Annotations on the Bible Volume 1
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities : O LORD, who shall stand ?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee : that thou mayest be feared .
5 I wait for the LORD , my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that wait for the morning : I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities .
PSAL. CXXXI.
A song of degrees of David.
This Psalm seems to have been composed by David during Saul's persecution. When he was charged with boundless ambition, and a greedy affectation of the Royal Throne, and that he sought it by wicked practices against Saul's life and dignity. And for his own just vindication he is forced to publish his own integrity, and to declare that as the right 〈◊〉 the Kingdom was not sought or coveted by him, but freely conferred upon him by the unexpected and undesired favor of God, so that he had no thought or design to invade the Throne before his time, but was willing to stay God's leisure for it, and in the mean time was resolved to behave himself towards Saul as became a faithful Subject, seeking nothing but to preserve his own life from the rage of unrighteous and bloody men.
1 LORD, my heart is not haughty , nor mine eyes lofty : neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me .
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned of his mother : my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD , from henceforth and forever.
PSAL. CXXXII.
A song of degrees.
The Penman of this Psalm was either, 1. David, when God had graciously declared his acceptance of David's desire to build an house for God, and his purpose of establishing the Kingdom to David and his seed forever: or, 2. Solomon, as may be gathered from the whole matter of the Psalm, which seems better to agree to him than to David, and particularly from v. 8, 9, 10. compared with 2 Chron. 6. 41, 42. where we have the same words with no great alteration.
1 LORD, remember David , and all his afflictions .
2 How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob .
3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up to my bed .
4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids:
5 Until I find out a place for the LORD , an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
6 Loe, we have heard of it at Ephratah : we found it in the fields of the wood .
7 We will go into his tabernacles : we will worship at his footstool .
8 Arise , O LORD, into thy rest : thou, and the ark of thy strength .
9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ▪ and let thy saints shout for joy .
10 For thy servant David's sake , turn not away the face of thine anointed .
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David, he will not turn from it, Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them; their children also shall sit upon my throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion : he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest forever: here will I dwell , for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation : and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud : I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame : but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
PSAL. CXXXIII.
A song of degrees of David.
This Psalm was composed by David upon the happy occasion of the ending of the Civil Wars between the two Houses of Saul and David. In which having felt the sad effects of discord and division, both the King and People were more sensible of the great blessing of reconciliation and unity.
1 BEhold, how good and how pleasant it is , for brethren to dwell together in unity.
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard , that went down to the skirts of his garments.
3 As the dew of Hermon , and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion ; for there the LORD commandeth blessing , even life for evermore.
PSAL. CXXXIV.
A song of degrees.
The form of this Psalm seems to be dramatical. In the two first verses the Psalmist speaks in the name of some eminent person, either the King or Chief Priest, exhorting and requiring all the Priests and Levites to perform the duties of their place and calling; and in the last verse in the name of the Priests and Levites returning him thanks for his good advice.
1 BEhold, bless ye the LORD all ye servants of the LORD , which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary : and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion .
PSAL. CXXXV.
This Psalm contains an exhortation to all the Israelites, and especially to the Priests and Levites, to praise God for his great and wonderful works; some particulars whereof are here recorded.
1 PRaise ye the LORD, praise ye the name of the LORD, praise him, O ye servants of the LORD .
2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God.
3 Praise ye the LORD, for the LORD is good : sing praises unto his name, for it is pleasant .
4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our LORD is above all gods .
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased , that did he in heaven and in earth , in the seas, and all deep places .
7 He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth , he maketh lightnings for the rain : he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries .
8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast.
9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.
10 Who smote great nations, and slew mighty kings.
11 Sihon king of the Amorite, and Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 And gave their land for an heritage, an heritage unto Israel his people.
13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth forever, and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations .
14 For the LORD will judge his people , and he will repent himself concerning his servants .
15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold , the work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not.
17 They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is everyone that trusteth in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel: bless the LORD, O house of Aaron.
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion , which dwelleth at Jerusalem . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXXXVI.
The matter of this Psalm is the same with the former, only it is a little more fitted to the use and service of the Temple, by the continued repetition of that solemn clause, for thy mercy endures forever, which was much used by the sacred Singers. See 2 Chron. 7. 3. & 20. 21.
1 O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods : for his mercy endureth forever.
3 O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth forever.
4 To him who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth forever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth forever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters : for his mercy endureth forever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth forever.
8 The sun to rule by day : for his mercy endureth forever.
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth forever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth forever.
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth forever.
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth forever.
13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth forever.
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it : for his mercy endureth forever.
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth forever.
16 To him which led his people through the wilderness : for his mercy endureth forever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth forever.
18 And slew mighty kings: for his mercy endureth forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorite: for his mercy endureth forever.
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth forever.
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth forever.
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant : for his mercy endureth forever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth forever.
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth forever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh : for his mercy endureth forever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever.
PSAL. CXXXVII.
The Penman of this Psalm is uncertain: the occasion of it was unquestionably the consideration of the Babylonish Captivity: and it seems to have been composed either during the time of that Captivity, or presently after their deliverance out of it.
1 BY the rivers of Babylon , there we sat down , yea, we wept when we remembered Zion .
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows , in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they that wasted us, required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion .
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land ?
5 If I forget thee , O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning .
6 If I do not remember thee , let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ▪ if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy .
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom , in the day of Jerusalem; who said , Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon , who art to be destroyed . happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast served us .
9 Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones .
PSAL. CXXXVIII.
A Psalm of David.
This is a Psalm of thanksgiving to God for those great deliverances which he had granted to David from Saul and other enemies. By the remembrance whereof David encourageth himself to trust in God in all his future difficulties.
1 I Will praise thee with my whole heart, before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship towards thy holy temple , and praise thy Name, for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name .
3 In the day when I •… ried, thou answeredst me: and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul .
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth .
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD ; for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly ; but the proud he knoweth afar off .
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble , thou wilt revive me : thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies , and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me : thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever : forsake not the works of thine own hands .
PSAL. CXXXIX.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
This Psalm is esteemed by the Hebrews the most excellent in the whole Book. The matter of it is noble and sublime, and so is the style. The occasion of it seems to have been those heavy censures and reproaches wherewith David was loaded by his enemies, who branded him for a notorious 〈◊〉 and imp •… that pretended Religion only for the covering and promoting his own ambitious and wicked designs against his lawful King, whose li •… e and Crown he •… ought to take away. Against these he comforteth himself with the consideration of God's Omniscience, to whom he appeals as the only proper Judge of the integrity of his heart.
1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me .
2 Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising , thou understandest my thought afar off .
3 Thou compassest my path , and my lying down , and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether .
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before , and laid thine hand upon me .
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it .
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence .
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell , behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea .
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me .
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me▪ even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee .
13 For thou hast possessed my reins : thou hast covered me in my mothers womb.
14 I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ▪ marvelous are thy works , and that my soul knoweth right well .
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret ; and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth .
16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being imperfect , and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned , when as yet there was none of them .
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them !
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee .
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked , O God: depart from me therefore , ye bloody men .
20 For they speak against thee wickedly , and thine enemies take thy Name in vain .
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee ! and am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee ?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies .
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts .
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me , and lead me in the way everlasting .
PSAL. CXL.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
This Psalm was composed by David upon occasion of those slanderous and reproachful speeches and treacherous dealings which David had from his enemies, in Saul's time, of which we have an account in the history.
1 DEliver, me, O LORD, from the evil man : preserve me from the violent man.
2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart: continually are they gathered together for war .
3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent ; adders poison is under their lips.
4 Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked, preserve me from the violent man, who have purposed to overthrow my goings .
5 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords, they have spread a net by the way side : they have set grins for me. Selah.
6 I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.
7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation; thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked, further not his wicked device , lest they exalt themselves . Selah.
9 As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them .
10 Let burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire: into deep pits, that they rise not up again .
11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him.
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy Name , the upright shall dwell in thy presence .
PSAL. CXLI.
A Psalm of David.
This Psalm also must be referred to the time of David's persecution by Saul. It is an humble prayer that God would deliver him from the rage and malice of his enemies, and from those sins to which he might be inclined or provoked upon that occasion.
1 LORD, I cry unto thee, make haste unto me, give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.
2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense ; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice .
3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth ; keep the door of my lips .
4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity : and let me not eat of their dainties .
5 Let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindness , and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil , which shall not break my head : for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities .
6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places , they shall hear my words, for they are sweet .
7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth , as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth .
8 But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust, leave not my soul destitute .
9 Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me, and the grins of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets , whilst that I withal escape.
PSAL. CXLII.
Maschil of David; a prayer when he was in the cave .
1 I Cried unto the LORD with my voice : with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him: I shown before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path : in the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand , and beheld, but there was no man that would know me ; refuge failed me: no man cared for my soul .
5 I cried unto thee, O LORD, I said, Thou art my refuge, and my portion in the land of the living .
6 Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.
7 Bring my soul out of prison , that I may praise thy Name: the righteous shall compass me about : for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
PSAL. CXLIII.
A Psalm of David.
This Psalm is much of the same nature with the form •… , and seems to have been composed much about the same time and upon the like occasion. This is the last of those which are called Penitential Psalms, the former being Psal. 6. & 32. & 38. & 51. & 102. & 130.
1 HEar my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me: and in thy righteousness .
2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man living be justified .
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul , he hath smitten my life down to the ground : he hath made me to dwell in darkness , as those that have been long dead .
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me : my heart within me is desolate .
5 I remember the days of old , I meditate on all thy works: I muse on the works of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul thirsteth after thee , as a thirsty land . Selah.
7 Hear me speedily, O LORD, my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me , lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit .
8 Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning , for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk , for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me .
10 Teach me to do thy will , for thou art my God: thy spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness .
11 Quicken me, O LORD, for thy Names sake: for thy righteousness sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
PSAL. CXLIV.
A Psalm of David.
The matter of this Psalm is partly gratulatory for mercies received, and partly petitionary for further blessings. It seems to have been composed after Saul's death, and in the beginning of David's reign, when he was exposed to many perils both from his own rebellious Subjects, and from the Philistines and other foreign enemies, yet so that he had a good prospect and assurance of a more complete and established felicity.
1 BLessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight .
2 My goodness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield, and he i •… whom I trust: who subdueth my people under me .
3 LORD, what is man , that thou takest knowledge of him ! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him ?
4 Man is like to vanity : his days are as a shadow that passeth away .
5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke .
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows , and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above, rid▪me, and deliver me out of great waters: from the hand of strange children .
8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity : and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood .
9 I will sing a new song unto thee , O God: upon a psaltery, and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings : who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children ; whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth ; that our daughters may be as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace .
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands, and ten thousands in our streets .
14 That our oxen may be strong to labor : that there be no breaking in , nor going out : that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD .
PSAL. CXLV.
David's Psalm of praise.
This Psalm and the rest which follow to the end are wholly laudatory, setting forth the praises of God. The excellency of this Psalm appears not only from the opinion of the Hebrew Writers, but also from the care which the Psalmist took to digest it into such accurate and Alphabetical order, that it migh •… be more easily fixed in the mind and memory of the reader.
1 I Will extol thee my God O King , and I will bless thy Name forever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy Name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise thy works to another , and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty , and of thy wondrous works.
6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness , and shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The LORD is good to all : and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All thy works shall praise thee , O LORD, and thy saints shall bless thee.
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.
12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee : and thou givest them their meat in due season .
16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing .
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth .
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy .
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy Name forever and ever.
PSAL. CXLVI.
The design of this Psalm is to persuade men to trust in God, and in him alone.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God, while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes , nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help .
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth : in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6 Which made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth forever :
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed, which giveth food to the hungry: the LORD looseth the prisoners.
8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind , the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down, the LORD loveth the righteous .
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down .
10 The LORD shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLVII.
This Psalm may seem from v. 2. & 13. to have been composed by some holy Prophet after the return of Israel from the Babylonish Captivity. It containeth an ample celebration of God's praises both for common mercies, and for special favors.
1 PRaise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem : he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart , and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars : he calleth them all by their names .
5 Great is our LORD, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving: sing praises upon the harp unto our God.
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man .
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy .
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates : he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders , and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly .
16 He giveth snow like wool : he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes .
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold ?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow .
19 He showeth his word unto Jacob , his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLVIII.
The nature of this Psalm is for substance the same with the former, containing an invitation to all the creatures to praise God for his manifold blessings.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens ; praise him in the heights .
2 Praise ye him all his Angels : praise ye him all his hosts .
3 Praise ye him sun and moon : praise him all ye stars of light.
4 Praise him ye heavens of heavens , and ye waters that be above the heavens .
5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created .
6 He hath also established them forever and ever : he hath made a decree which shall not pass .
7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps.
8 Fire and hail, snow and vapor , stormy wind fulfilling his word .
9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars .
10 Beasts and all cattle, creeping things, and flying fowl.
11 Kings of the earth , and all people: princes, and all judges of the earth.
12 Both young men and maidens, old men and children.
13 Let them praise the Name of the LORD: for his Name alone is excellent, his glory is above the earth and heaven .
14 He also exalteth the horn of his people , the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CXLIX.
The scope and design of this Psalm is to stir up and encourage God's people to praise him, either 1. for their deliverance out of Babylon, and the promises which God had given them of the perfection of that work and of the enlargement of their power and dominion in the world: or rather, 2. for the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel in David's hands, and for that safety and glory and victory over their enemies which they expected by that means. But withal, the Psalmist, or the Spirit of God which dictated this Psalm to him, had a further prospect, even to the Messiah, of whom David was a Type, and who was to succeed David in the Throne, and to bring that Kingdom to its highest perfection. And so divers of the Jewish Doctors understand this Psalm.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song : and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him : let the children of Zion be joyful in their king .
3 Let them praise his Name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp .
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people : he will beautify the meek with salvation .
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory : let them sing aloud upon their beds .
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth , and a two-edged sword in their hand ▪
7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen , and punishments upon the people.
8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron .
9 To execute upon them the judgment written : this honor have all his saints . Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. CL.
This Psalm agrees much with the former; and is an invitation to all men to praise God, and especially to the Levites, or those of them who were appointed to this work, as may be gathered both from the place in which they are to praise him, which is, according to our Translation, in his Sanctuary, v. 1. and from that great variety of instruments here mentioned, all which were frequently used in their Temple-service, and seldom elsewhere.
1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary : praise him in the firmament of his power .
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness .
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that hath breath , praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
PSAL. I.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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 rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it : and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof .
7. The law of the LORD is perfect , converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure , making wise the simple .
8. The statutes of the LORD are right rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the LORD is pure , enlightening the eyes .
9. The fear of the LORD is clean , enduring forever : the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether u.
10. More to •… e desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey , and the honey comb .
11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward .
12. Who can understand his Errors ? cleanse thou me from secret faults .
13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins , let them not have dominion over m •… : then shall I be upright , and I shall be innocent from the great transgression .
14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight , O LORD my strength and my redeemer . &c.
PSAL. XX.
This Psalm contains a Prayer to be used by the People, both now on the behalf of King David, when he was undertaking some great Expedition, going forth, as is supposed, against the Ammonites, and Syrians, 2 Sam. 10. or some other potent Enemies, and hereafter in like Cases.
To the chief musician, a Psalm of David.
1. THe LORD hear thee in the day of trouble : the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
2. Send thee help from the sanctuary : and strengthen thee out of Zion.
3. Remember all thy offerings , and accept thy burnt-sacrifice, S •… lah.
4. Grant thee according to thine own heart , and fulfil all thy counsels .
5. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the Name of our God we will set up our banners : the LORD fulfil all thy Petitions.
6. Now know I , that the LORD saveth his anointed , he will hear him from his holy Heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.
7. Some trust in chariots, and some in Horses: but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God.
8. They are brought down and fallen, but we are risen and stand upright .
PSAL. XXI.
To the chief musician, Psalm of David.
1. THe king shall joy in thy strength a, O LORD, and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice?
2. Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
3. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness ; thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4. He asked life of thee , and thou gavest it him, even length of days forever and ever .
5. His glory is great in thy salvation : honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him
6. For thou hast made him most blessed forever : thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance .
7. For the king trusteth in the LORD: and through the mercy of the most High, he shall not be moved .
8. Thine hand shall find out all thine Enemies , thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
9. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11. For they intended evil against thee : they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform .
12. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back , when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings, against the face of them ?
13. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength : so will we sing and praise thy Power.
PSAL. XXII.
That question mentioned, Act. 8. 34. is very Proper here, Of whom speaketh the Prophet this (Psalm?) of himself, or of some other Man? It is confessed that David was a Type of Christ, and that many Psalms or passages of the Psalms, though properly and literally understood of David, yet had a farther and Mystical reference to Christ, in whom they were accomplished. But there are some other Psalms or passages in the Psalms, as also some Chapters or passages in other Prophets, especially in Isaiah, who lived not very long after David, which either by those sacred Pen-men, or at least by the Holy Ghost inspiring them, which is one and the same thing, were directly, Primarily and Immediately intended for, and are Properly and literally to be understood of the Messias; though withal there may be some respect and allusion to the state of the Penman himself, who being a Type of Christ, it is not strange if there be many Resemblances between them. And this seems to be the state of this Psalm, which is understood of the Messias, by the Hebrew Doctors themselves, and by Christ himself, and by his Apostles, as we shall see. And there are many passages in it, which were most literally accomplished in him, and cannot in a tolerable Sence be understood of any other, as we shall see in the particular Verses. And therefore, I doubt not, that David, though he had an Eye to his own Condition, in divers passages here used, yet was carried forth by the Spirit of Prophecy beyond himself and unto Christ, to whom alone it truly and fully agrees.
To the chief musician upon Aijeleth Shahar , a Psalm of David.
1. MY God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring ?
2. O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest me not; and in the night-season, and am not silent .
3. But thou art holy , O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel .
4. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them .
5. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee and were not confounded .
6. But I am a Worm and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people .
7. All they that see me, laugh me to scorn : they shoot out the lip , they shake the head , saying .
8. He trusted on the LORD , that he would deliver him , let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him .
9. But thou art he that took me out of the Womb ; thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mothers breasts .
10. I was cast upon thee from the Womb: thou art my God from my Mothers belly.
11. Be not far from me , for trouble is near ; for there is none to help .
12. Nany bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13. They gaped upon me with their mouths , as a ravening and a roaring lyon.
14. I am poured out like waters , and all my bones are out of joint : my heart is like wax ; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15. My strength is dried like a potsherd : and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws ; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death .
16. For dogs have compassed me, the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me, they pierced my hands and my feet .
17. I may tell all my bones : they look and stare upon me .
18. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture .
19. But be not thou far from me, O LORD; O my strength hast thee to help me.
20. Deliver my soul from the sword : my darling from the power of the dog.
21. Save me from the lions mouth, for thou hast heard me , from the horns of the unicorns .
22. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him ; all ye the seed of Jacob glorify him; and fear him, all ye seed of Israel .
24. For he hath not despised , nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted: neither hath he hid his face from him , but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation : I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied : they shall praise the LORD that seek him ; your heart shall live forever .
27. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD : and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28. For the kingdom is the LORD'S, and he is the governor among the nations .
29. All they that be fat upon the earth , shall eat and worship , all they that go down to the dust , shall bow before him, and none can keep alive his own soul .
30. A seed shall serve him, it shall be accounted to the LORD for a generation .
31. They i shall come , and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born , that he hath done this .
PSAL. XXIII.
The matter of this Psalm, gives us some general Discovery of the time of it's writing; which was when David was delivered out of his Distresses, and quietly settled in his Kingdom.
A Psalm of David.
1. THe LORD is my shepherd , I shall no •… want .
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness , for his names sake .
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil : for thou ar •… with me, thy rod and thy staff , they comfort me .
5. Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest mine head with oil , my cup runneth over .
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my Life , and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever .
PSAL. XXIV.
This Psalm is generally and probably thought to have been Composed by David upon that solemn Occasion, of bringing the Ark of God from the House of Obed-Edom, into the Tabernacle which David had built for it, 2 Sam. 6. Wherein he hath a further Prospect even to the Temple which he earnestly desired, and intended to build, and which he knew would be built by his Son. And when this was done, and the Ark brought into it, this Psalm was to be •… ung, and indeed to this time it seems chiefly directed. For David's Psalms were not only used by himself upon the first Occasions for which he made them, but they were committed to the Pre •… of sacred Music, for the use of the Church i •… all succeeding times. And being a Prophet, he speaks, as the Prophets used, of things to come, as if they were already present, and turns his Speech to the Temple, and it's Gates as if they were now built. Moreover because the Tabernacle and Temple and Ark were manifest Types of Christ, and of his Church, and of the Place, and state of Heavenly Glory, David extended his thoughts to them also, or at least the Holy Ghost designed to comprehend them under these Typical Expressions.
A Psalm of David.
1. THe earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof : the world, and they that dwell therein.
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas , and established it upon the floods .
3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD ? and who shall stand in his holy place ?
4. He that hath clean hands , and a pure heart ; who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity , nor sworn deceitfully .
5. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD , and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6. This is the generation of them that seek him , that seek thy face , O Jacob r Selah.
7. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye▪ everlasting doors and the King of glory shall come in. ,.
8. Who is the King of glory ? the LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle .
9. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift them up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in .
10. Who is this King of glory? the LORD of host , he is the King of glory, Selah.
PSAL. XXV.
This Psalm seems to have been Composed, when David was under some straights and pressures, when his outward afflictions were accompanied with inward •… horrors of Conscience for his sins, by which he had forfeited God's favor, and procured these Calamities to himself.
A Psalm of David.
1. UNto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul .
2. O my God, I trust in thee, let me not be ashamed : let not mine enemies triumph over me.
3. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed , let them be ashamed which transgress without a cause .
4. Shew me thy ways , O LORD, teach me thy paths.
5. Lead me in thy truth , and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation , on thee do I wait all the day.
6. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies, and thy loving kindnesses for they have been ever of old .
7. Remember not the sins of my youth , nor my transgressions according to thy mercy remember thou me, for thy goodness sake , O LORD.
8. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way .
9. The meek will he guide in judgment : and the meek will he teach his way .
10. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth , unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11. For thy names sake , O LORD, pardon mine iniquity: for it is great .
12. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose .
13. His soul shall dwell at ease ; and his see •… shall inherit the earth .
14. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant .
15. Mine eyes are ever towards the LORD : for he shall pluck my feet out of the net .
16. Turn thee unto me , and have mercy upon me: for I am desolate and afflicted.
17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18. Look upon mine affliction, and my pain, and forgive all my sins .
19. Consider mine enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20. O keep my soul and deliver me: let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in thee.
21. Let integrity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 preserve me : for I wait o •… thee.
PSAL. XXVI.
This Psalm was certainly made by David, when he was in Distress, and particularly when he was falsely accused, and defamed by his Adversaries, as he frequently was by Saul, and his Courtiers: and therefore for his Vindication, he makes a solemn appeal to God, and a Protest •… tion of his own Innocency, to which he was forced by their Clamours and Reproaches.
A Psalm of David:
1 JUdge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity : I have trusted also in the LORD : therefore I shall not slide .
2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me ; try my reins and my heart.
3. For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes : and I have walked in thy truth .
4. I have not sat with vain persons , neither will I go in with dissemblers .
5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers : and will not sit with the wicked.
6. I will wash mine hands in innocence : so will I compass thine altar , O LORD.
7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving , and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house , and the place where thine honor dwelleth.
9. Gather not my soul with sinners , nor my life with bloody men.