfe, and that altogether whatsoeuer come of] to kéepe [ vz. in my life and conuersation] thy wordes [ i. the worde that thou hast giuen me, as the rule of my life: the meaning is, q.d. séeing that thou O Lorde, art mine inheri­tance, and hast in mercy chosen me to thy selfe, I haue fully concluded with my selfe, to kéepe thy law.] Ver. 58. I [ vz. being priuy to mine owne weakenesse & 58 wretchednes] made my supplication in thy presence [ i. prayed before thée, and to thée, it may be vnderstood, euen of some solemne prayer, that the Prophet made before the arke] with my whole heart [ i. vnfeignedly and without wande­ring affections, those setting my heart earnestly vpon things, y t I vttered with my mouth] be merciful vnto me [ vz. thus distressed as I am according to thy promise [ vz. made and giuen to me, and other thy seruants also that call vpon thée. sée ver. 49. of this Psalme. q.d. performe thy promise made vnto me, by thy word in Christ, and not in respect of my infirmity.] Ver. 59. I haue considered 59 [ vz. diligently, and carefully] my waies [ i. the maner and order of my life here­tofore] and turned [ vz. from those corrupt and naughty pathes of wickednes] my féete [ i. not my féete onely, but mine affections also. sée Eccle. 4.17.] into thy testimonies [ i. into the way & kéeping of thy law. q.d. I haue vewed my life past and I do also wel consider my conuersation present, and now the thing that I wholy purpose is this, to giue my selfe, to the vttermost of my power to kéepe thy commandements.] ver. 60. I made hast [ vz. after y e beholding of the former 60 things] & delaied not [ i. nothing hindered me: q.d. I made spéed in déede, for so much doth this doubled spéech meane: for such a doubled speach, sée Psal. 118.17.] to kéepe [ vz. sincerely, soundly & without hipocrisie] thy commandements [ i. the things which thou haddest commanded.] Ver. 61. The hands of the wic­ked 61 [ i. the great troupes & companies of vngodly men: & by this phrase, hée no­teth the multitudes of his enemies] haue robbed me [ i. haue taken from, & that by fraude & violence, all that euer I had] but [ vz. for all that] I haue not for­gotten thy law [ i. the things prescribed in thy law, and the comforts therin con­teined: q.d. neither their flattery, nor their fraude, nor any thing, y t they coulde do against me, could draw me away from the obedience of thy trueth.] Verse 62. At midnight [ vz. when others are fast and sound a sleepe: Sée before verse 62 55. This declareth his ardency and affection: q.d. euen then when I shoulde take my rest as others doe] will I rise [ vz. not onely from my sléepe, but euen out of my bed] to giue thanks vnto thée [ vz. for thy gret & infinite blessings be­stowed vpon me, or as followeth] because of thy righteous iudgementes [ i. be­cause of the faithful performing, of all those thinges, which thou hast promi­sed, 63 either in mercy to thy seruants, or in iustice, to thine enemies.] Verse. 63. I am a companion [ i. I vse and frequent the company] of all thē y t feare thee [ i. serue and worshippe thee, with that reuerent feare that appertayneth vnto thée] and kéepe thy preceptes [ i. hee sheweth howe men may know whether they themselues or others feare GOD or no, euen by keeping his lawe, [Page 440] and doing the things that it requireth. And the Prophet kept company with these good men, both that he himselfe, by them might bee confirmed, and also 64 that he might aide and confirme them.] Ver. 64. The earth [ i. the whole world it selfe, and all the creatures therein conteined] O Lord [ vz. whome I serue a­lone] is full [ vz. in euery place and quarter, so that a man can turne his eye or head no way, but he shal sée plaine testimonies of it] of thy mercy [ vz. towardes it and al thy creatures] teach me thy statutes [sée ver. 26. of this Psalme, he de­sireth that the mercy of God, which is spred abroad ouer all creatures, may be manifested to himward, so that thereby he may profit in Gods lawe, because that the spirit of vnderstanding, is a principal signe of Gods fauour and grace and this petition consisteth of two partes, vz. that God pitying his wretched­nesse, and want of knowledge, woulde perfourme his promise made to him in that behalfe: whereunto the better to induce God, he vseth an argument, ta­ken from the abundance of Gods mercy manifested to al his creatures, & that is the second part or point.

Do. Ver. 57. Teacheth vs that séeing God hath chosen vs to bee his people, wee should carry with vs, a resolute perswasion to obey his lawe. Ver. 58. Teacheth vs that the prayers which we make vnto God, should be vnfeigned and procéed not onely from the tongue, but from the heart also, also that in our prayers, we should make Gods mercies, and promises, principall proppes of our faith. Ver. 59. Teacheth vs not onely to haue a carefull eye, to our conuersation past and present: but also it sheweth vs, that the single sight therof, is a good meane to bring vs to the obedience of God. Ver. 60. Teacheth vs with speed to turne vnto the Lorde, and not to put of from day to day, as worldly men doe. Verse 61. Doeth not only set out the cruel and spoyling minds that the wicked haue, but sheweth also, that the children of God shoulde haue such constancie in his trueth, as nothing shoulde withdrawe them from it. Verse 62. Teacheth vs to haue such care of Gods seruice, that wee should many times break our sléepes as it were, to performe that duety. Ver. 63. Teacheth vs as to auoyd euil com­pany: so for the profite that maye come to our selues thereby, and for the good that we may do to others, to frequent good company. Ver. 64. Setteth out the largenes of Gods mercy, and sheweth what want of knowledge wée haue in Gods holy worde.

Teth

Di. THis being the 9. part of the Psalme, consisteth specially of these pointes, 1 first the Prophet confesseth gods great goodnes towards him, and prayeth 2 for the continuance therof. Ver. 65.66.68. Secondly he declareth that euen the afflictions, which they suffered in this life, were through the consolation which 3 he had in the word, comfortable, and profitable vnto him. Ver. 67.71.72. Third­ly, he setteth out the cruelty and naughtines of the wicked, and his owne good­nes, and yet without any boasting thereof, ver. 69.70.

Ver. 65. O Lord [ vz. the only true God] thou hast dealt [ vz. in euery thing, Se. and euery way] graciously [ i. in all fauour, loue and mercy] with thy seruaunt [ i. with me thy seruant, for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person] accor­ding to thy worde [ i. according to thy promise that thou hast made and giuen mee: q.d. as thou hast graciously promised mee all goodnes, so hast thou graci­ously also, and in great mercy perfourmed the same.] Ver. 66. Teach mée [ vz. 66 who of my selfe am blinde and ignorant] good iudgment and knowledge [ vz. out of thy holy woorde: q.d. teach mee, by the light of thy holy worde, in sound iudgements and knowledge to discerne betwéene trueth and falshoode] for I haue beléeued [ vz. stedfastly] thy commaundementes [ vz. that they are good, true, and holy: he meaneth also by this manner of speach, that hee did willing­ly imbrace all that, which was appointed in gods lawe.] Ver. 67. Before I 67 was afflicted [ vz from thée, and by thine appointment] I went astray [ vz. from the wayes of thy commandements] but nowe [ vz. since thy corrections were vpon mée] I kéepe [ vz. with a sincere and good mynde, vnderstanding by kée­ping, obseruing, and obeying] thy word [ i. the things manifested and cōmaun­ded in thy word: Sée Hosea. 5.15. Immanuel readeth it thus] when I did not yet speake [ i. euen from my birth I am a sinner, a stranger from thy lawe, and the childe of wrath, as Psal. 51.5.] I went astray [ i. I was a sinner against thée, as before] but now I kéepe [ vz. diligently or in my heart, meaning also that he layd it vp in his mind] thy word [ i. thy promises. Thus he applieth it to o­riginal sinne, whatsoeuer it is, certaine it is, that hee was not deliuered, from that stubbornes and peruerse rebellion, wherewith all mankinde is infected, but by the mighty working of Gods holy worde and spirit. Ver. 68. Thou [ vz. 68 O Lord] art good and gracious [as to all, so specially to thy people, sée Psal. 86.5.] teach me thy statutes [sée ver. 26.64. of this Psalme, and marke howe to moue the Lord to teach him in his lawe, hée setteth before him Gods bounty and goodnes.] Ver. 69. The proude [sée ver. 51. of this Psalme, hee meaneth 69 by this speach, the chiefe men amongest them, who were puffed vp, with a per­uerse and vayne trust in their honours and riches] haue imagined [as secret­ly and within themselues, so cunningly and finely] a lye [ i. false and vniust ac­cusations, hee putteth one for many] against mee [ vz. euen to take away my life, if it be possible] but I will kéepe [ vz. through thy goodnes, strength, and assistaunce] thy precepts [ i. the thinges that thou hast commaunded] with my whole heart [ i. sincerely and vnfeignedly.] Ver. 70. Their heart [ i. their minde 70 & vnderstanding] is fat as grease [ i. is mightily fatned: so that there is nothing in it, as it were, but fat: he meaneth by fat as grease, not onely that they were puffed vp with prosperitie, and so made vnapt to vnderstand holy thinges, but also that they were dayly more and more indurate and hardened, Sée I­saiah. 6.10.] but my delight is in thy lawe [ vz. aboue, and before all thinges.] Verse 71. It is good [ i. both profitable and pleasaunt: as Psalme 92.1.] for 71 mee [ vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruant] that I haue béene afflicted [ vz. gra­ciously and mercifully at thy handes, and that with the rods of thy children. sée [Page 442] ver. 67. of this Psalme] that I may learne [ vz. not onely to knowe, but also to obserue] thy statutes [ i. the lawes which thou hast established. Ver. 72. The law of thy mouth [ i. the worde which procéeded and came from thée, and was vtte­red, as it were with thy mouth] is better vnto me [ i. is more deare and preci­ous and swéete] then thousands of gold and siluer [ i. then a very great number, or infinite treasure, he meaneth that he did preferre Gods woorde, before all earthly things whatsoeuer.

Do. Ver. 65. Teacheth vs that God alwayes graciously performeth his promi­ses to his seruants. Verse. 66. Teacheth vs that we can haue no sounde know­ledge till God teach it vs. Ver. 67. Teacheth vs that afflictions are profitable instruments, which God doeth vse, to draw vs on to the practise of his worde, ver. 68. Teacheth vs to make gods grace & goodnes our special ground worke of our prayers. Ver. 69. Teacheth vs, first that the wicked will leaue no stone vnrolled, that thereby they might hurt the godly: Secondly that wee shoulde striue vnfeignedly to kéepe Gods lawe. Verse. 70. Teacheth vs that the wicked are hardened and baked as it were in their sinnes: also that wee shoulde take singular delight and pleasure in gods word. Ver. 71. Teacheth vs that afflicti­ons are euen good for vs, because they pull vs on to the obedience of Gods trueth. Verse 72. Teacheth vs to preferre Gods woorde, before all worldly things whatsoeuer.

Iod.

Di. THis tenth part consisteth wholly of supplications and prayers, partly 1 for himselfe, verse 73.76.77.80. partly also for others, ver. 79. and part­ly 2 against the wicked and vngodly: ver. 78. lastly hee sheweth what fruite the 3 godly shal reape, in that his petitions are granted vnto him, and cōfesseth that 4 he hath deserued al punishments, ver. 74.75.

Se. Ver. 73. Thine hands haue made me [ i. thou by thy mighty power O Lorde hast created mee, of the flime and dust of the earth] and fashioned me [ vz. in this order and shape wherein I nowe liue] giue mee vnderstanding therefore [ i. make mee apt and able so to vnderstand thy will] that I may learne [ vz. to knowe and keepe thy commaundements. Marke here two thinges, first that in making his prayer for holy vnderstanding, hée iustly accuseth himselfe and all others of blindnesse, which procéeded not from the Creator, but from man corrupted: Secondly, that euen by his creation he conceiued hope, that God woulde continue his worke begunne in him, because God leaueth not his worke, and therefore hee requireth God, to bestowe newe grace vpon him, and 74 to finish that which he had begunne in him.] Verse 74. So [ i. by that meanes when they shall beholde and sée that,] they that feare [ vz. with the reuerent feare of thy sonnes, from which as from the cause procéedeth this true effect, of the right worshipping and seruing of thée] séeing mee [ vz. thus instructed, and taught by thee, in the knowledge of thy lawe] shall reioyce [ vz. for [Page 443] the graces, that I haue receiued from thee] because I haue trusted [ vz. sted­fastly and with patience] in thy woorde [ vz. generally, but specially in thy promises.] Verse 75. I knowe O Lorde [ vz. not onely by the trueth of thy 75 woorde, but also by mine owne particular experience and practise] that thy iudgments [ i. all thy iudgments whatsoeuer, but specially these punishments whereby thou doest prouoke men to repentance] are right [ i. are ministred in all equity and right, so that no man can charge thée of iniustice] and that thou hast afflicted mee [ i. corrected and chastened mee, as verse 67.71. of this Psalme] iustly [ i. being mooued thereto by very good right and cause.] Ver. 76 76. I pray thée [ vz. humbly and heartily] that thy mercy [ i. thy singular and vnspeakeable goodnesse] may comfort mee [ vz. alwayes, and namely when I am in any sorrowe and distresse] according to thy promise [ vz. made and giuen, that is according to the promise that thou hast made] vnto thy seruant [ i. to mée thy seruaunt, for hee speaketh of himselfe here in the thirde person, as sundry tymes before in this Psalme.] Verse 77. Let thy tender mercyes 77 [ vz. which thou was wont to shewe heretofore, to thy afflicted seruauntes] come vnto mée [ vz. also: that is, let mee bée partaker of thy excéeding loue in trueth and féeling, as they haue béene] that I may liue [ vz. here vppon earth among men, and set foorth thy prayse: Sée verse 17. of this Psalme] and it is as much also, q.d. It is impossible that I shoulde liue, till such time as I féele my selfe reconciled to thée through thy mercy] for thy lawe [ i. study practise and knowledge of thy woorde] is my delight [ i. all my whole delight, for the Prophet vseth here a worde of the plurall number, delights.] Ver. 78. Let the proude bee ashamed [ vz. euen before thee, and before men, 78 what hee meaneth by proude persons sée before, verse 51.69.] for they haue dealt wickedly [ i. vniustly and cruelly against mee] and falsely [ vz. also with mee, meaning that they had both by force and fraude, as lying, hy­pocrisie, &c. sought his ouerthrowe] but I meditate [ vz. earnestly and conti­nually for all that] of thy precepts [ i. of thy lawe and word, and of the things 79 conteyned therein.] Verse 79. Let such as feare thée [ i. loue and serue thee with an vnfeigned heart] turne vnto mée [ i. ioyne themselues to mee agayne in familiaritie, after that through thy iudgements, thou shalt haue declared and made knowne vnto them, the goodnesse of my cause. Sée Iob. 6.29. q.d. as the good haue, for a tyme, through the insolency and pryde of myne enemies béene beaten backe, so let them nowe take courage agayne, when they shall sée mée restored and lifted vp] and they that knowe thy testimonies 80 [ vz. to doe them.] Verse 80. Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes [ i. let me haue a sound affection towardes thy word and obedience of it, and let mee bée frée, in these things that I doe, of all hypocrisie, and dissimulation] that I bee not ashamed [ i. made ashamed and that before men, which should in deede be­tyde me, if I should depart from thy statutes: sée ver. 31. of this Psalme, also Psalm. 44. almost throughout, specially towards the end.

Do. Ver. 73. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly, for light and vnderstanding out of Gods word. Ver. 74. Teacheth vs that Gods mercies bestowed vppon some of his children, should bée an occasion of comfort and ioy to the rest. Ver. 75. Tea­cheth vs fréely to confesse, that whatsoeuer God doeth, he doth it vprightly be­cause there is no vnrighteousnes with him. Ver. 76. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy and goodnes rightly 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, 1 for helpe and deliuery, first, because of the miserable estate, wherein hee 2 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 82 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 83 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.] [Page 445] Verse 84. Howe many are the dayes [ vz. of affliction and trouble] of thy 84 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. 85 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 86 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 87 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 88 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 [Page 446] 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 1 and truth of Gods word, first by the very works of creation. ver. 89.90.91. 2 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, that wee should not séeke for, the assurednes of gods word, in the estate of earthly things which are subiect to many changes, but in heauen [ i. in God himselfe who is not subiect to any alteration, but methinketh the other is the more playne 90 sense.] Ver. 90. Thy trueth [ i. the trueth of thy woorde, but specially that part of thy woord which conteineth promises] is [ i. lasteth] from generation to ge­neration [ i. perpetually and for euer, so that al ages haue and shall confesse the same, by their owne experience to be true] thou hast laid [ vz. in the beginning, or afore time, as Psalme. 102.25.] the foundation of the earth [hee meaneth that God had strongly made the earth, so that it could not bee moued, euen as though it were set vpon a most sure foundation] and it abideth [ vz. in that e­state and condition, wherein thou hast placed it. Immanuel readeth the latter part of the verse thus] when thou [ vz. O Lord] diddest establish [ i. make and create, and that also to continue the same time that thou haddest set it] y e earth [ i. the world and al things therin conteined] it was [ i. thy truth and word was then. q.d. thy stedfastnes in kéeping thy promises shal continue throughout all generations, as the earth indureth, which thou established by thy word onely.] 91 Ver. 91. They [ i. the world and all things therein conteined] continue [ vz. safe, sound, and sure] euen vnto this day [ vz. wherein we liue, and so shall doe vnto the worldes end] by thine ordinances [ i. by thy word and appointment: q.d. as all thinges were created by thy worde, so by the same worde they subsist, and are preserued in their estate, and continually multiplied vppon the earth, for mans vse] for all [ vz. thy creatures] are thy seruants [ i. serue thee, and at thy 92 commandements do thy will, euen as seruants obey their masters.] Ver. 92. Except thy lawe [ i. thy word: he putteth a part of Gods word which consisteth of commandements for the whole] had béen my delight [ i. had béene a continu­al delight and comfort vnto me, which I take he meaneth by vsing the word in [Page 447] the plurall number, though it bee not so here turned: vnderstanding likewise thereby, that it was his whole delight also in this life.] I should now haue pe­rished in mine affliction [ i. it could not haue béen auoyded, but both long agoe, and euen at this present, I should haue sunke downe and dispaired vnder my miseries.] Ver. 93. I [ vz. thy poore seruaunt] will neuer forget [ vz. through 93 thine assistance and grace, for otherwise it is a very easie matter for flesh and blood to forget them] thy precepts [ i. thy word: a part for the whole] for by thē [ i. by the ministery and light of that thy holy word] thou hast quickned mee [ i. brought me out of darknes into light, and out of death into life.] Verse 94. I 94 am thine [ i. I belong vnto thée, through thy goodnes, euen as thy sonne & ser­uant] saue me [ i. deliuer me therfore, from the dangers and distresses, wherin I am, or else am likely to fall] for I haue sought [ vz. with a good and an vp­right heart] thy precepts [ i. thy worde as before. ver. 93. meaning by séeking, an earnest study and affection which hee had, not onely to knowe, but also to per­forme the will and word of God.] Ver. 95. The wicked [ i. the vngodly and 95 mighty men of the world] haue waited [ vz. very narrowly and subtilly] for me [ i. for my life and wayes] to destroy mee [ vz. if they coulde finde any manner of euill by mée] but I will consider [ vz. with care and conscience, and atten­tion of heart] thy testimonies [ i. thy worde, hee meaneth that hee woulde not be turned backe from the study and meditation of Gods lawe, for any thing the wicked could do against him.] Verse. 96. I [ vz. my selfe] haue séene [ vz. 96 both with my outwarde eyes, and the eyes of my fayth and mynde] an end of all perfection [ i. that there was nothing coulde bee so perfect in this lyfe, but it had or shoulde haue an ende] but thy commaundement [ i. thy worde] is ex­céeding large [ i. so large, as neither I, nor any other, can beholde, no not with the eyes of our vnderstanding, an ende thereof, because it shall continue and indure for euer and euer: and this serueth wonderfully for the commendation of the word.]

Ver. 89.90. Declare for the comfort of our consciences, Do. the certaintie and as­surednes of Gods word. Ver. 91. Teacheth vs that it is Gods word only which heretofore created, and at this present vpholdeth all things. Ver. 92. Teacheth vs that we should take singular delight and pleasure in Gods word, Secondly that it alone is it, that can comfort vs and kéepe vs from perishing in distresse. Ver. 93. Teacheth vs to haue continuall meditation and study in Gods lawe. Ver. 94. Teacheth vs to ground our prayer vpon Gods fauor towards vs and his election of vs. Ver. 95. Sheweth that the wicked leaue no stone vnrolled to hurt, and to doe mischiefe to the faithfull and godly people: also it teacheth vs that no violence, should turne vs backe from the care and study of gods word. Ver. 96. Teacheth vs that when all other things shal come to an end, yet Gods word shal abide most firme and sure.

Mem.

Di. 1 THis is the xiii. part of the Psalm, wherin the prophet sheweth, first what 2 great delight and pleasure he had in Gods word. ver. 97.103. Secondly 3 what profit he receiued by gods word. ver. 98.99.100.104. thirdly howe he con­formed himselfe in obedience to the same. ver. 101.102.

Se. Ver. 97. Oh, how loue I thy lawe [ i. how much do I estéeme of it: & that ex­clamation, sheweth that his affection was more then he could wel expresse, mea­ning that he had so great a loue to gods word, which hee vnderstandeth by the terme law, that all his senses were, as a man would say, seased therwith, & the gate shut against the corruptions of his owne nature] it is my meditatiō con­tinually [ q.d. I do not speake almost or thinke of any thing else, at any time.] 98 Ver. 98. By thy cōmandements [ i. by the light and knowledge, which thou hast giuen me out of thy word] thou had made me wiser [ vz. by many degrées, and that in al my actions and affaires] then mine enemies [ i. then those which hate me, & wish me euil] for they [ i. thy cōmandements & wordes] are euer with me 99 [ i. I haue them alwaies in my thought and vnderstanding, meaning that hee did thinke & meditate of them continually.] Ver. 99. I haue had [ vz. through thy goodnes, & the light of thy word bestowed vppon mee] more vnderstanding [ vz. in truth & godlines] then al my teachers [ i. then al they that taught me, & this the Prophet speaketh not as boasting of it in him-selfe, but to sette foorth gods gret liberality, & to cōmend the excellency of y e word] for thy testimonies are my meditation [ i. I do carefully & continually think vpon thy word.] Ver. 100 100. I vnderstoode [ vz. by the light of thy 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 y e 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 101 his teachers in iudgment.] Ver. 101. I haue refrained [ vz. through y e 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, y t I might testifie my obedi­ence to thy law, & therfore I did take diligent héede to my selfe, that I did not 102 walk in y e 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 y e world] for thou [Page 449] 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 103 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 104 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 y t 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. 1 Secondly he declareth what a great care and loue he had to kéepe Gods 2 Lawe. Verse 106, 109, 110, 112. Thyrdly he prayeth to the Lord not only to 3 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 [Page 450] 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 106 106. 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 107 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 108 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. 109 109. My soule [ i. my life: for otherwise the soule cannot bee touched: and it is put for life, because y t whatsoeuer life this life hath, it hath it from y e 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 which we haue in our hands, we haue them in readi­nes for any vse as it were] yet [ q.d. for all these dangers] doe I not forget [ vz. continually or vtterly] thy law [ i. thy word, putting a part of it for the whole.] 110 Ver. 110. The wicked [ vz. men of the world] haue laid [ vz. secretly and priuily] a snare for me [ vz. to catch me in it. He meaneth that the vngodly hath secret­ly conspired and practised his destruction] but [ vz. for all that] I swarued not [ vz. to the one side or to the other, meaning that neither the feare of his aduer­saries, nor fauour towards himselfe, had drawne him away from the obedience of God] from thy precepts [ i. from doing the things which thou commaundest 111 and requirest at my hands.] Ver. 111. Thy testimonies [ i. thy worde] haue I ta­ken [ i. estéemed & had in as great regard] as an heritage for euer [ i. as a perpe­tuall inheritance. He meaneth that he did more estéeme the doctrine of God, thē al possessions, though they had bin neuer so durable] for they are the ioy of my hart [ i. my hart (meaning by hart himself, putting the principall parte of him for the whole man) taketh ioy and delight in nothing else, so much as in them.] [Page 451] Verse 112. I haue applied mine hart [ i. I haue not only carried a purpose with 112 me, but I haue set my whole affection vpon this: and he speaketh not this, as a vayne bragge of his own vertue, but as a simple protestation of the vprighte affection of his own hart] to fulfil thy statutes [ i. to obserue and do the thinges which thou hast or dained in thy law to be performed] alway [ i. continually and for euer] euen vnto the end [ vz. of my life, meaning by that maner of spéech, all his life long, sée verse 33 of this Psalme.

Verse 105 teacheth vs that without the light of Gods word we cannot walke rightly. Ver. 106 teacheth vs to vse al the means we can, Do. yea euen to binde our selues with vowes and promises to obserue gods law. Ver. 107 teacheth vs, that Gods children in this world, are many times brought to a low case: & that we haue no liuelinesse in vs to good things, till God bestow it vpon vs. Ver. 108. teacheth vs that we can do nothing which can please God, except it please him in mercy to accept of the same. Ver. 109 teacheth vs that many are the afflicti­ons of the righteous, but yet that for their comforte, they shoulde continuallye thinke vpon Gods word. Verse 110 setteth out the malicious mindes of y e vn­godly agaynst the good, also it teacheth vs for no persecution to go astray from God and his truth. Verse 111 teacheth vs in what price and estimation we should haue Gods word: it teacheth vs also that there is no true ioy to be found, but in that. Ver. 112 teacheth vs to carry with vs a continuall care and conscience, to walke in the obedience of Gods law.

Samech.

IN this xv. part, the Prophet specially propoundeth thrée things: Di. in the firste he setteth out his loue to Gods worde, and his hatred of all wickednesse and 1 wicked men. Verse 113.114.115. In the second he maketh his prayers vnto god 2 for strength and continuance in goodnes and truth. Ver. 116, 117. In the thirde, 3 he expresseth Gods feareful iudgements agaynst the vngodly, and what profite the godly reape thereby. Ver. 118.119, 120.

Verse 113 I hate [ vz. with an vnfeined hatred, as Psalm 139, 22. Se. meaning by this earnest spéech, the great dislike he had] vayne inuentions [ i. all the de­uises of any mans hart or head whatsoeuer. The hebrew worde, whiche hee vseth in this place, properly signifieth boughes or braunches, and by a Meta­phor, are put here for inuentions, deuises or thoughts, whiche comming from the harte, as it were from the trunke or body of a Trée, spread themselues hi­ther and thither: and that causeth Immanuel to turne it thoughts. Whatsoe­uer it be, he meaneth doubtles, the crooked inuentions & deuises of mans hart] but thy law [ i. thy word: sée ver. 109 of this Psalm] doe I loue [ vz. vnfeigned­ly, 114 and with a good hart.] Ver. 114. Thou [ vz. alone, & no other but thou alone] art my refuge [ i. the place that I flie vnto in distresse, meaning that God was he alone, vnder whose protection and sauegard, he did withdraw himselfe, sée Psalme 18.2.] and shield [ vz. to defend me from deadly darts and daungers: [Page 452] sée agayne Psalme 18, 2, where you shall finde both these wordes expounded, and Psalme 3, verse 3.] and I trust [ vz. stedfastly and patiently] in thy worde [ i. in the promises that thou hast made in thy word: he meaneth that hee did as­suredly beléeue, that Gods promises made in his word, should bee performed, and though they were delayed for a while, yet he woulde patiently tarrye the 115 accomplishment thereof.] Ver. 115. Away from me ye wicked [ q.d. Departe from me, for ye labour in vayne to draw me to commit wickednesse with you: sée this spéech expounded Psalme 6.8.] for I will kéepe [ i. I haue a purpose to kéepe, and thorow the strength and assistaunce of my God, will performe it] the commaundements of my God [ i. those things which my God hath commaun­ded, and will at no hand doe these wickednesses, which ye prouoke me vnto.] 116 Ver. 116. Stablish me [ i. confirme and strengthen me in thy truth, and in al good­nesse] according to thy promise [ vz. made vnto me in thy word] that I maye liue [ vz. euen here in this life, before men to thy glory] and disappointe me not of my hope [ i. of the things that I hope for. He maketh this prayer, not as though God did at any time fayle his children, but to the end he himself might more and more féele his fayth strengthened in the truth of the word.] Ver. 117 117 Stay thou me [ vz. from faynting, sliding or falling] and I shall be safe [ vz. from daungers and distresses: meaning that vnlesse God kept him, he coulde not stand one minute of an houre] and I wil delight continually in thy statutes [ vz. not only to know them, but also to doe them, sée verse 112.] Ver. 118. Thou hast troden down [ vz. vnder thy féete, euen as a mighty King or conqueror, sée for this phrase Psalm. 110.1.] al them [ vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be] that depart from thy statutes [ i. that swerue and go astray from the things that thou hast appointed them to walke in] for their deceit [ i. the mischieuous practises, which deceitfully they haue deuised against others] is vayne [ i. is 119 voyde, and to no purpose, vnlesse it be to their owne hurt. Verse 119. Thou hast taken away [ vz. from amongst thy children, and that in thy heauie iudgement] al the wicked of the earth [ i. all the vngodlye inhabiting the earth, of what state or condition soeuer they were: sée verse 118 for this word, all,] like drosse [ i. as a thing or matter of no account: for indéede the wicked are not regarded before God, neither are they to be estéemed of his children: sée, the wicked com­pared to drosse, Isaiah 1, 25. and though I know others to interprete it other­wise, yet I approue this sence] therefore [ i. because thou defendest thine, as verse 114. and art a iust iudge against the wicked, as ver. 118, 119.] I loue [sée ver. 113] thy testimonies [ i. thy word which is called a testimony, or testimonies, be­cause 120 God therein testifyeth vnto vs his will] Ver. 120. My flesh [ i. my whole man, putting one part for the whole] trembleth [ vz. excéedingly, and verye much] for feare of thée [ vz. who art such a iust iudge against the wicked and vngodly, and I know gréeuous faults and offences by my selfe. He speaketh not this as though he were afrayde of Gods presence, as Adam was Gen. 3, 10. for hee greatlye desireth that but by reason of his owne wretchednesse and weakenesse, least either he had or might prouoke him to iudgement agaynste [Page 453] him, which also may appeare by that that followeth in this verse] and I am a­frayd of thy iudgemēts [ vz. poured forth vpon the wicked, meaning by iudge­ments punishments.

Verse 113 teacheth vs to hate all maner of euill, and to loue all good thinges, Do. and the meanes whereby we may be drawne to them. Ver. 114 teacheth vs, that God is a mighty defence for those that are his: also that Gods worde is the ground of our hope. Verse 115 teacheth vs to shake of the society and companye of wicked men, who would draw vs away from the obedience of our God. Ver. 116 teacheth vs that Gods promises is the grounde of our hope and prayers. Verse 117 teacheth vs that vnlesse God vphold vs, we shall slyde and fal. Ver. 118 teacheth vs first, that the wicked for all their might and subtiltie, are not a­ble to resist God: secondly that their wicked imaginations shall tend to their owne hurt. Verse 119 teacheth vs that Gods iudgementes exercised vpon the wicked, and his mercy towards his children should make vs the more to loue him and his word. Verse 120 teacheth vs alwayes to haue a reuerence of Gods iudgements, specially when we sée them threatned or executed.

Ain.

IN this xvi. part, which specially standeth of prayer, Di. the Prophet first desi­reth to bee deliuered from the wicked and their mischieuous practises. 1 Verse 121, 122. Secondly he prayeth for patience, féeling of Gods mercy, know­ledge 2 and vnderstanding of Gods lawe, and a spéedye redresse of thinges amisse. Verse 123, 124, 125, 126. Thirdlye, that hée mighte the better mooue 3 God thereto, he setteth out the mischéeuous rage of the wicked, Gods accusto­med goodnesse, and his own loue and obedience to God, and his word, ver. 126 127, 128.

Verse 121. Se. I haue executed iudgement and iustice [ i. I haue giuen my self o­uer to doe vpright and good thinges: and I haue not only abstayned from all iniury and wrong doing to them that persecute me, but I haue done them also good] leaue me not to mine oppressors [ i. to them that would oppresse mee, and doe with me what they pleased, neyther doth he here alleage his good doing as a cause why God should graunt him his request, but as a testimony to his own conscience that the Lord would not doe it] answere [ vz. to mine enemies] for thy seruaunt [ i. for me thy seruaunt. He speaketh of himselfe in the third per­son] in that which is good [ i. in his good and vpright causes. I suppose y e Pro­phet alludeth here to the custome of earthly Princes courts: q.d. Appeare for the defence of my good cause, and pleade it, and set thy selfe against mine ene­mies in my iust defence] and let not the proude oppresse me [ vz. at their plea­sure: for this word, proude, sée before verse 78, and 85.] Verse 123. Mine eyes 123 haue fayled [ vz. euen of their sight, in so much that they haue bene dazeled, and dimmed, and were not able to behold any thing: and this hee speaketh, not of bodily eyes only, but euen of the eyes of his fayth and perswasion [sée before [Page 454] Verse 82] in wayting [ vz. a very long time, yet in care and patience] for thy saluation [ i. for deliueraunce from thée, out of all my distresses. So we haue had the word saluation vsed sundry times before, and namely Psalme 3, verse 8.] and for thy iust promise [ i. for the performaunce of thy promise, whiche 124 thou hast iustly made, and wilte iustlye kéepe.] Verse 124. Deale with thy seruaunt [ vz. in this his distresse and miserye, and here he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person, as before 122] according to thy mercy [ vz. manifested to him and other thy children] and teache mée [ vz. that am blinde and igno­raunt] 125 thy statutes [sée before verse 12.26.33.] Verse 125. I am thy seruaunt [ vz. thorow thy goodnesse I am aduaunced to this honour, for hée boasteth not here of his dignitye, but setteth out the grace which he had receaued from God, to moue him to finish that which he had begun] graunt mee therefore vn­derstanding [ vz. to guide my selfe so as thou mayst be glorifyed, I my selfe comforted, and others builded vp] that I may know thy testimonies [ vz. to do and practise the same, for otherwise the knowledge of thē is to little purpose.] 126 Verse 126. It is time [he speaketh not this, as though he prescribed God a sea­son, but the rather to set out the abundance of wickednesse which did ouerflow the world: q.d. If the Lord did not in time cut off sin and wicked men, all would be as it were infected therewith] for the Lord to work [ i. to declare by his work that he wil take punishment vpon the transgressors of his law] for they haue destroyed [ i. the wicked men by their lewdnes and euil conuersation, haue done what they could to ouerthrow thy word, not that they are able to do it: q.d. they are become so bold and fierce, that they doe not only séeke my destruction, but set themselues agaynst God and his word] thy law [ i. thy word, as before verse 127 113, and 109.] Verse 127. Therefore [ i. because I am sure that the wicked shall not escape vnpunished. It may also be taken for a reason why Dauid desyred to be instructed in the Law, because of the excellency thereof] loue I [ vz. wil­lingly and vnfeignedly, sée verse 113] thy commaundements [ i. thy word: a part for the whole] aboue gold [ i. more then gold] yea aboue most fyne gold [ i. aboue all things in the world, though for their excellency and beauty they be neuer 128 so much desired.] Verse 128. Therefore [ vz. also, euen because thy iudgements are poured forth vpō the wicked, which also thou hast manifested by thy word] I estéeme [ vz. I doe not only reuerence, but also iudge and take] all thy pre­cepts [ i. al the things which thou hast commaunded in thy law] most iust [ i. to be, or that they are most iust and righteous] and hate [sée before ver. 113] al false ways [ vz. how glorious soeuer they be in mans eyes, or whosoeuer forged and deuised the same.

Do. Verse 121 teacheth vs that it is a hard thing to fall into mens handes. Verse 122 teacheth vs to beséech the Lord to pleade our causes, when the ordinarye course of a iust defence is stopped against vs. Verse 123 teacheth vs ne­uer to leaue off hanging vppon the Lorde, though the Lorde a long while deferre his ayde. Verse 124 teacheth vs in all our supplications, and pray­ers to flie to Gods mercy. Verse 125 teacheth vs, that till GOD giue vs [Page 455] vnderstanding, we are vtterly blind. Verse 126 teacheth vs that the heaping vp of wickednesse, will doubtlesse procure the Lorde to come with swifte and sharpe iudgement. Verse 127 teacheth vs to preferre Gods worde before all pleasures and profites of this life whatsoeuer. Verse 128 teacheth vs vn­faignedlye and from the bottome of our hartes, to abhorre all subtill and de­ceitfull wayes.

Pe.

THe Prophet in this seuentéenth part, Di. painteth out both y e excellency of gods law, and his great desire & loue to the same, ver. 129, 130, 131. Secondlye, hée 1 prayeth the Lord to be mercifull vnto him, to order his conuersation, to saue 2 him from the wicked, & to instruct him in his law, ver. 132, 133, 134, 135. Thirdlye 3 he expresseth how much he was gréeued, when he saw the law of his God trās­gressed and broken, ver. 136.

Verse 129. Thy Testimonies [ i. thy law and word, sée verse 111, Se. & 125] are wonderfull [ i. comprehend wonderfull things, because it containeth misteries which are high and hidden from mens reason and vnderstanding: and here­by he was moued to reuerence & estéeme Gods word] therefore [ i. because they are so excellent] doth my soule [ i. I my selfe both in the outward and inwarde man] kéep them [ i. striue and labour to kéepe thē, and thorow thy goodnes many times performe them.] Ver. 130. The enterance into thy word [ i. the beginning 130 to be acquainted and familiar with it: q.d. the word of God is so cleare, that e­uen at the first sight of it, it lighteneth mens eyes. The hebrew word, which is here turned entraunce, signifieth dore, gate, or opening: q.d. Euen the verye first rudiments or instruments of thy word, sheweth light [ vz. to such as resort and repayre to it: he meaneth that it lighteneth their mindes and chaseth a­way the naturall darkenesse which is in them] & giueth vnderstanding [ i. abun­dance of vnderstanding and knowledge] to the simple [ i. to thē that be rude or ignoraunt: and specially to such as being voyde from presumption and pride doe willingly submit themselues to GOD, that they maye bée instructed in and by his worde. Verse 131. I opened my mouth [ i. I very earnest­lye 131 desired, as they doe, that eyther are hungrye, or thirstye verye muche, whiche they declare by opening their mouth, or gaping, euen as though they woulde swallowe vp the ayre] and panted [ vz. for an earnest desire which I had: sée Psalme 42, 12. I take these same to bée metaphors borrowed from thirstye and wearie wayfaring men, q. d. I doe so earnestlye hunger and thyrste after thy lawe, as the hungrye and thirstye doe after mea [...]e and drinke, yea I doe by all the meanes I can striue to attayne it] because I loued [ vz. earnestlye and vnfeignedlye, sée Verse 113.127] thy commaunde­mentes 132 [ i. thy whole word, a part for the whole.] Verse 132. Looke vppon mée [ vz. continuallye and at all times, speciallye in the dayes of myne affliction] and bée mercifull vnto mee [though there be nothing in me to mooue [Page 456] thée vnto it] as thou vsest to doe vnto those [ i. euen as thou arte accustomed to shew mercy and loue to such] that loue thy name [ i. that loue thée, and that vn­feignedly and from a good hart. The name of God, put for God himselfe, as 133 may appeare by Rom. 8. [...]8. where this phrase, loue God, is vsed.] Verse 133. Direct my steppes [ i. order my conuersation and course of life, some turne it thus, direct my feete, but the sence commeth all to one] in thy worde [ i. accor­ding to that truth which thou hast sanctifyed and set forth in thy word: and in that he prayeth God to direct him, he sheweth what great weakenesse is in mā by nature] and let no iniquitie [ i. sinne, either against thy maiestie, or men my brethren] haue dominion ouer me [ vz. to carry me from the wayes of thy cō ­maundements, for though we haue a will sometimes to doe good, yet euill is present, and sinne dwelleth, though it raigneth not in this our flesh, sée Rom. 7. 134 thorowout.] Verse 134. Deliuer me [ i. set me frée and that thorow thy good­nesse and mercy] from the oppression of men [ i. from men that would oppresse me and doe mee wrong: or else from the oppression and wrong whiche they purpose against me, sée verse 121 of this Psalme] and I wil kéepe thy precepts 135 [sée verse 115. of this Psalme.] Verse 135. Shew the light of thy countenaunce [ i. be mercifull and fauourable, you haue such a phrase before Psalme 67, 1.] vpon thy seruaunt [ i. vpon me thy seruaunt, or vnto me thy seruaunt, speaking of himselfe in the third person] and teach me thy statutes [sée verse 64, 68.] Verse 136. Mine eyes gush out with riuers of waters [ i. I wéepe and sheade a­bundance of teares, yea I am altogether in teares: q.d. I wéepe continuallye not only for mine own cause, but euen for the wicked mens sakes, whome I pi­tye, and specially for the law of God, which it gréeueth me to the harte, to bée violated and broken] because they [ i. the men of the worlde, and wicked ones] kept not thy law [ i. haue neither care nor conscience to kéepe it.

Do. Verse 129 Verse 129 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe vs to a loue liking and obedience thereof. Ver. 130 is an excellent place, to aunswere the Papistes, who accuse Gods word of darkenesse and hardnesse. Verse 131. teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thirst after the foode of our soules, whiche is the word of God. Verse 132 teacheth vs, that God vseth continually to shew mercy and loue to those that loue and feare him. Verse 134 teacheth vs, that the more God doth set vs frée from daunger, the greater care wee should haue to walke in obedience. Verse 135 teacheth vs, that Gods fauour is the Foun­taine of all goodnesse to his children: also that til he teach vs, we are but blind and ignoraunt. Verse 136 teacheth vs to be gréeued not only for our own sins, but for other mens transgressions also.

Tsaddi.

Di. 1 IN this part the Prophet speciallye propoundeth two thinges: the firste is a singular commendation of God and his law. Verse 137, 138, 140, 142, 2 and 144. The second is a description of his own misery, trouble, and gréefe, [Page 457] and this is put down in verse 130, 141, and 143.

Verse 137. Righteous art thou, O Lord [ vz. euen thou alone, Se. and none other but thou: q.d. if a man should séeke for righteousnesse without him, hee shall not find a drop thereof] and iust are thy iudgements [ vz. which thou exercisest to­wards men, meaning also by this spéech, that all of them, and euery one of them are iust.] Ver. 138. Thou hast commanded [and therefore good cause thou shoul­dest 138 be obeyed] iustice [ i. mutual performance of duties one of vs towards ano­ther: so is the word vsed Mica. 6, 8.] by thy testimonies [ i. by and in thy worde] and truth [ i. not only sound and sincere dealing, but doing of it, with an vpright affection] specially [for though a man do the thing and do it not with the same mind that God requireth, it is sinne to him. For in the obedience of Gods com­maundements we must carefully take héede that we tread in these thrée steps: to doe the same thing that he appointeth, and none other, to do it with y e same mind that he demaundeth it to be done, and to refer it to the same end.] Ver. 139. 139 My zeale [ i. the gréefe of my hart, as before ver. 136, and the anger which I did conceaue, hath euen consumed me [ i. almost wasted me & worn me away, so that there is little or no hope of my life: he meaneth not that he was thus cōsumed by reason of y e sorrow which he conceaued for priuate iniuries, but because the law of his God was trāsgressed] because mine enemies [who the particulars were, as whether it were Saul or others, it is not certain, but he speaketh of thē al generally] haue forgotten thy words [ i. wil not acknowledge it, but cōtem­tuously tread it vnder their féete.] Ver. 140. Thy word is proued most pure [ i. 140 is by experience of thy seruaunts found to be most excellent, as y e gold and sil­uer is best, which hath bin most fined: sée Psa. 12.6.] & thy seruant [ i. I, thy ser­uaunt, speaking still of himself in the third person: and that same worde, and, may wel be turned therefore] loueth it [sée ver. 97, 113, 127.] Ver. 141. I am smal 141 [ i. of small account and little estimation] and despised [ vz. of all men, specially of the great ones] yet [ q.d. for all that] I do not forget thy preceptes [ vz. but think vpon them both to know and do them, sée ver. 109.] Ver. 142. Thy righ­teousnesse 142 [ i. not only the righteousnesse which is in God, but that which God himself requireth of men in his word] is an euerlasting righteousnes [ vz. both because it indureth for euer, and bringeth the doers of it to eternal blessednes] and thy law [ i. thy word, as sundry times before verse 109] is truth [ i. not only true, but very truth it self: which is more significant, noting y t there is no truth without or beside that word.] Ver. 143. Trouble and anguish [ i. abundance and 143 great store of troubles: for so much I think the two words together import] are come vpon me [ i. haue seased and taken hold of me] yet [ q.d. for all my gréefes] are thy commandements my delight [ i. thy word doth not only delight and pleasure me, but much comfort me.] Ver. 144. The righteousnesse of thy 144 testimonies [ i. that righteousnesse which thou prescribest in thy word] is euer­lasting [ i. indureth and abideth for euer, as before verse 142.] graunt mée vn­derstanding [ vz. thereof] and I shall liue [ vz. a blessed, certayne, and assu­red life: hereby he sheweth, that to speake properlye, men liue not when they [Page 458] are destituted of the light of God and heauenly wisedome: and therefore that note in the Geneua Bible is good for the doctrin, that the life of a man without the knowledge of God is nothing else but death.

Do. Verse 137 teacheth vs alwaies to confesse Gods iudgemēts to be righteous, though perhaps it appear not so to our own reasō. Ver. 138 setteth out before vs the excellency of Gods word by the things which it commandeth. Ver. 139 tea­cheth vs to be greatly gréeued when other men transgresse gods law. Ver. 140 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe from it, loue, and liking of it on our parts. Ver. 141 teacheth vs that no aduersity should cause vs to forget God and his truth. Verse 142 teacheth vs that Gods word is the on­ly rule of righteousnesse and truth: so that whatsoeuer is not according to it, is to be condemned for falshood. Ver. 143 teacheth vs that only Gods word can delight and comfort vs in the dayes of our trouble and anguish. Ver. 144 tea­cheth vs that howsoeuer men liue in this life, yet they liue not in déede the life of God, without the knowledge of his maiesty by his word.

Koph.

Di. THis xix part standeth especially of prayer, wherein the Prophet first pro­miseth 1 obedience, and propoundeth his earnest desire and patience, verse 2 145, 146, 147, 148, as arguments to moue the Lord to graunt his request. Se­condly he vseth reasons for that purpose, taken firste from the person of God, who is most merciful, ver. 149, ready to helpe, ver. 151. and most constant in his word, verse 152. Secondly from the person of his aduersaries, who pressed vp­on him to doe him mischiefe, ver. 150. Thirdly from the experience whiche hée himself had had of Gods goodnesse, ver. 152.

Se. Ver. 145. I haue cried [ i. earnestly, and vehementlye prayed vnto the Lorde, for that word, crying, declareth that he directed all the affections of his harte to GOD alone, and that with vehemency and ardencye] with my whole harte [ q.d. My mouth hath not onely bene nigh thée, but euen my very harte, and all the powers and partes thereof, haue consented to the good thinges, which I vttered with my wordes] heare me O Lord [ i. graunt me my requests and pe­titions, for otherwise it is not to be doubted, but that the Prophet knew that the Lord heard him] and I will kéepe thy statutes [sée verse 115, and 134 of this 146 Psal.] Ver. 146. I called vpon thée [ vz. heretofore, speciallye when I was in trouble, as Psal. 120, 1, and thou heardest me, Psal. 3, 4. q.d. I hope thou wilt doe so now] saue me [ i. deliuer me from daungers and distresses] and I will kéepe thy testimonies] this is the very same, but yet in other wordes, which hée 147 spake before verse 145.] Ver. 147. I preuented [ vz. with my prayers] the mor­ning light [ i. the dawning of the day, or the light whiche commeth before the morning] and cried [ i. prayed earnestly vnto thée. The Prophet meaneth that he vsed to pray vnto the Lord, euen before the day dawning, sée before verse 55, 62] for I wayted on thy word [ i. I stedfastly stayed my hope vpon thy promise, [Page 459] and did patiently abide the performaunce thereof.] Verse 148. Mine eyes pre­uent 148 the night watches [ i. I my selfe am more attentiue to meditate, & thinke vpon thy law, than the night watches to kéepe their watche and ward. Or else thus: Euen before the night watches beginne to sette their watche, doe I be­ginne to medytate on thy word: and as they continue in the same, so doe I. For the better vnderstanding of this place, sée Psalme 1, 2. also Psalme 130, 5, 6.] Verse 149. Heare my voyce [ i. graunt the prayer which from my hart I vtter 149 with my voyce] according to thy louing kindnesse [ vz. shewed heretofore to o­thers of thy Seruantes and to me, as verse 132, specially when they call vpon thée] O Lorde quicken me [ vz. in the knowledge and obedience of thy truth, and he testifyeth by this worde so often vsed in this Psalme, that euen in the middest of life we are dead, vnlesse we be quickened and vpholden by the power of God] according to thy iudgement [ vz. pronounced in thy word: or we may take iudgement to be put for the word it selfe, which declareth vnto vs Gods goodnesse, he alludeth no doubt to the office of an earthly iudge, whose duty cō ­sisteth in these ij. points, to absolue and lose some, and to pronounce the sentēce of condēnation vpon other some: in which sence also we say in y e cōmon cōfessi­on of our fayth, y t Christ our sauiour shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead.] Ver. 150. They draw neare [ vz. to me, euen to persecute, hurte, 150 and destroy me] that follow after malice [ i. that pursue the mischieuous, and wicked attempts, which they themselues in their own malice had maliciouslye and wickedly deuised against me] and are far from thy law [ i. they care not ei­ther for the sight, hearing or knowledge of it: thus he giueth two properties to know the wicked by: the first is that they are malicious: the second which indéed is the welspring of al mischiefe, they despise Gods law.] Ver. 151. Thou arte 151 neare O Lord [ vz. to al thine, euen to aid & succour them in their distresses] for al thy commaundements are true [that word, for, would better be turned, and: and he meaneth that not only the words, wherwith gods commandements are expressed, but euen the very things commanded therein, are iust, true & holy.] Verse 152. I [ vz. my selfe] haue knowne [ vz. euen by mine own practise and ex­perience] 152 long time [ i. not only of late, but sundry times heretofore, whiche I will neuer forget] by thy testimonies [ i. by thy word] that thou hast established them for euer [ i. that thou hast ordained that it should abide firm and stable, for euer and euer, sée ver. 89 of this Psalm, and verse 144.]

Verse 145 teacheth vs, that in all our supplications & praiers to y e Lord, Do. our hart and our words should concur & consent together. Verse 146 teacheth vs that the former experience of Gods goodnesse in hearing our praiers, shoulde imbolden vs both to pray, and to hope to receaue the like. Verse 147 teacheth vs, euen to breake our sléepes to giue our selues to prayer and calling vppon the name of GOD.] Verse 148 teacheth vs to be continually diligente and carefull, in the meditation and studye of Gods worde. Verse 149 teacheth vs, that Gods frée mercy is the first cause of the graunting of al our requests. Ver. 150 doth liuely paynt out the nature and disposition of the wicked and vngodly. [Page 460] Verse 151 teacheth vs, that the Lord is neuer absent from those that loue and feare him. Verse 152 teacheth vs, that to know the assurednesse of Gods worde, and to haue felt by proofe the certainty thereof, are two notable proppes of our fayth and hope.

Resch.

Di. IN this part, as in the former, the Prophet continueth his prayers to al­mighty God, vsing certaine arguments to induce the Lord to graunt him 1 his requests: as first, his own misery, affliction and gréefe, verse 153, 154, 158. se­condlye, 2 the desperate estate of the wicked, and the greate heape of his ene­mies, 3 155, 157. Thirdlye the great loue, mercy and truth of the Lord, verse 156, 159, 160.

Se. Verse 153. Behold mine affliction [ i. how great the affliction is, which I pre­sently indure: not that the Prophet thought the Lord did not beholde it, but because he would haue him by effect to declare, that he did regard and consider it] and deliuer me [ vz. out of the same] for I haue not forgotten [ vz. as the wicked men doe, verse 139, but I haue thought vpon it to doe it] thy lawe [ i. 154 thy worde as sundrye times before.] Ver. 154. Pleade my cause [ vz. against mine aduersaries, that would oppresse me, sée Psalme 35. verse 1. and verse 122 of this Psalme. It is as much as if he should desire the Lord to defende him and his case] and deliuer mée [ vz. from them that would oppresse me: as ver. 134, sée also for this phrase, ver. 153.] quickē me according vnto thy word 155 [sée verse 25 of this Psal.] Verse 155. Saluation [ i. helpe and deliueraunce out of daunger, as Psalm 3, 8,] is farre from the wicked [ i. they shall haue no parte or portion of it: and this he speaketh specially of his aduersaries, who defen­ded an vniust cause against him] because they séeke not [ vz. vnfeignedlye and from a good harte] thy statutes [ i. thy worde, and that to know and to do them] 156 Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercyes O Lord [ vz. towards thy sonnes and seruaunts. Sée Psalme 86, 5, 13, 15.] quicken me according to thy iudgements 157 [sée verse 149 of this Psalme.] Verse 157. My persecutors and mine oppres­sors [ i. those that persecute and oppresse me] are manye [ vz. in number and great in power] yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies [ q.d. for all that, I leaue not the loue and obedience of thy truth, sée verse 110. of this Psalm.] 158 Ver. 158. I saw [ vz. euen with mine eyes, meaning that he did certainly know, the naughtinesse of the wicked men] the transgressors [ vz. of thy law: for sinne is the transgression and breache of Gods lawe, 1. Iohn 3, 4,] and was grée­ued [ vz. with them, and at them, for their sinnes sake: sée before verse 53, 136, 139.] because they kepte not thy worde [ i. because they had no care eyther to 159 know it or doe it. Sée verse 136.] Verse 159. Consider, O Lorde [the Prophet speaketh this, not as though he doubted whether god knew it, yea or no, but to intreat y e Lord by effects to declare, y e care y t he had of him] how I loue thy pre­cepts [ i. how much I loue them, sée ver. 97, 113, 127, and sundry other places of [Page 461] this Psalm] quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse [this may stand vs 112 in stéed of an exposition of y t which was sayd before, 149, & 156, if that bée not plaine ynough: as that he should vnderstand by iudgements Gods promises and mercies, in which sence also the word is vsed in sundry places of scripture] Ver. 160. The beginning of thy word is truth [ i. thy worde hath bin true euen since the beginning] and al the iudgements of thy righteousnesse [ i. all thy iust 160 and righteous iudgements] indure for euer [the Prophets purpose is in this verse to note, that Gods word is most certain, faithful, stedfast and durable.

Ver. 153 teacheth vs, Do. that euen our very affections are good matters to moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon vs. Verse 154 teacheth vs, whether we haue mās ayd or no, yet we should continually hang vpon the Lord and pray vnto him for our iust defence euery maner of way. Ver. 155 teacheth vs, that a very cōtempt of Gods word, which the wicked vse, is a seale vnto Gods children, y t no parte or péece of Gods fauour belongeth vnto them. Ver. 156 doth notably set out y e aboūdant riches & infinit treasure of Gods eternal mercy. Ver. 157 teacheth vs that no persecution or oppression should cause vs to decline from God, or the obedience of his truth.] Ver. 158 teacheth vs to pittie and pray for other men in their fals and transgressions, and not to reioyce in them, as the world doth. Ver. 159 teacheth vs, that vnfaigned loue to Gods law is a meane to moue the Lord to shew mercy vpon vs. Ver. 160 teacheth vs, that it is no small comforte for Gods children to know, that Gods word shall neuer fayle.

Schin.

IN this xxi. part, the Prophet first setteth out mens malice towardes him, Di. and his vnfeigned loue to the law and word of God, ver. 161, 162, 163. Se­condly 1 he sheweth how he did delight in the exercises thereof, and carefully in­deuoured 2 the performaunce of the same. Ver. 164, 166, 167, 168. Thirdlye hée 3 sheweth what blessings shalbe not only vpon him, but vpō al those that loue and like the same, ver. 165.

Ver. 161 Princes [ i. great and mighty men of the earth] haue persecuted mée, Se. [ vz. being smal & despised, as ver. 141] without cause [ vz. giuen vnto them on my behalf] but mine hart [ i. I my selfe, putting a part for the whole man: and yet he doth not without cause mention the hart, because if there be not in it, rightly planted a true reuerence of God, all outward thinges are but hipocri­sie] stood in awe of thy words [ i. had a reuerent and childish feare, and cared not for Princes, hauing thy law on my side.] Verse 162. I reioyce at thy word [ i. I 162 take as much delight and pleasure in it, yea I loue it and estéeme it, as he sayd before ver. 127, 128.] as one that findeth [ vz. after an ouerthrow giuen, or a con­quest and victory gotten] a great spoyle [ i. a riche bootie and pray. He meaneth that he was as glad of Gods word, and found as muche pleasure in it, as hée that being a conqueror, did besides the honour of the triumph, inrich himselfe with the spoyle of his enemies.] Ver. 163. I hate [sée verse 113 of this Psalme.] 163 [Page 462] falshood [ i. lying, hipocrisie, & dissimulation, which is contrary to round walking and vprightnes] and abhorre it [ vz. from the bottome of my hart, so that I can not abide so much as to beholde it with mine eyes, sée Rom. 12.9] but thy law do 164 I loue [ vz. earnestly and vnfeignedly, sée verse 113 of this Psalme.] Verse 164. Seuen times a day [ i. very often in a day, and as it were continually, a num­ber certaine put for an vncertaine, which is an vsuall thing in the scriptures, see Leuit. 26, 18,] doe I praise thée [ vz. with my whole harte, whiche kinde of spéeche is often vsed in this Booke of Psalmes] because of thy righteous iudg­ments [ vz. practised and performed towards men, and declared in thy holye word: al this is as much: q.d. that he hath found in Gods law such great per­fection of righteousnesse and wisedome, that euen from time to time, hée hath as it were betaken himselfe to praise God, and to yéeld him continuall thanks] 165 Verse 165. They that loue [ vz. vnfeignedly and with a good harte] thy Lawe [ i. thy worde] shall haue great prosperitie [ i. shall haue abundance of blessings poured forth vpon them: the worde whiche is here turned prosperitye, is in the hebrew, peace, by which they vnderstand the abundaunce of all blessinges, speciallye outwarde blessing] and they shall haue none hurte [this doubling of one and the selfe same thing in contrarye woordes, is muche vsed in the Scriptures, as wee haue sundrye times noted heretofore, and serueth in this place, to shewe that they shalbe deliuered from al euill, and haue aboundante 166 of all good.] Verse 166. Lorde I haue trusted [ i. I haue both stedfastlye hoped for, and patiently wayted for] in thy saluation [ i. fréedome and deli­ueraunce from thée from all distresses: sée verse 155.] and haue done thy com­maundementes [ i. haue had thorow thy goodnesse not onlye care and consci­ence; but also strength and abilitye to performe the same.] Verse 167. My 167 soule [ i. I my selfe, a parte for the whole, and yet in vsing this worde he no­teth his vnfeignednesse in obseruing Gods lawe] hath kepte thy testimonies [ i. hath indeuoured to kéepe them, and thorowe thy strength hath sometimes performed them] for I loue them excéedinglye [sée for the truth of this, verse 97, 127, and 162 of this Psalme.] Verse 168. I haue kepte [ vz. vnfeignedlye and 168 from the bottome of my harte] thy precepts and thy testimonies [ i. thy worde: he vseth two words signifying one thing. For kéeping of his testimonies and precepts, sée verse 22 of this Psalm] for all my wayes are before thée [some ex­pound it thus: my whole life and conuersation is knowne to thée: putting this word, way, for order of life, as Psal. 1. ver. 1.6. some thus] all my wayes are be­fore thée [ i. thou séest, knowest, orderest, and carest for my whole life, this latter comprehendeth the former, which maketh God the Iudge and arbitrator of al his thoughts, and goeth somewhat further, that is to shew that God guideth him and all his actions.

Do. Verse 161 teacheth vs, first that it is no new thing, that great men bee the ene­mies of Gods people: secondly, that it is a comfort to Gods children, when they are persecuted without a cause: thirdlye, that howsoeuer men deale with vs, yet we must haue a continuall reuerence of God and his word in our harts. [Page 463] Verse 162 teacheth vs in what great regard and account we should haue Gods word. Ver. 163 teacheth vs to auoid al hipocrisie, and to striue to al roundnesse & soundnes of conuersatiō. Ver. 164 teacheth vs, to be continual in the praysing & thanking of God for his graces. Ver. 165 to prouoke vs the more earnestlye to loue Gods law, setteth before vs, not only the auoiding of all euill, but also the abundaunce of all good. Ver. 166 teacheth vs, both to hope for, and patientlye to looke for deliueraunce from God, out of all our daungers whatsoeuer, Ver. 167 teacheth vs, that where there is a sincere loue of Gods law planted in the hart, there wil be striuing and indeuoring to performe the same. Verse 168 tea­cheth vs that to know that God hath an eye ouer our conuersation, is a good mean to draw vs to the obedience and practise of his truth.

Tau.

THe Prophet in this last part, first maketh his prayer vnto God, Di. that his requests may be graunted, that he may be indued with knowledge, deliue­red 1 from daunger, and receaued to Gods fauour. Verse 169, 170, 173, 175, 176. Secondly he promiseth, after the graunting of his petitions, humble and vn­feigned 2 thanksgiuing to the Lord, protesting both his great patience, and the singular delight he had in Gods law, ver. 171, 172, 173, 174. and thus I thinke may this part be fitly diuided.

Verse 169. Se. Let my complaint [ i. the complaint & crie which I make vnto thée] come before thée O Lord [ i. appeare in thy sight: q.d. shew by effect y t thou hea­rest my complaint] and giue me vnderstanding [ vz. in thy law and worde] ac­cording to thy word [ i. according to thy promise made vnto me: sée verse 25 of this Psalm, where word is vsed for promise.] Ver. 170. Let my supplication 170 [ i. the prayer which I make] come before thée [ i. appeare in thy presence. It is the same in other words which he said before, ver. 169] and deliuer me [ vz. out of al my feares and distresses according to thy promise [ vz. made vnto me: q.d. deliuer me as thou hast promised] Ver. 171. My lips shal speake praise [ vz. to 171 thée. He putteth lips which are some of the instruments wherby the voice is fra­med for the rest of them. Meaning that he would not only with his hearte bée thankful to God, but that he would with his mouth and words expresse y e same, and that phrase of speaking praise doth shew that he wil do it plentifullye, and sing as it were with an open and full mouth] when thou hast taught mee [ vz. to know and vnderstand] thy statutes [ i. thy worde: q.d. before he had know­ledge thereof, he could not doe it, and so we learne that such as are ignoraunte of Gods doctrine, can not prayse and glorifie him.] Verse 172. My tongue [ i. 172 my mouth: one part of it put for the whole, and the whole mouth it selfe put for the wordes expressed thereby] shall intreat of thy word [ i. not onelye simplye speake and talke of it, but solemnly sing and set forth the prayses of it] for thy commaundementes are righteous [ i. the thinges that thou commaun­dest are most iust] Verse 173. Let thine hand help me [ i. let thy power preserue 163 [Page 464] and defend me from all mischiefs and inconueniences whatsoeuer: hand, put for power] for I haue chosen [ vz. before all other things whatsoeuer] thy pre­cepts 174 [ i. thy law and word.] Ver. 174. I haue longed [ i. I haue greatly and ear­nestly desired, euen as women with child lust after a thing, sée Psal. 84.2.] for thy saluation O Lord [ i. for helpe and deliueraunce from thée, as ver. 155, 166 of this Psalme] and thy law [ i. thy word, as sundry times before, a parte for the whole] is my delight [ i. is the chéefest thing wherein I take most delighte and 175 pleasure, sée verse 77.] Ver. 175. Let my soule liue [ i. graunt mee to liue long vpon the face of the earth: soule, put for the whole man, as ver. 167] and it shall praise thée [ vz. continually, and that for all thy mercies both bodily and spiritu­all] and thy iudgements [ i. the vengeaunce that thou shalt shewe vpon mine e­nemies] shall helpe me, not only because they shall be weakened & beaten down and so I by that means strengthened: but also, because I shal be holpē forward 176 thereby to the knowledge and obedience of thy truth] Ver. 176. I haue gone a­stray [ vz. from thée O Lord, wandering vp and downe hither and thither, in the vayne and wicked imaginations of mine own hart] like a lost shéepe [ i. like a shéepe that strayeth and stragleth farre, both from the flock and y e shéepeheard whereof there can be no other account made then as it were of one that were lost] séeke [ vz. euen as the sheepeheard doth the straying shéepe, sée Ezech. 34, 4, also Luke 15, 4.] thy seruaunt [ i. me thy seruaunt, for he speaketh of himselfe in the third person] for I doe not forget thy commaundements [ i. I heare thy voyce, euen as thine own shéepe, Iohn 10, 3, &c. these words are often times re­peated in this Psalm, as verse 61, 93, &c.

Do. Verse 169 teacheth vs to pray earnestly to the Lorde, for the vnderstanding, knowledge, and practise of his word. Ver. 170 teacheth vs in all our prayers to call to minde the gracious promises of GOD made vnto vs in his worde, as the chéefest grounde in déede of all our supplications. Verse 171 teacheth vs, that as we cannot prayse God till he haue giuen vs light, so when wee haue re­ceaued that light from him, wée should then speake continually to his prayse. Verse 172 teacheth both to speake of Gods worde continuallye, and also to la­bour to praise the same, according to the dignity and excellency thereof. Verse 173 teacheth vs, that vnlesse God helpe vs by his almightie power, wee can­not stand. Verse 174 teacheth vs, in patience to tarrye the time wherein the Lord will worke our deliueraunces. Verse 175 teacheth vs that the ende of our life in this life is to praise and glorifie God: also that the faithfull are furthe­red to Godward by his iudgemēts poured forth vpon the wicked. Ver. 176. tea­cheth vs first in all humblenes and simplicity to confesse our sinnes: secondlye with a stedfast faith to come vnto the Lord, that so we may be cured and holpen of our diseases.

Psalme 120.

THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into thrée partes: Di. In 1 the first the Prophet sheweth what experience hee had had of Gods mercy in hearing his prayers, whereuppon in assurance of the like grace, he calleth vpon the Lord, that he may be fréed from slaunderous tongues. Ver. 1.2. In the seconde he speaketh 2 to such, as vse deceitfull wordes, shewing that they themselues profite not thereby, and also doe much harme and hurt to others. Ver. 3.4. In the thirde part he grieuously lamenteth his owne case, in that he is inforced to 3 dwell with such wicked men, as nothing on his part, could make them quiet. Ver. 5.6.7.

The title: A song of degrées [Some, as the Geneua note, Se. take it to bee so called, because of the lifting vp of the tune, & the rising in singing: some thinke the worde degrées: to be vsed in the plurall number, for excellent because those places are excellent whereunto men assend by degrées: and that therefore it is as much: q.d. a most excellent song: and of this mind is Immanuel. Some take it to be ment thus, that this and the other xiiii. Psalmes following, are called songs or Psalmes of degrées, that is of staires or steppes: because they were sung vppon the staires or steppes of the Lords house, of which you may read, 2. Chro. 9.11. and I for mine owne part incline thereto, because there is mention made of the staires of the Leuites, that is of the staires whereuppon the Leuites were wont to stand. Nehem 9.4.] Ver. 1. I called [ i. I praied ear­nestly] 1 vnto the Lord [ vz. only, because he alone was able to helpe] in my trou­ble [ i. when I was greatly and much troubled with affliction] and hee hearde me [ i. he granted me my request. sée Psalm. 3.4.] Ver. 2. Deliuer my soule [ i. 2 me my selfe, as Psal. 119. ver. 167. and 175.] from lying lippes [ i. from the lying woordes of the wicked, and vngodly, who did continually accuse him before Saul, as Dauid himselfe sheweth, 1. Sam. 24.10. also 26.19. Sée for this pur­pose also, Psalm. 52. almost throughout] and from a deceitfull tongue [ i. from a tongue that vttereth deceit and craft: and in these wordes hee noteth particu­larly, the kind of affliction, that made him to cry vnto god.] Ver. 3. What doth 3 thy 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 4 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 [Page 466] 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 shalbe 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 [Page 467] 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 1 verses the Prophet sheweth that he wil hang vpon God alone, because he alone both can and wil helpe him. In y e second part, 2 hee setteth out the fatherly care, and singular prouidence of al­mighty God towards those that are his, ver. 3.4.5. In the third 3 part he declareth how they shalbe 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 y e 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. 2 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. 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 y e 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] [Page 468] 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 y e 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 shalbe exempted from all griefes vtterly, but he setteth out this comfort, that hauing God fauourable vnto vs, wee shalbe 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 7 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 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, [Page 469] 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, shalbe 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 1 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 y e good of the church, 2 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, & 1 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 2 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 3 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 [Page 470] and towers only, but chiefly to the policy and order of gouernment which was therin, as may appeare, by that which followeth] as a citie, that is compact together in it selfe [ i. as a faire, glorious, and round city, whose buildings are e­uen and proportionable one of them with an other: and by this hee compareth the concord which was amongst the citizens of Ierusalem, to buildings & hou­ses, 4 wel & proportionably set together.] Ver. 4. Whereunto [ i. to which Ieru­salem, & the exercises of religion obserued there] the tribes [ i. the twelue tribes of Israel] euen the tribes of the Lorde [ i. the tribes, which the Lorde himselfe hath, to be his speciall portion and inheritance, for this is added, both for ex­plication of the former, & to set out also the excellency of the persons] goe vp [ vz. to worship and serue God: and he vseth the word of going vp, because the City stood vpon an hil] according to the testimony to Israel [ i. according to the ordinance, that God had ratified & established amongst y e Israelites, by which he sheweth that they did nothing in that behalfe, but by warrant from god. Im­manuel turneth it thus] to the testimony of the Israelites [ i. to the Arke of the testimony, which god gaue to the Israelits, and for that end he allegeth Exod. 25.21.22. others read it thus] which is a testimony to Israel [ vz. of the coue­nant made betwéene god and them, but methinketh the first sense is most plain of al] to praise the name of the Lord [ i. to set forth by praise and thanksgiuing, the maiesty, power and glory of God: and he putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole, and note that in this verse he commendeth Ierusalem, for the ex­ercises 5 of religion: as in the next for the execution of iustice & equity.] Ver. 5. For there [ i. in Ierusalem] are thrones set for iudgement [ i. iudgement places are erected and established, putting the places of publike iustice, for iudgment and iustice it selfe, & the persons that administer the same, because it were in vayne to haue the places, without the men, & the matter] euen the thrones of y e house of Dauid [ i. thrones appointed by God, to Dauid and his posterity: for so I take house to be vsed in this place, and this repetition importeth, that it was Gods purpose, to haue the prerogatiue of the kingdom established in Da­uids posterity, vntil such time, as the true eternitie of that kingdom were ma­nifested 6 in Christ, who hath his throne in the middest of his church.] Verse 6. Pray [ vz. O al ye good and faithful people, for he vttereth his speach in y e plu­ral number] for the peace of Ierusalem, [i. the felicity, prosperitie, and quietnes of it, both publike & priuate, inward and outward, as may appeare by y e words following to the end of the Psal.] let them prosper [ vz. in al goodnes, thus hee teacheth them to pray, not only for it, but for all them that cary any good affec­tion 7 to it] that loue thée [ vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart.] Ver. 7. Peace [ i. al maner of prosperity and blessednes, as ver. 6. of this Psalm] be within thy wals [ i. within thy houses, O Ierusalem which are compassed about with wals, the Hebrew word, doeth signifie a ditch wherewith cities are commonly com­passed, and that maketh some to turne it thus] in thy ramparts [that is in pla­ces about thée appointed for thy defence, whatsoeuer it is, he wisheth well, to the Citie and people] and prosperitie within thy palaces [ i. in the greate [Page 471] and noble houses that are within thée, so that he would haue al sortes blessed, & the city it selfe, both within and without.] Ver. 8. For my brethren [ vz. which 8 serue God with me, & dwel there, and repaire thither for the exercises of gods religion, as I do] and neighbors sake [to whom I am bound to doe good, & by gods lawe to loue, as my selfe] I wil wish thée now [ i. euen at this present, and not onely now, but al the dayes of my life, if my wishing can do thée good, thou shalt not want it] prosperity [ i. all maner of prosperous and good things. And these be Dauids owne wordes, testifying his great loue, to the place of Gods worship, and his brethren assembled there.] Ver. 9. Because of the house [ i. be­cause 9 of the seruice of the Lord, which is in that place where the Arke is: so hee putteth the place of worship, for the worship performed in it] of our God [ i. of the Lord, whom we al serue] I wil procure [ vz. by all the meanes that possible I can] thy wealth [ i. al prosperity and goodnes for thée, so he sheweth that hee sought not his owne profit only, or the profit of those that were his, but gene­rally of the whole Church of God.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that we ought to be very glad, Do. to sée or heare the people zealously and willingly giuen to the seruice of God. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs, to de­lite and continue in those places and assemblies, wherin God is truely and sin­cerely serued. Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that not only glorious buildings, but chief­ly vnitie and concord, are a singular ornament to any City or commonwelth. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that the exercise of Gods worde and religion doe speci­ally commend a Citie or Countrey to vs. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the admi­nistration and execution of publike iustice, is a notable commendation also to any towne or countrey. Verse 6. Teacheth vs to exhort others to pray for the state of the Church, and teacheth vs also in our owne persons to pray for it, and for them that fauour and affect it. Verse 7. Teacheth vs to pray, both for the outwarde and inwarde quietnes of Gods Church. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care for our brethren and neighbours, in respect of godlinesse, euen as for our selues. Verse. 9. Teacheth vs that euen a holy loue to Gods Church, should cause vs to do any thing, for the benefit, profit and good therof, that pos­sible we can.

Psalme 123.

THis Psalme, though very short, Di. consisteth yet notwithstanding 1 of two parts. In the first the Prophet sheweth how earnestly he wayted vpon the Lord, for helpe and deliuerance out of all his dangers, ver. 1.2. In the second hee prayeth to the Lorde for the 2 redresse thereof, shewing that euen his own misery, and the mi­series of others prouoked him earnestly thereto: and this is cō ­prehended in the two last verses.

The title] A song of degrées, or Psalm of Dauid [this is expounded before, Se. Psal. 120. and Psalm. 122.] Ver. 1. I [ vz. being distressed on euery side & séeing [Page 472] all ayde of man to forsake mée] lift vp [ vz. earnestly and attentiuely, hoping & looking for helpe from thence] mine eyes [ i. not onely the eyes of my body, but of my mind and fayth also] to thée [ vz. O my God and Lord] which dwellest in the heauens [ i. which art God almighty, he meaneth by this title, that God is exalted farre aboue all creatures, and that he guideth and gouerneth them according to his good pleasure, it setteth out also, the power of God ouer all creatures, and his gouernement and prouidence, and declareth further, that neither hee himselfe imagined, neither should we imagine any fleshly thing of 2 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, y e 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 3 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.] 4 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, 1 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 2 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. 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 3 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, 4 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. 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 y e 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 & 6 mercy towards vs] which hath not giuen vs [ vz. vp, that is deliuered vs, or [Page 474] 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, 7 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 y e 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. 8 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. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs y t if God take not part with his children, & defend them, they shal easily be ouerthrown. Ver. 2 teacheth the selfsame thing and sheweth further, that men, are many times to men, wolues and deuourers, though hap­pely not in action, because by god they are restrained therfrom, yet in affection. Ver. 3 teacheth vs, that when God his children are in the greatest dangers, he is most nigh to deliuer them: also that the wrath of man neuer worketh y e righ­teousnes of God. Verse. 4. and 5. Declare, and set out the rage and crueltie, of the wicked and vngodly men. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs, first Gods mercy in deliue­ring his from al their dangers and feares, secondly our duty, that we ought by al maner of meanes, to shew our selues thankful vnto him for the same. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked ioyne to their power and crueltie, craft and sub­tiltie: but it sheweth further that there is no wisedome, strength, or policy, that can preuaile against the Lorde, and his people, whome hee will succour. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs, that God alone, is hee whom his people must trust to, for helpe and succour.

Psalme 125

1 Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two parts, in the first the prophet propoū ­deth doctrine, shewing in what assurance the faithful are, which do trust in the Lord. ver. 1.2.3. In the second he maketh his prayer for them that bee good, and sheweth what punishments shall ouertake the wicked, and what prosperitie shalbe to the faithful & holy people. ver. 4.5.

The title is expounded before, Psalme 120.] Ver. 1. Se. They y t trust [ vz. assu­redly, and stedfastly] in the Lorde [ vz. onely, ioyning none other neither in heauen, nor in earth with him] shalbée [ vz. stedfast and vnmoueable] as mount Sion [i. as the rocke whereuppon the Church is builded, yea and as the Church it selfe, against which no stormes nor tempests, no nor the gates of hell shall preuayle, Sée Matth. 7.24. Matth. 16.18. which can not bee remooued [ vz. though the worlde and wicked men, doe what they can against it] but re­maineth [ vz. stedfast and sure] for euer [ i. continually: nowe we must knowe that the stedfastnes of the Church and euery particular member therof, han­geth not of themselues, but of Gods eternall loue towards them, and Christs earnest prayers for them, as when hee sayth to Peter, Luke 22.32 I haue prayed for thée that thy fayth fayle not.] Verse 2. As the mountaines are 2 about Ierusalem [vz. to strengthen and defende them from the force of their enemies] so is the Lorde about his people [ vz. on euery side of them to saue them from the violence of men] from hencefoorth and for euer [ i. hee is presently their defence: and will bee so continually: so that by this similitude taken from the mountaines compassing Ierusalem. The Prophet setteth out the sure and secret defence of GOD towardes euery particular one of his Church] and this wée sée playnely set out, Psalme 5.12. also Psalme. 34.7. also Psalme 91. throughout: also Psalme 121. throughoute. Zachari. 2.5.] Verse 3. For [in this verse, hée preuenteth an obiection, which might bee 3 made thus: doe we not sée the Church many tymes afflicted, notwithstan­ding this large promise? yeas sayth hée, but it continueth not long: yea the very calamities them selues, make the defence of the godly more famous and notable] the rodde [ vz. of gouernement and authoritie, meaning thereby the Scepter, putting the signe of gouernement, for gouernement it selfe] of the wicked [ vz. men of this worlde: in the Hebrewe text, hee v­seth the woorde wickednesse, putting the thing for the men giuen thereto: and so the Geneua text yéeldeth the sense] shall not rest [ vz. longe, but shalbee quickely remooued, and so the good deliuered, as 1, Corinth. 10.13. on the lot of the righteous [ i. vppon the Church and inheritance of the god­ly people, which hee calleth the lot of the righteous, because GOD hath as it were giuen the same vnto them, by lot, as it were, for an inheritance] lest the righteous, put foorth their hande vnto wickednesse [ i. doe commit wickednesse and sinne, eyther by murmuring against GOD, or by fal­ling to the impieties of their persecutours, and so hee sheweth a reason why affliction lyeth not long vppon Gods children: and for this cause, as it shoulde séeme, did the Lorde commaund them to bée flayne, that inhabi­ted Canaan, leste the people shoulde followe theire fashions: the summe of all is. q.d. though the Lorde appoynt his, to bee afflicted for a tyme, by very wicked people, yet hee will not leaue them for euer, for the wicked shall not alwayes haue power and authoritie ouer the godly. So that this thirde verse, is as it were a correction of the other. q.d. Gods protection [Page 476] lettteth not, but that his, should be waked, by crosses, and tribulations, to the end that the righteous being tryed by temptation, should not giue themselues ouer to licenciousnes in sin, which he expresseth, by stretching out their handes their hands I say, which before were subiected, to the obedience of Gods will: vnderstanding by hands their whole man, putting a part for the whole.] Verse 4 4. Doe well, O Lorde [ i. blesse and pursue continually with thy fauour, Sée Psalme. 119.17.] vnto those that be good [ i. vnto such, as thou hast made good vnto thy selfe, by thy worde, and the working of thy spirite, for otherwise there is none good, no not one, as Psalme 14.1.3.] and true [ i. found and vpright, both to thy maiesty, and to men] in their hearts [ i. in their affections, hee 5 putteth the seate of affections, for affections them selues.] Verse. 5. But those that turne aside [ i. hypocrites, which haue a place in the Churche, and liue in it, though they bée not of it, and by turning a side, hée meaneth going stray, from the right way, which God hath sanctified in his worde] by their crooked wayes [ i. by deuises and imaginations of their owne: for all that man deuiseth without God is crooked and peruerse. Immanuel rea­deth it thus: but those that set their mindes, vppon their own crooked waies: which in my iudgement is more playne] shall the Lorde [ vz. himselfe in his great iustice and iudgement] leade [ vz. out of his Church foorth vnto iudge­ment, meaning that he shall pull them out from the godly, and then pronounce sentence of condemnation agaynst them, and giue them their portion euen e­ternal iudgment. Matth. 21.41. Matth. 25.32. Luke 12.46.] with the workers of iniquities [ i. with all others that haue giuen ouer themselues with gréedi­nes to commit sinne, sée Matth. 7.21.22.23.] but peace [ i. al maner of blessednes and prosperity, as Psalm. 122.6.7] shalbee [ vz. continually] vppon Israel [ i. vppon Gods Church and people: Sée Psalme 124.1. and by Israel, hee meaneth not onely them that came of Abraham according to the fleshe, but those that are Abrahams children by fayth. So that he sheweth that the peace of the Church shall procéed from this, that the wicked shalbee driuen out of it.

Do. Verse. 1 teacheth vs what stedfastnes Gods people haue, as who can neuer fal away from grace, because whom the Lorde loueth, he loueth for euer. Verse 2. Teacheth vs that God compasseth his seruants so on euery side that no euil can come vnto them further, then hee himselfe wil. Sée Iob. 1.10. Ver. 3. Tea­cheth vs that howsoeuer we be afflicted, yet our afflictions are but momentary, and indure but for a short space, Sée Psalme 30.5. also 2. Corinth. 4.17. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for the continuance of gods fauour vpon our brethren, euen as towardes our selues. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer hypocrites florish in the Church for a while, yet the Lorde will plague them in the end: also it teacheth vs that howsoeuer he punisheth the wicked, yet hee will graci­ously blesse his owne.

Psalme 126.

THis Psalme may bée diuided into two partes. Di. In the first the 1 faithful declare, how strange a thing their deliueraunce out of Babilon was, confessing it to be done onely by God, for which 2 they declare their ioy. Ver. 1.2.3. In the seconde they pray the Lord to performe the worke which he had begun, prophecying, 3 euen by the spirit of prophecy, the ful accomplishment and per­formance thereof, ver. 4.5.6.

The title. A song of degrées [this is expounded before. Psalm. 120. Se. in the title] or Psalme of Dauid [this is not in the Hebrew text, and therfore would bee left out, for this Psalme seemeth not to bée made by Dauid, or in Dauids tyme, but in the dayes of Cyrus, who published a proclamation for the re­turne of the Iewes into their countrey: at the which diuers of the godly, re­ioycing together, penned also this Psalme.] Verse 1. When the Lord [ vz. 1 of his great goodnes and mercy] brought againe [ vz. out of Babylon, whi­ther they were taryed captiues for their sinne: and thus they ascribe all the worke of deliueraunce, wholy to the Lorde] the captiuity [ i. the captiues he putteth the thing, for the persons] as wée haue noted out before, Psalme 125.3. out of the Hebrewe text] of Sion [i. of the Church of the Iewes, hée meaneth all the people, by the place which was of greatest excellenty a­mongest them: to witte, Sion whereuppon the temple was builded, & in which God was worshipped] wée were [ vz. in our owne iudgement and estimation] like them that dreame [ vz. that dreame of excellent things, and yet haue the [...] not, not but that they were deliuered, but the wonderfulnes of the deliuerance was so great and so incomprehensible to all mens vnderstanding, that it sée­med almost impossible to bee performed: q.d. wée coulde hardly perswade our selues of it, til wée saw the Gentiles speake of our great deliueraunce, and [...] help vs forwarde with ayde towardes our owne Countrey, sée Ezra. 1. through out.] Verse 2. Then [when wee knewe that God had done this great worke 2 for vs] was our mouth filled with laughter [ i. wee had a plentifull and large occasion giuen vs, of reioycing, because the countenance and face, are spe­cially occupied in laughing, and the mouth is a part thereof, hee putteth a part for the whole, yea euen for the whole man, if you will] and our tongue with ioy [ i. wee had great occasion also to speake ioyfull words: q.d. wee had occasion giuen vs, not onely to bée merry in countenaunce, whereas before in our captiuity wee hanged downe our heades, but also we expressed the ioy of our heartes by our woordes] then [ vz. when they also sawe it] sayde they amongest the heathen [ i. diuers and many of the heathen amongst whome wee were captiues, and prisoners] the Lorde [ vz. their God whom they worshippe and serue] hath done [ vz. through his great strength and [Page 478] power] great thinges [ i. excellent, yea and wonderfull thinges] for them [ i. for their sake, and euen for their particular persons also, They meane that the miracle of their deliueraunce was so great, that the Gentiles 3 themselues, did euen perceiue it, and confesse it.] Verse 3. The Lorde [ vz. our GOD, for these are the woordes of the faythfull, answering as it were the heathen, that confessed GOD to bee the worker of their deliue­raunce: q.d. wée confesse it also with you] the Lorde hath done great thinges [all this is expounded before, verse. 2.] for vs [though wee bee his poore and vnworthy seruauntes: so all serueth for the magnifiyng of Gods might and 4 mercy.] Verse 4. O Lorde bring agayne [ vz. through thy almighty pow­er: and that out of Babylon, into the lande of Iudah] our captiuity [ i. our brethren and friendes which yet remayne captiues: Sée ver. 1. of this Psal.] as [ vz. thou many tymes bryngest] the riuers [ i. abundaunce of waters] in the South [ i. into the South, putting the South Countrey for dry and bar­ren places, because of the continuall and ardent heate of the sunne in that quarter, which parcheth all their grasse, come, &c. and dryeth vp, as it were all their riuers and waters: and n [...]ce, that in this place, the Prophet com­pareth, Gods fauour in the deliueraunce of his people, with the riuers of water, and the people themselues in captiuity with a barren and drye lande, from whome, none could turne away Gods fauour if it pleased him to wa­ter them therewith. So that in this verse, the Church prayeth the Lorde, to stretch out his hande to the faythfull, which remayned yet in Babylon, and to helpe them from thence, for albeit, it was a very harde matter, that the remnaunt dispersed, shoulde bee gathered together into one body yet they stayed themselues vppon the power of GOD, who coulde as easily do that, as cause riuers of waters to runne through the South Countryes.] Verse 5 5. They that sowe in teares [this is an other allegory as it were or simili­tude, in which the people caryed into captiuity, are compared to néedy hus­bandmen, who cast into the grounde for séede euen that which was left them for the sustentation of lyfe] shall [ vz. in good tyme] reape with ioy [ q.d. their sorrowe shalbee recompensed with gladnes: in this other part of the simi­litude, hee compareth the people, returning out of captiuity to reapers or husbandmen, which are glad, for the abundaunt haruest which they finde: the meaning of altogether is, that the Iewes, who were heauy and sad, when they were caryed captiues into Babylon, shalbee ioyfull, when they shall haue reaped, that is to say obteyned the fruite of their hope, that is a glo­rious deliueraunce. And this similitude declareth, that such as were vp­helde by the promise of God, albeit, that in extreme famine or neede, they did cast séede into the grounde, euen as it were at all aduenture, yet that they were notwithstanding, nourished, and felt in their heartes the hope of that 6 returne, which GOD had promised them.] Verse 6. They [this word may either bee referred to the néedy husbandman, that hauing by some meane or other gotten séede, are wont to sowe it with griefe: or else to the people [Page 479] in captiuitie, who went thither with heauinesse of heart and abundaunce of teares. I referre it rather to the people] went [ vz. out of their owne lande, into Chaldea, being caryed captiues] weeping [ i. sorrowfull and heauie hearted, expressing that griefe of theirs by teares] and caryed [ vz. with them into that straunge countrey] precious séede [ i. hope and fayth, in the trueth of Gods promises, which none coulde take from them] but they shall returne [ vz. from thence into their owne Countrey] with ioy [ i. with great store of outwarde and inwarde comfort] and bring [ vz. with them, after that they haue gathered in their haruest, as it were] their sheaues [or after some, their handfuls, whatsoeuer it is, hee meaneth that they shall returne againe, with greater abundance of féeling, then they caryed with them, thus doeth GOD make his children to thriue vnder the crosse.

Verse 1. Do. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer instruments or meanes GOD v­seth in the performaunce of his counsels, yet all the glory of the fact must be adscribed to him alone. Verse 2. Teacheth vs to bée glad and to reioyce specially in the Lorde and his goodnesse, when it pleaseth him to offer vs occasion, and to giue vs matter of mirth: also it sheweth that Gods works for his children, are so playne and sensible, that euen the wicked are in­forced to confesse them. Verse 3. Teacheth vs plainely and with thanke­fulnesse to acknowledge Gods graces bestowed vppon vs. Verse 4. Tea­cheth vs that when GOD hath deliuered vs from misery, yet wée shoulde not forget our brethren, that lye plagued in the same wherein wée were, but that wee shoulde remember them in our earnest prayers to the Lord. Ver. 5. and 6. Teach vs that howsoeuer wee bee afflicted and made sorrowfull for a tyme yet a day will come wherein we shall reioyce and haue our heades lifted vp, which time we ought to attend in all patience.

Psalme 127.

THis Psalme consisteth wholly of instruction and doctrine, Di. and may bée diuided into two partes. In the first the ho­ly 1 Ghost sheweth, that both publike administration and rule, must bee blessed by GOD, or else they will bee to no effect. Verse 1.2. Secondlye hee declareth particu­larly 2 that children are a speciall blessing giuen to men from the Lorde, and this reacheth from verse 3. to the ende of the Psalme.]

The title. A song of degrees [this is expounded before Psalme 120. Se. ] or Psalme of Salomon [i. which Salomon made: some read, or for Salo­mon, as though Dauid his father had made it as an instruction for him: Sée somewhat of this matter: Psalme 72. in the title thereof, whether [Page 480] Salomon made it, or Dauid for his vse, it is not much materiall: this is to bee marked, that here the Prophet woulde giue vs to vnderstande, that all thinges whatsoeuer must bee directed and gouerned by God, or else 1 they can not come to any good successe or ende.] Verse 1. Except the Lorde builde the house [by house hée meaneth not onely the frame of an house, where­in men dwell, but the persons commonly called the housholde or familie, yea and the very order and manner of gouernement thereof: and by building, hee meaneth, blesse it, and further it, yea do all in all, in it, and about it] they la­bour in vayne [ i. they take paines to no end or purpose, but lose their trauaile] that builde it [ i. that indeuour or toyle about it, to builde it, set it vp, and bring it to good order] except the Lorde keepe the Citie [ vz. from the rage and spoyle of the enemie, vnderstanding by Citie, not onely the houses and wals, but the people, and the whole common wealth, yea the very fourme and or­der of their politike gouernement] the kéeper [ i. he that is appointed by office to keepe it: meaning hereby not onely the watch, which order is obserued in al townes of warre, and those that suspect the enemy, but euen the iudges and maiestrates, who also in the Scriptures are called watchmen] watcheth in vayne [ i. to no ende or purpose, hée meaneth that all the industrie of men, ei­ther in maintaining or gouerning a familie, or in vpholding a good pollicie and gouernment in a Citie, shalbée vayne and vnprofitable, vnlesse GOD 2 guyde all, and giue good successe thereto. Verse 2. It is in vayne [ vz. vn­lesse Gods speciall blessing bee present with you] for you [ vz. of what state or condition so euer you bee] to ryse earely [ vz. to your labour and worke] and to lye downe late [ i. to goe to bed, from your worke] and eat the bread of sorrowe [ i. sustenaunce gotten with great payne and trauayle of the bodie, and great griefe of mynde, so that they can not eate quietlye, with a mind free from labour, care, and feare] but [ q.d. notwithstanding the vngodly haue these griefes and cares] hée [ i. the Lorde] will surely [ i. without fayle] giue [ vz. of his méere liberalitie and mercie] rest [ i. both norish­ment and all good thinges whatsoeuer, and yet not yéelding vnto them an idle life, or forbidding them labour, because the faythfull doe willing­ly subiect themselues thereto, through the obedience of fayth] to his beloued [ vz. people, putting one for all, for hee speaketh here in the sin­gular, loued: by beloued ones, hee meaneth them whome the Lorde lo­ueth, and such also as being confirmed in his loue towardes them, doe 3 wholy commit themselues vnto him.] Verse 3. Beholde [ q.d. consider it as a thing, most certayne and profitable] children [ i. posteritie and issue, which it pleaseth GOD to giue in this life] are the inheritance of the Lorde [ i. are a portion, that as it were for an inheritance, the Lord giueth vnto vs] and the fruit of the wombe [ i. children, sée Micah. 6.7.] his re­ward [ i. a reward that he giueth to men in this life: and mark that in these thrée last verses, he maketh thrée degrées, as it were of gods blessing: in this ver. he mentioneth the blessing of posterity, or generatiō, in ver. 4. hee speaketh of their [Page 481] good, liberall, and obediēt education: and verse 5 he sheweth what fruits come by them that are well brought vp. The hebrew word whiche we turne here re­ward, signifieth euery good thing whatsoeuer that God giueth vnto men.] Ver. 4. As are the arrowes [ i. the cleane and well kept arrowes] in the hand of the 4 strong man [or at the hand of the strong man: that is to say, alwayes in a rea­dinesse: so are the children of youth [ i. so are the children that are begotten in the flower of their parents age; meaning it of those children, whiche are well brought vp, that they are in a readinesse alwayes to goe and come, and to doe all good things enioyned them. I know there is another sence of these wordes as to the end he might the more commend this benefite of God, he should com­mend them for their naturall force, because their fathers might strengthen and defend themselues by them, as it were by archers and good men. But me thin­keth the other is a more fit sence for this place.] Verse 5. Blessed is he [ vz. 5 from the Lord, and euen in the sight and presence of men] that hath his quiuer full of them [ i. that is replenished and hath his house garnished, with such good children: for he continueth in the similitude of shafts and arrowes still, whiche he had put downe in the other verse before going] for [this is a reason of the thinges which go before] they [ i. neyther the fathers nor the children, for so largely would I take it] shall not bee ashamed [ i. they shall not giue place to their enemies but shall ouercome them, yea and shall possesse the gates of their enemies, as is promised] whē they speake with their enemies [ vz. face to face] in the gate [ vz. eyther of the Citie if it be besieged, or else in the place of pub­like iustice, because the iudges were wont to fit in the gates of the Citie to de­termine publike causes: as Genesis 34, 20. Deut. 25, 7. 2, Samuel 15.2. and in many other places.

Ver. 1 Teacheth vs, that nothing eyther in house or citty, Do. can be well be­gun, go well forwarde or come to good end, except the Lord be the direc­ter and guider thereof. Verse 2 teacheth vs that no meanes eyther lawfull or vnlawfull can performe any thing except the Lords blessing concurre with the same, and yet we should not therefore neglect the meanes, but vse them al­wayes with prayer to God to blesse them to vs, so farre forth as maye make for his glory and our comfort. Verse 3 teacheth that children are a blessing, which it pleaseth the Lord to bestow vppon the sonnes of men: not that wée should conclude them to be accursed that want them. For the want of blessing, yea of sundrye blessing, maketh not accursed, for who then should be blessed? Verse 4 doth teache vs, both how good and profitable holy education is to chil­dren, and also what fruite it yéeldeth, to wit, in the children readinesse and o­bedience to the parents. Verse 5 teacheth vs that good children are a singu­lar glorye vnto their parents, yea and they adde estimation vnto themselues also.

Psalme 128.

Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts. In the first the Pro­phet 1 doth both generally and particularly set out the blessinges 2 of God towards the faythfull Verse 1, 2, 3. In the second part, hée assureth them of the continuaunce of Gods fauour and blessing vpon them and their posterity, ver. 4, 5, 6.

Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120.] Ver. 1. Blessed is euery one [ vz. of what estate or condition soeuer he be: and that word, blessed, containeth in it abundance of blessednesse: q.d. he shalbe plentifully blessed, whosoeuer he bée] that feareth the Lord [ i. that rightly serueth and worshippeth him. He putteth the beginning of Gods seruice for the whole, for wee can neuer rightly serue God til we haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty printed in our hartes] & wal­keth in his wayes [ i. that kéepeth his commaundements, and directeth his life according to such lawes as God hath prescribed. For God doth not otherwise allow of our life, except it be reformed according to his law, walking is put here as in sundry other places of the Psalmes, for order of lise and conuersa­tion] 2 Verse 2. When thou eatest [this by the consente of the best interpreters would be turned thus: for thou shalt eat: shewing a reason as it were of his blessednesse: and not as though the godly man were not blessed, till hée did eate the fruit of his labours, which many times he doth in this life, and so the bles­sing of God vpon him in this life, should be called into question and doubte, we will therefore turne it thus] for thou [ vz. that hast a care and conscience to fear God: and marke how he passeth from the third person to the second] shalt eate [ vz. quietly thorow Gods blessing and fauour towardes thee] meaning by eating, enioying and liuing by] the labours of thine hands [ i. that whiche thou thy selfe, with thy hand hast laboured for: q.d. no forrain enemy, nor any extor­tioner shal spoile thée of that, which thou hast trauailed for, but thou shalt enioy with al profit, & vse it with al pleasure] thou shalt be blessed [ vz. with all maner of blessings from the Lord both outward and inward, both bodily & spirituall: and this is another grace that God wil shewe to his seruants] & it shalbe well with thée [ vz. whersoeuer thou art whether at home in thy house, or abroade in thy fields, as is promised Deut. 28, 3. meaning also by this maner of spéeche, y t euen all his affayres & businesses should mightily prosper, & go well forward.] 3 Ver. 3. Thy wife shal be as the fruitfull vine [ i. shal beare thée many childrē, as the fruitful vine doth many clusters and bunches of grapes, posteritye & séede is reckoned amongst the outward blessings that God bestoweth vpon his] on the sides of thine house [some expound it thus, nigh to thy house. Methinketh he alludeth to the common custome of men, who plant vines vnder their houses, and at the sides of them, specially at the sides of them, where they may haue the most sun, & by which they may be most defēded frō the cold, for heat maketh the [Page 483] Vine plentiful, faire and flourishing] and thy children [ vz. which god shal giue thée by hir, shalbe (what?) like the Oliue plants [ i. as faire & as pleasaunte, as the plants of yong Oliue trées, or as the yong trées themselues: yea I stretche it somewhat further, that is, they shalbe alwayes gréene, fresh, florishing, and increasing: sée Psal. 52, 8] round about thy table [by this spéech he expresseth the great delight that children bring vnto their fathers, while they sée them, as ma­ny in number, so neate and trimme, standing alwayes as it were in their fight] Ver. 4. Le [here he stirreth vp the faithfull, both to behold, and also to acknow­ledge 4 the blessings of God reckoned vp before, and these that followe after] surely [ vz. without all doubt] thus [ vz. as is before expressed and as hereafter followeth] shal the man be blessed [ i. euery man, as verse 1 of this Psalme] y t fea­reth the Lord [sée also ver. 1 of this Psalme. Now we must know that hee pro­miseth the faithfull earthly blessings from God, not that they should stay, and rest themselues there, but to the end that by the same they might be lifted vp to the meditation of y e heauenly life.] Verse 5. The Lord [ vz. whom we serue and 5 worship] out of Sion [ i. out of the place wherein he dwelleth and is worshipped: and here he putteth the faythfull in minde that it is because of the couenaunte, which he hath made with thē, that he bestoweth these graces vpon them, & not for any merite or worthines in them] shal blesse thée [ vz. with his grace and fa­uour, and that so largely and plentifully, that] thou shalt sée [ i. both with the eyes of thy body & with the eyes of thy faith: yea that thou thy self shalt enioye] the wealth [ i. the prosperitie, peace, and all maner of goodnesse, sée Psal. 122, 9.] of Ierusalem [i. of the Citie and Church of God, because God was serued there­in: so that he descendeth from particular blessings, to the common blessing of the whole Church, from whence as it were from a fountayn, the particular bles­sing floweth] all the dayes of thy life [ i. so long as thou shalt liue in this life.] Ver. 6 Yea thou shalt sée thy childrens children [ i. thou shalt perceaue the singu­lar 6 fauour and blessing of God, towards thée and thy family, first by the length of thy own life, as Exod. 20. in the fift commaundement: secondly by the plen­tifull increase of thy posterity and séede] and peace [ i. all maner of blessing and goodnesse, as Psalme 122.6.7,] vpon Israell [ i. vpon that people whiche serue God sincerely, sée Psal. 124.1.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs first, that such as serue God, Do. according to the rule of his word, shal receiue al maner of blessing from the Lord: secondly that a godly cō ­uersatiō is a notable testimony of the right worship & seruice of god. Ver. 2. tea­cheth vs that not only gaines gotten by labor are gods blessing but to haue the fruition & vse of them, after we haue obteined them, is gods blessing also. Ver. 3 Teacheth vs that the fruitfulnes of our wiues, and store of children, is a bles­sing from the Lord likewise. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that the blessings which God hath promised vs, shalbe most assuredly performed. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs, that this is the blessing of al blessings in this life, to sée the florishing and prosperi­tie of the Church. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that old age, and large posterity both, are good blessings from the Lord.

Psalme 129.

Di. THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts. In the first the fayth­full 1 declare that they were gréeuouslye oppressed by their ene­mies, but yet that the Lord did graciously deliuer them, verse 1, 2 2, 3, 4. Secondly in the spirite of Prophecie as it were, they doe foretell the assured destruction and ouerthrowe of all their ene­mies: from verse 4 to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 in the Title thereof. Ver. 1. They [ i. our wicked and cruel enemies, whom as a man would say he will not vouch­safe to name] haue oftentimes [ vz. heretofore, and euē at this present one time after another doe] afflicted [ i. troubled, gréeued and persecuted, and that after sundry sorts, and by sundry meanes and wayes] me [ i. vs, hee speaketh of the holy body of the faythfull, as it were but of one person, by reason of the vnitye and fellow-like féeling that is or should be amongst them] from my youth [ i. e­uen from the beginning of the world when the Church then began] may Isra­ell [ i. the faythfull people, as Psalme 124, 1, also Psalme 128, 6.] now [ i. euen at this present. So we sée that the Church counteth those afflictions, that the faythful haue indured before, hir owne, euen as those which she presently suffe­reth] say [ vz. iustly, rightly, and vpon very good cause. They meane by this and that which followeth after, that the Church thinking diligently vpon aun­tient examples and experiences might easily gather both after what sort God had exercised his people from the first beginning of the world, as from Abel, Abraham and other Patriarks from whom the churche came, and also howe they had a blessed ende of all their afflictions: and this is done to the end, that by the former deliueraunces, they might in a good hope comfort and confirme themselues, that God woulde deliuer them from the like in time to come.] 2 Verse 2. They haue oftentimes afflicted me from my youth [this is the same with verse 1, the repeating of it serueth to this ende, both to shewe that they were sore afflicted in déede, and also to set out the assurednesse of their deliue­raunce] but they could not [ vz. for all their subtiltie, and for all their power] preuayle [ vz. at any time or by any meanes] agaynst me [the reason, because 3 God hath bin on our side, as Psalme 124, 1, 2.] Verse 3. The Plowers [ i. the e­mies which God did vse as husbandmen to plow and till his Churche] plowed vpon my back [ i. went quite and cleane ouer vs, by which he noteth both the weake estate of the Church, and the hard hartednesse of the enemies.] & made long furrowes [ vz. vpon vs, not sparing vs any whit at all, for all the miserye that we are in. In this verse he compareth the people of God to a fielde, which men till and plough, that he might the better shew that the crosse hath alwayes bin fastened vpon the back of the Church: meaning that they suffred many grée­uous thinges from the enemies, and that they did both a long season, and very [Page 485] sorely afflict them.] Verse 4. But the righteous Lord [ i. he that dealeth and 4 doth vprightly, howsoeuer men deale cruelly and iniuriously] hath cut [ vz. e­uen in sunder, and that of his goodnesse towards vs, thorow his almightye po­wer] the cordes [ i. all the powers of the wicked, whether they consisted in coū ­sels, purposes, practises, or any such like] of the wicked [ i. whiche the wicked men did imagine and vse. All tendeth to this end, that here he putteth downe a comfort, and sheweth that God hath very easily and with little adoe, repres­sed the rage and crueltie of his enemies, and set his owne people at liberty, as if one should cut in sunder all that belongeth to the horses that goe to plowe, which as I take it in some countrye they call the geares, and so by y t meanes, the plow and the owner thereof should stand still, and the horses be at libertye from their labours: and so he continueth still in his allegory or Metaphor.] Verse 5. They that hate Sion [ i. the Churche of God, as Psalme 125, 1. also 5 Psalme 128, 5. Now if the haters shalbe punished, hate being an affection of the hart only, how shall they escape whiche put their hatred in execution and prac­tise?] shal be ashamed [ vz. not only before God, but euen before men: and that word, all, noteth of what state or condition soeuer they be, whether high or low rich or pore, &c. for with God there is no respect of persons] and turned back­ward [ vz. as those that in the day of battaile come forth with fiercenesse, and yet thorow a sodayne feare are glad to turne their backes, so that in this verse he setteth out the ruine and destructiō of the enemies, which thing also he doth in the next verses, amplyfiing it by similitudes or metaphors taken from hus­bandry.] Ver. 6. They [ i. that hate Sion, and such other wicked and vngodlye 6 persons] shall be as the grasse [ vz. which groweth] on the house toppe [as wee sée by dayly experience that grasse groweth on the tops of houses and in gut­ters, specially in those houses which are not much inhabited] whiche withereth [ vz. thorow the great and parching heat of the sunne] afore it come forth [ vz. so farre as that it may be cut downe with the sithe or sickle. This is the firste allegory or metaphor wherein the wicked are resembled to haye or grasse, by the which he meaneth that they shall presently perish, though they be lifted vp very high euen as the grasse or hearbe that groweth vppon houses inconti­nently withereth, because it hath not earth sufficient vnder it, to giue it moy­sture and nourishment, wherefore looke by how much they shall thorow y e great­nesse of their pride, draw nigh to the Sunne, so much the more sodainlye shall they be consumed, because they haue no roote.] Verse 7. whereof [ i. wherewith] 7 the mower [ i. he that should mowe it] filleth not his hande [ q.d. it is so skarse, that he can not take a handful of it] neither the glainer [ vz. which commeth af­ter the mower, and looketh more narrowly] his lappe [ i. can get anye thing to speake of: this may haue a double sence, and both good, though I confesse there is but one right sence of all scriptures: for it may bee referred vnto the grasse, spoken of before in the house toppe: and then his meaning is that it commeth not to any ripenesse, in so muche that it can neyther be mowed nor gathered. but this I approue not, because men vse not to mow grasse on the house toppe, [Page 486] nor yet to gather it to any vse] or it maye bee another Metaphor taken from Corne that commeth thinly vp, here an eare and there an eare, noting that the wicked thorow Gods iudgements should be brought to such a wasting, that very few or none of them should be left: and I take to be the more fitte sence.] 8 Verse 8. Neither they which go by [ vz. the mowers and reapers] say the bles­sing of the Lord be vpon you [ i. the Lord blesse you and your haruest, because they cannot say so, for they sée Gods hand vpon them in scarsitie: Those that passed by were wont to wish well to the haruest workers, as appeareth Ruth 2, 4, so that this is as much: q. d. They shall not pray: no not for the worke men, much lesse wish well to the haruest it selfe] or [this particle sheweth that it is an other kinde of spéeche, that they vsed, to the haruest men] wée blesse you [ i. wée wishe you good] in the name of the Lord [ i. thorow his maiesty, power and goodnesse.

Do. Verse 1 setteth out the continual both malice & assaults of y e wicked against the godly. Ver. 2 sheweth that they can neuer preuaile vtterly against them. Ver. 3. declareth the hard hartednes and vnmercifulnes of y e wicked. Ver. 4 teacheth vs, that God doth frustrate al the purposes and attempts of the vngodly whatsoeuer. Ver. 5 conteineth the destruction of them that persecute y e church. Ver. 6 sheweth that the vngodlye are of no long continuaunce, because they haue no déepe roote. Ver. 7 sheweth, that the vngodly & wicked are vtterly vnprofitable to euery good thing. Ver. 8 teacheth vs, that it is a testimony of Gods greate curse vpon vs, to want eyther the prayers or good wishes of the godly.

Psalme 130.

Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts. In the first, he ma­keth 1 his earnest prayer vnto the Lorde, desiring him to re­moue his sinnes, that so he may féele his singular mercy, ver. 2 1, 2, 3, 4. In the second he testifyeth his fayth and patience, ex­horting the faythful continually to hang vpon the Lord, from ver. 5. to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The title is expounded before Psal. 120.] Ver. 1. Out of the déepe places [ i. out of most deepe and huge dangers, it is a metaphor taken from waters ready to drown a man, sée Psal. 69, 1, 2.] haue I called vnto thée Lord [ i. earnestlye prayed vnto thée, sée Psal. 116.3, 4. so that we sée that the Prophet when he felt himself sore oppressed with distresse, yea as it were plunged in a gulfe of perplexity, calleth earnestly vpon God, for the greater the afflictions are whiche Gods chil­dren indure, the more earnest are their supplications.] Ver. 2. Lord heare my voice [ i. graunt me the praiers which I expresse with my voice] let thine eares attend [ i. harken diligently, meaning that he would haue the Lord by effecte to shew, that he had carefully heard his prayers] to the voice of my prayers [ i. to the words whiche I vse in my praiers, because the voyce is a meane to vtter 3 wordes, he putteth it for the words themselues.] Ver. 3. If thou O Lorde [ vz. [Page 487] which séest and knowest all thinges] straitly markest [ i. narrowlye weighest or kéepest as a man would a register or reckoning] iniquities [ i. the infinit num­bers of sinnes committed agaynst thée and others, for so I take the word in the plurall number] who shall stand [ vz. in thy presence or before thée, sée Psalme 1, 5. q.d. who is hée that shall be able to beare thy iudgement, or the least parte thereof? Verely there is not one amongst all men, that either haue bin, are or shalbe▪ He meaneth then that we can not be iust but by the remission of sinnes: and I take this verse to containe a reason as it were of his former prayer: q.d. Spare vs, not for our owne sake, for there is nothing in vs that can mooue thée to pitie vs, but for thine own mercy sake, as in the next verse.] Verse 4. But 4 mercy is with thée [ i. thou hast infinite and abundaunt mercy] that thou mayst bée feared [ vz. amongest men: and hée putteth feare in this place, for the re­uerente and sincere seruice of GOD: so that he doth as it were desire GOD to haue regarde of his owne glorye, whiche consysteth in the fayth and truth of his promises, and in his worship and seruice, both whiche shoulde vtterlye decaye, if the Lorde did straightlye obserue our iniquities, and destroy vs in his iudgement therefore: and so he sheweth that there is no reuerence of God in mens hartes, till his mercies bee sensiblye felte and knowne whiche is the foundation thereof, and by feare he meaneth in this place, the reuerent feare of Children, and not the slauish feare of Seruaunts.] Verse 5. I haue 5 [ vz. heretofore, and yet at this present doe, for vnder this hee comprehendeth also the present time] wayted [ i. trusted and hoped, and haue obtained y t which I hoped for] my soule hath waited [ vz. vpon the Lord, as in the next verse. Hée meaneth by this that he trusted in God not feignedly, or in hipocrisie, but har­tily and from the déepe affection of his hart, whereby he sheweth that the seate of sure hope is in the hart] and I haue trusted [ vz. stedfastly] in his worde [ i. in all his word generallye, but specially in his promises made vnto mee. Mea­ning that as he had before trusted and obtained fauour, so he would doe still.] Verse 6, My soule wayteth on the Lord [sée this expounded before verse 5. the 6 repeating of it séemeth to shew the ardencie of his zeale, and his continuaunce in hanging vpon God] more then the morning watch [ i. that watch that is ap­pointed to watch til the morning, & hath no body to ease him from his watche al night long] watcheth for the morning [ i. for that time, wherein in the mor­ning he shall leaue his watch: q.d. I am more desirous to inioy God and the fauours of his grace, then the watchmen which are weary with watching all night, do desire to sée the breaking vp of their watch in the morning.] Verse 7, 7 Let Israell [ i. Gods faithfull people, as before Psalme 129, and afterwardes Psal. 131, 3, and in this verse he exhorteth all the Church by this example to hāg vpon God] wayt [ vz. with patience] on the Lorde [ vz. only, and no other but him] for with the Lord is mercy [ i. hee is gracious and mercifull, as before verse 4 of this Psalme: and this is a reason why he woulde haue the faithfull to hang vpon the Lord] and with him is greate redemption [ vz. procéeding from that mercye of his, as the streame from the Fountayne. Meaning [Page 488] by that word great redemption, that the Lord hath diuers meanes to deliuer his by, and to draw them out of all daungers wherein soeuer they shalbe.] Ver. 8 8. And he [ vz. himself, and no other for him] shall [ vz. most certainlye and assu­redly redéeme [ i. set frée and deliuer] Israell [ i. his faythfull people, which shall haue their trust in him] from all his iniquities [ i. not onely from all their sins, but also from all daungers and distresses whereinto their sinnes mighte cast them. For so largely doe I rest perswaded that the word shoulde be taken in this place.

Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs, the more earnest and often should we be with the Lord by prayer. Verse 2 teacheth vs, that because sinne cleaueth fast vnto vs, and our praiers pierce little or nothing that therefore we should continually call vpon the Lord to heare our prayers. Verse 3 teacheth vs in our prayers to haue recourse vnto Gods mercy onely: also that no man is able to stand as righteous in the presence and iudgement of God. Verse 4 sheweth that Gods mercy should not breede carelesnesse in vs, but care and conscience to walke before him in feare and trembling. Verse 5 teacheth that there was neuer yet any one confounded, that did vnfeignedlye put his trust in the Lord, Verse 6 teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thyrste after the Lord. Verse 7 teacheth vs to prouoke others as well as our selues, with patience to waite vpon the Lord. Verse 8 teacheth vs that it is God onlye that can deliuer from sinne, and from all those punishments whiche sinne hath pulled vpon vs.

Psalme 131.

Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme propoundeth two thinges, first he set­teth 1 downe the simplicitie and humblenesse of his own minde, ver. 2 1, 2. Secondly he exhorteth the faithfull by his example, to stryue to patience verse 3.

Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 also Psalme 122 in the title there­of.] Verse 1. Lord [ vz. whom I serue: q.d. thou knowest whether it bee true or no that I speake, though men will not beléeue me] mine heart is not haughty [he beginneth with the fountayne of pride, which is in the heart: q.d. Thou knowest that I haue not so much as in hart affected the Kingdome, or Saules ruine, or taken in hande any great matter, but by a stedfast faith haue wholye stayed my selfe vpon thée, and rested in the obedience of thy will] neither are mine eyes loftie [from the inward which is the hart, he commeth to the out­ward which are the eyes: q.d. that there was not in his visage or countinance, any signe of pride, but that outwardly he gaue an euident testimony of the hu­militie of his hart inwardly] neither haue I walked in great matters [ i. I haue not attempted high enterprises by fact, without the reache of my calling] and hid from me [ i. I haue not assayed to looke into such thinges as passe the lighte 2 of capacity and vnderstanding which thou gauest me.] Verse 2. Surely [ q.d. [Page 489] this is most certain, and thou knowest it though I would not report it] I haue behaued my selfe [ vz. both outwardly and inwardly] like one weaned from his mother [ i. euen as a little childe which is humble and lowly, in whiche respecte our sauiour sayth, except we receaue the kingdome of God as a little child, we shall not enter therein. Mar. 10, 15. and Paul, bee not children in vnderstanding, but as concerning maliciousnesse be children, 1 Cor. 14, 20.] and kéept silence [ i. speake very little or nothing] I am in my selfe [ i. in mine owne perswasion, and that in the vpright testimonie of a good conscience before God] as one that is weaned [ i. as a yong childe in respect of affections and wicked desires, for children commonly are not very old when they are weaned.] Ver. 3. Let Israell 3 waye on the Lord [sée this expounded Psal. 130. ver. 7.] from henceforth and for euer [ i. from this time and continually.

Ver. 1 teacheth vs to auoyd pryde and arrogancye, Do. both inwardly in the hart and outwardly in the countenance and behauiour. Ver. 2 teacheth vs, to striue to all humilitie and lowlinesse of affection. Ver. 3 teacheth vs, not only with pa­tience for y e time to wait vpon the Lord, but to doe it continually & for euer.

Psalme 132.

THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts. Di▪ In the first is con­teined a prayer for Dauid, the Lords Priests, and the faith­full 1 people of God, with a declaration of their zeale to Gods worship and seruice from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the 2 second there is expressed both Gods promises made particu­larly to Dauid and his posterity, & also to the whole churche generally from ver. 11. to the end of the Psalme.

The Title is expounded before in the title of Psal. 120.] Ver. 1. Lord [ vz. Se. which art the only true God & iudgest vprightly] remēber [ i. declare by effects, that thou remēbrest, and beholdest him, & that thou doest approue the purpose of his mind, in graunting him his request, for otherwise God neuer forgetteth, spe­cially those that are his: sée Gen. 8.1.] Dauid [vz. thine annointed king & ser­uaunt] and al his affliction [ i. al and euery one of y e troubles which he hath in­dured, specially the great care of his hart for the building of thy Temple, of which sée 2. Sam. 7, 1, 2, 3. but specially y t which followeth in this Psal. and all this he alleageth not as boasting of any thing he did, but y t séeing y e Lord mer­cifull vnto him, he might thereby take an argument of good things. Ver. 2. who 2 sware vnto the Lord [ i. bound himselfe vnto him by an oth, and that to this end, y t therby he might be y e more carefully bound to perform y e good w ch hée had promised, sée Psal. 119, 6] & vowed a vow [ i. promised & that certainly: this dif­ference I take to be betwéen an oth & a vow, y t the one is made with calling god to witnes, & the other is a solemn protestation or promise only, yet so, that if it be made concerning good things, and by them y t haue power in themselues to perform it, it bindeth y e cōscience, sée Num. 30 thorow out] to y e mighty god of [Page 490] Iaakob [i. to God, who by his mightie force and power, did deliuer the Pa­triarche Iaakob from all his daungers] faying [ vz. vnfaignedly and from his 3 hart.] Ver. 3. I wil not enter [ vz. willingly and gladly] into the tabernacle of my house [ i. into any part of the house, or the house it self, which I haue caused to be newlye builded, sée 2. Samuel 5, 9, also 1 Chronicles 15, 1.] nor come vpon my pallet or bedde [ vz. whiche are set and made in my new house to lye down 4 vpon them, or take my rest there.] Verse 4. Nor suffer mine eyes to sléepe [ vz. verye muche, specially in that house which I haue newly made] nor my eye liddes to slumber [ q.d. I will bee continually watchfull and carefull, for to build God a house. The Prophet meaneth not in al this, that he was so proude as to think y t either by oth or vow he could prescribe God a law: neither yet that he was so rash as to promise that he would dwel openly in the ayre, & not sléepe neither daye nor night, till the arke were brought to a place, whiche hee woulde prepare for it, which could not be very quickly done, for that had but after a sort to haue killed himself, but this he meaneth: that he made religion & conscience of it, to goe into his new house, vnlesse he had prepared a place for Gods arke to rest in also: q.d. I must not be more carefull for my selfe, either in respect of 5 pleasure or profit, or both, then I am for God and his seruice.] Ver. 5. Vntill I finde out [ i. vntill I shal by searching find out] a place [ i. a fit, méet, and conue­nient place, for otherwise there were places ynow] for the Lord [ vz. to dwell and rest in] not that God is tied to any place, for the heauen of heauens can not contain him, but he meaneth the Ark, which is called the Lord himself, be­cause it was a most manifest testimonie of his maiesty and power] an habita­tion [ i. a place to rest & dwel in, that it may no longer bee caried from place to place as it hath bin] for y e mighty God of Iaakob [i. for that great God whom Iaakob worshipped, or else for him that saued and deliuered Iaakob frō ma­ny 6 daungers, as before ver. 2.] Ver. 6. Lo, we [ i. both I and others] heard of it [ i. not of the place, but of the arke] in Ephrathah [ i. that it was Ephrathah: I take this rather as Immanuell doth to be the name of the countrie wherein the tribe of Ephraim dwelt then of any one particular place: yet so, that it should note Shilo in the Tribe of Ephraim, where the Arke of the Lord was kept, from the dayes of Iehoushua vntill the death of Helie the Priest, at what time it was taken by the Philistines: sée 1 Samuel chapiters 1, 2, 3, and 4.] and found it [ i. the Arke] in the fieldes of the Forrest [or as Immanuel turneth it, & as it is in the hebrew text, in the fields of Iahar [ i. in the citie of Iahar: which was situate both in a plain and woody place, and therfore is turned here in the fields of y e forrest: in which respect also it hath seuerall names: for of y e woodes it is called Kiriah Iearim, that is, the citie of woods: and of the playn or fielde it is called Baal, or Baalah, or Kiriah in Baalah, and sometimes Bala of Iu­da, that is plaine place: for the sence of this place, sée 1. Sam. 7, 1, &c. and for the citie it self, sée Iehosh. 15.60. where it is reckoned vp among the cities alotted to the tribe of Iudah, & hath two names. I know other men giue other sences, 7 but methinketh this is most plain] Ver. 7. We wil enter [ vz. cherefully & glad­lye] [Page 491] into his tabernacles [ i. into the places where this arke shall rest, & he him­self be religiously serued, which in Psal. 100. ver, 4. are called his gates & his courts] and worship [ vz. him] before his footestoole [ i. before the ark of the coue­naunt, which is so called to put the faithfull in mind, that they must not stay in the beholding of y e ark only, as though god wer inclosed therin, but y t they must lift vp their harts to heauen to worship God there w t all reuerence: as though GOD stretched his féete from the heauen to the earth, that hée might lifte vs vp to heauen. Now he must be sought to in Christ, who is the verye Arke of Couenaunte in déede,] Verse 8. Arise [ vz. now, at the earnest prayer of thy people] O Lord [this is to be referred both to God himselfe, and to the Arke also as may appeare by that which followeth in the Vers. Sée the word, Lord, also put for Arke verse 5 of this Psalme] to come into thy rest [ i. into the place of thy rest: because that before the Arke stayed not long in one place, as maye appeare by the continuall concourse of the stories] thou, and the Arke of thy strength [ i. both thou thy selfe and the visible sacrament, as it were, of thy strength and power: and he calleth it the ark of Gods strength, because that in and from the Arke the Lord did plainly declare his maiesty, power, &c] Ver. 9 9 Let thy Priests [ i. the Priests which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe, to bée the administers of holy things] be clothed [ i. compassed about on euery side, & let it cleaue & stick fast to thē as apparel doth to y e body] w t righteousnes [ vz. both outward & inward: q.d. Let thē y t are sanctified to this gret office, be more and more sanctified] & let thy saints [ i. thy people whom thou hast sanctified to thy self] reioyce [ vz. greatly & that for this, because the Ark shal stay in one place, & not flit as heretofore it hath done, so y t here he praieth both for Priests & peo­ple.] Ver. 10. For thy seruaunt Dauids sake [ i. for him & those promises which 10 thou hast made to him: others vnderstād by Dauid christ y e sonne of Dauid, who also in y e Prophets is called by that name, as Hosea 3, 5, in y e letter y e first sence is most playn he speaking of himself in the third person: in the doctrine, y e other is very true] refuse not the face of thine annointed [ i. of me whom thou haste appointed to be King, vnderstāding by not refusing his face, the graunting of him his requests: for here he prayeth y e Lord to be merciful to his priests, and people, & not to reiect y e prayers which the king maketh for thē.] Ver. 11. The 11 Lord [ vz. himself] hath sworn in truth [ i. hath truly & iustly sworn to perform whatsoeuer he hath promised] vnto Dauid [i. vnto me, speaking stil of himself in the third person] & will not shrinke from it [ i. will not at any hand, or by any meanes go back from his word: sée Psa. 110.4. and note that God sweareth, not for any inconstancy in his word, but for the strengthening of our fayth] of the fruit of thy body [ i. some one or other of thy children, sée Psal. 127, 3] wil I set vpon thy throne [ i. I will establishe them as thy lawfull heyres in thy king­dome after thée, meaning that he would prouide y t one of his children & poste­rity should cōtinually succéed him in y e kingdom.] Ver. 12. If thy sons [ i. thy po­sterity: 12 these are gods words to Dauid establishing y e couenāt w t him & his séed] kéepe [ vz. vnfaignedly and with all their hart] my couenaunt [ i. the couenante [Page 492] which I haue made with them, and is passed betwéene them & me] and my te­stimonies [ i. my law & word, and that euery particular péece of it, for so muche do I think doth the plural number in this place signifie] that I shall teach them [ vz. by the ministery of my seruaunts, the Priests and Prophets] their sonnes also [ i. their posterity, euen to many generations] shall sit vpon thy Throne [ i. shall succéede thée and them in the Kingdome, putting throne, a part of the kingdome for the whole: and it is called Dauids throne or kingdome, because he was y e first man of al his race y t God aduanced to that high honor] for euer [ i. for a lōg season referred to Dauid & his natural séede, but for all eternitie referred to Christ, sée these words expounded 1 King. 2, 4, also 1 King. 8, 25, al­so 13 2. Chron. 6, 16.] Verse 13. For the Lord [ vz. himselfe] hath chosen [ vz. of his great mercy] Sion [ i. his Church or Ierusalem, vz. to be the place where his arke should abide, & he himselfe be serued] and loued [ vz. of his own good plea­sure, and not for any excellency or worthines y t was in it] to dwell in it [ i. to re­mayne 14 and to abide there, as in the next verse.] Ver. 14. This [ vz. place] is my rest [ i. is the place wherein I will haue mine arke to staye] for euer [ i. for a long tyme if we referre it to the Materiall Ierusalem, but continuallye, e­uen to all eternitye, if wée referre it to the Churche] here will I dwell [ i. in this place I will giue, of my presence, power, and continuall aboade] for I haue a delight therein [ i. I haue delighted and loued to dwell there, as in the 15 nexte verse before going, sée Psalme 78, 68.] Verse 15. I [ vz. who am able to do it] wil surely [ i. without all fayle] blesse [ vz. plentifully and abundantly] hir vi­tailes [ i. all thinges that I shal giue her, necessarye for the maintaynaunce of this present life: q.d. I will not only giue them abundaunce of vitailes, but I will make their meate and drinke profitable vnto them] and will satisfye [ vz. with abundaunce and plentye] her poore [ i. the poore which shalbe in Sion, or in the Churche] with breade [ i. with thinges necessarye for the nourishmente of this life. He ioyneth here spirituall graces to the temporall blessinges, de­claring that hée will so prouide, euen for the poorest of them, that they 16 shall not onelye not want their ordinarye vittayles at anye tyme, but haue them in greate plentye.] Verse 16. And [ vz. I my selfe, who am the only Lorde] will clothe [sée before verse 9. of this Psalme] hir Priestes [ i. those that attende vppon holy exercises and seruices in hir] with saluation [ i. with deliueraunce from daungers and distresses: he meaneth that hee will defende and kéepe vnder his sauegarde, the ministers of his Church, and his saynts [ i. the people of Sion or of the Church: sée before verse 9] shall shout for ioy [ vz. of that goodnesse and grace whiche GOD shall shewe to the whole Churche, and euerye particular member of it: and this phrase, shouting for ioye, or as it is in the hebrew, in singing shall sing, doth not only note the great ioy which 17 they shall haue. But the certaintie and assurednesse of it also.] Ver. 17. There [ i. in Sion, Ierusalem, or in the Churche] will I make [ i. cause thorowe my power & goodnes] the horn of Dauid [i. the power, might, kingdome. &c, of Da­uid my seruant] to hud [ i. to prosper and increase: it is a metaphor taken from [Page 493] beasts, who haue snags in their heads as deare haue, which are vnto thē in stéed of bowes as it were, by which he noteth their flourishing and prospering] for I haue ordeined [ vz. in mine eternal counsel] a light [ vz. euen in that place, mea­ning by light the regall dignity & glory, and the godly person that should exe­cute the same, as 2 Sam. 21.17. 1 King. 11, 36.] for mine annointed [ i. for Dauid my seruaunt, whom I haue appointed to be King: some expound it thus: q.d. I wil bring to passe y t the kingly dignity, shal not so be quenched, but y t it shall al­ways shew forth some light, the other sence is better in my minde.] Ver. 18. His 18 enemies [ i. Dauids enemies, and the enemies of his godly posteritie] will I clothe with shame [ i. compas them about with confusion of face, so y t they shall not dare to lift vp their heads, meaning further y t he would euen confound and destroy them] but on him [ i. him himselfe, & his posterity] shall his crown florish [ i. his kingdom shal continue florishing and not wither away, but be preserued alwayes in his force and beauty, and this was fully accomplished in Christ.

Verse 1 teacheth vs to beséech the Lord to declare by effect y t he thinketh vpō vs. Do. Ver. 2 teacheth vs to bind our selues by all lawful means we can to the o­bedience & seruice of our God. Ver. 3 teacheth vs y t we shoulde little estéeme all the pleasures of this life, in respect of God and his glory. Ver. 4 teacheth vs, y t we should make but little account of profitable & necessary thinges in respecte therof. Ver. 5 teacheth vs to ioyn our selues to y e exercises & assemblies of gods congregation. Ver. 6 doth cōmend vnto vs the care of Gods Church, religion & seruice. Ver. 7 teacheth vs, not only to heare of Gods Church, but when wee haue heard of it, to labour the finding of it. Ver. 8 teacheth vs to pray y e Lord to be continually present with vs, & to beséech him to giue vs al the signes & testi­monies of his fauour. Ver. 9 teacheth all but specially Kings, to pray for y e mi­nisters and officers of Gods Church, & for the whole congregation. Ver. 10 tea­cheth vs to offer vp all our prayers in the name & meditation of Christ Iesus only. Ver. 11 sheweth how that God for the strengthening of our fayth in y e truth of his word, doth euen bind himselfe vnto vs by an oth. Ver. 12 teacheth vs, that albeit the couenant that God hath made with vs, be of it selfe and as it procée­deth from God, frée, yet it is deliuered vnder certaine conditions, whiche he would haue to be obserued, that we in some measure performing y e same, might be more and more confirmed in the truth of it.] Ver. 13 sheweth vs, that gods frée loue is the chéefe cause of al his graces towards the Church. Ver. 14 teach vs, that Gods grace towards his Church is vnchangeable and abideth for e­uer. Ver. 15 setteth forth Gods great liberality towards the Church, and his sin­gular fauour, who will not destitute, no not the meanest or poorest. Ver. 16 tea­cheth vs euen in Gods own example to haue a singular care to preserue a law­ful and ordinary ministerie, as without the which the Church can not be. Ver. 17 teacheth vs that the prosperity of al Kings and kingdomes, commeth from Gods blessing only. Ver. 18 teacheth vs, that such as rise vp against lawful ma­gistrates, shal neuer prosper, but come to decay.

Psalme 133.

Di. 1 THe Prophet in this Psalme doth only commend brotherly loue and vnitie amongst the saints and seruaunts of God. In the first verse he commendeth it simplye of it selfe, euen of the 2 goodnesse and excellency that is in it. In the two other ver­ses, he commendeth it by two singular similitudes and com­parisons, which would be well weighed.

Se. The Title is expounded before Psal. 120. and also Psal. 122. in their titles.] Verse 1 Behold [ q.d. Let it be well considered and weighed] how good [ i. profi­table and necessary, as Psal. 92.1.] and how comely [ i. pleasaunt and excellente: q.d. If eyther profit or pleasure can allure you to the imbracing of it, you haue both] brethren [ i. not only natural brethren, but the sonnes of God and mem­bers of his Church, and partakers of the selfsame doctrine and life in Christ] to dwel euen together [ vz. not only in one house, but specially to be of one affec­tion and consent, and to practise fellowship amongst themselues, euen as God 2 himselfe dwelleth in them and with them.] Verse 2. It [ i. brotherly loue and mutuall consent] is like [ vz. in excellency and swéete sauour] to the precious oyntment [ vz. which was appointed for the priests to annoynt them withall, sée Exod. 30, 22, 23, &c.] vpon the head [ i. powred vpon the head of the high Priest] that runneth down vpon the beard [by this and that which followeth, he noteth as I take it, the plentie and abundaunce of it] euen vnto Aarons bearde [ vz. who was the high Priest, and for whose annointing, this Oyle was speciallye made] which [ vz. oyle] went downe, on the border, or rather vnto the border, such plenty and abundance there was of it] of his garments [ i. Aarons gar­ments, of which you may read Exod. 28, 2, 3, &c. The meaning is: q.d. as it is pleasaunt and delightfull to haue Aaron wholy annointed with that holy oyle, and all his garments, & as it is a swéete smelling fauour to all that are round about him: so very pleasaunt is the body and fellowship of those that agrée and méete together in Gods name, whom God assuredly beautifyeth with his owne presence, and the most swéete smelling gifts of his spirit; meaning also that mē shalbe vtterly without fauour vnles they be perfumed with the odour of peace, 3 & brotherly vnity grounded in the word of God] Ver. 3. And [ vz. it is. For this is another comparison or similitude that he vseth to expresse the excellencye of this spéech by In the former he commendeth it for y e swéetnes & pleasauntnesse of it: in this he commendeth it for the fruit and profit which commeth by it] as y e dew of Hermon [ i. as the moisture y t falleth from heauen vpon that great hil of Hermon. Of one hill of this name, which Hermon the Sidonians cal Shirion, and the Amorits cal it Shenir, we read Deut. 3, 9, and Iohoshua 13, 5, and this name is giuen sometimes to other hils and mountaines of the lande of Iudah. Some are of this opinion, y t there be two mountains of this name, the one ve­ry [Page 495] nigh to Gelboe & Iordan, the other is much more high, and standeth nigh to y e country of Trachenitis: and they gather it, because Dauid sayth Psal. 42.6. from the land of Iordan and Hermonim, vsing a nowne plurall diminutiue as it should séeme. Othersome say thus, these high moūtayns are a part of Li­banus, & from thence stretch themselues southward, & seperate y e Land of Ba­shan frō the nether Sirra: they compasse the land of Galile on y e northside & to­wards y e east. We must likewise note that there is another mountaine named Hemon, in the frountirs of the tribe of Issachar, at y e foote wherof is the towne named Naim, sée also what is said before, Psa. 89, 12, whatsoeuer it be, this sēce I would giue: q.d. as y e dew & wet y t falleth down from heauen vpon Hermon, & descēdeth frō thēce into y e plain of Bashan, maketh y t plain countrey fertill: so doth brotherly loue bring with it great fruit & profite] which falleth vpon the mountayns of Sion [this place is ill translated, & séemeth to carry with it this sence, as though y e dew & wet of Hemon, should come from thens to the moū ­taines of Sion, which hath in it no sence at all: wherfore we must either mend the trāslation, or else supply somwhat thus] & as y e dew w ch falleth [ vz. frō hea­uen, this being indéed another similitude, to expres the same thing, 1. brotherlye cōcord] vpō the mountains of Sion [he speaketh of mountains in y e plurall nū ­ber, because there were many mountains therabout, as psal. 125, 2: q.d. as y e dew and moisture falling vpō those moūtains also, maketh thē fruitful, so doth bro­therly vnity & concord make thē, thorow Gods blessing, amōgst whom it is sin­cerely obserued, fruitful & plentiful in good works towards God, & in him and for him towards men, and one of them towards another] for [this is a reason why they shal become fruitful, to wit, because y e lord hath so promised & appoin­ted] there [ vz. where brethren dwel & consent together, as ver. 1. or we may saye that he putteth the place for the persons] the Lord [ vz. himself, who can not bée deceaued, neither wil deceaue] appointed [ vz. to pour forth vpon them, & that from himself] the blessing [ i. singular blessings, both concerning this lyfe, as peace and quietnes] and life for euer [ i. not only long life here, but also eternal life, for brotherly loue is a sure seale thereof as 1 Ioh. 3.14.

Ver. 1 teacheth vs, Do. that brotherly loue carieth with it both pleasure and pro­fit, and therfore is to be imbraced. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that brotherly loue is not only pleasaunt to them that religiously estéeme and kéepe it, but to others which are about them, as swéet perfumes & ointments are, not only to persons vsing them, but to others nigh them. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that vnfeigned loue hath the promises both of this life, and of that to come.

Psalme 134

IN this Psalme the Prophet doth first exhort both Priestes and peo­ple, to prayse the Lord for his mercies, ver. 1.2. Di. Secondly he pray­eth for the whole Church, and the fauour of God vpon the particular members of it, ver. 3.

Se. The Title is expounded be forme Psal. 120.] Ver. 1. Behold [ q.d. séeing, O holy Church, thy body is so knit together in Christe, and aboundeth with so manye blessinges, as is declared in the other Psalm, go to, and prayse y e Lord] praise ye the Lord [ vz. for his infinit mercies and great loue] all ye seruauntes of the Lorde [ i. of what state or condition soeuer ye bée, whether ye be Priestes or people, but specially the Priests and Leuites, to whome hée giueth this title, by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted, and that therfore they to the end also, that by their example they might draw on others to do the like, should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion] ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord [ i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time, but in the night kéeping watch and ward, about the temple of the Lord, sée Num. 18.1.2, &c. 1. Chron. 9.33. And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the tem­ple, as it is reported of Anna, Luk. 2.37. yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites: and when he sayth stande, hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were. And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the 2 place where the Arke was, or the temple after it was builded.] Verse 2. Lift vp your handes, [ i. praye and giue thankes: the signe of prayer, or an out­warde gesture vsed in it, put for the thing it selfe, as Psalme 141, 2. also 1 Timothie 2, 8.] to the sanctuarye [ i. towardes the Sanctuarye, meaning the place where the Arke was, and the Arke it selfe, out of which God had pro­mised to aunswere his people, and to heare their prayers] and prayse the Lorde [ vz. for his mercyes, as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the princi­pall ende of outward ceremonies, is to set forth Gods praise and glory.] Verse 3 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth [ i. the God of all maiestie, glory, po­wer, &c. sée Psalme 121, 2, also Psalme 124, 8,] blesse thée [ vz. with all good­nesse and fauour] out of Sion [where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was: so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power, and in the seconde his fatherlye loue: which two must neuer be sun­dered, but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children. And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes, whose office it was to blesse the people, as Numbers 6, 23, or in his own person, as praying for them, and testifying his great loue vnto them, it is not muche materiall.

Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men, yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent, to the performance of their dutie. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children, should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together. Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue, to pray for others as for our selues.

Psalme 135.

IN my iudgement, Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into 1 two partes. In the first, the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee, to prayse the Lorde, shewing certaine causes, that may leade them thereto, as his mercy, his power, his wonderful workes, &c. from ver. 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference 2 there is betwéene the true God, and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles, exhorting al the faithful generally, and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God, whose seruice they professed, from ver. 13. to the end of the Psalme.

The title is] prayse yée the Lorde [sée this expounded before, Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles, so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argu­ment of the Psalme, as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God.] Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord [ i. his maiesty, pow­er, 1 goodnes, &c. as sundrie times before, and namely Psal. 20.1. and Psal. 124.8.] ye seruants of the Lorde [this I referre generally to all, as Psalm. 134.1. but specially to the priests] praise him [this doubling of the exhortation, sée­meth to set out, as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same, so the excellency of the thing it selfe.] Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde [ i. ye priestes, 2 specially and chiefly, because they ought by their duety, to shewe the way vnto others] and in the courtes of the house of our God [ i. in those courtes, that did appertein to y e temple of the Lord, amongst which the people had some, which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9. the great court: and this is the reason, why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites, yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood, that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise.] Verse 3. 3 Prayse ye the Lorde [ vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue, sée Psal. 134.1.] for the Lorde is good [ vz. euen of his owne nature: and from that abun­daunt goodnesse which is in him, floweth all goodnesse, which wee haue: and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him] sing prayses vnto his name [ i. extol his maiesty, power &c. as before ver. 1.] for it is a comely thing [ vz. to do so, meaning by comely, pleasant and pro­fitable, 4 sée Psal. 133.1. also Psalm. 92.1.] Ver. 4. For the Lorde [ vz. whom I ex­hort you to praise and magnifie] hath chosen [ vz. of his infinite mercy & good­nes] Iaakob [ i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob] to himselfe [ i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe] and [ vz. he hath fréely chosen, for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word] Israel [ i. the true Israelites, or the Isra­el of God, as Psal. 124.1.] for his chiefe treasure [ i. for a people whom hee ma­keth more account of by many degrees, then men do of their chiefest treasures. Sée Exod. 19.5. The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse [Page 498] most exquisite thinges as pearles, precious stones, or such like. And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes: vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth, the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his 5 people.] Ver. 5. For I know [ vz. both by his worde, workes, and myne owne experience] that the Lord [ vz. whom we serue] is gret [ vz. in power & might] and that our Lorde [ vz. whom we worship, according to his will reuealed in his word] is aboue al Gods [ i. is higher and mightier then they, whether they be Angels and magistrates, to whom this name is sometimes giuen, or idoles which the vaine people worship, whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in 6 this Psalme.] Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord [ i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do] that did he [ vz. because no power was able to resist him] in heauen, and in earth, in the Sea, and in al depthes [ i. euery where, for no place is excepted from his power and presence, as Psalm. 139.7.8. &c. and howe true this is, the particular examples of his woorde doe declare: specially these two, the vni­uersall flood, and the confusion of Babel, Gene. 7.8.11. chapt.] and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause, wherefore men should prayse God, and that is the great power of God, declared not onely in the creation of heauen and earth, the waters &c. but also in that hee gouerneth euery thing according to his 7 will, and disposeth of them in a most wyse order.] Ver. 7. Hée [ vz. God alone] bringeth vp [ vz. into the aire and skye, and that by his almighty power] the clouds [ i. vapors and exhalations, which afterwardes in the middle region of the aire are turned into cloudes, as we sée them] from the endes of the earth [ i. from al the quarters of the worlde] and maketh [ vz. by his almighty power] the lightnings with the raine [ i. both lightning and rayne, which are seldome sundered, but come together, as our dayly experience teacheth vs, for wee haue seldome any lightning, without rayne, and thunder] hee draweth foorth the wynds [ vz. by his almightie power stil, to which euery thing, euen y e dumbe and insensible creatures must obey] out of his treasures [ i. out of holes, dens, hidden and secret places, in which as it were in treasure houses god keepeth the windes, of which our sauiour Christ sayth, Iohn 3.8. That the wind blow­eth where it listeth, and men heare the sound thereof, but whence it commeth, or whither it goeth, no man can tell. And thus wée sée, that though by reason wee can giue a naturall cause of these meteors as that the cloudes are con­gealed of moist and watery vapours drawen out of the Sea, and from the earth, from which cloudes the rayne commeth, as Ecclest. 11.3. and that light­ning is made, of hote, drye, and firie exhalations, drawen by the power of the sunne into the regions of the aire, and so foorth of the rest, yet we may perceiue by the playne woords of this text, that nothing is done in the order of nature, without the counsell and will of our GOD, Sée Iob. 36. verse 27.28, &c. also 8 Iob. 37. throughout, for this purpose.] Verse 8. Hée smote [ vz in his iustice, and iudgement, and that by his almighty power] the first borne of Egipt [ i. all the first borne in the lande of Egypt] both of man and beast [ i. of all men and beastes whatsoeuer, Sée Exod. 12.29. Psalme 105.36. meaning by smi­ting [Page 499] destroying them with death. And note, that here he reckoneth vp a fourth cause, wherefore the faythfull shoulde prayse God, to wit, for his speciall gra­ces and benefites bestowed vppon his Church, in their preseruation and deli­uerance, and his singular iudgements and punishments, brought vpon their enemies, wherein the principal prayse of his vertue and power is manifested.] Verse 9. Hée [ i. God himselfe] hath sent [ vz. by his eternal power, in the mi­nistery 9 of Moses and Aaron his seruants] tokens [ vz. of his wrath and iudge­ment] and wonders [ i. feareful and straunge thinges] into the middest of thée O Egypt [ vz. so that thou canst not either pleade ignoraunce or alledge excuse, for my iudgements were euen] vppon Pharaoh [ vz. thy king] and vppon all his seruauntes [ i. not onely them that attended vppon him, but vppon all his people and subiectes, the trueth and accomplishment of this, Sée in Exod. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12. chapters.] Verse 10. Hée [ i. God] smote [ vz. in his iudge­ment, 10 and that by the dint of the sworde, and death] many nations [ vz. grea­ter and mightier then the people of the Iewes, Sée Deutronom. 2. & 3. chapt. throughout, for this matter] and flewe [ vz. by the sworde of his seruantes and people] many kinges [whereof some hee reckoneth vp in the next verse, and o­thers are mentioned Numb. 21.1. and in other places.] Verse 11. As Sihon king 11 of the Ammorites, and Og the king of Bashan [sée the historie of these. Numb. 21. Deut. 3. Ioshua 12.] and all the kingdomes of Canaan [which was diuided into sundry kingdomes, and wherein dwelt seuen nations greater and mighti­er then the Iewes.] Ver. 12. And gaue [ vz. of his frée goodnes] their lande [ i. 12 the land of the Canaanites, or that land which they inhabited] for an inheri­tance, euen an inheritance to Israel his people [ i. for a place for them, as safe­ly and as lawfully for them to dwell in, as if it had descended to them by inhe­ritance.] Ver. 13. Thy name [ i. thy maiesty, power and goodnes] indureth for 13 euer [ vz. towardes all, but specially towards thine owne people.] O Lorde thy remembraunce [ i. the continual instructions, which thou giuest to thy peo­ple, to remember thée] is from generation to generation [ i. lasteth comtinu­ally, and goeth on from age to age, so that there is no age, but they haue e­uident examples thereof.] Ver. 14. For the Lorde [ vz himselfe] will iudge [ i. 14 guide, gouerne and defend, as Psalme 96.13. and Psalme 98.9.] and bee paci­fied towardes his seruauntes [ i. hee will, as it were chaunge his purpose, and not execute with heauy iudgement, that which he had determined against them: and this is spoken of God according to the manner of men.] Ver. 15.16. 15, 16, 17, 18, 17.18. Sée expounded before Psalm. 115. ver. 4.5.6.7.8. where you shall finde both the very same woordes and matters. And hee here inueigheth so sharp­ly agaynst idoles, because that the prayse which belongeth vnto GOD, is many tymes falsly giuen vnto them: and therefore hee declareth, that nei­ther the matter it selfe, whereof they are made, nor the workeman, can giue them the title of GOD, or God heade.] Ver. 19. Prayse the Lorde [sée 19 ver. 1.3. of this Psalme] yee house of Israell [ i. yee that descende of Israell or Iaakob, meaning by this speach, all the people generally] prayse [Page 500] the Lorde yée house of Aaron [ i. ye Priests, who descend and come from Aa­ron, to whose race, familie and stocke, the priesthood was by Gods ordinaunce 20 onely appoynted and tyed.] Ver. 20. Prayse the Lorde yee house of Leui [ i. all ye Leuites who were inferiour vnto the Priestes, though they came all from one father, to wit, Leui, Iaakobs third sonne: and by this place wee sée, that e­uen by the very institution and ordinaunce of God, there were two distinct or­ders amongest the people of the Iewes, to wit, priests and Leuites, according to which also he speaketh here] ye that feare the Lorde [ vz. with a reuerent & child like feare: meaning also by this speach, such as did worshippe and serue 21 him, sée Psalme 128.1.] prayse the Lorde [ vz. with a good heart, sée before ver. 1.3. of this Psalme.] Ver. 41. Praysed be the Lord [ vz. for his infinite mercies towards vs] out of Sion [i. in Sion which was the place appoynted for his wor­shippe, for this phrase sée Psalm. 128.5. also 134.3.] which [ vz. Lord and God] dwelleth in Ierusalem [i. giueth most plaine testimonies, of his presence and abode there, and not that God is tied to any place. The Prophet meaneth that in Sion and Ierusalem the place of his worshippe, he gaue euident signes of his presence and power, and not that hee was inclosed, or tied to that place only] praise ye the Lord [this Psalme beginneth and endeth with like woordes, for which sée Psal. 105. and Psal. 106. in the beginning and ending.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke al gods people to thankefulnes to God for his benefites. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs particularly to stirre vp both priests and people to that duety, when we find them slacke. Verse. 3. Teacheth vs, that the Lords continual goodnes towards vs, should draw vs on to praise his name. Ver. 4. Teacheth vs, that euen his gracious election, particularly aboue the rest, should be a singular argument of our prayse and thankesgiuing. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs the particular experience which wee or any of vs haue had of Gods power should be a notable proppe to our fayth. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that nothing can withstand his purpose and power. Ver. 7. Teacheth that euen all naturall thinges, are guided and gouerned by him and his appoyntment. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that the Lorde in executing his iudgements vpon the wicked, respecteth no mans person. Ver. 9. Doeth the same thing, teaching vs further, that Gods iudgements are so plain and manifest, as the wicked are not able to alledge either ignorance or excuse against them for themselues. Ver. 10. Tea­cheth vs that though God vse meanes for the performance of his counsels, yet the accomplishment and glory of them belongeth to him alone It teacheth al­so further, which thing also, Verse. 11. Doeth that there is no power, wisedome, counsel, multitudes, or authoritie, able to hinder, though neuer so litle, the Lord in his workes. Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that they haue right to lande, and inheri­tance, to whom it pleaseth the Lord to giue the same, because he is the Lorde of the whole earth. Verse. 13. Teacheth vs that God in all ages, leaueth notable spectacles of his power to al people, to the ende that thereby they might bee drawne vnto him. Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that though the Lorde bee angry with his people for a while, yet he wil turne to them in euerlasting loue. Ver. 15.16.17. [Page 501] Set out vnto vs, the horrible vanity and great abuse of idoles. Ver. 18. Tea­cheth vs that the idole, the idole maker, and al such also, as serue them, are not onely beastly and blockish before men, but shall before god, in good time come to shame and confusion. Ver. 19.20. Teach vs that it is méete for al the faithful, but specially for the Lords ministers as guides vnto the rest, to praise the Lord for his great goodnes. Ver. 21 teacheth them to performe that seruice to him, euen in the publike assemblies of his saints.

Psalme 136.

IN this Psalme the Prophet doeth exhort all the faithfull people, 1 Di. to praise God, first, for the excellency of his nature, and singular 2 maiesty: ver. 1.2.3.26. secondly, for his workes of creation and pro­uidence, 3 generally and particularly: ver. 4.5.6.7.8.9.25. Third­ly 4 for his great iudgements vpon the enemies of his people. ver. 10.15.17.18.19.20. and fourthly for his excéeding fauour towards his owne ser­uants. ver. 11.12.13.14.16.21.22.23.24.

This Psalme hath no title, as many such wee haue had heretofore, Se. as Psal. 104.105. and sundry such like.] Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord [ vz. O yée faythfull people] because he is good [ vz. towards al, but specially towards you] for his mercy [ vz. which is the first course of all his goodnes] indureth for euer [ i. shall neuer haue end. This sentence is repeated in euery verse of this Psalme, not as idle, superfluous, or vaine, but to shewe, that Gods goodnes is the foun­taine, both of al our praises, and al his works, which doctrine, because it ought to be perpetual, therefore did the Leuites sing this Psalme, or some other of the same argument or matter dayly in the olde Church of the Iewes, as ap­peareth, 1. Chron. 16.41. and it séemeth also to shewe, how much we should con­tinue, in the acknowledging of gods graces. Ver. 2. Praise ye the God of gods 2 [ i. he that is aboue all, that haue any diuine or heauenly offices, whether they be men as magistrates, or Angels, or any other thing which hath the name of God giuen vnto it, sée Deut. 10.17.] for his mercy [ vz. towardes all, but spe­cially towards his owne people] indureth for euer [all this is expounded be­fore.] Ver 3. Praise ye the Lord of Lords [ i. he that hath the fulnes and perfec­tion 3 of rule and authority in him, for whatsoeuer other men haue, they haue it from him because it pleaseth him to bestow the same vppon them, sée 1. Tim. 6.15. Reuelat. 17.14.] for his mercy indureth for euer [this is expounded before, and therfore we shal not néede to repeate it againe.] Ver. 4. Which [ vz. God 4 our Lorde] onely [ i. by himselfe alone, and his owne power, none ioyning with him as assistant] doth great wonders [ vz. euen as we our selues know, and can report.] Ver. 5. Which by his wisedome [ i. most wisely, and with great vnder­standing, 5 yea, wich such wisedome and prouidence, as is wonderfull: Sée Pro­uerb. 3.19. wee may vnderstande also by wisdom, his eternal sonne, sée Pro. 8. [Page 502] from ver. 22. to the ende of the 31.] made [ vz. in the beginning, as Gene. 1.1.] the heauens [ vz. and all thinges therein conteined, for so large doe I take the 6 worde to be here, as Psal. 124.8.] Ver. 6. Which hath stretched out the earth [ i. the continent and firme land] vpon the waters, sée Psal. 24.2. hee meaneth that God hath caused the waters, to withdraw themselues from of the earth, to the 7 end it might be a place for men to dwell therein: sée Gene. 1.9.] Ver. 7. Which made great lights [ vz. two, as Gene. 1.16. of which he speaketh afterwards par­ticularly, and they are called great, because they are in our iudgments in déed, 8 greater then the other.] Ver. 8. As [ vz. for example] the sunne to rule the day [ i. to shine in it, and to make it light, whereas otherwise it woulde be all dark­nes.] Verse. 9. The moone and the starres to gouerne the night [ i. to shyne and 10 shewe forth themselues in that season.] Verse. 10. Which smote [ vz. with his plagues Egypt [ i. the lande and the people inhabiting it] with their first borne 11 [ i. all their first borne, from man to beast: Sée Psalme 135.8.] Verse 11. And brought out Israell [ vz. who was kept in captiuity and thraldome putting Is­rael, for the Israelites] from among them [ i. quite and cleane out of their com­pany 12 and land, this history is written, in the 13. chapt. of Exod.] Ver. 12. With a mighty hand [ i. with such great power, as the Egiptians coulde no way re­sist] and stretched out arme [ i. with singular fauour and pro [...]ection ouer his owne, and great iudgements vppon the wicked, for the arme serueth both for 13 defence, and for striking.] Ver. 13. Which diuided the red Sea into two parts 14 [ vz. that his people might passe through it, Sée Exod. 14.22.] Verse 14. And made Israell [ i. the Israelites, hee speaketh thus of them all, as though they were but one man, because they were but one body] to passe through their id­dest 15 of it [ i. of the waters so diuided.] Verse 15. And ouerthrewe [ vz. by his almighty power] Pharaoh [ vz. who was king of Egypt] and his hoste [ i. the people which hee had gathered together, to pursue the Israelites, in their flight, yea hée so destroyed them, that there was not one of them left] in the red Sea [the place is named, for the certainetie of the historie also.] Verse 16 16. Which [ vz. God] led [ vz. carefully and tenderly as a father his children, or a shepheard his flocke] his people [ i. the Israelites, whome he had cho­sen, to bée a peculiar people to himselfe, as Psalme 135.4.] through the wil­dernesse [ i. through sundry wildernesses, putting one for many, as Sin, Pha­ram and others, as whosoeuer will reade the historie of their iourneyes, in 17 Numbers 33. shall plainely perceiue.] Verse 17. Which smote [sée Psal. 135.8.10.] 18 great kinges [ i. kinges of great power.] Verse. 18. And slewe [ vz. by the sworde of his captaines, and people, sée Psalm. 135.10.] mightie kinges [ i. kinges of wonderfull might and force, howe great and mightie soeuer they 19 were.] Verse 19. As [ vz. for example] Sihon king of the Ammorites [ i. one 20 Sihon, that gouerned that people.] Ver. 20. And Og the king of Bashan [ i. he 21 that ruled in the lande of Bashan.] Verse 21. And gaue [ vz. freely and of his owne goodnesse] their lande [ i. the lande, which they and their people in­habited] for an heritage [ i. by the right of inheritance as it were, so that the [Page 503] people might lawfully possesse it.] Verse 22. Euen an heritage [ i. to be a most 22 certaine inheritaunce, for so much I take the doubling of the woorde, to im­port] vnto Israell his seruaunt [ i. vnto the Israelites, which did serue and worshippe him, and vppon whome hee had bestowed this honour, to bee his seruants, because to serue him is to bée a king, for the storie of all these mat­ters, conteined here from verse 10. to the ende of the 22. Sée Exod. chapters 12.13.14. &c. Sée Psalme 78. from ver. 12, to verse. 56. also Psalm 105. verse 27. to the ende thereof. Sée Psalm. 106. almost throughout. Psalme 135. verse 8.9.10.11.12. also Numbers 21. Deutronomie 3. Iosh. 12. and many other places.] Verse 23. Which remembred vs [ i. shewed by effect that hee thought vpon vs, 23 and had care ouer vs: as Genesis 8.1.] in our base estate [ i. when wee were af­flicted and oppressed on euery side, for to such a lowe ebbe, are Gods children many tymes brought.] Verse 24. And hath restored vs, from our oppres­sours 24 [ i. from the power and tyrannie of such as did oppresse vs: the meta­phor of restoring is notable, not onely declaring their miserie, who were taken captiues and prisoners, to bee vsed according to the pleasure of those that had taken them, but also expressing Gods mercy, in deliuering his people out of the same: and Gods power, because the enemy coulde not gain­stande it.] Verse 25. Which giueth foode [ i. graciously, and plentifully pro­uideth 25 for] to all fleshe [ i. not onely men, but also all beastes and creatures: sée Psal. 104.27.28.] Ver. 26. Prayse ye the God of heauen [ i. the true and 26 onely GOD, whose seate and dwelling place is in the heauen of heauens: and by this title hée discerneth God, from all counterfeite and forged Gods in the earth.]

Verse. 1. Teacheth vs, both to prouoke others, and also our selues, Do. to prayse God for his excellent goodnes. Ver. 2. teacheth vs to prayse him for his excel­lent nature, and incomprehensible maiesty. Ver. 3 teacheth vs to praise him for his large and great gouernment. Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God alone is he that doeth notable things howsoeuer he vseth men as meanes in the performance thereof. Ver. 5 teacheth vs that al that God doeth, he doeth in most exact wise­dome, & vnderstanding. Ver. 6 teacheth vs that it is by Gods power, that the waters ouerflow not the earth. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs, that euen the light which we enioy, is a singular gift of God. Verse 8. Sheweth that the sunne shineth in the day, by the order which GOD hath set, and not for any naturall cause. Verse 9. Teacheth vs the selfe same thing, touching the moone and the starres in the night season. Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God spareth not the wicked in his punishments. Vrr. 11. Teacheth vs that it is a singular bene­fite of God, to deliuer his people, from idolaters, and out of an idolatrous land. Ver. 12. Sheweth that God doeth it by his only power, which none is able to resist. Verse. 13, Teacheth vs that God will make the whole course of na­ture, giue place vnto his Seruauntes. Verse 14.15. Teach, that Gods children, goe in safety, where the wicked manye tymes perishe and are ouer-whelmed. Verse 16. Teacheth vs, not onely that GOD doeth [Page 504] sundry wise proue the fayth and patience of his seruantes, but mercifully pro­uideth for them in the places of greatest daunger. Ver. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Tea­cheth vs y t as there is no power or strength, able to withstand God in his pur­poses & attemptes: so god for his peoples sake, and this assured loue towardes them, wil spare to plague none, though neuer so high, and to doe wonderfull and great thinges. Verse. 22. Teacheth vs, that whatsoeuer God giueth vs in this lyfe, hee doeth it to this ende, that wée shoulde imploy it and our selues wholy to his seruice. Verse 23, 24. Doe teach vs that GOD doeth not onely thinke vppon his people for their good, but also graciously performeth their deliueraunce. Verse 25. Doeth excellently set out Gods prouidence ouer all his creatures. Verse 26. Teacheth, that wee must not pray to, or praise any, or giue thanks to any, but to the true God onely, which dwelleth in heauen.

Psalme 137

Di. 1 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes. In the first the fayth­full doe declare, the great griefe they had in their captiuitie, and specially the scornes and taunts, which the enemy layd vpon them. 2 Ver. 1.2.3. Secondly they set out the great strength that god gaue them in those afflictions, and their earnest loue to the Church, Ver. 4, 5, 6. In 3 the third they pray against their enemies, pronouncing a curse vpon them, and a blessing vpon them, that shal molest and trouble them. ver. 7.8.9.

Se. This Psalme is without title, as that Psalme which goeth next before, and many others are.] Ver. 1. By the riuers [ vz. named Euphrates, and Tygris] of Babel [ i. not onely of the Cytie, but also of the whole monarchie, for the Iewes were not onely caried into the Citie, but dispersed throughout theire whole gouernment, as appeareth in the bookes of Ezechiel, Daniel, & Ezra] we [ vz. who were captaines of the people of the Iewes, but specially y e priests and Leuites who were occupied and skilled in singing] sate [ i. we were a long while in that captiuity] and there we wept [ vz. in greate abundaunce] when wee remembred Sion [i. the place wherein we were wonte to worship GOD, 2 and the great destruction and desolation of it.] Ver. 2. We [ vz. being thus sad and heauie] hanged our harpes [ i. our musical instruments putting one sort for sundry sortes of them] vpon the willowes [ i. openly and abroad, shewing ther­by that we had no care or regard thereof: hee meaneth that they regarded not their musical instruments, nor had any pleasure or delight in singing] in the middest thereof [ i. which willowes are a long by the riuers sides in that Coun­trey.] 3 Ver. 3. Then [ vz. in this great heauines and griefe of ours] they that lead vs captiues [ i. the Babilonians and Assyrians, in whose countrey we were prisoners] required of vs [ vz. scornefully and disdainfully, thinking thereby to adde vnto our griefes] songs [ i. such songs as we were wont to sing in Sion, Ierusalem, and our owne countrey, before the destruction of the temple and our [Page 505] captiuity] and mirth [ i. they scoffingly desired vs to be merry, when they sawe vs so heauy hearted, as nothing could make vs glad] when we had hanged vp our harpes as before in this Psalm. ver. 2.] sing vs [ i. for vs, or in our hearing] one of the songes of Sion [i. some one or other of those songes, which yee were wont to sing in Sion, when yee were at home in your owne countrey: thus the faithful put downe the wordes of the Babylonians, to which they themselues answere in the next verse.] Ver. 4. Howe shall we sing said we [ i. vy what right 4 or reason can we sing] a song of the Lord [ i. some one or other of those songs, which were dedicated to the honour and seruice of the Lorde] in a strange land [ vz. besides our owne countrey, hee meaneth not simply, that either the place was of it selfe, vnfit for such a purpose, or the thing it selfe vnséeming their persons, but because heauinesse is not a fitte tyme for singing, as Iames 5.13. and they would not deliuer Gods holy songes to bee prophaned, by and before a company of vnbeleeuers, therfore do they say thus.] ver. 5. If I forget 5 thee [this is a certayne kind of oth or vow as it were, by which they bind thē ­selues, to think vpon gods Church: And here he chaungeth from the plural to the singuler, which also would be marked] O Ierusalem [ i. O thou citie and temple of the lord, meaning that no afflictions should cause them to forgette] let my right hand] i. that hand wherwith we sound our harps, and play vpon other instruments] forget to play [ i. forget all her cunning, or let it be, as wee woulde say, dead, dryed vp, and withered, not able to play.] Verse 6. If I 6 doe not remember thée [ i. continually thinke vppon thée, and that not onely in the meditation and griefe of my heart, but will testifie by my dayly lamenting and mourning for thée and thy case] let my tongue [ vz. wherewith I shoulde speake and sing] cleaue to the roofe of my mouth [ vz. in such sort, that I may not be able to do either the one or the other: and this is an other wish, by which hee declareth, that hee woulde rather want the vse of his tongue, then sing at those mens pleasures and requestes, which was after a sort to forget Sion, and Ierusalem] yea [ q.d. let that thing fall out vppon mee likewise] if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioye [ i. if I make not more account of it, then of any thing in this life whatsoeuer, that coulde make mee neuer so ioyfull: q.d. this shal bée my whole and perfect ioy, to thinke earnestly vpon Ierusalem, and the restitution thereof: any where else, or in any other thing, I shall finde no matter or occasion of ioy, this hee speaketh in the person of one, meaning notwithstanding thereby, all the rest of the faythfull that were in captiuity.] Verse 7. Remember [ vz. when thou powrest foorth thy iudge­mentes, 7 to punish: q.d. declare by effect, that then thou thinkest vpon their wic­kednes] the children of Edom [ i. the Idumeans, or Edomites, who though they were their neighbours, & came of Esau, Iaakobs sonne, who was called also Edom, as it shoulde séeme. Gene. 36.1. yet they tooke part with the Ba­bylonians, and Chaldeans, and prouoked their rage and crueltie agaynst the Iewes: Sée Obadiah. chapt. 1. ver. 8.9.10.11.12. &c. Sée also Psalm 79.12.] in the day of Ierusalem [ i. in that same miserable day of the ruine and destruc­tion [Page 506] thereof] which sayde [ vz. in the spyte and crueltie of their owne hearts, and that to the incouragement of the Chaldeans and Babylonians: Sée E­zechiel 25.12.] Rase it, rase it, [this the Edomites spake to the Chaldeans, and Babylonians: q.d. spare it not at any hande] to the foundation therof, and leaue not so much, as any appearaunce of a foundation as it were, our Sa­uiour expresseth the ruine of it by an other terme, vz. that they shall make it euen with the grounde, and shall not leaue a stone vppon a stone, Luke 19.44. for the destruction of this people, Sée Ierem. 49.7. &c. Ezech. 25.12. 8 &c. also Lament. 4.12. &c.] Verse 8. O daughter of Babell [ i. O Citie of Ba­bylon, for the Hebrewes doe vse to vnderstande by daughter many tymes, Cities and Townes: Sée Ioshua 15.45. with the note in the margent, and if my memorie fayle mee not, I haue noted once or twise before in this expo­sition vppon the Psalmes, meaning also thereby, not the citie onely, but the whole Countrey, and the gouernement thereof, as verse 1. of this Psalme] worthy to bée destroyed [ vz. for thy excéeding great wickednesse, and name­ly for thy wonderfull crueltie and harde heartednesse] blessed shall hee bee [ i. they of what state and condition soeuer they bee: here hée speaketh of one in the stéede of many: neither meaneth hee, that the seruice of the Persians and Medes, who destroyed Babylon was acceptable to God, because they were caried to the doing of it, for the satisfiyng of their owne ambition and couetousnes, and not of zeale to serue the Lorde: but by blessing, hée meaneth outwarde commodities, as riches, wealth, spoyle, and the wishes of the peo­ple and their good woordes, because that for the tyrannies of Babell, euery one shoulde not onely desire, but also reioyce in the destruction of it, as it had deserued] that rewardeth thée, as thou hast serued vs [ i. that shall destroye thée and thy people, as thou hast done our Citie Ierusalem, the whole land of Iudah, and vs, sée concerning the destruction of that great Citie Babell, and the whole kingdome thereof. Isaiah 13. also Ieremiah, chapters 50.51.] 9 Verse 9. Blessed shall hée bée [this must bee expounded as it was before, ver. 8.] that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones [ i. that dealeth most sharply and seuerely with thée, according to the heinousnesse of thine owne e­uill déedes, that is, that as thou sparedst none, no not yong children, but cru­elly destroyedst vs and all ours, so shal they be wel thought of and wel spoken of amongest men, that shall yéelde the like measure vnto you O yee Babyloni­ans and Chaldeans.

Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs, what greife of heart and abundaunce of teares, the affliction of Gods Church shoulde wring from vs. Verse 2. Teacheth vs, that the tyme of affliction and miserie, is not seasonable, for outwarde mirth and meriments. Verse 3. Teacheth vs, what is the harde heartednesse, cruel­tie and scoffing nature of the wicked, when they haue gotten Gods children into their nets. Verse 4. Teacheth vs not to obey the wicked, no though they haue the mastery of vs, in euery thing, that they demaunde, specially when God and his glory shalbe prophaned thereby. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs conti­nually [Page 507] to thinke vppon Gods Church, and the misteries thereof, that thereby we may be prouoked to powre forth earnest prayers to God for it. Ver. 6. Tea­cheth vs that we should rather forget our selues, then Gods Church, it tea­cheth vs also, that nothing in this life shoulde bee so ioyfull vnto vs, as the re­stitution and florishing therof. Verse. 7. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray against the wicked and vngodly. Verse 8.9. Teach vs, that God many times punisheth one sinne with an other, as cruelty with crueltie, not that he deligh­teth in sinne, but to shewe that sinne shall not escape vnpunished, and that to this ende and purpose, hee rayseth vp one wicked man and people against an other.

Psalme 138

THe Psalme may bée deuided into thrée partes. Di. In the first 1 the Prophet promiseth, humble and hearty thankesgiuing to the Lorde, for his mercies towardes him. verse 1.2.3. In the seconde hee doeth by the spirite of prophecie as it 2 were, foretell, that other kings and people shall doe it as well as hée, shewing the cause wherefore they shoulde so doe. ver. 4.5.6. In the thirde hee setteth out, the assured perswasion, that hee had 3 of God and his goodnes towardes him, praying for the continuaunce therof. ver. 7.8.

The title] A Psalme of Dauid [ i. a Psalme that Dauid made, Se. to set foorth his thankefulnesse to God-warde. Sée Psalme 4. in the title.] Ver. 1. I will prayse thée [ vz. O Lorde, and that for thy mercies and benefites, and this Psalme shoulde séeme to bee a publike confession, that Dauid made vnto GOD, for the blessinges which hee had receiued at his handes] with my whole heart [ i. in sinceritie of heart, with a sounde, and not an hypocriti­call heart, and this is opposed against a double heart: q.d. no parte of my heart, nor of the affections thereof, but they shall bée all wholly oc­cupied in praysing of thee] euen before the Gods [ i. openlye, and before the Kinges and Magistrates of the worlde] for so haue you the woorde, Gods, vsed, Psalme 82.1. which thing also Dauid him-selfe promiseth, Psalme 119.46. and in other places] will I prayse thee [ vz. continually and vnfeignedly.] Verse 2. I will worshippe towardes thy temple [ i. I 2 will call vppon thee, bending my presence towardes the place where thou art serued, Sée Psalme 5.7.] and prayse thy name [ i. thy maiestye, power, goodnesse, &c. as sundry tymes before] because of thy louing kindnes [ vz. towardes mee] and for thy trueth [ vz. in accomplishing thy promises, so here hee putteth downe the causes of his thankesgiuing: Sée Psalme 115.1.] for thou hast magnified thy name aboue all thinges [ i. thou hast made thy maiesty and power appeare more excellent and great, then all thinges [Page 508] whatsoeuer] by thy word [ i. by faithful accomplishment of those thinges which thou hast promised in thy word.] It may also receiue this sense, q.d. the things which thou speakest and performest in thy woorde, are more great and large, then that men can either name them, or thou bee sufficiently praysed for them, 3 Sée Psalme 71.15.] Ver. 3. When I called [ vz. vpon thée by prayer] then thou heardest mee [ i. grauntest mée my requestes and petitions: Sée Psalm. 120.1.] and thou [ vz. alone, for none could do it but thou] hast increased strength in my soule [ i. hast made my soule and inward man very mightie and strong, with patience to suffer all calamities whatsoeuer: it may be also vnderstoode thus, that God had more and more strengthened himselfe, putting a part for 4 the whole.] Ver. 4. All the kinges of the earth. [This séemeth to bee a prophe­cie of the calling of the Gentiles, he meaneth that many kings, & their people shalbee conuerted to the Lorde] shall prayse thee O Lorde [ vz. by myne ex­ample] for they haue hearde the woordes of thy mouth [ i. they haue not onely with their eares heard, but with their eyes séene, and with their heartes con­sented vnto, the trueth of thy word generally, and particularly this, that thou hast by wonderfull meanes brought mée to the kingdome: and this hee spea­keth 5 specially of Hiram king of Tyrus, and others néere vnto him.] Verse 5. And they shall sing [ vz. openly and in the hearing of others] of the wayes of the Lorde [ i. of the thinges which the Lorde doeth, and of the order and course which he obserueth therein: he meaneth that they shal both acknowledge gods workes and prayse him for the same, specially for the course which hee hath kept, in preseruing Dauid from his enemies, and exalting him to the king­dome] because the glory of the Lorde is great [ i. because the thinges that he hath done gloriously and openly, as it were a conquerour are very high and 6 excellent.] Verse 6. For the Lorde is high [ i. mightie and passing the ve­ry heauens them-selues, and so it may bée a reason of the great glorye of the Lorde, whereof hée spake before] yet [ q.d. notwithstanding the great distaunce betwéene him and vs] hee beholdeth [ vz. with a fauourable and louing coun­tenaunce, and that not idlely, but effectually, and as one that hath alto­gether care ouer such] the lowly [ i. such as are humbled, despised, and contemned amongest men] but the proude [ vz. men of the earth] hee know­eth [ vz. thorowly, both within and without] a farre off [ vz. howe farre off so euer they bée from him: and it may bée that hee meaneth, that as the proude doeth scornefully, and as it were a farre off beholde others, so dea­leth the Lorde with them. Immanuel readeth the whole verse thus] though the Lorde bee lifted vppe [ vz. in great and exceeding glorie] yet hee beholdeth the lowly [ i. such as are depressed and beaten downe of men] and though hee him-selfe bee high [ i. lifted vppe euen aboue the heauens] hee knoweth a farre off [ q.d. GOD hath both sight and certaine knowledge, both of the good and of the bad, the senses in my iudgements differ not much.] Verse 7. Though I walke [ i. though I bee much conuersaunt] in the middest of trouble [ i. in very great daunger, [Page 509] so that I am compassed about with, both before and behind, on the right hande and on the left, Sée Psalme 23.3.4.] yet wilt thou reuiue mee [ q.d. though my dangers were so great, that I shoulde séeme to be dead, yet thou wilt quicken me, and preserue me from death.] Thou wilt stretch forth thine hande vpon the wrath of mine enemies [ i. thou wilt not onely set thy power betwéene mee and their rage, to the end that they doe me not any hurt, but thou wilt also oppose and set thy selfe against them. Immanuel readeth it thus] thou stretchedst out thy hande, agaynst the face of mine enemies [ i. thou wilt strike them and that openly, as it were with thy left hande, and wilt defende mée with thy right, as followeth in this verse] and thy right hande [ i. thy gracious and mighty pow­er] shall saue me [ i. deliuer me out of al my dangers.] Verse. 8. The Lorde [ vz. 8 whose purpose and power none is able to withstand] will performe [ vz. graci­ously and in good time] his worke [ i. the worke that hee hath begunne in me to­wardes me [ i. vpon me, and for my cause. q.d. hee will procéede [...] declare, that hee hath care ouer my saluatioon, and will bring to perfection that which hee hath begunne: Sée Philip. 1.6.] O Lorde thy mercy [ vz. towardes all, but chiefely towardes thy children] indureth for euer [ i. shall neuer haue ende: for though that in the life to come wee shall not sinne, no more then the An­gels in heauen doe nowe, yet as they stand now, so must wee then, by his on­ly mercy in Christ] forsake not the woorkes of thine handes [ i. leaue not mee in myne affliction, and the good thinges that thou hast begunne in mee.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to prayse the Lorde for his mercies: Do. yea that wée shoulde not bée ashamed to doe it, before men of might and counte­naunce. Verse 2. Teacheth vs, that Gods continuall grace towardes vs, and the faythfull accomplishment of his promises, shoulde alwaies prouoke vs to bee thankefull vnto him. Verse 3. Teacheth vs, that GOD is nigh to the earnest supplications and prayers of his seruauntes. Verse 4. Teacheth vs, that it is the duety euen of Kinges, to serue the Lorde, euen as well as the meanest of the people: and that the hearing of Gods woorde, is a good meane for mens conuersion. Verse 5. Teacheth vs, to take singular delight in the meditation, and speach of Gods workes and worde. Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God considereth the conuersation both of the good and the bad, but to diuers endes and effectes. Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when Gods children are in the greatest distresse, that euen then they should assuredly beleeue that God will worke most comfortably for their deliueraunce. Verse 8. Teacheth vs, that GOD beginneth nothing in his children, but hee doeth accomplishe, and make the same perfect: and yet that it is our duety notwithstan­ding, to vse continuall and hearty prayers vnto him, for the performance thereof.

Psalme 139

Di. I Doe suppose that this Psalme, may rightly bee diuided into foure partes. In the first, the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde 1 did thorowly know him and al his waies both inward and out­ward, and this reacheth from ver. 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seconde hée declareth, that nothing neither in heauen nor in 2 earth, nor in places vnder the earth, is able to hyde him, from this great presence and exact knowledge of God, from verse 7. to the ende of the 12. In the thirde parte, hee setteth out certaine reasons thereof ta­ken 3 from mans creation, concluding with the excellency of Gods workes and wayes. from ver. 13. to the ende of the 18. and in the fourth part, hee prayeth 4 earnestly agaynst the wicked, desiring the Lorde more and more, to try him, that in the ende hee may bee founde fit for him, from ver. 19. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. The title [to him that excelleth] a Psalm of Dauid [sée this expounded be­fore, Psalme 4. in the title: Sée also the title of Psalme 14.] Ver. 1. O Lorde [ vz. who alone art the searcher of the heartes and reynes] thou hast tried [ vz. by sundry and many meanes] mée [ vz. whome men speake so much euill of] and knowne mee [ vz. thorowly, both inwardly and outwardly, so that my thoughtes, wordes and déedes are open in thy sight: and that which hee spea­keth here generally, hee vttereth in the next verses more particularly. And this Dauid doth, appealing to the iudgement of God, and making him wit­nesse of his heart, because hee sawe that hee was vniustly accused of his ene­mies.] Verse 2. Thou knowest [ vz. thorowly as before verse 1.] my sitting 2 and my rising [ i. whether I sit downe, or ryse vp, or doe any thing else, it is naked before thée: vnderstanding also by these two, al the actions of the whole life of a man] thou vnderstandest [ i. knowest and perceiuest] my thought [ i. both it, and the thinges that in it, I thinke vppon] a farre off [ i. long be­fore it bee brought to effect, yea long before it come into my minde, or I haue 3 conceiued any thing in my selfe.] Verse 3. Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe [ i. thou art alwayes with mée, whether I iourney, trauayle, or lye still] and are accustomed [ i. well acquainted, and as it were fami­liar] with all my wayes [ i. with the conuersation and actions of my whole 4 lyfe.] Verse 4. For there is not a woorde in my tongue [ i. I am not about to speake any thing at all: hée putteth the instrument of speach and woordes conceiued and ready to bée vttered, for woordes vttered already as it were] but loe, thou knowest it wholly O Lorde [ vz. euen before I speake it, so that 5 neither it, nor any part of it can bee hidden from thée.] Verse 5. Thou hol­dest mée straite [ vz. by thy almighty power] behinde and before [ i. on euery [Page 511] side, as aboue and belowe, on the right hande and on the left: q.d. thy power and presence enuironeth mée on all sides, so that I can neither thinke, doe, nor speake any thing, but thou séest it, and knowest it] and layest thyne hande vp­pon mee [ i. thy power: q.d. euen as though thou haddest arrested mee, and made mee thy prisoner, thou kéepest mée in such sort, that I can not goe out of thy sight nor doe any thing, but thou knowest it, yea and guidest and gouernest mee also.] Verse 6. Thy knowledge [ i. the knowledge of thy maiesty, and of thy wonderfull and excellent woorkes] is to wonderfull [ i. ouer high and marueilous] for mee [ vz. to reach vnto it] it is so high [ i. ex­cellent and exquisite] that I can not atteine vnto it [ vz. by any wit or industrie that I haue: q.d. I am not able to comprehende of my selfe, or by any thing that is within mée, or without mee, to knowe thée, and thy great woorkes, because they are farre beyonde the reach of my reason, capacitie, and vn­derstanding.] Verse 7. Whither [ i. into what place of heauen and earth] 7 shall I goe from thy spirite [ vz. to hyde mee from thy knowledge and vn­derstanding: because men conceiue and vnderstande thinges, by the spirite, which is a facultie and power of the inwarde man, hee speaketh thus of God, not meaning it of the holy Ghost, which is the thirde person of the godheade: q.d. I knowe not whither to goe, but thou wilt alwayes perceiue and vnder­stande where I am] whither shall I flie from thy presence [ q.d. I knowe not whither to get mee, from thy sight, as may appeare by the particular enu­meration following.] Verse 8. If I ascende [ i. goe vp] into heauen [ vz. 8 which is thy seate and dwelling house as it were] thou art there [ i. I shall certainelye finde thee there] if I lye downe in hell [ i. in the graue, as wee haue had it sundrye tymes in this booke of Psalmes: q.d. if I should rest in the graue and lower partes of the earth, as men doe in their beddes] thou art there [ vz. in thy almightye power, prouidence, and presence.] Verse 9. Let mee take the winges of the morning [ i. as I take it the 9 sunne beames, putting a parte for the whole: q.d. albeit I had as great quickenesse as the sunne hath, both when it riseth, and when as it were in a moment it goeth rounde about the worlde, yet that woulde not profite mee, to hyde mée from thy presence and knowledge] and dwell in the vtter­most partes of the Sea [ i. shoulde dwell, as farre as there is any Sea: or at the furthest ende of the Sea.] Verse 10. Yet thither [ vz. euen to that 10 same very place] shall thine hande [ i. thy power and might] leade mee [ vz. euen as a shephearde is wont to leade his sheepe] and thy righte hande [ i. thy great power and might] holde mee [ vz. there, and keepe mee in that place. q.d. though I woulde thinke by flying hither and thither to withdrawe my selfe from thy presence, yet I shoulde be in thy presence and power still, because by it, I should bée caried whither I my selfe would, to stay there, and to returne againe from thence, at thy pleasure, euen as the shéepe hang vppon the shephearde.] Verse 11. If I say [ i. if I shoulde either speake or thinke thus] yet the darkenesse [ q.d. séeing other places and [Page 512] meanes can not helpe, yet this shift I will haue, I shalbee hidden from thée in the night: for I take it, that by darkenes hée vnderstandeth night, as may ap­peare by that which followeth] shal hyde me, vz. from thy presence and know­ledge, so that thou shalt not sée or perceiue mee] euen the night shalbe light, a­bout me [ q.d. certainely I shal bee but deceiued, for that which is done in the night, is as wel known to thée, as that which is done in the noone day, for how­soeuer to me, and other creatures, the night is darke, yet to thée that art the cre­ator, all thinges are open, naked, and bare, as Heb. 4.13.] Ver. 12. Yea the dark­nes 12 [ i. the night, nor no other darkenes whatsoeuer, though it were as thicke, and palpable, as the darkenes of Egypt] hydeth not [ vz. any, either thought, worde, or déede] from thée [ i. from thy sight and knowledge] but the night shi­neth [ vz. before thée, and in thy sight, meaning by the worde, shineth, that it is as cleare for God to beholde any thing in, as the noone tyde] the darkenes and light [ i. the night and the day, Sée Gene. 1.5.] are both a like [ vz. to thée, for thou séest as clearely in the one, as in the other.] Verse 13. For thou hast pos­sessed 13 [here hée yéeldeth a reason, why God shoulde knowe the thinges before mentioned, and it is taken from the notable creation of man by Gods wonder full gouernement: q.d. by good reason, all these thinges are knowne to thée, be­cause thou hast created man and euery part, and péece of him, and vnder the worde, possessed, the Prophet noteth, first the knowledge that God hath of vs: for no man possesseth euidences, or houses, but hee knoweth the right title & roomes thereof: Secondly, his right and authoritie: for howsoeuer men ob­taine vniust possessions, yet with the Lorde there is no iniustice] my reines [ i. mine affections, yea the most secret thoughtes of my heart, and whatsoeuer lay, or lyeth hid within me] thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe [ Imma­nuel addeth here a terme that maketh the sense most plaine, thus] from the time, that thou hast &c. [ q.d. yea euen from my conception, & long before, thou knewest al thinges concerning me: And yet I deny not, but this text of the Ge­neua Bible, may haue a good sense thus] thou hast couered mee [ vz. with flesh, sinewes, skin, &c.] in my mothers wombe [ i. before I was borne, & when in that place, thou gauest a forme and fashion to me, and so it may be a reason why no­thing can be hidden from God, because God made him there, and knewe him 14 there, therefore much more in this life.] Ver. 14. I wil praise thée [ vz. with my whole hart, as psal. 138.1.] for I am fearefully & wonderously made [ i. the very creation and making of me, and the due consideration which I haue thereof, do strike into me a feare of thy maiesty, & a wondering at thy workmanship, or else thus: thou hast created me after a feareful and wonderful sort. Immanuel rea­deth it thus] I doe praise thée, because, by these thy reuerend woorkes, I am brought to wondering [& then repeateth these words] I praise thy marueilous works, my soule knoweth thē very well, but I take the other text to be as good as this] marueilous [ i. very excellent & wonderfull] are thy workes [ vz. euerie one of them, and namely the continuall forming and creating of mankynde] and my soule knoweth it well [ vz. through thy great goodnesse, who hast [Page 513] put that light into it, to know and consider of that excellente and wonderfull worke.] Verse 15. My bones [ i. neyther they all nor any one of them, for thou 15 kéepest them in a continuall account, sée Psal. 34, 20.] are not hid from thée, for thou knowest both their names and their number] though I was made in a se­cret place [ vz. in my mothers wombe, as verse 13, q.d. the closenesse of y t place, could not hide them from thy presence and knowledge] and fashioned beneath in the earth [whereas thou notwithstanding was in heauen: q.d. the distaunce of the place could not hinder thée from the sight and knowledge of me, and of euery part and péece of me.] Verse 16. Thine eyes did sée me [this is spoken of 16 God, according to mans vnderstanding, not that God hath eyes, but that the Lord knew more perfitly by many degrées, then we know things by our sight] when I was without forme [ i. when I had neither shape nor fashion, but was as it were a rude lumpe: he speaketh here of a great secret of nature. Of which we should both think and speake reuerently and modestly] for in thy booke [this is spoken according to men, who vse bookes for the helpe of their memory that they may haue euery thing by péecemeale as it were] were all thinges written [ i. all the members and parts of my body, were as well knowne in thy proui­dence vnto thée, as if they had bin written in a booke and layd before thée] which [ vz. members and parts of mine] in continuance [ vz. of time] were fashioned [ vz. thorow thy great power & woorking] when there was none of thē before [ vz. created and made. This is it that he meaneth, that as God in the begin­ning made heauen & earth, as a huge heape without forme, & yet afterwardes gaue them that notable forme which they haue, and out of them framed that great variety of excellent creatures: so out of the rude lumpe conceaued first in the womb, which yet notwithstanding did in it self containe the whole body, did y e Lord by a merueilous workmanship create that excellent forme and propor­tion of mans body, and of the seueral members & ioynts therof.] Ver. 17. How deare [ i. how precious, yea incomprehensible to my iudgement, or to al mens 17 iudgement whatsoeuer] therefore [ vz. for the causes aboue rehearsed] are thy thoughts vnto me [ i. are the meditations which I my selfe haue, concerning thée and thy great workes] howe great is the summe of them? [ i. both of thy workes, and of the thoughts and meditations which I haue of them: q.d. they are so many as they are able to ouerwhelme al the vnderstanding of men, that they are not able to count them, much lesse to comprehend them, sée Psa. 40.5.] Verse 18 If I should count them [ i. go about or indeuour to count them] they 18 are moe then the sand [ q.d. I might as well number the sand of the sea, whiche is infinite and innumerable, sée for this spéech, 1. Samuel 13.5. 2. Sam. 17.11. Psal. 78.27.] when I awake [ vz from my sléepe and naturall rest] I am still with thée [ i. I doe continually meditate of thy wonderfull workes and wise­dome: q.d. Except it be when I sléepe, I spend little or no time otherwise then in the meditation of thy maiesty and workes.] Verse 19. Oh that thou wouldest 19 stay [ vz. in thy iust iudgements] O God, the wicked and bloody men [ i. mē that giue themselues ouer to wickednesse and murther: q.d. Then should I muche [Page 514] reioyce, to haue this my wish and prayer performed, and I and others should be instructed to turne from their wayes and not to follow them] to whome I saye [ vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart] depart ye from me [sée Psa. 6.8. Imma­nuel readeth this verse farre otherwise, & giueth a contrary sence, but I sée no reason or ground for it: for the place of the 2. Chron. 30.18.19. hath no such thing 20 in it.] Ver. 20. Which [ vz. wicked & bloody men] speake wickedly of thée [ i. doe openly shew both by wordes and déedes, withoute any maner of hipocrisie or counterfeiting, a full contempt both of thée & thine, and that of hatred agaynst both] and being thine enemies [ i. opposing and setting thēselues agaynst shée and thine] are lifted vp [ i. aduaunce themselues and are swelled in pride, as though that in the loftines of their harts, they would doe whatsoeuer pleased them vpon the earth, but all this is] in vayne [ i. to no purpose, for downe they shall be cast and haue terrible falles] Immanuel readeth this latter part thus] who doe vainly extoll [ i. not only without a cause, but also proudly & presump­tuously set vp, fauour and allow of thine enemies: of which sée Rom. 1.32.] Ver. 21 21. Do not I hate them O Lord, that hate thée? [ q.d. thou knowest that I do it, for that I take to be the force of the interrogation] and doe not I earnestly cō ­tend with those that rise vp against thée? [ i. doe I not striue as it were for lyfe and death agaynst those that are thine enemies: for this phrase rising vp a­gaynst 22 one, sée Psal. 3, 1.] Ver. 22. I hate them with an vnfeigned hatred [ i. not as men, who séeme to hate, and yet to loue, but I doe vnfainedlye and with a round hart] as they were mine vtter enemies [ vz. yea and more to, if it be pos­sible for a man to hate more. He sheweth that he had gods glory in such regard that he would not haue any familiaritie with the contemners of God.] Ver. 23. Trie me, O God [ vz. thorowly] and know mine heart [ i. not that hee doubted 23 whether God knew it yea or no, but to declare that he did willingly subiect him selfe to Gods triall] proue me, and know my thoughts [this repetition & dou­bling séemeth not only to note his earnestnesse in prayer, but also the vnfeig­nednesse of his hart, sincerely submitting it selfe to the examination and tryall of God: and all is: q.d. thou art a witnesse of all my matters, and I am thy seruaunt, therefore if néede be, behold I am ready to indure thy trials, sée Psal. 26, 1, 2. &c. Neyther doth he here boast, as though he were without sinne, but assureth himselfe that God will accepte his godlinesse and indeuour, although that thorow infirmitie he fall sundry times.] Ver. 24. And consider [ vz. tho­rowly 24 and narrowly] if there be any way of wickednesse in me [ i. whether I fol­low an vngodly and rebellious kind of life against thée, yea or nay, for it is one thing to fall of infirmitie, and another thing to sinne rebelliously: Paul Rom. 7 expresseth it by sinne dwelling in vs, & sinne reigning in vs] and lead me [ vz. thorow thy goodnesse and mercy] in the way [ vz. of thy commaundements, i. in a godly and holy conuersation] for euer [ i. continually. He prayeth vnto God, that he may be constant in his obedience and that he may finish the course of his life, in his faith and feare.

Verse 1. teacheth vs, that God is the searcher of the hart and raines. Ver. 2 [Page 515] teacheth vs, that the Lord doth not only know, but also dispose of al the affairs of our life: also that he looketh euen vnto our thoughts, and that therefore wée should striue euen to a reformation of them likewise. Verse 3 teacheth vs, that God is the protector and defender of those that be his, in euery thing that they take in hand. Ver. 4 teacheth vs, that God regardeth euen our words, and that therefore we should labour to make them approued vnto him. Ver. 5 teacheth vs, that we can doe nothing without God. Verse 6 teacheth vs that we cannot of our selues attaine to the knowledge of God and his maiestie. Verse 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, teach vs, that nothing nor no place, can hide vs from the presence and power of God, neither heauen nor hell, nor the sea, nor the darkenesse, nor any thing else whatsoeuer. They teach further, that it is a very vaine and false perswasion for a man to thinke, that by going or flying he canne escape from God. They shew also that God by his power and prouidence is euery where, Verse 10 doth specially teach vs this, that whatsoeuer we purpose, yet wee can goe no whither, but thither whither the Lord will haue vs to goe. Verse 13 teacheth vs that God preserueth and kéepeth vs, euen before we be borne, or else should we neuer behold this light. Verse 14 teacheth vs, but euen to looke into our selues and our creation, and we shall finde great occasion offred vs thereby to be thankful to God. Verse 15. setteth out Gods prouidence, as to whole man generallye, so euen to the particular partes and members of his body. Verse 16 teacheth that God alone worketh in all in our conception, crea­tion, &c. Verse 17 teacheth vs reuerently to estéeme of Gods wayes, and of his workes, and not to let them passe with so slight a consideration as commonlye men doe. Ver. 18 teacheth vs, that Gods workes are infinite, and we not able to comprehend them, no not any one of them in such sort as we should, and as the excellency of them requireth: it teacheth vs also in the meditation and behol­ding of them, that thereby wee may more and more profite in the knowledge, and apprehension of his maiestie goodnesse, power, &c. Ver. 19 teacheth vs, not only to pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche: but also to haue no society nor familiarity with them. Verse 20 doth liuelye set out the nature of the vngodly: who in the pride of their own harts, spare not to speake agaynst God himselfe: it sheweth also further that this their pride and haughtinesse is but in vaine. Verse 21 teacheth vs to oppose our selues against those, that set themselues against God and his truth: this belongeth general­ly to all christians, but most especially to Kings and Princes, suche a one as Dauid was. Verse 22 teacheth vs, that this setting of our selues againste suche must be done, as not for any worldly, or carnall respect, so of a single and sound hart towards God and men. Verse 23 teacheth vs that it is good to pray y e Lord thorowly to trie vs, because that the more we are tried, the more pure and fyne we are to him. Verse 24 teacheth vs to pray for constancy and continuaunce in euery good and holy way.

Psalme 140

Di. 1 THis Psalme consisting wholy as it were of prayer, may be diui­ded into two parts. In the first the Prophet prayeth to bée deliuered from his enemies, describing their mischieuous & malicious minds towards him, from verse 1 to the end of the seuenth. In the seconde parte he prayeth agaynst the wicked, 2 and prophecieth their destruction, assuring himselfe that God in mercye will saue his, and that they therefore shall prayse his name con­tinually, and this reacheth from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme.

Se. The Title [to him that excelleth] a Psalme of Dauid [this is sundrye tymes expounded before, and namely Psalme 4 in the title thereof.] Verse 1. Deliuer me O Lord [ vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy almighty power] from the euill man [ i. from him that wholy giueth himselfe, euen as it were without prouoca­tion or occasion to doe euill] preserue me [ vz. safe and sounde, and that accor­ding to thy good pleasure] from the cruell man [ i. from him that setteth himself in cruelty to performe agaynst me whatsoeuer they can. And though in this verse he speake but of one, yet he meaneth many as may appeare by the sodain 2 chaunge of the number, for in the next verse he speaketh in the plurall number: and these many, were Saule and his counsellors, and his seruauntes, who both by fury, force and fraude, did persecute him.] Verse 2. Which imagine [ vz. e­uen vppon their beddes and continually: sée Micah 2, 1.] euill thinges [ vz. a­gaynst me: vnderstanding by euill thinges, such thinges as tended to his hurt and destruction] in their hart [ i. secretly and closely] and make warre [ vz. both by themselues and others, whom they prouoke and stirre vp by all meanes they can against me, sée Psalme 120, 7.] continually [ i. euery day, so that no daye es­capeth them. In this verse he chargeth his enemies, that they did both openly and priuately, both in purpose and counsell, by themselues and by others, de­uise all mischiefe against him: and verse 3. and others following, hee sheweth that both in worde and déede they attempted to perfourme it.] Verse 3. They [ i. the wicked and vngodly men] haue sharpened their tongues [ vz. to destract, and speake euill of me, and to hurt me] like a serpent [ i. as the serpents tongue 3 is sharpe, and so striketh by reason thereof more déepely. So these men, both hard by and a farre off, doe pierce and wound me with their poysons] Adders poyson is vnder their lippes [ i. their mouth is full of wicked and venemous wordes agaynst me: some reade Adders, some reade vipers, some Aspes, for mine owne part, I suppose that the word being somewhat of a doubtfull signi­fication, should be referred to such kind of serpents, as though they lie still in a place, doe yet notwithstanding spit their poyson or venim far from them] Se­lah [this hath bene expounded before as I suppose Psalme 3. verse 2. It is as much as if the Prophet should say, marke this, being a note or warning of at­tention.] [Page 517] Verse 4. Kéepe [ vz. vnder the shadow of thy winges, and thy almigh­ty 4 power and protection] me [ vz. whom am thus sought and set for, by myne enemies] from the handes of the wicked [ i. from their power, and that whiche they would do vnto me: for he putteth the instruments whereby they perform thinges, for the thinges themselues] preserue me from the cruell man [sée verse 1 of this Psalme] which purposeth [ vz. in himselfe] to cause [ vz. eyther by his force, or by his fraude, or by both] my steppes to slide [ i. to cast mée downe, and to cause me to fall, that so when he hath me downe, he may y e more easily and tyrannously exercise his will agaynst me. I take it to be a metaphor taken from men who lay grinnes and cords to ouerthrow wild beasts withal.] Verse 5. The proud [ i. the wicked and vngodly, which are puffed vp in the pride 5 of their own imagination] haue layde [ vz. closely and secretly] a snare for me [ vz. to take or catche me withall, sée Psalme 119.69.85.95] and spread a nette with cordes [ i. haue set a very great and strong net, thinking assuredly to catch me so fast therein that I shall not escape] in my pathway [ i. euen in the playne, or beaten way that I should walke] and set grinnes for me [ i. to catch and take me as before. Vnder all these metaphors borrowed from fowlers and hunters, tending all to one end, he meaneth nothing else but this, that they did not on­ly vse open force and violence agaynst him, but also subtelties and craftes to surprise and take him] Selah [this is expounded before verse 3.] Verse 6. Therefore [ i. I séeing my selfe thus beset by men, did run to the Lord by pray­er] 6 I sayd [ vz. with a féeling hart, when I was in these daungers and distres­ses] vnto the Lord [ vz. whose goodnesse and power I had had great experience of, as appeareth verse 7.] Thou [ vz. alone, and none but thou] art my God [ i. he vpon whom only I will depend for helpe and succour] heare O Lorde, the voyce of my prayers [ i. graunt me those requestes whiche with my voyce and wordes I make vnto thee.] Verse 7. O Lord God the strength of my saluation 7 [ i. thou that sauest and deliuerest me from all daungers, with maruailous po­wer and strength, and in whome only my deliueraunce standeth: this is a no­table title attributed to God, for the strengthening of his faith] thou hast coue­red [ vz. by thy power and might, euen as it were with a Helmet and shield] my head [ i. me my selfe a part for the whole: and yet hee nameth this part rather then others, because it is the most excellent, as which, in some mens iudgemēts conteineth life in it, and doth disperse the same into all the parts of the bodye] in the day of battaile [ i. when I was in the field, and did fight: q.d. thou hast de­liuered me heretofore, from all the assaults of mine enemies, and I hope, that thou wilt hereafter likewise deliuer me.] Verse 8. Let not the wicked haue his 8 desyre O Lord [ i. the thinges that he hath desired agaynst me: q.d. Let him not sée mine ouerthrow which he much wisheth and desireth] performe not [ i. giue him not leaue or strength to performe agaynst me] his wicked thought [ i. the wicked thing, which he hath wickedly thought vpon, and deuised againste mée, and by one no doubt, he vnderstandeth many mischiefs of theirs] least they bée proude [ vz. aboue measure, for he had before charged them with pride ver. 5. [Page 518] he meaneth least they should wax proude euen agaynst God and man] Selah 9 [this is expoūded before.] Ver. 9. As for the chéefe of them [how great or high soeuer he or they be. Whether he speake it of Saul, Doeg, and such like parti­cularly, it is not certaine] that compas me about [ vz. to destroy, and are my deadly enemies: sée Psal. 3.6. also Psal. 118.10.11.12.] let the mischiefe of their own lips [ i. that mischiefe which with their own lips they haue spoken a­gaynst me] come vpon them [ i. fall vpon thē thorow thy iust iudgemēt. I know others both translate this verse otherwise, and giue some other sence, but me­thinketh 10 this is playn] Ver. 10. Let coles [ vz. of thy wrath & iudgement] fall vpon thē [ vz. frō heauen, as it did in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to which he séemeth to allude] let him [ vz. god: thus he speaketh to him or of him, in y e third person] cast thē into y e fire [ vz. that neuer goeth out, but burneth for euer, Mar. 9.43] & into y e déepe pits [ vz. of danger & destruction] that they rise not [ i. that they may neuer be able to rise vp again to do any more hurt.] Ver. 11 11. For y e backbiters [ i. slanderers & such as haue their tongues ful of venime, and worke mischiefe rather by fraud, flattery and backbiting then by opē force] shal not be established [ vz. any long while] vpon the earth [ i. in this life to liue long here] euill [ i. plagues and punishments from the Lord] shall hunt [ vz. from place to place & pursue him, so that he shall not escape it] the cruell man [sée verse 1.4 of this psalme] to destruction [ i. in such sort that it shall in y e end vtterly destroy him. Immanuel & others read this whole verse as a prayer.] 12 Ver. 12. I know [ vz. certainly and assuredly: q.d. I am fully perswaded, both by Gods word and the dayly executing of his iudgements vpon the wicked] that y e Lord [ vz. himself] will auenge [ i. in good time, not only deliuer his, but o­uertake with his iudgements the wicked & vngodly, for the iniuries they haue done them] the afflicted [ i. such as are afflicted by the wicked] and iudge [ i. not only pronounce righteous sentence, but also deliuer from the cruelty of the vn­godly] the poore [ i. those his seruants, which are here despised amongst y e world­lings 13 of the earth.] Ver. 13. Surely y e righteous [ i. those whom thou hast made righteous, by imputing righteousnes vnto them, & by framing them to a righteous conuersation] shal prayse [ vz. vnfeignedly & with all their hartes] thy name [ i. thy maiesty, power, & goodnes] and the iust [ i. such as deale faythfully, both with thée, and their brethren] shall dwell in thy presence [ i. shall not only in this life be maynteined and vpholden, by thy fatherly care and prouidence, but shalbe made partakers of eternall glory.

Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs to pray to be safely deliuered from the rage of y e wicked ver. 2. & 3. doe generally paint out the malicious nature of y e wicked. Ver. 2. doth particularly teach vs, that wicked thoughts against gods childrē are sin before him. Ver. 3 teacheth vs, y t the wicked spare not euen with slaunderous & vene­mous toungs to persecute y e godly. Ver. 4. teacheth vs, y t vnles the Lord kéepe vs, we can not be deliuered frō the rage & power of y e vngodly. Ver. 5. sheweth the malicious minds of y e wicked, who cease not both opēly & secretly to inde­uour y e destruction of y e good. Ver. 6 teacheth vs, y t the more men set themselues [Page 519] against vs, the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for his gracious assistance. Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God is the protector of his in all dangers & distresses whatsoeuer. Ver. 8 sheweth y t if God let not wicked men in their attempts, they will be more bold in mischiefe, and swel against his maie­stie and men also. Ver. 9, 10 teach vs that we may pray against the malicious wicked, and desire their ouerthrow. Ver. 11 teacheth vs what a gréeuous offēce the sinne of backbiting and slaundering is. Ver. 12 teacheth vs to bee assured of Gods fauour & goodnes towards vs, and of his iudgmēts towards y e wicked Ver. 13 teacheth vs two things, first that it becommeth the godly to shew them selues continually thankful, secondly what is the excellent estate and condition of Gods children.

Psalme 141

THis Psalme consisting wholy of supplication and prayer vnto God, may be diuided into two parts: Di. first he beséecheth the 1 Lord to accept his prayer, and to guid him into a godly con­uersation, and for this end to prouide such for him as maye brotherly admonish him, from verse 1 to the end of the 5. In the second he foretelleth as it were the destructiō of y e wicked 2 desiring the Lord to deliuer him from them, and to ouerthrow them in their de­uises, from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme.

The Title] A Psalm of Dauid [ i. which Dauid made, Se. this hath bin expoūded sundry times before. It should séeme y t Dauid made this Psal. at some time or other whē he was gréeuously afflicted & persecuted, & we may refer it without iniury as I suppose to y e history conteined 1 Sam. 24.] Ver. 1. O Lord I cal vp­on 1 thée [ i. pray vnto thée earnestly & continually, specially in the time of my grée­uous afflictions] hast thée vnto me [ vz. to helpe me & to deliuer me out of the same: neither doth he here prescribe God a time, but rather declareth the great danger & distresse that he was in: q.d. vnlesse he were spéedily holpen, in the iudgement of flesh and blood he should perish] heare my voyce [ i. graunt y e pray­ers which I vtter with my voyce and words] when I cry vnto thée [ i. whē har­tily and earnestly I pray vnto thée.] Ver. 2 Let my prayer [ vz. which I make 2 vnto thée] be directed in thy sighte [ i. come before thée and bée accepted of thée] as the incence [ vz. which was wont to bée offred vnto thée by thine own commaundement. And here hée alludeth to the perfumes whiche they vsed in the time of the law, of which read Exod. 30 chap.] and the lifting vp of my hands [ i. euen my prayer & supplication. He putteth a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe, as 1. Timoth. 2.8.] as an euening sacrifice [ i. as that sacri­fice which thou hast appointed to be offred to thée in y e euening. God prescribed that both morning & euening a sacrifice should be dayly offred vp vnto him: as Exod. 29. ver. 38.39. also Numb. 28.3.4. but here he speaketh but of one only.] Ver. 3. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth [ vz. that I may not only be kept 3 [Page 520] from the acte of reuengment, but also that I may not speak anie thing but that which I should speak] and kéepe the dore of my lippes [ i. kepe me from euil speach, and guide both me and my words so, that I doe not rashlie vtter anie thing, or els mine aduersaries subtlely drawe somewhat from me, before I be 4 aware.] ver. 4. Incline not] vz. by leauing me in the hands of mine own coun­sell, and withdrawing thy grace & goodnes from me: for otherwise god draw­eth not any man to euil, as Iames. 1.13.] mine hart [ i. the affections, motions and appetites of my hart, and by this hee declareth that it is little or nothing, for a man to bridle his speach, if wicked affections be not repressed within the mind] to euill [ i. to any euill thing: he prayeth that god would confirme him against euill, and strengthen him in good thinges, so that he decline not, to the right hand, or to the lefte hande, by any either threatninges or alurements of his aduersaries] that I should cōmit. [ vz. against thee and y t either in thought word, or deede, but specially in deed] wicked works [ i. vngodly and vnlawfull yea such things, as thou condemnest] with men that worke iniquity [ i. in the company of such, as geue ouer themselues with greedinesse to commit euerie euill thing, and are strong and mighty to performe naughtinesse] & let me not eat of their delicates [ i. let me not only not enioy, such prosperity as they do, by which they are puffed vp to wickednesse, but let me not haue acquaintance with them, at their tables, lest I be ouertaken with their sin: so we see what a con­science Dauid had, to abstaine euen from the allurements and prouocations to 5 euill.] ver. 5. Let the righteous [ i. the godlie and vertuous, yea such a one, as to whome thou O Lord imputest rightiousnesse, and whom also thou framest to righteousnesse.] smite me [ vz. with the friendly and charitable word of ad­monition or reproofe] for that is a benefite, or shal be a benefite: q.d. I doe, and will accounte of it, as of a great good turne] and let him reprooue me [ vz. in euerie thing, wherein he shall know me to doe amisse, wherby hee declareth that he had in such sort accustomed his hart, to docility, quietnes, and pacience, that he would not think sharp anie reprehension, which he knew to proceed frō the spirite of mildnesse.] And it [ i. this admonitiō and reproofe] shalbe a preci­ous oyle [ i. in steed of a precious oyle vnto me. q.d. it shal bring both more plea­sure & profit, to mine inward man, thē anie outward oile, can bring to my out­ward man, which though it be sweete in smell, and profitable to supple the mē ­bers of the bodie, yet the other shalbe more sweete and profitable,] that shal not breake my head [ 1. which shal not hurt mee. But this part of the verse, and that which followeth, is better and more plainely translated in Immanuel thus] let him not withhold it frō my head [ i. let him not cease cōtinually to sprinkle me, as it were with his most sweet and pleasant reproofes: his whole meaning is that the reproofes of gods people should not onely not be hurtfull, but pleasant and profitable vnto him, and that he preferred their reprehensions before all the fauour of the vngodly] the more he [ i. the righteous man] shall doe it [ i. per­forme christianly and charitablie this duetie of admonition and reproofe vnto me] so much the more shall my prayer be [ i. so much the more earnestlye shall I [Page 521] pray for them] in their euils [ i. not only when they themselues shalbe afflicted, but looke whatsoeuer euils I shal receaue from them, they shall not prouoke my mind against them, but rather prouoke me to cōmend them in my frée prai­ers to god. The Geneua readeth it thus] for within a while [ i. very quickly and shortly] I [ vz. my selfe, seing them cast down and ouerthrown] shall euen pray [ vz. for them though they persecute me] in their miseries [ i. when they shal fal into such miseries as they cannot auoyd: q.d. let vs wait but a little while and we shall sée the wicked mens calamities so great, that we shall bee constrayned in pittie to pray for them. This is a good sence referring it to the wicked, but yet methinketh the other which referreth it to the godly, is more apte and fit, and hangeth better together.] Verse 6. When their iudges [ i. their rulers 6 and gouernors] shalbe cast downe [ i. ouerthrown thorow Gods hand and po­wer] in stonie places [ i. euen as it were from the high rocks & huge moūtains] they [ i. the people which follow such corrupt rulers and captains] shal heare my words [ i. reuerently receaue and giue consent vnto, y e good things which I shal speake] for they are swéet [ vz. in déed: q.d. howsoeuer they are now reproued as naught and vnsauery, yet they are good and shalbe so accepted thē. He séemeth here to lay the cōmon peoples fault (who were drunk with false reports, and caried forward with extreme rage against him) vpon the rulers & iudges thē ­selues, not only suffering them without punishmēt to speak so vncōtroledly, but also for that they were in their own persons infamous exāples of y e wickednes: q.d. when the great ones shalbe discomfited & ouerthrown, the people shall bée wise & come to amendment. This is good, but I rather allow Imman. text and sence thus] But their iudges [ i. their rulers & captains, specially and aboue the rest Saul] moue thēselues [ i. go] by y e sides of the rocks [ i. closely and secretlye thinking to apprehēd me: sée 1. Sam. 23.26. also 24, 3.] though they vnderstande [ i. know in their consciences and sometimes confesse with their mouths] that my words are pleasant [or swéet, meaning that he had not so much as by a word offended them, or any of them, but had pleasured them very greatly, and spoken most humbly, comfortably and swéetely vnto them: sée 1 Sam. 24, 9, 10, &c. also 26.14, 15, &c.] Ver. 7. Our bones [ i. I and my companions, putting a part of 7 them for the whole] lye scattered [ vz. here and there, meaning that they were in great distresse and danger, because y t they were many times sundered one of them from another, as that body is, whose mēbers are as it were out of ioint, or distracted one of them frō another] at the graues mouth [ i. in great danger, and euen as it were at deaths dore] as he y t heweth wood [ vz. maketh y e shiuers to flie hither and thither, so are we thorow thy iudgemēt dispersed] or diggeth in y e earth [ vz. and casteth it abroad one péere from another he careth not whe­ther. This text & sence is somewhat dark, therefore cleare it out of Immanuel thus] as though 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 shalbe presently broken, & rent in peces by their rage: vnles thou O Lord lay to [Page 522] 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 8 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 9 saluatiō.] Ver. 9. Kéepe me [ vz. of thy goodnesse, & that by thy power & might] from the snare [ i. that I fal not into y e 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 y e cru­elty & craft of his wicked aduersaries] of the workers of iniquitye [sée before 10 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 y t 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 y e Pro­phet declareth, howe that in the time of his greate affliction 1 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 2 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 2 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 3 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 4 [ 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 [Page 524] 5 to be destitute of all help and ayd.] Ver. 5. Then [ vz. when I saw my selfe thus distressed: so y t we sée y t 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. frō 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 y t 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 6 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 thē any maner of way, vnles God tooke his part 7 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 cōpassed 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 deliuerāce: 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 thē 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 1 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, 2 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 y e 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 thē 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 2 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 seruaūt, speaking of himself in y e third persō, 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 thē] shal none [of what state or condition soe­uer he be] that liueth [ vz. euen now, or shal liue hereafter] be iustified [ i. be foūd iust, if he be loked vpon in himself, for otherwise he mindeth not to say y t al shall be condēned, for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace.] Ver. 3. 3 For the enemie [ i. my enemy or enemies rather [...]utting one, who was the chéef, as Saul or some such other for him, & al his cōplices] 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 [Page 526] 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.] 4 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 5 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.] 6 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 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 mās 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 thē with whom they are displeased] else [ vz. if thou hide thy face] I shal be like vnto thē that go down into the pit [ i. there wil be no difference betwéene me & those that 8 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 9 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 prouidēce and 10 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, [Page 527] 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. 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. 12 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 y e 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 y e wicked many times to pre­uaile very far against y e godly. Ver. 4 is a notable place to proue y t euen gods children in their troubles, haue their affections against that blockish dotage of the sto [...]ks. Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the consideratiō 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 y e 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 y t 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 prouidēce, 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 1 God for his goodnesse, and confesseth his own vnworthines 2 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 3 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 busie with him, either the Philistine, as 2 Sam. 5. or els 1 some other, as 2. Sam. 8.] Ver. 1. Blessed [ i. praised and that continually] be the Lord my strength [ i. he who alone giueth me strength to ouercome mine ene­mies, sée Psal. 18.2.] which teacheth my hands to fight [ vz. against his & mine enemies, meaning hereby also y t God gaue him strength to ouercome them, as wel as knowledge in warlike affaires to deale with them] and my fingers to 2 battaile [ i. apteth them and maketh thē able to indure fighting.] Ver. 2. He [ vz. alone] is my goodnesse [ i. whatsoeuer good thing I haue, eyther within mee or without mée, hee is the Fountayne from whence it floweth, meaning also that hée had euer felte GOD liberall and mercifull towards him] my For­tresse, my Tower, and my deliuerer, my Shield [all these termes are expoun­ded Psalme 18.2.] and in him I trust [ vz. stedfastlye and continually] which subdueth [ vz. by his almighty power] my people [ i. the subiectes that hée hath giuen me] vnder me [ i. vnder the obedience of me and my lawes: he mea­neth that GOD did put into the hartes of his people, a minde willing and 3 faythfull to commit themselues vnder him, and his gouernment.] Ver. 3. Lord what is man [ i. of himselfe, what account or regard is he to be had in] that thou regardest him [ vz. so greatly and so much as thou doest] or the sonne of man [ i. his posterity how great or famous soeuer it bée] that thou thinkest vppon him [ vz. in such great mercy, and with so fatherlye a care: sée Psalme 8. verse 4 4.5, &c.] Verse 4. Man is lyke to vanitie [ i. to a thing of no accounte, or regarde, or to a vayne thing. In an other place hée sayeth, that they are vanitye, that the chéefe men are but lyes, and to laye them vppon the Ballance, they are altogether lighter then vanitie. Psalme. 62.9. his dayes [ i. the dayes of this life in this worlde] are like a shadowe that passeth [ vz. oute of mennes sightes and remembraunces quicklie and sodain­lie. q.d. his life is but short, and of small continuaunce: see. Iob. 14.1.2. see also for this verse Psalme. 39.5.6. and psalme. 90. almoste [Page 529] throughout.] Ver. 5. Bow thine heauens O Lorde [ vz. to come to succour and 5 help me: this is spoken of God according to mens vnderstanding, & he calleth the heauens Gods owne, both because he created them, and hath his principal habitation and dwelling in them, sée for this phrase 2. Sam. 22.10. also Psal. 18.9.] and come downe [ vz. to deliuer me from the hands of mine enemies & per­secutors] touch [ vz. in thy wrath and furie: q.d. thou néedest not vse al thy pow­er or any great might against them, begin but only to lay thy hand vpon them: q.d. and do but touch them as a man would say softly, and yet they shalbe con­sumed] the mountaines [ i. my most high and mightie enemies: this kind of me­taphor is very often vsed in the Prophets: sée Isai. 2.14.] & they shal smoke [yea burne, and that to their owne destruction, he putteth the beginning of their mi­series, for the accomplishment, and ful performaunce thereof. And hee vseth all these maner of speaches, both in this verse, and in the verse following, that hee might more excellently set out Gods power, who deliuereth his, after a won­derful sort, and that he might declare, that no worldly lets or hinderaunces are able to do any thing against Gods infinite power, which hee apprehended by faith.] Ver. 6. Cast forth the lightning, & scatter them, vz. one from an other, & 6 so that they may not be able to gather their forces together againe: q.d. by thy heauenly wisedome and power, destroy and ouerthrow them] shoot out thine ar­rowes [ vz. against them, vnderstanding by arrowes, either thunders, or some other particular iudgments] and consume thē [ vz. vtterly and from amongst men, that they may no longer molest me, and thy people.] Ver. 7. Send thine 7 hand from aboue [ i. display and make manifest here below vpon the earth, thy might and power, which séemeth after a sort, to be shut vp in heauen, because thy seruants be not deliuered from their distresses] deliuer me [ vz. of thy good­nes and through thy power, from the rage and violence of those that persecute me] and take me [ vz. who am ready to be drowned with troubles] out of the great waters [ vz. which are ready to ouerflow and drowne mee, by great wa­ters, he doth not only vnderstand the grieuous afflictions wherein he was, but also the extreme rage of his enemies, who did breake in vppon him, as waters of the sea into the land: sée Psal. 18.4. also 69.1. also 124.4.] and from the hand [ i. from the power and force] of strangers [this may be referred, either to coū ­terfeit and bastardly Israelites, who though they bragged in mouth, that they were good people, yet were they in déede starke naught, or else to thē, that were in déed idolaters and infidels, such as the Philistines were, and to these latter would I rather apply it.] Ver. 8. Whose mouth talketh vanity [ i. who doe no­thing 8 else, but speak and vtter vaine, and vncertaine thinges, proudly promi­sing vnto themselues great things] and their right hand, is a right hand of ini­quitie [ i. they are vnfaithful people, and ful of subtilty, and haue no certainetie nor assuraunce in them. This speach is borrowed from the common custome of men, who when they make a promise, giue one another their hands: sée Gal. 2.9.] Ver. 9. I wil sing [ vz. euen from my heart] a new song [ i. a singular and ex­cellent 9 song, sée Psal. 98.1.] vnto thée O God [ vz. when thou shalt haue perfor­med [Page 530] these graces in deliuering me, and ouerthrowing mine enemies: and the Prophet maketh this promise, and carieth with him a purpose to performe it, because he was certainely perswaded and assured, that God would in déed do, both the one and the other] & sing vnto thée vpon a viole, and an instrument of ten strings, sée Psal. 33.2. also Psal. 92.3. he meaneth that he would vse these in­struments, 10 as meanes to stirre vp his affectiōs, and to prouoke him more ear­nestly and heartily to serue the lord.] Ver. 10. It is hee [ vz. alone] that giueth [ vz. of his goodnes and mercy] deliuerance [ vz. from all dangers and distres­ses] and rescueth [ vz. when no other can do that for him] Dauid his seruaunt [ i. me whom he hath aduaunced to this honour to serue him in the gouernment of the kingdome, and thus hee speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person] from the hurtful sword [ i. from the sworde of his enemies, who did purpose to hurt him, if they coulde haue caught him, or ouerthrowne him, wée may also stretch this worde further, as that vnder it, he should comprehende all the daungers, through the which hee had passed] and hee meaneth that this should be the ar­gument 11 or matter of the song, that hee woulde sing to the Lorde.] Ver. 11. Res­cue me [ vz. O Lord, for vnto him onely hee directeth his prayers] and deliuer me [ vz. who am in distresse and daunger on euery side] from the hand of stran­gers [sée for the vnderstanding of this, and all that followeth in this verse, the 7. and 8. verse of this Psalme, where you shall sée the very same wordes.] Ver. 12 12. That our sonnes [ i. the posteritie that we shal leaue behind vs, through thy fauour towardes vs, and thy iudgements vpon thine and our enemies] may be as the plants [ i. tender, faire, gréene, and florishing] growing vp in their youth [this may be referred either to the childrē, or to the plants, but I rather refer it, to the plantes: q.d. euen as plantes set in good grounde, grow vp a pace: so by this thy blessing, the séede that we shall leaue behinde vs, shall increase in all comelines, beautie, and good thinges] and our daughters [ i. our seede and posteritie, for vnder these two, sonnes and daughters, hee meaneth all po­steritie, either male or female, which they coulde leaue behinde them] as the corner stones [ vz. of the house builded, or in the foundation of the house, which were not onely profitable, to vpholde the whole building, as Psalme 118.22. but also was finely hewen, & cunningly wrought] grauen [ i. curiously wrought and cut] after the similitude of a pallace [ i. after the forme of most costly stones wherewith most costly buildinges, as palaces are built. But I like better Im­mnuel, who readeth it thus] that our sonnes, being as the plantes growing vp in their youth, & our daughters, being as the corner stones [al this agréeth with the sense before giuen] may bee the building of the temple [ i. may be such stones, as may be vsed to the building, and polishing of Gods church, that we may altogether grow vp, to an holy temple in the Lord Ephe 2.21. also Ephe. 13 4.12.13.] Ver. 13. That our corners [ i. not onely the barnes and store houses which we haue, but euery corner of our dwelling house] maye bee full [ vz. through thy blessing] and abounding [ vz. in great measure and plenty] with diuers sortes [ vz. not onely of graine and corne, but of all maner of prouision] [Page 531] and that our shéepe, may bring forth [ vz. through thy especial blessing] thou­sandes and ten thousandes [ i. may increase infinitely, and as it were without number, for he putteth a number certaine, for an vncertaine] in our stréetes [ i. openly, so that not only we our selues, to our great ioy, but our aduersaries to their great griefe may beholde the same.] Verse. 14. That our oxen [ vz. also 14 through this thy blessing] may be strong to labour [ i. méete and fit for all that labour, whereunto thou hast appointed them, and we shal according to thy will vse them, he meaneth by this that the people may bee rich and abounde with al maner of worldly blessings] that there bee none inuasion [ vz. of the enemie a­gainst vs, that is, that the enemy runne not in vppon our lande and vs, neither make breaches in our wals, nor enter into our cities] nor going out [ vz. to bat­tle and warre, which can not be, if none come to assault them] nor no crying in our stréetes [ i. neither noyse or sodaine tumult, as commeth to passe in the ta­king of townes, nor no mourning by any occasion, either when the enemies slay vs, or otherwise, q.d. that no euill thing at all may come vpon vs, that no good thing may passe from vs, and that we haue no heauines, nor cause therof within vs, & our Cities, but al things ioyful and pleasant.] Ver. 15. Blessed are 15 the people that be so [ i. in so good a cause. d.q. most happy surely are they] yea blessed are the people, whose God is the Lorde [ i. they in déede are blessed, who howsoeuer they haue or inioy the outward blessings before rehearsed, or haue them not, yet so do tast and féele the grace of God, that they are still perswaded of his fatherly loue towards them, and in the apprehension thereof, goe on for­ward towards the obtaining of the heauenly inheritance.

Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, that we can do nothing, no not outwarde things well, Do. vnlesse the Lorde teach and instruct vs. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs, first, that God a­lone, is the whole aide and defence of his children, secondly that it is not kings powers and pollicies that kéepe the people in good order and subiection, but hee alone, who boweth their heartes thereto. Verse 3. Teacheth vs, that there is nothing in man, as of man that can commend him to God. Ver. 4. Setteth out, the vanity, brittlenes, and shortnes of mans life. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God néedeth not to vse any great power, for the ouerthrowe of his enemies. Verse. 6. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray agaynst the malicious and ob­stinate enemies of his trueth. Verse 7. Teacheth vs, that vnlesse GOD de­liuer vs out of our great daungers, there is no way or meanes for vs to es­cape out of them. Verse 8. Teacheth vs, that there is nothing but vanitie, lying, and falshoode to bée looked for, at the handes of the wicked. Verse 9. teacheth vs, to bee alwayes thankefull to the Lorde, for his mercies, and be­cause wee are very dull thereto, to stirre vp our selues, by all the meanes wee can. Verse 10 teacheth vs, that Kinges victories, and their deliuerances from daungers, procéed from God, as well as the poore mans doeth. Ver. 11. teacheth vs, that because we can not helpe our selues, wee shoulde pray the Lorde, to deliuer vs from distresses. Verse 12. teacheth vs, that it is a sin­gular blessing, to haue a posteritie grafted into Gods Church. Verse 13 [Page 532] teacheth vs that abundance of al things come from the Lorde onely. Verse 14. Teacheth vs that neither our cattell nor any thing else can stand vs in steede, without Gods especial blessing: and al these three verses layde together, doe teach vs further, what great commodities insue to Gods people, by the ouer­throw of their enemies: also that euen these outward blessinges, are to Gods seruants sure seales and testimonies of a better hope, Ver. 15. Teacheth vs, that they in déed are in some measure blessed, that haue these outwarde benefites bestowed vpon them, but yet they are in better case, which though they wante them, féele with assuraunce of perswasion, the eternal fauour of God towards them, in the hope and certaintie of a better life.

Psalme 145

Di. THis Psalm propounding specially the matter of thanksgiuing and 1 praise vnto the Lord, may bée diuided into foure partes. In the first hee himselfe promiseth to praise the Lorde, shewing a cause where­fore. 2 Ver. 1.2.3. In the second he doeth as it were prophecie, that all Gods creatures and workes, shal serue to set forth his praise: from ver. 4. vn­to 3 to the end of the 12. In the third he sheweth reasons and causes why men should praise the Lorde, to wit, for his gouernement, his mercy, his prouidence, &c. 4 from verse. 13. to the 20. And lastly hee shutteth vp the Psalme with promise of thankesgiuing, as he began it, ver. 21.

Se. The title] A Psalme of Dauid [ i. which hee made] of prayse [ vz. vnto the Lord, i. of such prayse and thankesgiuing, as he promised and perfourmed vn­to him. So that this worde séemeth to comprehende the argument or the whole matter of the Psalme] this Psalme is written, in the order of the Alphabet, e­uery verse beginning with the letters, as they are in order in the Hebrewe Al­phabet, one onely being omitted and that is the letter Nun, in the 14. verse, which beginneth with Samech, the next letter in the Alphabet, such Psalmes we haue had before. Psal. 25. which beginneth euery verse so, two or thrée onely excepted: such also are Psalm. 111. and 112. which beginne euery verse of it, and the seconde part of it, which two letters of the Hebrewe Alphabet in order.] 1 Ver. 1. O my God [ i. he whome onely I worship] and king [ i. whom I serue, & whose subiect I am] I wil extol thée [ vz. in my songes and thankesgiuinges, and that aboue all whatsoeuer] and will blesse [ i. prayse thy name, i thy maie­sty, 2 power, and goodnes] for euer and euer [ i. continually.] Ver. 2 I wil blesse thée [ i. praise thée, as before ver. 1.] dayly [ i. euery day, q.d. no day shall passe o­uer my head but I will spend it, or some part of it in magnifiyng of thee] and prayse thy name for euer and euer [sée before ver. 1. of this Psalme.] Verse 3. Great is the Lorde [ vz. in power and goodnes, towardes all, but chiefely to­wardes his owne] and most worthy to be praised [ vz. for those excellent things that be in him, and the great workes that he doth dayly] and his greatnesse is [Page 533] incomprehensible [ vz. of vs men: for though after regeneration, wee doe looke into it by fayth, yet it is but in some measure, for we knowe in part, and pro­phecie in part. 1. Corinth. 13.9. and though it bée sayde that in the life to come we shall see him as he is, 1. Iohn. 3.2. yet he meaneth not that there wee shalbée able to attaine, to the full apprehension of Gods eternall maiestye, because he dwelleth in light that no man can come vnto. 1. Tim. 6.16. and that which is finite as we shalbee after the resurrection, though wee shall haue glorified bo­dies, can not comprehend that which is infinite, as God is alwayes, but that wee shall haue a farre greater measure in that life, then wee haue had in this.] Ver. 4. Generation shall prayse thy workes vnto generation [ i. the prayse and 4 excellencie of thy great workes shalbe magnified in al ages, both because thou doest continue thy great workes in euery age, and giuest men care and con­science to publish the same to their posteritie] and declare thy power [ i. the ge­nerations shall preach and set out the greatnes of thy power, and the excellen­cy thereof. Immanuel referreth it to Gods workes, both senses are true.] Ver. 5. I will meditate [ vz. déepely and diligently] of the beautie [ i. not onely of the 5 comelinesse but also of the excellency] of thy glorious maiestye [ i. of thy maie­sty which is full of wonderfull glory] and thy wonderfull workes [ i. I will me­ditate of thy workes also, which are rather to bee wondered at, then compre­hended.] Ver. 6. And they [ i. men and specially thy people] shall speake [ vz. 6 openly and plainely, meaning that they shall declare, and set abroade] of the power [ vz. which is great and excéeding] of thy fearefull acts [ i. of those iudg­ments which thou exercisest vppon the contemners of thy maiestie, which should strike feare into al mens hearts] and I wil declare [ vz. fréely and open­ly] thy greatnes [ i. thy excellency, maiesty, and power, Sée ver. 3. of this Psal.] Ver. 7. They [ i. men] shall breake out [ i. playnely and with open mouth] into 7 the mention [ i. euen to the making mention of] thy gret goodnes [ vz. towards all, but specially towardes thy people] and shall sing aloude [ i. speake openlye and playnely] of thy righteousnesse [ i. of thy faithfull and iust dealing towards all.] Ver. 8. The Lorde is gracious and merciful [this séemeth to be the speci­all 8 matter of their song and praysing, and it séemeth to bee taken out of Exod. 34.6. sée also Psalme 86.5.15.] slowe to anger [ i. not easily moued to punish] and of great mercy [ vz. towardes those that drawe me vnto him.] Ver. 9. The 9 Lorde is good to all [ vz. his creatures, and namely men, but chiefely amongst them, to his chosen people] and his mercies [ i. the abundaunt plenty of his mercie, for so much I suppose the word in the plurall number importeth] are ouer all his woorkes [ i. there is none of his woorkes, but it sheweth vnto o­thers, and findeth in it selfe, very large testimonies of Gods mercy and good­nes. They then do not rightly vnderstand the place, that from hence would ga­ther, that Gods mercy excéedeth all his works, though that is to be confessed to bee true. But this is the true and naturall meaning thereof, that though it be so, that by meanes of sinne, all the worlde bee wrapped vp vnder the curse, yet the mercy of God passeth through al his creatures, and entereth euen vnto the [Page 534] 10 very bruit beastes, as ver. 15.16. of this Psalme.] Ver. 10. Al thy workes [ vz. which thou hast created, and the noble deedes which thou hast done] prayse thée O Lorde [ vz. in their kinde, that is doe set foorth thy prayses vnto men, and doe put in to their mouthes, as it were, an occasion to prayse thee] and thy Saintes [ i. those whome thou hast made holy vnto thy selfe: Sée Psalme 16.3. also 30.4. also 132.9.] blesse thee [ i. prayse thée, as ver. 1.2. of this Psal.] 11 Ver. 11. They [ i. both thy workes and people] shewe [ vz. out, and that sensiblie and plainely] the glory of thy kingdome [ i. the excellency of thy rule and go­uernement, meaning also that Gods woorkes, and the prayses of his people, shoote all at this marke, vz. to bring the worlde in subiection to his obedi­ence] and speake of thy power [ i. set it foorth very plainely: howe the crea­tures perfourme this: Sée Psalme 19.1.2. &c. also Roman. 1.19.20. &c.] 12 Verse 12. To cause his power [ i. Gods power, for hée sodainely chaungeth the person, from the seconde to the thirde] to be knowne [In these wordes hee noteth the ende, why God vseth his creatures, and mens praises, vz. that other men, thereby may be drawne, to see, approue, and confesse, his goodnes and power] to the sonnes of men [ i. to all ages and posterities] and the glorious 13 renowne of his kingdome [sée ver. 11. of this Psalme.] Ver. 13. Thy kingdome [ i. the gouernement which thou exercisest ouer all] is an euerlasting king­dome [ i. shall neuer haue ende] and thy dominion [ vz. which thou hast] indu­reth 14 throughout all ages [ i. shall neuer decay.] Ver. 14. The Lorde [ vz. him­self] vpholdeth, [ vz. by his mercy] all that fall [ vz. into any daunger or di­stresse. Sée Prouerb. 24.16.17. and yet wée must restraine that general terme, to such as the Lord knoweth, in his goodnes, are méete to be vpholden and stai­ed: without which goodnes of his, none is raised vp or maintained] and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall [ q.d. whether they bee entering into 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 15 being fallen.] Verse 15. The eyes of all [ vz. thinges whatsoeuer] wayte vp­pon thée [ vz. with patience, and that for their [...]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 16 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 17 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 [Page 535] 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 18 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 19 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 20 [ vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger: or if not so, yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it, as shalbee 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 21 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, [Page 536] 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. 1 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 2 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. 2 103.1.] Ver. 2. I will prayse the Lorde [ vz. for his mercies] during my life [ i. as long as I liue, and all the dayes of my life] as long as I haue any being [ vz. either in this life, or in eternall life, for the action of prayse and thanksgi­uing to God shal not cease then] I will sing [ vz. prayses and thankesgiuing] vnto my God [ i. vnto him whom I serue, and whom I haue founde by particu­lar 3 experience, to haue bene a singular God to mee.] Ver. 3. Put not your trust [ i. haue not any confidence or affiance in them, as though that without God or against him, they were able to helpe you] in princes [ vz. how litle or how great [Page 537] soeuer they be in authority] nor in the sonne of man [ i. in any man whatsoeuer: and this he doeth, to the end that God may haue his whole glory [...] [...]ecting and abolishing all peruerse hopes, specially those which we haue in great per­sonages] for there is none helpe in them [ i. he or they altogether are not able of themselues, to helpe either themselues, or other distressed: and this is one reason, why they shoulde not trust in men.] Verse 4. His breath departeth [ i. e­uen 4 his soule, and vitall spirite, that is, hee dieth: and so the hope which men repose in him or them, perisheth] and hée returneth to his earth [ vz. out of which he was taken, as Gene. 3.19. and this must bée vnderstoode in respect of his body] then [ vz. when hee dieth] his thoughtes perish [ i. all that hee thought vppon and deuised in his imagination come to nothing: and this is an other reason, taken from the vanity of mans life.] Verse 5. Blessed is he 5 [ i. he is in a good and blessed state] that hath the GOD of Iaakob, for his helpe [ i. that hath the true GOD to helpe and deliuer him in all assayes: Sée Psalme 144.15.] whose hope is in the Lorde his GOD [ i. that putteth his trust onely in that true god, howsoeuer men do destitute, forsake, or faile him.] Ver. 6. Which made heauen and earth [sée Psalme 124.8. also Psalme 121.2.] 6 the Sea and all that therein is [ i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth in the same: Sée Psalm 8.8.] which kéepeth his fidelitie for euer [ i. which doth faith­fully and continually performe: whatsoeuer he hath promised.] Ver. 7. Which 7 executeth iustice [ vz. vpon the wicked and vngodly, and that woorde, Iustice, sheweth that God doeth them no iniurie when hee punisheth them] for the op­pressed [ i. on the behalf of the oppressed: q.d. when they are oppressed, and none able to deliuer them, then doeth God take vppon him the defence of their iust cause against the oppressours] which giueth bread to the hungrie [ i. foode and sustenance to them that want it] the Lorde loseth the prisoners [ vz. out of their prison and bondage, as he did Ioseph, by bowing rulers heartes to set them 8 at libertie: Sée Psalm. 105.20.] Verse. 8. The Lorde giueth sight to the blinde: the Lorde raiseth vp the crooked [ i. hée healeth all diseases: yea though they be neuer so harde and incurable: howe true this is the whole body of the Scrip­ture declareth, and specially the miracles of our Sauiour Christ in the newe testament, and by crooked, he meaneth them, that bee broken, and bowed as it were together, with afflictions and infirmities] the Lorde loueth the righte­ous [ i. pursueth them especially with his fauour, séeming after a sorte to re­straine that to the godly, which hée had generally spoken before.] Ver. 9. The 9 Lorde keepeth [ vz. safe and sounde, and free from hurt and daunger] the stran­gers [ vz. which are tossed from one place to an other, and haue as it were no body to comfort them] hee relieueth the fatherlesse, and widowe [ i. hee comfor­teth them in their distresse and heauinesse, vnder these three, hee comprehen­deth all them, that bee destitute of ayd and defence, or haue no means to come by the same, of these see Exodus. 22.22.23.24.] but hee ouerthroweth [ vz. in his iust iudgement] the way of the wicked [ i. all his deuises, woordes, and workes: Sée Psalme 1.6.] Ver. 10. The Lorde [ vz. our God, which we serue] 10 [Page 538] shall raigne for euer [ vz. do his Enemies against him and his what so euer they can] O Sion [he speaketh to Sion, that is to the Church, because God speciallie raigneth for the preseruation thereof] thy GOD [ vz. whom thou seruest] endureth from generation to generation [ i. ruleth and raigneth for e­uer and euer. as Psalme 145.13.] Prayse yee the Lord [sée Psalme 106. in the end.

Do. Ver. 1. teacheth vs, that our praysing of God should procéed from the harte. Ver. 2. teacheth vs, that we should continue in it, and neuer be wearie of well doing. Ver. 3. teacheth vs, earnestlie to fight against that naturall corruption which is in vs, that is to trust in others besides the Lord. Ver. 4. setteth out the breuitie and brittlenesse of mans life. Ver. 5. teacheth vs, that how soeuer wée be forsaken of men, yet we are in good case if we trust in the Lorde. Ver. 6. tea­cheth vs, to prayse God, first for the workes of creation, secondlie for his mer­cifull promising, and faythfull performinge of that which he hath promised. Ver. 7. teacheth vs, that how soeuer men deale vniustlie one with an other, yet God alwayes executeth Iustice: Secondlie it teacheth vs, that he doth not for euer forget, the pore afflicted estate of his people: Thirdlie that we ought to prayse him for his prouidence towardes the poore and néedie, and his pitie to­wardes the prisoners. Verse 8. teacheth vs, that many times in matters past mens reache, the Lord worketh most mightilie, to the end that all the glorie might be geuen to him. Ver. 9. teacheth vs, that these whom men commonlie make least account of, GOD most highlie regardeth and estéemeth, it setteth out also, the vnlikelie rewarde of the wicked and of the godlie. Verse 10. tea­cheth vs, that it is a singular comfort to the Church and to euerie member thereof, to knowe that GOD is the King thereof, and his Kingdome and gouerment, shall endure for euer.

Psalme 147.

THis Psalme standinge chieflie in exhorting men to the prayse of GOD, Di. may be deuided into thrée partes. First he prouoketh men to prayse God, speciallie for his Graces and goodnesse towardes 1 his Church, from Verse 1. to the ende of the sixt. In the second he exhorteth men to prayse him, speciallie for his prouidence to all creatures, 2 and namely towardes Men. from Verse 7. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde he prouoketh them to prayse him for his might, power, and goodnesse to­wardes 3 all, but chiefly towardes his Church. from Verse. 12. to the ende of the Psalme.

Se. This Psalme hath no title, as many other before going haue none.] Ver. 1. Prayse ye the Lord [ vz. for his mercy and goodnesse] for it is good [ i. profitable and comfortable euen to vs: sée Psalme 92.1.] To singe [ vz. prayses and thankes giuings] vnto our god [ i. vnto him who hath testified by infinit tokens, [Page 539] his great care and loue towardes vs, and we agayne on the other side do serue and worship] for it [ vz. prayse and thankes giuinges] is a pleasaunt thing [ i. is an acceptable thing euen vnto GOD also, as who requireth the same at our handes, as a péece of his seruice. Psalme 50.15.] and prayse [ vz. giuen vnfeynedly vnto GOD] is comelie [ vz. both before him and all good men, though the wicked of the worlde make no account of it, but as a deformed thing: sée for these two wordes, good, and comelie, Psalme 133.1.] Verse 2. 2 The Lord [ vz. him selfe] doth buyld vp [ vz. thorowe his goodnesse and power] Ierusalem [ i. his Church: and vnder the terme, builde, the Holy Ghost doth meane, that GOD is the author, the founder, yea all in all for his Church] and gathereth to gether [ vz. by the voyce of his worde, and the vse of his Sa­cramentes] the dispersed of Israell [ i. the straying members of his Church. If we referre it to Ierusalem and the Iewes, he meaneth, that GOD hath bene alwayes a gracious Father vnto that people, and that howsoeuer they were now scattered abroad into other cuntreyes yet he would bringe them home agayne to theyr owne. If wée referre it to the Church as wée may and ought to do in déede, he meaneth then, that it is not builded by mans power, but by a heauenly and diuine power, that is by GOD himselfe, who ga­thereth into the bosome or lappe of his Church, all those that are strayed from it, and appertayne to his election.] Verse 3. Hee [ i. the Lorde] healeth [ vz. 3 by his worde, and most comfortable promises conteyned therein, which are the medicines of our soules, and the diseases thereof, and this he doth for his promise sake] broken in harte [ i. humbled in the inward man, for their sinnes committed agaynst him: sée Psalme 51.17. it may also be taken for such, as be grieuouslie afflicted, either outwardly, or inwardly, yea throwen downe, and ouerwhelmed, as it were, with their affliction] and buildeth vp their sores [ i. remedieth and redresseth their hurtes and euills, and cureth as it were theyr griefes, like a good Shéepheard, Ezech. 344. and as the good Sa­maritane, Luke 10.34. and as a good Surgion is wont to doo, after that he hath opened and dressed his patients woundes.] Verse 4. He [ i. 4 the Lorde] counteth the number of the starres [ i. knoweth the very certayne number of them, and not that we should thinke that he sitteth there to reckon them, after the manner of men,] & calleth them all by their names [ i. knoweth howe to name euery one of them, q.d. that GOD which sitteth in heauen, and knoweth all thinges, yea euen the least thinges that are, and who also ru­leth all thinges euen in the very Heauens, and doth by name beare rule ouer euerie one of them, according to his authoritie and might: sée Isaiah. 40.26. yea euen y t God is worthie to be praysed: declaring also, that it is no more harde matter for God, to gather his Church & the dispersion thereof, then to number the starres, and to giue to euery thing his office, might, & property, guiding them all by his prouidence and wisedome, in such sorte, that nothing shalbe disorderous in that great multitude] Ver. 5. Great is our lord [ vz. in 5 goodnesse] & great is his power [ vz. also: d.q. both his goodnes and power, is [Page 540] very great yea infinite: Sée Psal. 135.3.] his wisedome is infinite [ vz. to men, as who can neither account it, nor throughly comprehende it: vnderstanding by wisedome, his most fatherly and wise gouernement also, and the particulars 6 thereof.] Ver. 6. The Lorde relieueth [ i. comforteth by his woorde and spirite, and many times in his prouidence exalteth to great honour, as Psal. 113.7.] the méeke [ i. the humble hearted, and such as by their afflictions are brought to true lowlines] and abaseth the wicked to the ground [ i. casteth them downe 7 from the top of their honour, euen as lowe as can bee.] Ver. 7. Sing [ vz. pray­ses and thankesgiuing] vnto the Lorde [ vz. our God] with prayse [ i. with ioy­fulnes also, as well as with prayse] sing [ vz. Psalmes of prayse] vpon the harp [hee addeth instruments, for the better stirring of men vp: Sée Psalme 144.9. and yet this was but temporal, and arbitrarie] vnto our God [sée ver. 1. of this 8 Psalme.] Verse. 8. Which couereth the heauens with cloudes [ i. casteth thick cloudes conteining raine in them, ouer the firmament meaning thereby, that God doeth by that meanes, chaunge as it were, the face of the heauen, which shoulde drawe vs, euen to wonder at his power] and prepareth [ vz. by that meanes] raine for the earth [ i. for the good and profit of the earth, because with­out raine and moisture from heauen, it woulde bee vtterly barren] and maketh [ vz. through his speciall blessing, as the first cause, and the raine as the in­strument] the grasse to growe [ vz. in great plenty and abundaunce] vpon the mountaines [ i. in most barren and drie places, which are for the most part very scant of grasse, because they are nigh to the parching and pearsing 9 heate of the Sunne.] Verse 9. Which giueth [ vz. in mercy] to beastes their foode [ i. the nourishment, wherewith they are maintained and liue] and to the young rauens [which are not able to féede themselues] which crye [ vz. through want of foode and sustenaunce: Sée Iob. 39.3. and in this verse the Prophet setteth out Gods fatherly care and prouidence, which stretcheth it selfe, euen to Rauens or Crowes, whiche are the most con­temned foules almost that are, men making no account of them as for foode, 10 but vtterly to destroy them, as hurtefull and noysome. Verse 10. Hée [ i. GOD] hath not pleasure [ i. careth not for, nor delighteth in] in the strength of an horse [of which you may reade, a liuely description. Iob. 39.22.23. &c. and vnder this and that which followeth, hee comprehendeth all meanes of flesh and blood whatsoeuer, in which many men put their trust, but that is a peruerse thing, and much to bee condemned: and yet without that wee may lawfully vse all holy meanes, which God shall giue vs] neither delighteth hee in the legges of man [ vz. howe strong, well proportioned, swift, and nimble so euer they bee: meaning notwithstanding that God exerciseth this goodnes towards vs, of the vse of the meanes, not for any worthinesse, that is in any of the Creatures, but for his owne glory fake, and the good of his 11 Church.] Verse. 11. But the Lorde delighteth in them [ i. both careth verye much for them, and taketh singular pleasure in them] that feare him [ i. sincerelye worshippe and serue him, hauing a reuerent feare of [Page 541] his maiesty in their heartes] and attende [ vz. in hope and patience] vppon his mercy [ i. the time, till in mercie hee perfourme that, which hee hath gra­ciously promised them.] Verse. 12. Praise the Lorde [ vz. for his mercy and 12 goodnes] O Ierusalem [ i. O thou his Church] prayse thy God [ i. the GOD which thou seruest] O Sion [by Sion and Ierusalem he vnderstandeth both one thing [ vz. Gods Church and congregation: Sée Psalme 51.18. meaning also by this often prouoking of men to prayse the Lorde, to teach them this, that they can neuer want occasion or matter in that behalfe.] Ver. 13. For he hath 13 made the barres of thy gates strong [ vz. in such sort, that no enemy is able to breake them, or to make any irruption into them, meaning by this speach that the Church was well defended with ayde and succour from GOD yea in such sort, that it néede not feare the enemies thereof, because it was defen­ded and shoulde bee deliuered from all euill] and hath blessed [ vz. with al ma­ner of goodnesse, and namely with increase of multitude] thy children with­in thée [ i. those that appertaine vnto thée, whether they bée young or olde, for all are the children of the Church.] Verse 14. Hée [ vz. alone] setteth peace in 14 thy borders [ i. keepeth thy coastes, Countrey and people in all quietnesse, not onely in that hee mightily driueth away all thyne enemies, but also in that hee inclineth the heartes of thyne owne people, to mutuall peace, and so kéepeth them from tumults and rebellion] and satisfieth thee [ vz. to the full in all a­bundaunce and plenty] with the flowre of the wheate [it is in Hebrewe with the fat of the wheate. Sée Deutron. 32.14. Sée also Psalme 81.16. meaning euen that part of the wheate, not onely which yéelded greatest plentie, but al­so wherein the greatest strength of nourishment consisted: vnderstanding also by this particular thing, whatsoeuer did appertaine to this present life, and was fit for mans nourishment.] Verse 15. Hée [ i. God the Lorde] sendeth 15 foorth his commaundement vppon earth [ i. hée needeth no more, but to com­maund onely, and then by a certaine secret motion and inclination which hee hath giuen vnto the earth, the earth bringeth foorth the effectes thereof, as wée sée, by experience] and his worde [ i. the woorde which hée vttereth] run­neth very swiftly [ vz. to be accomplished and perfourmed: q.d. when hee hath declared what he woulde haue done, all thinges are prest and prepared ready to obey him: so that looke whatsoeuer he speaketh by his woorde and comman­deth, it is presently done, as appeareth Psalme 33.9. and by the particular enumeration of thinges, which followeth in this Psalme.] Ver. 16. Hée giueth 16 [ i. sendeth, vz. from heauen and casteth it vppon the earth] snowe like wooll [ i. very whyte, and light as wool is: so that in these respectes snowe and wool may bée compared together] and scattereth the hoare frost [ vz. in sundrie places] like ashes [or dust, which being light of themselues, and cast out, are scattered hither and thither with the winde.] Verse. 17. Hée casteth foorth his yee like 17 morsels [the Hebrewe worde, that is here turned yee, is diuersly interpreted by sundry men, some take it, as we vse to take it, for water vppon the earth, congealed to a hard substance: other take it for frost that commeth vpon raine, [Page 542] presently fallen but a litle before: yea wee haue séene, that almost at the one and the selfe same instant, there hath been raine and frost, other some for haile and tempest: and to this latter do I incline, because that the droppes of raine, by very great colde in the aire are turned into hayle, which seeme to bee, little morsels or pieces as it were] who can abide the colde thereof? [or rather thus, 18 who can abide his colde, that is, the colde which God can sende, for otherwise the cold of yce or hayle is not much.] Ver. 18. He sendeth [ vz. forth his worde [ i. his commaundement] and melteth them [ vz. presently: q.d. he néedeth but onely speake the woorde, and they are by and by molten and consumed as it were] hee causeth his winde to blowe, and the waters flowe [ i. hee bringeth speedily the winde into a warme quarter, and there commeth presently a thaw of the snow, frost, yce, haile, &c. and by their melting, the waters are increased, and flowe and swell beyonde their ordinarie and accustomed boundes. The winde is called Gods, both because he created it, and hath it continually at his commaundement to doe with it, whatsoeuer pleaseth him, and by waters hee 19 vnderstandeth, both the waters of the Sea, and the waters in the land.] Verse 19. Hée sheweth [ vz. plainely and manifestly, so that they can not pretende ig­noraunce] his word [ i. his doctrine, and certaine knowledge out of the same, that they may follow him, whither hee calleth them thereby] vnto Iaakob [ i. vnto his faythfull people] his statutes, and his iudgementes [ i. his whole lawe and euery part thereof, whether it consist of commaundements, or pu­nishmentes for the breath of those commaundements] vnto Israell [ i. vn­to 20 his faithfull people, Iaakob and Israel are here put both for one thing. Sée Psal. 14.7.] Ver. 20. Hée hath not dealt so [ vz. mercifully and graciously] with euery nation [no not with any nation, for vnto the people of the Iewes, al that time, were the oracles of God committed onely: Sée Rom. 3.2. and Rom. 9.4.] neither haue they [ i. other nations and people of the world besides the Iewes] knowne his iudgments [ i. his word, putting a part of it for the whole, as sun­dry times in Psalm. 119. True it is the Gentiles before their calling, knewe him by his woorkes, and that was sufficient to make them without excuse be­fore him, but by his worde hee was onely knowne to his owne people] praise yee the Lord [sée Psalm. 106. in the ende, also Psalm. 113. in the ende, & Psal. 146. in the end, and the rest of the Psalmes following euen vnto the end of this booke.

Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs, that it is profitable for our selues, & acceptable to God, to bée earnest and often in praysing and thanking of him. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs, the continuall care and loue, which God beareth towards his Church. Ver. 3. Setteth out Gods pitie and loue, towardes all such as are truely beaten down, with their afflictions either outwarde or inwarde. Verse. 4. Setteth out his excéeding great power and care in the gouernement and disposing of his creatures. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs, that wee can not of our selues, attaine to the least part of Gods wisedome. Ver. 7. Sheweth, howe dull wee are in praysing our God, in that wee are so often prouoked vnto it, and haue néede of so many [Page 543] both outward and inwarde things to stirre vs vp thereto. Ver. 8. Teacheth vs, that raine, the fruitfulnes of the earth, and all other such like thinges, procéed from God alone. Ver. 9. Teacheth vs to bee rightly perswaded, of Gods pro­uidence, who séeing he féedeth the vnreasonable beastes and rauens, will not leaue vs destitute.] Verse 10. Teacheth vs, that no outwarde thing which we haue, nor can doe, as of our selues, can commend vs to God.] Ver. 11. Tea­cheth vs, that if wee will bee acceptable before God, wee must striue to these two thinges, vz. in hope and patience to wayce vppon him, and to yéelde vnto him that seruice, that in his woorde he requireth at our handes. Verse 12. Teacheth vs, that Gods faythful people, and his Church, are specially bound aboue others, to prayse the Lorde. Verse 13. Teacheth vs, that the safetie, prosperitie and multiplying of the Church commeth from God onely. Ver. 14. Teacheth vs also, that the peace and plenty of his people procéede from him onely, and not from any policie or deuise of man whatsoeuer. Ver. 15. Shew­eth, that the Lorde can by his worde, doe watsoeuer pleaseth himselfe. Ver. 16.17.18. Teach vs, that howsoeuer God vse secondarie causes, in the accomplish­ment of his wil, yet it is his power only that directeth & disposeth of al things: see to this end Iob. 37. throughout. Ver. 19. Teacheth vs that gods word is the most singular iewel and blessing that God can giue vs in this life. Ver. 20. tea­cheth vs that God wil haue mercy vpon whomsoeuer he wil haue mercie, and he wil shew compassion to whomsoeuer he wil shewe compassion, as for the o­ther he wil harden.

psalme 148

THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes. In the first, Di. the 1 Prophet exhorteth al the heauenly creatures, to praise and glo­rifie God, from ver. 1. to the end of 6. In the second he stirreth vp 2 earthly creatures, to the performance, of that great duety, and al this he doth that hee might the better prouoke men therun­to, from ver. 7. to the end of the 12. In the thirde, hee exhorteth 3 them al together to prayse the name of the Lorde, shewing certaine notable causes, wherefore they should do it, and this is comprehended in the two last verses of the Psalme.

The title] Prayse ye the Lord [Sée before Psal. 106. also 111. also 112. Se. also 113. also 146. also 135. and 149. & 150.] Verse 1. Prayse yee the Lorde from the heauen [ q.d. al ye things that are in the heauens, and haue your abiding there, magnifie the Lord, and extol him for his goodnes, praise ye him in the high pla­ces [ i. ye that are in the heauens, & haue your dwelling places as it were there, and the heauens are called high places, because they are high aboue vs, and note that in this verse, he speaketh generally vnto them al, meaning them par­cularly, & as it were one after another in the verses folowing,] ver. 2. Praise ye [Page 544] him, all yee his angels [hee speaketh this, not as though the Angels did not their duetie in that behalfe, but because he woulde haue them to shewe men the way as it were to praise God, and they are called Gods angels both because he created them, and also because they are alwaies ready to execute his com­mandements] praise him, al his armies [or hostes, this is a general word, and is to bee referred to all the heauenly creatures, as Gene. 2.1. which are called Gods armies and hostes, because he vseth their ministery and seruice, either in the defence of his children, or in the ouerthrow of his and their enemies: & yet notwithstanding it may very wel be applied to Angels especially as who are 3 the chiefe and principall instruments which he vseth in those cases.] Verse 3. Prayse ye him sunne and moone [he directeth his speach to the insensible crea­tures, though they haue no vnderstanding, because they glorifie their creator, in doing their duty, and kéeping the order, which he hath set them, and because Gods glory shineth forth in them, and they do, as it were, with a loud & cleare voyce, publish and set foorth his prayses, sée Psal. 19.1. and Psal. 145.11. all this hee doeth to shewe, that it should be great vnkindnes, if men should degenerate from the end of their creation] prayse ye him al bright starres [ i. all starres: for there is no starre, but he hath brightnes and light in him, to shine vppon the 4 earth, as Gene. 1.16.17.] Ver. 4. Prayse ye him, heauen of heauens [ i. not onely the circles and spheres, wherein the planets are, as it were in diuers seates, & dwelling houses, as the Philosophers affirme, but euen the very true heauēs, the place of eternal ioy prepared for the elect, sée for this phrase, 1. King. 8.27.] and waters [ i. raine] that bée aboue the heauen [ i. are in the cloudes, aboue the firmament, and are there vpholde by his almightie power, Sée Genesis 1.7. so heauen in this place, is put for the aire, or the nethermost region of the aire, 5 aboue which the cloudes conteining the raine are.] Ver. 5. Let them [ vz. alto­gether, and euery one of them] prayse the name of the Lorde [ i. celebrate and set forth his maiesty, power, goodnes &c.] for hee commaunded [ i. hee spake the worde onely] and they [ i. all and euery one of them were created [ vz. im­mediatly 6 and presently, as Psalme 33.6.9.] Verse 6. And hee hath established them [ vz. by the strength and power of the same word, whereby hee created them] for euer and euer [ i. to all perpetuitie and this must chiefely be vnder­stoode of the Angels, and ministring spirites] he hath made an ordinaunce [ i. he hath set a decrée, or decréed, by which they are lead, to do the office wherun­to they are appointed] which shal not passe [ i. which shall not vanish or fléete a­way: or rather thus, which they shal not passe [ i. which they shal not transgresse, 7 or goe beyonde, doe what they can.] Verse 7. Prayse yee the Lorde from the earth [ i. yee earthly thinges, as from the heauen, verse 1. was heauenlye thinges, and this is a general terme, comprehending the particulars expres­sed afterwardes] ye Dragons [the Hebrewe worde properly signifieth great fishes, such as are Whales, but yet it may bee applied generally to all great beastes, whether they liue in the lande, or in the waters] and all depthes [ i. all déepe places, or rather by the signe metonomia, all thinges [Page 545] conteyned in the déepe places, as whether they be in the bottome of the sea, or in the caues of the earth.] Ver. 8. Fire [ i. lightning] and haile [ i. which cōmon­ly 8 commeth with stormes of thunder and lightning] snow and vapours [ vz. in the ayre, which are drawn vp thither by the power attractiue of the sunne] stor­mie wind, which [ vz. wind, or else all of them together, but I rather refer it to the wind] execute his word [ i. obey his commaundement after their maner and fashion, the accomplishment whereof we sée Exod. 14.25. And this he sayeth be­cause alterations come not by fortune or chaunce, but are guided and gouer­ned by Gods secret will.] Verse 9 Mountaines and all hils [by this particular 9 enumeration, he declareth this to be his meaning that he would haue no crea­tures excepted, though he do not reckon them vp all] fruitfull trees [ i. trées that beare fruit for the nourishment of man and beast, which thing many trées doe not, being replenished only with boughes and leaues] and all Cedars [ vz. how high and tall soeuer they be, meaning that if the best were not excepted, thē the worst should not.] Verse 10. Beasts and all cattel [ vz. of what kind or forme so 10 euer they be, the particulars whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes] créeping things [ vz. as wormes, snakes, serpents, and such like, which créepe or craule, vnderstanding also by those the very fishes, as may appeare Gen. 1.20.] & fea­thered foules [ i. euery thing that hath winges and flieth.] Ver. 11. Kings of the 11 earth [ i. al maner of rulers and men of mighte, by what title or name soeuer they are called: and in that he beginneth with them, he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse, because that whereas they are more bound to God then others, by reason the greater benefits they haue re­ceaued from him, and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their du­tie in this behalfe, vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on for­ward, defrauding God by that meanes, of the praise which is due vnto him, supposing that the world was made only for them, but also secretly telleth thē their dutie, to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office: for the more that any hath receaued, and in the offices of his exal­tation draweth nigh to God, the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace] and al people [ vz. of the world, of what nation, country or kinred soeuer they be] princes and all iudges of the world [ i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them.] Ver. 12. Yong men 12 and maids, old men and children [the particular recitall of the distinction of a­ges and sexes, which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare, that all without exception, should imploy themselues in the seruice & praysing of God. And these two words, virgins & children, import an amplifying as it were of the matter: q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is, and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are, per­forme this dutie of praise vnto the Lord.] Ver. 13. Let them [ vz. altogether, 13 both heauenly and earthly, reasonable and vnreasonable, but chéefely the reaso­nable creatures laste rehearsed verse. 11, 12.] prayse the name of the Lorde [ i. his goodnesse, power and might] for his name only is to be exalted [ vz. in the [Page 546] songes and prayses of his peoples, meaning that none is worthy of prayse, in respect of himselfe, but he alone: sée Psalme 145, 3.] and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens [ i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or y e earth: or else his prayse is so great, that neither the heauens nor the earth, nor all thinges therein contayned, are able sufficiently to expresse it: and this is y e firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own ma­iestie.] 14 Ver. 14. For he [ vz. alone] hath exalted [ vz. by his power and mighte] the borne of his people [ i. their strength, for so haue we had the word horne v­sed sundry times heretofore, meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity] which [ vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength] is a prayse to all his saints [ i. tendeth not only to their glo­ry and prayse, but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magni­fie his name, by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them. For the worde, Saints, sée Psalme 145, 10.] euen for the children of Israell [ i. euen for y e true and right Israelites, and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts] a people that is nere vnto him [ vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham, and con­firmed in his sonne Christ: and thus he doth more and more specifie the peo­ple, who haue most singular occasion to praise him] praise yee the Lorde [sée Psal. 146 in the end.

Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme, from ver. 1. to the end of y e 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie, and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind, much more man, for whose sake all y e crea­tures were made, that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this du­tie, men had much more néede to be remembred, and not only so, but to bee pric­ked and prouoked forward thereto. Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses, doth playnly proue, that Angels as well as other things were created, and y t therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning: and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces, who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit. Verse 6 teacheth vs, that not one of the creatures, nor all the creatures, can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée. Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe. Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest, so they should be y e first, and examples to others in the seruice of God. Verse 12 teacheth vs, y t no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sin­cere worship and seruice of God. Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed, so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer, belong onlye vnto him alone. Verse 14 teacheth vs, first that al the glory and strength, which the church hath, it hath it from God, secondly that God neuer bestoweth bene­fit vpon the Churche, but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it.

Psalme 149

THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes: Di. In the first hee 1 exhorteth the faithfull to praise God, for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them: from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him, for the strength 2 and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies. from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme.

The title is expounded before. Psalme. 148. Se. & in sundrie other places] Ver. 1. Singe yee [ vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes] vnto the Lord [ vz. your God] a newe song [ i. a singular and excelent song, by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme. 33.3. also psalme. 144.9.] let his praise [ i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise] be heard [ vz. openlie and painelie] in the congregation of saincte [ i. in his Church: this is an excelent description of the Church: for saincts: sée Psalme. 148.14. [Ver. 2. Let Israell [ i. the Church of God and faithfull people: sée Psalme. 147.19. 2 also. 148.14.] reioyce [ vz. excedinglie, and with an vnfeyned ioye.] in him that made him, [ i. in God, and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation one­ly, but also of their frée adoption, by which they were chosen & seperated from all mankinde, to be a peculiar people to God, which was as it were a newe cre­ation] and let the children of Sion. [ i. the faithfull members of the Church: sée Psalme. 146.10. and 147.12.] reioyce [ vz. as before in this verse] in their king [ i. either in Dauid, and so by consequent in Christ, because Dauid was but a fi­gure of him: or els in God, whom the faithfull many times call their king, as Psalme. 5.2. and this latter do I rather allowe, because of that which goeth be­fore in this verse and followeth in the next.] Ver. 3. Let them prayse his name [ i. 3 his maiestie, power, and goodnesse] with the fluit: Let them singe prayses vnto him with the tymbrell and harpe [ i. let them boldlie & fréelie prayse him, by all the meanes that lawfully they may: sée Psalme. 81.2.3. and other Psalmes also as. 33.2 and 144.9.] Ver. 4. for the Lord hath pleasure in his people: [that is, as 4 he did of singular mercy chose them, so he doth singularly delite in them: sée Psalme 147, 11.] he will make the méeke glorious, by deliueraunce [ i. by de­liuering them out of the handes of their enemies, and all their daungers: he meaneth that God will giue thē that be afflicted, this honour, vz. he will vouch­safe them aid & deliuerance from him, or as wée woulde say, will bestowe vpon them, the great honour of deliueraunce.] Ver 5. Let the Saints [sée before ver. 5 1, of this Psal.] be ioyful with glory [ i. gloriously reioyce: or else reioyce for the great glory, that God hath vouchsaued to bestow vppon them] let them sing aloude [ vz. vnto the Lord and his prayse] vppon their beds [ i. in the nighte season: q.d. let them spend dayes and nightes in the praysing of him for his great mercies.] Ver. 6. Let the high actes of GOD [ i. the notable and sin­gular 6 thinges which he hath done for them and against theyr enemies] [...] in their mouth [ i. let them continually speake of them, and prayse him for them [Page 548] and a two edged sworde in their handes [ vz. both to defend themselues and to 7 repulse and to driue farre away their enemies.] Verse 7. To exercise ven­geaunce vppon the heathen [ i. to repaye them the iniurye and wrong whiche the heathen and wicked enemies haue done them] and corrections among the people: [ i. to chastise, correcte and subdue them, as others had done the like 8 to them.] Verse 8. To binde their Kinges in chaynes [ i. to make euen their Princes and Rulers Prisoners] and their Nobles with fetters of yron [ i. to make them captiue also: it is as muche: q. d. That there might bee neyther 9 Prince nor people, but they might be subdued vnder them.] Verse 9. That they [ i. the faythfull people] may execute [ vz. with iustice and vprightnesse] vpon them [ i. vpon the heathen kinges and their people] the iudgement that is written [ vz. in the holy Sscripture. So that I take these 4. last verses to bée a prayer that the Prophet made for y e flourishing estate of the people of y e Iewes, that they might faythfully execute Gods iudgements vpon the Gentiles, ac­cording to his word, without adding any thing thereto, or taking anye thing therefrom. Sée Deut. 12.32. also Deut. 29, 29. If we apply this to the churche and kingdome of Christ, then by the two edged sword, we must vnderstand the word of God, which is the sword of his mouth, of which fée 2. Thess. 2.8. Heb. 4 12. Reuel. 1.16. and al other instruments which God vseth to cast down strong holds, and to ouerthrow mighty imaginations, wherof sée 2 Cor. 10.4, &c.] this honour [ vz. of their conquest and ouercomming of their enemies] shalbe to all his saints [ i. they shall haue their part in it, and féele the worke and power of God inabling them to do the like: which is a matter of great comfort] Prayse ye the Lord [sée of this in the end of Psal. 148.

Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs two things, first that as God multiplieth new benefites vpon vs, so we should anew and afresh as it were, stir vp our selues to be thāk­full vnto him continually: secōdly that aboue all his praises should specially be founded forth in his Church. Verse 2 teacheth vs, that seing God hath begottē vs agayne vnto himselfe, and is become our kingdome, that therfore we should striue in all soundnesse to the obedience of his will. Ver. 3 teacheth vs to vse all lawfull meanes to prouoke and stir vp our selues to that great duty of prayse and thankesgiuing. Verse 4 setteth out vnto vs the singular loue and affection of God towards his people. Verse 5 teacheth vs not only cherefully to prayse God for his mercies, but to doe it also continually both day and night. Ver. 6, 7, 8, 9, teach vs, to wish and pray for the prosperitye and flourishing of Gods Churche, and the confusion and ouerthrow of the obstinate enemies thereof. Ver. 9 teacheth vs, that by reason of the fellowlike affection and féeling whiche is and ought to be amongst the members of the Church, the ioy, glory and vic­tory of some members and parts therof, shalbe the ioy, glory and victory of the other.

Psalme 150

THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts. Di. First he sheweth for what causes men should praise the Lord. Ver. 1.2. Second­ly 1 he sheweth wherewith they should praise him. Ver. 3, 4, 5. 2 Thirdly he sheweth, who they be, that should praise him.

The title hath bin sundry times touched heretofore. Se. ] Ver. 3 1. Praise ye God [ vz. which are his faithful seruauntes] in his sanctuary [this may be expounded thus, either that God dwelleth in heauen, which is some­times called his sanctuarie, or thus, in his sanctuarie, y t is in his tēple. Or else thus, in his sanctuary: that is, in his sanctity, or holinesse, & so I suppose the he­brew word would rather be turned: q.d. praise God for the great holinesse hée hath in himselfe, some part whereof also it pleaseth him to communicate vnto vs] praise ye him in the firmament of his power [ i. prayse ye him for the firma­ment which declareth his power, as Psalme 19, 1, or else thus] prayse ye him for his power stretched out [ vz. ouer all creatures, because in him and by him, they liue, moue, and haue their being, and this sence I take to be the better, and to agrée best with the hebrew text.] Ver. 2. Prayse ye him in his mighty acts [ i. for his noble and valiaunt acts which he hath done for you, and against your e­nemies: 2 so that you sée in these two verses, this particle (in) must bee resol­ued by (for] prayse ye him according to his excellent greatnesse [ i. though yée can not prayse him as he most iustly deserueth, yet striue you to render vnto him that which he hath inabled you to performe. For he meaneth not that wée are able to praise him according to his excellency.] Ver. 3. Prayse him in the sound of the trumpet [ i. with trumpets clearely sounded, sée Psal. 81.3.] prayse 3 ye him vpon the viol and the harpe, sée Psal. 33.2.] Ver. 4, Praise ye him with Timbrell and flute [sée Psalme 149, 3.] praise ye him with Virginals and Or­gans.] 4 Ver. 5. Prayse ye him with sounding Cimbales [ i with Cimbals that may be heard, for otherwise there are no Cimbals, or any other musical instru­mentes, but they haue a sound if they be played vpon] prayse ye him with high sounding Cimbales [ i. with Cimbales which being set high and so tuned, may very easily be heard. By this particular enumeration, he meaneth nothing else but that they should prayse God by all holy and lawfull meanes they could: sée to this purpose before Psalm 149, 3. Concerning these instruments it is true that vnder the law they serued to lead the people to a certayne kind of holy ioy. If any would inferre herevpon, therefore they should be vsed now publikely in the Church, they are much deceaued, for they were but ceremonies, & we know and beléeue, that the ceremoniall law and euery part and péece thereof is abo­lished: so that we can not without iniury to Christ, retayne them publikely in our Churches. Concerning the priuate vse of them, they are so far forth to bée vsed, as they prouoke vs to holinesse, if they be instruments to stirre vp men to [Page 550] sinne and filthinesse, they must be detested and abhorred as vile and abhomina­ble.] 6 Ver. 6. Let euery thing that hath breath prayse the Lord. Some referre it to all creatures, and it is true that the word may well beare & import so much. I for mine own part refer it only to men, who though they liue as other crea­tures do, yet the word breath, as also the word life, doth more properly agrée to them, then to beasts] prayse ye the Lord [sée before in the end of thrée or foure of these last Psalmes. Now let vs marke that when the scripture doth so often times put vs in mind to prayse the Lord, it doth iustly charge and vpbrayd vs, with our vnthankfulnesse and slouthfulnesse in that behalfe.

Do. Verse 1, 2 teach vs that we are bound to praise God, and shew also certayne causes why we should doe it, vz. for the holinesse he communicateth to vs, for his great care and prouidence ouer vs, and all creatures, for his mercies to­wards vs, and his iudgements towards the wicked. Ver. 2 teacheth vs, that though we cannot praise God, or pray vnto him as we should, and he iustly de­serueth, yet we should not for all that leaue of. Ver. 3.4.5. teache vs to vse all the holy and lawfull meanes wée can to stir vp our selues to vnfeigned thankfulnesse to our God. Ver. 6. teacheth vs, that men aboue all his other creatures, are specially bound to bée continually thankefull vnto him.

Ephes. 3. Ver. 20.21.

Vnto him that is able to doe exceeding abundantly, euen aboue all that we aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in vs, bee prayse in the Church by Christ Iesus, thorowout all generations for euer. So be it.

Faultes escaped. The first number noteth the page, the second the line.

Pag. 1. l 13. they, r, theirs. 2. l. 12. in the, r, of the. 3. l. 40. they, r, men. 5. l. 3. many, r, mā, l. 15. king­ly, r, king by, l. 16. imagination, inauguration, 9. li. 28. of r. from l. 41. cōtriued r, conteined. 10. l. 6. or, r, on. l. 22. draw. deceiue. 14. l. 39. such, r, further. 15. li. 20. rebuked, reputed. li. 26. crueltie & subtiltie, r, cruelly and subtilly, li. 31. par. r, per. 19. l. 21. time, terme. 22. l. 24. putteth, r, put them. li. 37. summe, r, same. 23. l. 20, consisteth, r, trusteth. 27. li. 7 t [...]e, r, terme, 35. li. 2. out, r, on li. 9. not to, r to note. 40. l. 32. thy, r, my. 46. l. 28. possible, r, impossible. l. 31. Gods, r, God. 46. l. 18. lustines, loftiner, l. 26 sentences, senses. 51. li. 20. remoued, reuiued. 59. li. 32. strike, r, stirre. 68. li. 27. affection. r, affliction. 70 l. 38 quarellors, quarellous 73. li. 10. better, r, bitter. li. 30. set, r, fet 74 li. 3. intent, innocent. 77. li. 20 guilty, r, guile, 82. l. 24. reiected recited, 85. 38. spoke, r, smoke. 88. l. 33. past me, past cure. 91 li. 40. drunke, dumbe. 96. li 20. trusty, vntrusty. 97. li. 30. parting, for panting 104. l. 39. kimcho, for kimchi. 100. l. 37. performed, for perfumed. 110. l. 20. 1. Cor. for 1. Chro. 111. l. 15. breathing, for breaking. 113. l. 30. sects. r, sorts. 161 l. 21. expoun­ded, r, propounded. l. 36. ceased, r, seized 172. l. 34. captaines, r, captiues. 174. l 20. mother, read both our. 176 l 6. expound, for propound. l. 7. expoundeth, propoundeth. l. 16. seeke, for set­teth out. 181. l. 6. altogether, r, All together, 186. l. 17. faithful, r, faith 203. l. 1. afflictions, r, af­fections. 205. l. 29. godly, for vngodly, 255. l. 24. first, r, for so. 259. l 27. referred, r, corrected. 265. l. 18. see, r, vse. 266. l. 10. mortal, for immortal. 271. li. 26. strange, r, strong. 303. l. 16. comfort. r, confute. 315. li 11. three, r, two. 347 li 35. for necess. r. but for necess. 354. l. 18. peraphrasis, read, periphrasis. l. 19. beginning, r, begetting. 363. lī. 13. meaneth, for nameth. 364. li. 28. lande, read hand. 367. l. 13. slaieth, for staineth. 397. l. 31. reed, for rod li 38. bands, r, bounds, li. 40. suppo­ses, r, suppostes. 399, li. 13. Himites, r, Hiuites, 405. li. 4. shal, r, should 406. l. 25. inuisible, for in­sensible.

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