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PSAL. CIII.

A Psalm of David.

This Psalm contains a thankful Commemoration and Celebration of God's mercies to the Psalmist himself, and to the people of Israel, and to all good men.

1 BLess the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name .

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases .

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction , who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies.

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things : so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles .

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed .

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger , and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide : neither will he keep his anger forever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins : nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the Heaven is high above the earth: so great is his mercy towards them that fear him .

12 As far as the east is from the west: so far hath he removed our transgressions from us .

13 Like as a father pitieth his children: so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame : he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man , his days are as grass: as a flower of the field , so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it , and it is gone: and the place thereof shall know it no more .

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him : and his righteousness unto children's children:

18 To such as keep his covenant , and to those that remember his commandments to do them .

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens : and his kingdom ruleth over all .

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels , that excel in strength , that do his commandments , hearkening unto the voice of his word .

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts , ye ministers of his that do his pleasure .

22 Bless the LORD all his works in all places of his dominion : bless the LORD, O my soul .

PSAL. CIV.

As the next foregoing Psalm treats of the special favors of God to his Church and People, so this declares and celebrates the wonderful and gracious works of God to all Mankind in the Creation of this visible World, and in the wise and powerful disposition of all things therein to man's use and comfort.

1 BLess the LORD, O my soul: O LORD my God, thou art very great , thou art clothed with honor and majesty .

2 Who coverest thyself with light , as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain .

3 Who layeth the beams of his Chambers in the waters ; who maketh the clouds his chariots, who walketh upon the wings of the wind .

4 Who maketh his angels spirits : his ministers a flaming fire .

5 Who laid the foundations of the earth , that it should not be removed forever .

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains .

7 At thy rebuke they fled : at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

8 They go up by the mountains: they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them .

9 Thou hast set a bound , that they may not pass over: that they turn not again to cover the earth .

10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills .

11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches .

13 He watereth the hills from his chambers ; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works .

14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man : that he may bring forth food out of the earth :

15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine , and bread , which strengtheneth man's heart .

16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap : the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted.

17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork , the fir-trees are her house.

18 The high hills are a refuge for wild goats, and the rocks for the conies .

19 He appointeth the moon for seasons ; the sun knoweth his going down .

20 Thou makest darkness , and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth .

21 The young lions roar after their prey , and seek their meat from God .

22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together , and lay them down in their dens.

23 Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labor until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches .

25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

26 There go the ships; there is that Leviathan , whom thou hast made to play therein .

27 These all wait upon thee : that thou mayest give them their meat in due season .

28 That thou givest them, they gather : thou openest thine hand , they are filled with good.

29 Thou hidest thy face , they are troubled ; thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust .

30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit , they are created : & thou renewest the face of the earth .

31 The glory of the LORD shall endure forever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works .

32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; he toucheth the hills, and they smoke .

33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise unto my God, while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet : I will be glad in the LORD .

35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more : bless thou the LORD, O my soul : Praise ye the LORD.

PSAL. CV.

The Penman of this Psalm was David, as is manifest from 1 Chron. 16. 8, &c. It is a thanksgiving to God for his mercies to his People of Israel.

1 O Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name ; make known his deeds among his people .

2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

3 Glory ye in his holy name : let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD .

4 Seek the LORD, and his strength : seek his face evermore.

5 Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders and the judgments of his mouth .

6 O ye seed of Abraham his servants, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the LORD our God, his judgments are in all the earth .

8 He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations .

9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac.

10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law , and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,

11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

12 When they were but a few men in number : yea, very few, and strangers in it.

13 When they went from one nation to another , from one kingdom to another people.

14 He suffered, no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,

15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed , and do my prophets no harm.

16. Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread .

17. He sent a man before them, even Joseph who was sold for a servant.

18. Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron .

19. Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him .

20. The King sent and loosed him: even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

21. He made him Lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance .

22. To bind his Princes at his pleasure, and teach his Senators wisdom.

23. Israel also came into Egypt: and Jacob sojourned in the Land of Ham .

24. And he increased his people greatly: and made them stronger than their enemies.

25. He turned their heart to hate his people , to deal subtly with his servants .

26. He sent Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen .

27. They shown his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.

28. He sent darkness, and made it dark: and they▪ rebelled not against his word .

29. He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

30. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their Kings .

31. He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts .

32. He gave them hail for rain: and flaming fire in their land.

33. He smote their vines also and their figtrees: and brake the trees of their coasts.

34. He spake, and the locusts came: and caterpillars, and that without number.

35. And did eat up all the herbs in their land: and devoured the fruit of their ground.

36. He smote also all the first-born in their land: the chief of all their strength .

37. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.

38. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.

39. He spread a cloud for a covering and fire to give light in the night.

40. The people asked, and he brought quail : and satisfied them with the bread of heaven .

41. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out: they ran in the dry places like a river .

42. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.

43. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:

44. And gave them the land of the heathen: and they inherited the labor of the people :

45. That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord.

PSAL. CVI.

This Psalm was unquestionably composed in the time of the Israelites Captivity and Dispersion, as is manifest from v. 47. but whether it was that of Babylon, or some other of a later date, is neither easy nor necessary to determine.

1. PRaise ye the Lord; O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth forever .

2. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can show forth all his praise ?

3. Blessed are they that keep judgment ▪ and he that doth righteousness at all times .

4▪ Remember me , O Lord, with the favor that thou be arest unto thy people : O visit me with thy salvation .

5. That I may see the good of thy chosen , that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation : that I may glory with thine inheritance ▪

6. We have sinned with our fathers : we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

7. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt, they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies, but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea .

8. Nevertheless; he saved them for his namessake ; that he might make his mighty power to be known.

9. He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths as through the wilderness .

10. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them , and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.

11. And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left.

12. Then believed they his words, they sang his praise.

13. They soon forgot his works, they waited not for his counsel .

14. But lusted exceedingly , in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.

15. And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their Souls .

16. They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the Saint of the Lord .

17. The earth opened, and swallowed up Dathan , and covered the company of Abiram.

18. And a fire was kindled in their company , the flame burnt up the wicked.

19. They made a calf in Horeb , and worshipped the molten Image.

20. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass .

21. They forgot God their Savior, which had done great things in Egypt.

22. Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.

23. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach : to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them

24. Yea, they despised the pleasant land : they believed not his word :

25. But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord .

26. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

27. To overthrow their seed also among the Nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

28. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead .

29. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the Plague brake in upon them.

30. Then stood up Phineas and executed judgment, and so the Plague was stayed.

31. And that was counted unto him for righteousness , unto all generations for evermore.

32. They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes .

33. Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

34. They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them.

35. But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

36. And they served their idols which were a snare unto them .

37. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils :

38. And shed innocent blood , even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the Idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

39. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions .

40. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

41. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen, and they that hated them, ruled over them.

42. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

43. Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked him with their counsel , and were brought low for their iniquity.

44. Nevertheless, he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry.

45. And he remembered for them his covenant and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

46. He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives .

47. Save us, O LORD our God , and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise .

48. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.

PSALM CVII.

The most of the Psalms have a peculiar respect unto the Church or People of God, or to some eminent members thereof; but there are some few Psalms which have a more general respect to all Nations, of which number this is one. Wherein the Psalmist discourseth of the merciful Providence of God towards all mankind, and of his readiness to help them in all their distresses, some few particular instances whereof he mentioneth, and leaveth the rest to be understood, there being the same reason of all. But withal he takes notice also of God's Judgments upon wicked Persons and People. And by this representation of God's mercies and judgments, he invites all nations to an acknowledgment of the true God, to praise him for his favors, and to tremble at his judgments, which is their just duty and reasonable service.

1. O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever .

2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so , whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy .

3. And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north , and from the south .

4. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way, they found no city to dwell in .

5. Hungry and thirsty, their Soul fainted in them .

6. Then they cried unto the LORD , in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses .

7. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation .

8. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men .

9. For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness .

10. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death , being bound in affliction and iron .

11. Because they rebelled against the words of God , and contemned the counsel of the most High.

12. Therefore he brought down their heart with labor , they fell down, and there was none to help .

13. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

14. He brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

15. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

16. For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder .

17. Fools , because of their transgression , and because of their iniquities, are afflicted .

18. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat , and they draw near unto the gates of death .

19. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, he saith them out of their distresses.

20. He sent his word , and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

21. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving , and declare his works with rejoicing.

23. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters:

24. These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

25. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths , their soul is melted, because of trouble .

27. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man , and are at their wits end.

28. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

31. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.

32. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people , and praise him in the assembly of the elders .

33. He turneth rivers into a wilderness , and the water-springs into dry ground:

34. A fruitful land into barrenness , for the wickedness of them that dwell therein .

35. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water , and dry ground into water-springs.

36. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

37. And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase .

38. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and suffereth not their cattle to decrease .

39. Again they are minished and brought low , through oppression, affliction and sorrow .

40. He poureth contempt upon princes , and causeth them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way .

41. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock .

42. The righteous shall see it , and rejoice , and all iniquity shall stop her mouth .

43. Whose is wise, and will observe those things , even they shall understand the kindness of the LORD .

PSAL. CVIII.

A Song, or Psalm of David.

This Psalm is almost word for word taken out of two foregoing Psalms, the first five verses out of Psal. 57. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. and the rest out of Psal. 60. 5, &c. to which the Reader must resort for the explication of it. This only is observable that the Psalmist designing to take the body of this Psalm out of Psal. 60. doth industriously lay aside that mournful Preface v. 1, 2, 3, 4. and borrows one more pleasant out of Psal. 57. The reason of which change is supposed to be this, that Psal. 60. was composed in the time of his danger and distress, and the latter after his deliverance.

1. O God, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise even with my glory .

2. Awake psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

3. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

4. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

6. That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand and answer me.

7. God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

8. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, Ephraim also is the strength of mine head, Judah is my law-giver.

9. Moab is my wash-pot, over Edom will I cast out my shoe: over Philistia will I triumph.

10. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom ?

11. Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

12. Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

13. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

PSAL. CIX.

To the chief musician, A Psalm of David.

It is sufficiently evident from the body of this Psalm, that it was composed by David when he was in a state of persecution either by Saul or by Absalom; and that amongst and above all the rest of his enemies he takes very particular notice of, and breaks forth into vehement expressions of anger against one particular person, which whether it were Do •… g or Ahithophel is not certain, nor at all necessary to know. But as David was, and very well knew himself to be a Type of Christ, and consequently his enemies did typify or represent the enemies of Christ, and this particular adversary of his did represent some singular and eminent enemy of Christ, which though David might not, yet the Spirit of God which indicted this Psalm, did know to be Judas, and accordingly directed all these bitter invectives and imprecations against him, who deserved and received far worse punishments for his monstrous wickedness; than all which are here mentioned. And that he was the person principally aimed at in this Psalm, will seem very probable to him who considers David's mild and merciful temper even towards his enemies, which he both professed in words in this very book, as Psal. 35. 12, 13, 14. and practiced in deeds, as 2 Sam. 16. 10, 11. & 19. 22, 23. and withal the severity of these imprecations, reaching not only to the persons of his enemies, but to their children, who yet by the Law of God were not to suffer for their parents sins, Deut. 24. 16.

1. HOld not thy peace , O God of my praise .

2. For the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue .

3. They compassed me about also with words of hatred : and fought against me without a cause .

4. For my love, they are my adversaries : but I give myself unto prayer ,

5. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6. Set thou a wicked man over him , and let Satan stand at his right hand .

7. When he shall be judged , let him be condemned, and let his prayer become sin .

8. Let his days be few, and let another take his office .

9. Let his children be fatherless , and his wife a widow .

10. Let his children be continually vagabonds , and beg : let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places .

11. Let the extortioner catch all that he hath: and let the stranger spoil his labor .

12. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children .

13. Let his posterity be cut off, and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15. Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16. Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man , that he might even s •… ay the broken in heart .

17. As he loved cursing , so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing , so let it be far from him.

18. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with a garment : so let it come into his bowels like water , and like oil into his bones.

19. Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.

20. Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul .

21. But do thou for me , O GOD the LORD, for thy names sake : because thy mercy is good , deliver thou me.

22. For I am poor and needy , and my heart is wounded within me .

23. I am gone like the shadow, when it declineth : I am tossed up and down as the locust .

24. My knees are weak through •… asting : and my flesh faileth of fatness .

25. I became also a reproach unto them : when they looked upon me, they shaked their heads .

26. Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:

27. That they may know that this is thy hand: that thou, LORD, hast done it.

28. Let them curse , but bless thou: when they arise let them be ashamed, but let thy servant rejoice.

29. Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame : and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

30. I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth: yea, I will praise him among the multitude .

31. For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor , to save him from those that condemn his soul .

PSAL. CX.

A Psalm of David .

That the Penman of this Psalm was not Eliezer, Abraham's servant, who writ it upon the occasion of Abraham's victory over those Kings, Gen. 14. (as some of the later Jews have devised out of opposition to Christianity) nor any other person but David, is manifest from the Title of the Psalm, which is a part of the sacred Text. That this Psalm belongs to the Messiah, is abundantly evident both from the express testimony of the New Testament, Act. 2. 34. 1 Cor. 15. 25. Heb. 1. 13. & 10. 13. and from the consent of the ancient Hebrew Doctors manifested implicitly in Mat. 22. 44. and expressly from their own mouths. Of which see my Latin Synopsis upon this place; and from the matter of the Psalm, which can by no means or arts be made to agree to David, who was not David's Lord, nor a Priest, much less a Priest forever, or after the order of Melchizedek, the Priesthood of Aaron being in David's time in use and force, and in the hands of another person and family. And whereas divers other Psalms, though principally directed to, and to be understood of the Messiah, yet in some sort may be understood concerning David also, or at least took their rise and occasion from David, or from something relating to him, this Psalm is directly and immediately and solely to be understood concerning the Messiah; the Spirit of God wisely so ordering this matter, that it might be a most express and convincing testimony against the unbelieving Jews concerning the true Messiah, and concerning the nature and quality of his Kingdom.

1 THE LORD said unto my LORD , Sit thou at my right hand , until I make thine enemies thy footstool .

2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion : rule thou in the midst of thine enemies .

3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power , in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth .

4 The LORD hath sworn , and therefore will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek .

5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike thorough kings in the day of his wrath .

6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies : he shall wound the heads over many countries.

7 He shall drink of the brook in the way : therefore shall he lift up the head .

PSAL. CXI.

The excellency of this Psalm appears, as from other things, so from the Psalmists care to digest the several parcels of it into an exact order according to the order of the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, that it might be better fixed in the memories of those who read it. It is a short yet full commemoration of God's works.

1 PRaise ye the LORD, I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright , and in the congregation.

2 The works of the LORD are great , sought out of all them that have pleasure therein .

3 His work is honorable and glorious : and his righteousness endureth forever .

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered : the LORD is gracious and full of compassion .

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he will ever be mindful of his covenant .

6 He hath shown his people the power of his works , that he may give them the heritage of the heathen .

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment ; all his commandments are sure .

8 They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness▪

9 He sent redemption unto his people, he hath commanded his covenant forever : holy and reverend is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do his commandments : his praise endureth forever.

PSAL. CXII.

This Psalm containeth a description of a good man's gracious disposition and carriage, as also of his blessed condition even in this life as well as in the next.

1 PRaise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD , that delighted greatly in his commandments .

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house : and his righteousness endureth forever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness : he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man showeth favor and lendeth ; he will guide his affairs with discretion .

6 Surely he shall not be moved forever : the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance .

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : his 〈◊〉 fixed, trusting in the LORD .

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies .

9 He hath dispersed , he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth forever ; his horn shall be exalted with honor .

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved , he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish.

PSAL. CXIII.

This Psalm is a declaration of God's powerful and universal providence towards all men, and especially towards his afflicted people.

1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD : praise the Name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the Name of the LORD, from this time forth and for evermore

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same , the LORD's Name is to be praised .

4 The LORD is high above all nations , and his glory above the heavens .

5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high ,

6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth ?

7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust , and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill:

8 That he may set him with princes , even with the princes of his people .

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house , and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

PSAL. CXIV.

This Psalm is a solemn commemoration of Israel's deliverance out of Egypt; and probably it was to be sung, amongst others, at the celebration of the Passover.

1 WHen Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language ;

2 Judah was his sanctuary , and Israel his dominion .

3 The sea saw it , and fled, Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest ? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills like lambs?

7 Tremble thou earth at the presence of the LORD , at the presence of the God of Jacob.

8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

PSAL. CXV.

The occasion of this Psalm was to manifest some eminent danger or distress of the people of Israel from some Idolatrous Nations. But whether it was that mentioned 2 Chron 20. or what other, is but matter of conjecture, and not worth our inqui •… y.

1 NOt unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory , for thy mercy, and for thy truths sake.

2 Wherefore should the heathen say , Where is now their God ?

3 But our God is in the heavens , he hath done whatsoever he pleased .

4 Their idols are silver and gold , the work of men's hands .

5 They have mouths, but they speak not , eyes have they, but they see not.

6 They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they, but they smell not.

7 They have hands, but they handle not; feet have they, but they walk not; neither speak they through their throat.

8 They that make them are like unto them ; so is everyone that trusteth in them.

9 O Israel , trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

10 O house of Aaron , trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

11 Ye that fear the LORD , trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

12 The LORD hath been mindful of us , he will bless us, he will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron.

13 He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great .

14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 Ye are blessed of the LORD, which made heaven and earth .

16 The heaven, even the heavens are the LORD's : but the earth hath he given to the children of men .

17 The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence

18 But we will bless the LORD ; from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

PSAL. CXVI.

This Psalm contains a solemn thanksgiving to God for a glorious deliverance from grievous and dangerous calamities, as also from great perplexities and terrors of mind arising from the sense of God's displeasure.

1 I Love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplications.

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live .

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me : I found trouble and sorrow.

4 Then called I upon the Name of the LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD , and righteous : yea, our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserveth the simple : I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest , O my soul, for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling .

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living .

10 I believed , therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted .

11 I said in my haste , All men are liars .

12 What shall I render unto the LORD, for all his benefits towards me ?

13 I will take the cup of salvation , and call upon the Name of the Lord .

14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD, now in the presence of all his people .

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD, is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant , I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid : thou hast loosed my bonds .

17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD, now in the presence of all his people .

19 In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

PSAL. CXVII.

This Psalm contains a Prophecy of the Calling of the Gentiles, as appears both from the matter of it, and from Rom. 15. 11. where it is quoted to that purpose.

1 O Praise the LORD , all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great towards us : and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD.

PSAL. CXVIII.

This Psalm most probably was composed by David when the Civil Wars between the Houses of Saul and David were ended, and David was newly settled in the Kingdom of all Israel, and had newly brought up the Ark of God to his Royal City. But though this was the occasion, yet David, or at least the Spirit of God, which indired this Psalm, had a further reach and higher design in it, and especially in the latter part of it, which was to carry the Readers thoughts beyond the Type to the Antitype, the Messias and his Kingdom, who was chiefly intended in it. Which is apparent both from the testimonies produced of it to that purpose i •… the Ne •… t Testament, as Mat. 〈◊〉 . 9, 42. Mark 12. 10, 11. Acts 4. 11, &c. and from the consent of the Hebrew Doctors both ancient and modern; one evidence whereof is that in their prayers for their Messiah, they use some part of this Psalm: and from the matter itself, as we shall see hereafter. The form of this Psalm may seem to be dramatical, and several parts of it are spoken in the name of several persons, yet so, that the distinction of the persons and their several passages is not expressed, but lest to the observation of the intelligent and diligent Reader, as it is in the Book of the Song of Solomon, and in some part of Ecclesiastes; and in many profane Writers. David speaks in his own name from the beginning to v. 22. and from thence to v. 25. in the name of the people: and thence to v. 28. in the name of the Priests; and then concludes in his own name.

1 O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever.

2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth forever.

3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth forever.

4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth forever.

5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The LORD is on my side, I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me : therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

8 It is better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in man .

9 It is better to trust in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes .

10 All nations compassed me about: but in the Name of the LORD will I destroy them.

11 They compassed me about, yea, they compassed me about : but in the Name of the LORD I will destroy them.

12 They compassed me about like bees , they are quenched as the fire of thorns : for in the Name of the LORD I will destroy them.

13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.

14 The LORD is my strength and song , and is become my salvation .

15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous : the right hand of the LORD doth valiantly .

16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted : the right hand of the LORD doth valiantly.

17 I shall not die , but live, and declare the works of the LORD .

18 The LORD hath chastened me sore : but he hath not given me over unto death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness : I will go in to them, and I will praise the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter .

21 I will praise thee, for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused , is become the head stone of the corner .

23 This is the LORD's doing , it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day which the LORD hath made , we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, I beseech thee , O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity

26 Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the LORD : we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD .

27 God is the LORD , which hath shown us light ; bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar .

28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee; thou art my God, and I will exalt thee.

29 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.

PSAL. CXIX.

The Author of this Psalm was David; which I know none that deny; and of which there is no just reason to doubt. The scope and design of it is manifest, to commend the serious and diligent study and the steadfast belief and the constant practice of God's Word, as incomparably the best counselor and comforter in the world, and as the only way to true blessedness. And this he confirmeth by his own example, which he proposeth to them for their imitation; and he declareth the great and frequent experience which he had of its admirable sweetness and manifold benefits in all conditions, and especially in the times of his distresses. And because it was an hard thing rightly to understand this Word in all its parts, and harder to put it in practice, he therefore intermixeth many prayers to God for his help therein, thereby directing and encouraging others to take the same course. And because this Psalm was very large, and the matter of it of greatest importance, the Psalmist thought fit to divide it into two and twenty several parts, according to the number of the Hebrew Letters, that so he might both prevent tediousness, and fix it in the memory. It is further observable, that the Word of God is here diversely called by the names of Law, Statutes, Precepts or Commandments, Iudgments, Ordinances, Righteousness, Testimonies, Way and Word. By which variety he designed to express the nature and the great perfection and manifold parts and uses of God's Word. Which is called his Word, as proceeding from his mouth, and revealed by him to us; his way, as prescribed by him for us to walk in; his Law, as binding us to obedience; his Statutes, as declaring his Authority and Power of giving us Laws; his Precepts, as declaring and directing our duty; his Ordinances, as ordained and appointed by him; his Righteousness, as exactly agreeable to God's righteous Nature and Will; his Iudgments, as proceeding from the great Judge of the World, and being his Judicial Sentence to which all men must submit; and his Testimonies, as it contains the witnesses of God's mind and will, and of man's duty. And there are very few of these 176 verses contained in this Psalm, in which one or other of these Titles is not found.

ALEPH.

1 BLessed are the undefiled in the way , who walk in the law of the LORD .

2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies , and that seek him with the whole heart .

3 They also do no iniquity ; they walk in his ways .

4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently .

5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6 Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all thy commandments .

7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart , when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments .

8 I will keep thy statutes : O forsake me not utterly .

BETH.

9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy word .

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee : O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart , that I might not sin against thee .

12 Blessed art thou , O LORD: teach me thy statutes .

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies , as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts , and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

GIMEL.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live , and keep thy word .

18 Open thou mine eyes , that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law .

19 I am a stranger in the earth, hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed , which do err from thy commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies .

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes .

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight , and my counsellors .

DALETH.

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust : quicken thou me according to thy word .

26 I have declared my ways , and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts : so shall I talk of thy wondrous works .

28 My soul melteth for heaviness : strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying ; and grant me thy law graciously .

30 I have chosen the way of truth : thy judgments have I laid before me .

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies : O LORD, put me not to shame .

32 I will run the way of thy commandments , when thou shalt enlarge my heart .

HE.

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end .

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight .

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies , and not to covetousness .

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way .

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good .

40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me in thy righteousness .

VAU.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me , O LORD; even thy salvation according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewithal to answer him that reproacheth me : for I trust in thy word .

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth ; for I have hoped in thy judgments .

44 So shall I keep thy law continually , forever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty : for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings , and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved: and I will meditate in thy statutes .

ZAIN.

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope .

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me .

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision : yet have I not declined from thy law.

52 I remembered thy judgments of old , O LORD, and have comforted myself.

53 Horrour hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law .

54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage .

55 I have remembered thy Name , O LORD, in the night , and have kept thy law .

56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts .

CHETH.

57 Thou art my portion , O LORD, I have said , that I would keep thy words.

58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59 I thought on my ways , and turned my feet unto thy testimonies .

60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me : but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee: because of thy righteous judgments .

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee , and of them that keep thy precepts.

64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy : teach me thy statutes .

TETH.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge : for I have believed thy commandments .

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray : but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good , and dost good : teach me thy statutes .

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease : but I delight in thy law .

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes .

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me , than thousands of gold and silver.

IOD.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments .

74 They that fear thee, will be glad when they see me : because I have hoped in thy word .

75 I know , O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live : for thy law is my delight .

78 Let the proud be ashamed, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause, but I will meditate in thy precepts .

79 Let those that fear thee, turn unto me , and those that have known thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed .

CAPH.

81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me!

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke : yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me , which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are faithful : they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87 They had almost consumed me upon earth : but I forsook not thy precepts.

88 Quicken me after thy loving kindness, so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

LAMED.

89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven .

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations : thou hast established the earth, and it abideth .

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances : for all are thy servants .

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me .

94 I am thine , save me: for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies .

96 I have seen an end of all perfection ; but thy commandment is exceeding broad .

97 O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou, through thy commandments, hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me .

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers : for thy testimonies are my meditation .

100 I understand more than the ancients: because I keep thy precepts .

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way : that I might keep thy word .

102. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me .

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth .

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding : therefore I hate every false way .

NUN.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet , and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn , and I will perform i •… , that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth , O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand : yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever : for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.

SAMECH.

113 I hate vain thoughts : but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place, and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evil doers; for I will keep the commandments of my God .

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope .

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually .

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood .

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross , therefore I love thy testimonies .

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments .

AIN.

121 I have done judgment and justice : leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for thy servant for good : let not the proud oppress me.

123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness .

124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy , and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work : for they have made void thy law .

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right ; and I hate every false way.

PE.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful : therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple .

131 I opened my mouth, and panted : for I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me , and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy Name .

133 Order my steps in thy word : and let not any iniquity have dominion over me .

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man : so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant : and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes: because they keep not thy law.

TSADDI.

137 Righteous art thou , O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous, and very faithful .

139 My zeal hath consumed me : because mine enemies have forgotten thy words .

140 Thy word is very pure : therefore thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness , and thy law is the truth .

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live .

KOPH.

145 I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

146 I cri •… unto thee, save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning , and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches , that I might meditate in thy word.

149 Hear my voice according unto thy loving kindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment .

150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law .

151 Thou art near , O LORD: and all thy commandments are truth.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old , that thou hast founded them forever .

RESH.

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes .

156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments .

157 Many are my persecutors, and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies .

158 I beheld the transgressors , and was grieved because they kept not thy word.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts : quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindness.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning : and everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.

SCHIN.

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word .

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor lying : but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee: because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them .

166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments .

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and I love them exceedingly .

168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

TAU.

169 Let my cry come near before thee , O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 My tongue shall speak of thy word , for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let thine hand help me: for I have chosen thy precepts .

174 I have longed for thy salvation , O LORD: and thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and let thy judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep ▪ seek thy servant : for I do not forget thy commandments.