Observations Upon the Old Testament, Commentary · Psalmes (1 of 3)

Observations Upon the Old Testament · Commentary · Psalmes (1 of 3)

p. 172Psalmes.

PSALMES, Luke XXIV. 44. Or Book of Psalmes, Luke XX. 42. Acts I. 20. is divided by the Hebrewes into these five Parts: The first part ending with Psal. XLI. The second part, with Psal. LXXII. The third, with Psalme LXXXIX. The fourth, with Psalm CVI. The fifth, with Psalme CL.

The Division of them, from the Subject-matters of them, is very various. There are Psalmes Laudatorie, of Praises; Gratulatorie, of Thanksgiving: Psalmes of Supplications; of Deprecations; of Consolations; of Comminations; of Imprecations: There are Penetential Psalmes; Psalmes to teach; to give instruction; Psalmes to bring to Remembrance, things past; Psalmes Prophetical, of things to come: And many Psalmes are mixt of many, or most of these matters. So as out of them, as out of a store-house, every man may richly fit and furnish himself for all and every particular occasion, either publike, or else private, according to his several conditions, in prosperity, or adversity, in all his devotions, and addresses to God; still finding his own estate in some one Psalme or other; These Psalmes containing the very Anatomy of the soul, the characters and representations of the thoughts, meditations, affections, and workings of it, towards God, towards man, towards herself, throughout all the changes of her pilgrimage in this world.

The number of them is one hundred and fifty. The LXX. and vulgar Latin, do divide the ninth Psalme into two. And so their reckoning of the number doth constantly go on to exceed ours by one, unto the CXLVII. Psalm: which Psalm doth contain their CXLVI. and CXLVII. And so in the conclusion all agree in the same number of CL.

Of these, eighty two bear Davids title. Whereof these are upon several special occasions, as appears in their Inscriptions▪ viz. the III. VII. XXX. LI. LII. LIV. LIX. LX. LXIII. And at Gath, before Achish or Abimelech, XXXIV. LVI. And when he was in the Cave, Psalm LVII. and CXLII. His Psalms of Prayer are Psalm 17. and 86.

Some are his Psalmes, and yet without his name in the Title as Psal. II. Acts IV. 25. And Psal. XCV. Hebr. IV. 7. See also Psal. XCVI. p. 173and CV. and CVI. See 1 Chron. XVI. 7. and LXXII. 20.

Other Psalmes, without Davids name, which have special Titles, are Psalmes XLV. LXXII. And, of or for Asaph, Psalmes, L. LXXIII. to LXXXIII. See 2 Chron. XXIX. 30. Of, or for the sonnes of Korah, LXXXIV. LXXXV. LXXXVII. Of Heman, for the sonnes of Korah, LXXXVIII. Of Ethan, LXXXIX. Of Moses, XC. For the Sabbath, XCII. A Prayer of, or for the Afflicted, CII. Psalmes of Degrees, CXX. to CXXXIV. Having Titles, are 125. The rest being XXV. the sixth part of the whole number, are without any Title or Inscription at all.

In the Titles we have the persons, by whom they were written; or for whom they were written; or to whom they were committed. And these last are either generaly described, by their skill in Musick; or more particularly named to be of the Quire or Posterity of Jeduthun, of Korah, or of Asaph.

In some we have also the Times when they were made; or when to be used. In some also their Quality and Excellencie. In some their Matter Subject, as of Prayer, of Deprecation, as Destroy not; of obtestation; of Gratulation or Thanksgiving; of Praise; of Instruction, and Doctrine; of Commemoration, or for Remembrance; of nuptial love.

The Musick, either by voice, or instrument mentioned in some Titles, is but little known in our dayes; yet for the voice, some Psalmes may seeme to point to the Base, some to the Tenor, some to the Counter-tenor: And again, in some mens opinions, some Psalmes do intimate that the voice should leade, and the instrument follow; as in those Titles foreign: Some, that the instruments should leade, and the voice follow; as in those Titles foreign But the truth is, That howsoever Selah in the Text, used some seventy times in this Book, and three times in that prayer of Habakkuk, chap. III. sometimes in the middle of a verse, but mostwhat in the end; may seeme to be a Musical Note; And Neginoth to be an hand or stringed instrument; Shoshannim, of six strings; from Shesh, six, as Shalishim of three strings, 1, Sam. XVIII. 6. Sheminith, of eight strings; Nehiloth, a wind-instrument; Mahalath, likewise. And so other guesses may be made of other words mentioned in sundry Titles of sundry Psalms; as Shoshannim Eduth, Shushan Eduth, Mahaloth Leannoth, Muthlabben, Altaskith, Gittith, Alamoth, Hammagneloth, Aijgeleth Shahar, Jonath-Elem-rehochim: As also of Higgajon, Michtam, Maschil: All which belonging to those instruments, Musick, or Poetry, then in use, now unknown, nor greatly material for us now to know, may admit of conjectural probabilities; yet no certainties can be had for the exact notions and significations of them.

Psalme XIV. and LIII. are much the same. And so again, Psalme LX. and CVIII. and Psalme XVIII. and 2 Sam XXII. are more the same. And Psal. CVIII. 1,—5. are the same with the end of the LVII. Psalme. And ver. 6,—18. are the same with the end of the LX. Psalme. p. 174Psalme XXV. begins each verse almost with the several letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, in order. And so in a maner doth the XXXIV. Psal. CXI. and CXII. begin each half verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, in order: save that the two last verses in both Psalmes, take up three letters apiece, to fill up the number of the two and twenty letters of the Hebrew Alphabet. Psal. XXXVII. begins every second verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet in order. Psalme CXIX. without Davids Title, begins each of the first eight verses with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet: and each of the eight next verses with the second letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. And so continues along to the end of the Alphabet. Psalme CXLV. begins each verse with the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet; omitting only the letter Nun.

Some Psalmes composed long before David was borne; as Psalme XC. Some long after he was dead; as Psalme LXXIV. LXXXIII. CXXVI. CXXXVII. Whereby it appears that the Psalmes were put into the forme and order they now have, after the returne of the Jewes from Babylon.

Some are set-formes, as Psalmes XX. XXI. CII. CXXXVI. Esay XXVI. 1.

The Book of Psalmes authentical with the Papists, and by them fathered upon Jerome, is confessed by him to be but a Translation out of the Greek LXX. not out of the Hebrew text. And the Popish Bonaventure ventures but badly when he substitutes the word Mary, or Lady, in stead of Lord or God; and with some other alterations applies them to the Virgin Mary.

This Book of the Psalmes is much cited in the New Testament: As doth appear in this Table following.

p. 176In these Citations and Allegations, and Allusions, The Penmen of Scripture regard more oftentimes the sense and intent of the Text cited, then the precise termes, where the one swerves not much from the other, and what is in the words so read or implyed, is of undoubted truth. And sometimes they cite not the entire Text, nor tie themselves to the precise words of the place, nor observe strictly the Order of them, as they lie in the Text; but pick only out of them so much as may serve for their present purpose; which in quotation of places is sufficient. So John XII. 40. Matth. IV. 15, 16. Ezek. XX. 7. And in Citations in the New Testament, the holy Penmen in some places follow the LXX. as then most in use in Synagogues, & Schools, publikely, & privately, though therein departing from the Hebrew, but yet only in matters of no concernment as to the present Allegation. Some are Accommodations only; when Prophesies besides their Litteral sense; have sometimes another in this sort affixed to them, To which when they are accommodated, they are said to be fulfilled, i. e. to have a more eminent accomplishment in a higher sense; As Esay IX. 1, 2. the great Light and comfort and deliverance from Sennaoherib, and out of Babylon, is accommodated, Matth. IV. 13,—16. to Christs preaching the Light and comfort of the Gospel, and his deliverance of them from the bondage of Sin and Satan.

Blessed] This is the maine end man aimes at. chapter I verse 1

Walketh not] Some here observe a Climax, or treble Climax, gradation, or ascension, from the lesse and lower, to the greater and higher: And so there is indeed in the sins here mentioned: But not in the shunning and avoiding of sinne, as some conceive. For so the first degree here mentioned seemes to them to be the highest of the three, in that kind. And so the speech doth not ascend, but descend lower, in each degree. A true Climax is that Rom. VIII. 29, 30. And again, ver. 34. And Jer. XV. 5. The sense here agrees with Davids words, Psal. XXVI. 4, 5.

He shall be like] Jer. XVII. 7, 8. verse 3 Job VIII. 16, 17. Ezek. XIX. 10. and XXXI. 4. Psal. XCII. 12, 13, 14.

a tree] No minde or mention here of the Palme tree, or allusion to the tree of Life in Paradise.

not so] Thus are these words used, verse 4 Gen. XLVIII. 18. Exod. X. 11. Num. XII. 7. Deut. XVIII. 14. Prov. XV. 7. Esay XVI. 6. repeated Jer. XLVIII. 30. Ephes. IV. 20. And in Matth. XX. 26. where Christ forbids not the exercise of Superiority among Christians, or among Ministers of the Gospel, or requires parity of authority among them; but saith, that those things, though good and lawful in themselves, yet have no place in, nor relation to, his spiritual Kingdome, which is in the soul.

not stand] As Num. XXX. 5, 12. verse 5 Josh. II. 11. and VII. 12, 13.

Knoweth] Acknowledge and own; verse 6 approveth, regardeth, rewardeth. As Exod. III. 7. Deut. XXXIV. 10. Psal. XXXI. 8. and XXXVII. 18. and CXLII. 5. and CXLIV. 12. Prov. XII. 10. Hos. XIII. 5. p. 177Matth. VII. 23. Rom. VII. 15. John X. 14. Job XXIII. 10. Prov. II. 8.

Why] I his Psalme by many of the Ancients is joyned to the former, chapter II verse 1 as a part of it; And they take the former, as a Preface to this; or rather to the whole Book of the Psalmes. But Saint Paul doth distinguish them, Acts XIII. 33. And the Church doth ascribe this Psalme to David, though it bear not his Title, Acts IV. 25. And in this Psalme David bears a Type of Christ, who is here more realy, properly, principaly, and immediately intended. All which appears Acts IV. 25, 26. and XIII. 33. Heb. I. 5. and V. 5. So that the first and open sense points to David; the mystical and more abstruse to the Messias. And no doubt, but this, and such allusions more, were out of all question, even from the beginning so fore-cast, and appointed, as it were, by the holy Ghost.

Why] The Psalmist demands, and wonders at the banding and conspiring of all, and all sorts of enemies, against David and his Kingdome typicaly, as did Saul, Ishbosheth, Abner, the Philistines, Jebusites, and others: But against Christ, and his Kingdome principaly, as is the prime purpose▪ maine scope, and intent of this Psalme, Acts IV. 25, 26. Mark III. 6. John XI. 53. Luke XIX. 14. Though all in vaine, ver. 1, 2, 3.

The Kings] 2 Sam. VIII. and X. verse 2 Chapters.

heavens] 1 King. VIII. verse 4 27. Jer. XXII. 24. Psal. CXXXIX. 7. The King of heaven against those Kings of the earth, ver. 2.

laugh] And have them in derision, as Job XLI 29. dictum foreign; intelligendum foreign. Psal. XXXVII. 12, 13. and LIX. 8. Prov. I. 26.

wrath] No passion properly hath any place in Gods will. verse 5 It is not in him, but without him; not in his affection, but in his act. These expressions are but condescentions to the weaknesse of our capacities, Psal. LXXVI. 6,—9. and CIV. 32.

yet have I] God the Father who makes and orders all earthly Kingdomes, verse 6 Dan. IV. 14. and II. 21. and VII. 14. Ezra I. 1.

my King] Prov. VIII. 22,—30. Acts II. 36.

Sion] See the Observations on Deut. III. 9. and on 1 Chron. XI. 5. See Psal. LXXVIII. 68. and LXVIII. 17. and CXXXII. 13. and LXXXVII. 2. Esay II. 2, 3, 4. and IV. 4.

I will declare] David typicaly; verse 7 Christ principaly who is in the bosome of the Father, the Word and Wisdome of the Father.

The Lord hath said] Hebr. V. 5. Psal. CX. 1.

my sonne] Not as holy men. Princes, David, or Angels are called the sonnes of God, John I. 12. Jer. XXXI. 9. Psal. LXXXII 6. Job I. 6. But in a peculiar maner farre above all these, Hebr. I. 4, 5, 9. not by adoption or grace, but by nature.

This day] Relates to his Nativity, as man; not to his Divinity, as God. And as foreign, he is called the Sonne of God, Luke I. 35. Heb. I. 5. And that raising up of Jesus, Acts XIII. 33. relates to this p. 178Exhibition of him in the flesh, mentioned also, ver. 23. That other raising him from the dead speaks plainly of his resurrection from the grave, Acts XIII. ver. 34,—37. Rom. I. 4.

have I begotten thee] Not relating here to his eternal generation as the Sonne of God, the second Person and Hypostasis in the Trinity: But to his gigniture foreign, when he revealed him to the world.

Aske of me] God Decrees, verse 8 as the End, so the Means. As Assuerus to Ester, chap. V. 3. And Herod to the daughter of Herodias, Mark VI. 23. And God himself to Solomon, 1 King. III. 5. So, and much more here God the Father to Christ his Sonne, the Mediatour. Thus Christ asked and prayed, in the dayes of his flesh; and was ever heard in whatsoever he asked, according to the nature of his asking, John XI. 22, 42. Heb. V. 7. John XVII. 9.

and the uttermost] Psal. XXII. 29, 30. Heb. I. 2. Dan. II. 44.

them] Thine enemies, verse 9 ver. 1, 2, 3.

rod of iron] Esay XXX. 14. Jer. XIX. 11. See the actual execution, Apoc. II. 26. and chap. XII. 5. and XIX. 15. Esay XI. 4.

Be wise] Take better counsel then that, verse 10 ver. 2; use better wisdome.

now] Heb. V. 7. Prov. V. 7. and VII. 24. and VIII. 32. Esay XLIV. 1. Delay is dangerous.

Kings] Ye, ver. 2.

serve] Kings; verse 11 and all other yet enemies serve him, Luke I. 74, 75. Psal. CXVI. 16.

with fear] A filial fear, which is joyned with joy, Psal. C. 2.

rejoyce with trembling] These two also are coëxistent; joy, Rom. XIV. 17. Ps. IX. 2. 14. Phil. IV. 4. Trembling, Phil. II. 12. The regenerate man is a kinde of mixt person; hath, as Rebecca, two strugling in him.

Kisse] A signe, verse 12 of Love amongst equals, Gen. XXXIII. 4. 1 Sam. XX. 41. Rom. XVI. 16. 1 Cor. XVI. 20. Of Subjection in inferiours, Gen. XLI. 40. 1 Sam. X. 1. Prov. XXIV. 26. Of religious adoration, 1 King. XIX. 18. Job XXXI. 27.

the Sonne] 1 John II. 23. John V. 23.

lest he be angry] Gen. III. 3. Certainly he will, ver. 5. 2 Thes. I. 8. Apoc. VI. 16, 17.

and ye perish from the way] The way of happinesse; you, and your way perish, Psal. I. 6. or your way of combination against Christ, ver. 1, 2. or in the way of your conceited peace and secure prosperity.

Blessed] Apoc. XIX. 9. Rom. IX. 33. John III. 36.

ten thousands of people] And likely more now gathered against him, chapter III verse 6 by means of Absolom. Most of Davids Psalmes in order of time go before this Psalme.

my glorie] The glorie of my Kingdome which God hath promised me, verse 2 and whereunto he hath anointed me.

godly] foreign, chapter IV verse 3 In an active signification. Whence the Asideans, 1 Macc. 7. 13. 2 Macc. XIV. 6. may seeme to have their name. p. 179And whence the Pelican hath the name of foreign, from the pious benignity it shews, as to her young ones, so to her dam when over-grown with years, as some write. And from her Greek name foreign ariseth the Greek Proverb foreign, to denotate a retribution and recompensation of pious duties, offices, and benefits, such as the Pelican useth. The same word foreign, is taken also and used by some for the Stork, as Jer. VIII. 7. the Stork having the like pious benigne properties and qualifications.

stand in awe and sinne not] Ephes. IV. 26. verse 4 Be anrgy, and sinne not. And that sense the word here used will bear; David speaking thus to his friends; Let not your indignation, and just resentment of these scandals and confusions in my sufferings, proceed to a sinful murmuring against God; but consider of it wisely in your most retired thoughts, and be silent, contented, and quiet.

into thy house] chapter V verse 7 So farre as it was lawful for David.

toward thy holy Temple] And so David, Psal. XXVII. 4. and XXIX. 9. and LXV. 4. and LXVIII. 29. and CXXXVIII. 2. And yet in Davids dayes the Temple was not built. He minded that which after his dayes he knew presently should be: And meane time he stiles the Arke, or Tabernacle, by the name of the Temple. See the Observations on Exod. XXXIII. 7.

rebuke me not] Psal. chapter VI verse 1 XXXVIII. 1.

heale me] David was in some soar sicknesse at this time. verse 2

bed to swim] See the Observations on Josh. XI. 4. verse 6

If I have done this] Whereof Cush Sauls Courtier or Favourite, chapter VII verse 3 one of his Tribe, doth falsely accuse me.

return thou on high] To ascend, verse 7 and set thy self on thy high tribunal and judgement-seat, 1 Kings X. 19. And this; to judge for me; and against Cush; as it followeth in the rest of the Psalme.

Out of the mouth] This is alluded to Mat. chapter VIII verse 2 XXI. 16.

What is man] This, verse 4 and ver. 5, 6. are applied to Christ by the Apostle, Heb. II. 6,—9. 1 Cor. XV. 27. Ephes. I. 22. so taking in both Christ the head; and mankinde, specialy the faithful, as members; shewing thereby that mysticaly and propheticaly in these words is intimated the humiliation and exaltation of the man Christ Jesus.

O thou enemie] A kinde of scoff and derision, chapter IX verse 6 whereby David upbraids him for his bloody designes and threats.

Know thy name will] Know experimentaly, verse 10 practicaly, verse 20. in all their hearts, and souls; in themselves; as the phrases of Scripture are, Josh. XXIII. 14. 1 Sam. VI. 9. Heb. X. 34. Of this knowledge is that Iohn XVII. 3. and 1 Iohn II. 3, 4, 5. and chap. III. 19 24. and chap. IV. 6, 7, 8, 13. and chap. V. 2. 18, 19. 20. Noëtical, speculative knowledge, swimming only in the braine, and not sinking into the heart, is none of this knowledge.

till thou finde none] Rid the world of them, chapter X verse 15 and their sinnes, at once.

flee a bird] 1 Sam. chapter XI verse 1 XXVI. 19.

p. 180If the foundations] In Church and Kingdome. verse 3

what can] He help; but suffer in such a general ruine?

The fool] Psal. chapter XIV verse 1 X. 4. and LIII. 1. The three first verses of this Psalme are by Saint Paul applied to all mankinde in general, in the state of the Fall, and natural corruption, Rom. III. 10, 11, 12.

usury] Of this see Exod. chapter XV verse 5 XXII. 25. Levit. XXV. 36, 37. Deut. XXIII. 19, 20. Neh. V. 17. Levit. XXVIII. 8. And the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII. 8. and XXII. 12, 13. Mat. XXV. 27.

that hasten] Or give gifts to another god. chapter XVI verse 4 See Ezek. XVI. 33, 34. The true God needs them not, ver. 2. But false gods do; which gifts do redound in the end to the dammage and sorrowes of the givers.

their drink-offerings of blood] Their Offerings and Sacrifices of mans blood. The drink-offerings to the true God, were of wine, according to his Law, Num. XV. 5. But Idolaters in stead thereof did many times offer mans blood. Pauls readinesse to be offered, Phil. II. 17. 2 Tim. IV. 6. imports no more then his willingnesse to die and spend his blood, for Christs cause, and the good of his Church and people.

their names] See the Observations on Josh. XXIII. 7.

I have set the Lord] Acts II. 25,—31. verse 8 and XIII. 35,—37. David speaks here of himself, in this regard, as having Christ in his loins, in a Prophetical spirit relating to Christ.

right hand] Psal. CIX. 31. & CX. 5. & CXXI. 5.

not be moved] Psal. CXVIII. 6. CXXXV. 1. Rom. VIII. 31, &c.

my glory] My tongue, verse 9 Acts II. 26. Psal. XXX. 12. and LVII. 8. and CVIII. 2. Gen. XLIX. 6.

my flesh also] As Rom. VIII. 19. 21.

my soul in hell] A Prophesie of Christs Resurrection. verse 10 David speaks here in the Person of Christ.

Soul] Sometimes is taken properly, sometimes improperly, for the whole person of man, Gen. XIV. 12. Acts XXVII. 37. sometimes for the life of the person, sometimes for the body, Gen. XVII. 21. sometimes for the dead carkasse, Levit. XIX. 28. and XXI. 1, 2. Num. VI. 6. and V. 2, 9, 10. Hag. II. 14. And so foreign is taken also. Here, my soul, i. e. my self.

hell] the Hebrew foreign is taken for the grave, Psal. CXLI. 7. and LXXXVI. 13. and XXX. 13. and LV. 15. Gen. XXXVII. 35. and XLII. 3. 1 Kings II. 6, 9. Num. XVI. 30. Jonah II. 1, 2. Not for a place of souls under the earth. See Doctor Rainolds, Praelect. 81. & 82. upon the Apocryphal books: and Robert Parker upon Christs Descent into hell; foreign is taken for death, or the state of the dead: for the place invisible; for the grave, in relation to the body, Acts II. 27. And in relation to the soul, for heaven to the godly soul, as in our Creed; and for Hell, to the soul ungodly; and so most usualy. Christs soul did not descend to the lower parts, or that imaginary place of Limbus Patrum. This place here meant is a place of punishment, and p. 118therefore it is mentioned as a mercy, that Christ was thence delivered; Christs soul was not therefore there in triumph. The scope of the Apostles in citing this place is not to deale about the deliverance of Christs soul out of Hell, but punctualy of Christs Resurrection: They inferre nothing else out of this Text. But Resurrection is properly of the Body, not of the Soul. Gehenna is sometimes taken for the Grave; and most-times further, for Hell it self. The true meaning and sense of the Article of Christs Descent into Hell, as the Latines very improperly translate the words, foreign, seemes to be thus rendered rather, he went into the place of invisible souls: and to be understood of Christs Soul; for his body remained in the Grave; And his soul in that interim to passe to the place of souls; to Heaven or Paradise; as the souls of the godly did, and his principaly. As the souls of the wicked went to Hell. For foreign as a general name doth certainly and evidently signifie both places. And thus the Articles go on methodicaly, without any tautologie; That after Christs death, his body was buried in the Grave, his Soul went to the place of blessed souls; and the third day, both soul and body were reunited in his Resurrection. This verse then, and two before, and one following, are most properly meant of Christ, and of his Resurrection. Acts II. 25,—28, 31. and XIII. 35, 36, 37.

Thou wilt shew me] Experimentaly.

me] Christ spea…s of himself.

the path of life] Of glory after his Resurrection. verse 11 All this true of Christ the head; and in and by him, true also of David, of all his members. Christs Resurrection, and Glorification is the beginning of ours; he the Author, and meanes of it to us; in our first Resurrection here by Regeneration, to the life of Grace; whereby Christ lives in us, Gal. II. 20. He in us, and we in him by Faith, Ephes. III. 17. Rom. I. 17 And in our second Resurrection, to the life of Glory; as followes in. this verse.

In thy presence] Before thy face; in the light of thy countenance. See Gen. XXXII. and Exod. XXXIII. 14, 15. Num. VI. 23. Psal. IV. 6. and XXXI. 16. and LXXX. 3. Deut. XXXIV. 10. Esay VI.

fulnesse] Yet all the former but in part, whiles we are in the way; in fulnesse, when we come to our countrey, or heavenly Canaan, Job XIX. 26, 27. 1 John III. 2. 1 Cor. XIII. 12. Matth. V. 8. And yet this beatifical Vision of God in glory shall be to our fulnesse; not to his. The fulnesse of his infinite Essence, by any created power of Saint, or Angel by the eye of flesh, though glorified, or by the intellectual eye of a soul or spirit glorified cannot be seene, 1 Tim. VI. 16. But to our fulnesse, as farre as creatures are capable of, our vessel thrown into this infinite Sea, shall be brim full, though it containe not all this Ocean, Psal. XVII. 15. And how great then shall this fulnesse then be, when of things in this kinde revealed of God to his Apostles in this life, by his Spirit, the Apostle so speaketh, as we read, 1 Cor. XI. 9. p. 184out of Esay LXIV. 4? This is a fulnesse beyond all that of Faith, and Hope, a fulnesse that fills up all desires, a fulnesse of fruition, of satisfaction, without satiety. Apoc. III. Consider that saying of the Queen of Sheba, 1 King. X. 8. and of the Disciples at Christs Transfiguration, Mat. XVII. 4.

At thy right hand] And by thy right hand, Psal. XX. 7. LXIII. 9. CXVIII. 16.

for evermore] Without which eternity there were no true felicity.

right] My plea for my righteous cause; chapter XVII verse 1 my righteous cause and complaint, ver. 2.

I am purposed] Psal. XXXIX. 1. verse 3

of thy lips] Guiding and directing me. verse 4

when I awake] Our of the sleep of death, verse 15 Esay XXVI. 19.

with thy likenesse] 1 Cor. XV. 49. 1 John III. 2. Apoc. XXII. 4.

Horne] Signifieth power, chapter XVIII verse 2 and glory, Psal. XCII. 10. Amos VI. 13. And Christ called the Horne of Salvation, Luke I. 69.

earth shook] Here, verse 7 and hereafter are sublime expressions, not of what historicaly hapned, but of the marvelous maner of Gods mighty presence, assistance, and concurrence in Davids victories, in some sort Poeticaly set forth.

thundered] Thunder is called Gods voice, verse 13 Apoc. X. 3, 4. and XIX. 6. Of thunder. See Psal. XXIX. 3, 10. and LXXVII. 18. and CIV. 7. Exod. XIX. 16. & XX. 18. Jer. X. 13. Job. XXVI. 14 & XXXVIII. 25. Esay XXIX, 6. Apoc. IV. 5. and 8. 5. Some proud blasphemers have laboured to imitate the thunder: and some impious Tyrants have exceedingly feared it.

according to my righteousnesse] The justnesse of my Cause against Saul, verse 24 and others; and my sincere desire and endeavour to serve and obey God: though not for any merit of my works.

thy self froward] Meet with them in their own way. verse 26 As Levit. XXVI. 23, 24.

Bow of steele. verse 34

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee] This verse is applied, verse 49 Rom. XV. 9. to the Calling of the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, and praise unto God therefore. And so formerly, ver. 43, 44. and again, verse 50. are more truly verified in Christ, then in David.

to his Anointed, verse 50 to David, and to his seed for evermore] To his Messiah, his Christ, as Psal. II. 2. to David literaly; to Christ mysticaly called by the name of David, Jer. XXX. 9. Ezek. XXXIV. 23, 24. and chap. XXXVII. 24. Hos. 5. to his seed, both himself properly, called the seed of David, Rom. I. 3. Acts XIII. 23. as the seed of Abraham, Gal. III. 16. and to his seed, Esay LIII. 10. Heb. II. 13. And thus properly it is for evermore.

Day unto day] Or day after day: chapter XIX verse 2 the vicissitude or continual succession of day and night speaketh much divine knowledge. The assiduity, and constancy without any intermission by the Heavens preaching is hereby expressed.

p. 183There is no speech] Among all variety of Languages, verse 3 yet this language and idiome of the heavens is one and the same, understood of all, and heard of all, ver. 4.

Their line] Rom. X. 18. verse 4 the Apostle hath it their sound, or voice. And such a like difference is found in Micah V. 2. with Matth. chap. II. 6. And again in Rom. IX. 33. with Isa. chap. XXVIII. 16. The Apostle fits this Testimonie to his own purpose; not derogating thereby from the truth of the literal sense. As that Exod. XVI. 18. is applied, 2 Cor. VIII. 15. Or rather the Apostle retaines the literal sense, for the preaching of the Gospel to all the world, Rom. XV. 19. Col. I. 6, 23. And out of this testimonie of the Psalme in its literal sense proves that the Gentiles had heard and learned somewhat of God and pietie before, out of the book of the Creation, Rom. I. 19. Acts XIV. 17. Which was a forerunner to this more ample Doctrine and School of the Gospel, which now God was pleased to vouchsafe unto them. In summe, the Apostle herein followes the LXX. And applies this to the preaching of the Gospel to the Heathens; as God had formerly taught them, in another & a weaker maner and degree, by his works of Creation. They had as a voice to speak; so a line to write, rule, direct, and instruct, as Esay XXVIII. 10.

sunne] The carbuncle of heaven; the eye, and heart of the world, for its light, and heat.

to runne a race] His race, is without intermission, or wearinesse; and the swiftnesse of his running, verse 5 being so great a body, in its owne orbe, is even to amazement, and astonishment, almost beyond imagination. That the Sunne should stand, and the Earth so move, as some braines fancie, is no lesse then a prodigious Paradox.

The Law] From the Book of Gods works, verse 7 he comes now to the Book of his Word, in five verses. And in this Schoole, each verse in a maner doth expresse the name, the nature, the effects, the preciousnesse of this Word; much against all those imbasements and impeachments which the Papists would put upon it.

gold] Gold of Havilah, verse 10 good, Gen. II. 11, 12. Ophir, 1 Kings IX. 28. Uphaz, Jer. X. 9. This is the chiefest gold, Dan X. 5. Job XXVIII. 15. Psal. CXIX. 72. See the Observations on Esay XIII. 12.

great reward] Which reward yet is of grace, verse 11 not of merit, Rom. VIII. 3. through Gods free grace and bounty; not the merit of our works. The Apostle doth thus distinguish of merit, Rom. IV. 4, 5. and XI. 6. There is no merit properly, if the work be not properly out own; and not otherwise due debt; and justly equal to the reward. They are justly due out of his true and free promise.

who can] Where then is that possibility, verse 12 and facility of fulfilling the Law, even unto works of Supererogation, whereof Papists do so much brag?

dominion over me] There are sinnes reigning; and not reigning, but rebelling, verse 13 Rom. VI. 12, 22. and VII. 15,—20.

The Lord hear thee] This Psalme, chapter XXI verse 1 and the next, are composed by p. 184David, for a publike forme of a Prayer in the one, of a Thanksgiving in the other, to be used by the people, for himself the King. They seeme to stretch this Psalme too farre, and that without ground, who make it to be a Prophesie of Christs Sufferings, and his deliverances out of them, for which the Church with him triumpheth. As also the next Psalme to gratulate the victory and Salvation of Christ.

Save Lord, verse 9 let the King hear us] Most here understand God, or the Messias. Some David. The LXX. not observing or keeping the Hebrew distinction Athnach, render it thus, Lord save the King, and hear us when we call upon thee.

for ever and ever] Psal. chapter XXI verse 4 LXXXIX. 29, 36, 37. and LXI. 6, 7. David lived but seventy years: yet in his royal posterity, for many ages; and in Christ, the Sonne of David, Matth. XXII. 42. for ever and ever, eternaly, Rom. VI. 9. Apoc. I. 18. Heb. VII. 25. See the Observations on Deut. XV. 17.

Thine hand] King Davids hand. chapter XXII verse 8

In some Psalmes there are passages that properly and literaly belong to David; and to Christ only, as David was a Type of him. But in this Psalme, are some Passages, as ver. 16, 17, 18. (besides many other which are applied to Christ in the New Testament, as ver. 1, 7, 8, 22, 27.) which literaly and properly belong to Christ, and are appliable to him only, or to him more then to David. Then here is no place left for that question of the Eunuch, Acts VIII. 34. The allegations out of this Psalme, Matth. XXVII. 46, 35, 43. Heb. II. 12. and the body of the Psalme it self do shew, that little of it can be applied to David, as a Type, most of it is proper and peculiar to Christ alone, as I formerly said, 1 Pet. I. 11, 12.

my God] Jesus on the Crosse little before his death, verse 1 about the ninth hour, cryed out these words with a loud voice, Matth. XXVII. 46. Heb. V. 7. upon the weight of Gods wrath, under the burden of our sinnes; The Deity by a special providence and dispensation withdrawing and suspending its influence from the Humanity for this time; God withdrawing all sense of his favour from him. Not that the hypostatical union of both natures was then or ever severed or dissolved. But yet he suffered chiefly in his soul, all the paines, pangs and agonies of a justly angry and punishing God, even more then can either be expressed or imagined, even so farre above the measure of ordinary sufferings, as himself was above ordinary men; without any influence, or joy, or comfort streaming from the Vision of God upon his mind and wil for that time. So that he suffered as in body, so in soul, in his whole man; as in his sensual part, so in his intellectual also, in his whole soul, and body, and in all the parts, powers, and faculties of them. And the greatest sufferings, as was said, that could be sustained in this life, Lam. I. 12. yet without any derogation to the integrity, purity, innocencie, dignity of the person of Christ our Surety and Saviour. These words then are not a complaint out of impatience, ignorance, disobedience, or diffidence. They are the words of sense, not of infidelity. See ver. p. 18524. Luke XXIII. 46. He strongly calls him his God, even in that instant of these suffering; so expressing his firme faith in him. But they are a Protestation of the bitternesse of his Passion, so stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted, and so farre prevailing on him, in whom the spirit of fortitude had his residence.

forsaken me] This sense of dereliction and carencie of Divine favour for the time, as it was the Fathers pleasure to have it so, so the Sonnes office called him unto it; and he did not contract it by any fault of his, but did voluntarily undertake it for our sinnes, and the expiation of them: as he did the death it self. So that in this then there could not be any defect or defanlt of faith, and hope requisite in him, And likewise that Prayer and Speech, Matth. XXVI. 39. bewrayes the sense of the flesh; but joyned with the obedience of the Spirit in him: A double Will in him, against Monothelites: but joyned both in one holy obedience and subjection. All which shew the nature of sinne, the infinite wrath of God against it; the infinite Love of the Father, and the Sonne, towards the children of men; and the verity of Christs Humane Nature, both in body and soul.

roaring] Like that of Lions Psal. XXXII. 3. and XXXVIII. 8. Matth. XXVI. 38. Marke XIV. 33. Luke XXII. 44. so that he had need of an Angel for his Comforter. Yet he so wrestles and prevailes, that no signe of halting was left remaining after; no signe or voice of despair; as some are shamelesly wronged to charge upon him. All the agonies of Christs soul ceased with his death.

but thou hearest not] We read that God ever heard him, verse 2 ver. 24. John XI. 42. Heb. V. 7. But here this Prayer was only conditional; a signification of a natural desire; not an absolute, and plenary Prayer.

inhabit the praises of Israel] Whose praise thou art, verse 3 Deut. X. 21. And they praise thee, in thy House and Sanctuary. Thou art still praised by them for thy benefits to them, and acknowledged their holy one.

Our fathers] And shall I be so forsaken, verse 4 not heard, nor holpen, nor delivered? Thus he aggravates his complaint, rouzeth up his faith, bowes and moves God to merciemercy.

Cried] Crying or clamor, verse 5 and Prayer, are oft conjoyned, Psal III. 4. and XVIII. 7. Jer. VII. 16. Jonas III. 8. Micah III. 4.

a worme] So vile and contemptible in the eyes of men, verse 6 Esay LIII. 2, 3. as Job XXV. 6. Esay XLI. 14. Not only made lower then the Angels, Psal. VIII. 5. Heb. II. 7. but disesteemed more then Barrabas, or the two theives.

All they that see me] This verse, verse 7 and the next, we see fulfilled in the History of Christs Passion, Matth. XXVII. 39,—44. Luke XXIII. 35. Not that Christ herein murmurs against God; but declares and deplores his own misery, whereunto for mans sake, and his redemption, he willingly subjects himself.

laugh me to scorne] Matth. XXVII. 39.

p. 186He trusted] Matt. verse 8 XXVII. 43.

But thou art] This verse, verse 9 and the next, shew his Hope in God. The like see in David, Psal. LXXI. 5, 6, 7.

out of the womb] By a natural, not miraculous way; as David was, Psal. LXXI. 5. by the opening of the womb, without any losse or laesion of Blessed Maries Virginity; not by a miraculous penetration of dimensions and substances, to keep the womb still closed and shut.

breasts] So Job XXXI. 18. Psal. LXXI. 6. 2 Tim. III. 15. Esay XLVI. 3. and XLIX. 1. Luke I. 15, 41.

I was cast] By him saved from Herods intended murder, verse 10 Mat. II.

Be not farre from me] Therefore he was not utterly forsaken, verse 11 ver. 1. So Psal. X. 1. and XXXVIII. 22, 23. So againe, Esay XLVIII. 9.

for trouble is near] Death it self.

none to help] Esay LXIII. 3, 5. His Disciples fled; Peter forswears him: none but God could help him.

Many Bulls] So afterwards Lions, verse 12 ver. 13. Dogs, ver. 16, 20. Such were his enemies to him; the Devil and his instruments; the Priests, and Rulers of the Jewes, in our Saviours dayes.

Bashan] See the Annotations on Micah VII. 14.

roaring Lion] Even they forced Pilate, verse 13 notwithstanding all his pleadings for Jesus, to condemne him. See Matth. XXVII. 17.—26. John XIX. 1,—13.

like water] Such is his state. verse 14 As 2 Sam. XIV. 14. His bones, heart, bowels, melted, burnt, as it were, with the heat of Gods wrath.

the Assembly] In their Councils, verse 16 Marke XIV. 55. and XV. 1. John XI. 47.

They pierced] Our Hebrew Bibles have foreign, as a Lion. Which yet by anomalie in Grammer may signifie foreign, they pierced. And such anomalies are found sometimes in the Hebrew text, as Ezra X. 16. 44. Psal. X. 15. And foreign is confessed to be found in some ancient Copies, or foreign; So that the text here may be said to admit divers readings. Yet the Spirit of God in the New Testament doth constantly render it, they pierced. The ancient Jewes maintaine this reading; And some of the moderne. The other reading as a Lion, is but a various reading; and though in the text, yet in good sense it seemes not so well to stand; and therefore this foderunt, set in the margin, is to be read. And some Copies have foderunt in the text; yea, and the other reading as was said by anomalie in Grammar, not unusual in Scripture, will signifie foderunt also. And thus they dealt with our Saviour Jesus Christ, John XX. 25. Luke XXIV. 40. Zech. XII. 10. compared with John XIX. 37.

stare upon me] As Psal. XXXV. 21. verse 17 and LIV. 9. They fed their eyes with my miserable spectacle; with all pleasure, and without any pitying of me.

parted my garments] John XIX. 23, 24. verse 18 The four souldiers that had the chardge of the execution, did so. But other souldiers, with p. 187their Captaine or Centurion, were there present.

lots] Of Lots, see the Annotations on Jonah I. 7. Lots are for division; or consultation, and Divination.

my darling] Psal. verse 20 XXXV. 17. or my onelyonly one, which is without an helper, ver. 11.

Unicorns] See the Observations on Num. XXIII. verse 21 22.

I will declare] Recount, verse 22 publish, and praise; thy bounty, and goodnesse, all thy Divine attributes, perfections, and actions.

unto my brethren] Heb. II. 10, 11, 12. brethren in that one and common sanctification.

ye that fear the Lord] Christs speech and exhortation to his Church, to praise, verse 23 and worship God, Psal. CXXXV. 1. &c.

hath not despised] Christ, in his low and base estate; verse 24 though men did, Esay LIII. 3.

he heard] Heb. V. 7.

my praise] As Christ exhorted others; so himself will not be behinde, verse 25 but an example to them, to praise his Father.

vowes] See the Annotations on Jonah I. 16.

The meek] Spiritual feeding, verse 26 and blessings are here mainly intended; by allusion likely to the feastings at Peace-offerings; as at that 2 Sam. VI. 18, 19. See Esay LV. 1, 2. Prov. IX. 5, 6.

All the ends] The large bounds of the Church of Christ, verse 27 Psal. II. 8. Gen. XVII. 18. and XLVIII. 10. Esay XLIX. 22. Acts XIII. 47. and XIV. 14.

worship] 1 Sam. I. 3▪ 19, 28. John IV. 20,—24.

For the Kingdome] His Kingdome of Grace, verse 28 revealed to the Gentiles, whereby he reigneth in their hearts, Esay II. 4.

All they] All sorts and conditions of men shall worship before him, verse 29 James I. 9. the rich and great ones, Psal. XLV. 12. Esay XLIX. 23. and the poor hungry ones ready to die and perish, Matth. XI. 5.

A seed] Christs Church shall be Catholike, verse 30 as for places, and persons; so here for time and duration, Esay LIII. 10. Those worshippers in the former verse, shall have a seed and succession to continue from generation to generation, Psal. LXXXVII. 5, 6. Acts XV. 16.

They shall come] They that are first in Christ, verse 31 begotten by the immortal seed of his Word.

shall declare his righteousnesse] In performing his promises, in the exhibition of the Messias, and the benefits of redemption and salvation by him, Psal. XL. 10. and LXXI. 15.

that he hath done this] Like that Psal. XXXVII. 5.

Shepheard] A frequent similitude: chapter XXIII verse 1 none oftner used in Scripture; yet may David the more willingly use it, as having been a Shepheard himself. It is used of God; of Christ; and of Magistrates, and Ministers under them. And the godly are called by the name of sheepe. The texts are numerous.

I shall not want] 1 Cor. III 21. Mat. V. 33.

in green pastures] Ezek. verse 2 XXXIV. 14. Esay XLIX. 10.

p. 188thou art with me] Gen. XV. 1. and chap. XXI. 22. 1 Chron. XI. 9. 2 Kings VI. verse 4 verse 16 Judg. VI. 12. Acts XVIII. 9. Jer. XV. 20. Esay XLIII. 2.

Thy rod and thy staffe] Micah VII. 14. Zech. XI. 7.

dwel in the house of the Lord] The place of Gods worship, verse 6 Judg. XIX. 18. Psal. LXVI. 13. and XXVII. 4. yet God dwells not in Temples made with hands, Esay LXVI. 1. Acts VII. 48.

The earth] 1 Cor. chapter XXIV verse 1 X. 26, 28. twise alledged by the Apostle; and to two several purposes; and both appositely

hill of the Lord] Though all the earth be the Lords, verse 3 verse 1. yet the hill of Zion, Psal. II. 6. is his holy place. As Exod. XIX. 5. Deut. X. 14. Of this hill, see Esay II. 2, 3. Micah IV. 1. See Psal. XV. 1.

holy place] Place, not capable of holinesse in it self, of any inherent holinesse: But of a relative holinesse, in a relation to Gods presence therein, for the time, either by extraordinary signes and tokens as Exod. III. 5. or by appointing his ordinary means of worship therein; ceremonial under the Old Testament; which now is done away, and not to be recalled; or spiritual, under the New. The former, though of Gods appointment and ordination, had not in themselves, nor could give absolute holinesse to the worship therein performed: And much more now the Places of Gods worship do not make holy the Services therein performed; but by them rather are made holy only relatively, being appointed to such holy uses.

He that hath] Esay XXXIII. verse 4 15, 16.

clean hands] Psal. XVIII. 21. Esay LVI. 2. Ezek. XVIII. 8.

pure heart] Matth. XV. 19. Prov. II. 19. Jer. XVII. 9. yet Acts XV. 9. 1 Tim. I. 5. Psal. CI. 2.

nor sworn deceitfully] Oaths are taken in a strict and proper sense; or at a great latitude. They are Assertorie, or Promissorie; single, or with a curse or execration annexed; lawful in themselves; an act of Religion, Esay XIX. 18. Lawfull in the Old Testament, by Gods precept, promise, and examples of holy men. Lawful in the New Testament by same nature, and use of them, as in the Old, Hebr. VI. 16. by those warrants, Esay XLV. 1. Jer. XII. 16. speaking of the times of the New Testament; by the example of the Angel, Apoc. X. 16. of the Apostle, Rom. I. 9. 2 Cor. I. 23. That text, Matth. V. 34. and so that James V. 12. is not to be understood simply and absolutely; but relatively, as Christ thereby opposeth the corrupt practise of the Pharisees, and their false interpretation of Gods Law concerning swearing, as if swearing, so as Gods name were not directly used in it, and no falshood or perjury contained in it, were no sinne with them; but ever and altogether lawful, though it were never so lightly and slightly, vainly, and customarily, unnecessarily, and causelesly done, where yea and nay had been sufficient. Thus Christ opposeth and forbiddeth even all swearing as much as lieth in us; but forbids not lawfull swearing, upon just, urgent and necessary occasions. Of Oaths, see more in the Observations on Hos. IV. 15.

p. 189He shall] He is a true member of the invisible and Catholike Church, verse 5 and he only; whereas hypocrites and wicked persons may be members of the visible and of particular Churches, by reason of their external profession only, Rom. IX. 6. Matth. VII 21. The former are members properly, univocaly, essentialy, formaly, inwardly, in truth, and in the judgement of God; The later only equivocaly, externaly, materialy, not formaly and essentialy, in shew, in the opinion of men as rotten members, or ill humours in the body, 2 Tim. III. 5. Gal. V. 24. These are in the visible Church, as chaffe is among the wheat.

receive] Not by merit of condignity, for the worth of his works, Dan. IX. 18. Rom. VIII. 18. For the works are imperfect in themselves; and again, not our own, and wholy from our selves, and besides due debt otherwise, without this reward; and lastly no wise equivalent, and equipollent to this reward. But receive the blessing and reward by and because of Gods free grace, rich merciemercy, bountiful promise, whereby he hath freely engaged himself to give such and so superabundant a remuneration. And so he gives it in justice now because engaged and obliged thereunto by the truth of his so free, gracious, and bountiful a promise. God is just to performe his promise, 1 John I. 9. 2 Tim. IV. 7.

Blessing] Gen. XII. 2. Gal. III. 9. Eph. I. 2. Mat. XXV. 34.

righteousnesse] Of Justification, and of Sanctification; Righteousnesse, with the encrease, fruit, and reward of it, according to Gods righteous promise and performance.

This is the generation] This kinde of men. verse 6 As Luke XI. 29. and XVI. 8. Matth. XII. 39. Not those that brag of being Abrahams or Iacobs seed, Matth. III. 9. Iohn VIII. 33. but these are the true seed and generation, Gal. III. 7, 29. Rom. IX. 6, 7. These are the true Israel of God, that seek him.

that seek] Deut. IV. 29. Psal. XXVII. 8. 2 Kings XX. 3, 4. which grace comes of God, Esay LXV. 1, 2.

thy face O Iacob] O God of Jacob. Or, this in Jacob; or the generation of Jacob, that seek Gods face; as Jacob did, Gen. XXXII. 24, 30. See John I. 47. Rom. IX. 6. and II. 28, 29.

Lift up] Having mentioned the hill of the Lord, verse 7 and his holy place, ver. 3. This may seeme to relate to the gates and doors of the Temple, vowed by David, and to be built by Solomon; and to the coming in of the Ark into it: or rather, proceeding from the Type to the Truth, we may mysticaly referre this to the Church of Christ, and the true members of it, to lift up the gates and doors of their hearts and everlasting souls, that the Lord whom they seek may come into his Temple, Mal. III. 2. that they prepare themselves to receive and entertaine him at his coming in the flesh, at his coming into their hearts, Apoc. III. 20. who is indeed the true King of glory. Apoc. XVII. 14. 2 Cor II. 8. the true Jehovah, Exod III. 15. Psal. LXXXIII. 18. Col. II. 9. and Christ, compare Num. XXI, 5. with 1 Cor. X. 9. and Esay VI. 1. with John XII. 41. Even Iehovah our righteousnesse, p. 190Ier. XXIII. 6. the mighty God, Esay IX. 6. the increase of whose Kingdome and government shall have no end, Esay IX. 7. Dan. VII. 14. Mat. XXVIII. 18. for whose in-coming the doors of our hearts and affections should lie open.

To make the Alphabetical order perfect in this Psalm, chapter XXV some would have the verses in it not to be rightly all distinguished: as namely, the second, and the fifth. And foreign to seeme wanting in the beginning of the seventeenth verse. And, the last verse to be only the later part of the foregoing verse.

without cause] Given on my part; verse 3 not provoked by me.

for it is great] And so needs much merciemercy, verse 11 great merciemercy.

seek ye my face,] chapter XXVII verse 8 Deut. IV. 29. Davids soul did most seek it, to be near where the Ark of God was, and so before the face of the Lord, as the Scripture phraseth it: being out of heart when he was barred from it, ver. 4. Psal. LXV. 4. Psal. LXXXIV. and XLII. 1 Sam. XXVI. 19. Gods command here was Davids request, and the thing he aimed at.

regard not] Esay V. chapter XXVIII verse 5 12. do not attend, and wisely consider of them; of the mysteries of Gods providence and wayes; in bringing David to the Crown; in managing the matters of this world, as to the godly, and as to the wicked; in husbanding mans salvation by contraries, &c. Rom. XI. 33.

in the beauty of holinesse] chapter XXIX verse 2 In the comely honour of the Sanctuary, Psal. XCVI. 9. the glorious, holy Sanctuary.

The voice of the Lord] Of thunder, verse 3 see Exod. IX. 23. Job XXXVII, 4, 5. and XL. 9. See the Observations on Psal. XVIII. 13.

Sirion] See the Observations on Deut. verse 6 III. 9.

but a moment] Esay XXVI. chapter XXX verse 5 20. and LIV. 7, 8.

in my blood] By any violent death, verse 9 through Sauls means.

into thy hands] Luke XXIII. chapter XXXI verse 5 46. 1 Pet. IV. 19.

My times] And troubles, verse 15 and changes therein.

O how great] Esay LXIV. verse 19 4. 1 Cor. II. 9.

in a] As in a fensed Citie. verse 21

in my hast] 1 Sam. XXIII. 26. verse 22 Or in my hasty thoughts, through the extremity of my imminent instant danger. So Psal. LXXVII. 7. &c. 2 Cor. I. 8, 9. yet this might stand mixed with faith; as Psal. XXII. 1. And as Fear and Confidence are not altogether inconsistent, Phil. II. 12. Heb. III. 6, 14.

Blessed] Saint Paul, chapter XXXII verse 1 Rom. IV. 6, 7, 8. alledgeth this to prove justification by Faith, without Works. Faith and Works are inseparable, Ephes. II. 8, 9, 10. James II. 14, 17, 18, 20,—26. That Faith which is without Works is dead, no true Faith. But Faith onelyonly acteth in the point of our justification before God, applying Christ and the Promises, beleeving according to the Covenant of the Gospel; whereby Christ doth become ours his righteousnesse our justification; and all the benefits of his redemption do redound and amount to our salvation.

p. 191imputeth] Frequent is the use of this word in the point of justification. verse 2

mule] See the Annotations on Gen. verse 9 XXXVI. 24.

neer unto thee] To hurt thee: or not neer to thee to do thee service, unlesse forced by the bridle, Iam. III 3.

Harp] Invented by Iubal, chapter XXXIII verse 2 Gen. IV. 21. made by Solomon of Almug trees, 1 Kings X. 12. called the pleasant Harp, Psal. LXXXI. 2 much used for mirth and joy, Gen. XXXI. 27. Iob XXI. 12. Esay V. 12. Ezek. XXVI. 13. And much used in Gods worship and service, in the praising of him, by ordinance in the Temple, 1 Chron. XV. 21. and XXV. 1, 3, 6. And upon other religious occasions… both publike, as 1 Sam. X. 5. 2 Sam. VI. 5. 1 Chron. XV. 16. 2 Chron. V. 12. Nehem. XII. 27. and private, wherein David excelled, 1 Sam. XVI. 16, 23. and abounded, Psal. LVII. 8. and CVIII. 3. And much in holy use with others also; as here; and so XLIII. 4. and LXXI. 22. and XCVIII. 5. And of spiritual harps we read in the Revelation, chap. V. 8. and XIV. 2. and XV. 2.

Psalterie] Or Lute, or Viol. In Hebrew Nebel. Whence the Greeks and Latines seeme to have the names of their instruments Nablium, Naulon.

a new Song] So Psal. XL. 3. verse 3 and XCVI. 1. and XCVIII. 1. and CXLIV. 9. New still, upon new and fresh occasions renued. As Love is said to be both an old and a new Commandment. Yet in Scripture phrase very much, Things appertaining to the times of the Gospel, are called New; as a New Covenant, Heb. VIII. 13. a New Testament, 1 Cor. XI. 25. a New Ierusalem, Apoc. III. 12. New Heavens, and a New Earth, Esay LXV. 17. a New name, a New man, Eph. II. 15. Esay LXII. 2. a New Commandment, John XIII. 34. a New way, Heb. X. 28. a New heart, Ezek. XXXVI. 26. yea and all things New, 2 Cor. V. 17. Apoc. XXI. 5. See that Song, Luke II. 14.

Abimelech] The common name of the Kings of the Philistines, chapter XXXIV signifying my-father-King: Achish being the proper name for this King of Gath, a Citie of the Philistines, 1 Sam. XXI. 10. The LVI. Psalme is also upon this same occasion. And this one of the Alphabetical Psalmes: Only Zain is omitted, and Phe twice used.

They looked unto him] To God; verse 5 and to his dealing with David.

afflictions] They serve to them as cures, verse 19 or preservatives from spiritual evils, Psal. CXIX. 67, 71. Heb. XII. 6, &c.

not one of them is broken] See Exod. verse 20 XII. 46. Num. IX. 12. John XIX. 36. The sense here is more general.

Let them] See the Observations on Psal. chapter XXXV verse 4 CIX.

False witnesses] Mat. verse 11 XXVI. 59.

my prayer returned] Though they got no good by it, verse 13 yet I did.

my darling] Psal. XXVI. 20,—23. verse 17

within my heart] I verily beleeve it of them, chapter XXXVI verse 1 by reason of their heinous transgressions, which indeed proclaime it.

not good] Extremely bad. verse 4 foreign. See the Observations on Prov. XX. 23.

p. 192great mountains] Mountains of God. verse 6 See the Observations on Jonah III. 3. and on 1 Sam. XIV. 15.

The matter of this Psalme, chapter XXXVII or the first maine part of it, is that grand point, of the prosperity of the wicked, and afflictions of the godly, in this life; and of Gods Providence therein. Heathens have much debated this matter. Job is much upon it, as chap. XXI. 7. &c. and chap. XXIV: and chap. XXVII. and in other places. Divers other Psalmes also insist upon it more or lesse; as Psal. XLIX. and LXXIII. and XC. Jeremie professedly, chap. XII. 1. &c. And Habakkuk somewhat, chap. I. 13. The case in point of fact is plain and undeniable. The Providence, Wisdome, and Justice of God in it, is a Mystery to man. Yet to the Christian who believes the Resurrection of the body, and eternal life, things not so clearly revealed in the infancie of the Church, the difficulty is now soone dissolved. And the well and wise weighing of the point by an Heathen, or natural man, may much availe him for his further and better information in matters of great consequence and concernment. See the Annotations on Psal. XLI. 1. The greatest doubt arising hence to the godly, may seeme to be this, How these same occurrences of administrations in Gods Providence may stand with such constant, continual, and abundant promises of Gods blessings in temporal things to the godly in this life, 1 Tim. IV. 8. and with his like threatnings of plagues and punishments to the wicked in this world. The issue will be, That these Promises and Threatnings, specialy under the Law, are spoken to vulgar capacities, in those times; and yet have their exceptions and limitations in the Word: And that the prosperity of the wicked is but a seeming prosperity; and a short, and momentany prosperity in relation to eternity; and many wayes disadvantageous and hurtful to them; and ends with an overthrow suddaine, and terrible, and everlasting: And again, That the affliction of the godly is but momentany, nothing to eternity, and mainly profitable for the work of Grace here, more then abundantly recompensing and over-poizing their afflictions; and for the increase of Glory hereafter. Yet super-adding this, That Gods wisdome and wayes of Providence are not commensurate with mans finite and shallow capacity, Psal. XXXVI. 6. Rom. XI. 33. Gen. XVIII. 25. Esay LV. 8, 9.

Fret not] Another Alphabetical Psalme. verse 1 Wherein, not every verse, but every second verse, begins with the letter of the Hebrew Alphabet in order. Only verse 7, 20, 29, 34. stand single in their due order, without any other letter or verse interposed.

cease from anger] Upon unjust causes, verse 8 in an unjust maner, and measure, Ephes. IV. 31. yet in it self lawful, Ephes. IV. 26. Mark III. 5.

A little] Prov. XV. verse 16 16. and XVI. 8. and X. 22. Eccl. IX. 7.

I have been young] This was Davids experience in his time. verse 25 It followes not to be so in all ages.

to bring to remembrance] That he might remember Gods chastisement upon him for his sinne; chapter XXXVIII or that God might remember him to help and deliver him out of it.

p. 193lest otherwise] A like argument or expression God useth, verse 16 Deut. XXXII. 27.

to Jeduthun] Or for him, chapter XXXIX and his posteritie, 1 Chron. XXV. 3. So Psal. LXXVII. title.

Even from good] Not much unlike that idiotisme and expression, verse 2 Gen. XXXI. 29. Num. XXIII. 25.

the fire burned] See Jer. XX. 9. Job XXXII. 18, 19. verse 3

a moath] The moath is suddenly crushed, verse 11 Job IV. 19. and doth insensibly consume a garment, Job XIII. 28. Hos. V. 12.

That this Psalme should wholly be understood of Christ; chapter XL excluding David; may seeme not so safe and warrantable.

I waited] They are Davids words throughout this Psalme. verse 1 Yet he being in some things a Type of Christ; and was to be the Father of Christ according to the flesh, he useth some words propheticaly of Christ, speaking them as in the person of Christ, which are directly applyed to Christ by the Apostle, Heb. X. 7, 8, 9.

and heard my cry] Thus from experience of merciemercy formerly received, in Gods hearing his Prayers, and delivering him from deepest dangers, in the former part of the Psalme; he strengthens his faith in Prayer for obtaining like merciemercy, and deliverance, in the later part of the Psalme: so as there is no shew of opposition or contradiction, between the beginning, and ending of it.

an horrible pit] Not that imaginarie Limbus Patrum: verse 2 nor that state of sinne before regeneration; whereunto their own preparatorie dispositions, to their conversion, did availe and prevaile, whiles they were in that state of sinne, to their deliverance out of it, by merit of congruity. But this pit is the depth of miseries, the evils of punishments, the gulph of temporal afflictions, wherein David was plunged after his conversion, and the graces of faith, hope, and invocation appearing in him, ver. 1.

a new song] For new benefits and deliverances; verse 3 and those such and so new, as the like were scarce heard of before.

many shall] Psal. XXXII. 6.

fear, and shall trust.] These two conjoyned in a pious soul; fear, and faith; a reverent fear, and trust in Gods merciemercy, Psal. CXXX. 4.

unto our God] To god, and Christ.

his trust] Whose sure merciemercy to them is such, verse 4 as we read, 1 Tim. IV. 10. Deut. I. 31. and XXXII. 10, 11, 12. John III. 16.

Many, O Lord my God] David speaking to God and Christ; verse 5 if not in the person of Christ, as his Type, with admiration of his infinite goodnesse and mercy towards man, and in ordering the meanes of his salvation. So that he riseth up now to a more general admiration of Gods wonderful works and thoughts towards his; and of the number, quantity, and quality of them.

Sacrifice] Christs words, verse 6 Heb. X. 5. So that these words, and the next are spoken unto God, in the person of the Messias, who was to come of the seed of David, Heb. X. 5, 6, 7. See the like before, p. 194XVI. 10. David having spoken in the former verse of Gods wonderfull works and thoughts towards mankinde, doth in this maner in the words of the Messias rise up to the very highest of them all in these two verses. For Sacrifices, see my Table of them in Leviticus.

not desire] Jer. VII. 22. Hos. VI. 6. Prov. XXI. 3. 1 Sam. XV. 22. Psal. L. 5,—16. Matth. XII. 7. Mark XII. 33. And Christ was now to put an end to them, Dan. IX. 27. as not able in themselves to purge away sinne, Heb. X. 4. Therefore God desired them not simply of themselves, without inward piety concurring, as the very life and soul of them; Or, in comparison of the spiritual worship of God; or, in comparison of that al-sufficient Sacrifice of Christ, which he was to offer in the body of his flesh, Heb. X. 1, 4. Rom. VIII. 3, 4. After which these Legal Typical Sacrifices were to be abolished, as was said. And that Sacrifice of Christ one offered never to be reiterated, Heb. IX. and X. chapters; contrary to that blasphemous sacrifice of Christ in the Popish Masse.

mine ears hast thou opened] Digged open, or peirced; made me obedient to thy voice: or bored, to make me thy servant for ever; in allusion to the Law Exod. XXI. 6. For these words here, we read, Heb. X. 5. but a body hast thou prepared me, or fitted me. Wherein the Apostle either followeth the LXX. or cites, not the words, but the sense, Rom. VIII. 3. Phil. II. 7. it being the same both wayes, in issue. Besides that varieties of readings in both places are alledged out of ancient Copies by the learned. Papists themselves deny not this text to be incorrupt. The Apostle faithfuly retaining the sense and scope of the place, without tying himself to the letter of the words in his quotation. The variation is but a change of the figurative phrase into a proper, to expresse the ready obedience of Christ to do the will of his Father in the work of the redemption of mankind, John V. 30. VI. 38. and IV. 34. whereunto by framing him a body God had fitted him.

Sinne-offering] Heb Sinne. Put often in the Law for the Sinne-offering. So Levit. IV. 3. 24. Exod. XXIX. 14. In which sense Christ is called Sinne, 2 Cor. V. 21.

Then said I, verse 7 Lo, I come] When thou hadst so fitted me, Mark X. 32, 33, 34.

In the volume] or Scroll rowled up, Jer. XXXVI. 2. Ezek. II. 9. The Volume of the Law and Scripture, Luke XXIV. 27, 44. John V. 39.

of the Book] Sepher, or Book generaly signifies any writings, Court-rools, &c. Deut. XXIV. 1. 2 Kings V. 5, 6. Jer. XXXII. 11.

it is written of me] So Christ himself saith, Matth. XXVI. 24 John V 46. See Luke XXIV. 44, 46. Acts XIII. 29.

I delight] Luke XXII. 15. Heb. X. 10.

to do thy will] Heb. X. 10. John VI. 38. Luke XXII. 42. In all things to be performed by me in my flesh, which are required by thee for the redemption and salvation of man; even to my obedience in suffering the death of the Crosse, Phil. II. 8. Thus Christ in regard of p. 195his humane nature was truly lesse then the Father, John XIV. 28. was subject to him; his will to the will of his Father; took upon him the forme of a servant, Phil. II. 7. was truly a servant, Esay XLII. 1. obeyed the mandates of the Father, John XII. 49. and XIV. 31. and XV. 10. Being our Surety, was made under the Law, Gal. IV. 4. under the Law of Moses, Moral, and Ceremonial; that the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in us, Rom. VIII. 4. And these are not figurative and metaphorical, but proper elocutions, in regard of Christs humane nature; not making a Person in it self, distinct from the Person of the Sonne of God, with Nestorius; nor yet hereby making the Person of the Sonne of God hypostaticaly uniting to himself the Humane Nature, inferiour to the Person of the Father, as Arius would.

I have preached] Though Gods works were such as the fifth verse expresseth; verse 9 and specialy that work of mans redemption; yet Christ, as he took a body, by the sacrifice of it, as a Priest, to satisfie the Father; so here as the great Prophet of the Church, he doth preach and publish it, John XVII. 6. Luke XXIV. 47. even Gods righteousnesse, faithfulnesse, truth, loving-kindnesse, salvation, to the great Congregation of his people, Rom. III. 21, 22. Esay LXI. 1, 2, 3. and XLIX. 6. which office and duty David also the Type, in his degree, and all Christs messengers in their place and function, do performe.

with-hold not thou] David prayes here for what he had preached in the former verse, verse 11 containing in it the fountain, and the epitome of blessings and happinesse to man.

heart faileth me] Psal. verse 12 XXII. 14. and XXXVIII. 10.

Be pleased] Hence to the end of the Psalme agrees with Psal. LXX. David petitions, verse 13 for his deliverance, in this verse; the confusion of his enemies, verse 14, 15. to the joy of the godly, and the glory of God, verse 16.

confounded] Davids imprecation against his enemies. verse 14 This is more then a passionate unfolding of their injuries, and leaving the revenge to God: more then that 2 Sam. XV. 31. and Acts IV. 29. and Psal. LXXXIII. 16. more then a meer prophetical prediction of evills to befall them. Here is more: And so Psal. XXXV. 4. and LXX. 2, 3. and CIX. 7. &c. & LIX. 13. and 2 Tim. IV. 14. And in many other places. David here, and other holy Prophets do not thunder thus against their enemies, desperate sinners, out of any immoderate carnal passions, of private hatred, or desire of revenge; or out of any rash and inconsiderate zeal; but moved and inflamed rather by the Spirit of God; acting herein the publike cause of God, and of his glory; against those whom they knew by the spirit of discerning, 1 Cor. XII. 10. to be Gods, and their forlorne foes. Yet possible that in some of these imprecations some mixture of humane infirmities might be: as in Jeremie XV. 15, 16, 17. But for us; touching private and personal enemies, our duty is, as we read, Matth. V. 44. as we finde in the example of Christ, Luke XXIII. 34. and of Stephen, Acts VII. 60. and 1 Pet. II. 23. And for publick enemies of God and his Church; we p. 196may not absolutely use execrations against their persons; as not knowing but God may convert them afterwards, of Sauls make them Pauls; and lest we incurre that rebuke, with those Disciples, Luke IX. 55. Let us stay till we know that we be of their spirit before we do as these Prophets did. Of imprecations, see more in the Observations on Psal. CIX. 14. and the Annotations on Neh. IV. 5.

Let all those] Davids prayer for those that seek God, verse 16 and love his salvation.

But I] He concludes with commending his own case to God, verse 17 his help, and deliverer.

Blessed] This Psalme by some is applied to Christ; chapter XLI verse 1 but very hardly.

deliver him] That is, the poor or sick weakling: David so comforts the poor afflicted. So we must judge charitably, that God in his ordinary course of providence will in due time, raise and restore them whom for a while he hath cast down. Some by him understand him that considereth the poor.

his bed in his sicknesse] Make it to his ease. verse 3

verse 8 an evil disease] As Acts XXVIII. verse 4

eate of my bread] This our Saviour applieth to Judas, John XIII. 18. See Psal. LV. 12, 13, 14. verse 9

Amen] A concurrence of wishes, verse 13 and confidence. An end of the first Book of Psalmes.

Korah] This, chapter XLII and ten other Psalmes, without Davids name in the Title, are inscribed for Korah's posterity, to be sung in the Temple, with voice, and instrument. Heman the singer, the grandchilde of Samuel the Prophet, being one of his posterity, 1 Chron. VI. 33,—43. See the Observations on Num. XVI. 32.

This Psalme seemes written by David; and when he was banished by Absolom, or Saub rather, from the Sanctuary, and sacred Assemblies, and Solemnities, verse 1, 2, 4, 6. 9.

As the Hart] Or Hinde. verse 1 The LXX. hath it, the Hinde; reading the Hebrew here in the foeminine gender; for which the Hebrews render divers reasons. And though the Hebrews have a word of the masculine gender for the Hart, and of the foeminine gender for the Hind; yet by either of them many times the other sex is understood. And so it is also in other names of beasts with the Hebrews. As in Zech. IX. 9. the word for Asse is of the masculine gender, yet the female sex is thereby understood, Matth. XXI. 2. So the name of the fish which swallowed Jonas is named both in the masculine, and in the foeminine termination. See Jer. II. 24.