Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 11
PSAL. XI.
David being counselled to flee, encourageth him-selfe in God against his enemies. 4 He sheweth the providence and justice of God.
To the Master of the Musicke, a Psalme of David.
IN Iehovah doe I hope for safety; how say yee to my soule, flee to your mountaine as a bird? For loe the wicked bend the bow, they prepare their arrow upon the string to shoot in the darknesse at them that are upright in heart. For the foundations are cast downe, the just what hath he done? Iehovah in the palace of his holinesse, Iehovah in the heavens his throne; his eyes will view, his eye-lids will prove the sonnes of Adam. Iehovah will prove the just one, and the wicked one; and him that loveth violent wrong his soule doth hate. He will raine upon the wicked, snares, fire and brimstone, and wind of burning stormes shall bee the portion of their cup. For just Iehovah hee loveth justices, his face will view the righteous.
Annotations.
A Psalme of David: I this word Psalme wanting in the Hebrew, is supplied in the Greeke. So in Psal. 14. and 25. and 26. and 27. and many other. See the note on Psal. 10. 10. flee] or flit. In the Hebrew there is a double reading, flee thou, and flee yee, meaning David in speciall, and his retinew with him. to your mount] or, from your mount; but the Greeke and Chaldee supplieth the word to. In mounts, rockes, and caves, David hid himselfe from Sauls persecution, 1 Sam. 23. 14. and 24. 3, 4. as a bird] This noteth his danger, who was hunted as a partrich on the mountaines, 1 Sam. 26. 20. and his feare, as in Isa. 16. 2. Hereupon is that proverb, As a bird fleeing from her nest, so is a man fleeing from his place, Prov. 27. 8.
Vers. 3. For the foundations] or the things set up. The originall word Shathoth signifieth things orderly set and disposed, and may be applied to many things; as in buildings, to the foundation; in hunting, unto nets or snares; in the common-wealth, unto constitutions or positive lawes; in warres, unto engins or leagers, as Psal. 3. 7. in the minde of man, unto purposes, plots, deliberations; in religion, unto faith, which is the foundation and beginning of the hypostasis, or the hypostasis (that is, the subsistence and expectation) of things hoped for, Hebr. 3. 14. and 11. 1. According to all, or most of these, may this sentence be applied, either to the plots, purposes, snares, set for Davids ruine, but pulled downe by the Lord; or to Sauls estate and kingdome which seemed setled, but by the Lord was overthrowne; or, to Davids estate and faith, which the enemies boasted to be come to nought. The Greeke version of the Lxx. translateth thus, for the things that thou hast perfected, they have destroyed. are cast downe] or, shall be broken downe, destroyed. The Chaldee giveth this interpretation, For if the foundations be destroyed, why doth the just doe innocency?
Vers. 4. Palace of his holinesse] or, his holy palace or Temple, which here may be taken for very heaven, as also in Hab. 2. 20. for the holy places made with hands, were antitypes (or answerable similitudes) of the true Sanctuary, Hebr. 9. 24.
Vers. 5. prove the just] or trie them; by the persecution of the wicked, as well as by other afflictions, Psal. 66. 10, 11, 12. his soule] that is, Gods soule doth hate. This is attributed to God after the manner of men; as he is also said to have eies, hands, eares, &c. So Levit. 26. 11. my soule shall not loath you.
Vers. 6. snares] hereby is often meant in Scripture, strange, sudden, and inevitable judgements, Iob 22. 10. and 18 9, 10. Isa. 8. 14. and 24. 17, 18. The Chaldee expounds it, He will send downe the raine of vengeance on the wicked that breathe fire, &c. fire and brimstone] such was the wrath that fell on Sodome and the cities by it, Gen. 19. 24. and was threatned unto Gog, Ezek. 38. 22. and figureth the vengeance of eternall fire, Iude 7. Rev. 20. 10. wind of burning stormes] or, of blasting tempests, that is, a horrible blasting whirlewind. David felt such from his persecutors, Psalm. 119. 53. and here they feele such from God, for persecuting him. Ieremie applieth this word to the burning storme of hunger, Lam. 5. 10. but it is properly a hideous burning tempest, rushing out of the darksome cloud; such as the Evangelist calleth …emos tuphonicos, a smouldry burning wind, named in Greeke Euroclydon, Act. 27. 14. the portion of their cup] that is, the due measure of their punishment. See Psal. 75. 9 and 16. 5.
Vers. 7. loveth justices] that is, all manner justice, both to punish the evill, and preserve the good, both just causes and persons. his face] or their faces, in mystery of the holy Trinity; as often in the Scripture. See Psal. 149. 2. The Hebrew here may be Englished, the face (the aspects) of them, or of him: See the note on Psal. 2. 3. will view the righteous] usually vieweth the right. And this noteth the manifesting of Gods care and fauour towards the righteous, both cause and person. The Greeke translateth, His face seeth righteousnesses: the Chaldee thus, The just shall see the sight of his face.