Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 58 – Psalm 67
PSAL. LVIII.
Title. Al-taschith] Or, Destroy not, a golden Psalm of David] See notes on Psal. 57. …it.
Vers. 1. O Congregation?] O company of my enemies, that are in authority.
V. 2. you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth] Ye seem to proceed by law against men, weighing their deeds and rewards: but indeed ye weigh out wrong for right.
V. 3. The wicked are estranged from the womb] That is, enemies to the people of God even from their birth.
estranged] Eph. 4. 18.
from the womb] Isai. 48. 8.
assoon as they be born] Heb. from the belly.
V. 4. like the poyson] Heb. according to the likenesse.
they are like the deaf adder] They will hear nothing that may inform them in the right.
adder] Or, asp.
stoppeth her ear] Acts 7. 57.
V. 5. charming never so wisely] Or, be the charmer never so cunning.
V. 6. Break their teeth] Take away all occasions and means, whereby they hurt, Psal. 3. 7.
V. 7. Let them melt away as waters] Considering Gods divine power, he sheweth, That God in a moment can destroy their force, whereof they brag.
bendeth his bowe to shoot his arrows] Psal. 64. 3.
V. 8. the untimely birth of a woman] Eccles. 6. 3, 5. Job 3. 16.
V. 9. Before your pots can feel the thorns] They shall be destroyed suddenly, before a fire of thorns, which is the quickest, can warm meat, Eccles. 7. 6.
both living, and in his wrath] Heb. as living as wrath.
V. 10. The righteous shall rejoyce] With a pure affection.
in the blood of the wicked] Their punishment and slaughter shall be so great.
V. 11. Verily there is a reward for the righteous] Seeing such a difference put between the godly and ungodly, they shall acknowledge it to be Gods doing, and not mans.
a reward for the] Heb. fruit of the, &c.
PSAL. LIX.
Title. Al-taschith, Michtam of David] Destroy not, a golden psalm of David, psal. 58. tit.
when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him] 1 Sam. 19. 11.
Vers. 1. DEliver me from mine enemies] Because his enemies were even at hand to destroy him, he prayeth God to deliver him.
enemies] See psal. 54. 51.
desend me from them that rise up against me] Heb. set …ne on high. That is, set me where my foes cannot reach me.
V. 3. not for my transgression] For I am innocent to themwards, and have not offended them, psal. 7. 4. and 35. 7.
V. 4. awake to help me] God seems to sleep, when good men are oppressed, psal. 35. 23.
to help me] Heb. to meet me.
behold] Consider in what danger I am.
V. 5. awake to visite all the heathen] Saul and his watchmen, that carry themselves cruelly against me like heathen men: or, some heathen might be among them.
be not mercifull to any wicked transgressours] Seeing it appertaineth to God to punish the wicked, he desireth God to execute his vengeance on the malicious persecutours of his Church.
V. 6. They return at the evening] They go to hunt me out, like beagles.
they make a noise like a dog] Out of a desire to devour me, psal. 5. 9.
and go reund about the city] Watching me, that I may not escape.
V. 7. they belch out with their mouth] Speak often of murdering me.
swords are in their lips] Psal. 57. 4.
who (say they) doth hear?] Psal. 10. 11. and 73. 11. and 94. 7. Either to warn David, that he may escape: or, to punish us.
V. 8. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them] Thou not onelyonly seest, but wilt make their plots vain, that they may be derided.
laugh at them] Psal. 2. 4.
V. 9. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee] Because Sauls power is great, therefore I will trust in thee, that art stronger.
my defence] Heb. my high place.
V. 10. The God of my mercy] Or, My mercifull God.
The God of my mercy shall prevent me] God will deliver me before I pray to him, or, before I expect deliverance.
see my desire upon mine enemies] Psal. 54. 7.
mine enemies] Heb. mine observers.
V. 11. Slay them not] Altogether, but by little and little, that the people, seeing oftentimes their judgements, may be mindfull of thee.
scatter them by thy power] Make them vagabonds and base people.
V. 12. the sin of their mouth] Prov. 12. 13.
let them be taken even in their pride] That in their misery and shame they may be as glasses and examples of Gods vengeance.
V. 13. Consume them in wrath] When the time shall come, and when they have sufficiently served for an example of thy vengeance unto others.
let them know that God ruleth in Jacob] Not they that are consumed, but others far remote.
them] Or, men, psal. 83. 18.
V. 14. And at evening let them return] He mocks them, and sets down their punishment in the words their sin was set out by, v. 6. Before, they did run about for malice, now let them do it for hunger.
V. 15. for meat] Heb. to eat.
and grudge if they be not satisfied] Or, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night.
V. 16. in the morning] In the time when they thought to have killed me, 1 Sam. 19. 11.
V. 17. O my strength] Confessing himself to be void of all strength, he attributeth the whole to God.
the God of my mercy] See v. 10.
PSAL. LX.
Title. Shushan eduth] It seems to be some musicall instrument of six strings, psal. 45. title, made in honour of the place where the testimony was kept.
Michtam] Or, a golden psalm.
when he strove with Aram-naharaim, &c.] 2 Sam. 8. 3, 13. 1 Chron. 18. 3.
with Aram-zobah] Called also Sophens, which standeth by Euphrates.
Vers. 1. THou hast cast us off] Psal. 44. 9.
thou hast scattered us] When they were not able to resist their enemies, the people fled hither and thither, for they could not be safe in their own houses.
scattered] Heb. broken.
V. 2. earth] Or, land.
thou hast broken it] As if it were cleft with an earth-quake.
V. 3. hard things] Thou hast heretofore handled thy people sharply, so that they have lost sense and judgement.
V. 4. a banner to them that fear thee] But in affording succour, and giving me victory over the enemies, thou hast now dealt favourably with us, psal. 20. 5. and 74. 4. Isai. 49. 21.
because of the truth] Not for our merits, but to shew the truth of thy promise.
V. 5. That thy beleved may be delivered] Psal. 108. 6, &c. From the remnant of their adversaries.
V. 6. God hath spoken in his holinesse] It is so certain, as if it were spoken by an oracle, that I shall enjoy these places.
V. 7. Ephraim also is the strength of mine head] For it was strong, and well peopled.
Judah is my law-giver] It shall be the ruling tribe, Genes. 49. 10.
V. 8. Moab is my wash-pet] In most vile subjection, as men used to washing other mens feet, 1 Sam. 25. 41.
wash-pot] Or, washing-pot, or pot to wash in.
over] Or, on, or at.
over Edom will I cast cut my shoe] In scorn and contempt of that proud nation, I will cast my shoe at him, or to him, to make clean.
triumph thou because of me] Or, triumph thou over me (by an ironie) Shout for joy that ye come under my goverment.
V. 9. into the strong citie] He was assured that God would give him the strong cities of his enemies, wherein they thought themselves sure.
strong city] Heb. city of strength.
V. 10. hadst cast us off?] Psal. 44. 9. and 108. 11.
V. 11. vain is the help of man] Psal. 118. 8, 9. and 146. 3.
help] Heb. salvation.
V. 12. valiantly] Num. 24. 18.
PSAL. LXI.
Title. Neginah] See Notes on psal. 4. title.
Vers. 2. FRom the end of the earth] From the place of my banishment, being remote.
that is higher then I] Unto the which, without thy help, I cannot attain; and where I shall be safe.
V. 3. For thou hast been a shelter for me] He urgeth God with his former experience, and Gods constancy, 1 Sam. 17. 37.
V. 4. must] Or, make my resuge.
V. 5. For thou, O God, hast heard] There is nothing that doth more strengthen our faith, then the remembrance of Gods succour in times past.
my vows] Delivered me, that I might perform my vows, verse 8.
V. 6. Thou wilt prolong the kings life] Heb. thou shalt adde days to the days of the King] This chiefly is to be referred to Christ, who lives for ever, and is Davids Son.
as many generations] Heb. as generation and generation.
V. 7. O prepare mercy] For the stability of my kingdom standeth in thy mercy and truth, psal. 25. 10. and 85. 10. Proverbs 20. 28.
PSAL. LXII.
Vers. 1. TRuely] Or, OnelyOnly. Though satan tempted him to murmure against God, yet he bridled his affections, and resting upon Gods promise, beareth his crosse patiently, psal. 73. 1.
waiteth] Heb. is silent.
V. 2. He onelyonly is my rock] It appeareth by the repetition of this word, that the prophet abode manifold tentations; but by resting on God, and by patience, he overcame them all.
defence] Heb. high place.
V. 3. against a man?] He meaneth himself, being the man whom God had appointed to be king, psal. 4. 3.
a bowing wall shall ye be] Isai. 30. 13.
as a tottering fen…e] Though ye seem to be in honour, yee God will suddenly destroy you.
V. 4. They onelyonly consult to cast him down] It is the scope of all their consultations.
they blesse with their mouth, but they curse inwardly] Psal. 28. 3. and 58. 21.
inwardly] Heb. in their inward parts.
V. 5. wait thou onelyonly upon God] David was greatly moved with these troubles, therefore he stirreth up himself to trust in God.
V. 7. and my glory] These vehement and often repetitions were necessary, to strengthen his faith against the horrible assaults of satan.
V. 8. pour out your heart before him] 1 Sam. 1. 15. Lam. 2. 19. He admonisheth us of our wicked nature, who rather hide our sorrows, and bite on the bridle, then utter our grief to God, to obtain remedy, 1 Sam. 1. 15.
V. 9. they are altogether lighter then vanity] If all men were weighed together in one balance, they would be lighter then vanity, Isai. 40. 15, 17.
altogether] Or, alike.
V. 10. become not vain in robberie] Trust not in vain things.
set not your heart upon them] Psal. 24. 4. Jer. 9. 23. Ezek. 28. 5. By joying overmuch, or trusting in them.
V. 11. God hath spoken once] He hath plainly born witnesse of his power, so that no man need doubt thereof; for he hath spoken it again and again.
power] Or, strength.
V. 12. for thou rendrest to every man according to his work] Job 34. 11. Prov. 24. 12. Jer. 32. 19. Ezek. 7. 27. Matth. 16. 27. Rom. 2. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Ephes. 6. 8. Coloss. 3. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 17. Revel. 22. 12. For the wicked feel thy power, and the godly, thy mercy.
PSAL. LXIII.
Title. when he was in the wildernesse of Judah] 1 Sam. 22. 5.
Vers. 1. MY soul thirsteth for thee] Psal. 42. 2.
my flesh longeth] Psal. 84. 2.
thirstie] Heb. weary.
thirstie land] Though he was both hungry, and in great distresse, yet he made God his sufficiency, and above all meat and drink.
where no water is] Heb. without water.
V. 2. To see thy power] In this misery I long more for the pleasures of the sanctuary, then for bodily relief.
see thy power and thy glory] Psal. 27. 4.
V. 3. thy loving kindnesse is better then life] Psal. 30. 5.
V. 4. Thus will I blesse thee] When I am restored to the Sanctuary, I will praise thee as long as I live.
V. 5. marrow] Heb. fatnesse.
and fatnesse] The remembrance of thy favour is more sweet unto me then all the pleasures and dainties of the world, psal. 4. 7.
V. 6. When] Heb. If, Am. 7. 2.
V. 8. My soul followeth] Heb. cleaveth; Sticks so close to thee in piety and confidence, that no trouble can remove me.
V. 9. shall go into the lower parts of the earth] They shall be slain, and made fit for buriall, though they shall not have the honour to be buried, but be left on the earth for foxes to devour, v. 10.
V. 10. They shall fall by the sword] Heb. they shall make him run out like water by the hands of the sword.
V. 11. every one that sweareth by him] That worshipeth God aright, Isai. 65. 16. Jor. 4. 1, 2. Deut. 6. 12, 13.
mouth of them that speak lyes, shall be stopped] Psal. 107. 42.
PSAL. LXIIII.
Vers. 1. HEar my voice] In that he calleth to God with his voice, it is a signe that his prayer was vehement, and that his life was in danger.
from fear of the enemy] That I may not fear the enemy.
V. 2. from the secret counsell] That is, from their secret malice.
from the insurrection] To wit, their outward violence.
V. 3. Who whet their tongue] Psal. 11. 2.
bend their bowes] Psal. 58. 7.
even bitter words] False reports and slanders.
V. 4. shoot in secret at the perfect] Psal. 11. 2.
and fear not] Without any fear of God, or reverence of man.
V. 5. They encourage themselves in an evil matter] The more that the wicked see Gods children in misery, the more bold and impudent are they in oppressing them.
matter] Or, speech.
commune of laying snares privily] Prov. 1. 11.
laying snares] Heb. to hide snares.
V. 6. they accomplish a diligent search] Or, we are consumed by that which they have thorowly searched.
a diligent search] Heb. a search searched.
both the inward thoughts of every one of them, and the heart is deep] The more that the wicked see Gods children in misery, the more bold and impudent are they in oppressing them.
V. 7. shall they be wounded] Heb. their wound shall be.
V. 8. shall flee away] There is no way so secret and subtill to do hurt, which they invented not for his destruction.
V. 10. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord] Psal. 32. 11. To see Gods heavie judgements against them, and how he hath caught them in their own snares.
and shall trust in him] When they shall consider that he will be favourable to them, as he was to his servant David.
PSAL. LXV.
Title. A psalm and song] See Notes on the title of psal. 30.
Vers. 1. PRaise waiteth for thee] Thou givest daily new occasions to thy Church to praise thee.
waiteth] Heb. is silent.
V. 2. unto thee shall all flesh come] Not onelyonly the Jews, but also the Gentiles, in the Kingdom of Christ.
V. 3. Iniquities] Heb. words, or matters of iniquities.
Iniquities prevail against me] He imputeth it to his sins, and to the sins of the people, that God, who was accustomed to assist them, withdraweth his succour from them. Or, wicked men prevail with evil counsels.
V. 4. thou chusest] Psal. 106. 5.
satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house] Psal. 36. 8.
V. 5. wilt thou answer us] Thou wilt declare thy self to be the preserver of the Church, in destroying thine enemies, as thou didst in the red-sea.
afar off upon the sea] As of all barbarous nations, and inhabitants of islands or sea-coasts.
V. 6. girded with power] Psal. 93. 1.
V. 7. Which stillest the neise of the seas] Matth. 8. 26. He sheweth that there is no part nor creature in the world, which is not governed by Gods power and providence.
the tumult of the people] Isai. 17. 12, 13.
V. 8. thou makest the out-goings of the morning and evening to rejoyce] God gives those that dwell in the east and west cause to fear and love him.
to rejoyce] Or, to sing.
V. 9. Thou visitest the earth] To wit, with rain.
waterest it] Or, after thou hadst made it to desire rain.
with the river of God] The rain that falls plentifully.
when thou hast so provided for it] Thou hast appointed the earth to bring forth food for mans use.
V. 10. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly] By this description he sheweth, that all the order of nature is a testimony of Gods love toward us, who causeth all creatures to serve our necessity.
thou setlest the furrows thereof] Or, thou causest rain to descend into the furrows thereof.
thou makest it soft] Heb. thou dissolvest it.
V. 11. the yeer with thy goodnesse] Heb. the yeer of thy goodnesse.
thy paths drop fatnesse] The clouds, where thy chariots go.
V. 12. upon the pastures of the wildernesse] That there may be food for beasts.
the little hills rejoyce] Are filled with grasse, and have cause to rejoyce, if they could; and give cause to man to praise God with heart and tongue, psal. 147. 8.
rejoyce] Heb. are girded with joy.
PSAL. LXVI.
Title. A song or psalm] See the Notes on the title of psal. 48.
Vers. 1. ALl ye lands] Heb. all the earth. He prophesieth that all nations shall come to the knowledge of God, who then was onelyonly known in Judea.
V. 3. submit] Or, yeeld feigned obedience, psal. 18. 44. Heb. lye. As the faithfull shall obey God willingly, so the infidels for fear, shall dissemble themselves to be subject, because of Gods great works, psal. 18. 44.
V. 5. Come and see the works of God] Psal. 46. 8. He toucheth the slothfull dulnesse of man, who is cold in the consideration of Gods works.
toward the children of men] His providence is wonderfull in maintaining their state, psal. 111. 2, 3.
V. 6. He turned the sea into drie land] By giving a passage thorow the red-sea, he finished our deliverance out of Egypt; and by making a way thorow Jordan, he gave us an entrance into Canaan, Exod. 14. 21. Josh. 3. 14.
V. 7. his eyes behold the nations] Psal. 11. 4. and 33. 13.
V. 9. Which holdeth our soul in life] He signifieth a speciall benefit of God, in delivering them from dangers mentioned in the verses following.
holdeth] Heb. putteth.
V. 10. silver is tried] Isai. 48. 10. Job 23. 10.
V. 11. Thou broughtest us into the net] Gods people may be brought into troubles, made subject unto tyrants, and enter into manifold dangers, as beasts are taken, loaden, rid on.
V. 12. wealthy] Heb. moist.
V. 13. I will go into thy house] Gods people are willing to render praise to God for his benefits.
V. 14. uttered] Heb. opened.
V. 15. fatlings] Heb. marrow.
V. 16. Come and hear, all ye that fear God] It is not enough to have received Gods benefits, and to be mindfull thereof, but also we are bound to make others profit thereby, and praise God, psal. 40. 9, 10.
V. 18. If I regard iniquity in my heart] If I delight in wickednesse, God will not hear me; but if I confesse it, he will receive me.
PSAL. LXVII.
Title. Neginoth] See Notes on the title of psal. 4.
A psalm or song] See Notes on the title of psal. 30.
Vers. 1. CAuse his face to shine upon us] Psal. 4. 6.
to shine upon us] That is, move our hearts with his holy Spirit, that we may feel his favour toward us, psal. 4. 6.
upon us] Heb. with us.
V. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth] That the Gentiles may be converted unto God, Tit 2. 11. Luk. 2. 32.
V. 4. O let the nations be glad] By these oft repetitions he sheweth, that the people can never rejoyce sufficiently, and give thanks for the great benefits that they shall receive under the kingdom of Christ.
righteously] Psal. 96. 13.
and govern the nations upon earth] Heb. lead gently, as a sheepherd leads his sheep.
govern] Heb. lead.
V. 6. Then shall the earth yeeld her encrease] Psal. 85. 12. He sheweth, that where God favoureth, there shall be abundance of all things.
V. 7. all the ends of the earth shall fear him] When they feel his great benefits, both spirituall and corporall toward them, then they shall serve God aright.