Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 38 – Psalm 4
CHAP. XXXVIII.
Vers. 1. OƲt of the whirlwinde] That his words might carry the greater majestie, and that Job might know with whom he had to do, 1 King. 8. 12. and 19. 11. Ezek. 1. 4. Nah. 1. 3. Hebr. 12. 18. Thus God comes to plead with Job, as he did desire, chap, 9. 34. and 13. 21, 22.
V. 2. Who is this that darkeneth counsell] Which by seeking out the secret counsell of God by mans reason, maketh it more obscure, and sheweth his own folly, Rom. 1. 22.
Who is this that darkeneth counsell, by words without knowledge?] Chap. 42. 3.
V. 3. Gird up now thy loins like a man] A metaphor from souldiers, who in those parts wearing loose garments, did gird them close when they went to sight, 1 King. 20. 11.
I will demand of thee] Because he had wished to dispute with God, chap. 13. 3, 22. God reasoneth with him, to declare his rashnesse.
answer thou me] Heb. make me know.
V. 4. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?] Psal. 104. 5. Prov. 30. 4.
Where wast thou] Wast thou my companion or counsellour in creating the world, that thou wouldest be so in guiding it?
when I laid the foundati…ns of the earth?] A similitude from builders, who lay the foundation first, and do their work by time and levell, Zech. 1. 16. and 2. 1. and 3. 9. and 4. 7.
if thou hast understanding] Heb. if thou knowest understanding.
V. 6. foundations] Heb. sockets.
fastened] Heb. made to sink.
V. 7. When the morning starres sang together] When all creatures, but especially the heavenly, being newly, created, gave glory to the Creatour, every one in his way, Psal. 148. 3. as birds sing at break of day.
all the sons of God] Meaning, the angels, Job 1. 6.
V. 8. Or who shut up the sea with doors] Psal. 104. 9.
V. 9. and thick darknesse a swadling-land for it] As though the sea were but as a little babe in the hands of God, to turn to and fro.
V. 10. brake up for it my decreed place] Or, established my decree upon it.
barres and doors] Psal. 104. 9. Jere. 5. 22.
V. 11. thy proud waves] Heb. the pride of thy waves.
V. 12. Hast thou commanded the morning] Was there no daylight before thou wast born?
V. 13. That it might take hold of the ends of the earth] That it may give light all the world over.
ends] Heb. wings.
the wicked might be shaken out of it?] Who having in the night been given to wickednesse, cannot abide the light but hide themselves, chap. 24. 13, 17. John 3. 20.
V. 14. It is turned as clay to the seal] The earth is as it were new fashioned every morning: for nothing that grows on it, can be seen in the night.
they stan las a garment] Herbs, grasse, and flowers are seen to cover the earth, as a beautifull garment put on in the morning.
V. 15. their Light is withholden] Wicked men hide themselves in the day time, lest they be discovered: and when theeves are taken, they are punished in the day, chap. 24. 13, &c. to 18.
V. 16. in the search of the depth?] If thou art not able to seek out the depth of the Sea, how much lesse art thouable to comprehend the counsell of God?
V. 17. Have the ga…es of death been opened unto thee?] Places under the earth, where the dead are buried: or, the depths of the earth.
V. 20. to] Or; at.
to the bound thereof] That thou mightest appoint it his wayes and limits.
V. 22. treasures of the snow?] Psal. 135. 7.
V. 23. Which I have reserved agains tthe time of trouble] As arms in a magazin, to sight against mine enemies withall, Exod. 9. 18. Josh. 10. 11.
V. 24. By what way is the light parted?] That is, the lightning, chap. 37. 3.
V. 28. Hath the rain a father?] Who is the author and disposer of the rain, but I? Jere. 14. 22. Zech. 10. 1. Or, canst thou produce it at thy pleasure: or, knowest thou the course of it?
V. 29. the heary frest of heaven] Psal. 147. 16.
V. 30. The waters are hid as with a stone] The ice covereth the water, as if it were p…ed over with stone.
is fi…zen] Heb. is taken.
V. 31. of Pleiades] Which stars arise in the spring time, and bring flowers.
Pleiades] Or, the seven starres. Heb. Cimah.
Of Orion] Canst thou order the course of Orion, which bringeth in winter: or, canst thou loose the earth, when in winter it is bound up with frost and cold.
Orion] Heb. C…sil.
V. 32. Mazzaroth] Or, the twelve signes: Some think they were the twelve signes: or, constellations of the south.
guide] Heb. guide them.
Arctu…us with his sons] The north star, with those that are about him.
V. 33. canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?] Canst thou cause the heavens to exercise their power over earthly bodies in showres, and influence, and distinction of times? Gen. 1. 16. 18.
V. 35. Here we are?] Heb. Behold us.
V. 36. Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?] Chap. 32. 8. Eccles. 2. 26.
V. 37. who can stay the bottles of heaven] That is, the clouds, wherein the water is contained, as in bottles.
who can stay] Heb. who can cause to lie down.
V. 38. When the dust groweth into hardnesse] Or, when the dust is nuned into mire.
groweth] Heb. is poured.
and the clods cleave fast together] For when God doth not open these bottles, the earth cometh to this inconvenience.
V. 39. wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion?] Psal. 104. 21. After he had declared Gods works in the heavens, he sheweth his marvellous providence on oarth, even towards the brule beasts.
the appetite] Heb. the life.
V. 41. Who provideth for the raven his food?] Psal. 147. 9. Matth. 6. 26.
CHAP. XXXIX.
Vers. 1. WHen the wilde goats of the rock bring sorth?]
He chiefly maketh mention of wilde-goats, and hindes, because they bring forth their young with most difficultie.
the hindes do calve] Psal. 29. 9.
V. 2. canst thou number the moneths that they fulfill?] That is, how long they go with young,
V. 3. they low themselves] That is, their young ones, the cause of their sorrows.
V. 6. barren land] Heb. Salt places.
V. 7. of the driver] Heb. of the exactour.
V. 9. If ill the unicorn be willing to serve thee] Is it possible to make the unicorn tame? Signifying, That if man cannot rule a creature, much lesse can he teach God how to govern the world.
unicorn] Or, Rhinoceros.
V. 13. wings and feather unto the ostrich?] Or, the feathers of the stork and ostrich.
V. 14. and warmeth them in the dust] They write that the ostrich covereth her eggs in the sand, and because the countrey is hot, and the sun still keepeth them warm, they are hatched.
V. 16. her labour is in vain without fear] She is not afraid of any hurt may come to hers, as if she had travelled in vain. It notes the unnaturallnesse of this creature to her young.
V. 17. Because God hath deprived her of wisdom] That is, to have a care of, and naturall affection to her young, as other fowls have.
V. 18. What time she lifieth up her self on high] When the young ostrich is grown up, the horse cannot over take him.
V. 19. hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?] His terrible neighing, like the thunder, makes a breath which covers his neck, and shews his courage.
V. 20. terrible] Heb. terrours.
V. 21. He paweth] Or, his feet dig.
the armed] Heb. the armour.
V. 24. He swalloweth the ground with fier…nesse] He is so fierce, as if he would devour and swallow down the ground under him.
wither beleeveth he that it is the sound of the trumpet] He hath no fear of war at all in him.
V. 26. and stretch her wings toward the south] To fly into the warm countries, when cold weather cometh.
V. 27. at they command] Heb. by thy mouth.
on high] Jere. 49. 16. Obad. v. 4.
V. 30. where the slain are, there is she] Matth. 24. 28. Luke 17. 37.
CHAP. XL.
Vers. 4. BEhold, I am vile] Whereby he sheweth, that he r epented, and desired pardon for his excesses.
I will lay mine hand upon my mouth] Chap. 29. 9. Psal. 39. 9. I have nothign to answer for my self: my mouth is stopt with arguments.
V. 6. out of the whirlwinde] See notes on chap. 38. 1.
V. 7. Gird up thy loyns now like a man] Chap. 38. 3.
V. 8. Wilt thou also disamull my judgement] Psal. 51. 4. Rom. 3. 4. By complaining, that I use thee too hardly. They that justifie themselves, condemn God as unjust.
V. 10. D… thy self now with majestie] Psal. 104. 1. Meanning, that these were proper to God, and belonged to no man.
V. 13. Hide them in the dust together] Cause them to die, if thou canst.
V. 14. that thine own right hand can save thee] Proving hereby, Tha whosoever thinks himself able to save himself, maketh himself God. If job could to this, he had had some colour to plead with God.
V. 15. lehemeth] Or, the elephant, as some think.
which I made with thee] Whom I made as well as thee: or, the same day with man: or to be with thee.
he careth grasse as an ex] This commendeth the providence of God toward man: for if the elephant were given to devour as the lion, he would be a great devourer, both of man and beast.
V. 17. He moveth] Or, he setteth up.
V. 19. He is the chief of the wayes of God] He is one of the chiefest works of God among the beasts.
he that made him, can make his sword to approach unto him] Though man dare not come neer him, yet God can kill him.
V. 20. food] Psal. 104. 14. and 147. 8.
where all the beasts of the field play] Because he eats grasse, else they would fear that he would eat them.
V. 21. in the covert of the reed, and fennes] He loves to lie in the shade neer the waters, to wash himself, and refresh him.
V. 23. he drinketh up] Heb. he oppresseth.
and hasteth not] He drinketh at leasure, and fears no body.
V. 24. He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth thorow snares] Or, will any take him in his sight, or, bore his nose with a gin?
CHAP. XLI.
Vers. 1. LEviathan] That is, a whale, or, a whirlpool, or, as some, a crocodile.
which thou lettest down] Heb. which thou drownest.
V. 3. Will he make many supplications unto thee?] Because he feareth lest thou shouldst take him.
V. 4. Will he make a covenant with thee?] In Hebrew it is, Will he cut a covenant? See Jere. 34. 18.
wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?] To do thy businesse, and be at thy commandment.
V. 8. Lay thine hand upon him] If thou once consider the danger, thou wilt not meddle with him.
V. 9. the hope of him is in vain] The hope of taking him is in vain.
V. 10. who then is able to stand before me?] If none dare stand against a creature, who is able to stand before the Creatour?
V. 11. Who hath prevented me that I should repay him?] Rom. 11. 35.
whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine] Psal. 24. 1. and 50. 12. 1 Cor. 10. 26.
V. 12. I will not conceal his parts] The parts and members of this great creature.
V. 13. Who can discover the face of his garment?] Who dare pull off his skin? or, who can bring him out of the sea, which covers him?
with] Or, within.
with his double bridle] Who dare put a bridle in his mouth, as in an horses?
V. 14. Who can open the doors of his face?] Who dare look in his mouth?
V. 15. scales] Heb. strong pieces of shields.
V. 18. By his neesings a light doth shine] He casteth out breath like flames of fire.
V. 22. sorrow is turned into joy] Heb. sorrow rejoyceth.
sorrow is turned into joy before him] Nothing that he meets with, can grieve, or trouble him.
V. 23. The flakes] Heb. the fallings.
they are firm in themselves] Heb. moulten: For metals melted are firm, as bels.
V. 25. When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid] When he appears in the sea, men pray to God, as if they were at the point of death.
V. 26. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold] Much lesse wound or hurt him.
habergeon] Or, brest-plate.
V. 30. Sharp stones] Heb. sharp pieces of the potsheard.
Sharp stones are under him] His skin is so hard, that he lieth upon rocks and sharp stones, as easily, as if he lay in the mire.
V. 31. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot] Either he maketh the sea to seem as it boiled, by his wallowing: or else, he spouteth water in such abundance, as it would seem that the sea boiled.
V. 32. He maketh a path to shine after him] That is, a white froth, and shining stream, where he hath gone.
V. 33. who is made without fear] Or, who behave themselves without fear.
V. 34. He beholdeth all high things] He feareth not the greatest on earth: or, he despiseth all other beasts and monsters, and is the proudest of all others.
CHAP. XLII.
Verse 2. CAnst do every thing] Gen. 18. 14. Jere. 3…. 27. Luke 1. 37.
that no thought can be withholden from thee] No thought so secret, but thou dost see it, Heb. 4. 13. Psal. 139. 2. nor any thing that thou thinkest, but thou canst bring it to passe.
no thought can be withholden] Or, no thought of thine can be hindred.
V. 3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?] Job repeats Gods words, chap. 38. 2. As if he would say, Thou hast charged me of speaking foolishly of thy proceedings, and now I confesse my folly.
V. 4. Hear, I beseech thee] He repeats his own words, chap. 13. 22. and so confesseth a second fault, That he desired to dispute with God.
I] Or, now I.
I] Or, or I.
V. 5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear] Thou hast spoken to me, and revealed thy self more clearly, and gloriously, then ever before, chap. 38. 1. and so convinced me of my folly and boldnesse: Therefore I repent, &c.
heard of thee] Or, heard thee.
by the hearing of the ear] Chap▪ 28. 22.
but] Or, and.
V. 6. and repent in dust and ashes] Sitting in dust and ashes, as an humble sign of true repentance, Isai. 58. 5. Jere. 6. 26. and 25. 34. Lam. 3. 16. Jon. 3. 6.
V. 7. ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right] Ye have not spoken rightly of my providence, in that ye condemned Job my true servant for an hypocrite, because of his afflictions.
V. 8. and go to my servant Job] When ye have reconciled your selves to him for condemning him, he shall pray for you, and I will hear him. A great honour to Job, that he must pray for them, who condemned him.
him] Heb. his face, or person.
V. 9. accepted] Gen. 4. 9.
Job] Heb. the face of Job.
V. 10. the Lord turned the captivity of J…b] God delivered him out of all his afflictions, which held him as a prisoner, chap. 13. 27. Ps…l. 69. 33.
the Lord gave Job twice as mu…h as he had before] Except in children, which cannot be said to be doubled, unlesse they be reckoned as not lost that God had t…ken away before.
gave Job twice as much as he had before] Heb. added all that had been to Job unto the double.
V. 11. all his brothren, and all his sisters] That is, all his kinred, chap. 19. 13.
comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him] Chap. 29. 25.
V. 12. So the Lord blessed the latter …nd of Job more then his beginning] God made him twice so rich in cattel, as he was before, and gave him as many children, as he had taken from him.
she-asses] Or, asses, chap. 1. 3.
V. 14. Jemima] Of long life, or beautifull as the day.
Kezia] As pleasant as Cassia, or sweet spice, Psalm 45. 8.
Keren-happuch] The horn of beauty.
ANNOTATIONS On the Book of PSALMS.
The ARGUMENT.
THis Book is by some called, The Anatomy of the soul: And that not unfitly, for herein we see all the affections of Gods servants lively expressed in excellent paterns. We finde them sometimes grieving for sin, and troubles: otherwhiles, rejoycing in deliverances: Now praying to God, then praising of God: Putting forth one while their desire of God, and dependance on him: another while, their joy in God, and care to please him. And all these and many other are set out in excellent expressions.
This varietie of Hymns is l…ft us upon record, that we might in Gods publike service, and in private by singing, make use of them, according to severall occasions, Matth. 26. 30. Colos. 3. 16. James 5. 13. This (besides the often reading, and meditating on them) is the right use of the Book of Psalms.
PSAL. I.
Vers. 1. BLessed is the man that walketh not in the counsell of the ungodly] Prov. 4. 14.
ungodly] Or, wicked.
the seat of the scornfull] When a man hath given once play to evill counsell, or to his own concupiscence, he beginneth to forget himself, and so falleth into contempt of God, which contempt is called The seat of scorners: or, he is an happy man that hath no kinde of commerce with wicked men in their evill courses, Psal. 26. 4, 5.
seat] Or, assembly, Psal. 107. 32. Jere. 15. 17.
V. 2. in the law of the Lord] In the holy scriptures.
and in his law doth he meditate day and night] Josh. 1. 8. Psal. 119. 1.
V. 3. And] Or, For.
planted by the rivers of water] Jere. 17. 8.
wither] Heb. fade.
whatsoever he doth shall prosper] Gods blessing makes the actions of his children prosperous, Gen. 39. 23.
V. 4. The ungodly are not so] Though the wicked seem to bear the swinge in this world, yet the LORD driveth them down, that they shall not rise, nor stand in the company of the righteous: or, their condition is nothing like the godlies, Jere. 17. 5, 6.
like the chaff which the winde driveth away] Psal. 35. 5. Isai. 17. 13. Hos. 13. 3.
V. 5. in the judgement] Shall not be able to look up, whensoever God comes to judgement, 1 Pet. 4. 17, 18.
V. 6. the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous] Doth approve and prosper: like as not to know, is to reprove and reject, Matth. 7. 23.
the way of the ungodly shall perish] All their courses shall come to nought, Prov. 11. 7.
PSAL. II.
Vers. 1. WHy do the heathen rage] Acts 4. 25. The conspiracies of the Gentiles, the murmuring of the Jews, and power of kings cannot prevail against Christ.
rage] Or, tumultuously assemble.
imagine] Heb. meditate.
a vain thing] That is not grounded on reason, nor can produce any good effect.
V. 3. Let us break their bands asunder] Let us cast off all signes of subjection to God, and his annointed, Jerem. 5. 5. Luke 19. 14.
V. 4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh] Prov. 1. 26. Psal. 37. 13. and 59. 8. Reigning in eternall rest out of the reach of all worldly conspiracies.
V. 5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath] Gods plagues will declare, that in resisting David and Christ, men fought against God.
vex] Or, trouble.
V. 6. Yet have I set my king] Or, Even I. It is in vain for you to seek to pull him down, whom I have set up.
set] Heb. anointed.
upon my holy hill of Zion] Heb. upon Zion, the hill of my holinesse, Psal. 15. 1.
V. 7. I will declare the decree] To shew that my vocation to the kingdom is of God.
the decree] Or, for a decree.
Thou art my son] Acts 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5.
this day have I begotten thee] David was declared king, and so Gods son by adoption, 1 Sam. 16. 12. Christ incarnate was declared to be Gods son by nature, Matth. 3. 17. Acts 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5. and 5. 5.
V. 8. Ask of me] Psal. 72. 8.
and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession] Not onelyonly the Jews▪ but the Gentiles also.
V. 9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron] Revel. 2. 27. and 19. 15.
like a potters vessel] So as they can never be restored, Isa. 30. 14. Dan. 2. 44.
V. 10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings] He exhorteth all rulers to repent in time, and le…ve conspiring against him, or Christ.
V. 12. Kisse the son] Kisse David, in token of homage, Gen. 41. 40. Kisse Christ, by acknowledging him to be God, 1 Kings 19. 18. Hos. 13. 2.
and ye perish from the way] When the wicked shall say, Peace, and rest, seeming yet to be but in the mid-way of their purposes, then shall destruction suddenly come, 1 Thes. 5. 3.
blessed are all they that put their trust in him] Prov. 16. 20. Isai. 30. 18. Jere. 17. 7. Rom. 9. 33. and 10. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 6.
PSAL. III.
Title. A Psalm of David] See notes on Psal. 142. 1.
when he fled from Absalom his son] 2 Sam. 15. 14.
Vers. 1. HOw are they increased that trouble me?] This was a token of his stable faith, that for all his troubles he had his recourse to God.
V. 2. Selah] Selah here signifieth either a lifting up of the voice in singing, or a lifting up of the minde, to cause us to consider the sentence, as a thing of great importance, or both. See Psal. 9. 16.
V. 3. for] Or, about.
V. 5. I laid me down and slept] Psal. 4. 8.
V. 6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people] Psal. 27. 3. When he considered the truth of Gods promise, and tried the same, his faith increased marvellously.
V. 7. upon the cheek-bone] Thou hast laid reproach upon them, Job 16. 10. and weakned their power, Psal. 58. 6.
thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly] Thou hast taken away all means of hurting me from them.
V. 8. Salvation bel…ngeth unto the Lord] Isai. 43. 11. Hos. 13. 4. Be the dangers never so great, or many, yet God hath ever means to deliver his; and he is the onelyonly author of safetie, Psal. 60. 11. Prov. 21. 31.
PSAL. IIII.
Title. To the chief musician] Or, overseer. Among them that were appointed to sing the psalms, and to play on the instruments, one was appointed chief, to set the tune, and to begin, who had the charge, because he was most excellent, 1 Chron. 15. 21. and 23. 4.
Neginoth] That is, on hand-instruments, which were played on with the hand onelyonly, Isai. 38. 20. Hab. 3. 19. as harps and cymbals.
Vers. 1. HEar] Heb. Answer.
O God of my righteousnesse] Or, o my righteous God, as Psal. 59. 10, 17. Thou that art both most righteous, and the defender of my righteous cause, Psal. 26. 1. and 35. 1.
when I was in distresse] Both of minde and body.
have mercy upon me] Or, be gracious unto me.
my prayer] Complaint made to thee, as to my Judge: for so the word signifies, Psal. 17. 1, 2.
V. 3. the Lord hath set apart] Marvellously separated, by some signe of distinction and excellency, Exod. 8. 22. and 9. 4. and 11. 7. and 33 16. Psal. 17. 7.
that is godly] A king that walketh piously in his vocation; …ot like Saul.
V. 4. Stand in aw] Heb. tremble. Of Gods judgements.
sin not] Misse not the mark of Gods law. So the word signifies, Judg. 20. 16.
commune with your own heart] Heb. speak in your heart.
commune with your own heart upon your bed] Consider seriously what ye do, and what the end will be.
be still] Cease your rage, and quiet your unruly affections, Psal. 46. 10. and 76. 8. and 131. 2.
V. 5. offer the sacrifices of righteousnesse] Psal. 50. 14. and 51. 19. Serve God purely, and not in outward rites alone. Or, serve God purely, under my reign, in the right place, which ye did not in the days of Saul, 1 Chron. 13. 3.
V. 6. Who will shew us any good?] The multitude seek worldly wealth, but David setteth his felicity in Gods favour.
lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us] Num. 6. 26. Make us feel the full effects of thy favour, as the sun scatters his beams at noon.
V. 7. Thou hast put] Or, So shalt thou put.
Thou hast put gladnesse in my heart] Thou shalt then give me joy and security in abundance.
more then in the time that their corn and their wine encreased] In harvest and vintage, Isai. 9. 3. Judg. 9. 27.
V. 8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep] Psal. 3. 5.
for] Or, though, as Gen. 8. 21. Josh. 17. 18.
thou Lord onelyonly makest me dwell in safety] God alone gives him safety, Deut. 32. 12. Or, God keeps him safe when he is alone, and helplesse, that his foes may not hurt him, Num. 23. 9. Psal. 3. 8. and 40. 17. 1 Sam. 30. 6.