Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 90 – Psalm 101
PSAL. XC.
Title. A prayer of Moses] Or, a prayer, being a psalm of Moses.
the man of God] Deut. 33. 1. Thus the Scripture useth to call the prophets.
Vers. 1. THou hast been our dwelling-place] Thou hast been as an house and defence unto us in all our troubles and travells now these four hundred yeer.
in all generations] Heb. in generation and generation.
V. 2. from everlasting to everlasting] Or, from eternity to eternity.
V. 3. Thou turnest man to destruction] Moses, by lamenting the frailty and shortnesse of mans life, moveth God to pitie.
Return, ye children of men] To your originall, Gen. 3. 19. Eccles. 12. 7. or, by way of ironie, Live again if you can.
V. 4. For a thousand yeers in thy sight are but as yesterday] 2 Pet. 3. 8. Though man think his life long, which is indeed most short, yea, though it were a thousand yeers, yet in Gods sight it is as nothing, psal. 39. 5. and as the watch, that lasteth but three hours, Mark 13. 35.
when it is past] Or, when he hath passed them. He addeth this, because men think of the shortnesse of their time when it is past, rather then when it is passing.
V. 5. as with a flood] Besides the generall necessity of dying, thou sendest floods of particular judgements that suddenly take men away. So it was with the Israelites in the wildernesse, v. 7, &c. Isai. 8. 7, 8. Or, as a flood that goes swiftly away, and returns not again.
grasse which groweth up] Psal. 103. 15. Isai. 40. 6.
groweth up] Or, is changed.
V. 7. For we are consumed by thine anger] Thou callest us by thy rods to consider the shortnesse of our lives, and for our sins thou abridgest our days.
V. 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee] As a judge that goes according to evidence, psal. 50. 21.
our secret sins in the light of thy countenance] Not known to our selves: or, sins of our youth.
V. 9. passed away] Heb. turned away.
we spend our yeers as a tale that is told] Our days are not onelyonly miserable, but also short; for our sins provoke thee to cut us off.
as a tale that is told] Or, as a meditation.
V. 10. The days of our yeers are threescore yeers and ten] Heb. As for the days of our yeers, in them are seventy yeers. Meaning, according to the common state of life.
and if by reason of strength they be fourscore yeers, yet is their strength labour] Or, or by reason of strength fourscore; but the pride (or the prime) of them is but labour.
if by reason of strength they be fourscore yeers] Heb. strengths: that is, extraordinary strength.
yet is their strength labour and sorrow] Heb. pride: that is, their strength, pleasure, beauty, or whatsoever men are proud of in the best of their days. Or, the prime of their days.
we flee away] Flee away speedily, like a bird.
V. 11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger?] If a mans life for brevity be miserable, much more if thy wrath lie upon it, as they which fear thee onelyonly know: others consider it not.
even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath] Or, of thy wrath, so as to fear thee?
V. 12. number our days] Psal. 39. 4.
that we may apply our hearts unto wisedom] Which is, by considering the shortnesse of our life, and by meditating of the joys of heaven.
apply our hearts] Heb. cause to come.
V. 13. Return, O Lord, how long?] How long wilt thou be angry with thy people?
let it repent thee concerning thy servants] Cease to afflict us, as a man repenting altars his course, Deut. 32. 36.
V. 15. wherein thou hast afflicted us] In Egypt, and in the wildernesse.
seen] Or, felt, psal. 89. 48.
V. 16. Let thy work appear unto thy servants] Thy mercy, which is thy chiefest work.
and thy glory unto their children] Seeing Gods promises appertained as well to their posterity as to them, Moses prayeth for their children.
V. 17. let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us] Meaning, that it was obscured, when he ceased to do good to his Church.
PSAL. XCI.
Vers. 1. IN the secret place of the most High] He that maketh God his defence and trust, shall perceive his protection to be a most sure safeguard, psal. 5. 12.
secret place] Psal. 32. 7.
abide] Heb. lodge.
V. 2. I will say of the Lord] He prayeth to the LORD, out of confidence of the aforesaid protection.
V. 3. Surely he shall deliver thee] Or, For he will deliver thee.
he shall deliver thee] Having practised in the second verse what he taught in the first, now he teacheth others to do the like, psal. 32. 8. and 34. 11.
from the snare of the fowler] Psal. 124. 7. God will deliver thee from secret and open dangers.
V. 4. with his feathers] As fowls hover over their young with their wings, Deut. 32. 11. and 17. 8.
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler] That is, his faithfull keeping of his promise to help thee in thy necessity.
V. 8. OnelyOnly with thine eyes shalt thou behold] Thou shalt be but a looker on, not a feeler of those miseries.
V. 11. he shall give his angels charge over thee] Matth. 4. 6. Luke 4. 10. God hath appointed his angels to defend his servants in their vocation, psal. 34. 7.
V. 13. adder] Or, asp.
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet] Thou shalt not onelyonly be preserved from all evil, but also overcome it and triumph over it, Rom. 16. 20.
V. 14. Because he hath set his love upon me] To assure the faithfull of Gods protection, he bringeth in God to confirm the same.
I will set him on high] Above all dangers, or fear of them, psal. 61. 2.
V. 15. call upon me] Psal. 50. 15.
V. 16. With long life will I satisfie him] And not cut him off among others, v. 7. But all this must be understood conditionally, If God see it fitting: for a good man may die by plague or war, 2 Chron. 35. 23.
long life] Heb. length of days.
PSAL. XCII.
Title. A psalm or song] See Notes on the title of psal. 30.
for the sabbath-day] To be sung on the sabbath: and it teacheth us, That the right use of the sabbath standeth in praising God, and meditation on his works, and not in ceasing from work onelyonly, v. 4.
Vers. 1. GOod thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises] Psal. 147. 1.
V. 2. in the morning] For Gods mercy, and fidelity in his promises, toward his, binde them to praise him continually both day and night, psal. 55. 17. and 119. 62, 164.
every night] Heb. in the nights.
V. 3. upon the harp with a solemn sound] Or, upon the solemn sound with the harp.
a solemn sound] Heb. Higgaion.
V. 4. hast made me glad through thy work] He sheweth, that on the sabbath we should meditate on Gods works.
V. 5. thoughts are very deep] Psal. 40. 5. Rom. 11. 33.
V. 6. A brutish man knoweth not] Psal. 73. 22. Isai. 1. 3. The wicked consider not Gods works, nor his judgements against them, and therefore most justly perish. Next verse shews what they consider not, to wit, Gods destroying other wicked men for a warning to them, psal. 28. 5. Isai. 5. 12.
V. 7. When the wicked spring as the grasse] Psal. 37. 2.
V. 10. But my horn shalt thou exalt] Thou wilt strengthen me with all power, and blesse me with all felicity.
horn shalt thou exalt] Psal. 75. 10.
V. 11. Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies] Psal. 54. 7. and 112. 8.
V. 12. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree] Hos. 14. 5. Though the faithfull seem to wither, and be cut down by the wicked: yet they shall grow again and flourish in the church of God, as the cedars do in mount Lebanon.
V. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age] The children of God shall have a power above nature, and their age shall bring forth most fresh fruits.
flourishing] Heb. green.
V. 15. unrighteousnesse in him] Rom 9. 14.
PSAL. XCIII.
Vers. 1. THe Lord reigneth] Psal. 96. 10. and 97. 1. and 99. 1. As God by his power and wisdom hath made, and governeth the world: so must they be our defence against all enemies and dangers.
clothed with majesty] Psal. 104. 1.
wherewith he hath girded himself] Ready with his almighty power to do his work, Isai. 8. 9. Luke 12. 35. That is, to defend his church.
V. 2. Thy throne is established] Whereon thou sittest, and governest the world.
of old] Heb. from then, Isai. 48. 5. That is, from the time that the world was founded.
V. 3. The floods have lifted up, O Lord] Psal. 65. 7.
V. 4. The Lord on high is mightier then the noise of many waters] He meaneth, that Gods power appeareth in ruling the furious waters: or, that Gods power is greater then the power of the sea.
V. 5. Thy testimonies are very sure] Besides Gods power and wisdom, in creating, and governing, his great mercy also appeareth, in that he hath given his people his word and covenant.
for ever] Heb. to length of dayes.
PSAL. XCIIII.
Vers. 1. GOd to whom vengeance] Heb. God of revenges.
to whom vengeance belongeth] Deuter. 32. 35. Nah. 1. 2. Whose office it is to take vengeance on the wicked.
shew thy] Heb. shine forth, Psal. 50. 2. and 80. 1.
shew thy self] Shew by effect, that thou art Judge of the world, to punish the wicked.
V. 2. Lift up thy self, thou judge of the earth] Psal. 7. 6.
V. 3. how long shall the wicked triumph?] That is, brag of their cruelty and oppression: or, esteem themselves above others.
V. 4. speak hard things] Psal. 31. 18.
V. 5. They break in pieces thy people] Seeing the church was then so sore oppressed, it ought not to seem strange to us, if we see it so now; and therefore we must call to God, to take our cause in hand.
V. 7. Yet they say, The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.] Psal. 10. 11, 13.
Yet they say] He sheweth, that they are desperate in malice, forasmuch as they feared not God, but gave themselves wholly to do wickedly.
V. 8. ye brutish among the people] That is, most brutish of all the people, Psal. 92. 6.
V. 9. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?] Exod. 4. 11. Prov. 20. 12. He sheweth, that it is impossible but God should hear, see, and understand their wickednesse.
V. 10. He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not be correct?] If God punish the very heathen for their sins, it is meer folly for any of Gods people, to think that God will spare them.
V. 11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man] 1 Cor. 3. 20. An answer to the question in the former verse; yea, the LORD knoweth mens vain thoughts.
V. 12. whom thou chastenest] God hath care over his, and chastiseth them for their welfare, that they should not perish for ever with the wicked, 1 Cor. 11. 32. Heb. 12. 5, 10.
V. 15. But judgement shall return unto righteousnesse] God will restore a right government, that the good may be rewarded, and bad men punished, and then the godly shall follow him cheerfully.
shall follow it] Heb. shall be after it.
V. 16. Who will rise up for me against the evil doers?] None will.
V. 17. Ʋnlesse the Lord had been my help] He complaineth of them which would not help him to resist the enemies: yet was assured, that Gods help would not fail.
almost] Or, quickly.
V. 18. My foot slippeth] Psal. 38. 16. When I thought there was no way but death.
V. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts] In my trouble and distresse, I ever found present comfort and help from thee.
V. 20. Shall the throne of iniquitie have fellowship with thee] Wilt thou favour, and bear out these tyrants that abuse their power to open oppression?
by a law] Psal. 58. 2. Isai. 10. 1.
V. 21. gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous] Psal. 2. 1.
V. 23. and shall cut them off in their own wickednesse] Psal. 55. 23. It is a great token of Gods judgement, when the purpose of the wicked is broken; but a greater, when they perish by their own malicious plots.
PSAL. XCV.
Vers. 1. O Come, let us sing unto the Lord] It appears to be Davids Psalm, Heb. 4. 7.
V. 2. come before his presence] Heb. prevent his fare.
with thanksgiving] He sheweth that Gods service standeth not in dead ceremonies, but chiefly in the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, 34. 12.
V. 3. above all gods] Psal. 86. 8. and 96. 4. Even the angels (who in respect of men, are thought as gods, Psal. 8. 5.) are nothing in his sight: much lesse the idols, which mans brain inventeth, Psal. 96. 5.
V. 4. In his] Heb. In whose.
the strength of the hils is his also] Or, the heights of the hils are his. All things, even the most secret, and powerfull, are governed by his providence.
V. 5. The sea is his] Heb. whose the sea is.
and] Or, for.
V. 6. let us worship and bow down] By these three words he signifieth one thing: meaning, that they must wholly give themselves to serve God.
V. 7. the people of his pasture] Psal 100. 3.
and the sneep of his hand] That is, the flock whom he governeth with his own hand, Psal. 77. 20. and 100. 3. and therefore ought to hearken to his voice.
to day if ye will hear his voice] Heb. 3. 7. and 4. 7.
V. 8. Harden not your heart] By the contemning of Gods word.
as in the prevocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wildernesse] Exod. 17. 2, 7. Num. 14. 22, &c.
provocation] Heb. contention.
V. 9. tempted me, proved me, and saw my work] 1 Cor. 10. 9. Psal. 78. 40.
V. 10. It is a people that do erre, &c.] Num. 14. 23.
that do erre in their heart] They were without judgement and reason.
V. 11. that they should not enter into my rest] Heb. if they enter into my rest. That is, into the land of Canaan, where he promised they should finde rest, which the apostle shews to be a type of our eternall rest to come, Heb. 4. 8, 9.
PSAL. XCVI.
Vers. 1. O Sing unto the Lord a new song] 1 Chron. 16. 23. Psal. 33. 3. The prophet sheweth, that the time shall come, that all nations shall have occasion to praise the LORD for the revealing of his Gospel.
V. 4. For the Lord is great] Seeing he will reveal his greatnesse to all nations, contrary to their own expectation, they ought all to worship him, contrary to their own imaginations, and onelyonly as he hath appointed.
to be praised] Psal. 18. 3.
above all gods] Psal. 95. 3.
V. 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols] Jeremy 10. 11.
but the Lord made the heavens] Then the idols, or whatsoever made not the heavens, are not God.
V. 6. Honour and majestie are before him] God cannot be known but by the tokens of his honour and majesty, which are seen principally in his sanctuary.
V. 7. Give unto the Lord, O ye kiweds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.] Psal. 29. 1, 2.
give unto the Lord glory and strength] As by experience ye see that it is onelyonly due to him.
V. 8. due unto his name] Heb. of his name.
bring an offering] By presenting your selves before God, declare, that ye worship him onelyonly, Psal. 68. 29. Isai. 16. 1.
V. 9. in the beauty of holinesse] Or, in the glorious sanctuary.
V. 10. Say among the heathen] He prophesieth, that the Gentiles shall be partakers, with the Jews, of Gods promise, Rom. 15. 9, &c.
the Lord reigneth] Psal. 93. 1. and 97. 1.
righteously] Heb. in righteousnesses: That is, most righteously.
V. 11. Let the heavens rejoyce, and let the earth be glad] Psal. 98. 7.
V. 12. then shall all the trees of the wood rejoyce] If the insensible creatures shall have cause to rejoyce, when God appeareth, then much more we.
PSAL. XCVII.
Vers. 1. THe Lord reigneth] He sheweth, that where God reigneth, there is all felicitie, and spirituall joy.
let the multitude of isles be glad thereof] For the Gospel shall not onelyonly be preached in Judea, but thorow all countreys, yea, and islands also.
multitude of isles] Heb. many, or, great isles, or, countreys.
V. 2. Clouds and darknesse are round about him] He is thus described, to keep his enemies in fear, who contemn God.
righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his throne] Psal. 89. 14.
habitation] Or, establishment.
V. 3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about] Psal. 50. 3.
V. 4. the earth saw and trembled] Psal. 18. 7. and 77. 18. and 104. 32.
V. 6. The heavens declare his righteousnesse] Psal. 50. 6.
V. 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images] Exod. 20. 4. Levit. 26. 1. Deut. 5. 8. He signifieth, that Gods judgements are in a readinesse to destroy idolaters.
worship him all ye gods] Heb. 1. 6. Let all that, which is esteemed in the world, fall down before him.
V. 8. the daughters of Judah rejoyced] The villages of Judah, which are as it were daughters of Jerusalem, the mother city, shall rejoyce at the conversion of the Gentiles.
because of thy judgements, O Lord] Whereby thou destroyest thine enemies, and enlargest thy church.
V. 9. above all gods] Psal. 95. 3.
V. 10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil] He requireth two things of his children: the one, that they detest vice, the other, that they put their trust in God for their deliverance.
hath evil [Psal. 34. 14. Amos 5. 15. Rom. 12. 9.
V. 11. Light is sown for the righteous] Psal. 111. 4. The joy of the righteous is laid up for them, and will come forth with increase, though it appear not at the first.
and gladnesse for the upright in heart] Psal. 64. 10.
V. 12. Rejoyce in the Lord, ye righteous] Psal. 33. 1.
at the remembrance] Or, to the memoriall.
PSAL. XCVIII.
Vers. 1. OSing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done marvellous things] Psal. 96. 1. Isai. 42. 10.
a new song] That is, some song newly made, in token of thankfulnesse for their wonderfull deliverance, Psalm 96. 1.
his holy arm hath gotten him the victory] He perserveth his church miraculously.
V. 2. The Lord hath made known his salvation] Isai. 52. 10. For the deliverance of his church.
openly shewed] Or, revealed.
V. 3. He hath remembred his mercy] God was moved by no other means to gather his church of the Jews and Gentiles, but because he would perform his mercifull promise.
V. 6. With trumpets and sound of cornet] By this repetition, and earnest exhortation to give praises with instruments, and by stirring up the dumb creatures, he signifieth, that the world is never able to praise God sufficiently for their spirituall and corporall deliverances.
V. 7. sea roar, and the fulnesse thereof] Psal. 96. 11.
V. 9. for he cometh to judge the earth] Psal. 96. 13.
PSAL. XCIX.
Vers. 1. LEt the people tremble] When God delivereth his church, all the enemies shall have cause to tremble.
between the cherubims, let the earth be moved] Exod. 25. 22. Psal. 80. 1.
be moved] Heb. stagger.
V. 2. The Lord is great in Zion] Which is the seat of his universall monarchy, Isai. 2. 2, &c.
V. 3. Let them praise thy great and terrible Name] Though the wicked rage against God, yet the godly must praise his Name, and mighty power.
for it is holy] Or, which is holy.]
V. 4. The kings strength also loveth judgement] Or, And the kings strength who loveth judgement. This king, meaning, God the king of his church, doth mix his power with justice, contrary to the custome of tyrants, Job 36. 5.
thou dost establish equity] Heb. equities: That is, the most equall courses.
V. 5. worship at his footstood] That is, before his ark, 1 Chro. 28. 2. where he promised to hear, when they worshipped him, as now he promiseth his spirituall wheresoever his church is assembled.
he is holy] Or, it is holy.
V. 6. Moses and Aaron among his priests] Moses is reckoned among the priests; for he did the priestly office, in consecrating Aaron and his sons.
V. 8. though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions] He heard their prayers, notwithstanding their infirmities, and corrected them for their sins, though they prayed unto him, Numb. 20. 12. Or, thou didst forgive the people upon Moses prayer, though thou didst destroy some of them for their sins, Exod. 28. 34, 35. and 32. 32. Num. 14. 20, 22.
PSAL. C.
Title. praise] Or, thanksgiving, Psal. 145. 1.
Vers. 1. MAke a joyfull noise unto the Lord] He prophesieth, that Gods benefit in calling the Gentiles, shall be so great, that they shall have wonderfull occasion to praise his mercy, and rejoyce, Psal. 95. 1.
all ye lands] Heb. all the earth.
V. 3. it is he that hath made us] God is to be praised for creating us, and for calling us into his church, Psal. 95. 5.
and not we our selves] Or, and his we are, Psal. 95. 5.
his people, and the sheep of his pasture] Psal. 95. 7.
V. 4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving] He sheweth, that God will not be worshipped, but by that means which he hath appointed.
V. 5. his mercy is everlasting] He declareth, that we ought never to be weary in praising God, seeing his mercies toward us last for ever, Psal. 136. 1, &c.
to all generations] Heb. to generation and generation.
PSAL. CI.
Verse 1. I Will sing of mercy] Of thy mercy to me, and justice, when thou destroyest mine adversaries, and settest me on the throne.
V. 2. O when wilt thou come unto me?] When wilt thou give me the kingdom promised?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart] Till then I will guide mine own house well, and afterwards, the kingdom.
V. 3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes] Either to desire it, or endeavour to accomplish it.
wicked thing] Heb. thing of Belial.
I hate the work.] He sheweth, that magistrates do not their duty, except they be enemies to all vice, Psal. 97. 10.
of them that turn aside] From the law of God, Psalm 125. 5.
V. 4. I will not know a wicked person] I will not take notice of them: I will shew them no grace nor favour, Psal. 1. 6. Matth. 7. 23.
V. 5. Whose privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I out off] In promising to punish those vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about kings, he declareth by cons…quence, that he will punish all vice.
an high look, and a proud heart, will not I suffer] Prov. 6. 17, 18.
V. 6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithfull of the land] He sheweth what is the true use of the sword, To punish the wicked, and to maintain the good, Rom. 13. 4.
in a perfect way] Or, perfect in the way.
V. 7. shall not tarry in my sight] Heb. shall not …e established.
V. 8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land] Heb. at mornings. For then was judgement executed, Jer…m. 21. 12. Meaning, every morning: or else, most early: That is, immediately after the act, lest it grow to further inconvenience.