Commentary on Ezra Nehemiah Ester Job and Psalms, Commentary 5 · Psalm 119

Commentary on Ezra Nehemiah Ester Job and Psalms · Commentary 5 · Psalm 119

p. 875PSAL. CXIX.

VErſ. 1 Bleſſed are the undefiled] Pindarus and other Poets had their Ogdaades or Octonaries.Lib. 4. Biblio… This Alphabeticall Poem (as Sixtus 8 … calleth it) is Davids doubtleſſe (though it hath no title to ſhew to much) written in the dayes of his baniſhment under Saul; and far more worthy to bee written in letters of gold than Pind… ſeventh Ode, which that prophane fellow Politian preferred before any Pſalm of David, the ſweet finger of Iſrael. How much better his Co… … Jacobus Furnius, who tranſlated this Pſalm into Greek and Latine verſes, … many p. 876Octonaries; and beginning each verſe thereof with the ſame letter, after the manner of the Hebrew compoſure; which is very artificiall, both for the excellency of the matter, and for the help of memory. The Jews are ſaid to teach it their little ones the firſt thing they learn; wherein they take a very right courſe; both in regard of the heavenly matter, and plain ſtile fitted for all capacities. David (in his troubles eſpecially) was a man much in meditation of Gods word, and here hee giveth us in, his thoughts of it. When a book is ſet forth, verſes of commendation are oft prefixed. David ſeemeth to ſet this divine Pſalm as a Poem of commendation afore the Book of God; mentioning it in every verſe (unleſſe it bee one only, verſe 122.) under the name of Teſtimonies, Laws, Statutes, Word, Judgements, Precepts, &c.

Who walk in the Law of the Lord] Who walk towards Heaven in Heavens way; avoiding the corruptions that are in the world through luſt, 2 Pet. 1.4.

Verſ. 2 Bleſſed are they that keep his teſtimonies] Angels do ſo, and are bleſſed, Rev. 22.9.

And that ſeek him] Sincere ac ſollicitè That ſeek not his omnipreſence (what need they?) but his gracious preſence.

Verſ. 3 They alſo do no iniquity] i.e. No wilfull wickedneſſe; as do thoſe workers of iniquity, whoſe whole trade it is, and whoſe whole life is nothing elſe but one continued web of wickedneſſe, ſpun out and made up by the hands of the Devill and the fleſh, an evil ſpinner, and a worſe weaver.

They walk in his wayes] Without ceſſation or ceſpitation.

Verſ. 4 Thou haſt commanded us, &c.] Theſe are verba vivenda, non legenda, words to bee lived, and not read only, as one well ſaith of this whole Pſalm; neither is it enough that wee underſtand or ponder Gods Precepts, but wee muſt practice them, if wee would bee happy.

To keep thy Precepts diligently] Nimis, valde, vehementer. Odi nimium diligentes, ſaith One; but where the buſineſſe is weighty, and the failing dangerous, one can hardly bee too diligent. Let a man here do his utmoſt, hee ſhall not overdo.

Verſ. 5 O that my wayes were directed, &c.] David can wiſh well to that perfection which hee cannot attain unto. The whole life of a good Chriſtian is an holy deſire, ſaith Auſtin; and this is alwayes ſeconded with indeavour; without the which, Affection is like Rachel, beautifull but barren.

Verſ. 6. Then ſhall I not bee aſhamed] i. e. I ſhall bee highly honoured both by thee, and all thy people; able to look thee and them in the face, free from an evill conſcience.

When I have reſpect unto all thy Commandements] Mine obedience being univerſal both for ſubject and object; this is a ſure ſign of ſincerity, ſuch as entitleth a man to true bleſſedneſſe, verſ. 1. An Hypocrite is funam bulus virtutum, as Tertullian phraſeth it; hee hath a diſpenſatory conſcience; his obedience is partiall, and ſuch as goeth in a narrow tract; it extendeth not to the compaſſe of the whole Law, and is therefore loſt labour.

Verſ. 7 I will praiſe thee with uprightneſſe] David was yet but a learner; and if God would teach him to profit in knowledge and holineſſe, hee would lift up many an humble, joyfull and thankfull heart to him.

Verſ. 8Lucan. I will keep thy Statutes] Yea and that very much, or with vehemency, as ſome read it, uſque valde; this hee had ſaid before was Gods command, verſ. 4. and hee would do it. Juſſa ſequi tam velle mihi quam poſſe neceſſe eſt.

O for ſake mee not] Or if at all (as thou mayeſt without breach of promiſe) yet not very much; not uſque valde; not utterly. Chriſt, ſaith Greenham, was forſaken for a few hours. David for a few months, and Job for a few years; ſeven years, faith Suidas, for the triall and exerciſe of his faith and patience. This might ſeem to them uſque valde, but it was not …. Leave them God did to their thinking, but forſake them hee did not; forſake them he did in regard of viſion, but not in regard of union: ….

Verſ. 9 Wherewith all ſhall a young man] …, a lad, a ſtripling, who hath his name in Hebrew of … to … and the ſame word … when …hi…led … vanity of youth and … p. 877once affections begin to boil within them. The Greek word for a youth, comes from another that ſignifieth to bee hot, and to boil up, or ſcald.foreign Such a one therefore had need (if ever hee think to bee bleſſed, as verſ. 1.) to cleanſe his wayes by cleaving to the word: ſith an impure heart, and an undefiled inheritance, will not ſtand together.

Cleanſe his way] Mundabit, ideſt emen…abit. The Hebrew word ſignifieth the cleanſing of glaſſe, which though it bee very clean, yet will it gather filth even in the Sun-beams, and of it ſelf; which noteth the great corruption of this ſlippery age, and what care muſt be taken that it may ſhine as picked glaſſe, or cleareſt Chryſtall.

By taking heed thereto according to thy word] Which is of a purifying property, Job. 15.3. & 17.17. and can cleanſe the heart of a young man alſo, where luſts are ſtrong, ſtains deep, and will not out without fullers ſope. There is a ſharpneſs in theſe wholeſome (or healing) words, that maketh us ſound in the faith, and ſincere in practice; as it did Mr. Paul Bains, whoſe converſation, when hee came firſt to Cambridge, was ſo irregular, that his Father being grieved at it before his death, left with a friend forty pounds by the year, deſiring that his ſon might have it if hee amended his manners: elſe not. Hee did ſo, and had it, &c.Mr. Clark lives. When a Child is come to bee thirteen years and a day old, the Jews account him a man and call him Barmitſuah, a child of the Commandement: becauſe bound to live by the law.Leo M…den… o… Jew…rite….

Verſ. 10. With my whole heart have I ſought thee] And that of a child little, being nouriſhed up in the words of faith, and of good Doctrin, 1 Tim. 4.6. I did all the wills of God, and ſo became a man after his own heart, Act. 13.22.

O let mee not wander] As I ſhall ſurely, if thou but withdraw thy grace; for I ſubſiſt meerly by thy manutenſion.

Verſ. 11 Thy word have I hid in my heart] Ut peculium in Apotheca; as treaſure; or as an amulet in a caſe or Cheſt; as the pot of Manna in the Ark.

That I might not ſin againſt thee] Set but the commination againſt the temptation, and it will bee a ſpeciall preſervative. Eve held the Precept, but faltered in the threat. The Rabbines have a ſaying, In cu…us corde eſt lex Dei, im…ginatio mala non habet in eum dominium, Hee who hath the law of God in his heart, is armed againſt evill luſts.

Verſ. 12 Bleſſed art thou (or hee thou) O Lord] viz. For what thou haſt already taught mee of thy will, and my duty.

Teach mee thy Statutes] Gratiarum actio eſt ad plus dandum invitatio. David had never enough, but craveth more: Teach mee thy Statutes, ſaith he, that I may bleſs thee better.

Verſ. 13 With my lips have I declared] Heb. Have I ſip…ered up; theſe have been the matter of my diſcourſe: and out of the good treaſure of my heart (verſ. 11.) have I brought forth thoſe good things, for the good of others, Mat. 12.35.

Verſ. 14 I have rejoyced] Heb. I have inwardly rejoyced. Pleaſures of the mind are unſpeakably joyous. Eudoxus was content to have been burnt by the Sun preſently, might hee but come ſo near it as to learn the nature of it. Pliny periſhed by peeping into the fire of Etna, Archimedes loſt his life by being too intent upon his Mathematical ſtudies.

As much as in all riches] Heb. In all oppulency and affluence.

Verſ. 15 I will meditate] Or, Confabulate, talk freely of them,foreign Sept. as worldlings do of their wealth, and wayes to get it

And have reſpect unto thy wayes] As an Archer hath to his mark.

Verſ. 16. I will delight my ſelf] Deliciabor; the Arabick hath it, lectitabo leges tu as, I will oft read over thy laws.

I will not forget] Men do therefore forget the word, becauſe they delight not in it; they ſeldom forget where they lay their mony.

Verſ. 17 Deal bountifully with thy ſervant] Per indebitam gratiam …etribue. Of thy free grace confer good upon mee: and that not ſcantily, or niggardly, but liberally, and like thy ſelf. The word ſometimes ſignifieth to repay, to recompenſe: but therehence to infer matter of merit, on mans part, is too ſandy a foundation fo… ſuch a lofty Babel.

That I may live] Who am in deaths often; and that I may comfortably ſubſiſt in p. 878the feeling of thy favour, as 1 Sam. 25.6.

And keep thy word] For which end only I deſire life: See the like, Pſal. 118.17.Non peto vit…m prop…r deli… … Kimchi. Non aliter pelit vitam, quam ut praſtet ſe fidelem Dei …, ſaith …, David doth no otherwiſe deſire life, than for this, that hee may faithfully ſerve God.

Verſ. 18. Open thou mine eyes] Heb. Ʋnveil the…, velumen um…ot, … evolve, give ſight and light; irradiate both organ and object. In ſpirituals wee are not only dim-ſighted, but blind as Beetles, 1 Cor. 2.14. Oh pray for that precious eyeſalve, Rev. 3.17. for that ſupernal light, 2 Cor. 4.6. and whenſoever wee open the Bible to read, ſay as here, open thou mine eyes, &c. as when wee cloſe it up again ſay, I have ſeen an end of all perfection: but thy Commandement is exceeding broad, verſ. 96.

Wondrous things] M…rabilia magnalia, myſteria; ſuch as none can underſtand and unriddle, but ſuch as plow with Gods own heifer, 1 Cor. 2.11.

Verſ. 19. I am a ſtranger in the earth] And therefore apt to loſe my way, without a guide: I ſhall ſurely elſe bee wildred; and loſt.

Hide not thy Commandements from mee] viz. In the ſpirituall ſenſe, and effectuall operation of them. Philoſophers obſerve, that lumen eſt vehiculum influentiae, light is the convoy of influence; as it begets the flower in the field, the pearl in the earth, &c. ſo the foundation of all renovation is Illumination; Hence David ſo earneſtly beggeth it here, and verſ. 17.

Verſ.Comminuit…r, …. 20 My ſoul breaketh] The Seventy render it, My ſoul hath deſired to deſire thy Judgements. How many broken ſpirits do even ſpend and exhale themſelves in continuall ſallies, as it were, and egreſſions of affection to God and his judgements? The ſtone will fall down to come to its own place, though it break it ſelf in many peeces: ſo the good ſoul.

Verſ. 21. Thou haſt rebuked the proud, &c.] Thou chideſt them, threateneſt them, plagueſt them, and ſo ſetteſt it on, as no creature can take it oft. And this is one reaſon why I love and obſerve thy laws, ne paria pat…ar, leſt I ſhould ſuffer in like ſort: ſith men muſt do it, or dye for it.

Verſ. 22 Remove from mee reproach and contempt] Caſt upon mee by thoſe proud haughty ſcorners. verſ. 21. and that for nothing but becauſe I keep thy Statutes: therefore it is that they deſpiſe and defame mee; but do thou, Lord, take an order with them: behold I put them into thine hands, and my ſelf upon thy care to clear mee, and ſet mee right; for I am well reſolved.

Verſ. 23 Princes alſo did ſit, &c.]foreign By publick invectives: ſuch as were thoſe of our Henry the eighth, and of Lewis King of Hungary and Bohemia (two very potent Princes) againſt Luther.Denotat continuum clam… rem. Kimchi.

Verſ. 24. Thy Teſtimonies are my delight] In medi… crucibus: to them I run as to my cordiall; they are my pleaſure, and paſtime.

And my Counſellours] My learned Counſel, by whoſe advice I do all, here I am ſure to find conſolationem, & conſultiſſi…am directionem, counſell and comfort in all my neceſſities.

Verſ. 25 My ſoul cleaveth unto the duſt] Thoſe Princes my Perſecutors (Sauls counſellors) have brought mee to deaths-doore, as Pſal. 44.25. & 22.15. I am in a forlorn condition; as far below hope, as they are above …ear. Theodoret expoundeth it of humility: and Theodoſius the Emperor uſed theſe words, when reproved by Ambroſe for the ſlaughter at Theſſalonica, Theod. Eccle…. hiſt. l. 5. c. 18.hee lay on the ground and humbly begged pardon.

Verſ. 26 I have declared my wayes] My ſins and troubles; thoſe thou haſt remitted, and theſe thou haſt remedied.

Teach mee thy Statutes] Shew mee how I may walk worthy of ſuch a love; and live up to my mercies.

Verſ. 27 Make mee to underſtand, &c. Give mee a mouth and wiſdome, that I may not talk at random of thy word and works; but underſtandingly and fruitfully.

Verſ. 28 My ſoul melteth] Heb. Droppeth away like water: I weep out my life, together with my grief.

Strong thou thee mee … to thy word] Support …ee by thy promiſe.

p. 879Verſ. 29 Remove from mee the way of lying] A ſin that David, through diffidence, fell into frequently. See 1 Sam. 21.2, 8. where hee roundly telleth three or four lyes: and the like he did, 1 Sam. 27.8, 10. this evil he ſaw by himſelf; and here prayeth againſt it.

And grant mee thy Law] For a preſervative from this ſoul ſin: herein gratfie …ee, good Lord.

Verſ. 30 I have choſen the way of Truth] I am fully bent againſt lying, and am reſolved to ſpeak truth; though I have done otherwiſe ſometimes, through frailty.

Thy Judgements have I laid before mee] Thereby to fright my conſcience, that I might not ſo much as equivocate. Some render it judicia tua …, I have kept pace with thy judgements, ſcil. in the bent and bias of my heart at leaſt.

Verſ. 31 I have ſtuck unto thy Teſtimonies] Hitherto I have done ſo: let mee not now ſhrink from them, or hang looſe to them, leſt I loſe the things that I have wrought, and ſhame my ſelf for ever by my recidivation.

Verſ. 32 I will run the way] Do thy work with utmoſt diligence and delight, come off roundly and readily therein, take long ſtrides towards heaven.

When thou ſhalt inlarge my heart] By thy free Spirit, and by the joy of faith; when thou ſhalt have oyled my joynts, and nimbled my feet, then ſhall I run and not be weary, walk and not faint, Iſa. 40.31. our promiſes of obedience muſt be conditional, ſith without Chriſt we can do nothing, Jo…. 15.5.

Verſ. 33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy ſtatutes] Which is both hard to hit, and dangerous to miſs teach me therefore.

And I ſhall keep it] Lex jubet, gratia juvat. O beg of God that we may perſevere, ſith the evening crowneth the day, &c.

Verſ. 34. Give me underſtanding] Wee can neither know, nor do Gods will without Divine light and aid, as appears clearly by this fifth Octonary, which therefore Auſtin made ſo great uſe of againſt the Pelagians.

Verſ. 35. Make me to go in the path] Which I ſhall ſoon forſake if thou guide me not. Te duce vera ſequer, te duce falſa nego.

For therein do I delight] After the inward man, Rom. 7.22. Thou haſt given me to will, give me alſo to work what is wel-pleaſing in thy ſight.

Verſ. 36. Incline my heart] Through the exerciſes of thy Word, and the working of thy Spirit.

And not …o c…vetouſneſs] Which draweth away the heart from all Gods teſtimonies, and is the …opt of all evil, 1 Tim. 6.10. Some think it is put here for all other vices. The Chald…e hath it, And not to Mammon, that mammon of iniquity, as Chriſt calleth it, the next odious name to the Devil. Now to good, God inclineth mans heart efficiently (ſay the Schools) but to evil, defici…ly, ſc. by with drawing his grace; for he is a free Agent, and not bound to any. David prayeth God to ſuperſede him from his wickedneſs and Luther ſaith, hee was never tempted to it.

Verſ. 37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity.] Leſt looking cauſe liking, and luſting, 1 Joh. 2.16. In Hebrew the ſame word ſignifieth both an Eye, and a Fountain… to ſhew that from the eye, as from a fountain, floweth much miſchief, and by that window Satan oft windes himſelf into the ſoul.2 Sam. 11. …2 Sam 11 This David found by experience and therefore prays here, Turn away, transfer, make to paſs mine eyes, &c. Job ſteppeth one degree further, viz. from a Prayer to a Vow, Chap. 31.1. yea from a vow to an imprecation, verſ. 7. He knew the danger of irregular glancing, and inordinate gazing.

And quicken thou me in thy way] Who ſhall elſe dye of the wound in the eye. Alexander called the Perſian Maids, Oculorum delores: Ut vidi, ut perii — The Iſraelites were appointed to make them Fringes with blew Ribbands to look upon, that they might remember all Gods Commandements and do them, and not ſeek after their own heart, and their own eyes, after) which they uſed to go a who…ing, Numb. 15.…9.

Verſ. 38. Stabliſh thy word unto thy Servant] i.e. Make good thy promiſe: wee muſt by our prayers put the promiſes of God in … and God will …

p. 880Who is devoted to thy fear] And ſo am an heir of the Promiſes. Or, which (word) is (given) for the fear of thee, that thou maiſt be feared.

Verſ. 39. Turn away my reproach] Cover it, cure it, ſuffer it not to break forth to my diſgrace amongſt men.

For thy Judgements are good] But their tender mercies are meer cruelties, if therefore at any time I fall into opprobrious and reproachful practices, Lord, bee thou my Judge, and not they; for thy Judgements are like thy ſelf, good, and righteous, &c.

Verſ. 40. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts] This he could boldly and ſafely ſay to God, offering himſelf to his trial for the truth of his deſires. See Hebr. 13.18.

Quicken me in thy righteouſneſs] His deſires and affections were not ſo large and lively, but that he needed to be yet further quickned — Nemo eſt ex omni parte beatus.

Verſ. 41. Let thy mercies come alſo unto me] Let them come to me, or elſe I ſhall never come to them, 1 Pet. 1.13. Hope to the end, for the grace that is to bee brought unto you. Pſal. 23.6. Surely goodneſs and mercy ſhall follow me, as the ſetting Sun doth the way faring man, that goes from it. The Arabick rendreth it, Let thy mercies come upon me, or cover me, as a garment. So the Spirit of the Lord cloathed Amaſa, 1 Chron. 12. and, yee ſhall bee cloathed with power from on high, Luke 24.49.

Even thy Salvation] Safety here, and Salvation hereafter. Auſtin expoundeth it of Chriſt.

Verſ. 42. So ſhall I have wherewith to anſwer] i.e. To ſtop an open mouth. Verbal Apologies are ſometimes neceſſary, but real always; wee ſhould by a pious converſation put to ſilence the ignorance of fooliſh men, who like black Moors deſpiſe beauty; like Doggs, bark at the ſhining of the Moon. We are alſo to begge deliverance of God, for the confutation of ſuch as ſay, wee ſhall never bee delivered.

Verſ.Ne auferas, id eſt ut ſpolium, ut Exod. 12.36 Aben-Ezra.Exod 12:36 43. And take not the word of truth utterly] Give me free utterance, that in nothing I be aſhamed; but that with all boldneſs, as always, ſo now alſo Chriſt may be magnified in my body, &c. Philip. 1.20. Deſpoyl me not of my courage in a good cauſe, let not Satan rob me of that jewel. I have read of a Noble man, who when he came into jearing company of great ones, would begin and own himſelf one of thoſe they called Puritans, and ſo prevented them.

Verſ. 44. So ſhall I keep thy Law continually] If thou pleaſe to give me to beleeve with the heart, and to confeſs with the mouth, I ſhall ſurely perſevere in the profeſſion and practice of the truth.

Verſ. 45. And I will walk at liberty] In the full latitude of thy Commandements, and not by wilful wickedneſs enſnare, and enſnarl my ſelf; as thoſe do who in the fulneſs of their ſufficiency are in ſtreights, and in purſute of their luſts do pierce themſelves through with many ſorrows. The Italian ſenſeth it, I will walk in peace of conſcience.

Verſ. 46. I will ſpeak of thy teſtimonies, &c.] Nulle vel terrore vel ſplendore mundano impeditus. Kings commonly abound with all things but only Truth, as Alphonſus King of Arragon complained. David would deal plainly with them though never ſo high; eſpecially when he ſhould come to be of equal level with them, and ſo to have better opportunity.

Verſ.Ethic. l. 10 47. And I will delight my ſelf] ſc. In contemplation of thy Word. Ariſtotle telleth us, that the principal pleaſure is to be found in contemplation.

Verſ.Utr… que manu …apeſſam. 48. My hands alſo will I lift up, &c.] Removing all rubs, and pulling thy Word to me with both hands earneſtly, with my whole man, with my whole might; foreign, ſtraining the body, and ſtretching out the hands to do mine utmoſt at it, whilſt others put it from them with a force, and ſo judge themſelves unworthy of everlaſting life, Acts 13.46.

Verſ. 49. Remember thy Word] God is not unrighteous to forget, Heb, 6.10. yet we muſt as his remembrancers, Iſa. 62.6. put his Promiſes in ſute, Ezek. 36.37.

Upon which thou haſt cauſed me to hope] God giveth us to do what he hiddeth us to do, Ezek. 36.27.

p. 881Verſ. 50. This is my comfort] The Promiſes yeeld ſtrong conſolation: Philoſophical comforts are of little force, as Plato acknowledgeth,In Axi… and Cicero bewaileth in his Epiſtle to Octavius.

For thy Word hath quickned me] When I was at laſt caſt, and drawing my laſt breath, as it were.

Verſ. 51. The proud have had me greatly in deriſion] Soo…ing proceedeth from pride, Prov. 3.34. with 1 Pet. 5.5.

Yet have I not, &c.] They cannot flout me out of my zeal.

Verſ. 52. I remembred thy judgements of old, O Lord] This was to have an holy memory, well fraught with profitable matter, ſuch as are examples of Gods dealing with his people, and their enemies in all ages.

And was comforted] Some degree of comfort followeth every good action; as heat accompanieth fire, as beams and influences iſſue from the Sun.

Verſ. 53. Horrour hath taken hold upon me] Horripilatio, turbo, vortex, an horrible tempeſt, Pſal. 11.6. ſuch as ſurpriſed holy Habba…uk, chap. 3.16.

Becauſe of the wicked] To think of their hainous ſins, and horrible puniſhments, which they dread not, dream not of. See Dan. 4.19.

Verſ. 54. Thy ſtatutes have been my ſongs] Thy Promiſes which bind thee by Grace, as ſtatutes do us by Duty, and are every whit as ſure.Metaphora a falcibus. By theſe I lopped off my cares, fears, and griefs, as with a pruning or paring knife: ſpared them round till none was left.

In the houſe of my pilgrimage] In hoc exilio, in hoc ergaſtulo, in hac peregrinatione,Bern. in hac valle lachrymarum. Travellours ſing to deceive the tediouſneſs of the way; ſo did David. and hereby he ſolaced himſelf under that horrour, verſ. 53. great is the comfort that cometh in by ſinging of Pſalms with grace in our hearts.

Verſ. 55. I remembred thy name, &c.] breaking my ſleep for the purpoſe, to meditate on thine holy Attributes, Word, and Works.

And have kept thy Law] Which could not have been kept, if not kept in firm and freſh memory. See 1 Cor. 15.2.

Verſ. 56. This I had] This comfort, or this remembrance, or this ability to keep thy Law.

Becauſe I kept thy precepts] A ſtrange reaſon, I kept it becauſe I kept it; but every new act of obedience fitteth for a following act, Rom. 6.19. As in Sin ſo in Grace, Mark 4.24. acts increaſe habits, and facilitate the work.

Verſ. 57. Thou art my portion, Lord] Whiles other mens portion, Sunt divitia vel deliciae, nothing ſhort of God can ſatisfie me.

I have ſaid, &c.] i.e. Purpoſed, and promiſed the obedience of faith.

Verſ. 58. I have intreated thy favour] Heb. Thy face, that is, thy Chriſt, ſaith Ambroſe and Hilary: this David did in the ſenſe of his own utter inability, to do as he had promiſed.

Be merciful unto me, &c.] This was the ſum of his Petition, and muſt bee the main of ours.

Verſ. 59. I thought on my ways] At Self-examination beginneth ſound converſion, Lam. 3.39, 40. Hag. 1.5, 7. 2 Cor. 13.5.

And turned my feet] Finding all to bee naught, and ſtark naught, (contrary to what God found in his works upon a review, all good, and very good) ſet upon a new courſe.

Verſ. 60. I made haſte, and delayed not] Heb. I diſtracted not my ſelf about Had-I-wiſt, but minded the one thing neceſſary. Nalite tempus in nugis terrere: vel cras, ut ille ſeria hodie morituri protelari, ſaith one; Haſte, haſte, haſte delays are dangerous, opportunities are headlong, and once paſt irrecoverable.

Verſ. 61. The hands of the wicked have robbed me] In theſe late ſtripping times, many a poor mans whole lifes gettings were loſt in an inſtant.

But I have not forgotten thy Law] I have encouraged my ſelf in the Lord my God, as at the ſack of Ziglag, 1 Sam. 30.

Verſ. 62. At midnight will I riſe] To ſpeak with a friend. The Primitive Chriſtians had their … and Cyprian: And this the … Night ſervices.

p. 882Becauſe of thy righteous judgements] Gods Word read, and Preached, is a main matter of thankfulneſſe: ſo are his Works.

Verſ. 63. I am a companion of all them] Though never ſo mean, if there be aliquid Chriſti in them: Grace is of an uniting properry, and purgeth out partiality, Jam. 2.1, 2.

That keep thy precepts] The beſt proof of true fear of God, Pſalm 103.13. Act. 10.35.

Verſ. 64. The earth, O Lord is full of thy mercy] Thy mercy is over all thy works: This is thy general goodneſs.…ben-Ezra. But

Teach me thy ſtatutes] Non pet… a te aliam miſericordiam: this is that I beg above all, viz. the lively light of thy Law and Word: ſound and ſaving knowledge. A gracious ſpirit cannot be ſatisfied with low things.

Verſ. 65. Thou haſt dealt well with thy ſervant] Men muſt bee no leſſe praiſefull than prayerful. Shall we come to the well of life thirſty, and then turn our backs upon the Rock that followeth us?

According to thy word] ſc. Of promiſe: this ſweetteth a bleſſing.

Verſ. 66. Teach me good Judgement] Heb. good taſte, for the ſoul alſo hath her ſenſes: and as the mouth taſteth meat, ſo the ear trieth words; the mind reliſheth Religion.

For I have beleeved thy Commandements] But would do yet more, 1 Job. 5.13. Theſe things have I written unto you that beleeve on the name of the Son of God, that ye may beleeve on the name of the Son of God.

Verſ. 67. Before I was afflicted I went aſtray] Eſpecially through high mindedneſs, and earthly mindedneſſe, which are purged out by affliction, and grace increaſed; as Fiſh thrive better in cold, and ſalt waters, as the Walnut-tree is moſt fruitful, when moſt beaten. Maſter Aſcham was a good School-maſter to Queen Elizabeth: but Affliction was a better, &c. See my Treatiſe on Rev. 3.19.

But now I have kept thy word] Now that I have been laſhed to it, and have paid for my learning, Vexatio dat intellectum, Smart maketh wit. As the ſcourging and beating of the garment with a ſtick beateth out the mothes and duſt; ſo do afflictions corruptions from the heart. Quae nocent, docent. Corrections of inſtructions are the way of life. Prov. 6.

Verſ. 68. Thou art good, and doeſt good] Good in thy ſelf (indeed there is none good but thy ſelf) and good to thy Creatures, inexpreſſibly, bounteous, and beneficial.

Teach me thy ſtatutes] And ſo impart unto mee of thy ſpecial goodneſſe, that I may reſemble thee in being and doing good: full of goodneſſe, filled with all knowledge, Rom. 15.14.

Verſ. 69.…oncinna…unt …tificloſe con…xe…unt. The proud have forged a lye againſt mee] Heb. They have cunningly and finely aſperſed me, Mendacium mendacio aſſuentes, peecing one lye to another, and drawing together iniquity with the cart-ropes of vanity.

But I will keep thy precepts] Notwithſtanding their ſlanders; and the rather.

Verſ. 70. Their heart is as fat as greaſe. Groſſe as greaſe, curdled as Milk or Cheeſe, ſay the Septuagint, congealed and baked as it were in their ſins: Obtuſum & quaſi arnina obductum: fat things are leſſe ſenſible, and fat-hearted people are noted by Ariſtotle for dull and ſtupid.

But I delight in thy Law] Illa me paſco & ſagino, therewith I feed and fat my ſelf.

Verſ. 71. It is good for mee that I have been afflicted And thereby humbled; for elſe the fruit of affliction is loſt, and they are always impaired, that are not improved by their ſufferings, as all Gods people are ſure to be at length. The Lac…demonians of old (and the ſame is ſaid of the Hollanders a late) grew rich by war, and were bettered when all other Kingdomes were undone by it. The Saints make benefit of their croſſes; which to others are deſtructive.

That I might learn thy ſtatutes] Luther ſaith of ſome of Saint Pauls Epiſtles, that they can never be underſtood, but by the croſs. Qui … (ſaith he in another place) … do beſt underſtand the ſcriptures when the wealthy and ſecure read them but as one of Ovids Poems.

p. 883Verſ. 72 The law of thy mouth is better unto mee, &c.] For what is all this traſh to that true treaſure, thoſe lively, and life giving oracles? Dionyſius worthily preferred Plato before Ariſtippus, becauſe the one was ever craving mony of him: but the other books. It is reported of Plato, Joh. Manl. lec… com. 78.that for three choice books hee gave thirty thouſand ſilverlings or florens. Now what were all his books to the Bible? To blame then was that Anabaptiſt who ſaid in Melancthous hearing, that hee would not give two pence for all the Bibles in the World.

Verſ. 73 Thy hands have made and faſhioned mee] Plaſmaverunt: which Bazil interpreteth of the body curiouſly wrought by God, Pſal. 139. as Made, Formaverunt. Firmaverunt.of the ſoul, q. d. Thou art my Maker, I would thou ſhouldeſt bee my Maſter. A body haſt thou fitted mee, Heb. 10.5. a reaſonable ſoul alſo haſt thou given mee capable of ſalvation; I am an underſtanding creature ſtill; neither have I loſt my paſſive capacity of thy renewing grace.

Give mee underſtanding] And thereunto adde ſincere affection, v. 80. that theſe may run parallel in my heart, and mutually tranſ…ſe life, and vigour into one another.

Verſ. 74 They that fear thee will bee glad, &c.] As hoping that they ſhall alſo in like ſort bee delivered and advanced.

Becauſe I have hoped in thy word] And have not been diſappointed. The Vulgar rendreth it ſuper ſperavi, I have over-hoped: and Aben-Ezra gloſſeth, I have hoped in all thy decree, even that of afflicting mee, as in the next verſe.

Verſ. 75 I know, O Lord, that thy Judgements are right] That is, that I ſuffer deſervedly. To thee, O Lord belongeth Righteouſneſs, &c. Dan. 9.

And th… thou in faithfulneſſe haſt afflicted mee] That thou mayeſt be true to my ſoul, and not ſuffer mee to run on to my utter ruine; Or, in faithfullneſſe; that is, in meaſure, as 1 Cor. 10.13.

Verſ. 76 Let, I pray thee, thy mercifull kindneſſe] That I faint not, neither ſink under the heavieſt burden of theſe light afflictions.

According to thy word to thy ſervant] To thy ſervants in generall, and therefore I truſt to mee, who am bold to thruſt in among the reſt, and to put my name in the Writ.

Verſ. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto mee, &c.] Hee repeateth the ſame thing in other words, and re-enforceth his requeſt; ſhowing that hee could not live without divine comforts.

For thy Law is my delight] Thou haſt my heart and good will; which ſheweth that I am thy workmanſhip in a ſpirituall ſenſe alſo, Epheſ. 2.10. Oh look upon the wounds of thine hands, and forget not the work of thine hands, as Queen Elizabeth prayed.

Verſ. 78 Let the proud bee aſhamed] Theodoret thinks that David here prayeth not againſt, but for his enemies; quandoquidem confuſio & ignominia ſalutem procreat. But that's not likely.

For they dealt perverſely with mee] Writhing my words and deeds to a wrong ſenſe: Or, they would pervert mee.

But I will meditate in thy Precepts] Or, I will ſpeak of them, and ſo ſtop their mouths, and ſave my ſelf from them.

Verſ. 79 Let thoſe that fear thee] Theſe are fitly oppoſed to thoſe proud ones, as Mal. 3.13.16.

Turn unto mee] From whom they have ſhrunk in mine affliction.

And thoſe that have known thy Teſtimonies] Deum cognoſcere & colere, to know and ſerve God is the whole duty of a man, ſaith Lactantius.

Verſ. 80 Let my heart bee ſound] For the main, though I have many failings. Pray wee againſt Hypocriſie.

That I bee not aſhamed] As all diſſemblers once ſhall bee.

Verſ. 81 My ſoul fainteth for thy ſalvation] Saying as thoſe good ſouls, Jer. 8.20. The Harveſt is paſt, the Summer isended, and wee are not ſaved. Phyſitians let their patients blood ſometimes etium ad … deliqui…m, till they ſwoon again, Howbeit they have a care ſtill to maintain nature; ſo doth God the fainting ſpirits of his people by cordialls, Iſa. 57.16.

But I hope in thy Word] Vivere ſp… vidi qui moritur… ….

Verſ. 82 Mine eyes ſaid] God ſometimes deferreth to help, till me…have left p. 884looking, Luk. 18.8. when the ſon of man commeth, ſhall hee find faith? hardly. This hee doth to commend his favours to us, and to ſet a price on them.

Saying, When wilt thou comfort mee] This is a Proſ…popaia, as if Davids eyes ſaid thus, whilſt they earneſtly expected comfort.

Verſ. 83 For I am become like a bottle in the ſmoke] Shrivelled, wrinkled, withered, dryed up, My body by long ſuffering is but a bag of bones, and that black and ſooty; confer Pſal. 32.3. & 102.3. My ſoul in danger of being bereft of all ſpirituall moiſture.

Yet d… I not forget thy Statutes] Nay I do the rather remember them, and fetch relief from them.

Verſ. 84 How many are the dayes of thy Servant?] i.e. Mine evil dayes, Prov. 15.15. All the dayes of the afflicted are evill. See Pſal. 37.12. and theſe ſoon ſeem many to us.

When wilt thou execute Judgement, &c.] This is the voice of thoſe Martyrs, Rev. 6. who are thereupon willed to have patience, till the number of their Brethren is fulfilled.

Verſ. 85 The proud have digged pits for mee] The pride, cruelty and craftineſs of wicked Perſecutors, are fore-tokens of their utter deſtruction. The Greek rendreth it, they have told mee tales, Prov. 16.27. An ungodly man diggeth up evill.

Which are not after thy Law] Neither they, nor their pits. But what care they for thee or thy law? and ſhall they thus eſcape by iniquity, Pſal. 56.7?

Verſ. 86. All thy Commandements are faithfull] Heb. Faithfullneſs, that is, they are true, ſure, equall, infallible.

They have perſecuted mee wrongfully] For aſſerting thy truths, and adhering thereunto.

Help thou mee] The more eagerly men moleſt us, the more earneſtly ſhould wee implore the divine help.

Verſ. 87 They had almoſt conſumed mee upon earth] In Heaven I ſhall bee out of their reach. But this is their hour, and the power of darkneſſe, Luk. 22.53.

But I forſook not thy Precepts] No trouble muſt pull us from the love of the truth. You may pull my tongue out of my head, but not my faith out of my heart, ſaid that Martyr. The Saints chuſe affliction father than ſin.

Verſ. 88 Quicken mee after thy loving kindneſſe] David under long affliction had his damps, and dulneſſes: as the beſt faith, if long tryed, will flag, and hang the wing. Hee therefore rouſeth up himſelf, and wreſtleth with God for quickening grace; which hee promiſeth to improve, and not to receive the grace of God in vain, ſo ſhall I keep the Teſtimony of thy mouth.

Verſ. 89 For ever O Lord thy word] It is eternall and perpetuall, neither can it bee vacated or aboliſhed by the injurie of time or indeavours of tyrants. The Bible was imprinted at the new Jeruſalem by the finger of Jehovah, and ſhall outlive the dayes of Heaven, run parallel with the life of God, with the line of eternity. The Saints alſo and Angels in Heaven live by the ſame law as wee do here, and we pray to bee conformed unto them.

Verſ. 90 Thy faithfullneſſe is unto all generations] Hee ſingleth out Gods word of promiſe, and ſheweth it to bee immutable and unmoveable as the earth is in the middle of Heaven, by the word of Gods power. See Jer. 33.25.

Thou haſt eſtabliſhed] See Job 26.7. with the Note.

Verſ. 91 They continue this day] God never brake promiſe with them, Jer. 33.20, 25. much leſſe will hee with his people, for whoſe uſe hee made them.

For all are thy ſervants] All creatures are at Gods beck and check; except evill Angels and men thoſe great Heteroclites; who yet do Gods will though againſt their own wills.

Verſ. 92 … thy … had been my delight Unleſs it had been ſetled in my heart (as well as it is in Heaven) for my ſingular comfort, I had been cruſht.

I ſhould … (… long …) have periſhed] The La…-grave of H…ſſ…n, told mee at … ſaith … that it had been impoſſible for him to have born up under the manifold miſeries of ſo long an impriſonment, … verbe divine in ſue cords, … of the Scrip…es in his heart.Joh. Manl. loc. com. …39.

Verſ. 93 … That is thy promiſes which are a… fire p. 885and firm as the commands of the moſt abſolute Monarch upon earth. And here the Prophet propoſeth his own example for a pattern to others: for as Pacatus writeth in his Panegyrick to Theodoſius the Emperour, blandiſſime jubetur exemplo, exam…s are ſweet Precepts.

For with them thou haſt quickened mee] Thou haſt fetcht mee again, when ready to faint, as verſ. 92.

Verſ. 94 I am thine, ſave mee] Every man will ſee to his own, unleſs hee bee worſe than an Infidel: and ſhall not God?

For I have ſought thy Precepts] And can thereby prove my ſelf to bee Thine. Where it is implyed, that all that wee are to ſeek in our obedience, are the Precepts themſelves; the thing eſpecially wee are to aim at, is obedience it ſelf to the Precepts.

Verſ. 95 The wicked have waited] Nothing leſs than deſtruction will ſatisfie Perſecutors: but the Lord knows how to deliver his Peters out of the hands of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews, Act. 12.11. 2 Pet. 2.9.

But I will conſider thy Teſtimonies] And therewith hearten and harden my ſelf againſt their inſolencies, and attempts for my hurt.

Verſ. 96 I have ſeen an end of all Perfection] viz. Here below. Tempora tacta ruunt praetoria —

Faireſt buildings, ſtrongeſt perſons, goodlieſt Empires have their times and their turns; their riſe and their ruine.Omnis finis finem vidi. Syr. Interp.

Omnia ſunt hominum tenui pendentia filo;

Et ſubito caſu quae valuere ruunt;

Omniae fortunae variis ſtant obvia telis:

Aut …tiam longo tempore victa cadunt.

But thy Commandement is exceeding broad] It is endleſſe, infinite perpetuall, and withall of largeſt extent; witneſs that of Charity which is the complement of the Law, and the ſupplement of the Goſpel. David, though hee had proceeded further in the diſcovery of divine truths than thoſe before him, verſ. 99. yet hee was ſtill to ſeek of that which might bee known: Like as thoſe great diſcoverers of the new found land, confeſs ſtill a P…-u…tra.

Verſ. 97 O how love I thy Law] Such a pang of love hee felt, as could not otherwiſe bee vented but by a patheticall Exclamation: and this was wrought in him by the thought of the largeneſs and laſtingneſs of Gods law. Plato prized one book (called Sophron) above all the reſt, whereof hee had many. Richard de Bury Biſh. of Durham, as hee had more Books than all the Biſhops of England beſides, ſo in his Book called Philobiblos, hee ſaith of himſelf, ecſtatico quodam librorum amore potenter ſe eſſe abreptum, that he was carried out of himſelf by love to good books;Floruit anno. 1333. but not ſo much as David was to Gods bleſſed book. Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation received the Bible (preſented unto her) with both her hands; and kiſſing it, laid it to her breaſt, ſaying, that the ſame had ever been her chiefeſt delight, &c.Speed.

It is my meditation all the day] Sive locutio, commentatio, occupatio, my daily diſcourſe, ſtudy, or imployment; as love is never idle.

Verſ. 98 Thou through thy Commandements haſt made mee wiſer than mine enemies] So that I outwit them; and mine holy ſimplicity is too hard for their ſinfull ſubtlety. Bee wiſe as Serpents.

For they are ever with mee] Heb. It is ever with mee, that is, every one of thy Commandements; I am expert in them: Or, It is mine, I have made them mine own by meditation; I have turned them in ſuccum & ſanguinem; I have incorporated them, as it were into my ſoul.

Verſ. 99 I have more underſtanding than all my teachers] i. e. I have underſtood by much reading more than they ever taught mee, whilſt I referred all to practiſe; and ſo came to know more of Gods mind than they did. A friend ſaith Chryſoſtom, that is acquainted with his friend, will get out the meaning of a letter or phraſt, which another could not that is a ſtranger: ſo it is in the Scripture.Act. & Mon. And here, Indocti … calum: a pious ſwain is better learned than a proud Philoſopher, faith a certain devout Dominican. Our King Alfred was held the beſt in all his Kingdome, both for underſtanding and for … the holy Scriptures.

p. 886For thy Teſtimonies are my meditation] I do particularly apply the word heard to mine own neceſſities; and work it upon mine affections by an after deliberate meditation.

Verſ. 100 I underſtand more than the Ancients] Whom yet Age, Uſe, and Experience have taught much but by the practicall ſtudy of the Word I ou…-go them all; with reference to theſe hoary heads, the ſeniours of the Synedri… bee it ſpokens Non prelixa facit ſapi… ba….

Verſ. 101 I have refrained my feet, &c.] I have clapt up my unruly affections cloſe priſoners, and hampered them: abandoning every errour in Judgement, and enormity in practiſe.

That I may keep thy word] Which I ſhall never do, but by ſelf-denyall and mortification.

Verſ. 102 I have not departed from thy judgements] i.e. From thy Law; which is called Judgements, becauſe God will thereby judge the World.

For thou haſt taught mee] ſcil. To cleave cloſe unto thee with full purpoſe of heart; and not to bee drawn aſide by any either Allurement, or Affrightment.

Verſ. 103 How ſweet are thy words unto my taſte] Heb. To my Palat. Syr. ca…is gutturis mei, the roof of the mouth reſembleth Heaven. Epicurus was worthily blamed by Ennius for that …um palat… quid ſit optimum judicabat, cali palatium non ſuſpexerit, whiles hee looked ſo much to his palate, hee looked not at all to the heavenly palace. David was no Hog of his heard: hee had ſweet meats to feed on, that the World was not aware of.

Yea ſweeter than hony to my mouth] Mercuries Prieſts were wont to ſay when they did eat their figs, foreign, Truth is ſweet. The Comaedian ſaith, after Solomon, foreign, Light is ſweet. The pleaſures of the mind are far beyond thoſe of the body.

Verſ. 104 Through thy Precepts I get underſtanding] Thoſe are the Statutes of Heaven, and as men by ſtudying the Statute-book, get worldly wiſdome; ſo they may hereby get heavenly.

Therefore I hate every falſe way] Whether in point of opinion or practiſe. I ſhall look upon Auxentius as a Devill, ſo long as hee is an Arrian, ſaith Hilary. And I would ſhun an Heretick, as I would do a Devil, for hee is ſent on his errand, ſaith another.

Verſ. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet] Without the direction whereof both for my whole courſe of life, and for every particular action thereof; I cannot but bee in dreadfull darkneſſe, and deſperate downfalls.

Verſ. 106 I have ſworn, and I will perform it] A religious vow is nothing elſe but a ſolemn promiſe, or rather oath made to God to uſe this or that means, either to avoid ſome evill whereunto hee findeth himſelf inclined, or too bee ſet onwards in the performance of ſome duty, unto which hee finds himſelf very backward. Thus Neh. 10. Maſora ſepes legi, dec mae divitiis, vota ſanctimoniae, ſilentium ſap…entiae. Pi…ke Aboth.they take a new oath, and ſeal to it. Thus Job chap. 31.1. and Jacob, Gen. 28.21, 22. called therefore the Father of vows.

That I will keep thy Righteous Judgements] Keep them as I am able, and as thou by thy grace ſhalt enable mee, Pſal, 119.32 Peter was too peremptory, Jephtha too haſty.

Verſ. 107 I am afflicted very much] Uſque valde, extreamly: If David bee ſo fully bent to obey God, hee ſhall have troubles great ſtore, 1 Tim. 3.12. All that will live godly, and are ſet upon it, ſhall ſuffer perſecution. Zeal for Chriſt draweth troubles to it ſelf, as the wind Caecias doth clouds.

Quicke… mee, O Lord, according to thy word] Help mee to keep my promiſe, to perform mine oath; notwithſtanding theſe troubles growing upon mee. A vow made without prayer is never kept.

Verſ. 108 Accept, I beſeech thee, the free-will-offerings] My prayers and praiſes; prayers for thine aſſiſtance, and praiſes for thine enablements, Pſal. 50.14. & 22.25.

And teach Judgments] This is a requeſt that David hath never done with.

Verſ. 109 My … I am … p. 887nor afraid of death in this caſe: I make no more of life than a child doth of his bird which hee carrieth in the palm of his hand held open. See Judg. 12.3. Job 13.14

Yet do I not forget thy Law] Notwithſtanding all theſe dangers; my I love it, and like it ſo much the better, as thoſe Pſal. 44. & Rom. 8. and that holy Martyr who caught up the Revelation caſt into the ſame fire with himſelf, and cryed, O … Apocalypſis, &c.

Verſ. 110 The wicked have laid a ſ…are for mee] Such, as rather than their lives, would have had mine: ſuch as ſought and fain would have ſuckt my blood.

Yet I erred not from thy Precepts] I held the Kings high-way; and leaped not over the hedge to avoid a peece of foul way.

Verſ. 111. Thy Teſtimonies have I taken as an heritage] … ali… nandi patrimonii vice, A Patrimony that I prize, and will never part with; ſith I hold it from thee as a child of thy grace.

For they are the rejoycing of mine heart] Other heritages have their troubles. Qui habet terras, habet querras, ſaith the Lawyer; but the juſt mans joy is unmixed.

Verſ. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy Statutes] This is the fruit of my Chriſtian contentation, and ſpirituall joy, I have inclined my heart: Indeed thou Lord haſt done it, for thou art the only heart-maker, and heart-mender; but thou counteſt and calleſt it my doing, for mine incouragement in thy ſervice. Certum eſt nos facer… quod facimus, ſed Deus facit ut faciamus, ſaith Auſtin.

Alway even to the end] For elſe I ſhall loſe the things that I have wrought, and not receive a full reward, 2. Job. 8.

Verſ. 113 I hate vain thoughts] Which though they may ſwarm in my head, ſhall never lodge in my heart, Jer. 4, 14. for there I have entertained a better gueſt.

Thy Law do I love] All hatred proceedeth from love, and is foreign, againſt the whole kind, as Ariſtotle ſpeaketh; True love to Gods law enrageth the hearts of Gods people, with an holy hatred of hereſies, and perverſe deviſes.

Verſ. 114. Thou art my hiding place and my ſhield] To defend mee from deadly darts and dangers. See Pſal. 18.2 & 32.7. God either preſerveth his from common calamities; or from the hurt of them.

I hope in thy word] And am content to ſtay thy time. Hee that beleeveth, maketh not haſle.

Verſ. 115 Depart from mee, yee evill-doers] For why? there is no doing my duty in your company; beſides a double danger, 1 Infection of ſin. 2 Inflection of puniſhment, Rev. 18.4.

For I will keep the Commandements] Which it booteth mee not to ſet about, unleſs I do firſt abandon your ſociety, hating the garment ſpotted by the fl…ſh, that is, avoiding evill company (ſaith Mr. Perkins) that R…mora or Peſt of true piety. See Levit. 15.4.

Verſ. 116 Uphold mee according to thy word] The promiſe is the ſouls ſupport. Turn wee the palm, and not the backſide of the hand to this ſtaff, leaning upon it, praying hard for the accompliſhment of it; and then bee content though wee can ſay but as that holy man Mr. Paul Bain did; I thank God in Chriſt, ſuſtentation I have;Bains Letter… but ſ…avities ſpirituall I taſte not any.

And let mee not bee aſhamed of my hope] Let mee not bee defeated, diſappointed, fruſtrated. This, David knew hee ſhould not be (for Spe… in terrenis incerti …; ſpes in divinis nomen eſt certiſſimi, Heb 11.1 Rom. 5.5.) but yet think fit to ſeek it by prayer, as Eliah foretold abundance of rain, but yet went up to the top of Carmel, and prayed for it, 1 King. 18.41, 4….

Verſ. 117 Hold thou mee up, and I ſhall bee ſafe] No longer are wee ſafe from ſin and puniſhment, than God putteth under his hand: wee ſubſiſt meerly by his manutenſion: and if hee withdraw his grace never ſo little, wee are down on all four, as wee ſay.

And I will have reſpect, … ] Saints ſhall perſevere becauſe they are kept by the power of God through faith … ſalvation.

Verſ. 118. Thou haſt trodden …, &c.] Thou, … King o… Conquerour, haſt made uſe of them for a … King of Perſia did … the Roman Emperour, and as T…merl… did B…j…z….

p. 888For their deceit is falſhood] They think themſelves to bee out of the reach of thy rod; but they will find it ſomewhat otherwiſe.

Verſ. 119 Thou putteſt away all the wicked of the earth like droſs] Conſuming them in the fire of thy wrath, and caſting them out as refuſe. See Iſa. 1.25. vel quo…irubi… exiſtimaſti, Kimchi.thou haſt reckoned them as ruſt; whereas the Saints are preciouſly eſteemed, as the leaſt filings of gold are.

Therefore I love thy Teſtimonies] Quia purgant a ſcoriis hypocriſ…os, & in… … est ut foris: becauſe they take out the precious from the vile, and make men the ſame within as without.

Verſ. 120 My fleſh trembleth] Horripilatur, Job 4.15. In the Saints is a mixture of contrary paſſions, fear and great joy: as was in thoſe holy women, Mat. 28.8. and the one makes way for the other.

Verſ. 121 I have done Judgement and Juſtice] I have lived in all good conſcience before God untill this day, Act. 23.1. my cauſe is right, and my carriage righteous. But Innocency is no target againſt detraction, and deadly practice; therefore

Leave mee not to mine oppreſſours] Or traducers; for they will ſoon exceed their commiſſion, Zach. 1.15.

Verſ. 122 Bee ſurety for thy ſervant for good] Obi vadimonium; appear for mee, and non-ſuit all accuſations againſt mee: Or, undertake for mee that I ſhall keep thy lawes, as I have ſaid and ſworne to do: Sis fide juſſor meus. Some obſerve that this is the only verſe throughout the whole Pſalm wherein the word is not mentioned under the name of Law, Judgements, Statutes, or the like tearms. And they make this Note upon it; where the Law faileth, there Chriſt is a ſurety of a better Teſtament. There are that render the words thus. Dulcify or delight thy ſervant in good, Oblects ſervum tu…m. …uſcul.that is, make him joyfull and comfortable in the purſuit and practice of that which is good.

Verſ. 123 Mine eyes fail for thy ſalvation] Not my bodily eyes only, but the eyes of my faith. See verſ. 81.82.

And for the word of thy Righteouſneſs] That is, for thy faithfull promiſes, which many times bear a long date.

Verſ. 124. Deal with thy ſervant according to thy mercy] i.e. Shew mee ſo much mercy as to teach mee thy Statutes, Cathedram in caelis habet qui corda d…cet. Divine learning is of Gods free favour. If common skill, then this much more commeth forth from the Lord of H…aſts, who is wonderfull in counſel, and excellent in working, Iſa. 28.19.

Verſ. 125 I am thy ſervant, give mee underſtanding] I have voluntarily hired my ſelf unto thee, choſen the things that pleaſe thee, and take hold of the Covenant, loving to bee thy ſervant, Iſa. 56.4, 6. Now this is all the wages I crave of thee, Give mee underſtanding, &c. This David ſpeaketh, ſaith one, in a reall and heavenly complement with his Maker.

That I may know thy Teſtimonies] Work done in the dark muſt bee undone again; David therefore would fully know his Maſters mind that he might acceptably do it.

Verſ. 126 It is time for thee Lord to work] For elſe what will become of thy great name, and of thy poor people? This the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh not, as preſcribing God a time, but as in minding him of his own glory, and of his peoples neceſſity.

For they have made void thy Law] They would if they could; as out Antinomians dogmaticall and practicall; our aweleſs lawleſs Belialiſts, untameable, untractable.

Verſ. 127 Therefore I love thy Commandements] I like them the better, becauſe they ſleight them; and prize that way the more that they perſecute. I kindle my ſelf from their coldneſs, and whilſt they greedily graſp after gold, and fine gold, I lay hold upon eternall life, 1 Tim. 6.10, 11, 12.

Verſ. 128 Therefore I eſteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to …ee right] Therefore from the ſame ground again as before by an holy Antip…riſtaſis.

I eſteem, &c] Recti…icavi, I have declared them to bee right in every part and point, againſt thoſe that wrangle and wr…ſt them to a wrong ſenſe. I eſteem every parcell of Truth precious: and arm an utter enemy to every Heto…odoxie. The many Alls in this verſe uſed (not unlike that in … chap. …4.30.) ſheweth the integrity and …erſality of his obedience. All is … word, but of large extent.

p. 889I hate every falſe way] Whether in point of opinion or practice; all ſinfull deviations and prevarications. Hatred is ever againſt the whole kind of a thing,Rhet. lib. 2. ſaith Ariſtotle.

Verſ. 129 Thy Teſtimonies are wonderfull] As comprehending high and hidden myſteries, ſuch as are far above the reach of humane reaſon; ſuch as the very Angels admire and adore. A man muſt have more than common faith to ſubject his reaſon to them. But all men are Socinians by nature; they will beleeve Gods word no further than they can ſee reaſon: which while men make the rule of their faith (as did the wiſe Grecians, the rationall Romans) they ſtumble at the preaching of the Croſs as fooliſhneſs; and diſ-beleeve the riches of Chriſt, which are unſearchable.

Therefore doth my ſoul keep them] Though I cannot comprehend them, yet I am comprehended by them: and though I canno… do them as I would; yet I am doing at them as I can. I admire what I cannot attain to.

Verſ. 130 The entrance of they Words giveth light] So ſoon as men are over the threſhold of thy houſe, ſeſe lux quaedam in…u…rrabilis conſpiciendam offert, a marvellous light ſhineth about them… So little cauſe is there that any ſhould accuſe Gods word of darkneſſe and hardneſſe; or give way to negligence and careleſneſs of the Scriptures, becauſe they are wonderfull. Lex, Lux, the Law is a Light, Prov. 6.23. and the Goſpel a great Light, Mat. 4.16. See 2 Pet. 1.19.

It giveth under ſtanding to the ſimple] And maketh them ſubtle, Prov. 1.4. ſo they bee but docible. The very firſt rud…ments of religion make wiſe the rude, ſo they bee not refractary.

Verſ. 131 I opened my mouth and panted] Heb. And S…ped in the air, as one that laboureth for life. Oh the ſighs and the groans that I unceſſantly breathed forth,As one that …unneth himſelf out of breath. Sitio propter l… gem ſicut d…acones proptet pluviam. Job. 29.Job 29 out of zeal to thy law! Oh the ſtrong affections kindled on the harth of my heart! for

I longed for thy Commandements] The Septuagint render it by foreign, which ſignifieth a moſt vehement deſire, impatient of delays.

Verſ. 132 Look thou upon mee, &c.] Face about towards mee, and give mee a glimpſe at leaſt of thy grace; for full fruition I expect not in this preſent life. Brevis hora, parva mora.

As thou uſeſt to do unto thoſe, &c.] Common mercies ſatisfie not a Saint; hee muſt have peculiar favours, ſpirituall bleſſings in heavenly things, even the ſure mercies of David. Hee pleads for a childs part.

Verſ. 133 Order my steps in thy word] Let mee walk as in a …ame, walk by rule exactly, accurately, Epheſ. 5.15. Here hee prayeth that hee may keep the affirmative Precepts, ſaith Aben. Ezra: as in the next words, the negative.

And let not any iniquity have dominion over mee] Let it not reigne, though it doth rebell: let it bee like thoſe beaſts in Daniel, whoſe dominion was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a ſeaſon and a time, chap. 7.12.

Verſ. 134 Deliver mee from the oppreſſion of man] Homo homin… lupus. David beſides his corruptions within, met with oppreſſions and perſecutions without: ſo ſhall all that will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus: ſet them never dream of a dilicacy in religion.

So will I keep thy Precepts] Not ſay as thoſe Miſcreants, Jer. 7.10. wee are delivered to do all theſe abominations: but as good old Zachary, Luk. 1.74, 75. ſervati ſumus ut ſerviam…, wee are delivered that wee might ſerve God without fear, &c.

Verſ. 135 Make thy face to ſhine upon thy ſervant] David could not live out of Gods favour, nor without his direction; hee therefore here and elſewhere prayeth heartily for both.

Verſ. 136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes] My countenance is clouded, and even furrowed with continuall tears ſhed for thy diſhonour: therefore lift up upon mee the light of thy loving countenance. It grieveth mee greatly to ſee thy law violated, and the tranſgreſſours thereof ſo careleſs of their own eternall good. This was L…t… caſe at Sodom, 2 Pet. 2. and is many a good mans ſtill; every prophane wretch being a Hazael to his eyes, an Hadadri… to his heart. The Septuagint and Vulgar read, Mine eyes have drawn down iſſues of Waters; (i.e. they have wept abundantly) becauſe they (that is, thoſe eyes of mine) have not kept thy Law. So Aben-Ezra: Quia ipſi … non obſervaſſant …. David had walked after the ſight of his eyes, and the luſt of his heart; this is now his grief. Thus they; but not ſo well.

Verſ. 137 Rightea… ar… th… O Lord] Eſſentially, and efficiently.

p. 890And upright are thy Judgements] Which are ſometimes ſecret, but alwayes juſt, as the Emperour Mauricius alſo acknowledged, when his wife and children were ſlain before his eyes by the traitour Phocas.

Verſ. 138 Thy Teſtimonies which thou haſt commanded] i.e. the Goſpel, as Iſa. 8.20. And the Commandement thereof to hear Chriſt, Mat. 17.5. and to beleeve in his name, 1 Joh. 3.23. this is a faithfull and true ſaying, 1 Tim. 1.15. not Avengelaion, as the Jews blaſphemouſly call it, or fabula de Chriſto, as that black mouthed Pope.

Verſ. 139 My zeal hath conſumed mee] Hath meagred and impaired mee much. In the Hebrew, the laſt letter is doubled, to increaſe the ſignification.. Zeal is the extreme heat of all the affections.

Verſ. 140 Thy Word is very pure] And calleth for purity. Hence wicked men ſleight it: but Saints the rather imbrace it, deſirous to bee conformed to the heavenly pattern.

Verſ. 141 I am ſmall and deſpiſed] Minutus, a worm and no man, an abject and outcaſt, nullificamen hominis, &c.

Ye… do I not forget thy Precepts] My mean condition impaireth not my conſtancy.

Verſ. 142 Thy Righteouſneſs is an everlaſting righteouſneſs] When all other laws and ſentences, though ingraven in braſs or marble, ſhall decay and determine; thy Law laſteth for ever; and ſo ſhall they that obſerve it.

And thy Law is the Truth] And therefore laſting. foreign, ſaith Plat…. The Eternity of Iſrael cannot lye, 1 Sam. 15.29.

Verſ. 143 Trouble and anguiſh have taken hold of mee] Heb. Have found mee. Thoſe (as wee ſay of foul weather) come before they are ſent for; yet are they not without the Lord. It is hee that putteth his under the black-rod.

Yet thy Commandements, &c.] God and his Word are never ſo ſweet to the Saints, as in adverſity.

Verſ. 144 The Righteouſneſs of thy Teſtimonies, &c.] This is the ſame with verſ. 142.

Give mee underſtanding, &c.] An ignorant life is a lifeleſs life. Fuit non vixit. The life of God is the only life. But from this, men are alienated by the ignorance that is in them Epheſ. 4.18.

Verſ. 145 I cryed with my whole heart] This ſheweth that hee had not only a gift of prayer, but a ſpirit of prayer.

Verſ. 146 I cryed unto thee, ſave mee] Salvation properly denoteth the privative part of mans felicity, but includeth the poſitive part alſo; this muſt bee got by prayer.

Verſ. 147 I prevented the dawning of the morning] I was up and at it before daybreak. This is check to our ſluggiſhneſs.

I hoped in thy Word] The Word furniſhed his hope, and his hope his prayer.

Verſ.Hier. ad Euſta. 148 Mine eyes prevent the night-watches] By this verſe and the former it appeareth that hee ſpent whole nights in prayer and meditation of Gods Word. Hierom counſelled ſome godly women thus, Tenenti codicem ſomnus obrepat, & cadentem faciem pagina ſacra ſuſcipiat.

Verſ. 149 Hear my voice according to thy loving kindneſſe] Shewed heretofore to others of thy ſervants, and to mee frequently.

Quicken mee according to thy Judgement] i.e. According to thy promiſe.

Verſ. 150 They draw nigh that follow after miſchief] Thoſe ſcelerum aſſidui-ſectatores prompti ſunt ac parati.

They are far from thy law] And ſo have nothing to reſtrain their rage; ſith they have caſt thy cordes from them.

Verſ. 151 Thou art near, O Lord] To counterwork and controule the enemy; as alſo to ſafeguard and ſupport thy people.

Verſ. 152 Concerning thy Teſtimonies, &c.] the ſempiternity of Gods Word, is an excellent prop to faith, and help in prayer; to thoſe eſpecially who are of long experience, and have well laid up their experiments. David had learned this truth of a child little. See 2 Tim. 3. ult.

Verſ. 153 Conſider mine affliction and deliver mee] Vide commiſ…ratio…es oculis, p. 891look upon it, and let thine eye affect thy heart: ſay as once, I have ſeen, I have ſeen the affliction of my people.

Verſ. 154 Plead my cauſe and deliver mee] Litiga litigium meum. Bee both mine Advocate, and my Redeemer.

Verſ. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked] How can it bee otherwiſe? when as God is neither in their heads, Pſal. 10.4. not hearts, Pſal. 14.1. nor words, Pſal. 12.4. not wayes, Tit. 1.16. can theſe have part or portion in his ſalvation?

For thy ſeek not] This contempt of Gods Word is a plain proof, that no part or peece of Gods favour belongeth to them.

Verſ. 156 Great are thy tender mercies, &c.] Or, many and Mother-like. This is great comfort to great eſt ſinners.

Verſ. 157 Many are my Perſecutours] Truth never wanted an adverſary; and goes ſeldome without a ſcratcht face.

Yet do I not decline] But ſtill adhere to thy word; when others fall off as faſt, as leaves fall from trees in Autumn.

Verſ. 158 I beheld the Tranſgreſſours and was grieved] Or, I abhorred them, or I contended with them; not ſo much becauſe they were mine, as thine enemies.

Becauſe they kept not thy Word] Which all men are bound not only to obſerve, but to preſerve as much as may bee.

Verſ. 159 Conſider how I love thy Precepts] And love facilitateth duty, helping us over all the hardſhip of holineſſe. It yeeldeth alſo much boldneſs to a man to offer it to God, as here, for a proof of his ſincerity.

Verſ. 160 Thy Word is true from the beginning] Heb. The beginning of thy Word is true: Primarium illud eſt in verbo tuo quod eſt firmiſſimum, this is a ſpeciall praiſe of thy Word, that it is very ſure. Theſe words are faithfull and true, Rev. 22.6. from the one end of the Bible to the other. Some render it thus, Thy moſt excellent Word is Truth. This moſt excellent word Kimchi interpreteth to bee particularly that in the head or preface to the Decalogue. Hear O Iſrael, Jehova thy God, Jehova is One. Theodoret will have it to be that promiſe made to Abraham that in his ſeed all Nations of the earth ſhould bee bleſſed. Some read it, every chapter of thy Word is Truth.

Verſ. 161 Princes have perſecuted mee without a cauſe] And Quae venit indignè poena, dolenda venit.

But better without a cauſe, than for evill doing, 1 Pet. 4. David ſuffered by theſe Potentates, becauſe hee was ſmall and deſpiſed. verſ. 141. as a little dog is worried by the bigger, as the leſſer fiſhes are devoured by the greater.

But my heart ſtandeth in awe of thy Word] The fear of God driveth out the fear of the creature, Iſa. 8.12, 13.

Verſ. 162 I rejoyce at thy Word] Libenter omnibus omnes opes conceſſerim &c. Epiſt. lib. 9.I would gladly leave all the wealth in the World to others, ſaid Tully, ſo that I might without diſturbance live and dye in the ſtudy of learning. What marvell then that David was ſo taken with heavenly learning?

As one that findeth great ſpoil] Which as it commeth oft unexpectedly (and is therefore the better welcome) ſo the profit is uſually very great (as was at the ſack of Conſtantinople and the pleaſure (beſides the honour) is no leſſe than the profit, becauſe gotten from an enemy. George Franſperg (a Generall in the Imperiall Army,H…ſt of the Counc. of Trent. p. 43… under the conduct of Charles Burbon, that ſacked Rome in the time of Pope Clement the ſeventh) cauſed an halter to be carried near his colours, ſaying that with that hee would hang the Pope, the better to incourage his ſouldiers who were almoſt all Lutherans, whom hee promiſed to lead to Rome; ſhewing them the great opportunity they had to inrich themſelves with the ſpoils of that City.

Verſ. 163 I hate and abhor lying] Utitur atr…ci verbo, abominatus ſum, I hate it as I hate hell it ſelf; and yet lying was Davids ſin after a ſpeciall manner, See verſ. 29. with the Note.

But thy Law do I love] All hatred comes from love of they contrary. Yee that love the Lord hate evill Pſal. 97.10.

Verſ. 164 Seven times a day do I praiſe thee] Septies, id eſt, ſ…piſſime, very oft in p. 892the day: whenſoever God ſetteth mee up an Altar, I am ready with my ſacrifice. Mahometans pray conſtantly five times a day; thoſe of Morocco ſix times. Papiſts fooliſhly and ſuperſtitiouſly allege this text for their ſeven Canonicall houres, as they call them.The Jews pronounce an hundred benedictions ever day. Leo Modena.

Verſ. 165 Great peace have they which love thy Law] The fruit of Righteouſneſs ſhall bee peace, Iſa. 32.17. even the peace of God, the joy of faith, a heaped-up happineſs.

And nothing ſhall offend them] Heb. They ſhall have no ſtumbling-block: non pereunt, quicquid accidat; Though they fall, they ſhall ariſe; for the Lord putteth under his hand, Pſal. 37.

Verſ. 166 Lord, I have hoped for thy ſalvation] This ſaying hee borrowed from good old Jacob, Gen. 49.18.

And done thy Commandements] Done them as I could; done them to divine acceptation through Chriſt; and hence I have hoped, 1 Job 3.3. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himſelf, as God is pure.

Verſ. 167 My ſoul hath kept thy Teſtimonies] ſcil. As well as mortality will afford.

And I love them exceedingly] I delight in the Law of God after the inward man, Rom. 7.22. I truſt I have a good conſcience in all things, willing to live honeſtly, Heb. 13.18.

Verſ. 168 I have kept thy Precepts] All thy Laws are in my ſight; like as all my wayes are in thy ſight. I deſire to approve my ſelf to thee in the diſcharge of every part and point of my duty; in all my wayes I acknowledge thee. Pro 3.6. Here note, that all along this 21 Octonarie, the Pſalmiſt propoundeth himſelf for a Pattern of piety,

Verſ. 169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord] That is, as ſome will have it, Let this whole preceding Pſalm, and all the petitions (whereof wee have here a repetition) therein contained, bee highly accepted in Heaven.

Verſ. 170 Let my ſupplication, &c.] The ſame again; neither is this Battologie, but fervency in begging audience.

Verſ.Semper, & … 171 My lips ſhall utter praiſe] Eructabunt labia mea hymnum. A Metaphor either from a fountain caſting out waters; vel a ructu qui cibum copioſum ſequitur.

Verſ. 172 My Tongue ſhall ſpeak] True goodneſſe is diffuſive; charity is no churl.

Verſ. 173 Let thy hand help mee] To do what I have promiſed.

For I have choſen thy Precepts] Refuſing Satans cut throat kindneſſe.

Verſ. 174. I have longed for thy Salvation] So do all men; but then David will take a right courſe for it (ſo will not all.)

And thy Law is my delight] This, the moſt men mind not.

Verſ. 175 Let thy Judgements help mee] ſcil. To Heaven: together with Gods Word, there goeth forth a power.

Verſ 176 I have gone aſtray, &c.] And of my ſelf ſhall never return.

Seek thy Servant] Do all the offices of a good Shepheard for mee, Luk. 15.

For I do not forget] The root of the matter is ſtill in mee, I am recallable, and ready to hear thy voice, Job. 10.3.