Annotations on Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, Annotations 2 · Psalm 90 – Psalm 98
PSAL. XC.
AUstin doubts whether Moses made this Psalm, but Jerom saith, It was Moses that wrote the Pentateuch, because call'd the man of God. So Deus. 33. 1.
Aben Ezra saith, In my opinion Moses our Lord or Master (as they use to style him) composed this Psalm. Euthymius saith, it belongs to the baptized taken outLorinn… ▪ in 1 Pet. 1. 3. of the water, which is the Etymology of Moses his name, Quia per baptism… effi…iuntur homines D…. Euthymius Prolog. in Psal.
Some refer it to be made in Exod. 32. on that occasion. Ainsworth refers it to that History, Numb. 14. See Hackw. Apol. p. 148.
This Psalm is a Tract of the shortnesse of life. Moses in fourty years saw six hundred thousand men swept off the stage of this world, besides women and children, therefore he knew this well▪
Vers. 1. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.] 1. BecauseOr refuge in all our travels in this terrible wilderness▪ Exod. 33. 14. Deut. 8. 15. & 33. 27. he constantly resides with his people. 2. He constantly retires thither to …inde rest. 3. One retreats to his house for safety when danger comes, that is his Castle; This word is refuge, God is the refuge of his people, Deut. 32. 27. there the same word is used.
Vers. 4. For a thousand years in thy …ight ar… but as yesterday.] That is, a thousand yeares with man in respect of the Eternity of God, are but as a day.
Vers. 10. The dayes of our years are threescore years and t….] Seventy years is mans age, 1 Kings 1. 1. 1 Chron. 19. 20. Eighty years, so long Plato lived. Sen. Epist. 51. 2 Sam. 19. 32, 35.
And if by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, y…t is their strength, labour See Hackw. Apol. p. 148. Senectus ipsa morbus.and sorrow.] In the Original it is Rohebam superbia, the strength of creatures is called pride, because it often inclineth unto pride.
And we flie away.] That is, our souls.
Vers. 11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is A short life, a sure death, and a severe judgme…t is enough to make any tremble. Sensus est: quis plenè novit omnia severitatis tuae exempla? & si quis nosse…, quomodo praetimore & anxietate auderet ea recensere, & verbis exequi? Gro ius.thy wrath.] q. d. The wrath of God surpasseth knowledge, who seriously considers what it is to offend God, those poor souls that are under the terrour of the Lord consider it.
Fear what you can, there is something in the wrath of God answerable to it, and beyond it, according to the dreadfulnesse of thy displeasure, so is thy wrath. We over-fear the wrath of men, but cannot have too dreadfull apprehensions of the wrath of God.
Vers. 12. So teach us to number our dayes, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.] To be so perswaded of, and to think of the uncertainty of our lives, as we may seriously study and endeavour to please th…, and provide for the salvation of our own souls.
Vers. 14. O satisfie us early.] Or in the morning, that is, after the dark night of afflictions. See Psal. 15. 4. & 30. 6.
Vers. 17. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.] Either that which he puts upon us, and works in us, or which shines upon us in his favour; the face is the seat of beauty, love shining in his face, is the beauty of God upon us.
And establish thou the work of our hands upon us.] He meaneth, Strengthen and Isa. 26. 12. John 15. 5.inable us to do the works thou commandest us to do.
Yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.] There is an emphasis in the words, he repeats them again, to expresse the greatnesse of his desire.
PSAL. XCI.
THis Psalm seemeth to have been made, when the destroying Angel in the dayes of King David having slain seventy thousand, did at the Lords command cease, 2 Sam. 20. 16.
Vers. 1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High.] Dwelling notes intimate communion, I will come unto him, and dwell with him.
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.] It is a Metaphor from a Bird, when a Kite stoops at her young ones, she keeps them under her Wing.
Vers. 2. He is my refuge.] That is, I have good cause so to say.
Vers. 3. From the snare of the Fowler.] Or, Hunter, the Devil who hunts for souls;An evil spirit imployed in the pestilence. 2 Sam. 24. 16, 17. the pestilence is here compared to a net, because it came suddenly upon the people, as the snare upon the Bird.
And from the noisom pestilence.] Or, From the pestilence of griefs, so the Hebrew, because it is most grievous to those that are visited with it. Some distinguish the snare from the pestilence, as a hidden evil from a manifest one, as if the Prophet had said, whether the Devil privily lay snares for us, or openly oppose us, God will be ready to help us, quod mihi nou displicet, saith Calvin.
Vers. 4. His truth.] Or faithfulnesse in performing *Dabium non est quin ad Dei promissiones respiciat Propheta, sine quibus nemo in Dei sinum conjicere se auderer. Calvinus.promises.
Vers. 6. Nor the pestilence that walketh in darknesse.] The pestilence worketh strongly and forcibly to death in the dark, it spreadeth secretly and closely, as they go unseen: Some say it is more violent in the night, because the air is thick.
Nor for the destruction that wasteth at Noon-day.] The word signifies a cutting orPestilentia meridiana dicitur quia in primis graffatur in calore Solis intenso, nam & …er eo attenuatur, ut magis s… venenum diffundat; & corpora humana magis laxantur, ut faciliùs venenum hauriant. Vossius de Orig. & Progres. Idololat. sore biting, such as makes a common slaughter.
Some say men are most apt at Noon-day to receive poison, because then the pores of the body are opened.
Vers. 11. For he shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy Unumquemque fidelium alloquitur Propheta, sicut etiam Ps. 34 v. 8. Calvinus. The good Augels are called his, not only by Croation, but by immediate Ministry, they stand before his face, and by grace of perseverance, they fell not from their estate, as the wicked Angels did, and are now confirmed by Christ, that they cannot fall, Col. 1. 17.wayes.] The promise was made primarily to Christ, but is true of his members. The holy Angels shall be as carefull for the safety of Gods children in common calamities of famine, pestilence, as the Nurse is over her tender childe to hold it in her hands, and bear it up in her arms, lest it should fall and hurt it self, alwayes provided, that the childe of God keep himself in his wayes, that is, in obedience to Gods Commandments, in the duties of his lawfull calling. See Psalm 34. 8. & Heb. 1. 14.
Calvin urgeth this place against that opinion, That every one hath his peculiar Angel, and saith, The heavenly host are solicitous for the safety of every Saint, and that it is behovefull for the godly to hold this firm, that as they are to conflict with many enemies, so they are guarded with many keepers.
Vers. 13. Thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder: The young Lion and the Dragon Hoc est, Loco per▪ culi tuto ac illaesus pervades. Sumptum ab iis qui per deserta ac solitudines iter faciunt, in quibus venenatae & immanes bestiae, quales hic memorantur. Drus. Prov. Class. 2. l. 2. Significat mortiferos casus quibus obnoxii sumus in mundo. Calvinus.shalt thou trample under feet.] Despise the most deadly dangers, it notes Subjectionem & contemptum; that is, thou shalt go safely and happily through the most dangerous works of thy calling, and prevail against thy most violent and mighty foes. This promise is so chiefly made to Christ our Head, as that we have each his part in it by participation from our Head.
PSAL. XCII.
The Title.
A Psalm, or Song for the Sabbath-day.] Calvin saith, he doubts not but theyEst Rabbinorum sententia teste Kimchio in Praefat. Psalmorum, Psalmi hujus autorem fuisse primum hominem Adamum, qui cum creatus esset in parasceve Sabbathi, postridie mane hunc Psalmum dixerit. De Dieu in v. 1. were wont to sing this Psalm on the Sabbath-day, as the Inscription shews, and it appears from other places, that some other Psalms were properly destinated to this use.
Vers. 5. Thy thoughts are very deep.] So deep that the line of mans understanding is not able to fathom them. The thoughts of God are his decrees andQuod à sensu communi abhorret, reverenter suspicere nos jubet: quia Deus ut obsequium nostrum probet, arcana sua judicia longè supra captum nostrum attollit. Calvinus. counsels.
Vers. 7. It is, that they may be destroyed for ever.] That is, a demonstration, God doth this that they may be destroyed for ever.
Vers. 10. I shall be annointed with fresh oyl.] Shall have a fresh pouring out ofNotatu dignum est, quòd propriè gratiam Dei piis omnibus communem in usum suum accomodat. Calvinus. the Spirit.
Vers. 12. The righteous shall flourish like the Palm-tree.] There is a double motto of the Palm-tree, 1. Perpetuò viret, it is alwayes green. 2. Sub pondere crescit, the more it is loaden, the deeper it is rooted, therefore the branches carried in the hand, worn in garlands, were signs of victory, Revel. 7. 9
He shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon.] The Cedar of all trees is most durable, and shoots up highest.
Vers. 14. They shall bring forth fruit in old age.] When the outward manFlourishing is three times mentioned, vers. 12, 13, 14. is withered, all other things decay with age. Sola Ecclesia perpetuò viget & viret.
PSAL. XCIII.
Verse 1. THe Lord reigneth] This upheld Luther amidst his oppositions, Christu… vivit & regnat.
He is cloathed with Majesty.] 1. Full of Majesty, Psal 65. 14. 2. His MajestyHath put it on as an ornament. is eminent and conspicuous to all the world, therefore he is said to be the King of glory.
Cloathed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself.] Girding with strengthNot onelyonly gladio, but robore cinctus. implies two things: 1. The great strength which God hath. 2. His readinesse to help his Subjects in danger. See Isa. 8. 9. Luke 12. 35.
Vers. 3. The flouds have lifted up their voice.] Flouds, that is, troubles, Ps. 65. 8.Summa est, Deum in fluminum strepitu & tempestuosis maris fluctibus virtutem exerere qua nos ad sui reverentiam commovear. Calvinus. & 18. 5. Isa. 17. 12, 13.
Have lifted up their voice] Come with great dread.
PSAL. XCIV.
Verse 12. BLessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy Law]Doctrina apprimè utilis in …ot… vitae cursu, qui in continua militia peragendus nobis est Calvinus Foelix est, qui Deo mag istro utitur. Hieron. The holy Ghost useth six Arguments to prove that a man is blest who is chastened.
1. Because he is instructed by affliction, as here. See Isa. 48. 17.
2. The end why God layes afflictions on his people, is to give them rest from the dayes of adversity, vers. 13. this is more than after adversity, because greater afflictions are coming on them for the future, and God spiritually supports them under trouble.
3. Untill the pit be digged for the wicked, in the same verse, while their hearts are swelling, and they fill up the measure of their sins.
4. God will support them, vers. 14.
5. There shall be a glorious restauration. Vers. 15. But judgement shall return unto righteousnesse] There should be a happy conjunction of them, by mans sin they are severed.
6. All the upright in heart shall follow it, in the same verse, after God, say some, who is the authour of this restauration, Isa. 51. 7.
Vers. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me] Confusion of thoughtsCogitationes vocat anxias, & perplexas cur…s, quibus fuisset obrutus, nisi Divinitus abhibita fuisset aliqua consolatio. Calvinus. was within him, whether to stick to God, or to leave him.
My carefull troubled thoughts, perplexed as the branches of a tree (for so the word properly signifieth) therefore the Greek turneth it sorrows, so Psal. 139. 43. Ainsw.
Thy comforts] Not efficiently but objectively, the consideration of what thou art to me.
Delight my soul] Revive and keep it from sinking.
PSAL. XCV.
Verse 6. OCome, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.]Primum verbum accipiunt Hebraei pro prosternere totum corpus in tertam, cum extensione manuum & pedum. Alterum pro inclinare caput, cum aliqua etiam corporis inclinatione, Tertium genua inclinare usque in terram. Zanchius de Religione & ejus partibus. Idem ferè habet Junius in Thes. Theol. De Adorat. Tribus verbis rem unam designat, ut scilicet filii Abrahae se t…tos Deo addicunt. Calvinus. He expresseth one thing in three words, viz. that the sons of Abraham should give themselves wholly to God.
Vers. 11. That they should not enter into my rest] Canaan was but a type. See Heb. 3. 11, 12. & 4. 3, 8, 9, 11.
PSAL. XCVI.
THis Psalm is a part of that Song wherewith God was celebrated, when the Ark of his Covenant was brought with joy into Davids City from Obed. Edoms house, 1 Chron. 16. 23. It containeth a Prophecie of Christs Kingdome, and of calling the Gentiles from Idols to serve and praise the living God.
PSAL. XCVII.
THis Psalm is of Christ and his Reign, as the seventh verse manifesteth.Christ, called by Jeremy, Jer. 23 5, 6. Our righteousness.
Vers. 1. The Lord reigneth.] That is, Christ, the Government of all the creatures is committed to him, as Mediator, and all the Attributes of God are managed by him as Mediatour, therefore let the earth rejoyce.
Let the multitude of Isles be glad thereof.] That is, the converted Gentiles whichSee Isa. 60. 9. live in the Isles. Compare Isa. 42. 4. with Mat. 12. 21.
Vers. 2. Clouds and darknesse are round about him.] As when Christ was conceived by the holy Ghost, the power of the most High overshadowed the Virgin. Jerom thinks he means the Cloud which covered Christ in the transfiguration.
Clouds and darknesse about God or Christ expresse,
1. The terriblenesse of his administrations, Psal. 18. 11. Nahum 1. 3. Zeph. 1. 15.Proponitur in hunc finem formidabilis c…us Majestas, ut fastum & pravam carnis confidentiam sub se prosternat ac conter…t. Calvinus. because whirlwinds, hail and storm, which strike terrour, usually come out of the clouds.
2. His Occulta judicia. therefore when he came down on Mount Sinai, he was covered with a Cloud, not only to signifie his Majesty, but the mysticalnesse of those administrations they were to be under, a Cloud covered the Temple for the same reason.
Righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his Throne] That is, his righteousHabitatio locus paratus, Heb. judgement, or his judgement according to righteousnesse
Habitation] Establishment or base. See Psal. 89. 15.
Vers. 7. Worship him all ye gods] That is, all that excell in power, eminency, authority,The Greek saith, All ye his Angels. See Psal. 8. 6. Unto this the Apostle seemeth to have reference, Heb. 1. 6. Ainsw. Grotius. whether Magistrates here, or Angels above, Heb. 1. 6.
Quicquid habetur pro Deo, cedat & se submittat, ut emineat Deus unus. Calvinus.
Vers. 10, Ye that love the Lord hate evil.] Hatred of evil ariseth from love to God.
1. Because to will and nill the same thing is true friendship, Prov. 8. 13.
2. Sin is the greatest enemy to God, 2 Sam. 12. 9. Rom. 8. 7.
3. It will endanger his love to them, Isa. 59▪ 2.
4. It is as natural to grace to hate evil, as to love God, as love was made for God, so hatred for evil.
Hatred of sinne is inferred from the love of Gods Law, Psal. 119. 113. here from love to him.
Our hatred of sin must be,
1. Universal, Psal. 119. 104.
2. Implacable, Rom. 7. 24.
It is discovered,
1. By a constant jealousie and watchfulnesse.
2. By a serious resisting the temptation.
3. By a bitter grief after.
He preserveth the souls of his Saints] 'Tis true of their lives, much more of their souls, it is interpreted both wayes.
Vers. 11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladnesse for the upright in heart]Vide Calvinum. Light and joy belong unto them: But how? It is sown, that is, it is in hope and expectation, and not alwayes in fruition, as the Husband-mans seed will come and bring increase with it.
PSAL. XCVIII.
Verse 1. O Sing unto the Lord a new Song.] That is, praise him, Psal. 40. 3. SeeVidetur hic Psalmus scriptus breviter, ejusdem argumenti esse, cujus majus carmen Exod. … 5. Grotius. Canticum novum, est Dei filius crucifixus: quod …unquam auditum fuerit. Nova res novum habet canticum. Hieron. Psal. 33. 3.