Annotations on Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, Annotations 2 · Psalm 68 – Psalm 89
PSAL. LXVIII.
Verse 4. EXtoll him that rideth upon the heavens by his Name Jah.] It is an Elogy of theA precious Scripture. Est nomen Jah ut pleri que volunt, contractum ex Jehovah & ejusdem significationis utrumque deductum à verbo hajab, id est, fuit, quod Deus & per se …it, & rebus omnibus ut sint largiatur. Rivetus in loc. See Muis. great power of God, because he rides upon the clouds or heavens. See Deut. 33. 26. Isa. 19. 1. It is his proper Name, the Name of his essence; exalt him as the first cause, the chief good and utmost end, as him who is being of beings, and gives being to all creatures, behold this excellency in God, admire him, and have thy heart taken up with high thoughts of him.
Vers. 9. Thou O God didst send a plentifull rain.] That is, dispensations of theA rain of libralities. Spirit in a more open observable way. See Micah 5. 7. & Muis in loc.
Vers. 11. Great was the company of those that published it.] Great was the companyVirorum est bella gere…e. Virginum autem & mulierum, victorias cantu celebrare. Id usitatum fuit apud Ebraeos, ut triumphanti occurrerent, & victoriam canerent. Exod. 15. 20. Rivetus. of the Preacheresses, the word is Feminine: See Exod. 15. 20. 1 Sam. 18. 16. quia receptum erat vetusto more, epini…ia cani à mulieribus. Calvinus. See Muis.
Vers. 14. Though ye have lien among the pots.] Though you look like a black scullion among the pots, fullied and full of filth.
White as the snow in Salmon] Salmon was a great grove in the mountains ofTsalmon signifies shady or dark, so this mount was with caves and trees that grew thereon; but with snow upon it was made lightsom. To be snow-white on Tsalmon, i… to have light in darknesse, joy in tribulation. Ainsw. See Muis. Sichem, Judg. 9. 49. where the snow lying there came a great light to the places below.
Vers. 18. Thou hast ascended on high.] Thou Lord Jesus, Ephes. 4. 8. When he Hic de caelo agi non dubitamus, quod inter omnes creatas res altissimum est, & à quo reliquae alt… dicuntur prout magis vel minus ad illud accedunt. Rivetus. Vide Jun. l. 2. Paral. 56. A Sinai in coelum, ut solent reges judicia exercituri, …tribunal conscendere. Vide Mat. 27. 19. Grotius.ascended up on high. The Psalmist is Propheticall, the Apostle Historicall.
Thou hast led captivity captive.] Or, thou hast captivated captivity, that is, thou hast led those captive, who had captivated thy people; or, he led his people who were miserable captives to Satan, to a blessed captivity to himself. See Rivet. in loc.
Captivasti nos, qui captivi tenebamur à diabolo. Hieron.
Thou hast received gifts for men▪] Ephes. 4. 8. it is gave gifts, because taking isAn expression taken from triumphs of Conquerours after great Victories, it was their custom to give gifts to the people. put for giving, 1 King. 3. 24. & 17. 10. and Christ received gifts that he might give them, for men, Heb. in the man, that is, in the humane nature. Accepit ut home, dat ut Deus: & quod accepit, hominibus accepit ut det. Hieron.
Yea for the rebellious also.] That is, say some, those which formerly were so, but now are subdued by the power of the Gospel, but God gives gifts to the rebellious, and those that remain so.
That the Lord God might dwell among them.] That is, might have a Church *Ut ipsi habitent in Ecclesia tua, se fidelibus tuis aggregent, agnoscentes imperium tuum. Huc referri potest Vaticinium Esaiae 11. 6. Rivetus.among them.
Vers. 19. Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us.] A gratulatory Epiphonema. Some say, with his mercies; others, with afflictions: He speaks of the benefits of Christs ascension in the former verse, and therefore I suppose with Rivet, it is rather to be interpreted, bestowing of gifts plentifully.
Vers. 20. The God of salvation.] Of salvations: He only can save and none can save but him, Isa. 43. 11. He hath all …orts and waies of salvations, a God of it, it is his priviledge, and belongs to him as he is a God. He is not only powerfull, but skilfull to save. Ideò utitur numero multitudinis & salutes dicit, ut oftendat, quamvis innumera pericula circumstent, innumeros quoque servandi modos Deum in promptu habere. Rivetus.
And unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.] Or the goings out from death.Psal. 68. 12. Id est, Domini est educere à morte, vel à morte eruere. Significat igitur haec phrasis evasionem aut liberationem à morte. Simili phrasi 1 Cor. 10. 13. Vide 1 Sam. 2. 6. Apoc. 1. 18. Rivetus. That is, deliverances from death and deadly danger.
It is an allusion to one that keepeth a passage or a door, that is, God hath all the waies which lead out from death in his own keeping.
Vers. 22. The hairy scalp.] That is, even the most fearfull enemies, that withCapillari incedunt nonnulli & comam nutriunt, ut horridiores videantur. Superbiam etiam & vanitatem hac phrasi videtur redarguere voluisse. Rivetus in loc. their gastly visage, deformed with long hair, would strike a terrour into the hearts of beholders.
Vers. 30. Rebuke the company of spear-men.] Or the beast of the reeds, of whichChajah indubitatò non bestiam solùm sed praeter alia caetum seu congregationem etiam significat, quod per metaphoram fieri Schindlerus docet, à feris in unum congregatis ductum. Increpa congregationem arundinis, id est, arundiferam, usi…ato Ebraisme Arabs qui aliàs in plerisque LXX. sequitur, nunc ab iis discedit & vertit, Increpa feras quas possedit. Dieter. Antiq. Bibl. Feras arundinis AEgyptias ideo nonnulli dici volunt, quia in arundineto omnium nobilissimo suas sibi voluptates capiebant; & fer…s fuisse vocatos, quia populum Dei ferarum in morem olim insectati sunt. Et haec certè à proposito non sunt aliena, cum cettum sit AEgyptios fuisse antiquos hostes populi Dei. Sed tamen videtur Propheta non unam aut alteram hostilem nationem notasse▪ sed omnes in genere quae in populum Dei hostili sunt animo. Rivetus in loc. spears were anciently made, and to which they are like in fashion. The Chaldee Paraphrase interprets it of Egypt, a Country of reeds; he alludes to the Crocodile the proper beast of that Country, which living both in land and water, usually lies amongst the reeds. See Muis.
Vers. 34. Ascribe ye strength unto God.] Acknowledge it, attribute it to him, give him the honour of it.
PSAL. LXIX.
Verse 4. THey that hate me without a cause, are moe than the hairs of mine head: they that 1. Hostium multitudinem. 2. Multitudinis hostilitatem. 3. Utriusque insaniam.would destroy me being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty.] Christs speech, and true of all his people.
Vers. 9. For the zeal of thine house.] Or jealousie, indignation for polluting ofVide Jun. l. …. Paral. 65. Rom 15. 8. thine house, and studious care to have it conserved holy. See John 2. 15, 16, 17.
Hath …aton me up.] Devoured or consumed. See Psal. 119. 139.
Vers. 27. Adde iniquity to their iniquity.] Permissivè, Do thou leave them to themselves that they may adde iniquity to their iniquity. 2. Punitivè, in a way of spirituall judgement, a measure of sin prepares for judgement, as well as a measure of grace for glory.
Vers. 28. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living.] Or book of life, ThatHaec ultima est imprecatio, & omnium maxime formidabilis, quae tamen semper impaenitentiam & obstinatam duritiem, de qua nuper loquutus est, sequitur. Calvinus. Vide plura ibid. is, declare that they were never written there. See Exod. 32. 32.
PSAL. LXX.
THis Psalm is the same in substance, and almost in words, with the end of Psal. 40.
PSAL. LXXI.
Verse 14. ANd will yet praise thee more and more.] I will adde to thy praise, so the wordsEt adjiciam super omnem laudem tuam. Calvinus Perinde est ac si diceret, Domine quia Pridem ad tua beneficia assuesactus sum, non dubito quin nova accessio novam quoque materiam mihi datura sit celebrandae tuae gratiae. Calvinus. See Muis. are in the Originall, as if he should say, God hath had some praise in the world already, I would fain adde something for my part; I would come in with my share, and that he might have some more praise for me.
Vers. 16. I will go in the strength of the Lord God.] That is to go forth
1. In a right apprehension of a mans interest in God by vertue of the new Covenant, by which one hath an interest in all his attributes.
2. To go forth in the former experiments that he hath had of God.
Austin (saith Calvin) plus centies ad evertenda operum merita hoc testimonio utitur.
PSAL. LXXII.
Verse 1. GIve the King thy judgements. O God, and thy righteousness unto the Kings son.]Judicium est clara & perfecta scientia quod cuique sit tribuendi; Justitia est constans & perpetua voluntas suum cuique tribuendi. Justitiae & Judicii nominibus formam gubernandi rite compositam intelligit. Calvinus. Judgement is an ability to know what we ought to do, 1 King. 3. 15. Righteousness is a willingness to do what we know.
Vers. 3. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hils by righteousness.] Some understand it literally from all parts of the Land, so Calvin: rather the supream and inferiour Magstrates.
Vers. 6. He shall come down like rain upon the mowen grass.] Or as some write itWhich is very comfortable and beneficiall. See Ainsw. (for so the Originall will bear it.) He shall come down like rain upon the Fleece: having relation to Gideons Fleece. It is chiefly understood of Christ, yet of Salomon also as a type of Christ, and indeed of every good Governour. See 1 King. 4. 25.
Vers. 9. And his enemies shall lick the dust.] They shall fall down so low whenLike a serpent, as is expressed in Mic 7 16. noting hereby great fear and subjection, testified by bowing down their faces to the ground, as is the manner in the Eastern Countries. See Isa 49. 23. Ainsw. they worship him, that their mouthes shall touch the earth. Scimus Orientales hac caeremonia fuisse usos. Calvinus.
Vers. 17. His Name shall be continued as long as the Sunne.] Filiabitur nomen ejus, Sensus est, antequam sol createtur ipse filii nomine appellatus est. Nempe Christus ab aeterno Dei filius fuit: atque tam commodè legi potest filiabit nomen ejus, nempe pater filiabit, hoc est, filium appellabit, filii nomine & appellatione dignabitur. …apel. Critic. Sac. l. 3. c. 13.Montanus. Shall be continued as the Name of the Father in the Son. The Greek turneth it, his name continueth.
The sense is, That there shall alwaies be a true Church even to the end of the world, in which Christ gets to himself, in which he is worshipped and prais…d Glass. Onomat. See Muis.
PSAL. LXXIII.
Verse 1. TRuly God is good to Israel.] What ever God doth, though wicked men prosper,Tametsi totum orbem moderetur Deus: Ecclesiam suam, quam tuendam suscepit, propiore intuitu dignatur. Haec ratio est cur Propheta Israelem nominet: atque etiam protinus hoc nomen restringat ad rectos corde, in quo est correctionis species. Calvinus. and the godly be much afflicted. Israel is the common name of the people of God in the Old Testament. See Whitefoot on Gen. 47. 29.
Vers. 4. For there are no bands in their death.] Are not held long a dying, had no lingering disease or consumption.
Vers. 23. Thou hast holden me by my right hand.] That is, helpt him in any thing he did. See Isa. 45. 1.
Vers. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell.] That is, shalt give me counsell,Quoniam verba sunt futuri temporis hunc genuinum esse sensum existimo, Domine postquam nunc tuo ductu in viam semel reductus sum, posthac etiam regere me perges, donec tandem in gloriam tuam suscipiar. Calvinus. (I will not take counsell of my self) and that counsell shall be my guide.
Vers. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire Neque in caelo neque in terra alium praeter te quaesivi. I have sought none in heaven or earth besides thee. Jerom. I desire nothing in heaven or earth but thee. Calvin. Thee alone I affect in heaven and in earth. Cajetane. I love nothing with thee. Marlorate. I esteem thee in stead of, and above all treasures. Molterus.besides thee?] He had communion with Christ, the glorious Angels, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. See Heb. 12. 23, 24. The substantials of blessedness lie in God, these are but accidentals.
He had beautifull and wise children on earth.
Vers. 26. My flesh and my heart faileth.] Flesh, that is, the outward man, and my heart, that is, the inward man, the courage.
But God is the strength of my heart.] His at last gasp.
And my portion for ever.] That is, the lot wherewith he was content.Psal. 16. 5.
Vers. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God.] Best, see vers. 25. 1 InCujus sanguine sum redemptus. Hieron. respect of the act of prayer to have communion with God. 2. In respect of the issue of it, all graces are exercised and increased, sins mortified, mercies sanctified and sweetned.
PSAL. LXXIV.
Verse 9. WE see not our signes.] That is, the Ordinances.Queruntur fideles ablata sibi esse signa gratiae: quòd Deus faciem suam quodammodo absconderit. Calvinu…. The testimony of Gods presence and favour, extraordinary or ordinary. A…nsw.
Vers. 11. Pluck it out of thy bosom.] This denoteth a performance of the workManum in sinum condere otiari est, Prov. 29. 24. & 26. 15. Contrà manum è sinu producere est seriò & accuratè aliquid agere. Fessel. Advers. Sac. l. 4. c. 9. without slackness. See Prov. 26. 15. Ainsw.
Vers. 13. Thou brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters.] That is, the Egyptians, the Noblemen of Egypt, who pursuing the Israelites were drowned in the red sea, Exod. 14. 28. For great persons are likened to Dragons or Whale-fishes, as Ezek 29. 3. Ainsw.
Regem & principes AEgyptios, as Grotius.
Vers. 14. Thou brakest the heads of Leviathan, or Whale, in pieces.] That is, Pharaoh King of Egypt.
And gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.] For their faith, not bellies. While they were in the wilderness they remembred Gods mercy to them at the red sea.
Vers. 19. O deliver not the soul of thy turtle Dove into the multitude of the wicked.] The Church is so called, for as the Turtle Dove hath but one mate, so theSee Ainsw. Church must have God only for her love, and is exposed to prey.
PSAL. LXXV.
Verse 3. THe earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved.] Salomon almost ruinedPrioris temporis statum respicit. all.
I bear up the pillars of it.] Not by any industry of men. Omnis potestas a summa potestate. Aug.
Vers. 6. For promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, nor from the Neque à desertis montibus, saith the Vulgar, from the desart mountains, which lying on both sides of Canaan, include both North and South, as the Chaldee Paraphrase expounds it.South.] The desart, that is, the South or North, for desarts were in both ends of the Land of Canaan.
Vers. 8. For in the hand of the Lord there is a Cup.] There is a twofold Cup,Quo divinarum afflictionum modus diversus innuitur. Eadem metaphora Esa. 51. 17, 22. occurrit. Glass. Rhet Sac. Tract. 1. Vinum quia iram accendit, vindictam significat, Esaia 11. 12. Jer. 25. 16. Apoc. 14. 1… & 16. 19. & 18. 3. & 19. 15. Grotius. 1. Of blessing, salvation. 2. Of cursing, wrath, death, as here, and Psal. 11. 6. See Hab. 2. 16. Ezek. 23 31, 32. Jer. 25. 28.
And the wine is red.] Wine is wrath, Job 21. 20. Red, noting fiery indignation: Full of mixture.] Of all manner of judgements, as Rev. 14. 10. It is said to be without mixture, of mercy.
And he poureth out of the same.] viz. Unto his own people, Jer. 25. 17, 18. keeps it not in the Cup.
But the dregs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out.] Shall wring out the dregs, how bitter soever they be.
Significat his figuris Propheta, non posse impios effugere quin sugendo ad ultimam usque guttam, calicem …bibant à Deo propinatum. Calvinus.
PSAL. LXXVI.
Verse 4. THe mountains of prey.] Either those places where conquering Armies dividedQuo nomine violenta & praedatoria regna designat, sicut abinitio scimus, quo quisque plus valebat latrocinando, fines suos magis ampliasse. Calvinus. The Kingdoms of this world, which make prey and spoil one of another, like wilde beasts, Dan. 7. 4, 5, 6, 7. Ainsw. the spoil after a victory obtained: or where robbers preyed upon passengers.
Vers. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.] Which is not so meant, asB. Smith. Quamvis initio hostium furor omnia perturbans, quasi tenebras obducat, tandem cessurus in laudem Dei quia eventu palam fiet, quicquid moliantur, nihil tamen posse contra Deum. Calvinus. if the wicked in their rage should praise God, but that their rage should yield great store of matter for God to raise his praise and glory thereby, to make his power, providence and wisdom, to be known to men.
Vers. 12. He shall cut off the spirit of Princes.] The word is, he slippeth off asVindemiat, vindemiabit. Calvinus. one should slip a cluster of Grapes from a Vine; so soon and easily is it done.
PSAL. LXXVII.
Verse 10. THe years of the right hand of the most high.] The years and times of my life, wherein I had experience of Gods mercy and love, for so is this phrase interpreted, Psal. 17. 7. & 80. 17.
Vers. 19. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters.] As he led theQuod in Israelitas proprie competit, ad Deum transfert, cujus auspiciis & ductu per aridum maris Rubri sinum transierunt illi. Calvinus. people at the red sea.
PSAL. LXXVIII.
Verse 2. I Will open my mouth in a parable.] Parables are sententious speeches, speechesVide Jun. l. 1. Paral. 26. Matth. 13. 35. Nomen M… shal graves & insignes sententias Hebraeis significat, quales sunt paraemlae, vel proverbia, & apophthegmata. Quia igitur materia ipsa, si gravis & ponderosa est, expergefacit hominum sensus, mera a…ophthegmata proferre sibi in animo es…e testatur author Psalmi. Calvinus. That is, in, or with parables, as the holy Ghost expoundeth it, Math. 13. 34, 35. A parable or proverb is in Hebrew Mashal, which denoteth rule, superiority or excellency, because such speeches preuail much in the mindes of men, and are in esteem. In old English or Saxon, it was called A big spell. Ainsw. on Psal. 49. 5. filled with weight of wisdom. To open the mouth in a parable is to have an active intention of the Spirit, preparing and fitting the mouth to open.
Vers. 8. A stubborn and rebellious generation.] A metaphor taken from beastsContumaciam denotat & proterviam. that will not be guided by their rider.
Vers. 25. Man did eat Angels food.] Bread of the Mighties, that is, of thePanem robustissimum, ut Tremellius & Junius …ectè transtulerunt, ad significandam naturae Angelicae praestantiam & excellentiam▪ Rainold de lib. Apoc. See Dr Willet on Exod. 16. quaest. 23. Verum quidem est, magnificè ideo celebrari miraculum, quo magis detestabilis reddatur populi impietas: quia longè praestantiùs fuit Man è coelo pluere, quam si satia…i fuissent vel herbis vel fructibus, vel alio terrae proventu. Calvinus. Angels (as the Chaldee and Greek explaineth it) which are mighty in strength, Psal. 103. 20. and Manna is called their bread, either because by their Ministry God sent it, so Austin; or because it came from heaven, the habitation of Angels, as the Chaldee paraphraseth; or because it was excellent, so as the Angels (if they needed any food) might eat it. See 1 Cor. 13. 1.
Vers. 27. As dust, as the sand of the sea.] Three things in the Scripture are used proverbially to declare a great multitude, The dust of the earth, the sand of the sea, and the starres of heaven, Gen. 13. 16. Numb. 13. 10. Gen. 22. 17. Deut. 1. 10. Gen. 32. 13. Jer. 15. 8. Hab. 1. 9. Isa. 10. 22. & 48. 19. Hos. 1. 10.
Vers. 32. And beleeved not for his wondrous works.] They did beleeve the History of his works, viz. that such things as are there recorded, were done, but they did not beleeve the prophesie or promise which was virtually in those works, viz. that God would do more wonders for them, till he had finisht and accomplisht their deliverance.
Vers. 36. And they lied unto him with their tongues.] Saying to Moses, whatsoeverQuia oris confessio affectu carens, voluntaria non erat. Calvinus. the Lord shall say to us, that will we do. Jerome. One cannot speak too highly of God, but because they beleeved him not to be their Rock and Redeemer.
Vers. 38. And did not stirre up all his wrath.] Which was in him, or which their sinne deserved.
Vers. 39. For he remembred that they were but flesh.] That is, weak, or in oppositionLoquutiones quas usurpat, fragilitatem notant, quia miserabilis est hominum conditio. Calvinus. to Spirit. See Psal. 56. 5.
Vers. 41. And limited the holy one of Israel.] There is a threefold limiting God, 1. To means. 2. To time, so they limited him. 3. To manner.Manum Dei pro virtute per Metonymiam accipisatis notum est. Fuit autem in prima illa liberatione populi, novo & insolito modo extenta Dei manus, quo magis detestabilis fuit populi impietas, in quam nunc invehitur Propheta, pro nihilo ducere, vel statim sepelire quod nulla ve…ustate obsolescere debuerat. Calvinus.
Vers. 42. They remembred not his hand.] That is, they walkt not answerably to so great a deliverance.
Vers. 49. By sending evil angels among them.] That is, say some, good AngelsOr Angels of evils. The Chald. Paraph. translate…b, Sent by the hand of them that do evil. so called, because of the effects, they may be instruments of temporall evils: but the Hebrew Rang is scarce so used in Scripture, and as Tarnovius saith, the good Angels are never so called. Rather evil in themselves, the devil and evil spirits.
Others incline to the Rabbins and others, who by evil angels understand the evils or plagues themselves sent upon Egypt, and the rather because that expressionVide Rivetum in Exod. 11. & Calvin. in loc. Dr. Casaub. The orig. cause of Temp. evils. is familiar with the Hebrews of old, Psal. 89. 49. The Chaldee Paraphrast, And shall not see the Angel of death, Hab. 3. 5. The Chaldee, From before him was sent the Angel of death.
Ainsw. and Grotius say, hereby may be meant Moses and Aaron, whom the Lord sent to denounce these plagues before they came, and by their hand brought them on Egypt, Exod. 7. 1, 2, 19. & 18. 1, 2, 5. 16, 21. & … 14, 15. Rather the ten severall plagues, saith Dr Clerke.
Vers. 57. They were turned aside like a deceitfull bow.] When a man shoots with a deceitfull bow, though he levell his arrow directly toward the mark, and think with himself to hit it, yet the arrow goes a clean contrary way.
PSAL. LXXIX.
Verse 12. ANd render our neighbours sevenfold into their bosoms.] That is, fully and abundantly.See Gen. 4. 2…, 23. Psal. 12. 6. Prov. 6. 21. Matth. 18. 22. The third and seventh number is used by sacred and prophane Writers, for any great multitude, Levit. 4. 6, 7. & 26. 18, 21, 24, 28. Amos 1. 3, 6. Psal. 13. 7. Job 5. 19. Prov. 9. 1. & 24. 16. So the Latines say,
Ter faelix, ter beatus.
Falices ter & amplius.
Terque quaterque beati.
Into their bosoms.] That is, largely and that it may affect and cleave unto them, Isa. 65. 7. A speech familiar with the Hebrews, Jer. 32. 18. Luke 6. 38.
PSAL. LXXX.
Verse 4. HOw long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?] Every word hathFumabis, Calvinus. See smoak for anger, Psal. 74. 1. Videtur tacita esse allusio inter sumum irae Dei, & suffitum qui Sacrificiis adhibebatur sub lege. Calvinus. its Emphasis: How long? a great while: Wilt thou be angry, The word signifies to breath out anger and fury. Ainsworth renders it smoak. With the prayer (it self) of thy people.
Vers. 17. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand.] Christ is called theSuper populum, quem dextera, id est, Christus tuus salvavit. Hieron. Whom thou lovest, honourest, and powerfully helpest. See Gen. 35. 18. Ainsw. man of Gods right hand, which implies three things, Gods love to him, Christs honour and defence.
PSAL. LXXXI.
Verse 3. BLow the trumpet in the new Moon.] The Lord would have them to keep theseIlli canebant tuba in Pascha, Pentecoste, & Seenopegia, Hieron. Sub novilunio per Synecdochen alias quoque ferias designat. Quanquam autem quotidie offerebantur Sacrificia, dies tamen Sacrificii per excellentiam nominat, quibus se ex Legis praescripto fistebant fideles ad tabernaculum. Calvinus. new Moons holy to him, to teach them, that it was he who ruled and governed the world, and all the changes and vicissitudes of it, for as the Moon is predominant over all the inferiour creatures, so doth Gods providence rule all things here below.
Vers. 10. Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it.] As little birds open their mouthesMonet ne modicè aut parce sed multa ac magna à Deo pe…amus. and the old fils them.
Open thy mouth wide.] That is, earnestly, confidently call upon me. Our Saviour openeth this sentence, John 15. 17.
And I will fill it.] That is, I will satisfie thy desire to the full.
Vers. 16. Fed them also with the finest of wheat: and with honey out of the Rock Chrysost Quum appareat ex sacra historia, mel in cavis rupibus passim fuisse repertum quamdiu florebat Dei benedictio, simplex sensus est, tenorem gratiae Dei continuum & aequabilem futurum fuisse, nisi malitia & sceleribus populi abruptus esset. Calvinus.should have satisfied thee.] God never caused honey to come out of the Rock, but their appetite made it seem honey to them.
PSAL. LXXXII.
Verse 2. SElah.] Wheresoever thou readest this word think there is in the same verse some special and notable thing to be mark'd. As in this verse it signifies as much in English,B. Hooper on the Command. as though David had said, Oh how great offence is it before God to pervert at one mans request, Justice!
Vers. 6. Ye are gods.] In office, not in nature, not participatione Divinae essentiae, See Exod. 7. 4. & 22. 8. Vide Junium lib. 1. Paral. 77. Joh. 10. 34.but similitudine divinae potentiae.
PSAL. LXXXIII.
Verse 3. ANd consulted against thy hidden ones.] Things that we would keep safe we bring not ordinarily to common view.
Either those that the Lord undertook to protect, or that were to him as his hiddenNe hostium insidiis & captionibus putemus nos esse expositos, opportunè suggerit nobis Propheta plenum consolationis & spei Epitheton, vocans nos Dei absconditos. Calvinus. treasure.
PSAL. LXXXIV.
Verse 4. BLessed are they that dwell in thy house.] Or, Congregation, which attend continuallyLet not sin or vain thoughts dwell in you. Shews the strength that comes in by serving God, Exo. 23. 14, 17. Si cui magis placeat turma, sensus erit, non paucos modò venturos, sed per multas catervas. Calvinus. upon holy services.
Vers. 7. They go from strength to strength.] From company to company, or troop to troop, in allusion to the custom of the Jews, all the Males went up thrice a year to Jerusalem, and they went with their flocks and in troops, those that were forward would overtake this, and that troop.
Vers. 11. For the Lord God is a Sunne and Shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: See Rev. 21. 7.no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.]
This contains an abridgement of the Covenant of Grace, it is the largest promiseThe creature stands in need of two things, Provision and Protection: For the first, the Lord is a Sunne as full of goodness, as that is of light: For the second, a Shield, Psal. 18. 2. Zech. 9. 12. we finde in the whole book of God.
The good things are exprest:
1. Metaphorically, Among all inanimate creatures the Sunne is the most excellent; Among all artificial creatures, a Shield is chiefest, and was of greatest use in those dayes. The Sunne notes all manner of excellency and prosperity, Isa. 60. 20. Prov. 30. 26. A Shield notes all manner of protection whatsoever, Psal. 3. 4. God will not only provide good things and protect, but is these to you.
2. Literally, 1. All spiritual good things under the name of grace. 2. All Eternal under the name of glory. 3. Temporal, no good thing will he withhold, Them that walk uprightly. God pitcheth on this grace of sincerity chiefly, as a badge of our being in the Covenant.
1. Because a sincere heart is the Lords for ever, Prov. 16. 17.
2. It is the touchstone of all other graces, and holds them all together, Ephes. 6. 14. This is, 1, In faith, 1 Tim. 4. 5. 2. In love, 2 Cor. 8. 8. 3. Obedience, Josh. 24. 14. Sincerity is not required from them as the cause, but in them as the subject of it, here is a promise to uprightnesse, and Ezek. 36. 25, 26. of uprightnesse.
PSAL. LXXXV.
Verse 8. I Will hear what the Lord God will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his Saints.] As if he had said, Certainly it will not be long before God giveth to every soul that truly feareth him, a comfortable assurance of his favour, though he do delay it for a time, surely he will do it ere long.
God speaks peace, when he sends or gives peace, that is, all good things, andPax non dicitur, nisi quando bellum non est. Hieron. when he by secret eccho returns a word of assurance to the Petitioners heart, that he will give peace.
Vers. 10. Mercy and truth are met together: Righteousnesse and peace have kissed each other.] He speaks as if there were a conflict between these Attributes, in relation to us there may seem to be so, righteousnesse calleth for vengeance, mercy moveth to pity, but now Christ hath satisfied justice, and accomplished truth, and so they sweetly meet in the Covenant of Grace.
PSAL. LXXXVI.
Verse 16 GIve thy strength unto thy servant.] That is, put forth almighty power for my succour, some expound it of strength in the inward man. See Psal. 43. 2.
PSAL. LXXXVII.
Verse 3. GLorious things are spoken of thee (rather in thee) O City of God.] That is, Jerusalem, Hierosolyma sic dicitur tribus de causis. 1. Quoniam in ea Deus habitabat. Nam in urbe Templum & in Temple area, sedes Dei in terra, aut 2. Valet proverbiali sermone civitas ampla, ut cedri Dei. Aut dicta eo modo, quia Divinitas purè ibi colebatur. Drusius in Observat. Sac. lib. 6. cap. 15.so called also Psal. 46 5. & 48. 2. a figure of the Church and Babylon.
Vers. 4. I will make mention of Rahab.] Rahab signifieth pride and insolency, that is, Egypt, so called for its pride, Psal. 89. 10. Babylon held the people of God in captivity, and sorely oppressed them.
Vers. 7. As well the Singers as the players on Instruments.] He speaks of the mannerProverbiale hoc, significans maximos minimóique in hac re esse similes. Grotius. of praising of God under the Law with singing and musical Instruments, 1 Chron. 9. 33. & 25. 1, 2.
All my springs are in thee.] That is, all my springs of truth that are revealed to…ontes scientiarum & bonorum. me, all the springs of comfort that I have communicated to my soul, all the springs of grace that I have to quicken me, they are all in thee, in the joynt society and communion with Gods people.
PSAL. LXXXVIII.
OF Heman.] One of the holiest and wisest men then living, 1 King. 4. 31. under the heaviest trouble almost that can befall a Saint.
Vers. 5. Free among the dead like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou remembrest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.] My eternal state is cast, there is no hope of mercy for me.
Free among the dead.] The word signifieth to set a servant free, my name is entredQuòd inutilis esset ad omnia vitae muncra…- & quasi à mundo alienatus. …alvinus. among the dead.
Vers. 15. When I suffer thy terrours, I am distracted.] The word doth not properly signifie the distraction of one that is mad, but of one that is in doubt, and yet that distraction doth often lead to a degree of this.
Brought to such endlesse doubts, that I know not what to say or do.
PSAL. LXXXIX.
Verse 4. BUild up thy Throne to all Generations.] Make it flourish and establish it, that it…psam Ecclesi am, i… q… ceu Rex sed…bis in aeternum. H…er, Sec Psal. 0. 18 shall never be moved.
Vers. 7. God is greatly to be feared.] The word signifies a dreadfull fear, a fear of destruction.
Vers. 14. Mercy and Truth shall go before my face.] Mercy and truth, or faithfulnesse, or words to that purpose, are six times coupled in this Psalm, vers. 1, 2. vers. 24, 28, 33.
Go before thy face.] As prest and ready at hand to do the creatures good.
Vers. 15. Blessed is the people that know the joyfull sound.] Which have a sweetWhich gathered men unto the Tabernacle. Numb 10. 6. because it call'd them to the Ordinances of God. taste of thy grace, an allusion to the silver Trumpets which sounded at their feasts, Congregations, when liberty was to be given to those that were in bondage.
The sounding of the Trumpets among the Jews, was
1. At the removing of the Camp.
2. At the calling of the Assembly.
3. At the year of Jubilee, when deliverance was proclaimed.
Vers. 19. I have laid help upon one that is mighty.] It is literally expounded of1 Sam 18. 13, 14, 30. David, but of him as a type of Christ.
Laid help.] It is understood two wayes: 1. Put all assistance in his power. 2. Have committed all assistance by way of office to his charge, not onelyonly to deliver us from the guilt of sinne, but the weaknesses which it hath brought upon us.
Vers. 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him.] The word translated exact, signifiesO… not seaz… ▪ as a creditor doth on the debtor. to seduce, cheat and deceive, and so is rendred Jer. 29. 8.
Nor the son of wickednesse. The Hebrews tell us, it is properly the naughtinesse of some evil natured children, which bite the nipple that giveth them milk, who …uck and bite both at once.
Vers. 37. And his Throne as the Sunne before me.] That is, perpetuallUt Sol ae…ernus ita solium, Sol enim perpetuò du…at nam sequitur vers. 38. ut Luna stabile erit coram me. Idem aliis verbis. Aut potius …icut splendet Sol, ita solium ejus illustre ac perspiouum erit. Utravis ha…um melior expositio prior, tamen ad postremum sensum Chaldaeus interpres explanat. Et solium ejus splendet tanquam Sol coram me. Drus. Qu…st. Ebraic. l. 3. c. 11. and glorious (as the Chaldee explaineth it, Shall shine as the Sunne.) See Psal. 72. 5.