Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 139 – Psalm 146
PSAL. CXXXIX.
Vers. 1. SEarched me] Psal. 17. 3. Jer. 12. 3.
V. 2. Thou knowest my down-sitting] He confesseth, that neither our actions, thoughts, nor any part of our life can be hid from God.
thou understandest my thought afar off] Long before I conceive it.
V. 3. Thou compassest my path] So that they are evidently known to thee.
compassest] Or, winnowest.
V. 4. there is not a word in my tongue] Thou knowest my meaning before I speak: or, my secretest whisperings.
V. 5. and laid thine hand upon me] Job 41. 8. Thou keepest me within the compasse of thy knowledge, like a man that will not let his servant go out of his sight.
V. 7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit?] From thy power and knowledge?
V. 8. If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, &c.] Amos 9. 2, 3, 4.
V. 9. If I take the wings of the morning] He meaneth, the sunbeams, which suddenly flie to the earth: or, wings that could flie as swift as they shoot out, and take flight never so early.
V. 10. Even there shall thy hand] Thy power doth so fast hold me, that I can escape by no means from thee.
lead me] He sheweth, that Gods providence over us is not a bare knowledge, but an effectuall conducting and disposing of us.
V. 11. even the night shall be light about me] Though darknesse be an hinderance to mans sight, yet it serveth thine eyes as well as the light.
V. 12. the darknesse hideth not from thee] Job. 26. 6. Heb. 4. 13. hideth not] Heb. darkeneth not.
the darknesse and the light are both alike] Heb. as is the darknesse, so is the light.
V. 13. For thou hast possessed] Thou hast made me in all parts, and therefore must needs know me.
my reins] My affections, and most inward motions.
thou hast covered me in my mothers womb] With flesh and skin, Job. 10. 11.
V. 14. for I am fearfully and wonderfully made] Considering thy wonderfull work in forming me, I cannot but praise thee, and fear thy mighty power.
right] Heb. greatly.
V. 15. substance] Or, strength, or body.
and curiously wrought] Like a piece of needle-work: for so the word signifies.
in the lowest parts of the earth] That is, in my mothers womb, here belowe on earth, Eph. 4. 9. or, as secretly, as things formed in the bowels of the earth, Job 28. 1, 2, &c.
V. 16. and in thy book all my members were written] An allusion to curious workmen, that work after a mod…ll set before them.
all my members] Heb. all of them.
which in continuance were fashioned] Or, what days they should be fashioned.
when as yet there was none of them] Seeing that thou didst know me before I was composed of either flesh or bone, much more now must thou know me, when thou hast fashioned me.
V. 17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me] Psal. 40. 5. How ought I to esteem in my thoughts the excellent declaration of thy wisedom in the creation of man? or, how incomprehensible are thy counsels? Rom. 11. 33. Job. 26. 14.
thy thoughts] Or, thoughts of thee.
V. 18. I am still with thee] Every morning when I awake, I see new occasions to meditate of thy wisedom, and to praise thee.
V. 19. Surely] Heb. If, psal. 131. 2.
therefore] Or, then.
V. 21. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?] His zeal of Gods glory wrought in him a fiery indignation, and utter detestation of all such as opposed it, regarding not so much his own particular, as Gods interest, Psal. 69. 9. and 119. 158. 2 Chron. 19. 2. Prov. 29. 27.
V. 23. Search me, O God, and know my heart] Vers. 1. Psal. 26. 2.
V. 24. see if there be any wicked way in me] Psal. 7. 3.
any wicked way in me] Any course of sin that is grievous to God or man.
wicked way] Heb. way of pain, or grief.
lead me in the way everlasting] That is, favourably conduct me to the end: or, lead me on in the way of piety, which leads to life eternall, psal. 1. 6.
PSAL. CXL.
Vers. 1. FRom the violent man] Which persecuteth me of meer malice, and without cause.
violent man] Heb. man of violences: that is, most violent.
V. 2. Which imagine mischiefs in their heart] They studie how to bring the greatest mischief on me; that is, to kill me.
war] Heb. wars: that is, frequent ones.
V. 3. adders poison is under their lips] Psal. 58. 4. Rom. 3. 13. He sheweth how craftily wicked men proceed by calumnies, when they want power to do hurt.
V. 4. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked] God is the refuge of the godly, when they are opposed by worldlings.
from the violent man] See Notes on v. 1.
V. 5. snare for me] Psal. 35. 7. and 57. 6. and 141. 9.
V. 7. thou hast covered my head in the day of battel] He calleth to God with lively faith, being assured of his mercies, because he had before-time proved, that God helped him ever in his dangers, covering his head as with helmet or shield, psal. 91. 4.
V. 8. further not his wicked device] For wicked men cannot accomplish their plots, unlesse God give them strength.
lest they exalt themselves] Or, let them not be exalted.
V. 9. As for the head of those that compasse me about] Psal. 17. 16. Prov. 12. 13. and 18. 7. He desireth that God would make their own words their bane, psal. 64. 8. or, let them perish by those courses that themselves plot and combine in: or, let their own imprecations fall on them, psal. 109. 17.
V. 10. let them be cast into the fire] Heb. let him cast: to wit, God: and let all manner of mischief befall them, and so overwhelm them, that they may never recover again.
V. 11. an evil speaker] Heb. a man of tongue. an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him] Or, Or, an evil speaker, a wicked man of violence be established in the earth: let him be hunted to his overthrow.
evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrew him] Gods plagues shall so from place to place pursue him, as he shall have no way to escape, Jer. 16. 16.
overthrow] Heb. to destructions: that is, to certain destruction.
V. 13. the upright shall dwell in thy presence] That is, shall be defended and preserved by thy fatherly providence and care, as one of thy family.
PSAL. CXLI.
Vers. 1. I Cry unto thee] He sheweth, that there is no other refuge in our necessities, but onelyonly to flee unto God for comfort of soul or body.
V. 2. set forth] Heb. directed.
the lifting up of my hands as the evening-sacrifice] Psal. 134. 2. He desireth to have his prayers as acceptable to God, as the incense and sacrifices were in the Sanctuary, Psal. 69. 31. Mal. 1. 11. Rev. 8. 4.
V. 3. keep the door of my lips] He desireth God to keep his mouth from speaking unadvisedly; for of himself he could not do it, psal. 39. 1.
V. 4. let me not eat of their dainties] Let not their prosperity allure me to be wicked, as they are, psal. 37. 1. and 73. 15.
V. 5. Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindnesse, and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head] Or, Let the righteous smite me kindly, and reprove me; let not their precious oil break my head, &c.
and let him reprove me] He could well endure all reproofs that came from a loving heart, Prov. 9. 8. and 19. 25. and 25. 12.
an excellent oil] Heb. oil of head, Eccles. 9. 8. He compareth a faithfull and friendly reproof to such an ointment as they used to anoint their heads withall; which he desireth may not be wanting to him when need is.
which shall not break my head] Or, let it never be wanting to my head.
for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities] By patience I shall see the wicked so sharply handled, that I shall for pity pray for them, Matth. 5. 44.
V. 6. they shall hear my words] When the great men that how persecute me shall be overthrown, as stumbling in stonie ways, then they, or the people which followed them in persecuting me, shall repent, and hearken willingly to Gods word, Isai. 28. 19.
V. 7. Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth] Either he means, the bones of such as died for his cause, or else that they were ready to be scattered at the graves mouth, so that it were a miracle for them to escape death, 2 Cor. 1. 9.
V. 8. mine eyes are unto thee, O God] 2 Chron. 20. 12.
leave not my soul destitute] Heb. make notmy soul bare.
V. 10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets] Heb. into his nets: that is, into Gods nets, whereby he catcheth the wicked in their own malice: or, every one into his own net, as psal. 7. 15. and 9. 15. and 35. 8.
whilest that I withall escape] Let their fall be my deliverance.
withall] Or, alone. See Job 29. Ezra 4. 3.
escape] Heb. passe over.
PSAL. CXLII.
Title. Maschil of David] Or, A psalm of David giving instruction.
when he was in the cave] 1 Sam. 24. 3.
Vers. I] This psalm appears to be made after the deliverance here mentioned. See the like, Jon. 2. 1.
cried] Davids patience and instant prayer unto God condemneth their wicked rage; who, in their troubles, either despair, and murmure against God, or else seek to others rather then to God, to have redresse in their miseries.
did I make my supplication] The word, prayer, in the originall, signifies a demanding of justice against his foes: crying, signifies earnestnesse: making supplication shews, that he sought for favour from God: complaint, or meditation, argues a preconsideration of what he prayed for: shewing, intends a laying open of his troubles orderly in fit words.
V. 3. then thou knewest my path] Thou knewest which way I should escape, when I knew no means of delivery: or, thou didst approve the way that I was in, and tookest care of me, psal. 1. 6.
V. 4. I looked on my right hand, and beheld] Or, look on the right… hand, and see.
refuge failed me] I had no place in the world to flee to.
failed me] Heb. perished from me.
no man cared for my soul] Heb. no man sought after my soul.
V. 5. Thou] The words following, to the end, were spoken in the cave.
my refuge] Though all means failed him, yet he knew that God would never forsake him, psal. 32. 7. and 46. 1.
my portion in the land of the living] Psal. 16. 5. and 73. 26. and 119. 57. Lam. 3. 24.
V. 7. Bring my soul out of prison] For he was on all sides beset with his enemies, as though he had been in a most strait prison.
the righteous shall compasse me about] Either to hear me speak of my wonderfull deliverance, that they may rejoyce and praise God with me, or else to set the crown on my head.
for] Or, when.
PSAL. CXLIII.
Vers. 1. IN thy faithfulnesse answer me] According to thy promise, and the equity of my cause against my foes.
V. 2. And enter not] Though I can stand upright before them, yet I cannot stand before thee. This second verse would be included in a parenthesis; for the third verse gives a reason of the petition in the first verse.
into judgement with thy servant] Job 14. 3. He acknowledgeth a just hand of God in those things that had befallen him, though … the unjust hands of his enemies; and intreateth him not to deal rigorously with him, as in justice he might.
in thy sight shall no man living be justified] Exod. 34. 7. Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 16.
V. 3. hath persecuted my soul] To take away my life.
hath smitten my life] I must needs be stain, if thou relieve me not.
to dwell in darknesse] I am forced to live in dark caves, like graves.
that have been long dead] He acknowledgeth that God is his onelyonly true physitian that can heal him; for he can raise up men long since dead.
V. 4. spirit overwhelmed within me] Psal. 142. 3.
my heart within me is desolate] So that he was upheld onelyonly by Gods power, on which he relied, psal. 73. 26.
V. 5. I remember the days of old] To wit, thy great benefits of old, and the manifold examples of thy favour toward thine: or, I comfort my self with the remembrance of thy favours to me in times past, and take them for a pawn of comfort in time to come, because thou art the same, psal. 77. 5, 11.
all thy works] Heb. every work of thine, or, all thy practice.
V. 6. my soul thirsteth after thee] Psal. 42. 1, 2. and 63. 1. and 84. 2.
as a thirstie land] I earnestly desire to be with God in the Sanctuary, as the drie ground desires rain, psal. 42. 1, 2. and 63. 1.
V. 7. Hear me speedily] Heb. Make haste, answer me.
lest I be like, &c.] Or, for I am become like, &c.
V. 8. in the morning] It seems he made this prayer in the night, and prays for comfort against the next day: or, in the morning, that is, speedily, and in due time, psal. 101. 8.
cause me to know the way] Direct me which way I may escape this danger, lest I perish in it, psal. 28. 1. and 5. 8.
V. 9. I flee unto thee to hide me] Heb. hide me with thee. I hid my self under the shadow of thy wings, that I might be defended by thy power, psal. 91. 1. and 32. 7.
V. 10. Teach me] He confesseth, that both the knowledge of, and obedience to Gods will in us, cometh from the Spirit of God, who teacheth us by his word, giveth understanding by his Spirit, and frameth our hearts by his grace to obey him.
to do thy will] That is, justly, and aright: for, so soon as we decline from Gods will, we fall into errour.
thy spirit is good, lead] Or, let thy good spirit lead.
into the land of uprightnesse] Or, in (or on) an even ground, as Isai. 26. 7, 10.
V. 11. Quicken me] Keep me alive, and free me from this deadly danger.
Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Names sake] Psal. 119. 25, 37, 88, 107.
for thy Names sake] That thy Name may be honoured, thy justice shewed on persecutours, thy mercy to me thy servant.
V. 12. of thy mercy cut off thine enemies] Which shall be a signe of thy fatherly care of me.
I am thy servant] Psal. 116. 16.
PSAL. CXLIIII.
Vers. 1. MY strength] Heb. My rock.
which teacheth my hands to war, &c.] 2 Sam. 22. 35. Who, of a poor shepherd, hath made me a valiant warriour and mighty conquerour.
to war] Heb. to the war, &c.
V. 2. My goodnesse] Or, My mercy. From whom alone I look for kindnesse and protection.
My goodnesse and my fortresse, my high tower and my deliverer, &c.] 2 Sam. 22. 2, 3, 40.
my deliverer] Heb. my deliverer for me: for the prophet cannot satisfie himself with any words.
who subdueth my people under me] He confesseth, that neither by his own authority, power nor policie his kingdom was kept quiet, but by the secret favour of God.
V. 3. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him? or the son of man, &c.] Job 7. 17. Psal. 8. 4. Heb. 2. 6.
that thou takest knowledge of him?] To give unto God just praise, is, To confesse our selves to be unworthy of so excellent benefits, and that he bestoweth them upon us of his free mercy.
V. 4. Man is like to vanitie] Job. 14. 2. Psal. 39. 5.
V. 5. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, &c.] Psal. 18. 9. Isai. 64. 1. Shew thy self present on earth, by destroying my greatest enemies, who are like mountains, in comparison of other men.
V. 6. Cast forth lightning and scatter them] Psal. 18. 13, 14. Deliver me by heavenly means, for earthly means fail me.
V. 7. Send thine hand] Heb. hands. He was in such danger, that he thought he needed both hands, that is, all Gods power, to help him.
from above] From heaven.
out of great waters] Psal. 69. 1, 2, 14.
from the hand of strange children] Deliver me from the tumults of strangers, that professe peace to me: or, of my own people, that carry themselves cruelly toward me, like strangers.
V. 8. and their right hand is a right hand of falshood] Psal. 26. 10. For though they shake hands, yet they keep not promise.
V. 9. I will sing a new song unto thee] A rare and excellent song, as thy great benefits deserve: or, a new triumphant song after victory, framed especially upon this occasion; the argument whereof is set down, v. 10.
a new song unto thee, O God] Psal. 40. 3. and 98. 1.
V. 10. It is he that giveth] Or, Who givest.
salvation] Or, victory.
delivereth] Or, deliverest.
David his servant] Though strange kings be called Gods servants, as Cyrus, Isai. 45. 1. forasmuch as he useth them to execute his judgements; yet David, and they that rule godly, are properly so called, because they serve not their own affections, but set forth Gods glory.
V. 11. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children] Verse 7, 8.
V. 12. That our sons may be as plants] He desireth God to continue his benefits toward his people, that there may be a hopefull posterity after them.
polished] Heb. cut.
V. 13. That our garners may be full] That we may have corn not onelyonly to eat plentifully, but also to lay up abundantly.
all manner of store] Heb. from kinde to kinde.
V. 14. That our oxen may be strong to labour] That our cattell may be very serviceable to us.
strong to labour] Heb. able to bear burdens; or, leaden with fresh.
V. 15. Happie is that people that is in such a case] Psal. 33. 12. and 65. 4. If they be blessed that enjoy outward prosperity, much more happie are they that are in Gods favour.
PSAL. CXLV.
Title. praise] See the title of psal. 25.
Vers. 1. I Will extoll thee] Psal. 100. 1. He sheweth what sacrifices are pleasant and acceptable unto God, even praise and thanksgiving: and seeing that God still continueth his benefits towards us, we ought never to be weary of praising him for the same.
V. 3. Great is the Lord] Hereby he declareth, that all power is subject unto God; and that no worldly promotion ought to obscure Gods glory.
and his greatnesse is unsearchable] Heb. and of his greatnesse there is no search.
V. 4. One generation shall praise thy works to another] Isa. 38. 19. Psal. 78. 4.
to another] Forasmuch as the end of mans creation, and of his preservation, in this life, is to praise God, therefore he requireth, that not onelyonly we our selves do this, but cause all others to do the same.
V. 5. works] Heb. things, or, words.
V. 6. of thy terrible acts] Of thy terrible judgements against the wicked.
declare thy] Heb. declare it.
V. 7. They shall abundantly utter] As water runs out of a fountain, Jer. 6. 7.
the memory of thy great goodnesse] Thy great blessings, which ought to be remembred.
V. 8. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion] Exod. 34. 6, 7. Num. 14. 18. Psal. 86. 5, 15. and 103. 8.
and full of compassion] He describeth after what sort God sheweth himself to all his creatures, though our sins have provoked his vengeance against all: he shews himself mercifull, not onelyonly in pardoning the sins of his children, but also in doing good to wicked men, albeit they feel not the sweet comfort of Gods benefits.
of great mercy] Heb. great in mercy.
V. 9. over] Or, toward.
V. 11. They shall speak of the glory of thy Kingdom] The praise of thy glory appeareth in all thy creatures: and though the wicked would obscure the same by their silence, yet the faithfull are ever speaking of it.
V. 12. his mighty acts] Gods servants speak of his great acts, that others may take notice of them.
V. 13. an everlasting kingdom] Heb. a kingdom of all ages, 1 Tim. 1. 17.
V. 14. The Lord upholdeth] All that are uphold from falling, are upheld by God: but some fall, and never rise.
all that fall] Who, being in misery and affliction, would faint and perish, if God did not uphold them; and therefore they ought to reverence him that reigneth in heaven, and suffer themselves to be governed by him.
raiseth up all those that be bowed down] Psal. 146. 8.
all those that be bowed down] Ready to fall under the burden of their miseries.
V. 15. The eyes of all wait upon thee] To wit, as well of man as of beast.
wait upon thee] Or, look unto thee.
thou givest them their meat in due season] Psal. 104. 17.
V. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways] He praiseth God, not onelyonly for his beneficence to all his creatures, but also for his justice in all his proceedings.
holy] Or, mercifull, or, bountifull.
V. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him] Not in essence onelyonly, but in affection: he is ready to grant their requests, Isai. 55. 6.
in truth] In sincerity of heart▪ as all the faithfull do, without hypocrisie.
V. 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him] For they ask, or wish for nothing, but according to his will, 1 Joh. 5. 14.
V. 21. let all flesh blesse his holy name for ever and ever] Let all men praise him. So Psal. 65. 2.
PSAL. CXLVI.
Vers. 1. PRaise ye the Lord] Heb. Hallelujah.
Praise the Lord, O my soul] Psal. 103. 1.
O my soul] He stirreth up himself, and all his affections to praise God.
V. 2. While I live, will I praise the Lord] Psal. 104. 33.
V. 3. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help] Psal. 118. 8, 9.
Put not your trust in princes] That God may have all praise. Here he forbiddeth all vain confidence, shewing that by nature we are more inclined to put our trust in creatures, then in God the Creatour.
help] Or, salvation: or, because he cannot help himself.
V. 4. he returneth to his earth] Of which he was made, Gen. 2. 7. and 3. 19.
his thoughts perish] As their excellent devices, and vain opinions, whereby they flattered themselves, and imagined wicked enterprises against others.
V. 5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help] Jere. 17. 7.
whose hope is in the Lord his God] Psal. 144. 15.
in] Heb. on.
V. 6. Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is] Gen. 1. 1.
Which made heaven and earth] He encourageth the godly to trust onelyonly in the LORD, both for that his power is able to deliver them from all dangers, and because, for his promise sake, his will is most ready to do it.
V. 7. Which executeth judgement for the oppressed, which giveth food to the hungry] Psal. 103. 6.
for the oppressed] Whose faith and patience for a while he tryeth, but at length he punisheth the adversaries, that he may be known to be the judge of the world.
the Lord looseth the prisoners] Psal. 68. 6. and 107. 10.
V. 8. the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down] Psalm 145. 14.
the Lord loveth the righteous] Though he visit them by affliction, hunger, imprisonment, and such like trialls; yet his fatherly love and pitie, never faileth them, yea, rather to his these are signs of his love, Heb. 12. 6.
V. 9. The Lord preserveth the strangers] Meaning, all them that are destitute of all worldly means, and succour, as being in a strange place, where none knows, or regards them.
the fatherlesse and widow] Deut. 10. 18. Psal. 68. 5.
the way of the wicked he turneth upside down] Psal. 1. 6.
V. 10. The Lord shall reign for ever] Exod. 15. 18. He assured the church, that God reigneth for ever, for the preservation of the same.