Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 22 – Psalm 30
PSAL. XXII.
Title. Aijeleth Shahar] Or, the hinde of the morning. A Psalm appointed in likelihood to be sung early in the morning: where in the beginning appeareth that great conflict, sustained between faith and sense.
Vers. 1. MY God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?] Matth. 27. 46. Mark 15. 34.
from helping me] Heb. from my salvation.
from the words of my roaring?] Being tormented with extreme anguish, Psal. 32. 3.
V. 2. am not silent] Heb. there is no silence to me.
V. 3. O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel] Thou wast wont to answer thy people out of the tabernacle, that they might praise thee: but now thou answerest not me.
V. 4. Our fathers trusted in thee] Why deliverest not thou me, who trust in thee, as thou didst our fathers?
V. 5. and were not confounded] Heb. ashamed: to wit, as men frustrated of their hope, Rom. 5. 5. and 9. 33. but triumphed over all calamities.
V. 6. But I am a worm] A despicable creature trampled under foot, Job 25. 6. Isai. 41. 14. Thus Christ also was abased for us, which shews Gods infinite love to us.
V. 7. All they that see me, laugh me to scorn] Matth. 27. 39.
sho…t] Heb. open.
they shake the head] In sign of scorn, Job 16. 4. 2 King. 19. 21.
V. 8. He trusted on the Lord, &c.] Matth. 27. 43.
He trusted on the Lord] Heb. He rolled himself on the Lord.
seeing he delighted in him] Or, if be delight in him.
V. 9. that took me out of the womb] Even from my birth thou hast given me cause to trust in thee.
didst make me hope] Or, keptst me in safety.
V. 11. Be not far from me] I am undone, if thou who art my help shouldst be far from me, when trouble is so nigh me.
for there is none to help] Unlesse thou help me.
none to help] Heb. not a helper.
V. 12. strong buls of Bashan] He meaneth that his enemies were so fat, proud, and cruell, that they were rather beasts then men, Psal. 17. 10.
V. 13. They gaped upon me with their mouths] Not in scorn, as else where, but to devour me.
gaped upon me with their mouths] Heb. opened their mouths against me.
V. 14. I am poured out like water] All my bodily strength is gone.
out of joynt] Or, sundred.
my heart is like wax] My heart is faint, Job 23. 16.
V. 15. my tongue cleaveth to my jaws] For thirst, Lam. 4. 4. Joh. 19. 28.
thou hast brought me into the dust of death] I am without all hope of life.
V. 16. they pierced my hands and my feet] Matth. 27. 35. Mark 15. 24. Luke 23. 33. John 19. 23, 37. Thus David complaineth, as though he were nailed by his enemies, both hands, and feet: but this was literally accomplished in Christ.
V. 17. I may tell all my bones] Because of leannesse.
they look and stare upon me] They behold my pain with pleasure, Psal. 35. 21.
V. 18. They part my garments] Luke 23. 34. John 19. 24. In my sight, to anger me the more, vers. 17.
V. 20. my darling] Heb. my onelyonly one. That is, dearest to me, for I have but one soul, Psal. 35. 17.
from the power] Heb. from the hand, Dan. 6. 27.
V. 21. Save me from the lions mouth] 2 Tim. 4. 17. Christ is delivered with a more mighty deliverance by overcoming death, then if he had not tasted death at all.
V. 22. I will declare thy name unto my brethren] Heb. 2. 12.
V. 23. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him] He exhorteth the church by his example to praise God.
V. 24. nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted] The poor afflicted are comforted by the example of David, and Christ.
he cried unto him] Heb. 5. 7.
V. 25. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation] Rather, from thee: Though now I be afflicted, …et thou wilt give me cause to praise thee openly by a famous deliverance.
of thee] Or, from thee.
the great congregation] Psal. 35. 18.
I will pay my vows before them that fear him] Psal. 116. 14, 18. Which were sacrifices of thanksgiving, which they offered by Gods commandment, when they were delivered out of any great danger, Psal. 66. 13, 14. and 116. 18. Isai 19. 21.
V. 27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord] Psal. 2. 8. and 72. 11. and 86. 9.
V. 29. All they that be fat upon earth, shall eat and worship] That is, rich men, Deut. 31. 20.
all they that go down to the dust] That is, the poorer sort, Isai. 47. 1. and 29. 4.
bow before him] Phil. 2. 10.
and none can keep] Or, and he that cannot keep: or, though he cannot keep.
none can keep alive his own soul] None can save himself. Every one that will be saved by Christ: or, it may signifie the poorest sort. He that cannot keep himself alive, shall eat: or, it may be understood of Christ: Though he must needs die, yet all shall worship him. Compare this verse, and the next, with Isai. 53. 8.
V. 30. A seed shall serve him] Meaning, the posterity, which the LORD keepeth as a seed to the church, to continue his praise among men.
it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation] Though Christ had no children, yet the faithfull shall be accounted his posterity, Heb. 2. 13. Isai. 53. 8.
V. 31. They shall come] Joyn themselves to the church.
that shall be born] Psal. 87. 5. In all ages there shall be some that shall teach the true religion.
that he hath done this] Hath setled Davids kingdom, and Christs, after all their sorrows.
PSAL. XXIII.
Vers. 1. MY shepherd] Isai. 40. 11. Jere. 23. 4. Ezek. 34. 23. John 10. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 25.
I shall not want] He hath care over me, and ministreth unto me all necessary things, Phil. 4. 19.
V. 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures] Like a good shepherd he gives me rest, food, guidance, and drink.
green pastures] Heb. pastures of tender grasse.
still waters] Heb. waters of quietnesse.
V. 3. He restoreth my soul] He heals me, as a shepherd doth the sick sheep, that else would die.
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousnesse for his names sake] Psal. 5. 8. Prov. 8. 20.
in the paths of righteousnesse] In straight wayes.
V. 4. thorow the valley of the shadow of death] Though he were in danger of death, as the sheep that wandreth in the dark valley without his shepherd.
I will fear no evil] Psal. 3. 6. and 118. 6.
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me] God protects me, and seeks me, and brings me safe home, like a good shepherd.
V. 5. Thou preparest a table before me] Albeit his enemies sought to destroy him, yet God dealeth most liberally with him, in sight, and spight of his enemies, to his joy, and their grief, Psal. 112. 10.
thou anointest my head with oyl] It was the manner at great feasts to anoint the guests with oyl, Amos 6. 6. Luke 7. 46.
anointest] Heb. makest fat.
V. 6. I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever] He setteth not his felicitie in the pleasures of this world, but in the fear, and service of God.
for ever] Heb. to length of dayes.
PSAL. XXIIII.
Vers. 1. EArth is the Lords] Deut. 10. 14. Job 41. 11. Psal. 50. 12. 1 Cor. 10. 26, 28.
V. 2. For he hath founded it upon the sea… ] Job 38. 6. Psal. 104. 5. and 136. 6.
upon] Or, besides, Psal. 1. 3. Isai. 32. 20.
upon the seas] He sheweth Gods great power, who maketh the earth to lie upon liquid waters, as a foundation, for he included them in the earth, Exod. 20. 4. Gen. 1. 9. and 7. 11. and 49. 25. Or, besides the seas, yet so as it it not overflown them, Job 24. 10. 2 Pet. 3. 5.
upon] Or, besides.
V. 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord] Psal. 15. 1.
V. 4. He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart] Isa. 33. 15, 16.
He that hath clean hands] Heb. the clean of hands.
who hath not lift up his soul unto vanitie] That hath not his affections set upon wealth, honour, pleasures, J…re. 22. 27.
V. 6. This is the generation of them that seek him] Though circumcision separate the carnall seed of Jacob from the Gentiles, yet they that seek God in sincerity are the true generation of Jacob, Rom. 9. 8. Joh. 1. 47. Gal. 6. 16.
O Jacob] Or, O God of Jacob: or, of Jacob: or, as Jacob, Psal. 11. 1.
V. 7. Lift up your heads] Psal. 118. 19.
ye everlasting doors] Ye gates of Jerusalem, or of the temple, where the ark the sign of Gods presence must abide a long time, 1 King. 9. 3. Psal. 132. 13, 14. which before was removed from place to place. It may prefigure Christs glorious ascension also.
the King of glorie shall come in] It may be understood of bringing the ark into the citie of David, 2 Sam. 6. 12. or, into the temple which he meant to build for it.
V. 9. Lift up your heads] Let triumphant arches be built upon the gates to entertain this great conquerour.
PSAL. XXV.
Vers. 1. UNto thee, O Lord] This Psalm and some others, as 34. 37. 111. 112. 119. 145. are distinguished in several sentences, according to the Heb. Alphabet: and this Psalmist sheweth in the beginning, that he doth not put his trust in any worldly thing, but seek to God alone for deliverance.
I lift up my soul] Deut. 24. 15. Psal. 86. 4.
V. 2. I trust in thee] Psal. 22. 5. and 31. 1. and 34. 8. Isai. 28. 16. Rom. 10. 11. For deliverance from mine enemies.
let me not be ashamed] By missing that I hope for. It may be he means the kingdom promised.
let not mine enemies triumph over me] When they have overcome me, 2 Chron. 20. 27.
V. 3. which transgresse without cause] Who deal ill with me of malice, not any way provoked by me.
V. 4. Shew me thy wayes] Psal. 27. 11. and 86. 11. and 119. Of holinesse, which lead to heaven, as a way leads to the journeyes end.
V. 5. Lead me] Heb. Make me to walk▪ Prov. 4. 11.
all the day] Constantly against all temptations.
V. 6. thy tender mercies] Psa. 103. 17. and 106. 1. and 107. 1. Jere. 33. 11. Heb. thy bowels.
for they have been ever of old] Thou hast helpt thine from the beginning of the world, therefore forsake not me.
V. 7. Remember not the sins of my youth] He confesseth that God raised him up enemies in his age for the sins of his youth, Job 13. 26. and 20. 11. Jere. 3. 25. David prayes God to take away those sins, that his foes may not hurt him.
transgressions] Or, defections.
V. 8. therefore will he teach sinners in the way] Those that erre, he shews them how to return into the way by repentance.
V. 9. guide] Heb. make to walk.
in judgement] In the right way they ought to walk in: as follows in this verse, and vers. 12. Psal. 5. 8.
V. 10. mercy and truth] All good we have comes from Gods mercy, and constancy in keeping his word, Psal. 40. 11. and 100. 5. Gen. 24. 27.
V. 11. For thy names sake] That thy name may be praised.
for it is great] And therefore needs much mercy for forgivenesse, Psal. 51. 1, 2.
V. 12. What man is he that feareth the Lord?] If there be any such man, God will guide him.
V. 13. His soul shall dwell at ease] He shall prosper.
shall dwell at ease] Heb. shall lodge in goodnesse.
V. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him] His counsell contained in his word: or, his secret good-will. See notes on Prov. 3. 32.
and he will shew them his covenant] Or, and his covenant to make them know it.
V. 15. Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord] Psal. 123. 1.
pluck] Heb. bring forth.
V. 17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged] My grief is encreased, because of mine enemies cruelty.
V. 19. for they are many] The greater and more cruell his foes were, the more he needed Gods help.
cruel hatred] Heb. hatred of violence.
V. 21. Let integritie and uprightnesse preserve me] Forasmuch as I have behaved my self uprightly toward mine enemies, let them know that thou art the defender of my just cause.
PSAL. XXVI.
Vers. 1. JƲdge me] Or, Judge for me, Deut. 32. 36.
O Lord] He sleeth to God to be judge of his just cause, seeing there is no equity among men.
therefore] Or, that.
V. 2. Examine me] Psal. 7. 9.
try my reins and my heart] See notes on Psal 7. 9.
V. 3. For thy loving kindnesse is before mine eies] He sheweth what staid him, that he did not recompense evill for evill.
V. 4. I have not sat with vain persons] Psal. 1. 1. He declareth that they cannot walk in simplicity before God, that delight in the company of the ungodly.
dissemblers] Heb. close: or, deceitfull.
V. 5. sit with the wicked. Jere. 15. 17.
V. 6. I will wash mine hands in innocency] Psal. 73. 13. They did use to wash their hands in token of innocency, Deut. 21. 6, 7. Matth. 27. 24. He may withall seem to allude to the priests washing before they went to the altar, 2 Chr. 4. 6. Exo. 30. 18, 19.
V. 8. where thine honour dwelleth] Heb. of the tabernacle of thy honour.
V. 9. Gather not] Or, Take not away.
Gather not my soul with sinners] Destroy me not in the overthrow of the wicked, Isai. 57. 1. 1 Sam. 15. 6. Gen. 18. 23.
bloody men] Heb. men of blood.
V. 10. In whose hands is mischief] Whose cruell hands do execute the malicious devices of their hearts.
full of bribes] Heb. filled with. And by consequence, of injustice, Deut. 16. 19. Isai. 33. 15.
V. 12. My foot] Or, when my foot.
in an even place] When God shall set me free from slippery places in safety, I will praise him openly: that is, when I am set free from enemies, and setled in peace, Psal. 119. 8.
PSAL. XXVII.
Vers. 1. THe Lord is my light] Mic. 7. 8. Who delivers me from darknesse of afflictions, Psal. 18. …8.
my salvation] Because he was assured of good successe in all his dangers, and that his salvation was laid up in God, he feared not the tyranny of his enemies.
the Lord is the strength of my life] Psal. 118. 6.
strength of my life] He that keeps me alive in despight of all my enemies.
V. 2. and my foes] Heb my foes to me. To shew, that they did malice him in particular.
came upon me] Heb. approached against me.
to eat up my flesh] As a lion that comes to devour a sheep, Psal. 7. 2. and 14. 4.
V. 3. Though an host should encamp against me] Psal. 3. 6.
in this will I be confident] That God will free me, and destroy my enemies, verse 1, 2.
V. 4. that I may dwell in the house of the Lord] He desires more to enjoy Gods ordinances, then wife, children, or goods, Psal. 23. 6. and 84. 10.
behold the beauty of the Lord] Psal. 63. 2. God is beautifull, and pleasant to his saints in his temple, Psal. 68. 24, 25. and …6. 9. and 110. 3.
the beauty] Or, the delight.
to enquire in his temple] The servants of God seek to know Gods will in Gods house.
V. 5. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion] If I might live in Gods church, he would defend me, and I should praise him.
shall] Or, would.
hide me in his pavilion] Psal. 31. 20. and 91. 3, 4.
shall] Or, would.
shall] Or, would.
V. 6. now shall] Or, then should.
therefore will] Or, then would.
sacrifices of joy] Heb. of shouting, Numb. 10. 10.
will sing] Or, would sing, yea, I would.
V. 8. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek] Or, My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face, &c. Or, My heart said to thee, saying, Seek ye my face; Thy face, &c. As Psal. 105. 15.
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face] In seeking for help from God, he groundeth himself on Gods command.
V. 9. put not thy servant away in anger] As angry masters use to do, for every slight offence.
V. 10. When my father and my mother forsake me] He magnifieth Gods love towards his, which far passeth the most tender love of parents towards their children, Isai. 49. 15.
will take me] Heb. will gather me. As Isai. 40. 11.
V. 11. Teach me thy way] Psal. 25. 4. and 86. 11. and 119. Such a course of life, as may please thee, Psal. 25. 9.
and lead me in a plain path] That I may not stumble, or do any thing that my watchfull foes may lay hold on to hurt me, Psal. 26. 12. Isai. 63. 13.
a plain path] Heb. a way of plainnesse.
mine enemies] Heb. those which observe me.
V. 13. the goodnesse of the Lord] To enjoy the good things God hath promised me, before I die, Isai. 38. 11. Psal. 116. 9.
V. 14. Wait on the Lord] Psal. 31. 24. Isai. 25. 9. Hab. 2. 3. He exhorteth himself to depend on the LORD, seeing he never faileth to help his, according to his promise, Psal. 62. 1, 5.
PSAL. XXVIII.
Vers. 1. TO me] Heb. from me.
lest if thou be silent to me] Psal. 143. 7.
I become like them that go down into the pit] He counteth himself as a dead man, till God shew his favour toward him, and grant him his petition.
V. 2. toward thy holy oracle] Or, towards the oracle of thy sanctuary. He used this outward means to help the weaknesse of his faith: for in that place was the ark▪ and there God promised to shew the tokens of his favour, and thence he gave answers to his people, Num. 7. 89. and 27. 21. 1 King. 6. 5. and 8. 38.
V. 3. Draw me not away with the wicked] Psal. 26. 9. Draw me not away by a violent death from worldly comforts, as wicked men die, but give me a quiet and willing death, as thou usest to do to good men, 1 Sam. 25. 29. Psa. 52. 5. and 125. 5.
which speak peace to their neighbours] Psal. 12. 2. Jere. 9. 8.
V. 4. Give them according to their deeds] 2 Tim. 4. 14. Revel. 18. 6. He thus prayeth in respect of Gods glory, and not for his own cause, being assured that God would punish the persecutours of his church.
V. 5. they regard not the works of the Lord] Isai. 5. 12.
he shall destroy them] They shall be utterly destroyed, Mal. 1. 4. A metaphor from a house ruined for ever.
V. 6. Blessed be the Lord] Because he felt the assurance of Gods help in his heart, his mouth was opened to sing his praises, Psal. 13. 6.
V. 8. their strength] Or, his strength. The strength of his people, verse 9.
saving strength of his anointed] Heb. strength of salvations.
V. 9. blesse thine inheritance] Gods people are as dear to him, as our inheritance is to us.
feed] Or, rule.
PSAL. XXIX.
Vers. 1. GIve unto the Lord] Psal. 96. 7, 8.
O ye mightie] Heb. ye sons of the mightie. He exhorteth the proud tyrants to humble themselves under Gods hand, and not to be inferiour to brute beasts, and dumb creatures.
V. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name] 1 Chro. 16. 29.
the glory due unto his name] Heb. the honour of his name.
in the beautie of holinesse] Or, in his glorious sanctuarie, Psal. 96. 9.
V. 3. The voice of the Lord] The thunder-claps that are heard out of the clouds, ought to make the wicked tremble for fear of Gods anger.
many waters] Or, great waters.
V. 4. powerfull] Heb. in power.
full of majestie] Heb. in majestie.
V. 5. The voice of the Lord] The thunder-bolt breaketh the most tall and strong trees, and shall men think their power to be able to resist God?
V. 6. Si…ion like a young unicorn] Deut. 3. 9. Called also Hermon. He means, the trees that grew on those hills, for thunder moves not hills, but an earth-quake. So verse 8, 9. the wildernesse, for, the beasts there.
V. 7. divideth] Heb. cutteth out.
divideth the flames of fire] It causeth the lightnings to shoot, and glide.
V. 8. of Kad…sh] In places most desolate, where God seems not to be present, such as Kadesh was, Num. 13. 26.
V. 9. maketh the hindes to calve] The thunder makes the hindes to calve suddenly for fear, though at other times they do it with difficultie. See notes on Job 39. 1.
to calve] Or, to be in pain.
discovereth the f…rests] Maketh the trees bare of leaves, or pi…rceth the most secret places, or makes the beasts flee into their dens, and so the wood is bare of them, or, without them.
in his temple doth every one speak of his glory] Though the wicked are nothing moved with these sights, yet the faithfull praise God: or, in these things Gods glory appears, but most of all in his temple, Psal. 19. 7.
doth every one speak] Or, everie whit of it uttereth, &c.
V. 10. The Lord sitteth upon the flood] To moderate the rage of the tempests and waters, that they destroy not all. Others think that he alludes to the flood in Noahs time.
the Lord sitteth King for ever] Psal. 136. 10.
PSAL. XXX.
Title. A Psalm and song] Where the musicall instruments went before the voice.
at the dedication of the house of David] Either when …e first dwelt in it, Deut. 20. 5. or, after Absolom had polluted it.
Vers. 1. THou hast lifted me up] Drawn me out of afflictions, as out of a pit. His thankfulnesse condemn… the unthankfulnesse of others, who praise not God for his benefits.
hast not made my foes to rejoyce over me] Thou hast not given me into their hands, for then they would have triumphed over me.
V. 3. from the grave] Meaning, that he escaped death most narrowly.
V. 4. O ye saints of his] The word signifieth them tha… shew mercy liberally unto others.
at the remembrance] Or, to the memoriall.
at the remembrance of his holinesse] Before his tabernacle.
V. 5. For his anger endureth but a moment] Heb. there is but a moment in his anger. His corrections last but a while, but his favour lasts all our life long, Isai. 54. 7, 8.
for a night] Heb. in the evening.
joy] Heb. singing.
V. 6. And in my prosperitie, I said] I put too much confidence in my quiet estate.
V. 7. thou hast made my mountain to stand strong] I thought thou hadst established me in Zion most surely.
made my mountain to stand strong] Heb. setled strength for my mountain.
hide thy face] Psal. 104. 29.
and I was troubled] After that thou hadst withdrawn thy help, I felt misery.
V. 9. What profit is there in my bloud] What honour will come to thee, O God, if I die a violent death?
shall the dust praise thee] Psal. 6. 5. and 88. 11. and 115. 17. Isai. 38. 18, 19.
shall it declare thy truth] The truth of thy promises, if they fail me.
V. 12. my glory] That is, my tongue, or, my soul. See notes on Psal. 16. 9.