Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 37 – Psalm 45
PSAL. XXXVII.
Vers. 1. FRet not thy self because of evil doers] Prov. 23. 17. and 24. 1, 19. He admonisheth us, neither to vex our selves for the prosperous estate of the wicked, v. 8. neither to desire to be like them, to make our state the better, nor to esteem our state worse then theirs.
V. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grasse] For Gods judgement cutteth down their state in a moment.
cut down like the grasse] Psal. 90. 5, 6. and 103. 15, 16.
V. 3. Trust in the Lord] To trust in God, and do according to his will, are sure tokens that his providence will never fail us.
verily] Or, in truth, or stablenesse.
V. 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord] Heb. roll thy way upon the Lord. Psal. 55. 22. Prov. 16. 3. Matth. 6. 25. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Be not led by thine own wisedom, but obey God, and he will finish his work in thee.
V. 6. as the light] As the hope of the day-light causeth us not to be offended with the darknesse of the night: so ought we patiently to trust that God will clear our cause, and restore us to our right.
the noon-day] Job 11. 17.
V. 7. Rest in the Lord] Heb. Be silent to the Lord, Exod. 14. 13, 14. 2 Chron. 20. 17.
who prospereth in his way] When God suffereth the wicked to prosper, it seemeth to the flesh that he favoureth their doings, Job 21. 7, &c. Psal. 50. 21.
V. 8. fret not thy self in any wise to do evil] Meaning, except he moderate his affections, he shall be led to do as they do.
V. 9. For evil doers shall be cut off] Psal. 55. 23.
V. 10. For yet a little while and the wicked shall not be] He correcteth the impatience of our nature, which cannot abide, till the fulnesse of Gods time come.
V. 11. But the meek shall inherite the earth] Matth. 5. 5.
V. 12. The wicked plotteth against the just] The godly are assured that the power and craft of the wicked shall not prevail against them, but fall on their own necks, and therefore ought patiently to abide Gods time, and in the mean while bewail their sins, and offer up their tears as a sacrifice of their obedience.
plotteth] Or, practiseth.
gnasheth upon him with his teeth] Psal. 35. 16.
V. 13. The Lord shall laugh at him] Psal. 2. 4.
V. 14. such as be of upright conversation] Heb. the upright of way.
V. 15. Their sword shall enter into their own heart] Their plots shall hurt themselves, and not others, whom they sought to hurt.
V. 16. A little that a righteous man hath] A good man hath more true comfort in a little, then a bad man in a great deal, because he hath Gods blessing with it, Prov. 16. 8, 16.
V. 17. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken] Psal. 10. 15. All their strength to do hurt withall, Ezek. 30. 24.
the Lord upholdeth the righteous] Though they be weak.
V. 18. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright] God knoweth what dangers hang over his, and by what means to deliver them. See v. 23, &c.
V. 19. they shall be satisfied] For God will give them contented mindes, and that which shall be necessary, psal. 36. 8.
V. 20. as the sat of lambs] They shall vanish away suddenly and eternally; for they are fed for the day of slaughter.
the fat of lambs] Heb. the preciousnesse of lambs.
V. 21. borroweth] Deut. 28. 44.
but the righteous sheweth mercy] God so furnisheth him with his blessings, that he is able to help others, psal. 112. 5.
giveth] Psal. 112. 9.
V. 22. such as be blessed of him] Of the LORD, v. 20.
V. 23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord] The steps of such a man: that is, of a man blessed of God, v. 22. God prospereth the faithfull, who walk in his way with an upright conscience, Jer. 10. 23.
ordered] Or, estall shed.
V. 24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down] Prov. 24. 16. 2 Cor. 4. 9. When God doth exercise his faith with divers tentations, Prov. 24. 16.
upholdeth him with his hand] Or, upholdeth his hand.
V. 26. ever] Heb. all the day.
his seed is blessed] Though the just man be liberall in his life, yet God blesseth his posterity, that they want not. This David speaks, of that which himself had observed.
V. 27. Depart from evil] Psal. 34. 14.
V. 29. inherite the land] Prov. 2. 21.
dwell therein for ever] He shall not be driven out of it till he die.
V. 30. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedom] Matth. 12. 35.
V. 31. The law of his God is in his heart] Psal. 40. 8.
steps] Or, goings.
V. 33. condemn him] Or, suffer him to be condemned, psal. 109. 31.
V. 34. keep his way] Psal. 18. 21.
see it] Psal. 91. 8.
V. 35. a green bay-tree] Or, a green tree that groweth in his own soil.
V. 36. Yet he passed away] So that the prosperity of the wicked is but as a cloud, which vanisheth away in a moment.
V. 37. Mark the perfect man] He exhorteth the faithfull to mark diligently the examples of Gods mercies, and also of his judgements, and assures them they shall not lose their labour.
end] Or, reward.
V. 38. end of the wicked shall be cut off] Or, reward of the wicked is, to be cut off.
V. 39. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord] He sheweth, that the patient hope of the godly is never in vain, but in the end hath good successe, though for a time God prove them with sundry tentations.
PSAL. XXXVIII.
Title. to bring to remembrance] Psal. 70. 1. To put himself and others in minde of Gods chastisement on him for his sin, that the fruit of it might not be lost: or, to put God in minde of him, that he may help him, and deliver him, psal. 70.
Vers. 1. REbuke me not in thy wrath] Psal. 6. 1. He desireth not to be exempted from Gods rod, but that he would so moderate his hand, that he might be able to bear it, psal. 6. 1. Jer. 10. 24.
V. 2. thine arrows stick fast in me] The diseases thou hast inflicted upon me, Job 6. 4.
V. 3. rest] Heb. peace, or health.
because of my sin] David acknowledgeth God to be just in punishing him, because his sins had deserved much more.
V. 4. mine iniquities are gone over mine head] They flow over my head like waters ready to drown me, psal. 42. 7.
V. 5. because of my foolishnesse] That rather gave place to mine own lusts, then to the will of God.
V. 6. troubled] Heb. wryed.
go mourning all the day long] Job 30. 28. Psal. 35. 14. and 42. 9.
V. 8. I have reared by reason of the disquietnesse of my heart] This example warneth us never to despair, be the torment never so great, but always to cry unto God with sure trust for deliverance, psal. 32. 3.
V. 10. My heart panteth] Heb. runneth about, or, is rossed to and fro: meaning, that he was destitute of all help and counsell.
as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me] Heb. and the light of mine eyes, yea, they themselves are not with me.
it also is gone from me] My sight faileth me for very sorrow.
is gone from me] Heb. is not with me.
V. 11. sore] Heb. stroke.
my kinsmen] Or, my neighbours.
my kinsmen stand afar off] Partly for fear, and partly for pride, they denied all duty and friendship, psal 31. 11.
V. 12. lay snares for me] To trouble me further, who was sick already.
V. 13. But I, as a deaf man, heard not] For I can have no audience before men, and therefore patiently wait for the help of God, psal. 39. 9. 2 Sam. 16. 9, 10.
V. 15. For in thee, O Lord, do I hope] He sheweth a reason of his silence, because he expected help from God.
in thee, O Lord, do I hope] Or, thee do I wait for.
hear] Or, answer.
V. 16. when my foot slippeth, they magnifie themselves against me] That is, if they see that thou succour me not in time, they will mock and triumph, as though thou hadst forsaken me.
V. 17. For I am ready to halt] I am without hope to recover my strength.
to halt] Heb. for halting.
V. 19. But mine enemies are lively] In my greatest weaknesse they were strongest.
are lively] Heb. being living, are strong.
they that hate me wrong fully are multiplied] Psal. 64. 4.
V. 20. render evil for good] Psal. 35. 12. and 109. 5.
because I follow the thing that good is] 1 Joh. 3. 12. He had rather have the hatred of all the world for his piety, then fail in any part of his duty to God-ward.
V. 22. to help] Heb. for my help.
O Lord my salvation] Which usest to deliver me, and I look to be delivered by thee now.
PSAL. XXXIX.
Title. Jeduthun] 1 Chron. 25. 1.
Vers. 1. I Said, I will take heed to my ways] Albeit he had determined in himself patiently to have tarried Gods leasure, yet the vehemency of his pain caused him to break his purpose.
I will keep my mouth with a bridle] As a beast is muzzled. Corruption must be kept in by violence, Jam. 1. 26.
keep my mouth with a bridle] Heb. keep the bridle to my mouth.
my mouth with a bridle] Heb. a bridle, or muzzle for my mouth.
V. 2. I was dumb with silence] Though he thought to have kept silence in the presence of the wicked, yet his sorrow caused him to change his minde.
stirred] Heb. troubled.
V. 3. then spake I with my tongue] He confesseth that he grudged against God, considering the greatnesse of his sorrows, and the shortnesse of his life.
V. 4. how frail I am] Or, what time I have here.
V. 5. tho… hast made my days as an hand breadth] That is, every day as an hand-breadth.
an hand-breadth] Heb. hand-breadths.
mine age is nothink before thee] Psal. 90. 4.
every man at his best state is altogether vanity] Yet David offended in that he reasoned with God, as though that he were too severe toward his weak creature.
at his best state] Heb. setled.
vanitie] Psal. 62. 9. and 144. 4.
V. 6. a vain shew] Heb. an image.
and knoweth not who shall gather them] Whether his children or strangers: and this troubles him, Eccles. 2. 18, 19.
V. 8. make me not the reproach of the foolish] Make me not a mocking-stock to the wicked man, psal. 14. 1, 2.
V. 9. I was dumb] That which I could not attain to by reason, while l looked at the second causes, v. 3. now I have obtained by grace, looking up to thee: I keep silence. See Levit. 10. 3.
was] Or, am.
opened] Or, open.
V. 10. blow] Heb. conflict.
V. 11. thou makest] Though thy open plagues light not upon him, yet thy secret curse continually fretteth them.
his beauty to consume away] Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away. The word signifieth, all that is desirable in him, as health, force, strength, beauty.
like a moth] Suddenly, as a moth is crushed, Job. 4. 19. or, insensibly, as a moth devours a garment, Job 13. 28. Hos. 5. 12.
surely every man is vanity] Though in a naturall course man discerns not himself to be vanity, yet when Gods anger lay… hold on him, it appears what he is. He alludes to the names of Adam and Abel, as also Psal. 144. 4.
V. 12. for I am a stranger] Levit. 25. 23. 1 Chron. 29. 15. Psal. 119. 19. Heb. 11. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 11. I have but a while to stay, and free to thy protection, therefore spare me, psal. 102. 23, 24. and 119. 84.
as all my fathers were] Protect me, as thou hast done my fathers, being strangers as I am, Gen. 47. 9.
V. 13. before I go hence] He shews that he should die quickly, unlesse God gave him ease.
and be no more] Here in this life. See Job 16. 22.
PSAL. XL.
Vers. 1. I Waited patiently] Heb. In waiting I waited. Though God deferred his help, yet he patiently abode, till he was heard, psal. 37. 7.
V. 2. out of an herrible pit] He hath delivered me from most great dangers. The word signifies, a dungeon, which eccho's and resounds with dreadfull noises.
an horrible pit] Heb. a pit of …ise.
mirie clay] Psal. 69. 2. Jer. 38. 6. Zech. 9. 11.
V. 3. a new song] That is, a speciall occasion to praise him: for Gods benefits are so many occasions for us to praise his Name.
V. 4. and respecteth not the proud] To follow their example … which he must needs do, that trusteth not onelyonly in the LORD.
V. 5. O Lord my God] David goeth from one kinde of Gods favour to the contemplation of his providence over all, and confesseth, that his counsels toward us, are far above our capacities; we cannot so much as tell them in order.
they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee] Or, none can order them unto thee.
V. 6. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire] Psal. 51. 16. Isai. 1. 11. and 66. 3. Hos. 6. 6. Matth. 12. 7. Heb. 10. 5.
mine ears hast thou opened] Isai. 50. 5. Job 33. 16. and 36. 15. Thou hast opened mine ears to understand the spirituall meaning of the sacrifices: and here David esteemeth the ceremonies of the law nothing, in respect of the spirituall service. Or, thou hast bored mine ear, to make me obedient and serviceable to thee.
opened] Heb. digged, or bored, Exod. 21. 6.
V. 7. Then said I] When thou hadst opened mine ears and heart, I was ready to obey thee, as was forerold in Scripture.
V. 8. within my heart] Heb. in the midst of my bowels.
my heart] Psal. 37. 31. Jer. 31. 33.
V. 9. in the great congregation] In the Church assembled is the Sanctuary.
V. 11. loving kindnesse and thy truth continually preserve me] Psal. 57. 3. and 61. 8.
V. 12. mine iniquities have taken hold upon me] That is, the punishment of mine iniquities, Gen. 4. 13. psal. 31. 10. sinne lays hold on us, when it brings us to punishment, Num. 32. 23. Job 8. 4.
not able to look up] Psal. 38. ….
my heart faileth me] As touching the judgement of the flesh, I was utterly destitute of all counsell, yet faith inwardly moved my heart to pray, psal. 73. 26.
faileth] Heb. forsaketh.
V. 14. Let them be ashamed] He desireth that Gods mercy may contend for him against the rage of his enemies.
Let them be ashamed and confounded together, that seek after my soul] Psal. 35. 4, 26. and 70. 3, 4.
V. 15. Let them be desolate] Let the same shame and confusion light upon them, which they intended to have brought upon me.
that say unto me, Aha, aha] The wicked mock Gods children in their afflictions.
Aha, aha] Psal. 35. 21, 25.
V. 16. The Lord be magnified] The faithfull delight in praising God for his benefits.
PSAL. XLI.
Vers. 1. THat considereth the poor] That judgeth wisely of the measure and cause of their affliction, and dealeth with them accordingly.
the poor] Or, the weak, or sick.
in time of trouble] Heb. in the day of evil.
V. 2. thou wilt not deliver] Or, do not thou deliver.
V. 3. thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse] Thou givest him ease, as they do to sick men that make their beds.
make] Heb. turn.
V. 4. I have sinned against thee] I do with grief acknowledge that I have offended thee.
V. 5. Mine enemies speak evil of me] That is, curse me, and cannot have their cruell hate quenched, but with my shamefull death.
V. 6. And if he come to see me] Any one of my enemies, v. 5. or some principall one.
he speaketh vanity] For, pretending to comfort me, he conspireth my death in his heart, and braggeth thereof.
to it self] None need teach him to devise how to destroy me.
V. 7. my kurt] Heb. evil to me.
V. 8. An evil disease] Heb. A thing of Belial.
An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him] The enemies thought, by his sharp punishment, that God was become his mortall enemy, for some great sin committed, Act. 28. 4.
V. 9. Yea, mine own familiar friend] Not mine enemies onelyonly, but my neerest friend conspired against me.
mine own familiar friend] Heb. the man of my peace.
which did eat of my bread] He means some courtier, perhaps Ahithophel, psal. 55. 13. Christ applies it to Judas, Joh. 13. 18.
hath lift up his heel against me] Like a wilde horse, to kick at me, or trample me under foot.
lift up] Heb. magnified.
V. 11. By this I know that thou favourest me] Psal. 86. 17.
V. 12. thou upholdest me in mine integrity] Either in prosperity of life, or in the true fear of God against all tentations.
and settest me before thy face for ever] Shewing me evident signes of thy fatherly providence.
V. 13. Amen, and amen] By this repetition, he stirreth up the faithfull to praise God.
PSAL. XLII.
Title. Maschil, for the sons of Korah] Or, a psalm giving instruction, of the sons, &c.
for the sons of Korah] To be sung by them in after-times.
Vers. 1. AS the hart panteth after the water-brooks] By these similitudes of thirst and panting, he sheweth his fervent desire to serve God in his temple, psal. 119. 131.
panteth] Heb. brayeth.
V. 2. thirsteth for God] Psal. 63. 1, 2. and 84. 2.
for the living God] Hereby he is distinguished from idols, psal. 106. 28. 1 Thess. 1. 9.
V. 3. My tears have been my meat] I could not eat my meat for weeping, psal. 102. 9.
Where is thy God?] He hath quite forsaken thee.
V. 4. When I remember these things] The contempt from mine enemies, and mine absence from Gods house.
I pour out my soul in me] My strength and comfort is melted away, Job 30. 16. Psal. 22. 14.
I had gone with the multitude] Pressing to go in before others.
that kept holy-day] They kept feasts when they went to sacrifice, Exod. 23. 14. Deut. 16. 14, 15. Isai. 30. 29.
V. 5. cast down] Heb. bowed down.
hope thou in God] Though he sustained grievous assaults of the flesh to cast him into despair, yet his faith, grounded on Gods accustomed mercies, getteth the victory.
I shall yet praise him] Though my state be low, yet God will give me cause to praise him, by raising …re.
praise him] Or, give thanks.
for the help of his countenance] Or, his presence is salvation.
V. 6. therefore] Because I finde no help in my self nor others.
from the land of Jordan] In the places of my banishment among the mountains.
the hill Mizar] Or, the little hill.
V. 7. Deep calleth unto deep] Afflictions come so thick upon me, that I felt my self, as it were, over-whelmed, as with a storm at sea, psal. 88. 7.
V. 8. Yet the Lord will command his loving kindnesse in the daytime] He assureth himself of Gods help in time to come.
command his loving kindnesse] Psal. 44. 4.
and in the night his song shall be with me] God will give me cause to praise him in the night, Job 35. 10. Isai. 30. 29.
my prayer unto the God of my life] That saves my life miraculously.
V. 10. As with a sword in my bones] That is, I am most grievously tormented.
with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me] Psal. 35. 15.
sword] Or, killing.
V. 11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul] This repetition doth declare, that David did not overcome at once; to teach us to be constant, forasmuch as God will certainly deliver his.
PSAL. XLIII.
Vers. 1. JƲdge me] Or, Judge for me, psal. 28. 1. or, Deliver me, 1 Sam. 8. 20. or, Defend, psal. 82. 3.
Judge me, O God] He desireth God to undertake his cause against the enemies, but chiefly, that he would restore him to his tabernacle.
against an ungodly nation] That is, the cruell company of mine enemies.
ungodly] Or, unmercifull.
from the deceitfull and unjust man] Heb. from a man of deceit and iniquity.
V. 3. O send out thy light] To wit, thy favour, which appeareth by the performance of thy promises.
V. 4. Then will I go unto the altar of God] Isai. 38. 22. He promiseth to offer a solemn sacrifice of thanksgiving, in token of his great deliverance.
my exceedeng joy] Heb. the gladnesse of my joy.
V. 5. Why art thou cast down, O my soul] Psal. 42. 5, 11. See Notes on psal. 42. v. 11.
PSAL. XLIIII.
Vers. 1. WE have heard with our ears] This psalm seemeth to have been made by some excellent prophet, for the use of the people, when the Church was in extreme misery, either at their return from Babylon, or under Antiochus, or in such like afflictions.
V. 2. How thou didst drive out the heathen] That is, the Canaanites.
plantedst them] Psal. 80. 8. To wit, our fathers.
how thou didst afflict the people] Of Canaan.
V. 3, For] Or, That, or How.
got not the land in possession by their own sword] Deut. 8. 17.
by their own sword] They fought valiantly at Gods command, yet God did help miraculously, v. 6.
light of thy countenance] Psal. 4. 6. and 89. 15.
because thou hadst a favour unto them] Gods free mercy and love is the onelyonly fountain of good to us, Deut. 4. 37.
V. 4. Thou art my King] Because thou art our King, therefore deliver thy people from their misery.
command deliverances for Jacob] Deut. 28. 8. Psal. 42. 8.
V. 5. Through thee will we push down our enemies] Pushing and treading under, signifie subduing, Deut. 33. 17. 1 King. 22. 11. Dan. 8. 4. 2 Chron. 22. 7.
V. 6. trust in thy bowne] Psal. 20. 7.
V. 8. boast] Or, glory, as psal. 56. 4.
V. 11. like sheep appointed for meat] Heb. as sheep of meat.
V. 12. Thou sellest thy people for nought] As slaves, which are sold for a lowe price, neither lookest thou for him that offereth most, but takest the first chapman.
for nought] Heb. without riches.
V. 13. Thou makest us a repreach to our neighbours] Psal. 79. 4.
V. 14. Thou makest us a by-word among the heathen] Jer. 24. 9. Deut. 28. 37.
V. 15. My confusion is continually before me] I dare not lift up my head for shame.
V. 16. and avenger] Meaning the proud and cruell tyrant, psal. 8. 2.
V. 18. steps] Or, goings.
V. 19. in the place of dragons] Into desolate places, Isai 34. 13. and 35. 7. Or, of whales, that is, as into the bottom of the sea, where we may be sunk or devoured, Jon. 2. 3. See the power of faith, which can be overcome by no perills.
dragons] Or, whales, as Gen. 1. 21. Psal. 73. 13.
V. 20. to a strange God] They shew that they honoured God aright, because they trusted in him alone.
V. 21. Shall not God search this out?] They take God to witnesse, that they were upright to him-ward.
V. 22. Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long] Rom. 8. 36.
for thy sake are we killed] The faithfull make this their comfort, That the wicked punish them not for their sins, but for Gods cause, Matth. 5. 10. 1 Pet. 4. 14.
V. 23. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?] Psal. 7. 6. and 35. 23. and 59. 4. and 78. 65. There is no hope of recovery, except thou put to thine hand, and raise us up.
V. 24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face?] Psal. 10. 1.
V. 25. soul is bowed down to the dust] Psal. 119. 25.
V. 26. for our help] Heb. a help for us.
for thy mercies sake] Which are the onelyonly sufficient means to deliver soul and body from all kinde of slavery and misery.
PSAL. XLV.
Title. Shoshannim] An instrument of six strings.
Maschil] Or, of instruction.
A song of loves] Of the love betwixt Solomon, and Pharaohs daughter, typifying the love of Christ and the church: or, of the beloved ones, kings daughters attending on the bride, verse 9.
Vers. 1. IS enditing] Heb. boileth, or bubbleth up.
V. 2. Thou art fairer then the children of men] Solomons beautie and eloquence to win favour with his people, and his power to overcome his enemies, is here described.
grace is poured into thy lips] Power to speak learnedly, and elegantly, Isai. 50. 4.
V. 4. ride prosperously] Heb. prosper thou, ride thou.
because of truth] He alludeth to them that ride in chariots, in their triumphs; shewing, that the quiet state of a kingdom, standeth in truth, meeknesse, and justice, not in worldly pomp, and vanitie.
V. 6. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever] Heb. 1. 8. Under this figure, of this kingdom of justice, is set forth, the everlasting kingdom of Christ.
V. 7. thy God hath anointed thee] Isai. 61. 1. Hath established thy kingdom, as the figure of Christs, wherein is peace and joy.
above thy fellows] John 3. 34.
V. 8. …vorie palaces] 1 King. 22. 39. Cant. 7. 4.
whereby they have made thee glad] Or, more then theirs that made thee glad: That is, thy fellows, verse 7. Or, out of the places wherein they have. Joyfull to see them give thanks, and rejoyce for thee.
V. 9. upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir] Though Solomon had many kings daughters among his wives, or attendants on his bride, yet Pharaohs daughter was accounted Queen.
V. 10. forget also thine own people] Under the figure of Pharaohs daughter he sheweth, that the Church must cast off all carnall affection to obey Christ her husband onelyonly, Gen. 2. 24. Matth. 10. 37.
V. 12. with a gift] Psal. 72. 10. and 68. 29. and 76. 11.
thy favour] Heb. thy face, Psal. 27. 8.
V. 13. The kings daughter is all glorious within] Though she may wear gold without, yet she is more rich in graces within.
V. 15. gladnesse] Heb. gladnesses. That is, abundance of gladnesse.
V. 16. In stead of thy fathers shall be thy children] They shall have greater grace then their fathers.
whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth] He signifieth the great compasse of Christs kingdom, which shall be sufficient to enrich all his members.