Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 18
PSAL. XVIII.
David having beene delivered from all his enemies, professeth his love unto God therefore. 5 Hee remembreth the great dangers wherein he had beene, 7 his cries unto God, 8 the Lords wonderfull judgements upon his enemies, 17 and deliverance of David. 21 He sheweth his integritie of life, 27 Gods justice towards all men, 33 the victories which hee gave unto David, 44 and dominion over peoples. 50 The glory of Gods name among the Gentiles, for his salvation of Christ, (whom David figured,) and of all nations by him.
To the Master of the Musicke a Psalme of the servant of Iehovah, of David, which spake to Iehovah the words of this song, in the day that Iehovah had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. And he said;
I Will dearely love thee, Iehovah my firme strength. Iehovah, my rock and my sortresse, and my deliverer, my God, my rocke, in whom I hope for shelter, my shield and horne of my salvation, mine high defence. I called upon the praised Iehovah, and from mine enemies I was saved. The pangs of death compassed mee, and the streames of Belial frighted me. The pangs of hell went round about mee, the snares of death prevented me. In the distresse upon me, I called on Iehovah, and unto my God I cried out: he heard my voice out of his Palace, and my out-crie before him entred into his eares. And the earth shaked and quaked, and the foundations of the mountaines were stirred; and they shooke themselves, because he was wroth. Smoke ascended in his anger, and fire out of his mouth did eat; coales burned from it. And he bowed the heavens and came downe, and gloomy darknesse was under his feet. And he rode upon the Cherub, and did fly; and he flew swiftly upon the wings of the wind. He set darknesse his secret place, round about him his pavilion: darknesse of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
From the brightnesse that was before him his thick clouds passed away, haile, and coales of fire. And Iehovah thundered in the heavens, and the Most high gave his voice, haile and coales of fire. And he sent his arrowes, and scattered them afunder: and lightnings he hurled forth, and terribly strucke them downe. And the channels of waters were seene, and the foundations of the world were revealed: at thy rebuke, Iehovah, at the breath of the wind of thine anger. He sent from the high place, hee tooke me, hee drew me out of many waters▪ He rid mee from my strong enemie, and from my haters, for they were mightier than I. They prevented me in the day of my cloudy calamitie: and Iehovah was for a staffe unto me. And he brought me forth to a large roomth: hee released me because he delighted in me.
Iehovah rewarded me according to my justice: according to the purenesse of my hands rendred he unto me. Because I observed the wayes of Iehovah, and did not wickedly from my God. For all his judgements were before me, and his decrees I did not turne away from me. And I was perfect with him, and kept my selfe from mine iniquitie. And Iehovah rendred to me according to my justice, according to the purenesse of my hands before his eyes.
With the gracious Saint thou wilt shew thy selfe gracious: with the perfect man thou wilt shew thy selfe perfect. With the pure thou wil… shew thy selfe pure: and with the froward thou wilt shew thy selfe wry. For thou wilt save the poore afflicted people, and wilt bring low the loftie eyes. For thou hast lighted my candle, Iehovah my God hath brightned my darknesse. For by thee I have broken thorow an host, and by my God I have leaped over a wall. God his way is perfect, the saying of Iehovah is tried, he is a shield to all that hope for safety in him. For who is God besides Iehovah? and who is a rocke except our God? God that girdeth me with valour, and giveth my way perfect. He matcheth my feet as Hindes feet: and upon my high places hee maketh me stand. He learneth my hands to the warre, and a bow of brasse is broken with mine armes. And thou hast given to me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand▪ hath upheld me, and thy meeknesse hath made me to increase. Thou hast widened my passage under me: and my legs have not staggered. I followed mine enemies, and over tooke them, and turned not till I had consumed them. I wounded them, and they could not rise up: they fell under my feet. And thou hast girded me with valour to the warre: them that rose against mee thou hast made to stoope downe under me.
And thou hast given to me the necke of mine enemies: and them that hated me I have, suppressed. They cried out, but there was none to save; unto Iehovah, but hee answered them not. And I did beat them small as dust before the wind: as the clay of the streets, I did powre them out. Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people: thou hast put me for the head of the heathens: a people whō I have not known doe serve me. At the hearing of the eare they obey me: the sonnes of the stranger falsly denie unto me. The sons of the stranger fade away and shrinke for feare, out of their closets. Iehovah live, & blessed be my rocke, and exalted be the God of my salvation. The God that giveth vengeances to me, and subdueth peoples under me. My deliverer from mine enemies, also from them that rose up against me, thou hast exalted me, from the man of violent wrong thou hast rid me. Therefore I will confesse thee among the heathens, Iehovah, and to thy name I will sing Psalme. Hee maketh great the salvations of his King, and doth merciemercy to his annointed; to David and to his seed for ever.
Annotations.
THe servant of Iehovah] So he intituleth him-selfe here, and in Psal. 36. 1. for his service in administring the kingdome. This song is also written in 2 Sam. 22. with some little change of a few words which shall be observed. hand of Saul] which noteth the power of the King, above that which is noted by the hand or palme of other enemies: yet for this word hand, in 2 Sam. 22. 1. is used palme: the Chaldee expoundeth it, the sword of Saul.
Vers. 2. I will dearely love] or, I love heartily with my inmost bowels. The originall word is in this place for intire love; but otherwhere is often used for tender merciemercy, or bowels of compassion, Psal. 25. 6. and 102. 14. and 103. 13. This verse is added here, more than in 1 Sam. 22.
Vers. 3. fortresse] or, munition, a place or hold to flee unto, when one is hunted and chased. See Ps. 31. 3. rocke] Two names of a Rocke are in this verse; the first Selangh, a firme stony Rocke or cliffe; the latter, Tsur, a strong or sharpe rocke, and is often the title of God himselfe, and turned in Greeke, Theos, that is, God, as in the 32 and 47 verses of this Psalme, Deut. 32. 4. 18. 30, 31. Psal. 71. 3. and in many other places. horne of my salvation] that is, the horne that saveth me. A horne signifieth power and glory, Psal. 92. 11. Amos 6. 13. Hab. 3. 4. therefore hornes are used to signifie Kings, Dan▪ 8. …. R…v …7. 12. And Christ is called the horne of salvation, Luke 1. 69. high defence] or tower, … ▪ See Psal. 9. 10. In 2. Sa…. 2…. … ▪ there is added more, and my ref…ge▪ my Saviour from violent wrong … savest ….
Vers. 4. P…ifed] that is, glorious, excellent praise… ▪ and accordingly for his … usually … of his people. So Psal. 48. …. The Chaldee …deth it, with a praise (o… Hy…ne) I prayed before the Lord. And the Greeke, praising I will call upon the Lord.
Vers. 5. the pangs] paines, throwes▪ sorrowes, as of a woman in childbirth; so the originall word signifieth, Hos. 13. 13. Esay 13. 8. and 66. 7. and so the Chaldee explaineth it, Anguish compassed mee as of a woman which sit…th in the birth, and hath no strength to bring forth, and she is in danger of death. Or, The …ands, the …: (as the word also signifieth, Iob 36. 8. Prov. 5. 22.) For this in … Sam. 22. 5. another word is used, that signifieth breaches; which also is applied to the breaking forth of children at the birth, H…s. 13. 13. E… ▪ 37. 3. and to the … of the sea, Psal. 42. 8. streames] or brooks, bournes. The originall word Nachal is used as our English bourne, both for a brooke or streame running in a valley, and for the valley it selfe, 1 Kings 17▪ 3, 4. Waters do often figure out afflictions, Psal. 69. 2. 3. …ournes or stre… of waters, meane vehement and violent afflictions, Psal. 124. 4. Ier. 47. 2. Belial] or …. The Hebrew Bel… (which the Apostle in Greek calleth Belial, … Cor. 6. 15.) i… used … extreme mischiefe and wickednesse, or most impious and mischie…ous persons, called sonnes of Belial, Deut. 13. 13▪ daughters of B… lial, 1 Sam. … ▪ … ▪ men of Belial, 1. Sam. 25. 25. and sometime B… it selfe, as in Nah. 1. 15. Belial shall no more passe th… thee; and 2 Sam. 23. 6. Belial shall be every one as thornes thrust away: and Iob 34. 18. Wilt … say to a King▪ Belial? It is also applied to speciall sinnes and sinners, as a witnesse of Belial, Prov. 19. 28. a counseller of Beli…l, Nah. 1. 15. Also to mischievous thoughts, words or things. De…t. 15. 9. Psal. 41. 9. and 101. 3. The Apostle opposeth Belial to Christ, 2 C…. 6. 15. and it seemeth to be put for the Devill or Satan, (as the Sy… and Arabik translations there explaine Pauls … for Antichrist; for so Belial is opposed to Christ and his kingdome, 2 Sam. 23. 6. By interpretation, Belial signifieth an Vnthrift, or Without … lawlesse; … Antichrist is named the lawlesse man, … Thess. 2. 8. and in this Psalme the Greeke … streames of lawlesnesse, or iniquitie: which the Chaldee Paraphrast calleth the company of the unrighteous▪ frighted me] skar…d, or vexed …. This word is used of Sauls vexation by a… … spirit, …. 16. 14▪ 15.
Vers. 6. of hell] which the Chaldee expoundeth, a company of …ked persons. snares of death] deadly sha…, … for my death; a similitude … from …, Eccles. 9. 12. So …. 13. 14. and 14. …7. The Chaldee explaineth … …rmed with weapons of s…aughter. Pre… me] that is, were ready to take hold on mee …denly and unawares.
Vers. 7. distresse upon me] or to me, that is, in that my distresse, or while it was upon me. So Psal. …6. 1…. be heard] The Hebrew properly is, will heare; but the time to come is often put for the time past; therefore in 2 Sam. 22. 7. it is plainly written, and …e heard: so after in the 12. verse, …ee will set, which in Samuel is written, and …ee set: againe in the 14▪ verse, thundred; for which in Samuel is written, will thunder: the like may be observed of the Hebrew phrase, in the 16. 39. 41. … 44. verses of this Psalme, compared with the same in 2 Sam. 22. So often in other scriptures, which the Hebrew text it selfe sometime sheweth, as hikki… they smote him, 2 Chron. 22. 6. for which in 2 King. 8. 29. is written, jakkuh…. See also the note on Psal. …. 1. his palace] or his Temple: which the Chaldee explaineth thus; He… received my prayer from the Palace of his sanctu…rie which is in heaven. entred] or came into; this word is omitted in 2 Sam. …. …. supplied here; as oftentimes there want words, which are to be understood. So vers. … and Psal. 69. 11.
Vers. 8. foundations of the mounts] that is, the roots and … of the mountaines. By these and the words following, under the similitude of a sore tempestuous weather, Gods judgements against the wicked are excellently set for…h. Compare herewith Psal. 82. 5. and Deut. 32. …. where the foundations of the mountaines are set on fire. For mount…ine… in 2 Sam. …2. 8. is written heavens, either for that the mountaines reaching high, seeme to be the foundation, and as they are called in Iob 26. 11▪ the pillars of heaven; or in a mysticall sense, as the shaking of heaven and earth▪ signifieth the changing of civill polities and of religions, Heb. 12. …6▪ 27. he was wroth] or kindled to him was his anger; or b…ne did his nose: for in the Hebrew another word is sometimes added, which signifieth anger or nose, Deut. 6. 15. Exod. 32. 11. See the notes on Psal. 2. 5. and the note here following. The Greeke translateth, for God was angry with them.
Vers. 9. in his anger] or, in his nose: the like speech is in Esa. 65. 5. these are a smoke in my anger; or, for these a smoke is in my nose: and it noteth sore indig… ▪ for smoke is a signe of vehement anger, Psal. 74. 1. and 80. 5. Deut. 29. 20. This narration here may bee compared with the giving of the Law, Exod. 19. 18, &c. where was smoke, fire, earthquake, thunder, lightning, and the like. For these with the speeches following of clouds, windes, tempests, thunderbolts, haile, &c. doe lively describe Gods Majestie, appearing in his workes, & for punishment of his enemies, as Exod. 9. 23, 24. Iosh. 10. 11. Iudg. 5. 20. 1 Sam. 2. 10. and 7. 10. and 12. 17. Rev. 16. 18. 21. did eat] that is, consume. See Psal. 50. 3. The Chaldee expoundeth it, hee sent his wrath like-burning fire▪ coles of fire were kindled at his word.
Vers. 10. he bowed the heavens] This was for the helpe of David, and discomfiture of his enemies: therefore the Prophet prayeth for the like againe, Psal. 144. 5, 6. Esai. 64. 1, 2. and came downe] that is, as the Chaldee openeth it, his glory appeared. gloomie darknesse] myrke and thicke darknesse, or a darke cloud: as a Chron. 6. 1. Iob. 22. 13. such as was on mount Sinar, when God came downe on it, Deut. 4. 11. and 5. 22. a signe of terrour, as the Apostle sheweth, Heb. 12. 18. … Psal. 97. 2.
Vers. 11. on the Cherub] a Cherub, and the plurall number, Cherubim of Cherubines, is a name given to the Angeli▪ Gen. 3. 25. and to the golden winged images which were in the tabernacle and temple, Exod. 25. 18, 19, 20. 1 King. 6. 23, 24, 25, 29. 32. The living creatures also which Ezekiel saw in vision, Ezech. 1. 5. are called Cherubines, Ezek. 10. 1. 1…. Likewise the king of Tyre is called an anointed and a covering Cherub, Ezek. 28. 14. 16. The Hebrew name hath affinitie with Rechub a Cha…, used in Psal. 104. 3. almost in like sense as Cherub is here; and the Cherubines are called a Chariot, 1 Chron. 28. 18. and Gods Angels are his Chariots, Psal. 68. 18. and they seeme to be meant in this place; for as the Angels are said to flie, Dan. 9. 21. so the Cherubines had wings, Exod. 25. 2…. and are of the Apostle called Cherubines of glory, Heb. 9. 5. In Psal. 80. 2. God is said to sit on the Cherubines; as here, to ride and a Cherub may be put for many or all the Cherubims, as chariot for chariots, Psal. 68. 18. See the note on Psal. 8. 9. The Chaldee paraphraseth thus; And hee was seene in his strength upon the light Cherubims; and brought his power upon the wings of the Whirle-winde. slew swiftly] or glansed; a similitude taken from Eagles and like swift fowles that flie with aswinge, Deut. 28. 49. Ier. 48. 40. For this, in 2 Sam. 22. 11. is written jera▪ that is, he was seene: which here with little difference of one letter is jede, that is, he flew switly. So in Psal. 104. 3. God is said to walke upon the wings of the winde.
Vers. 12. his pavilion] or covert, tabernacle. In the Chaldee it is explained thus; Hee placed his divine presence in the darknesse, and his glory was compassed with clouds as a pavilion: and hee made raine to come downe upon his people, and mighty waters from the moving of the darke clouds upon the wicked, from the heigth of the world. darknesse of waters] that is, darke blacke waters: meaning watrie clouds, as Psal. 104. 3. & 29. 3. In 2 Sam. 22. 12. this is thus set downe: and he set darknesse round about him, for boothes▪ blacknesse of waters, &c. the skies] that is, the heavens, named in Hebrew Shechakim, of their thin fine and subtill substance.
Vers. 13. passed away] that is, vanished; for Gods brightnesse expelled them. So passing away, is used for vanishing, Esai. 29. 5. haile and coles] that is, there was, or there came haile, to wit, from his brightnesse, as in 2 Sam. 22. 13. it is written, From the brightnesse before him there burned coles of fire. Haile and fire are instruments of Gods warre and punishment, Iob. 38. 22, 23. Iosh. 10. 11. Rev. 16. 21. Zach. 12. 6. Ezek. 10. 2.
Vers. 14. thundred] this also is a signe of Gods anger, 1 Sam. 2. 10. and 7. 10. Isa. 29. 6. and of his power and glory, Psal. 29. 3. and 77. 19. Iob 26. 14. and 37. 4, 5. and 40. 4. gave his voice] a common phrase for all loud and high speech▪ cry, noise, thundring, &c. Psal. 46. 7. and 68. 34. and 77. 18. and 104. …. Num. 14. 1. 2 Chron. 24. 9. Hab. 3. 10. The Chaldee expoundeth it thus, the most high lifted up his word, he cast haile and coles of fire. … of fire] that is, fiery vapours, lightnings, &c. This sentence is omitted, in 2 Sam. 22. 14. and is wanting also in the Greeke verson here.
Vers. 15. … arrowes] the instruments of his wrath and judgements; for God hath arrowes of pestilence, Psal. 91. 5▪ of samine, Ezek. 5. 16. and other arrowes to wound the hearts of his enemies, Psal. 45. 6. and 64. 8. or to afflict his children, Psal. 38. 3. Iob 6. 4. Here and in Psal. 144. 6. by arrowes may be meant thunderbolts, or the hailestones forementioned; as the hailestones that fell, Ios. 10. 11. are called arrowes, Hab. 3. 11. The Chaldee saith, he sent his word as arrowes. he hurled] or, he shot, as the word signifieth, Gen. 49. 23. it may also be turned, he multiplied. This is omitted in 2 Sam. 22. 15. terribly strucke them downe] discomfited troubled, and felled them downe with dread, noise and tumu…. This word is used in the examples of his wrath, Exod. 14. 24. Iosh. 10. 10. Iudg. 4. 15. 1 Sam. 7. 10. Deut. 7. 23.
Vers. 16. channels of water.] that is, of the sea, 2 Sam. 22. 16. channels signifie violent currents, or forcible streames, running rivers. So Psal. 42. 2. and 126. 4. The Greeke here translateth them, fountains of waters. foundations of the world] that is, the deepe waters and maine … whereon the world is founded, Psal. 24. 2. …. wind of thine anger] or, of thy nose, as before, vers. 9. meaning a blast, storme, or whirle winde, which God in anger sent forth. This manner of speech is taken from Iob 4. 9.
Vers. 17. drew me out, &c.] this hath reference to Moses case, who was drawne out of the water, and thereupon called Mosheh, Exod. 2. 10. that word Mashah is used here by David; and no where else in Scripture. Waters signifie troubles, as is noted vers. 5. and sometime multitudes of peoples, Rev. 17. 15. so the Chaldee turneth it here, he delivered me from many peoples.
Vers. 19. cloudy calamitie] The Hebrew Aeid is a fog, vapour, or mistie cloud, Gen. 2. 6. Iob. 36. 27. by figure it is put for calamitie or misery of man, Deut. 32. 35. As elsewhere, the cloudy and darke day, Ezek. 34. 12.
Vers. 22. frommy God] meaning by swarving, or turning away from him; which the Chaldee expresseth thus, I walked not in wickednesse before my God.
Vers. 23. not turne away from me] in 2 Sam. 22, 23. it is, turned not away from it, that is, from any of his statutes. The Greeke translateth, they departed not fro….
Vers. 24. from mine iniquitie] that is, from the iniquitie that I am prone to fall into. The Hebrew word signifieth that which is unright, unequall, crooked or perverse; opposed to that which is right; and is fitly applied. to sinne, and so translated by the Apostle, Rom. 4. 8. from Psal. 32. 2. In this estate we all are borne, Psal. 51. 7. so it noteth the viciositie or crookednesse of nature and originall sinne, which the Apostle called the sinne dwelling in him, Rom. 7. 17. and he that was first borne, first applied this word to himselfe, Gen. 4. 13. It is figuratively used oft times for punishment due to sinne: whereof see Psal. 31. 11. The Chaldee openeth this verse thus; And I was perfect in his feare, and he was the the saver of my soule from sinnes.
Vers. 25. purenesse of my hands] in 2 Sam. 22. 25. my purenesse.
Vers. 26. gracious] or mercifull, pious, godly. See Psal. 4. 4. man] or mighty one; called Geber, of his strength, valour, and superioritie: for which in 2 Sam. 22. 26. is put Gibbor, that is, Strong, or a champion: a mighty man, Psal. 19. 6. and 45. 4. with the froward thou wilt shew thy selfewry] A like speech is used in Moses, Levit. 26. 27, 28. if yee walke stubbornly against me, I will walke stubbornly in anger against you: But here David useth two words, whereof the first, froward or crooked, is alwaies spoken of doing evill and wrong; the latter word wry, not so, but is a similitude taken from …rastlers, and noteth a writhing of ones selfe against an adversary. The Chaldee Paraphrast applieth this gracious saint to Abraham; the perfect man, to Isaak; the pure, unto Iakob; and the froward, unto Pharaoh and the Egyptians.
Vers. 28. the lofty eyes] In 2 Sam. 22. 28. it is thus set downe: and thine eyes are upon the lofty, that thou maist bring them low.
Vers. 29. hast lighted my candle] or, doest lighten my lamp, that is, givest me comfort, joy, prosperitie after troubles; as on the contrarie, the wickeds candle shall be put out, Iob 18. 6. and 21. 17. Prov. 13. 9. and 24. 20. and 20. 20. In 2 Sam. 22. 29. this word lighted is left out to be understood, as before in the 7. verse. Sometime the eye is called the candle of the body, Mat. 6. 22. and Solomon saith, that a mans minde (or soule) is the candle of the Lord, Prov. 20. 27. sometime ones childe succeeding him in government, is his candle, Psal. 132. 17. 1 King. 11. 36. and 15. 4. Num. 21. 30. All these in David were lighted; and Christ his son according to the flesh, is the candle of the new Ierusalem. Rev. 21. 23. the true light, which lighteth every man that commeth into the world, Ioh. 1. 9. brightned my darknesse] that is, turned my griefe and affliction into joy and comfort, Iob 29. 3. Esth. 8. 16. Luk. 1. 79.
Vers. 30. broken thorow an host] Hebr. shal breake, or run thorow an host, or troup. This, and the leaping over a wall which followeth, may be understood both of escaping danger himselfe, and of quelling his foes, and winning their walled cities, and both these speedily. The Chaldee explaineth it thus; For by thy word I shall multiply armies, and by the word of my God subdue fenced towers.
Vers. 31. in him] the Chaldee saith, in his word.
Vers. 32. who is a rocke] that is, a mighty saviour and defender. The Greeke here for Rocke hath a God; and in 2 Sam. 22. 32. a Greater. And this hath reference to the words of Anna, there is no rocke like our God, 1 Sam. 2. 2.
Vers. 33. that girdeth me] that is, prepareth and strengtheneth me: therefore in 2 Sam. 22. 33. it is written, my strength: elsewhere he speaketh of being girded with joy, Psal. 30. 12. valour] or power, force, prowesse. And this word is used both for valour, activitie and courage of body & ruinde; also for a power, or army of men, Ps. 33. 16. and 136. 15. and also for wealth gotten by industrie, whereby men are able to doe much, Psal. 49. 7. 11. and 62. 11. and giveth] that is, maketh or disposeth my way to be perfect, that is, without impediment▪ or, as the Greeke translateth, without blemish. For giveth, in 2 Sam. 22. is, looseneth, which also freeth from let.
Vers. 34. He matcheth my feet as hinds] that is, maketh me swift to runne like the Hindes, and so to escape danger, and stand safe upon my high places; which usually denoteth securitie, honour and prosperitie, Deut. 32. 13. and 33. 29. Isa. 58. 14. The like speech Habakuk hath in the end of his song, Hab. 3. 19.
Vers. 35. bow of brasse] or of steele; and this is observed to be stronger than iron, Iob 20. 24.
Vers. 36. thy right hand hath upheld me] or, …irmely stayed (and strengthened) me. This sentence is added here, more than in 2 Sam. 22. 36. thy meeknesse] or modestie, lenitie, humilitie, whereby thou abasest thy selfe to regard me, and deale meekly with me; even gently chastising and un…uring me. Wherefore the Greeke turneth it thus, thy chastisement hath rectified me. The Chaldee saith, and by thy word thou hast made me to increase.
Vers. 37. hast widened my passage] or enlarged my pase, that is, given me roomth to walke steadily and safe. Contrary to that which is said of the wicked, that his strong (or violent) passages are straightned, (or made narrow) Iob 18. 7.
Vers. 38. overtooke them] and consequently quelled, or cut them off, as is expressed 2 Sam. 22. 38.
Vers. 39. I wounded them] or strucke thorow, embrewed with bloud. This verse in 2 Sam. 22. 39. is read thus; And I consumed them, and wounded them, and they rose not, but fell under my feet.
Vers. 41. the necke of mine enemies] that is, put them to flight, and subdued them, 2 Chr. 29. 6. Ger. 49. 8. And this respecteth Gods promise, Exod. 23. 27.
Vers. 42. They cried out] for an helper, as the Chaldee addeth. For this, in 2 Sam. 22. 42. is, They looked. answered] in Chaldee, they prayed to the Lord, and he received not their praier.
Vers. 43. powre them out] or empty them, that is, tumble them downe, to be trodden as dirt; I spread them abroad; as in 2 Sam. 22. this verse is written, And I did beat them small as the dust of the earth: as the clay of the streets I pounded them, I spread them abroad.
Vers. 44. of the people] in 2 Sam. 22. it is, the contentions of my people, hast kept me for the head, &c. and hereby Christs headship over the Church of the Gentiles is signified, and the contradiction of his owne people the Iewes, Rom. 10. 20, 21. See after in verse 50.
Vers. 45. At the hearing of the eare] that is, speedily, so soone as they heare, without further adoe; or By the hearing of the eare, that is, with diligent hearkning and attendance. sonnes of the stranger] … the …iant, or of alienation; that is, aliens, …, stranger… from the common-wealth of Israel, they and their progenitors. So Psal. 144. 7. Isa. 6…. 8. falsly deny] or dissemble. In the Greeke, they lie: … meaning, they fainedly submit themselves, for feare or other sinister respect, against their wils. And this agreeth with the last promise of Moses, Deut. 33. 29. thy enemies shall falsely deny to thee. The originall word is used both for denying, Gen. 18. 15. and for lying or falsifying, 1 Kin. 13. 18. See after, Psal. 59. …3. and 66. 3.
Vers. 46. fade away] or fall, to wit, as leaves of trees that wither.
Vers. 47. my Rocke] in Greeke, my God.
Vers. 48. that giveth vengeances to me] that is, giveth me power to be avenged of my foes; or, giveth vengeances for me, that is, avengeth and punisheth for my sake. Whereupon he is called the God of vengeances. Psal. 94. 1. So to give vengeance, is to execute it, Nū. 31. 3. subdueth] bringeth into good order and subjection, therefore in 2 Sam. 22. it is said, subjecteth or bringeth downe. And sometime this word signifieth a subduing by overthrow and destruction; as 2 Chron. 22. 10. she subdued: for which in 2 King. 11. 1. is written, she brought to perdition, or destroyed.
Vers. 50. I will confesse thee] that is, give thee publike and solemne praise and thankes. This verse is applied in Rom. 15. 9. to the calling of the Gentiles unto the faith of Christ, and praise unto God therefore. By which we are taught, that of Christ and his kingdome this Psalme is chiefly intended.
Vers. 51. He maketh great] or magnifieth; Hee is the magnifier of the salvations, that is, of the full salvation and deliverance. In stead of Magdil, that is, magnifier, in 2 Sam. 22. 51. there is Migdol, which is so written, as by the vowels signifieth a tower of salvations, and by the consonants a magnifier. Hereupon the Hebrew Doctors (in Midras tillin upon this place) say, One Scripture saith, MAGNIFIER, and another, saith. TOVVER: and what tower is made for them? The King Christ is as a tower, as it is said, the tower of salvations: it is also written, The name of the LORD … a strong tower, &c. Prov. 18. 10. it … anointed] or his Messias, his Christ, as … in Psal. 2. 2. David and his seed] this may be referred both to the first Dividend his posteritie, on whom God shewed great merciemercy; and also to our Lord Christ, who is called by the Prophets, David, Ezek. 34. 23, 24. Hos. 3. 5. and his seed are his disciples, the children which God hath given him, Heb. 2. 13. or himselfe is the seed here mentioned, Act. 13. 23. Rom. 1. 3. as he also is called Abrahams seed, Gal. 3. 16.