Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 6 · Book 3 · Commentary on psalm 17
PSAL. LXXXIX.
The Psalmist praiseth God for his covenant, 6 for his wonderfull power, 16 for the care of his Church, 20 and for his favour to the kingdome of David. 39 He complaineth of contrary events, 47 expostulateth, prayeth, and blesseth God.
An instructing Psalme, of Aethan the Aezrachite.
I Will sing the mercies of Iehovah for ever, to generation and generation will I make knowne thy faithfulnesse with my mouth. For I said, merciemercy shall be built up for ever; the heavens, thou wilt stablish thy faithfulnesse in them. I have stricken a covenant with my chosen, I have sworne to David my servant. I will stablish thy seed unto eternitie; to generation and generation will I build up thy throne Selah. And the heavens shall confesse thy marvellous worke, Iehovah, also thy faithfulnesse in the Church of the Saints. For who in the skie may be compared to Iehovah, may be likened to Iehovah among the sons of the mighties? God is daunting terrible in the secret of the Saints, very much; & fearefull over all round about him. Iehovah, God of hosts, who is like thee mighty Iah? and thy faithfulnesse is round about thee. Thou rulest over the swelling of the sea; when the waves there of rise high, thou stillest them. Thou hast beaten down Rahab as a wounded man, thou hast scattered thine enemies with the arme of thy strength. Thine are the heavens, thine also is the earth; the world and plenty therof, thou hast founded thē. The North and the right side, thou createdst them; Tabor and Hermon, in thy name they shall shout. Thou hast an arme with might; strong is thy hand, exalted is thy right hand. Iustice and judgement are the prepared place of thy throne; merciemercy and truth goe before thy face. O blessed are the people that know the shouting sound; Iehovah, in the light of thy face they shall walke on. In thy name they shall be glad all the day, and in thy justice shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength; and in thy favourable acceptation, our horne shal be exalted. For of Iehovah is our shield, and of the holy one of Israel our King. Then spakest thou in a vision to thy gracious Saint, and saidst, I have put helpe upon a mightie one, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant; with oile of mine holinesse have I anointed him. With whom mine hand shall be established; also mine arme shall strengthen him. The enemie shall not exact upon him, & the son of injurious evill shall not afflict him. And his distressers I will beat down from his face, and them that hate him I will plague. And my faithfulnes & my mercy shall be with him, & in my name shall his horn be exalted. And I wil set his hand in the sea, & his right hand in the rivers. He shal call on me, my father thou; my God and Rocke of my salvation. I also will give him to be the first borne, high above the kings of the earth. For ever will I keepe for him my merciemercy, and my covenant shall be faithfull to him. And his seed I will put to perpetuitie, and his throne as the dayes of heavens. If his sonnes shall leave my law, and shall not walke in my judgements. If they shall profane my statutes, and not keepe my commandements. Then will I visit their trespasse with the rod, & their iniquitie with stripes. But my merciemercy I will not make frustrate from with him, nor deale falsely against my faithfulnesse. I will not profane my covenant, and that which is go…e out of my lips, I will not change. Once I have sworne by my holinesse, if I lie unto David. His seed shall be for ever, and his throne as the Sunne before me. As the Moone it shall be stablished for ever, and a witnesse in the skie faithfull Selah. But thou hast cast off and refused, hast bin exceeding wroth with thine Anointed. Hast abolished the covenant of thy servant, hast prophaned his crowne to the earth. Hast burst downe all his hedges, hast put his fortresses a ruine. All that passe by the way rob him, hee is a reproach to his neighbours. Thou hast exalted the right hand of his distressers, hast rejoyced all his enemies. Also thou hast turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battell. Thou hast made his brightnesse to cease, and his throne thou hast cast downe to the earth. Thou hast shortened the dayes of his youth, hast enwrapped him with shame Selah. How long Iehovah wilt thou hide thy selfe to perpetuitie? shall thy hot wrath burne like the fire? Remember how transitorie I am; unto what vanitie thou hast created all the sonnes of Adam. What strong man shall live and not see death; shall deliver his soule from the hand of hell Selah?
Where be those thy former mercies, Lord, thou swarest to David by thy faithfulnesse?
Remember Lord the reproach of thy servants, that I beare in my bosome, of all great peoples. Wherewith thine enemies, Iehovah, doe reproach; wherewith they doe reproach the footsteps of thine Anointed.
Blessed be Iehovah for ever, Amen, and Amen.
Annotations.
OF Aethan] see the Note on Psal. 88. 1.
V. 3. I said] to wit, by thy spirit, therefore the Greeke changeth the person, and translateth, thou (Lord) saidest. built up] that is, conserved, propagated, increased continually. in them] or with them, that so long as the heavens endure, thy faithfulnesse shall continue; as vers. 30. 37, 38. Ps. 72. 5. and 119. 89. or by heavens may spiritually be meant the Church, called often heaven, and the kingdome of heaven, Esa. 66. 22. Revel. 4. 1, 2. and 12. 1. and 15. 1. Math. 3. 2. and 13. 24 31. and the planting of the Church is called the planting of the heavens, Esa. 51. 16.
Vers. 4. my chosen] mine elect people. Therefore the Greeke changeth the number, my chosen ones: but the Chaldee translateth, with Abraham my chosen. David] the figure and father of Christ, according to the flesh; who also is called David, Ezek. 34. 23. Ier. 30. 9. Hos. 3. 5. of him is this and other Psalmes chiefly to be understood, Act. 2. 30. and 13. 36 &c.
Vers. 5. thy seed] Christ and Christians, the children of Christ, the Sonne of David, Heb. 2. 13. Rev. 22. 16. thy throne] the kingdome of Christ, unto whom God gave the throne of his father David, to reigne over the house of Iakob for ever, Luke 1. 32, 33. 69. Ierusalem is this throne, Ier. 3. 17. which is continually builded of God, Psal. 147. 2.
Vers. 6. the heavens] the heavenly creatures, Angels and godly men, Luk. 2. 13, 14. Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 7. 9, 10, 11, 12. So the Chaldee expoundeth it, the Angels of heaven. See also Ps. 50. 6. in the church] or in the congregation, to wit, shall be confessed, or celebrated.
Vers. 7. sonnes of the mighties] or of the Gods, that is, Princes of the world. See Psal. 29. 1. and 82. 1. 6. The Greeke saith, sonnes of God, whereby also Angels may be meant, as Iob 1. 6. and so the Chaldee here paraphraseth.
Vers. 8. daunting terrible] in Greeke, glorified. See Psa. 10. 18. the secret] or mystery, or (as the Greeke turneth it) councell: meaning the Church or Congregation, where the secrets or mysteries of Gods kingdome are manifested, Mat. 13. 11. Rom. 16. 25. 1 Cor. 4. 1. Eph. 3. 4. This word is sundry times used for a Councell or Congregation, Ps. 111. 1. Ezek. 13. 9. Ier. 6. 11. and 15. 17. or it may here be understood of the company of Angels, as 1 King. 22. 19. very much] to wit, terrible, or, referring it to the latter, in the great secret councell. over all] or, above all; see Psal. 76. 12. The Chaldee paraphraseth, above all the Angels which stand round about him.
Vers. 11. Rahab] in Greeke, the proud; hereby may be meant the Egyptians, as Psal. 87. 4. (and so the Chaldee expounds it of Pharaoh the wicked;) or, the proud sea, as Iob 26. 12. both were subdued when Israel came out of Egypt, Exod. 14. and 15. See Isa. 51. 9. The raging sea, and swelling waters, doe also signifie wicked enemies of God and his people, Esai. 57. 20. Iude 13. Psal. 124. 4, 5. thine] or, to thee the earth, to wit, belongeth. See Psal. 24. 1, 2.
Vers. 13. The North] wch God hath stretched out over the empty place, Iob 26. 7. the right side] that is, the South (as the Chaldee Paraphrast explaineth,) so called because a man standing with his face to the East, (as they were wont when they prayed, the South is on his right hand. So the East is called Kedem, before; and the West achor, that is, behinde, Ioh. 23. 8. Esai. 9. 12. It seemeth that this turned to superstition and idolatry, that men prayed towards the East; therefore God so ordered his Tabernacle and Temple, that all worshipped there with their faces to the West, Ezek. 8. 16. Exo. 27. Num. 3. Tabor] a goodly mountaine in Galilee, Ios. 19. 22. Iudg. 4 6, 12. Hermon] another faire mountaine eastward without Iarden, called also Shirion: See Psalm. 42. 7. and 29. 6. by these are meant the East and West parts, answerable to the former North and South: as the Chaldee Paraphrast saith, Tabor in the West, and Chermon that is in the East.
Vers. 15. the prepared place] establishment, or base, on which the throne is setled; so the word sometime signifieth, as Ezra 3. 3. Psal. 104. 5. So Psal. 97. 2. goe before] or come before, prevent, as prest and readie at hand.
Vers. 16. the shouting sound] or the alarme, the shrill clanging sound of the trumpet, which was blowne at the warres, journeyes, assemblies, solemne feasts, and over the sacrifices of Israel, Psal. 81. 4. and 27. 6. Numb. 10. 3. 9, 10. Ioel, 2. 1, 15. or the shouting, the jubilation, to wit, of the King that is among his people, as Numb. 23. 21. who by the sound of his word, as of a trumpet, warneth, informeth and guideth his people, Isa. 58. 1. Ezek. 33. 3,—7, 8. Hos. 8. 1. Ier. 6. 17. 2 Chron. 13. 12. 15. Zach. 9. 14. Revel. 1. 10. and 4. 1. light of thy face] the favour of God shining in the Gospell, and light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ, Ioh. 12. 35. 2 Cor. 4. 6. See also the notes on Psal. 4. 7. and 44. 4.
Vers. 18. the glory] or beauty, by whom they conquer and triumph over their enemies. our horne] a signe of honour, strength, kingdome, glory and salvation, Psal. 112. 9. and 92. 11. and 148. 14. 1 Chron. 25. 5. Luke. 1. 69. So after, in vers. 25.
Vers. 19. of Iehovah] or to him, to wit, pertaineth. our shield] that is, our protection, or protectour, meaning David and Christ: See Psal. 47. 10.
Vers. 20. in a vision] by the spirit of prophesie, Isa. 1. 1. Lam. 2. 9. to thy gracious Saint] that is, Saints, (for so the Greeke changeth the number,) meaning the Prophets Samuel and Nath…, the one of which anointed David, the other fore-told of the perpetuitie of his kingdome, 1. Sam. 16. 2 Sam. 7. 4, 5, &c. put helpe] the Chaldee addeth, for my people. upon a mightie one] or a Worthy, a Champion, meaning David, who helpe Gods people in fighting the battels of the Lord, 1 Sam. 18, 13, 14. 30. But chiefly these things are meant of Christ. The Chaldee expoundeth it, one mightie in the Law. chosen] and consequently beloved, as Mat. 1…. 18. from Esay 42. 1.
Vers. 21. oile of mine holinesse] that is, mine holy oile, powred on David by Samuel, on Christ by the Holy Ghost, 1 Sam. 16. 1, 13. Luke 4. 18, 21. Ioh. 3. 34.
Vers. 23. the enemie shall not exact] or not seaze, at a creditour doth on the debtor. Satan and death prevailed not against Christ, though hee became surety for our debts, Ioh. 14. 30. 1 Cor. 15. 26. Heb. 2. 14. See this word, Psal. 55. 16. sonne of injurious evill] that is, the injurious, wicked person: this promise is in 2 Sam. 7. 10. applied in this phrase to all Gods people. A sonne of evill is one addicted and given over to it, Deut. 13. 13. So sons of death, Psal. 79. 11. son of perdition, 2 Thess. 2. 3.
Vers. 26. set his ha…d] that is, give him power and dominion over them that dwell by the sea and rivers; whereof see the notes on Psal. 72.
Vers. 27. my father] so God promised, I will be his father, and he shall be my son, 2 Sam. 7. 14. The Apostle applieth this to Christ, and proveth hereby that he is greater than the Angels, Heb. 1. 4, 5.
Vers. 28. first-borne] or first-begotten, that is, the principall, as is after explained. For the first-borne had three prerogatives, a double portion of goods, Deut. 21. 17. the government or chiefty, 2 Chron. 21. 3. and the priesthood, Numb. 8. 14, 15, 16, 17. Mal. 2. 5, 6, 7. and 3. 3. See the notes on Psal. 78 51. This honour is peculiar to Christ, who is said to be the first-borne of every creature, and the first-borne of the dead, that in all things hee might have the preeminence, Coloss. 2. 15, 18. to be worshipped therefore of all the Angels of God, Heb. 1. 6. and Prince of the Kings of the earth, Rev. 1. 5. The Chaldee addeth, the first-borne of the Kings of the house of Iudah.
Vers. 30. his seed] Christians borne of God, are called Christs seed and children, Isa. 53. 10. Heb. 2. 13. and Christ is called the Everlasting Father, Isa. 9. 6. his throne] that is, kingdome, which shalbe perpetuall, 2 Sam. 7. 13. Heb. 1. 8. Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 14. The accomplishment of these promises cannot be found in Solomon, whose seed & throne was overthrowne, Ier. 22. 30. Ezek. 21. 25, 26, 27.
Vers. 31. If his sons &c.] This explaineth the promise, If he sin &c. 2 Sam. 7. 14, 15. for being understood of Christ, hee properly sinned not, 1 Pet. 2. 22. but was made sin for us, 2 Cor. 5. 21. and the sins of his sons or people are counted his, for God laid on him the iniquity of us all, Isa. 53. 6.
Vers. 33. with the rod] the rod of men, 2 Sam. 7. 14. that is, with moderate correction; and for their profit, that they may be partakers of my holinesse, Hebr. 12. 6. 10.
Vers. 34. not make frustrate] not breake off, or cease, (as Psal. 85. 5.) that is, not utterly take: for, the mountains shall sooner remove, Isa. 54. 10. and no afflictions can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 35,—39. See the fulfilling of this touching David, in 1 King. 11. 6, 12, 13, 36, 39.
Vers. 36. Once] or One time: See Psal. 62. 12. by my holinesse] by my selfe, who am the holy God, Gen. 22. 16. Esay 5. 16. Because he hath no greater to sweare by, God sweareth by himselfe; and willing more abundantly to shew the heires of promise the stablenesse of his counsell, bindeth himselfe with an oath, Hebr. 6. 13, 17, 18. if I lye] that is, surely I will not lye: for so the Hebrew phrase is sometime explained, as Mark. 8. 12. if a signe be given to this generation, for which in Matth. 16. 4. is written, a signe shall not be given. So, if they shall enter into my rest, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 3. 11. which the Apostle openeth thus, he sware that they should not enter, Hebr. 3. 18. An oath usually implieth an imprecation, which for the most part is concealed. See 1 Sam. 14. 44. 1 King. 20. 10.
Vers. 37. as the Sunne] that is perpe…all and glorious (as the Chaldee explaineth it, shall shine as the Sunne.) See Psal. 72. 5.
Vers. 38. it shall be sta…lished] or, which is stable, referring it (as doth the Greeke,) to the Moone, which although it sometime wexeth and somtime waneth, and seemeth to be gone, yet is continually renued, and so stable; a fit resembla…ce of the throne or Church of Christ, which hath not alwaies one face or appearance in the world, though it be perpetnall▪ and a witnesse] the Moone and perpetuitie of it, with the successive course of night and day, is made a witnesse of Gods faithfulnesse in his covenant, Ierem. 33. 20, 21. Christ also himselfe is called a faithfull witnesse, Rev. 1. 5. Esay 55. 4. and faithfull meaneth Stedfast▪ as 2 Sam. 7. 16. compared with 1 Chron. 17. 14. and that lyeth not, Prov. 14. 5.
Vers. 39. But thou] or, And thou, a word of grie…e and indignation, as Psal. 2. 6. …tha… complaineth of the miseries of the Church, whereby all the former promises seeme to be frustrated.
Vers. 40. his crowne] or diademe, prophaned by casting to the ground. Nezer, a separation, is figuratively used for a crowne or garland, such as Kings wore, 2 Sam. 1. 10. and high Priests, Exod. 29. 6. as being a signe of their separation from others, in respect of some dignitie or holinesse; and hereof the Nazarites had their name, Numb. 6. 2▪ 5, 7. So Psal. 132. 18▪
Vers. 42. rob] or rifle him, meaning Christ in his members: for that which is done to any one of them, is done unto him, Act. 9. 4. Mat. 25. 40, 45.
Vers. 4…. his brightnesse] or puriti…, that is, the splendent glory and dignitie of the kingdome, defiled and prophaned by the enemies.
Vers. 46. daies of his youth] of his strength and vigour, hastening old age and misery upon him, Hos. 7. 9. See the contrarie, Psalm. 103. 5. Io… ▪ …. 25.
Vers. 48. how transitory] or, of what worldly time, of what short durance: See Psalm. 39. 6. the Greeke turneth it, what my substance is. Compare herewith▪ Ioh 10. 9▪ 1…, &c.
Vers. 49. see death] that is, die, So Luke 2. 26. Psal. 16. 10. The Chaldee saith, see the Angell of death. the hand of hell] the power of the grave, or of death: See Psal. 49. 16. 10.
Vers. 51. of all great peoples] or, of all the many (the multitudes of) peoples.
Vers. 52. the foot-steps] or foot-soles, that is, the wayes, life, actions▪ and sufferings, Psal. 56. 7. and 49. 6. This referred to Christ, respecteth the oracle, Gen▪ 3. 15. that the Serpent should bruise the foot-sole of the womans seed. Referred to Christians▪ which follow his foot-steps, in s…iffering and dying with him, that wee may be glorified with him, (1▪ Pet. 2. 21. Rom. 8. 17.) it noteth the scandall of the crosse of Christ to the Iews a stumbling blocke, and to the Greekes foolishnesse▪ 1 Cor. 1. 23. 1 Pet. 4. 13, 14. The Chaldee understands it of the s…acknesse of the foot-steps.
Vers. 53. Blessed be] These be words of faith and joy, as finding an issue out of the temptation, and rejoycing in the midst of tribulation, as Rom. 7. 24, 25. 2 Cor. 1. 3, 4, &c. and Amen] Thus is this third Booke of the Psalmes also concluded. See the notes on Psal. 41. 14. and 72. 19.