The Joy of the English Church for the Coronation of Pious Prince James, Meditations on psalm · Part
Certaine fruitfull meditations vponupon the 122. Psalme, by the example of the people of God reioycing vnderunder the raigne of King David for God… manifold benefits, moouing the Church and nation of England to the like thankefulnes to God for his vnspeakable mercies shewed aboundantly toward vsus.
Psal. 122.
A song of degrees of Dauid.
v. 1. I reioyced, when they said to me, Let vsus goe vp to the house of the Lord:
2. Our foote shall stand in thy gates, O Ierusalem.
3. Ierusalem is builded as a citie, that is compact together in it selfe.
4. Whether the tribes goe vp, the tribes of the Lord, to the testimonie of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
5. For there are thrones for iudgement, the thrones of the house of Dauid.
6. Pray for the peace of Ierusalem, let them prosper that louelove thee:
7. Peace be within thy walles, and prosperitie within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions sake I will wish thee now prosperitie:
9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will procure thy wealth.
THis Psalme, wherein the kingly Prophet Dauid expresseth his great ioy for Gods singular mercies to his Church, consisteth of two parts: the first containeth a congratulation with the Church of God, and a ioyfull declaration of his gladsome heart, v. 1. with the causes thereof first generally propounded, v. 2. then particularly prooued: which are, 1. the great vnitie and concord of the citie, the Iebusites beeing now expulsed. v. 3. as we read in the storie 2. Sam. 5. 6. 2. The restauration of Gods worship, the arke beeing now brought to Ierusalem, v. 4. see the whole narration thereof 2. Sam. 6. 3. The administration of iustice established, v. 5. which had beene much hindred by the diuision betweene the house of Dauid and Saul. 2. Sam. 4. 1.
The second part of the Psalme is an exhortation to all Gods people, to pray for the continuance of these benefits, vers. 6. which is inforced, by setting downe the forme of their godly praiers and desires, v. 7. and propounding his owne example in the performance of that dutie in his owne person, and the reasons moouing him thereto; the law of his countrie, v. 8. his affection to Gods Church. v. 9.
A song of degrees of Dauid.
Before I enter to treat of this Psalme, three things are out of this inscription of the psalme to be considered: 1. the occasion of making and enditing this psalme: 2. the author thereof, which is Dauid: 3. the title it selfe, why it is called a psalme of degrees.