Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 2 · Commentary on psalm 4
PSAL. XLV.
The Majestie and grace of Christ and his kingdome. 11 The dutie of the Church, and the benefits thereof. 14 The glorie of Christians.
To the master of the musicke upon Shoshannim, to the sonnes of Korach, an instructing Psalme; a song of the wel-beloved virgins.
MIne heart hath boiled a good word; I doe say my workes to the King, my tongue the pen of a speedy writer. Thou art much fairer than the sonnes of Adam; grace is powred out in thy lips, therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon the thigh, O mighty one, thy glorious majestie and thy comely honour. And in thy comely honour, prosper ride on word of truth, and of meeknesse and of justice: and thy right hand shall teach thee fearfull things. Thy arrowes are sharp, peoples shall fall under thee, in the heart of the Kings enemies. Thy throne, O God, is ever and perpetuall, the scepter of thy kingdome is a scepter of righteousnesse. Thou lovest justice, and hatest wickednesse, therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with oile of joyfuluesse above thy fellowes. Myrrh and Aloes Cassia all thy garments, out of the Ivorie palaces, more than they that make thee joyfull. Kings daughters are among thy precious ones, set is the Queene at thy right hand, in fine gold of Ophir. Heare O daughter, and see and bend thine care, and forget thy people and thy fathers house. And the King will covet thy beautie, for hee is thy Lord, and bow downe thy selfe to him.
And the daughter of Tyrus with oblation shall earnestly beseeke thy face, even the rich of the people. The Kings daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is of purled workes of gold. In embroideries shee shall be led along to the King, virgins after her, her fellow-friends brought in to thee. They shall be led along with joyes and gladnesse, they shall enter into the Kings palace. In stead of thy fathers shall be thy sonnes, thou shalt put them for princes in all the earth. I will make memorie of thy name in every generation and generation, therefore peoples shall confesse thee for ever and a….
Annotations.
SHoshannim] that is, Six-stringed instruments: for so by comparison with other titles it seemeth here to be meant of musicall instruments: as Shalishim, be …e-stranged instruments, 1 Sā. 18. 6. Else-where it signifieth six-leaved flowers, that is, Lilies, as Song 2. 6. wch may also be minded here. The Hebrew word is derived of S…, that is, Six. …ke title is in Psal. 69. 1. & 80. 1. The Chaldee expoundeth it, for them that sit in the Synedrion (or Council) of Moses, which was spoken in prophesie by th… … of Korah. of the welbeloved virgins] Kings daughters and other honourable damosels attending upon and comming with the Queene; the friends of the bridegroome and bride, verse 10. 15. who should sing this marriage-song in praise of them. Therefore this Hymne setteth forth Christ in his glory, and his Spouse the Church in her beautie. For Christis the Bridegroome, and Ierusalem the Bride, Ioh. 3. 29. Rev. 21. 9, 10. all true Christians are Virgins, for their spirituall chastitie, Rev. 14. 1, 4. following and loving the Lambe, for the sweet odour of his Name or Gospell, Song 1. 2. and are beloved of him, and have this new song of praise put into their mouthes. Of him is this Psalme, as the Apostle expoundeth it, Heb. 1. 8.
Vers. 2. hath boiled] or frieth, boileth as in a frying pan, that is, hath studied and prepared by servent meditation. A similitude taken from the Mincah or meat-offering in the law which was dressed in the frying pan, Levit. 7. 9. and there boiled in oile, being made of fine flower unlevened, mingled with oile, Levit. 2. 5. and after was presented to the Lord by the Priest, vers. 8. &c. Here the matter of this Psalme is as the Mincah or oblation, which with the oile, the grace of the spirit, was boiled and prepared in the Prophets heart, and now presented. So the Psal. 141. is likewise compared to the Mincah or oblation presented at evening, Ps. 141. 2. This word is not elsewhere read in the scripture. a good word] an excellent, sweet and pleasant matter. A word is used often for a thing or matter, Psal. 41. 9. here it is for the whole argument of this Psalme, I doe say] or, I am saying, that which feruently boyleth in me. For of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. my works to the King] or my poems of the King; that is, of Christ; concerning him, and dedicated to him is this Psalme, or Dittie. my tongue, the pen] understand, it is as the pen; or praier wise, be it as the pen. The Chaldee addeth, my tongue shall speake swiftly, as the pen, &c. of a speedy writer] or, of a swift (a ready) Scribe. So Esra was called not onelyonly for writing, but also for interpreting the law, Ezr. 7. 6. Scribes were both Scriveners or Notaries, 2 King. 12. 10. and 22. 3. and expositors of the Law, or Counsellers, Mat. 23. 2. 1 Chron. 27. 32.
Vers. 3. thou art much fairer] The Hebrew word is of double forme, to note out double, that is, very excellent beautie. This fairenesse is not of body onelyonly, but of minde, in wisdome, holinesse, &c. as in Ezek. 28. 7. there is mentioned beautie of wisdome. Here the Psalmist beginneth his speech to Christ and of his praises: which the Chaldee paraphrast explaineth thus; thy fairnesse O King Christ, exceedeth the sonnes of men. See the description of Christs spirituall beautie in Song 5. 10,—16. grace is powred out in thy lips] that is, thou speakest gracious words abundantly. Christs lips were like lillies dropping downe pure myrrh, Song 5. 13. all that heard him speake wondred at the words of grace that proceeded out of his mouth, Luk. 4. 22. The Chaldee expoundeth it, The Spirit of prophesie is given into thy lips. therefore] to the end that thou shouldest powre out thy gracious words to men: or because God hath blessed thee.
Vers. 4. Gird thy sword] that is, make ready to the fight, Exod. 32. 27. 1 Sam. 25. 13. Song 3. 8. The spirituall sword is the word of God, Eph. 6. 17. Therefore Christs sword properly commeth out of his mouth, Rev. 1. 16. and with the breath of his lips shall hee slay the wicked, Isa. 11. 4. upon the thigh] understand thy thigh. The Hebrew often omitteth words of this sort easie to be understood; so the Greeke in the new Testament, as mending the nets, Mark. 1. 19. or mending their nets, Mat. 4. 21. to put away, Mark. 10. 4. for, to put her away, Mat. 19. 7. and many the like. O mighty one] or Champion; Heb. Gibbor, one of the titles of Christ, Isa. 9. 6. The Chaldee paraphraseth, as a mighty one to kill kings and rulers. thy glorious Majestie] this sheweth of what manner sword he speaketh, called glory and comlinesse, or magnificence, because of the powerfull effects. Of these words, see Psal. 8. 2. 6.
Vers. 5. prosper ride] that is, ride prosperously: see the like phrase, Psal. 51. 4. The Chaldee openeth it thus; Thine honour is great, therefore thou shalt prosper, to ride upon the throne of the kingdome. on word of truth] which is the Gospell of our salvation, Eph. 1. 13. the white Horse whereon Christ rideth, Rev. 19. 11. or because of truth; for the truths sake. The Hebrew al debar is often used for because, Psal. 79. 9. Gen. 43. 18. Deut 22. 24. and so the Greeke version hath it here. of meeknesse] so Christ came riding meeke, Mat. 21. 5. and his word is both to be taught and to be received with meeknesse, 2 Tim. 2. 25. Iam. 1. 21. and of justice] or, meeknesse of justice, that is, justice meekly administred: but the Greeke supplieth the word and. shall teach thee] or, let it teach thee fearfull things. In the Greeke it is, thy right hand will guide thee maruellously.
Vers. 6. Thy arrowes] that is, thy words whereby thou convincest and beatest downe sinne and sinners. So the rider on the white Horse hath a bow when he goeth to conquer, Rev. 6. 2. Arrowes are words, Psal. 64. 4. or judgements, Deut. 32. 23. and the Chaldee here addeth, Thine arrowes are drawne out to kill multitudes. in the heart] understand, they peirce the heart of the kings enemies. And this noteth the efficacie of these words or judgements, as elsewhere he saith, I will send all my plagues upon thy heart, Exod. 9. 14. also their inward operation which is mighty, dividing asunder the soule & the spirit, discerning the intents of the heart, casting down imaginations & bringing into captivitie every thought, Heb. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 10 4. 5.
Vers. 7. Thy throne O God] The Chaldee addeth, in heaven. Here Christ our King is magnified as God above the Angels, as the Apostle sheweth, Heb. 1. 8. But unto the Son he saith, thy throne O God is for ever. &c. Hereby also is meant the perpetuitie of Christs kingdome. So 1 Chron. 22. 10. 2. Sam. 7. 16. a scepter of righteousnesse] or, a rod (a mace) of equitie, plaine and righteous in administration. hath anointed thee] of this Hebrew Mashach, hath anointed, our Lord is called Mashiach or Messias, and in Greeke Christ, that is, Anointed: see Psal. 2. 2. oile of joy] the holy Ghost which joyeth the heart, Luk. 4. 18. 1 Thes. 1. 6. above thy fellowes] that is, above all Christians who are thy fellows, consorts, and partners in the anointing, 1 Ioh. 2. 20, 27. who are also made Kings and Priests, Rev. 5. 10. and with whom thou hast taken part of flesh and bloud, Heb. 2. 14. Or by fellowes, may be meant all kings and potentates whom he excelleth, Psal. 89. 28.
Vers. 9. Myrrh] named of the Hebrew word Mor, and is the gumme or liquor of a tree, in taste bitter, in smell odoriferous; therefore it was used in the precious ointment of the high priest, and Tabernacle, Exod. 30. 21. and in other sweet perfumes. Est. 2. 12. Prov. 7. 17. See Song 4. 14. and 5. 1. 13. Aloes] of the Hebrew name Ahaloth, a sweet wood wherwith perfumes were also made, Num. 21. 7. Song 4. 14. The Arabians call it, tsandal. Cassia] or Cassies, also of the Hebrew Ketsioth, elsewhere it is not found in Scripture. It seemeth to be the barks or skinnes of that sweet shrub Casia mentioned in Plinie, lib. 12. cap. 20. all thy garments] that is, they be of them, or smell of them, or are anointed with them: or, as the Chaldee paraphraseth, are perfected with them. out of the Ivory palaces] or palaces of Elephants tooth; as the Chaldee here addeth the name of the Elephant, meaning that either the King commeth out of them, or, the garments were taken out of such palaces or costers. Kings palaces were sometime made of Ivorie or tooth, 2 King. 22. 39. more than they that make thee joyfull] or, than theirs that make thee glad: that is, thy garments are more odoriserous, than the garments of thy fellowes, forementioned verse 8. For though the Spouse or Church hath the savour of her odours, better than all spices, & the smell of her garments as the odour of Lebanon, shee being perfumed with myrrh, and incense, and all spices of the merchant, Song 4. 10, 11. and 3. 6. yet Christ himselfe is more odoriferous, even wholly delectable, for God hath not given him the spirit by measure, Song 1. 2. and 5. 16. Ioh. 3. 34. And the Saints are said to make Christ joyfull, for all his delight is in them, Psal. 16. 3. Song 7. 6.
Vers. 10. Kings daughters] These the Chaldee interpreteth Countries of Kingdomes. among thy precious ones] that is, with thy honourable women: or, in thy preciousnesse, that is, are in thy precious honourable ornaments, or palaces. set is the Queene] or, maried Queene (the wife) is placed at thy right hand, that is, in the most honourable place, 1 King. 2. 19. The Chaldee referreth this to the Booke of the Law, at the right hand of the King. The word Shegal is used here, and Neh. 2. 6. Dan. 5. 23. for the Kings wife, the Queene. in fine gold] that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, cloth of fine (or glistering) gold, called Cethem; a speciall name for the most pure and splendent gold, Job 28. 16. 19. and 31. 24. Song 5. 11. Daniel 10. 5. Her of is Mictam, Ps. 16. 1. of Ophir] that is, out of the land of Ophir, who was the son of Iektan, the son of Shē, the son of Noach, Gen. 10. 29. who dwelt in a part of India, & of him the countrey was called Ophir: from thence was much Cethem or fine gold brought to Iudea and other coasts, as appeareth 1 King. 9. 28. and 10. 11. and 22. 48. 1 Chron. 29. 4. The gold it selfe was called by his name Ophir: Iob 22. 24.
Vers. 11. Heare O daughter] Hee speaketh to the Queene fore-mentioned, siguring the church, or heavenly Ierusalem, the Lambs wife, Rev. 21. 9, 10, &c. And so the Chaldee paraphraseth, Heare O congregation of Israel, the law of his mouth, and see his marvellous workes: and bow thine eare to the words of the Law, and forget the evill workes of the wicked of thy people, and the house of Idols whom thou servedst in thy fathers house. and thy fathers house] As man and wife must leave their parents, to cleave each to other, Gen. 4. 24. and 31. 14. so must wee leave all, to cleave unto Christ, Matt. 10. 37. Luk. 14. 26.
Vers. 12. will covet thy beauty] will delight him-selfe in thy fairenesse, (thy sanctitie;) set forth in Song 1. 14. and 2. 14. and 4. 1, &c. So the King is tied in the rafters, Song 7. 5. and bow downe] or, therefore worship thou him.
Vers. 13. the daughter of Tyrus] that is, the people, or Common-wealth of Tyre; as daughter of Sion, Psal. 9. 15. So the Chaldee expoundeth it, They that dwell in the fort of Tyrus. Tyre or Tyrus (in Hebrew Tsor, which signifieth a Rocke or Fortresse;) was a strong city appertaining to the tribe of Aser, Ios. 19. 29. but possessed still by the heathens, whose King Hiram became friend to David, 2 Sam. 5. 11. and to Solomon his sonne, 1 King. 5. 1, 2, &c. yet afterwards Tyrus remembred not the brotherly covenant, Amos 1. 9. but rejoyced at the desolation of Ierusalem, Ezek. 26. 2. banded it selfe with other enemies against Israel, Psal. 83. 8. & was wasted of Nebuchadnezar King of Babel, by Gods judgement, 70. yeares, Esai. 23. 15. Ezek. 26. 7. It continued under idols till the Macchabees times, and then had still Hercules for their chiefe God, 2 Mac. 4. 18, 19. This one city Tyre is here named in stead of other nations, because it was the chiefe citie of traffique in the world, being an Ile in the sea, whose merchandize and magnificence the Prophet largely describeth, Ezek. 27. her merchants were princes, her chapmen the nobles of the world, Esai. 23. 8. shee heaped up silver as dust, and gold as the mire of the streets, Zach. 9. 3. Of the subjection here prophesied, which they should yeeld unto the Church, we may see it fulfilled in the new Testament, where many that dwelt about Tyre and Sidon flocked after Christ, Mark. 3. 8. and he resorted into their borders, Mark. 7. 24. and by their readinesse, hee upbraided the backwardnesse of the Iewes, Mat. 11. 20, 21. and afterwards in the Apostle… dayes there was a Church of zealous Christians in that city, Act. 21. 3, 4, 5, &c. See also Psal. 87. 4. carnestly beseeke thy face] shall instantly pray (or sue) unto thee O Queene. The originall word naturally signifieth to make sicke or sory, and being joyned with the word face (which oft is used for anger) it meaneth, to abate the anger by importunate praier and by humble sute to prevaile. So after, Psal. 119. 58. rich of the people] the wealthy among them, meaning of the Tyrians, which were a wealthy nation, and generally other peoples. See Esa. 60. 1, 3, 5, 11. and 49. 23. Rev. 21. 24, 26. where the riches and honour of the Gentiles are brought to the Church.
Vers. 14. glorious within] or, honourable inward, in the heart adorned with faith, hope, love, &c. or in the inner man, as Eph. 3. 16. Here the Chaldee maketh this paraphrase; Every thing that is praise-worthy, faire & to be desired, the wealth of countries and treasuries of Kings, which are laid up within, shall they offer for oblations before the King, and gifts unto the Priests, whose garments are woven with fine gold. purled works] or grounds, closures of gold, such as precious stones are set in, Exod. 28. 11, 14. Compare also herewith, Ezek. 16. 13.
Vers. 15. In embroideries] with broidered (or needle wrought) garments. Hereby is meant the varietie of graces, and embroidery of the spirit. So Ezek. 16. 10.
Vers. 17. In stead of thy fathers.] Here the Hebrew is of the masculine gender: so these words are spoken to the King. Though sometime the masculine is used in speech of women, as Num. 27. 7. So lahem 1 King. 22. 17. lahen 2 Chron. 18. 16. shall be thy sonnes] thy children shall succeed, meaning either all Christias, that by the immortall seed of the word are begotten to Christ & his Church, he being the father, this the mother of vsus all, Isa. 9. 6. Gal. 4. 26. or in speciall, the Apostles may be intended. See Heb. 2. 13. shalt put them] shalt place, constitute, or appoint them for Princes: As all Christians are called Kings, Rev. 1. 6. and 5. 10. Or in speciall, by the Fathers may be meant the 12 Patriarchs, by the sonnes, the 12 Apostles succeeding them, as the heavenly Ierusalem hath at the 12 gates, the names of the 12 tribes, and in the foundations of the wall, the names of the lambes 12 Apostles, Rev. 21. 12, 14. which Apostles were sent into all the nations of the world, Mat. 28. 19. to goe and bring forth fruit, and their fruit to remaine, Ioh. 15. 16. Like this is the promise made for Sarah, that Kings of peoples should come of her, Gen. 17. 16.
Vers. 18. I will make memorie] will mention and make to be remembred. The inditer of this Psalme speaketh this to Christ, and of his eternall kingdome and glory. shall confesse thee] shall celebrate, or praise thee. The Hebrew is Iehodu, of it Iehudah had his name, Gen. 29. 35. from which name his blessing was derived, thou art Iudah thy brethren (Iodu) shall confesse thee, Gen. 49. 8. This here is fitly applied to Christ the Lion of the tribe Iudah, Revel. 5. 5. and aye] or, and to perpetuitie.