Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 86 – Psalm 88
PSAL. LXXXVI.
Title. A prayer of David] Or, a prayer, being a psalm of David.
Vers. 1. BOw down thine ear] David in persecution thus prayed, leaving the same to the Church, as a mo…ment, how to seek redresse against their miseries.
V. 2. for I am holy] And therefore I have done them no harm, but am persecuted for my piety.
holy] Or, one whom thou favourest: or, hountifull.
V. 3. for I crie unto thee daily] Which shews how earnestly he longed for deliverance.
daily] Heb. all the day.
V. 4. unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul] Psal. 25. 1.
V. 6. For thou, Lord, art good, and readie to forgive] Joel 2. 13.
V. 6. attend to the voice of my supplications] By crying and calling continually, he sheweth that we ought not to be weary, though God grant not forthwith our request, but that we must earnestly and often call upon him, v. 7.
V. 8. neither are there any works like unto thy works] Deut. 3. 24.
like unto thy works] He condemneth all idolls, forasmuch as they can do no great works to declare that they are gods, Isai. 41. 23.
V. 10. thou art God alone] Deut. 6. 4. and 32. 39. Isai. 37. 16. and 44. 6. Mark 12. 29. 1 Cor. 8. 4. Ephes. 4. 6.
V. 11. Teach me thy way] He confesseth himself ignorant, till God hath taught him; and his heart variable and separated from God, till God joyn it to him, and confirm it in his obedience.
Teach me thy way, O Lord, I will walk in thy truth] Psal. 25. 3. and 119. 33.
V. 13. from the lowest hell] That is, from most great danger of death, out of which none but onelyonly the mighty hand of God could deliver him.
hell] Or, grave.
V. 14. violent] Heb. terrible.
have sought after my soul] He sheweth, that there can be no moderation nor equity where proud tyrants reign; and that the lack of Gods fear is a priviledge to all vice and cruelty.
have not set thee before them] Psal. 54. 3.
V. 15. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion] Deut. 34. 6. Num. 14. 18. Psal. 103. 8. and 139. 4. and 145. 8.
V. 16. servant, and save the son of thine hand-maid] Psal. 116. 16.
save the son of thine hand-maid] He boasteth not of his own vertues, but confesseth that God of his free goodnesse hath ever been mercifull unto him, and given him power against his enemies, as to one of his own houshold.
V. 17. Shew me a token] Deliver me in that manner, that it may evidently appear that I am singularly beloved of thee.
for good] That my enemies may not dare to meddle with me any more, but I may be safe ever after, psal. 41. 10, 11.
PSAL. LXXXVII.
Title. A psalm or song] See Notes on the title of psal. 30.
for] Or, of.
Vers. 1. HIs foundation] God's, v. 2. who did choose the mountains there to build his temple on.
V. 3. Glorious things are spoken of thee] Though thy glorious estate do not yet appear, yet thou shalt be famous in aftertimes.
V. 4. Ethiopia] Heb. Cush.
this man was born there] Each of these countreys have bred some famous man or other, but Zion shall bring forth a multitude of men far more excellent.
V. 6. that this man was born there] The most excellent man of all. Perhaps he means Christ, who was to be born among the Jews.
V. 7. all my springs are in thee] The prophet sets his whole affections and comfort in the Church.
PSAL. LXXXVIII.
Title. A song or psalm] See Notes on the title of psal. 48.
for] Or, of.
Mahalath Leannath] On a winde-instrument, to sing by courses, as Exod. 15. 21. Ezra 3. 11. See Notes on the title of psal. 5. Or, of the disease afflicting.
Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite] Or, a psalm of Heman the Ezrahite, giving instruction.
Heman the Ezrahite] See 1 King. 4. 31.
Vers. 1. I Have cried day and night] Though many crie in their sorrows, yet they crie not earnestly to God for remedy, as he did, who confesseth God to be the author of his salvation.
V. 2. Let my prayer come before thee] The word, prayer, signifieth the matter, that he had just occasion to complain to God of his enemies hard usage of him: and the word, crie, signifieth the manner, that is, the earnestnesse of his prayer.
V. 3. full of troubles] Psal. 123. 3.
V. 5. Free among the dead] No more regarded then a man dead and buried, psal 31. 12.
from thy hand] Rather, by thy hand, because he speaks of men slain.
V. 7. with all thy waves] The storms of thy wrath have overwhelmed me, psal. 42. 7.
waves] Psal. 42. 7.
V. 8. mine acquaintance] He attributeth the losse and displeasure of his friends to Gods providence, whereby he partly punisheth, and partly trieth his.
far from me] Job 19. 13. Psal. 31. 11. and 142. 4.
an abomination unto them] Heb. abominations: that is, most abominable.
I am shut up] I see none end of my sorrows.
V. 9. Mine eye mourneth] Mine eyes and face declare my sorrows.
V. 10. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead?] He sheweth, that the time is more convenient for God to help, when men call unto him in their dangers, then to tarry till they be dead, and then raise them up again, psal. 6. 5.
V. 12. in the land of forgetfulnesse?] In the grave, where men forget all that was done here, Job 14. 21. and they that are alive forget them that are dead, Job 24. 10.
V. 13. in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee] Psal. 5. 3.
V. 15. from my youth up] I am ever in great dangers and sorrows, as though my life should be cut off every moment.
V. 17. daily] Or, all the day.
V. 18. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me] Psal. 38. 11.