Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 22

Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs · Biblical commentary 6 · Book 1 · Commentary on psalm 22

p. 36PSAL. XXII.

David as a figure of Christ complaineth of his many afflictions; 10 Prayeth with faith for deliverance; 13 Foresheweth the sundry evils which the wicked would doe unto Christ at his death. 23 After deliverance, Christ declareth Gods name and praises to his brethren; 27 Communicateth the fruits of his death and resurrection to the ends of the earth: 31 Whereupon they shew forth their obedience, and preach his justice.

To the master of the musicke, concerning the 1Hinde of the morning; a Psalme of David.

MY God, my God, wherefore hast 2thou forsaken me, art farre off from my salvation, from the words of my roaring. My God, I call by day, & thou answerest 3not; and by night, and there is no silence to me. And thou art holy, sitting, the 456praises of Israel. In thee our fathers trusted, they trusted, & thou deliveredst them. VntoUnto thee they cried out and were safe delivered; in thee they trusted and were not abashed. But I am a worme, and not a man; the 7reproach of men, and despised of the people.

All they that see me doe scoffe at me, they 8make a mow with the lip, they wag the head.

He confidently turned unto Iehovah, let 9him deliver him, let him rid him, because hee delighteth in him. But thou art the drawer 10of me forth out of the belly, the maker of me to trust, even at my mothers brests. VponUpon 11thee I have beene cast from the wombe; from my mothers belly, thou art my God.

Be not thou gone farre off from me, for 12distresse is neere; for there is no helper. Many bullocks have compassed me about; 13mighty buls of Bashan have environed me.

They have wide opened upon mee 14their mouth, as a renting and roaring Lion. I am powred out as waters, and all 15my bones dispart themselves; my heart is as wax, it is molten in the middest of my bowels. My able strength is dried 16up like a pot-sheard, and my tongue p. 37cleaveth to my jawes, and thou hast brought me down to the dust of death. For dogs have 17compassed me; the assembly of evill doers have inclosed me, they Lion-like pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: 1819they did behold, they did view me. They parted my garments among thē, & for my coat they cast a lot. And thou Iehovah be 20not farre off: my fortitude, hasten to my helpe. Rid my soule from the sword, my 21alonely soule from the hand of the dog. Save me from the mouth of the Lion, and 22from the hornes of Vnicornes, thou hast answered me. I will tell thy name to my brethren; 23in the middest of the Church I will praise thee. Yee that feare Iehovah, praise 24him; all ye seed of Iakob, honor him; and be afraid of him all ye seed of Israel. For hee 25hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the poore afflicted, nor hid his face from him: and when hee cried out unto him he heard. Of thee shall be my praise in the great 26Church, my vowes I will pay before them that feare him. The meeke shall eat and be 27satisfied, they shall praise Iehovah that seeke him, your heart shal live to perpetuall aye. All the ends of the earth shall remember and 28turne unto Iehovah, and all families of the heathēs shal bow down thēselves before thee.

For to Iehovah pertaines the Kingdome: 2930& he is ruler among the nations. All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and bow downe themselves, all that goe downe to the dust, shall bend downe before him: and hee that quickneth not his soule. A seed shall serve him, it shall be accounted to the LORD for 31a generation. They shall come and shall declare his justice to a people that shall be 32borne, that he hath done this.

Annotations.

THe Hind of the morning] meaning Christ, who 1as a Hind was by Iewes and Gentiles, the dogs, vers. 7. hunted and worroughed in the morning, Iohn 18. 28. and also rose from death the third day early in the morning, Ioh. 20. 1. when God had made his feet like Hindes feet, and set him on his high places, Psal. 18 34. Compare with this, Song 2. 9. 17. and 8. 14. where Christ is also likened to a young Hart. And in Psal. 49. 15. the resurrection is called, the morning; for then the true light of comfort and salvation shall appeare. A Hinde called in Hebrew Aijeleth, hath the name of prowesse or fortitude, (as in the 20 verse of this Psalme, Aejaluth is fortitude,) and so it may be understood for the strength (or fortitude) of the morning, that is, the helpe and power of God to raise up Christ from the dead; which may be the meaning of the Greeke translation, for the morning helpe. Some of the Iewes have interpreted it, the morning starre; which (although the word be no where else found in Scripture, for a star,) agreeth also to our Lord Christ, who is intituled, the bright morning starre, Rev. 20. 16. Others, applying this title to the Musicke, retaine the Hebrew words still; A…eleth hasshachar. The Chaldee expoundeth it, To praise (God) for the mightie continuall sacrifice.

Vers. 2. My God, my God, &c.] Christ speaketh 2this Psalme to God his Father. The Hebrew is, Aeli, Aeli, lammah ghnazabtani; which words our Lord uttered on the crosse, Mat. 27. 46. (save for the later, he used the Syriak, sabachtani, of the same signification.) At which the prophane Iewes mocked, saying that he called for Elias, Mat. 27. 47. 49. Wherefore hast thou forsaken me] or, why leavest thou me? They are the words of saith, striving in tentation, and doe imply both a hope of, and a prayer for deliverance, as it is noted on Psal. 10. 1. See the like also in Psal. 42. 10. and 43. 2. my roaring] this argueth great griefe of heart, uttered with loud complaint: So Psal. 38. 9. and 32. 3. Iob 3. 24. And Christ, in the dayes of his flesh, offered up prayers, with strong crying and teares, to him that was able to save him from death, Heb. 5. 7.

Vers. 3. no silence to me] or, but I have no silence: 3and consequently, no rest or ease. So Iob 30. 20. 27.

Vers. 4. sitting] or sittest, that is, abidest still one 4and the same; as Psal. 9. 8. and 55. 20. and 102. 13. or fittest, to wit, still; as Ruth. 3. 18. that is, risest not up to helpe me: or sittest, that is, inhabitest, as Psal. 9. 12. and 132. 15. The Chaldee translateth, which stablishest the world for the praises of Israel. the praises] in Greeke, the praise of Israel; that is, art he to whom Israel singeth all praises for deliverances, and of whom Israel glori…th in all time of need. So Moses said to Israel, he is thy praise, Deut. 10. 21. and Ier. 17. 14.

Vers. 7. a worme] that is, weake, (as the Chaldee 7explaineth it) wretched, and trodden under foot. So Iob 25. 6. Isa. 41. 14.

Vers. 8. make a mow] make an opening with the 8lip; which may be taken both for mowing or thrusting out of the lip, and for licentious opening thereof to speake reproach. wag the head] a signe also of scorne, Esa. 37 22. Mat. 27. 39. Iob 16. 4. Psal. 44. 15. Lam. 2. 15.

Vers. 9. He confidently turned] or rolled; that is, 9trusted, as in the New Testament this phrase is explained, Mat. 27. 43. where they mocke at Christ. The Hebrew applieth this word roll or turne, figuratively to a confident committing of ones selfe, wayes, or actions unto another; as here, so in Psal. 37. 5. Prov. 16. 3. and Gol, properly is Roll thou, but put for he rolled, or trusted; as the like phrase, make the heart of this people fat, &c. Esa. 6. 10. is thus resolved, this peoples heart is waxed fat, &c. Mat. 13. 15. or it is the indefinite, to turne, for he turned; as in Esth. 9 16. to stand, is used for they stood.

p. 38Vers. 11. beene cast from the wombe] that is, from 11my infancie committed to thy care and custodie. So elsewhere he faith, the Lord hath called me from the womb…, &c. Esa. 49. 1. Contrariwise, the wicked are estranged from the wombe, Psal. 58. 4.

Vers. 13. bullocks] chat is, strong and lustie persons, such as were the high Priests, scribes, &c. that set 13against Christ. So the Chaldee expoundeth, peoples like pushing buls. mighty buls of Basan] which was a fertile countrey, good to feed cattell, Num. 32. 4. and such as there fed, were fat and strong, Deu. 32. 14. Ezech. 39. 18. The Iewes were the buls of Basan, as the Prophets foretold, Deut. 32. 15. Amos 4. 1. Hos. 4. 16. and the historie sheweth, Mat. 27. Here the word bulls is to be supplied unto the word mightie, as also in Psal. 50. 13. and 68. 31. See the notes on Psal. 10. 10.

Vers. 14. wide opened] or, gaped; and this also is a signe of reproach and contempt, Iob 16. 10. Lam. 143. 46. and 2. 16.

Vers. 15. dispart themselves] or, are sundred, that is, out of joynt. as wax] that is, tender, and 15melting through faintnesse and feare, Psal. 68. 3. and 57. 5. Like this is Iobs complaint, God hath softned my heart, Iob 23. 16. So the word following molten, noteth feare and discouragement, Iosh. 7. 5. and 14. 8. Deut. 20. 8. The Greeke translateth, as molten wax.

Vers. 16. cleaveth] or, is made cleave to my jawes, 16which phrase meaneth inabilitie to speake, Psal. 137. 6. Iob 29. 10. Ezek. 3. 25. and sometime extremitie of thirst, Lam. 4. 4. and so may have reference here to that thirst which our Saviour felt, Ioh. 19. 28. hast brought me downe] or set and bounded me in the dust of death, meaning death it selfe, or the grave which turneth men to dust, Gen. 3. 19. the Chaldee turneth it, the house of the grave. See Psal. 7. 6.

Vers. 17. dogges] the Greeke addeth, many dogs, that is, base and vile persons of rancorous disposition, 17Iob 30. 1. Prov. 26. 11. Rev. 22. 15. Mat. 7. 6. Phil. 3. 2. Psal. 59. 7. 15. So the Chaldee paraphraseth, a company of wicked sinners which are like to many dogs. These were the high Priests and rulers of Israel, of whom it is said, that Pilate knew well that for envie they had delivered Iesus, Mat. 27. 18. they Lion-like pierced] The originall hath a double reading, Caari, like a lion, and Caru, they digged or pierced. This latter the Greeke followeth: but the Chaldee in the Masorites Bible keepeth both readings, they did …ite like a Lion. This was fulfilled in the nailing of our Lord to the crosse, by his feet and hands, Mat. 27. 35. Ioh. 20. 25.

Vers. 18. did view me] or see in me; namely, 18their desire or lust, or the affliction upon me, they saw with delight. See the like phrase, Psal. 54. 9. and 59. 11. and 1187.

Vers. 19. for my coat] or, my vesture: The Souldiers, when they had crucified Iesus, tooke his garments 19(and made foure parts, to every Souldier a part) and his coat; and the coat was without seame, woven from the top throughout. Therefore they said one to another, Let us not divide it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, &c. Iob. 19. 23, 24.

Vers. 21. from the sword] the Chaldee saith, from 21them that kill with the sword. my alonely soule] which is one alone, solitary and desolate. So after in Psal. 35. 17. and 25. 16. and 68. 7. the Chaldee expounds it, the spirit of my body. hand of the dog] the power of the devill, the prince of this world, who then came to Christ, but had nought in him, Iob 14. 30. Or dog is put for dogs, meaning the malicious Iewes spoken of before, verse 17. and hand is often put for power: see Psal. 63. 11.

Vers. 22. mouth of the Lion] to the Devill is named, 221 Pet. 5. 8. and wicked rulers, Pro. 28. 15. Ier. 50. 17. The Chaldee here saith, from the mouth of him that is strong as a Lion, and from Kings mighty and proud like Vnicornes. hornes of Vnicornes] the Devils Angels, principalities, powers, worldly governours, princes of the darknesse of this world, &c. Ephe. 6. 12. The Vnicorne is so fierce and wild, that he will not be tamed, Iob 39. 12, 13. &c. and his strength and pride is in his horne. See Psal. 92. 11. Num. 23. 22. Deut. 33. 17. Esa. 34. 7. thou hast answered] for, answer thou me; a speech of faith, inserted in his prayer; therefore next followeth thanksgiving. Answering is here used for safe delivering upon prayer: as the Chaldee translateth, hast accepted my prayer.

Vers. 23. to my brethren] the disciples and beleevers 23of Christ: for hee that sanctifieth, and wee which are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call us brethren, Heb. 2. 11, 12. Ioh. 20. 17. the Church] or Convocation, Assembly, Congregation.

Vers. 26. Of thee, my praise] or From with thee, 26shall be my praise: it shall begin and continue of thee, thou art the cause and ground thereof. the great Church] either that assembly where Christ after his resurrection personally appeared to moe than five hundred brethren at once, 1 Cor. 15. 6. or the great Church of the Gentiles, with whom Christ is spiritually present, Mat. 28. 19, 20. So after in Psal. 40. 10, 11.

Vers. 27. and be satisfied] It was a curse of the 27Law, that men should eat and not be satisfied, Levit. 26. 26. Mic. 6. 14. but it is a blessing of the Gospell, that the meeke and needy shall eat and have enough, Psal. 132. 15. God filleth the hungry with good things, and sends away the rich empty, Luke 1. 53. The meeke meaneth the regenerate, who are mortified with Christ, and their fierce nature made meeke and humble. your heart shall live] hee turneth his speech to the meeke and seekers of God, who should eat of Christs flesh that was given for the life of the world, and thereby live for ever, Ioh. 6. 51. The living of the heart, importeth also the chearing, comfort and solace of the same, Gen. 45. 27. the contrary whereof is in the dying of the heart, 1 Sam. 25. 37. See also the like promise, Psal. 69. 33. The Chaldee yeeldeth this sense, The spirit of prophesie shall rest in the thoughts of their heart for ever.

Vers. 28. All the ends, &c.] that is, the dwellers 28in the utmost parts and ends of the world. A prophesie of the calling of the Gentiles, by the preaching p. 39of the Gospell; Rom. 16. 26. Eph. 2. 1, 2, &c. remember] the Chaldee addeth, remember his miracles. families of the heathens] or, kindreds of the nations; whereof see Gen. 10. 5, 18, 20, 31, 32.

Vers. 29. ruler among the heathens] to reigne over them by his Word and Spirit, and so to be 29God, not of the Iewes only, but also of the Gentiles, Rom. 3. 29, 30.

Vers. 30. All the fat ones] that is, the rich and 30mightie personages, fat with plentie, Deut. 31. 20. For, Kings and Queenes, and men of authority and wealth, are also called to the participati… of Christs grace in his Church, Esay 60. 3, 5, 10. Rev. 21. 24. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. Sometime fatnesse is used to note out Gods spirituall blessings, Psal. 36. 9. and 63. 6. and 65. 12. and 92. 15. Prov. 28. 25. all that goe downe to the dust] this is, the poore base and wretched people, which for their misery and affliction, are said to goe downe and sit in the dust, as Psal. 113. 7. Esay 47. 1. and 29. 4. Iob 30. 19. Lament. 3. 29. but the Chaldee expounds it, the house of the grave. that quickeneth not] or cannot quicken; that is, the poore wretched man, that doth not, (or cannot, as Psal. 77. 5.) keepe alive his soule; that cannot nourish him-selfe, he shall eat. So to keepe alive, is to nourish, Esa. 7. 21. Or, he that revived, that is, cheered not, nor refreshed his soule with comfort, as before, vers. 27. or, he that cannot keepe alive his soule, that is, not save it from wrath and eternall death, by his owne workes, he shall live by faith in Christ. So this phrase to keepe the soule alive, is used, Ezek. 18. 27. The Chaldee giveth this sense, and he will not keepe alive the soule of the wicked.

Vers. 31. A seed] The posterity of those godly 31forementioned, for God chuseth the seed with the parents, Deut. 10. 15. and 30. 6, 19. Psal. 69. 37. and 102. 29. Esay 43. 5. and 44. 3. Or the seed of Christ, the children which God giveth him, as Esa. 53. 10. Hebr. 2. 13. Or a seed, that is, a small remnant, as Rom. 9. 29. the Chaldee saith, the seed of Abraham. for a generation] a race of Gods children, as Psal. 73. 15. and 24. 6. or, to generation, that is, for ever, through all ages.

Vers. 32. They shall come] The Chaldee explaineth it, Their sonnes shall come. his justice] the 32justice of God, which is by faith in Christ, Psal. 71. …, 16, 24. Rom. 10. 3, 4. people that shall be …] hereafter to come; or, a people borne, that is, regenarate, Psal. 87. 4 5. Ioh. 1. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 33. So, people created, Psal. 102. 19. that he hath done] hath performed, or accomplished that justice, and all things appertaining to it. The Greeke referreth it to the people, whom the Lord hath made: the Chaldee, to the marvellous workes which he hath done.