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Annotations on the Bible Volume 1

Matthew Poole (1624-1679) · 1,080,046 words · 4800 min

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plucked the spoil out of his Teeth .

18. Then I said , I shall die in my nest , and I shall multiply my days as the sand .

19. My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch .

20. My glory was fresh in me , and my bow was renewed in my hand.

21. Unto me men gave ear, and waited and kept silence at my counsel .

22. After my words they spake not again , and my speech dropped upon them .

23. And they waited for me, as for the rain , and they opened their mouth for me as for the latter rain.

24. If I laughed on them , they believed it not , and the light of my countenance they cast not down .

25. I chose out their way , and sat chief , and dwelt as a king in the army , as one that comforteth the mourners .




CHAP. XXX.

1. BUT now they that are younger than I , have me in derision , whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock .

2. Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me , in whom old age was perished ?

3. For want and famine th •… were solitary: fleeing into the wilderness, in former time desolate and wast:

4. Who cut up mallows by the bushes , and juniper roots for their meat.

5. They were driven forth from among men , (they cried after them, as after a thief )

6. To dwell in the clifts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

7. Among the bushes they brayed , under the nettles they were gathered together.

8. They were children of fools , yea, children of base men : they were viler than the earth .

9. And now am I their song , yea, I am their by-word.

10. They abhor me, they flee far from me , and spare not to spit in my face .

11. Because he hath loosed my cord , and afflicted me , they have also let loose the bridle before me .

12. Upon my right hand rise the youth , they push away my feet , and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction .

13. They mar my path , they set forward my calamity , they have no helper .

14. They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters ; in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me .

15. Terrors are turned upon me : they pursue my soul as the wind : and my welfare passeth away as a cloud .

16. And now my soul is poured out upon me : the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

17. My bones are pierced in me , in the nightseason : and my sinews take no rest.

18. By the great force of my disease is my garment changed : It bindeth me about as the collar of my coat .

19, He hath cast me into the mire , and I am become like dust and ashes .

20. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me : I stand up , and thou regardest me not .

21. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me .

22. Thou liftest me up to the wind : thou causest me to ride upon it , and dissolvest my substance r.

23. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death , and to the house appointed for all living .

24. Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction

25. Did not I weep for him that was in trouble ? was not my soul grieved for the poor ?

26. When I looked for good, then evil came unto me : and when I waited for light, there came darkness.

27. My bowels boiled and rested not : the days of affliction prevented me .

28. I went mourning without the Sun : I stood up , and I cried in the congregation .

29. I am a brother to dragons , and a companion to owls .

30. My skin is black upon me , and my bones are burnt with heat .

31. My harp also is turned to mourning , and my organ into the voice of them that weep.




CHAP. XXXI.

1. I Made a covenant with mine eyes : why then should I think upon a maid ?

2. For what portion of God is there , from above ? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high ?

3. Is not destruction to the wicked ? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

4 Doth not he see my ways , and count all my steps?

5. If I have walked with vanity , or if my foot hath hasted to deceit ;

6. Let me be weighed in an even balance , that God may know mine integrity .

7. If my step hath turned out of the way , and mine heart walked after mine eyes , and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands:

8. Then let me sow, and let another eat ; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

9. If mine heart have been deceived by a woman , or if I have laid weight at my neighbors door :

10. Then let my wife grind unto another , and let others bow down upon her .

11. For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the Judges .

12. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction , and would root out all mine increase .

13. If I did despise the cause of my man-servant , or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me ;

14. What then shall I do when God riseth up ? and when he visiteth , what shall I answer him ?

15. Did not he that made me in the womb, make him ? and did not one fashion us in the womb ?

16. If I have withheld the poor from their desire , or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail :

17. Or have eaten my morsel myself alone , and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:

18. For from my youth he was brought up with me , as with a Father , and I have guided her from my Mothers womb .

19. If I have seen any perish for want of clothing , or any poor without covering:

20. If his loins have not blessed me , and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep :

21. If I have lift up mine hand against the fatherless , when I saw my help in the gate :

22. Then let mine arm fall from my shoulderblade , and mine arm be broken from the bone.

23. For destruction from God was a terror to me , and by reason of his highness I could not endure .

24. If I have made gold my hope , or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

25. If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much :

26. If I beheld the sun when it shined , or the moon walking in brightness :

27. And my heart hath been secretly enticed , or my mouth hath kissed my hand :

28. This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge : for I should have denied the God that is above .

29. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me , or lift up myself when evil found him:

30. Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul:

31. If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh ! we cannot be satisfied .

32. The stranger did not lodge in the street : but I opened my doors to the traveler:

33. If I covered my transgressions , as Adam ; by hiding m •… ne iniquity in my bosom :

34. Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me: that I kept silence, and went not out of the door ?

35. O that one would hear me ! behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me , and that mine adversary had written a book .

36. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder , and bind it as a Crown to me.

37. I would declare unto him the number of my Steps , as a prince would I go near unto him .

38. If my land cry against me , or that the furrows likewise thereof complain.

39. If I have eaten the fruits thereof without Money , or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life .

40. Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.




CHAP. XXXII.

1. SO these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes .

2. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the Son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram : against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God .

3. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer , and yet had condemned Job .

4. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he

5. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of th •… se three men, then his wrath was kindled.

6. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old, wherefore I was afraid , and durst not show you mine opinion.

7. I said, Days should speak , and multitude of years should teach wisdom .

8. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding .

9. Great men are not always wise: neither doth the aged understand judgment .

10. Therefore I said , Hearken to me : I also will show mine opinion.

11. Behold, I waited for your words: I gave ear to your reasons , whilst ye searched out what to say .

12. Yea, I attended to you: and behold, there was none of you that convinced Job , or that answered his words:

13. Lest ye should say , We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man .

14. Now he hath not directed his words against me : neither will I answer him with your words .

15. They were amazed , they answered no more , they left off speaking.

16. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still; and answered no more ;)

17. I said, I will answer also my part , I also will show mine opinion.

18. For I am full of matter , the spirit within me constraineth me .

19. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottles :

20. I will speak, that I may be refreshed , I will open my lips, and answer .

21. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person : neither let me give flattering titles unto man z.

22. For I know not to give flattering titles : in so doing , my maker would soon take me away.




CHAP. XXXIII.

1. WHerefore, Job, I pray thee , hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words .

2. Behold, now I have opened my mouth , my tongue hath spoken in my mouth .

3. My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart : and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly .

4. The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life .

5. If thou canst answer me , set thy words in order before me, stand up .

6. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead : I also am formed out of the clay.

7. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee .

8. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing , and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

9. I am clean without transgression, I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me .

10. Behold he findeth occasions against me , he counteth me for his enemy .

11. He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths .

12. Behold, in this thou art not just : I will answer thee, That God is greater than man.

13. Why dost thou strive against him ? for he giveth not account of any of his matters .

14. For God speaketh once, yea twice , yet man perceiveth it not .

15. In a dream , in a vision of the Night , when deep sleep falleth upon men , in slumbrings upon the bed.

16. Then he openeth the ears of men , and sealeth their instruction .

17. That he may withdraw Man from his purpose , and hide pride from Man.

18. He keepeth back his soul from the pit , and his life from perishing by the sword .

19. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain .

20. So that his life abhorred bread , and his soul dainty meat .

21. His flesh is consumed away , that it cannot be seen , and his bones that were not seen , stick out.

22. His soul draweth near unto the grave , and and his life to the destroyers .

23. If there be a messenger with him , an interpreter , one among a thousand , to show unto man his uprightness :

24. Then he is gracious unto him , and saith, Deliver him from going down into the pit, I have found a ransom .

25. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's : he shall return to the days of his youth .

26. He shall pray unto God q: and he will be favorable unto him , and he shall see his face with joy : for he will render unto man his righteousness .

27. He looketh upon men , and if any say, I have sinned and perverted that which was right , and it profited me not .

28. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light .

29. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man .

30. To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living .

31. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me, hold thy peace , and I will speak.

32. If thou hast anything to say i, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee .

33. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom .




CHAP. XXXIV.

1. FUrthermore, Elihu answered, and said,

2. Hear my words, O ye wise men , and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3. For the ear trieth words , as the mouth tasteth meat.

4. Let us choose to us judgment : let us know among ourselves what is good :

5. For Job hath said, I am righteous : and my God hath taken away my judgment .

6. Should I lie against my right ? my wound is incurable without transgression .

7. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water ?

8. Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men ?

9. For he hath said , It profiteth a man nothing, that he should delight himself with God .

10. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding : far be it from God that he should do wickedness , and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

11. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to •… ind according to his ways.

12. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment .

13. Who hath given him a charge over the earth ? or who hath disposed the whole world?

14. If he set his heart upon man : if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath :

15. All flesh shall perish together , and man shall turn again unto dust.

16. If now thou hast understanding, hear this : he •… rken to the voice of my words.

17. Shall even he that hateth right , govern ? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just ?

18. Is it fit to say to a King, Thou art wicked : and to princes, ye are ungodly?

19. How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes g, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor: for they all are the work of his hands

20. In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight , and pass away : and the mighty shall be taken away without hand .

21. For his eyes are upon the ways of man , and he seeth all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves .

23. For he will not lay upon man more than right : that he should enter into judgment with God .

24. He shall break into pieces mighty men without number , and set others in their stead .

25. Therefore he knoweth their works , and he overturneth them in the night , so that they are destroyed .

26. He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others .

27. Because they turned back from him : and would not consider any of his ways .

28. So that they cause the cry of the poor to come , unto him , and he heareth the cry of the afflicted .

29. When he giveth quietness •… , who then can make trouble ▪ and when he hideth his Face , who then can behold him ? whether it be done against a Nation, or against a man only .

30. That the hypocrite reign not, lest the People be ensnared .

31. Surely it is meet to be said unto God , I have born chastisement , I will not offend anymore .

32. That which I see not, teach thou me ; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more .

33. Should it be according to thy mind ? he will recompense it; whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose , and not I : therefore speak what thou knowest .

34. Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me .

35. Job hath spoken without knowledge , and his words were without wisdom.

36. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end , because of his answers for wicked men .

37. For he addeth rebellion unto his Sin , he clappeth his hands amongst us, and multiplieth his words against God .




CHAP. XXXV.

1. ELihu spake moreover and said,

2. Thinkest thou this to be right , that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's ?

3. For thou saidst , what advantage will it be unto thee ? and and what profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sin ?

4. I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

5. Look unto the heavens, and see, and behold •… he clouds which are higher than thou .

6. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him ? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

7. If thou be righteous what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand ?

8. Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art , and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

9. By reason of the multitude of oppressions, they make the oppressed to cry : they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty .

10. But none saith , where is God my Maker ? who giveth songs in the night !

11. Who teacheth us more then the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser then the fowls of heaven.

12. There they cry, (but none giveth answer) because of the pride of evil men .

13. Surely God will not hear vanity , neither will the Almighty regard it.

14. Although thou sayest, thou shalt not see him , yet judgment is before him , therefore trust thou in him .

15. But now because it is not so , he hath visited in his anger , yet he knoweth it not in great extremity .

16. Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain : he multiplieth words without knowledge .




CHAP. XXXVI.

1. ELihu also proceeded, and said,

2. Suffer me a little , and I will show thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf .

3. I will fetch my knowledge from afar , and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker .

4. For truly, my words shall not be false : he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee .

5. Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any : he is mighty in strength and wisdom. .

6. He preserveth not the life of the wicked : but giveth right to the poor .

7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous : but with Kings are they on the Throne ; yea, he doth establish them forever , and they are exalted .

8. And if they be bound in fetters , and be holden in cords of affliction:

9. Then he showeth them their work , and their transgressions, that they have exceeded .

10. He openeth also their ear to discipline , and commandeth that they return from iniquity .

11. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity , and their years in pleasures .

12. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the Sword, and they shall die without knowledge .

13. But the hypocrite •… 〈◊〉 heart heap up wrath : they cry not when he bindeth them .

14. They die in youth , and their li •… e is among the unclean .

15. He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression .

16. Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place , where there is no straitness, and that which should be set on thy table; should be full of fatness.

17. But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee .

18. Because there is wrath , beware le •… t he take thee away with his stroke : then a great ransom cannot deliver thee .

19. Will he esteem thy riches? no not Gold, nor all the •… orces of strength .

20. Desire not the night , when people are cut off in their place .

21. Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction .

22. Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him ?

23. Who hath enjoined him his way ? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity ?

24. Remember that thou magnify his work , which men behold ?

25. Every man may see it : man may behold it afar off .

26. Behold, God is great , and we know him not , neither can the number of his years be searched out .

27. For he maketh small the drops of water , they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof :

28. Which the clouds do drop, and distil upon man abundantly .

29. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds , or the noise of his tabernacle .

30. Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it , and covereth the bottom of the Sea .

31. For by them judgeth he the people ; he giveth meat in abundance .

32. With clouds he covereth the light , and commandeth it not to shine , by the cloud that cometh betwixt .

33. The noise thereof showeth concerning it ; the cattle also concerning the vapor .




CHAP. XXXVII.

1. AT this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place .

2. Hear attentively the noise of his voice , and the sound that goeth out of his mouth .

3. He directeth it under the whole heaven , and his lightning unto the ends of the earth .

4. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

5. God thundereth marvelously with his voice: great things doth he, which we cannot comprehend .

6. For he saith to the snow, be thou on the earth : likewise to the small rain: and to the great rain of his strength .

7. He Sealeth up the hand of every man , that all men may know his work .

8. Then the beasts go into dens , and remain in their places.

9. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind : and cold out of the north.

10. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened .

11. Also by watering he wearieth the thick clouds : he scattereth his bright cloud .

12. And it is turned round about by his counsels : that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the Earth.

13. He causeth it to come , whether for correction , or for his land , or for mercy .

14. Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God .

15. Dost thou know when God disposed them , and caused the light of his cloud to shine ?

16. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge ?

17. How thy garments are warm , when he quieteth the earth By the South w •… nd ?

18. Hast thou with him spread out the sky , which is strong , and as a molten looking glass .

19. Teach us what we shall say unto him : for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness .

20. Shall it be told him that I speak ? if a man speak , surely he shall be swallowed up .

21. And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds , but the wind passeth and cleanseth them .

22. Fair weather cometh out of the north ▪ with God is terrible Majesty .

23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out , he is excellent in power , and in judgment , and in plenty of justice , he will not afflict .

24. Men do therefore fear him : he respecteth not any that are wise of heart .




CHAP. XXXVIII.

1. THen the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind , and said,

2. Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge ?

3. Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee and answer thou me.

4. Where wast thou , when I laid the foundations of the earth ? declare, if thou hast understanding .

5. Who hath laid the measures thereof , if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6. Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened ? or who laid the corner stone thereof ?

7. When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy

8. Or who shut up the sea with doors , when it brake forth as if it had issued out of the womb.

9. When I made the cloud the garment thereof , and thick darkness a swaddling band for it :

10. And brake up for it my decreed place , and set bars, and doors ,

11. And said, Hitherto shall thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.

12. Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days ? and caused the day-spring to know his place ?

13. That it might take hold of the ends of the earth , that the wicked might be shaken out of it ?

14. It is turned as clay to the seal , and they stand as a garment .

15. And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arms shall be broken.

16. Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth ?

17. Have the gates of death been opened unto thee ? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death ?

18. Hast thou perceived the breadth of the Earth . declare , if thou knowest it all.

19. Where is the way where light dwelleth ? and as for darkness where is the place thereof?

20. That thou shouldst take it , to the bound thereof , and that thou shouldst know the paths to the house thereof ?

21. Knowest thou it because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great ?

22. Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail .

23. Which I have reserved against the time of trouble , against the day of battle and war?

24. By what way is the light parted , which scattereth the east-wind upon the earth ?

25. Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters ? or a way for the lightning of thunder ,

26. To cause it to rain on the earth where no man is; on the wilderness wherein there is no man !

27. To satisfy the desolate and wast ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth .

28. Hath the rain a father ? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew?

29. Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven who hath gendred it ?

30. The waters are hid as with a stone , and the face of the deep is frozen.

31. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades , or loose the bands of Orion ?

32. Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season, or canst thou guide Arcturus with his Sons ?

33. Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven ? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth ?

34. Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds , that abundance of waters may cover thee ?

35. Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are ?

36. * Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts , or who hath given understanding to the heart ?

37. Who can number the clouds in wisdom ? or who can stay the bottles of heaven ?

38. When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clouds cleave fast together ?

39. Wilt thou hunt the prey for the Lion ? or fill the appetite of the young Lions.

40. When they couch in their dens , and abide in the covert to lie in wait ?

41. Who provideth for the Raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.




CHAP. XXXIX.

1. KNowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth ? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve ?

2. Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth ?

3. They bow themselves , they bring forth their young ones , they cast out their sorrows .

4. Their young ones are in good liking , they grow up with corn : they go forth, and return not unto them .

5. Who hath sent out the wild ass free ? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass ?

6. Whose house I have made the wilderness , and the barren land his dwellings.

7. He scorneth the multitude of the city , neither regardeth he the crying of the driver .

8. The range of the mountain is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

9. Will the Unicorn be willing to serve thee , or abide by thy crib ?

10. Canst thou bind the Unicorn with his band in the furrow ? or will he harrow the valleys after thee ?

11. Wilt thou trust him because his strength is great ? or wilt thou leave thy labor to him ?

12. Wilt thou believe him that he will bring home thy seed , and gather it into thy Barn?

13. Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the Peacoks ? or wings and feathers unto the Ostrich ?

14. Which leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust

15. And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

16. She is hardened against her young ones , as though they were not hers : her labor is in vain without fear ;

17. Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding .

18. What time she lifteth up herself on high , she scorneth the horse and his rider .

19. Hast thou given the horse strength ? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder ?

20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper ? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

21. He paweth in the valley , and rejoiceth in his strength : he goeth on to meet the armed men

22. He mocketh at fear , and is not affrighted: neither turneth he back from the Sword .

23. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the Shield .

24. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet

25. He saith among the trumpets, ha, ha ; and he smelleth the battle afar off , the thunder of the captains , and the shouting.

26. Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom , and stretch her wings toward the south ?

27. Doth the Eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high ?

28. She dwelleth and abideth upon the rock, upon the crag of the rock , and the strong place.

29. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off .

30. Her young ones also suck up blood : and where the slain are , there is she .




CHAP. XL.

1. MOreover, the LORD answered Job , and said,

2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him ? he that reproveth God , let him answer it .

3. Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

4. Behold, I am vile , what shall I answer thee ? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth .

5. Once have I spoken, but I will not answer : yea, twice , but I will proceed no further .

6. Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the Whirl-wind , and said,

7. Gird up thy Loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

8. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment ? Wilt thou condemn me that thou mayest be righteous ?

9. Hast thou an arm like God ? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him ?

10. Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency , and array thyself with glory and beauty.

11. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath : and behold everyone that is proud, and abase him .

12. Look on everyone that is proud, and bring him low: and tread down the wicked in their place .

13. Hide them in the dust together , and bind their faces in secret .

14. Then will I also confess unto thee, that thine own right hand can save thee .

15. Behold now Behemoth which I made with thee , he eateth grass as an Ox .

16. Lo now, his strength is in his loins , and his force is in the navel of his belly .

17. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

18. His bones are as strong pieces of Brass , his bones are like bars of iron.

19. He is the chief of the ways of God : he that made him, can make his sword to approach unto him .

20. Surely the mountains bring him forth food : where all the beasts of the field play .

21. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reeds, and fens .

22. The shady trees cover him with their shadow, the willows of the brook compass him about.

23. Behold, he drinketh up a river and hasteth not : he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his Mouth .

24. He taketh it with his Eyes: his nose pierceth through snares .




CHAP. XLI.

1. CAnst thou draw out Leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down ?

2. Canst thou put an hook into his nose ? or bore his jaw through with a thorn .

3. Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee ?

4. Will he make a Covenant with thee ? wilt thou take him for a servant forever?

5. Wilt thou play with him as with a bird ? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens ?

6. Shall the companions make a banquet of him ? shall they part him among the Merchants ?

7. Canst thou fill his skin with barbed Irons, or his head with fish-spears ?

8. Lay thine hand upon him , remember the battle , do no more.

9. Behold, the hope of him , is in vain: shall not one be cast down, even at the sight of him ?

10. None is so fierce that dare stir him up : who then is able to stand before me ?

11. who hath prevented me that I should repay him ? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine .

12. I will not conceal his parts , nor his power, nor his comely proportion .

13. Who can discover the face of his garment ? or who can come to him with his double bridle ?

14. Who can open the doors of his face ? his teeth are terrible round about .

15. His scales are his pride , shut up together as with a close seal i.

16. One is so near to another , that no air can come between them.

17. They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered .

18. By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eye lids of the morning .

19. Out of his mouth go burning Lamps , and sparks of fire leap out.

20. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron .

21. His breath kindleth Coals , and a flame goeth out of his Mouth.

22. In his neck remaineth strength , and sorrow is turned into joy before him .

23. The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves, they cannot be moved .

24. His heart is as firm as a stone, yea, as hard as a piece of the nether mill-stone .

25. When he raiseth up himself , the Mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves .

26. The Sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold : the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon .

27. He esteemeth iron as straw , and brass as rotten wood.

28. The arrow cannot make him flee: sling-stones are turned with him into stubble .

29. Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear .

30. Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp-pointed things upon the mire .

31. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot : he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment .

32. He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary

33. Upon earth there is not his like: who is made without fear .

34. He beholdeth all high things : he is a king over all the children of pride.




CHAP. XLII.

1. THen Job answered the LORD, and said,

2. I know that thou canst do every thing , and that no thought can be withholden from thee .

3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge ? therefore have I uttered that I understood not, things too wonderful for me, which I knew not .

4. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak : I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

5. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee .

6. Wherefore I abhor myself , and repent in dust and ashes .

7. And it was so that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite , My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends , for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath .

8. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job , and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering, and my servant Job shall pray for you, for him will I accept : lest I deal with you after your folly , in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9. So Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them : the LORD also accepted Job .

10. And the LORD turned the Captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends : also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

11. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters , and all they that had been his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him , and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and everyone an ear-ring of gold .

12. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more then his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.

13. He had also seven sons and three daughters.

14. And he called the name of the first, Jemima, and the name of the second, Kezia, and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.

15. And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

16. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons sons, even four generations.

17. So Job died being old, and full of days .




PSALMS.

The ARGUMENT.

THe divine Authority of this book of Psalms is so certain and evident, that it was never questioned in the Church: Which being fixed, it is of small moment that the Penmen of some of them is not now known: Nor doth this anymore lessen its Authority, than it invalidates the Decree of a Prince, or an Act of Parliament, that it is not certain by whose Pen it was drawn up. Most of them were composed by David, as is evident both from the title of them, and from the express Testimony of the New Testament concerning some of them, and that by the inspiration of God's Spirit, as appears both from the divine matter and frame of them, and from 2. Sam. 23. 1. Mat. 22. 43. &c. Act. 1. 16. and 2. 25. But some of them were composed by other Persons; by Moses, as Psal. 90. by Heman, and Ethan, and Asaph, as the title of the Psalms show; and by others after their times, whose names are not mentioned, as is manifest from Psal. 126. & 137. It is apparent that the Psalms were not written in the order in which they now lie; and they were put into this order either by Ezra, as the Hebrew Doctors affirm; or by some other holy Prophet or Prophets. It is sufficient for us, that the whole Book is owned as Canonical by our blessed Savior, Luke 24. 44.

PSAL. I.

The ARGUMENT.

THis Psalm was put first as a Preface to all the rest, as a powerful persuasive to the diligent reading, and serious study of the whole book, and of the rest of the holy Scripture, taken from that blessedness which attends upon the study and practice thereof.

1. BLessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly , nor standeth in the way of sinners , nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful .

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night .

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither , and whatsoever he doth shall prosper .

4 The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away .

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment , nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous .

6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish .

PSAL. II.

The ARGUMENT.

THE pen-man of this Psalm was David, as is affirmed Act. 4. 25. As for the matter or subject of it, it may seem to have some respect unto David, and to his advancement to, and settlement in the Throne of Judah and Israel; but the chief design and scope of it, and the primary intention of the holy Ghost in it, was to describe the Messiah and his Kingdom, as is manifest 1. From express testimonies of the New Testament to that purpose, as Act. 4. 25. & 13. 33. Heb. 1. 5, & 5. 5. and, 2. From the consent of the ancient Hebrew writers who did unanimously expound it so, as is confessed by their own brethren, particularly by Rabbi Solomon Jarchi upon this place; who hath this memorable passage, Our Doctors expounded this Psalm of the King Messiah, but that we may answer the Heretics (by which he means the Christians, as all know) it is expedient to interpret it of David's person, as the words sound. Which words altho they are left out of the latter Editions of that book, either by the fraud of Jews or carelessness, or mistake of others, yet are extant in the ancient Editions of it. 3. From divers passages of the Psalms which do not agree to David but to Christ only, as the title of Son, of which see Heb. 1. 4, 5. The extent of his Kingdom, v. 8. and divine Worship. v. 11, 12.

1 WHY do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing ?

2. The kings of the earth set themselves , and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD , and against his anointed , saying,

3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us .

4. He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh : the LORD shall have them in derision.

5. Then shall he speak to them in his wrath , and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion .

7. I will declare the decree : the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my son , this day have I begotten thee .

8. Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance , and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy Possession.

9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of Iron , thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel.

10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11. Serve the LORD with 〈◊〉 , and rejoice with trembling .

12. Kiss the son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way , when his wrath is kindled but a little : blessed are all they that put their trust in him .

PSAL. III.

A Psalm of David , when he fled from Absalom his son.

1. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me? many are they that rise up against me .

2. M •… y there be which say of my soul , There 〈◊〉 no help for him in God . S •… lah .

3. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me : my glory , and the lifter up of my head .

4. I cried unto the LORD with my voice , and he heard me out of his holy hill . Selah.

5. I laid me down and slept ; I awaked , for the LORD sustained me .

6. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about .

7. Arise , O LORD, save me, O my God , for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone : thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD : thy blessing is upon thy people . Selah.

PSAL. IV.

To the chief musician on Neginoth , a psalm of David.

1. HEar me when I call O God of my righteousness : thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress, have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.

2. O ye sons of men , how long will ye turn my glory into shame ? how long will ye love vanity and seek after leasing ? Selah.

3. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly , for himself : the LORD will hear when I call unto him .

4. Stand in awe , and sin not : commune with your own heart upon your bed , and be still . Selah.

5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness : and put your trust in the LORD .

6. There be many that say, who will show us any good ? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us .

7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their 〈◊〉 and their wine increased .

8. I will both lay me down in peace , and sleep: for thou LORD only makest me dwell in safety .

PSAL, V.

To the chief musician upon Nehiloth , A psalm of David .

1. GIve •… ar to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation .

2. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King , and my God: for unto thee will I pray .

3. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning , O LORD, in the morning will I direct my Prayers , unto thee, and will look up .

4. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness : neither shall evil dwell with thee .

5. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou hatest all workers of iniquity .

6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing : the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man .

7. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy : and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple .

8. Lead me O LORD in thy righteousness , because of mine enemies ; make thy way straight before my face .

9. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth, their inward part is very wickedness ; their throat is an open sepulcher, they flatter with their tongue .

10. Destroy thou them , O God; let them fall by their own counsels : cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against thee .

11. But let all those that put their trust in thee , rejoice : let them ever shout for joy: because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous: with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield .

PSAL. VI.

To the chief musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith , a Psalm of David .

1. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger , neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure .

2. Have mercy upon me , O LORD, for I am weak : O LORD, heal me for my bones are vexed .

3. My soul is also sore vexed : but thou, O LORD, how long ?

4. Return , O LORD, deliver my soul : oh, save me for thy mercies sake.

5. For in death there is no remembrance of thee : in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

6. I am weary with my groaning, all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears.

7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief ; it waxeth old because of all mine Enemies.

8. Depart from me , all ye workers of Iniquity ; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping .

9. The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

10. Let all mine Enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly .

PSAL. VII.

Shiggaion of David, which he sang, unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.

1. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust : save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.

2. Lest he tear my soul like a lion , renting it in pieces, while there is none to deliver .

3. O LORD my God, if I have done this ; if there be Iniquity in my hands :

4. If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me : (yea , I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy.)

5. Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it ; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust. Selah.

6. Arise, O LORD, in thine anger , lift up thyself , because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded .

7. So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about : for their sakes therefore return thou on high .

8. The LORD shall judge the people : judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine Integrity that is in me .

9. O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end , but establish the just : for the righteous God trieth the heart and reins .

10. My defense is of God , which saveth the upright in heart .

11. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day .

12. If he turn not , he will whet his sword , he hath bent his bow , and made it ready.

13. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death ; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors .

14. Behold, he travelleth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood .

15. He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made .

16. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

17. I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness : and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

PSAL. VIII.

To the chief musician upon Gittith , a Psalm of David .

1. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the Earth ! who hast set thy glory above the heavens .

2. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength , because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger .

3. When I consider thy heavens , the work of thy fingers , the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained ;

4. What is man that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man that thou visitest him ?

5. For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels , and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

6. Thou madest him to have Dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet :

7. All sheep and oxen , yea, and the beasts of the field :

8. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the sea.

9. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.

PSAL. IX.

To the chief musician upon Muth-labben , a Psalm of David.

1. I will praise thee, O LORD with my heart , I will show forth all thy marvellons works .

2. I will be glad and rejoice in thee : I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most high.

3. When mine enemies are turned back , they shall fall and perish at thy presence .

4. For thou hast maintained my right and my cause , thou satest in the throne judging right .

5. Thou hast rebuked the heathen , thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name forever and ever.

6. O thou enemy , destructions are come to a perpetual end : and thou hast destroyed Cities, their memorial is perished with them .

7. But the LORD shall endure forever : he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

9. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed , a refuge in times of trouble.

10. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee .

11. Sing praises to the LORD which dwelleth in Zion : declare among the people his doings.

12. When he maketh inquisition for blood , he remembereth them : he forgetteth not the cry of the humble .

13. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that li •… test me up from the gates of death :

14. That I may show forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion : I will rejoice in thy salvation.

15. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made : in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

16. The LORD is known , by the judgment which he executeth : the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands, Higgaion , Selah.

17. The wicked, shall be turned into hell , and all the nations that forget God .

18. For the needy shall not always be forgotten : the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.

19. Arise, O LORD, let not man prevail, let the heathen be judged in thy •… ight.

20. Put them in fear , O LORD, that the nations may know themselves to be but men . Selah.

PSAL. X.

The ARGUMENT.

This Psalm contains David's Complaint unto God against his malicious Enemies, especially those of his own People, whose wicked and deceitful Practises he here describes, and then commits his Cause to God, and begs his help against them.

1. WHY standest thou a •… ar off , O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble ?

2. The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor : let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.

3. For the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire , and blesseth the covetous , whom the LORD abhorreth .

4. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance , will not seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts .

5. His ways are always grievous : thy judgments are far above out of his sight : as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them s.

6. He hath said in his heart , I shall not be moved : for I shall never be in adversity .

7. His mouth is full of cursing , and deceit and fraud : under his tongue is mischief and vanity .

8. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages , in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.

9. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den : he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor when he draweth him into his net.

10. He croucheth, and humbleth himself , that the poor may fall by his strong ones .

11. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten : he hideth his face , he will never see it .

12. Arise, O LORD, O God, lift up thine hand : forget not the humble.

13. Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God ? he hath said in his heart, thou wilt not require it.

14. Thou hast seen it , for , thou beholdest mischief and spite , to requite it with thy hand : the poor committeth himself unto thee, thou art the helper of the fatherless .

15. Break thou the arm of the wicked, and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none e.

16. The LORD is king forever and ever : the heathen are perished out of his land .

17. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble : thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear :

18. To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress .

PSAL. XI.

To the chief musician a Psalm of David.

This Psalm seems to have been composed by David when he was persecuted by Saul, and forced to flee from place to place for safety.

1. IN the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul , Flee as a bird to your mountain .

2. For lo , the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string : that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart .

3. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do ?

4. The LORD m is in his holy temple , the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eye-lids try the children of men .

5. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence , his soul hateth .

6. Upon ▪the wicked he shall rain snares , fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest : this shall be the portion of their cup .

7. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness: his countenance doth behold the upright .

PSAL. XII.

To the chief musician upon Sheminith , a Psalm of David .

1. HElp LORD, for the godly man ceaseth: for the faithful sail from among the children of men.

2. They speak vanity everyone with his neighbor: with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak.

3. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things .

4. Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail , our lips are our own : who is Lord over us ?

5. For the oppression of the poor , for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise (saith the LORD) I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him .

6. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth , purified seven times.

7. Thou shalt keep them , O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.

8. The wicked walk on every side , when the vilest men are exalted.

PSAL. XIII.

To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

The occasion of this Psalm was David 's deep and long continued Distresses, from which he prays for Deliverance.

1. HOW long wilt thou forget me, O LORD, forever ? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2. How long shall I take counsel in my Soul ; having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes , lest I sleep the sleep of death ;

4. Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him ; and those that trouble me, rejoice when I am moved .

5. But I have trusted in thy mercy , my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

6. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me .

PSAL. XIV.

To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

The design of this Psalm is to describe and bewail the horrible Wickedness and Corruption of Mankind, and especially of ungodly Men, and of his own Enemies.

1. THE fool hath said in his heart , there is no God : they are corrupt , they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good .

2. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men ; to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God .

3. They are all gone aside , they are all together become filthy : there is none that doth good, no not one.

4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge ? who eat up my people as they eat bread , and call not upon the LORD .

5. There were they in great fear : for God is in the generation of the righteous.

6. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor ; because the LORD is his refuge.

7. O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion ! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.

PSAL. XV.

The ARGUMENT.

The occasion and time of Composing this Psalm is uncertain: but the Scope of it is plain, which is to give the Character of an holy and happy Man, and to describe the way to true Blessedness. Wherein this is observable, that he is wholly silent as to the Ceremonial or Ritual Observations of the Law, not that he doth disown them, or allow the neglect of them, as is manifest from David's constant Practice, and from many other passages, but that he might undeceive the Hypocritical Israelites, who laid too great a stress upon those things, as if the diligent performance thereof would excuse their wicked Lives, which Error almost all the Prophets do observe and Condemn in them, and that he might inform the Church of that, and all succeeding Ages; that the substance of Religion did consist in the Practice of true Holiness and Righteousness.

A Psalm of David.

1. LORD , who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill ?

2. He that walketh uprightly , and worketh righteousness , and speaketh the truth in his heart ?

3. He that back-biteth not with his tongue , nor doeth evil to his neighbor , nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD: he that sweareth to his own hurt , and changeth not?

5. He that putteth not out his money to usury or taketh reward against the innocent. He that doth these things , shall never be moved .

PSAL. XVI.

Michtam a of David.

1. PReserve me O God: for in thee do I put my trust .

2. O my soul , thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord : my goodness , extendeth not to thee ;

3. But to the Saints that are in the Earth , and to the excellent in whom is all my delight .

4. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another God : their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance , and of my cup : thou maintainest my lot

6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel ; my reins also instruct me in the night-seasons .

8. * I have set the LORD always before me : because * he is at my right hand , I shall not be moved .

9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth : my flesh also shall rest in hope

10. For thou will not leave my soul in hell ; neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption .

11. Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is fullness of joy , at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore .

PSAL. XVII.

A prayer of David .

1. HEar the right , O LORD, attend unto my cry , give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of •… eigned lips .

2. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence : let thine eyes behold the things that are equal .

3. Thou hast proved mine heart, thou hast visited me in the night , thou hast tried me , and shalt find nothing : I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress .

4. Concerning the works of men , by the word of thy lips , I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer .

5. Hold up my goings in thy paths , that my footsteps slip not .

6. I have called upon thee , for thou wilt hear me, O God : incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.

7. show thy marvelous loving kindness , O thou that savest by thy right hand , them which put their trust in thee , from those that rise up against them .

8. Keep me as the apple of the eye e: hide me under the shadow of thy wings .

9. From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies , who compass me about .

10. They are enclosed in their own fat : with their mouth they speak proudly .

11. They have now compassed us in our steps ; they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth :

12. Like a lyon that is greedy of his prey , and as it were a young lyon lurking in secret places .

13. Arise, O LORD, disappoint him , cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword :

14. From men which are thy hand , O LORD, from men of the world , which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure : they are full of Children , and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

15. As for me , I will or shall behold thy face , in righteousness : I shall be satisfied , when I awake , with thy likeness .

PSAL. XVIII.

The ARGUMENT.

This Psalm, with some few and small Variations, is written, 2 Sam. 22. It was composed by David towards the end of his Reign and Life upon the occasion here mentioned.

To the chief musician, a Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD , who spake unto the LORD the words of * this song, in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul : And he said.

1. I Will love thee e, O LORD my strength .

2. The LORD is my rock and fortress, and my deliverer: my God, my strength in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3. I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me .

6. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God, he heard my voice out of his temple , and my cry came before him, even unto his ears.

7. Then the earth shook and trembled , the foundation also of the hills were moved and shaken , because he was wroth.

8. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils , and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it .

9. He bowed the heavens also and came down . and darkness was under his feet.

10. And he rode upon a cherub , and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind .

11. He made darkness his secret place : his pavilion round about him, were dark waters , and thick clouds of the skies.

12. At the brightness that was before him , his thick clouds passed , hail- stones and coals of fire.

13. The LORD also thundered b in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice : hailstones and coals of fire.

14. Yea he sent out his arrows , and scattered them ; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

15. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered : at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

16. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me : for they were too strong for me.

18. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.

19. He brought me forth also into a large place : he delivered me, because he delighted in me .

20. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness ; according to the clanness of my hands o hath he recompensed me.

21. For I have kept the ways of the LORD , and have not wickedly departed from my God .

22. For all his judgments were before me , and I did not * put away his statutes from me .

23. I was also upright before him : and I kept myself from mine iniquity .

24. Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his Eyesight.

25 With the merciful man thou wilt show thyself merciful with an upright man thou wilt show thyself upright .

26. With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure , and with the froward thou whilst show thyself froward .

27. For thou wilt save the afflicted people : but wilt bring down high looks .

28. For thou wilt light my candle : the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

29. For by thee I have run through a troop : and by my God have I leaped over a wall .

30. As for God his way is perfect : the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

31. For who is God save the LORD ? or who is a Rock save our God!

32. It is God that girdeth me with strength , and maketh my way perfect .

33. He maketh my feet like hinds feet , and setteth me upon my high places.

34. * He teacheth my hands to war , so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms .

35. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation : and thy right hand hath holden m •… up , and thy gentleness hath made me great.

36. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me: that my feet did not slip .

37. I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

38. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise. they are fallen under my feet .

39. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

40. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies: that I might destroy them that hate me.

41. They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD , but he answered them not.

42. Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as dirt in the streets.

43. Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people : and thou hast made me the head of the heathen : a people whom I have not known shall serve me.

44. As soon as they hear of me , they shall obey me: † the strangers shall submit themselves unto me .

45. The strangers shall fade away , and be afraid , out of their close places .

46. The LORD liveth , and blessed be my rock : and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

47. It is God that avengeth me ; and subdueth the people under me.

48. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me : thou hast delivered me from the violent man .

49. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen : and sing praises unto thy name.

50. Great deliverance giveth he to his king : and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

PSAL. XIX.

The ARGUMENT.

The design of this Psalm is to adore and magnify the name of God for the discovery of his Wisdom and Power, and Goodness, both by his great and glorious Works of Creation and Providence; and especially by his Word and the holy Scripture; which he prefers before the former.

To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.

1. THe heavens declare the glory of God : and the firmament showeth his handy work .

2. Day unto day uttereth speech , and night unto night showeth knowledge .

3. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard .

4. Their line is gone out through all the earth , and their words to the end of the world: in them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun .

5. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber , and